S I X
Ori stared back at him wide-eyed. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing." Remus replied, slowly unfolding and pushing himself to his feet. "Excuse me, my lord." He brushed past Ori, heart pounding even harder than when the announcer had called his name.
He'd wanted to see Our again. So why was he walking away?
Trying to, anyway. He hadn't made it more than a few steps when Ori's fingers latched on his forearm and brought him to a stop. "Remus, what happened to you?"
"Pardon my disrespect, my lord, but I believe I've already answered that question."
Ori's mouth tightened, eyes pulled tight at the edges. "Pardon me, for believing that your answer was a lie."
Remus glared. "I'm not obliged to tell you the truth, my lord. In fact, I'm not obliged to tell you anything. And as you so clearly reminded me, whores are nothing but artful liars. Good day to you." He pulled free and did his best to storm off, but the attempt was feeble given his damned leg wouldn't stop bleeding.
Couldn't a man lick his wounds and be terrified and miserable in peace? He just wanted to be left alone. Not beaten up. Not dragged up on some stage. Not made to remember that the Full Moon was approaching. Not forced to confront Ori in the middle of the road after he'd already made a fool of himself vomiting like a drunk. His eyes stung, and his head was beginning to throb.
"Remus, please. I'm— I am sorry."
The words were another punch to the gut, a surprise so unexpected that the wind was knocked right out of him. Remus stopped. Ori circled around to stand in front of him, lifting a hand and reaching out— and letting it fall away at the last minute. "Your leg is bleeding, and that's obviously not the only reason you're in pain. Let me help, please?" As if he could sense Remus wavering, he added, "I'm begging you."
Remus' stomach flipped, and he relented with a sigh. "I just need rest. You can't help with that."
Ori lifted his eyes to the sky, quite dramatically, and heaved the world's most long-suffer sigh. "You sound just like my younger brother. Oh, it's only a small, severely-bleeding sword wound. I can keep practicing! Idiots, both of you. Come on." He reached out again, lightly touching Remus' hand. When Remus didn't pull away, Ori took his hand and tugged Remus to stand next to him before resuming walking. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, scowling at the grown and in the end not saying anything.
Remus gently tugged his hand free, but kept walking alongside him— or tried to, anyway. His leg was hurting more and more. It was a good thing he didn't want to win the first challenge, because he was barely in shape to even show up.
The last time he'd endured a silence this miserable, he and his mother had been thrown out of their current home and his mother had been figuring out how to tell him they were going to have to sleep on the streets again for a little while.
He stumbled, but instead of hitting the ground, he just would up bundled close against Ori. "I'm guessing you won't let me have a horse or carriage summoned so you don't have to walk?"
"Can't ride, and I wouldn't climb dead into one of those atrocious carriages," Remus replied.
Ori sighed. "That's what I thought. Will you at least let me help you? You'll do irreparable damage to that leg if you keep pushing it so hard."
"I've had worse." Remus grumbled, but he didn't argue when Ori took much of his weight and helped him limp along, around to the city gate and through it. "Where are you taking me?"
"Does it matter? You'll gripe either way."
Remus huffed, but didn't deny it.
"What happened to you, really? This didn't happen in the Tournament."
"Muggers." Remus replied. "I really will be fine. I've recovered from scrapes much worse."
It was true. The Full before last his mother was forced to higher a healer to get him all patched up again.
"So similar to my Reg and Jamie." Ori muttered. "My best friend, well, he's practically my brother as well, he's about your age, I think. You two could compete for most stubborn idiot."
Remus barley heard anything after about your age. "My age—? Wait, how old are you?"
Ori's sour face said he very much wished he'd thought harder about his words. "I'm twenty-three."
"You're five years younger than me." Remus closed his eyes.
"It's not that much of a difference!"
Remus cast him a look. "Saying that with a sulky frown on your face does not help your cause."
"I'm not sulking."
Remus laughed. "If you say so." Ori gave him a cautious smile, and Remus' laughter collapsed as he remembered to add, "My lord."
Ori sighed and looked away. "You're never going to forgive me, are you? I suppose that's fair, but I had hoped…" He shook his head, his black hair falling loosely around his perfectly structured face. "We're here."
