Chapter 4 – Revelations

The next day both men slept late into the morning, each more comfortable than they had been in a long time. Remus woke to find that Harry had curled into him during the night and he was pressed rather tightly to the younger man's back. His body was having a predictable reaction and he was very much wishing he was able to get out of bed by himself before he scared Harry off. Gently he shook the dark-haired man's shoulder.

"Harry, it's late. You should probably get up."

The younger man rolled over and gave him a shy smile.

"So it wasn't a dream, I'm glad. Do you feel up to a trip to the kitchen? I can make us some breakfast."

"Sounds good," Remus said, relieved his friend hadn't noticed or at least drawn attention to his condition.

Harry helped Remus into the kitchen and started to make breakfast. They chatted through the meal; mostly about muggle things as they had both spent a good amount of time in the muggle world. After banishing the dishes to the sink Harry stood up and helped Remus to his feet.

A few steps down the hall Remus's legs gave out and he was headed to the floor when Harry caught him and pulled him tight to his chest. Their faces were so close, it was so easy for Remus to just tilt his head up and brush his lips on the younger man's. He was encouraged when Harry not only returned the kiss but also deepened it. Remus opened his lips and traced the other man's mouth with his tongue stopping only to allow Harry to do the same. The kiss lasted until Harry could no longer support both of their weight and slowly pulled back.

Looking into the younger man's eyes Remus felt a tremendous feeling of guilt wash over him. He couldn't continue to lie to Harry. He would have to tell him the truth and hope the younger man would forgive the deception.

"Harry, there are some things I need to tell you before we take this any further."

"Okay, " Harry said warily. "Why don't we get you cleaned up and back in bed and then you can tell me everything."

When the other man nodded Harry led his guest to the bathroom and gave him privacy to wash up while he retrieved more of his godfather's clothes for him to wear.

When this was done Harry helped him back to the guestroom and settled himself on the edge of the bed.

However, before Remus could say a word a voice rang through the cottage that made his blood run cold.

"Harry! Are you home? I didn't have any luck so I thought I'd drop in and check on you." Sirius called out from the living room. Not noticing the look of horror on Remus's face Harry jumped up with a smile.

"My godfather's home! I can't wait for you to meet him. I'll go get him."

Remus could do nothing but sit frozen on the bed and try to process what was happening. Oh god, his Harry was Harry Potter. He had been lusting after James's son. Sirius was not in Azkaban, he was living with Harry in a cozy cottage and about to enter the room any minute and all Remus could do was wait for his world to collapse.

After what seemed like both hours and a matter of seconds Harry entered the room with Sirius behind him.

"Sirius, this is.." Harry began, but stopped when he noticed his godfather staring in shock at the man in the bed.

"Remus?" Sirius croaked out, visibly shaking.

"Oh god, oh god," said a small voice. Remus looked up just in time to see Harry run from the room.

"Harry wait! Please!" Remus called after him, trying to get up out of the bed to go after him only to fall back onto the bed when his legs refused to support him. He felt Sirius's hands reach out and hold him steady but as soon as he could he pulled away.

"Please, see if he is okay. I obviously won't be running off. I know nothing makes sense right now, I'm rather confused myself. Check on Harry and come back. Please, Padfoot." Remus said, his voice breaking.

Sirius's eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare call me that. You have no right to that name! " He said quietly.

This was worse than he had imagined, Remus had expected yelling and screaming. He had expected to get hit and still did, but this deadly calm was much, much worse.

"You're right. Fine, don't do it for me, but do it for Harry."

"Fine. Stay." Sirius spit out. In any other situation Remus would have quirked an eyebrow at the thought of Sirius giving him dog commands, but now he just lowered his head and nodded.

Sirius left the room and came back a few minutes later.

"Harry has gone to the Burrow. That means he's upset and needs some time to think. He'll come home when he's ready. I guess I get you first. So let's start with "why". "

Remus's heart felt like it was going to beat it's way out of his chest and his entire body was shaking. "Why did I leave? Why did I come back? Why did I lie to Harry? You could tell me why you aren't in Azkaban."

"I think under the circumstances my questions get answered first. Why don't you start by telling me what the bloody hell has been going on since I've been away. Away from Harry because I was looking for you, I might add."

"You were looking for me?" Remus asked, his eyes wide.

"I've been looking for you for nearly twenty years although at the moment I couldn't tell you why."

Remus closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath. It wasn't helping. Focus on the present, there we go. How he got here.

"I was hurt, badly. I couldn't walk or apparate so I crawled until I found a house. There was a scent…I take it Padfoot likes to play in the forest? Anyway, Harry found me after I'd passed out. He and his friend patched me up and I've been staying with him ever since. He only introduced himself as Harry, there were a lot of babies named after him for a few years and he doesn't have the scar. I didn't know if it was safe to tell him my real name, so I said I was John Moon."

"You really didn't know it was him?" Sirius questioned.

"No, there are no photos of the two of you or James and Lily in the guestroom or the kitchen. He doesn't look that much like James now that he's grown." Remus said.

"I guess you are telling the truth. If you'd realized you would have disappeared at the first opportunity. "

Remus couldn't help but nod. Then his mind refocused on the bigger picture.

"You raised Harry? You were in Azkaban! Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now!" Remus said, looking at his one-time friend like he would strangle him with his bare hands.

"It was Peter. Merlin, Remus. Do you think I'd have Harry if it had been me? I was just the decoy. If you don't trust me trust that Dumbledore would look after Harry." Sirius's voice was thick with emotion.

Remus felt the throbbing in his head get worse. Peter. Peter had betrayed them, and Sirius had done nothing but care for Harry all this time. Remus had left him alone with a toddler and not a single friend for him to lean on. It was too much. He forced himself to meet Sirius's eyes and he tried to say something but all that came out was "Call Hermione" before everything faded to black.