A/N: Hey, y'all! As you all probably know by now, I'm kind of a sucker for royalty!aus… especially when they're Wolfstar. Anyway, I'd love to make this into a full-blown fic one day if anyone is interested! Let me know by review or PM. :)

Word Count: 661

WARNINGS: Mentioned incest (Black family stuff. Nothing graphic), loveless marriage

Enjoy!

The stars always seemed to taunt Sirius. And yet, he couldn't stay away.

Every night, he slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Bellatrix. His wife—his cousin—never liked him, but she loved the position their marriage had given her. And even though the union had been made to keep the family's bloodline pure, Sirius resented the role he'd been required to play.

So he escaped to the balcony every night. He'd stare up at the stars, so far away. He longed for the freedom they promised—longed to see them reflected in amber eyes, which was the only place Sirius had ever felt free.

Amber eyes, a wide grin, cheeks that were dimpled, freckled, and scarred—this was the face Sirius wanted to hold in his hands. This was the man he wanted sleeping beside him.

Every night, he wished for Remus Lupin. Every night, he returned to bed with a heavy heart.

Tonight, however, Sirius didn't gaze up at the stars. He just sat with his back against the railing, his grey eyes shut as he tried to picture his lover's face. It had been so long since he'd seen Remus that he feared he was forgetting the details.

Curly, tawny hair that was never combed but so soft to the touch. Slightly crooked teeth, and a scar slicing through his upper lip. A quick, biting sense of humor and a voice heavy with sarcasm. Those were the things he remembered about Remus.

But what had Remus' touch felt like? Sirius tried to recall, tried to summon the ghosts of Remus' hands on his face, his neck, his chest, but failed. Sirius tried to remember each quirk of Remus' brow, each signifying a different emotion, but couldn't. He tried to remember how Remus' lips had felt against his, but the memory was faint. Powerless.

Sirius missed the passion. He missed the heat, the fighting, the cuddling, the feeling that their love was invincible.

But it hadn't been. He'd been too afraid of the consequences he'd suffer if he didn't marry Bellatrix. Horrible visions of Remus, beaten and bloody, had filled his mind and fueled his nightmares until he left. But now, trapped in a marriage he'd never wanted… he'd have rather been on the run with the man he loved. It would have been a difficult journey, but they'd have faced each challenge together.

Sirius opened his eyes and looked back into the bedroom where Bellatrix was still fast asleep. He'd be expected to produce an heir with her soon. His family—his country—demanded it.

But then what? He would not be allowed to actually raise the child himself. He would be permitted to play the role of distant disciplinarian, nothing more. The child would have the same relationship with him as he had with his father.

His stomach twisted; the last thing he wanted was to bring a child into such a cold, unloving environment. And there was no universe that Bellatrix could be considered motherly.

But… there was one man that Sirius was sure would make an excellent father. A child, adopted or not, would be lucky to have Remus to turn to.

The problem was, if he abdicated the throne now, he'd be surrendering it to Bellatrix. He couldn't leave his people to suffer at her hands.

But… there might be a way to bring Remus into the castle. There might be a way to raise a child away from his family's toxic influence.

There might be a way to have a child with Remus, not Bellatrix.

Sirius glances once more up at the stars. Somewhere in the city, Remus was fast asleep. It had been many months since they'd seen each other… but Sirius hoped he'd accept the plan that was beginning to take root.

Though he tried to smother it, Hope was beginning to blossom in his chest. Sirius couldn't help but think as he walked back to bed that freedom was finally—finally—within his reach once more.