He tried to usher Remus inside before he got a good look at the building, but he seemed to have forgotten that Remus had grown up in Low City. He knew it better than the guards that were supposed to patrol it, and probably better than most of the criminals who took advantage of the lazy guards.
He definitely recognized the luxurious home of some West Ender who would probably die of shock at having someone of Remus' birth within their home. Not to mention the state of him, dripping blood everywhere.
"Ori—" Remus brought them both to a halt. Ori glanced back at him in confusion. "I can't--" Remus grit his teeth, thinking that what he was about to say was glaringly obvious to anyone who wasn't Ori. "I can't be here. I shouldn't be here."
"Nonsense." Ori scoffed, but at Remus' slow step backwards he hurried forward, dropping his chin slightly and placing his arms on either side of his shoulders, holding his gaze— and yes, well, that was more than enough for Remus, really. He was don't for when Ori looked at him like that. "Trust me."
Remus swallowed, not bothering to hide his submission to his request by giving him a slight nod. The corner of Ori's lips twitched and he dropped his hands, turning to face the entrance once more and slowly walking forward so Remus could follow closely behind him.
As they entered the grand entrance and Remus followed Ori into a side room, much smaller and filled with odd tools and a large table, a small woman came bustling in after them, her bright red hair framing her strikingly beautiful face and emerald green eyes.
"Siri—"
"Lily! My dearest, Lily!" Ori exclaimed, rather loudly to cut her off. Remus frowned at him, sensing a slight panic in his tone as he hurried over to the woman and began whispering something to her.
Remus shifted his weight from one painful foot to the other as Ori explained something to her. Her green eyes flicked over to where Remus stood, nodding in understanding. She frowned up at Ori as he added something else, too low for Remus to make out, and then she was moving towards him muttering something like 'ridiculous man' under her breath.
The smile she gave Remus as she approached was oddly warm and comforting for someone who was allowing someone like him, in his state, into her home.
"Hello." Her voice was just as welcoming. "I'm Lily. Sir— Um, Ori— has informed me that you're in some need of assistance. I'm currently training to be a healer. Would you mind if I took a look?"
Remus glanced at Ori who was watching them both with a tense posture. Remus was certain something was bothering him, but the pain in his head was beginning to over power everything else.
"Um, yes. Please. Thank you." Remus said, and moved to where Lily was now gesturing to the table for him to sit on. Another table nearby held an assortment of bottles, boxes, twisting papers, herbs, and other healing potion ingredients and tools.
Remus hesitated before sitting and glanced down at his breeches and back up. Despite his pain, still managing to blush at the thought of stripping in front of the stranger. It wasn't that he was embarrassed, as he had certainly done it more times than he could remember for work, but doing so in front of someone who wasn't paying for it— well… not to mention that Ori's eyes were glued to him as well.
"If you'd feel more comfortable just lean over the table and I'll have to cut into the breeches." Lily offered, clearly reading his hesitation for what it was.
"That won't be necessary." Remus said quickly, dropping his pants and gingerly moving to sit atop the long smooth table. The thought of cutting into the last of his good breeches was enough to shake him of his embarrassment. When Lily gave him a small smile and nod in understanding he felt no less uncomfortable.
"You aren't intending to continue wearing those, surely?" Ori asked, moving closer to them. His long legs striding effortlessly across the room.
Remus grimaced and glanced down at his filthy breeches on the floor.
"You are!" Ori all but gasped. "Honestly, Remus— no, never mind. We won't discuss this. Just— I'm grabbing you trousers. Alright? Stay put."
Remus didn't have enough time to open his mouth before Ori was exiting the small room. A small sound of laughter coming from beside him tore Remus' attention away from glaring at the now latched wooden door.
"Never seen him so keen on assisting another person before." Lily hummed as she delicately began delicately twisting Remus' leg this way and that for better inspection of the wound. Her fingers were cold and the substance she had smeared over her fingertips stung slightly.
"Seems to be one of his many irritatingly endearing quirks." Remus said before wincing as she began cleaning around the wound.
"Irritatingly endearing, you say?" She mused with a knowing smile. "I know the sort. James— er— well, that is, has he mentioned James to you?"
Remus glanced at her, seeing something in her expression, something like weariness, as if she wasn't sure how much she could say.
"I—" Remus began and then winced again, "What— what did you say was in that ointment."
