Title: Doubts 1/9

Author: Egwene

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of his relatives, friends, lovers, professors, enemies… pets, sex toys, sexy looking godfathers or gorgeous werewolves of his acquaintance D

Summary: AU – James and Sirius are a couple and living together after Hogwarts, but when James plans a romantic dinner with his boyfriend, not everything goes according to plan… Is Sirius hiding something from his lover?

A/N: I had this idea when I was coerced into writing a fluff drabble by Prongs. I had to write it. Thanks to Sophocles for the incredible beta!

Chapter 1: Where it's a good idea to tell the truth the first time around

James came home early from the Ministry of Magic where he worked in hopes of spending a nice evening with his boyfriend.

They had left Hogwarts a few months earlier, and James had moved in with Sirius into the apartment he had bought with Uncle Alphard's money. James had never met Sirius' uncle but he figured he had to have been a pretty decent guy, and he was grateful they could have their own apartment.

Life would not have been the same if they'd had to live with James' parents. No doubt his parents were nice, but there were aspects of his relationship with Sirius which they were not too comfortable with.

He chucked as he remembered the first time his parents had walked in on them during the summer. They had been both naked in James' bed, James on top of Sirius, kissing him all over when his mother had opened the door with a plate of cookies, asking them if they wanted any. She had blushed and closed the door quickly. Later with his parents and Sirius, they had discussed certain rules about what the two of them could and couldn't do in James' room. Unfortunately, having hot, passionate sex with his gorgeous, sexy boyfriend was amongst the 'could not do'.

As James pushed the door open and entered their small London flat, he noticed that the lights were out and Sirius was clearly not home.

James was worried. Sirius worked at home; he wrote articles for The Daily Prophet and he had not spoken of going out for research or interviews today.

He went to the kitchen, opened a new bottle of red wine, and brought two glasses with him to the living room. He sat down on the couch and started to wait for Sirius to come home. He figured he wouldn't wait too long because his boyfriend never came back late when he was doing research. He liked to start his paper when the ideas were still fresh in his head.

James grinned. Sirius would not start a new article tonight. He had other plans for those skilful hands.

He picked up a magazine and began to turn the pages lazily, not really interested in what he was reading.

Nearly two hours later, he heard the door opening and saw his gorgeous boyfriend come in. When Sirius saw the bottle and the two glasses on the coffee table in front of the sofa he immediately realised what James had planned for the evening, and guilt could be read all over his face.

"James, I'm so sorry," he started, looking as apologetic as he could.

"Don't worry, it's okay." James smiled. He was glad to have Sirius at home; the hour did not matter. And he had been late himself often enough in the first months working at the Ministry. He was in an exceptionally good mood and nothing could damper it.

"No. I mean, I was just having dinner with Remus and Lily and I forgot time. I'm so sorry. Forgive me." Sirius was standing in front of James, still wearing his coat, his grey eyes shining in the light.

James frowned. It was not in Sirius' habit to apologise so much, but he thought that perhaps Sirius really was sorry they hadn't spent the evening together as he had planned to. They had not had much time together lately, and he missed his boyfriend dearly.

Quickly dismissing the thought that perhaps Sirius was not telling the truth about his whereabouts, he took Sirius' hands and stood up to kiss him.

"Hey, the evening is not over yet. I still have plans for tonight."

"Mmmm."

Clearly Sirius agreed with his idea as he led him to their bedroom, the two men still kissing passionately.

The next day, James was working in his office when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

"Hi James!" Remus said as he entered the small office.

"Moony! Nice to see you," James greeted him enthusiastically. He had not seen his friend since the last full moon, three weeks earlier. they had both been busy and Remus was trying to adapt to living with his girlfriend from Hogwarts, Lily. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Well, I came by to ask you and Sirius to come and have dinner with Lily and me tonight. We have something to tell you." He grinned.

James looked at his friend puzzled. "Didn't you have dinner with Sirius last night?"

"No, I had dinner with Lily. A very interesting dinner if I might add," he said with a wink. He looked very happy and didn't seem to take notice of James' odd question.

"Oh… I must have confused," James said with a frown. "So, what's the news?" he added, hoping that Remus wouldn't notice his uneasiness.

"There would be no surprise if I told you now, James," Remus replied smiling. "Don't worry, it's good news," he added when he saw the worry in James' eyes.

"Okay. We'll be there. What time?"

"Six is good?"

"Yeah. See you tonight."

In a flash, Remus was gone and his elated mood with him. James sat back in his chair, unable to understand what had just happened.

Sirius had deliberately lied to him the previous night. He had come in, apologised and made up an excuse without the blink of an eye.

James sighed. Sirius had prepared that excuse beforehand. It had not been thought up on the moment, it had been clearly planned and rightly executed.

He would never have suspected anything if Remus hadn't come in today. That was the most disturbing thought. That he could not tell when his boyfriend was lying to him. That maybe Sirius lied to him on a regular basis and he had never suspected anything. That maybe this was something he had always done.

What James did not want to think about was why Sirius had lied to him. He had not been having dinner with Remus and Lily the previous night. Where had he spent those three hours?

Clearly he had not wanted James to know about it.

James controlled a shiver as he arrived to the most dreaded conclusion. No, Sirius wouldn't cheat on him. They loved each other so much. After so many hesitations, so many delays, they were finally together.

Sure the last months living together had seen fights and harsh words. But they always had made up afterwards, professing their love. There was nothing setting them apart, they always told each other everything.

They were not married, but both men had claimed their relationship was forever.

There was no way Sirius was cheating on him already.

Maybe he had being buying James a gift or something. After all, their anniversary was only two weeks ahead.

James had planned to take Sirius out to dinner and ask him to marry him, he had already bought matching gold bands that he had carefully hidden in his office where there was no chance for Sirius to find them accidentally; but he had no idea what Sirius had in mind.

Yes, that was it. It was some stupid secret surprise, and there was nothing to worry about. Sirius loved to surprise him; and he loved to be surprised by Sirius.

Still James was a bit unnerved by the ease with which Sirius had lied to him.

He could ask him about it when he went back home, before going to Remus and Lily's; that was the only way to ease his doubts.

But what if it was indeed a surprise and he ruined it? Sirius would not be happy. And that was the last thing in the world he wanted.

James buried his thoughts in his mind. He would wait to see how things went and he would stay calm. If Sirius told him he didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't press the issue.

Sirius loved him. He was sure of it. No need to worry.

He took a quill and went back to work. He had to finish early tonight if he wanted to be at Remus' by six.

Next chapter: Where it's a good idea to tell the truth the second time around

A/N: I've started writing that particular ficmore thana year ago. It's not exactly finished yet, but it will be, don't worry D I would love to hear what you think about it! Don't hesitate to leave me a review.