The stinging sensation had begun to rise into something of a simmering boil. All of a sudden Remus' eyes began to lull downward, an overwhelming sleepiness taking over him.
Lily was talking. Saying his name, perhaps? Remus was only barley awake enough to register that whatever was on her fingertips was completely lathered over his skin, his open wound, accessing his bloodstream— but just as soon as the panic settled at the realization, drowsiness sunk its claws in deep and pulled him down.
A clattering sound jerked him awake, and Remus sat up with a start and a mumbled curse. "Where— what— what's happened?" He groaned and let his head fall back down. "Where am I?"
Remus swiveled his head and found Ori sitting by him where he lay on a comfortable bed, noticing the unfamiliar room as his wits began to slowly return to him. And then the reminder of why he had passed out flooded through him—
No… No. No. No.
"Aconitum." Ori said, his voice low as he spoke down into his lap where his hands were fiddling with the ointment the healer, Lily, Remus reminded himself, had earlier applied to his open wound.
Remus felt his heart drop into his stomach.
"Lily thought you may have been having a reaction to the murgot. A lot of people have the allergy, but…"
He didn't have to finish the sentence. Remus knew. Aconitum is only poisonous to Werewolves, depending on the application and dosage of the plant it could completely immobilize the creature into a permanent sleep.
He trailed off and Remus watched with shaking breath as Ori lifted his eyes. Remus wasn't sure if he should be relieved or terrified at the look in Ori's eyes. Calm. Complete calm. And then, something else. His brows pulled together as if he was trying to piece together a complicated riddle.
"You didn't want me to know, did you?"
And the tenderness in Ori's voice was enough to undue whatever undercurrent Remus had been stuck in. He shut his eyes tightly, still unable to speak or even look at Ori, but then he felt long, slender fingers curling into his and the drowsiness must have been settling over him again because he could feel himself drifting once more.
He was almost lost entirely to unconsciousness, and he must have really been effected by the Aconitum, because as he drifted he only felt Ori's fingers tighten their grip on his.
When he woke again, it was to a dimly-lit room he'd definitely never seen before. An expensive room, given the size of the bed, the sent of over-priced seated candles, the food spread out on a table in the corner, and no fewer than three colorful, woven rugs on the floor. Panic jolted into his throat at the sound of muffled voices on the other side of the partially opened wooden door. He recognized Ori's voice immediately, but the other two—? A woman. The healer, perhaps? But the other one—?
"Just— promise me you're being careful about this, Pads." The third voice, a male voice, Remus sorted out as his mind slowly returned to him. The voice sounded full of concern with a slight ounce of fear laced within.
"He's not dangerous, James." Lily seemed upset, or angry perhaps? Remus couldn't tell.
"I didn't say that. I'm just—"
"Look, enough. This changes nothing." Ori's voice was firm, more commanding than Remus had ever heard it before. "I'm not going to walk away now, James. I know him. Please. You have to understand." A short beat of silence and then Ori added a bit softer, "I never once questioned your wanting Lily, despite the consequences. I understand how much she means to you, and what you're risking every time you sneak off to see her. I'm asking you to do the same."
"Is it the same?" James questioned, then added, "Him. Remus. How you feel about him I mean?"
There was silence and then a long release of a breath that Remus assumed came from James at whatever silent gesture Ori gave him.
"Right, then." James relented. "Alright. I suppose— well, Lily and I will do what we can. I'll cover for you tonight with your parents. Of course I will."
"I'll be just upstairs if either or you need anything." Lily supplied a moment later. There was a muffled sound of feet moving away from the door and then silence.
Remus suddenly felt his entire chest tighten as the door slowly began to push inward. To save himself from having to see Ori enter the room and face whatever was to come, he quickly shut his eyes, like a coward. Get beaten up by a dozen strangers, survive the torment of a full moon? Sure. But, face the one person Remus has ever truly desired after learning what he truly was? No, thank you. Cowardly pretending to sleep for one please.
The shifting of sheets and the weight of the bed dipping indicated that Ori was now sitting on the ledge of the bed by his side. Remus wanted to open his eyes, to truly let himself see whatever it was the other man was feeling. He felt the slight brush of fingers over his forehead, gently shifting the hair from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Remus." Our whispered into the dimly-lit room, leaning down to brush his lips to Remus forehead. "I'm sure you're going to wake up and immediately chastise me for purchasing new breeches for you." Ori sighed and Remus had to force every inch of his body to remain still. "I only bought three, which honestly, isn't even enough to consider half of a years wardrobe, but I figured anything more excessive and you may never speak to me again." A stretch of silence and the continued pressure of Ori's fingers combing through his hair allowed Remus to truly appreciate his decision to pretend to be sleeping. "You weren't wrong, you know. About me. I was being a show-off at the pub, and I am used to getting what I want, but I shouldn't have said such vindictive things when you pointed it out. I truly didn't mean a word of it. I've been told I have a short temper and lash out when I don't get my way." Ori released a soft laugh and Remus felt his hand cup the side of his cheek and then his neck, almost protectively, as if checking for a pulse and gently stroking his thumb over the pulse point when he found it.
"I sulked for two days before James made me tell him what was bothering me, and he practically shoved me out of bed and forced me into appropriate attire to go searching for you. But then family matters arose for us both— and well— I haven't been able to get away. And then your name was announced and I saw you after, by the side of the road…"
Remus chanced lifting one eyelid enough to see Ori frowning pensively down at his other hand where it had curled around Remus' forearm, thumb tracing one of his many forgotten scars.
"You were hurt." Ori continued a moment later, keeping his voice soft and full of concern. "I know someone did this to you. It wasn't a simple mugging, either. You're too smart for that, I'm certain of it. Because I do know you, Remus." His voice rose slightly, sounding more sure of himself than he had his entire rant. "I know you, and I want you to know you can trust me. With everything." Ori's fingers tightened around the crook of his forearm where the pale outline of Greyback's bite protruded from his tanned skin. "Even this."
Remus couldn't take it any longer. He couldn't help the shuddered breath from escaping him. When he opened his eyes he found Ori blinking down at him, his eyes filling with moisture as his mouth lifted in a slight grin at seeing him awake.
"Remus." He all but breathed before leaning down to place a soft kiss against his lips. When he pulled back he was hesitant and frowning uncertainly.
"Hi." Remus managed to whisper, lifting his hand to the side of Ori's face, encouraging him to bring his mouth lower to his once more. He felt the release of tension in Ori's shoulders the moment their lips reconnected.
"Hi." Ori said back through an absurdly wide grin. "So, you heard all of that then?"
Remus only nodded, forcing his chest to rise and fall in a natural fluid pace, but hardly able to as he watched the first tear fall from Ori's eye and roll down his cheek. Remus traced his fingers over it and then moved his hand to the back of his neck to pull him close once more. This time, the press of their lips was a bit more urgent and caressing, each one attempting to outdo the other with what they needed to say. For Remus, it was an overwhelming need to thank the man who had apologized, cared for him— to worship the man who saw the darkest part of him, and wanted him anyway.
"Yes." Remus said when he finally pulled his mouth from his. "Every word."
Ori nodded, his gaze a bit dazed from the kissing. "Good. That's good. I hate repeating myself."
Remus laughed and rolled his eyes at the absurdity of the situation. He wasn't sure how he had gotten here.
"You don't have to tell me." Ori said suddenly and glanced down at the bite mark, his thumb still placed over it. Remus stiffened. "I know you had every intention not to—"
"No." Remus hurried to cut him off, shaking his head. "No, it's— I— I want you to know."
Ori only blinked at him in surprise.
"And to be clear, apology accepted."
Ori grinned then, looking as if he wanted to roll his eyes but was far to busy gazing fondly down at him.
"But maybe we could talk about it another time…" Remus gestured to his bite mark and then shrugged, not entirely comfortable with acknowledging its existence in front of anyone. He hardly allowed himself to think of it until the pull of the moon gave him no other choice.
Ori nodded, bringing both hands to cup Remus' face. "Of course. Whenever you want." Then Ori dropped his eyes, "But I just— I want you to know that I— that it— that you—"
"I know." Remus said, placing one hand over Ori's that still remained over his cheek. He turned his head to place a soft, reassuring kiss there. "Trust me, I know. You wouldn't still be here, helping me otherwise."
And it was true. Somehow, Remus knew, without a doubt, that Remus being a werewolf didn't bother Ori in the slightest. It should have been more shocking to accept that truth, but whenever Ori touched him or looked at him, he felt the warmth of acceptance flooding through him. It should have unsettled him. He should have questioned it, as Remus was anything but trusting of such emotions. He didn't.
"Right." Ori let out a breath, nodding. He reached for the tray of food and drink and brought it to settle in his lap. He offered Remus a sip of something that he gratefully took. After a few moments of Remus filling himself with food he hadn't realized he was starving for, Ori finally spoke. "So, for now, can I at least know who did this to you?"
Remus followed his gaze to where his leg was wrapped and slightly elevated by a few pillows. He released a sigh and lifted one shoulder to shrug nonkcomittedly, tossing a grape into his mouth.
"It was a warning, but it doesn't matter, because soon I'll be out of the Tournament and back to my normal life, and nobody will have to warn me about anything."
"Out of the Tournament? Why? Surely, you don't think you'll lose? You're the chos— You're in the most difficult bracket. Obviously, you stand a good chance."
Remus released a bark of laughter, "I still don't know why I'm in the royal bracket. It's ridiculous. Do you know how hard they're all probably laughing in the pub right now? Me, married to a prince! As if they'd ever let that happen." Remus reached for another glass he noticed was filled with wine. The thought of the Tournament and his placement suddenly calling for heavier measures to help him forget. Ori frowned at him, eyes dark and right at the edges. "What? I know you said it wasn't as bad as I think, but everyone knows the Tournament is rigged, if not all of it then certainly most of it. I was standing right next to the planted 'peasant' who's probably going to marry the prince. Wouldn't be surprised if it was someone in the royal family themselves, pulling the strings. Even if I wanted to be in the idiotic charade, it's a waste of time."
"It's not all rigged!" Ori snarled, standing abruptly from the bed, causing the tray to sway slightly, sending Remus' empty glass onto the bed. "The House of Potter wouldn't allow it. They take the Tournament completely serious, and what it intends to do for the entire Realm is meant to protect it from being corrupted by people who intend to tarnish it. There is not some pre-selected competitor in place. If a family is caught cheating, they're punished severely. A lot of people work very hard to keep people like that from gaining too much power to make such decisions. I know, personally, how much the Potters have sacrificed to ensure it remain so. Believe it or not, a lot of us do believe in the principles behind the Tournament of Charlet!"
Remus watched as Ori's trembling hand reached for the empty glass and slowly began to fill it.
Remus opened his mouth and then closed it. "Um. That's red wine."
"I know," Ori snapped and took several injudicious-looking gulps. His face soured, and he slammed the cup down. "I hate red wine."
It was the wrong time to laugh, but it bubbled out before Remus could stop it. Ori looked up, the irritation on his face wavering an then finally collapsing into a sweeping smile.
"Sorry." Remus said. "I didn't mean to— well, it's just— that's what we've alway been told. I've heard all kinds of sorties about the way noble houses have cheated. Mostly from High City themselves."
"When they're stupid enough to say it around me, I make them sorry for it." Ori said. "I know it doesn't seem like it, and I didn't mean to get so upset, but there are a lot of us who believe in the Tournament and what it's meant to accomplish. For some of us, it's our only way out." Ori paused and then added softly, "Including the royal family."
Remus nodded and nibbled at a few of the remaining olives, unsure how he was meant to respond to that. He wondered what he meant by 'only way out', but assumed it was hardly important to keep on the subject if it only angered Ori further.
"So you don't really want to continue with the Tournament? Even after you've come so far?"
Shrugging, swallowing a bite of the olive, Remus replied, "Well, yeah. I mean even if I did win, which is unlikely, I don't think they'd actually permit it. There's a commoner and then there's an Eat End whore, who also happens to be a creature of the night." Remus had to glance away when Ori winced at his casual wording to describe himself. "Anyway, I don't have any money, I've only traveled out of the city a hand full of times, and a lot of those other people on stage looked far more qualified than me. Especially the one next to me, in the expensive clothes and smug little grin. You might think the royal family is all noble, but I know a manicured, hand-crafted swot when I see one, it's only to squeak by the rules— He was certainly granted detailed attention by someone, perhaps even one of the royal houses. The Blacks, surely, if the idea of the Potters being capable of such being unfathomable to you." He ate another olive, missing the slight rigidness to the other mans posture at his assumption. Remus brushed his hands off on his shirt and leaned back, hands laced behind his head. "What about you, fancy boy? You said you were one of the marriage candidates, right? I'm guessing, given how vehement you are about all this, that your family doesn't have one already picked out."
Ori's mouth set in a firm line as he returned to sit on the bed, across from him, crossing his legs beneath him. He looked very young suddenly, reminding Remus that he had just as much control over their predicament as he did.
"I'm not getting married unless it's somebody I want to marry," Ori replied. "I may be a Tournament prize, but if someone like that smug jerk you mentioned wins, I'll refuse to go through with it. I won't marry someone who misses the point of the Tournament."
Remus narrowed his eyes. "The law says that you have to marry whoever wins that right."
"What everyone forgets is that after the Tournament is over, the candidates and the winners get a three-month trial to make certain they'll get on together. It's not simply 'win tournament and go immediately to temple'. If the winner and noble prove incompatible, then one of the runner-ups is chosen or the noble can choose to refuse any companion."
"I hadn't heard of that." Remus mused, slightly dumbstruck by not being aware of a very important detail of the Tournament.
"Nor would you. Certain families," Ori glanced down then, "The House of Black to be specific, saw to it that the clause wasn't outwardly shared with the public. It can be found if anyone took the time to reach the fine print, but people tend to hear only what suits them and ignore the rest…" he shrugged, his black hair tumbling over his face slightly as he picked at the comforter beneath him. "It almost never happens, because it is poor form not to marry the winner, but it has happened. Recently even. I know it's unlikely that I'll marry for love, but that doesn't mean I have to marry someone I hate. That would defeat the purpose, which is to work together to improve the Realm. Not tarnish it with toxicity by someone who would cheat to see his or her own victory."
"I didn't know nobles worked," Remus said, smiling faintly. "I thought they just flounced around their looming castles or snuck down to Low City pretending they're all brave and bold and different."
Ori gave him a look that was half-exasperation, half-amusement. "You're supposed to be the mature one here."
"Older, certainly, thanks for the reminder," Remus replied, mood souring a bit. "Never claimed maturity." He glanced down at his once again empty glass. "So, you said it's happened recently. Refusing the victor? What happened there?"
The faint, wistful smile that brushed over Ori's face made Remus' smile too.
"What?" Remus couldn't help but ask as Ori let out a soft, fond-sounding breath.
"Well," Ori smirked up at him, brushing his long dark hair from his eyes with one fluid movement. "You've met the lovely Lily Evans. She was a servant to James and I growing up, and when she was finally of age, started her training as a healer. Last year, James was to be the prize of the Tournament, and Lily, working as the assisting Healer for the candidates, was constantly around again. I suppose, seeing her again and so often, with the prospect that he was to be wed to another, reminded my dear Jamie that all those years he spent teasing and pinning after her wasn't a childhood crush, but something much more."
"And the Courts allowed him to refuse the marriage and be with her?"
Ori's silence was answer enough. Remus only nodded. His sour mood returning. Of course not.
"So where are we anyway?" Remus asked instead, glancing around the room in an attempt to change the subject.
"An inn on the West End called the Hogsmeade. Lily was renting this room for the night and graciously allowed us to inhabit it for a time while you healed. I've stayed here a few times myself," a quick, sly grin, "when I'm fairly certain I won't be going home anytime soon."
"Your family isn't angry for your absence, then? Given how close the Tournament is to the important part, I would think they'd be preparing you for whatever it is nobles need prepping for."
Ori shrugged. Remus didn't miss the obvious grimace lacing his features as he spoke. "Not as such. My family hardly registers that I'm missing most days. I'd imagine they'd enjoy the relief of being rid of me, though if something comes up that involves impressing snotty nobles or the like, then they'll somehow find a semblance of concern for my whereabouts— usually summoning James after me, or if it's truly pressing, my younger brother. If that doesn't work, I'm fairly certain they'll move to locking me in my chambers. But until the wedding ceremony, there's very little they can force me to do."
"Must be nice," Remus muttered, draining another glass of wine. Wiping his mouth with his shirt, he looked at Ori with raised brows. "So what did you have planned for the rest of the evening, my lord?"
"Stop calling me that. I had nothing as solid as a plan. My only thought was to get you to talk to me again. Though I would have preferred it not be under these circumstances. I'm sorry for what happened— with the— well, you know. I know you weren't expecting me to find out that way."
"I shouldn't have kept it from you." Remus said, not meeting his steady gaze, but starring down at his lap instead. "Besides, I'm the one who should apologize." Remus ran a hand through his hair. "Though, I wouldn't have expected anyone, even a healer associated with nobles, to have the ability to obtain the substance. It's far too expensive to be used on anyone besides the royal family themselves. The only reason I'm aware it even exists is because— well, because of my condition."
Ori frowned. "You make it sound like you're a—a monster or something. There's nothing wrong with you, and even if you don't believe that. I do. You deserve to be healed properly. Everyone deserves that right, but especially you."
Remus' response caught in his throat. He swallowed, and tried again.
"There's many in the Realm who'd disagree." Remus could already see Ori winding himself up for another rant and shrugged before adding, "It is what it is. Stop scowling about it."
The frown turned into a soft smile as Ori reached out to tug Remus to his feet, wrapping his arms firmly around the small of his back and pressing them together. "At least if you're being rude, that means you're no longer cross with me. Haven't bothered to read that book of manners I gave you, I see."
Remus tightened his arms around him then, resting his chin on the top of his head at the reminder of such kindness. "I did. I opened it this morning, actually." Then softer added, lips against his soft dark hair just against his ear, "Thank you. That was more than generous."
Remus felt him shiver beneath his hands. "It was nothing. As I said earlier, I was trying to show off and be impressive. I didn't want you getting bored or fed up with me."
Remus snorted. "It's your lot that gets dick of me. Or did you not notice that thousands of my lot showed up to the Tournament, but your lot doesn't even bother until after the sorting."
"They're all idiots, because I don't see how it's possible to grow tired of someone I can't even keep pace with," Ori said. His thumb traced Remus' cheekbone. "I mean look at you, competing for the prince and everything."
"Hmm," Remus hummed, "Careful, or a prince might steal me away, and then who would call you waste your time impressing."
Ori didn't reply, just leaned forward and brushed a silk-soft kiss across Remus' mouth. And ooh, he remembered that kiss. Difficult to forget, even drunk as he'd been. Nobles never wasted time on finesse. They expected everyone else to have it. They were the ones to be catered to, after all, why should they need finesse?
Not Ori. That he bothered to kiss at all was remarkable, and it was so very obvious in his skill and enthusiasm that he enjoyed kissing. The night they'd met, Remus had been sued and charmed, more than he'd wanted to admit. Ori kissed like a sheltered, starved teenage idiot who'd absorbed a lot of fanciful nonsense that life hadn't yet driven out of him. The same sort of idiot that bought a whore for a night and then spoiled said whore rotten.
And had come back and taken care of him again, and continued to do so, reverently, even after learning what he was. Despite how rude Remus had been. For a brief, sharp moment, he was envious of whoever won the right to marry Ori. But that kind of thinking would only lead to madness, so he squashed it and focused on the present. He trailed his hands up Ori's back until his hands laced around the back of his neck, forcing him to tilt his head back, causing his midnight colored hair to cascade around Remus' fingers, eager to relearn that mouth, now that he was able to enjoy doing so fully.
He frowned when Ori gently reached up to grab his hands, removing them as well as his lips with a slight step back. "I don't believe I was finished. Barely getting started, in fact—"
Ori shook his head fondly at him, "You're still recovering."
"M'fine." Remus muttered as he pressed his lips against Ori's once more only to get the briefest taste of teeth as Ori laughed and pulled back.
"Healers orders were to rest and engage in as little activity as possible."
Remus rolled his eyes and groaned, dropping his forehead onto Ori's shoulder. He turned his head slightly, nipping at the soft expanse of throat, "Perhaps we could get a second opinion."
Remus heard Ori sigh as he seemed to be momentarily silenced by Remus' continued ministrations across his skin.
"Besides," Remus added, low enough to sound like a purr, or perhaps a growl. "That's not even much of a challenge. I'm a whore, if mostly retired. I've acquired a few skills in the process, so I don't need to move a lot—"
He scowled as Ori's warmth vanished from before him, the feel of skin on his lips was replaced by fingertips. Remus opened his eyes to glare at him. The bastard was smirking. Before Remus could blink Ori darted forward for one brief, very brief, hardly even sure it happened really, kiss, before darting away.
"I bought a new book while you were recovering. Poetry, some ballads too. If you behave, I may even sing a few for you."
Remus blinked, slightly nullified by the string of confessions in that statement.
"You can sing?"
Ori smirked. "Behave and you'll find out."
Huffing, Remus returned to the best, a delicate tendril of happiness spreading through him as he slid beneath the warm blankets on a soft, firm mattress. Better still was the easy, familiar way Ori settled next to him.
"Don't think I've forgotten that I'm wearing new trousers." Remus grumbled, but his voice hardly held any of the mallace he had intended as he curled against Ori's side, the other mans arm wrapping easily around him.
Driving Ori away had been the smart thing to do, and sneaking away would have been wiser than lingering. But the misery of the past few days was still fresh and vivid in his mind, and this— this comfort— had been the first feeling of relief he had felt in, fuck, in years. He wasn't stubborn or smart enough to try and be smart twice.
Ori could, indeed, sing— at least as beautifully as the passing musicians who would preform during festivals, if not even better. But he could be slightly biased. He sang so well that Remus found his body slowly shifting until he was on his side, the vibrations of Ori's voice filtering from his chest wafted though him, and he couldn't be blamed for how his body responded, really. He shifted his hips forward a few times, rhythmically, completely aware that Ori's singing had faltered slightly at the feel of Remus' hardened length against his thigh.
"If you don't behave I'll have to sleep on the sofa across the room." Ori chastised, but sounded a bit more breathless than Remus found appropriate for one attempting to be stern.
Remus grinned at that, pressing his hips forward once and then settling against Ori once more, still. Ori cleared his throat after a moment of Remus remaining still and started singing another song, one that was just as fucking alluring as the last, more even.
Remus only made it through the chorus once before moving without thought, climbing atop him to kiss every sweet sound from his lips, and swearing that he could taste actually magic dripping from him. All he got for his efforts was pushed back to the bed and told to behave, but there was some satisfaction to be found in Ori's mussed, state of discomfort. Remus smirked as he glanced between them where Ori's obvious erection seemed to be struggling to escape. Ori blushed, but Remus decided not to mention it and settled next to him once more.
Remus fell asleep to Ori singing and gently fingers tracing through his hair and down his back. It was the most relaxed Remus had ever allowed himself to be, and it was almost perfect.
He woke to the sound of someone whispering his name, and the feel of familiar fingers glossing over his cheek.
"Remus. I have to go." Ori said softly as Remus opened his eyes. "I am being dragged home on pain of or else."
Remus gave a sleepy laugh. "I am well acquainted with or else. I should be going to work, anyway. Thank you, for everything."
Ori reached for his hand as remus sleepily tried to lift it, kissed his fingertips and winked. "Be well, Noble Champion. If I can get away again tonight, I'll seek you out."
"Go away." Remus said and tried to swat him, grumbling when Ori moved out of range, giggling like a toddler granted a chocolate bar.
Then Ori was gone, leaving the room feeling empty— and Remus like an interloper. He lingered in the bed awhile longer anyway, before climbing out and dressing in the clothes Ori had purchased for him, all of it far nicer than anything remus would ever be able to afford. That didn't mean he wasn't going to keep them. Thanks to those pricks who jumped him, he didn't have any breeches left. So he'd take free clothes and gladly.
There was a small vial on the table near the clothes with his name on it and a note from Lily.
Drink up. This will ease the lingering discomfort in your wound. Love, Lily.
Remus found himself grinning at the note, wondering how he had been lucky enough to have his condition exposed to two people who accepted it so willingly. He didn't know Lily at all, but even from her small smile to her reassuring, stable hands the day previous, Remus knew she was someone he would cherish to consider a friend.
Remus dressed quickly and bundled the rest of the blots. Stealing a hunk of the bread and some grapes left over from dinner, Remus headed out, whistling as he wended through the city to drop off his new clothes in his room before headed to the docks to see if there was still a chance of finding work.
