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Assignment 5 - Media Studies - Task #11 - #mcm/wcw: Write about someone showing appreciation to their significant other(s). (A/N: I googled ways to show your appreciation to your partner. Cooking dinner, leaving nice notes or messages, give a warm welcome, picking out your partner's favourite things, be supportive and so on)

Meetcute - I have a confession. I'm not really your blind date.

Writing Club:

Appreciation - 10 - Dialogue: "I will not. It is literally impossible for me to do that."

Disney - Songs: 4 - Devil In Disguise: Write about someone being misleading.

Comics - 4 - (color) pink

Book Club - 4 - Cooper Clay: (trait) kind, (word) welcome, (sexuality) gay

Showtime - 16 - Beggin' – (dialogue) "I need you to understand."

Amber's Attic - 21 - (style) flashbacks

Sophie's Shelf - 9 - Jessica Hamby, True Blood: (word) Virginity

Elizabeth's Empire - 2 - Alt: (object) leather jacket

Bex's Basement - 12 - "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, pump your brakes. What is this about?"

Lizzy's Loft - 12 - (word) Imaginary

Film Festival - 23 - (dialogue) "Has something changed?"

Lyric Alley - 17 - Ride home, put your head on my shoulder

Wandmaker

Wood: 37 Sugarmaple - (action/plot point) confessing to a secret

Core: 7 Kelpie hair - (word) pertinent

Flexibility - 9 inches: (quote) 'It is not only necessary to love, it is necessary to say so' - French proverb

Crazy Cone - 22 - Cream Chocolate Cluster - (word) enrich

Loving Lies

Remus is ready to take the next step in his relationship with Sirius, but he can't let that happen until he admits the truth: when they first met, he wasn't actually Sirius' blind date.

Remus paces the living room, torn on what to do. He's always prided himself on doing the right thing. Well, not always right as such - but he's never done the wrong thing before.

Until the day he met Sirius.

He had hoped, over time, that his guilt would subside, but it's been a year now. A whole year of happiness and the build up to things finally going further and Sirius hinting that they should live together, though Sirius hasn't come out and asked yet.

The guilt has slowly been eating away at him for three-hundred and sixty-four days now.

The timer in the kitchen rings and Remus goes in. He's not the best cook, but it's their anniversary and he's trying hard to make something nice for the pair of them to enjoy. If it goes bad, they can order a pizza - but Remus has been practising cooking and he thinks it'll be his best attempt.

Sirius is always doing nice things for him and Remus wants to be able to do these things too. He knows full well that Sirius will eat the meal he prepares no matter how bad it is, but he wouldn't subject Sirius to another bad meal.

It's just a simple pasta dish, but he's made his own sauce having tested so many spices and herbs to try to enrich the flavour until he found something he thought Sirius would enjoy. He's also made a dessert, though he's not sure they'll make it through dinner.

He's going to confess the truth tonight. He's going to beg Sirius not to leave him, because he's fallen completely and utterly in love with the other man.

But he can't carry on this lie much longer.

Remus twists the rainbow band around his wrist as he sips his hot-chocolate and looks around. He wanted a hot drink because it's cold outside, but he's somehow ended up picking a table that is surrounded by couples.

Remus is often overlooked when it comes to dating. He's been on a handful of dates, but seeing all the happy, loved up people around him just reminds him that he's alone.

He sips his drink, but the hot-chocolate he was looking forward to has now lost its appeal. It's not as delicious as it usually is. He lets out a soft sigh, setting the cup back down and absently fiddling with his bracelet.

Suddenly there's a scraping sound and a man slips into the seat facing, watching him expectantly.

"Hi, can I help you?" Remus asks. His gaze darts from the sharp cheekbones to the stormy-grey eyes. The man facing him is handsome and Remus wonders why the guy is here sitting with him.

"Yeah," the guy replies. He takes a deep breath. "I'm really hoping you're my blind date."

"I…"

"I'm running a bit late - fifteen minutes, and… and I know we agreed to meet outside, but… I'm glad you didn't just leave. It's cold and I feel really bad leaving you out there." He reaches across the table, grasping Remus' hand.

Remus opens his mouth to say that this man has the wrong guy, but this man looks so hopeful. There's a warm hand on his, and he's tired of being overlooked. Maybe they can have a nice drink together and he'll tell the truth at the end of the date. Remus can claim a misunderstanding or something.

"I… I'm glad you're here," Remus whispers shyly.

The smile he receives is blinding and Remus thinks he's a little in love with this stranger.

"This is the start of something amazing," the man says. "I'm Sirius."

"Remus."

The table is set and the candles are lit. Sirius would have finished work already and said he'd stop straight over. He's staying the night for the first time and Remus knows where the night is going to go. They've talked a few times about taking things further, but neither of them have rushed the relationship - both content on getting to know each other first.

But he can't allow this to continue when their relationship is based on a lie. If somehow Sirius forgives him… that's a different story. But he's been deceitful and if they sleep together, he thinks it's taking advantage somehow. After all, Sirius could have been meeting his soulmate that day and Remus got in the way of that. Though deep down he knows that Sirius is his soulmate.

He switches the television to Netflix, adding a few movies to his list so it's quick for them to find something should they want to watch anything. He checks on dinner before getting the bottle of wine and setting it on the table.

He takes a moment to check his phone, spotting a text message.

'I must be the luckiest man in the world. You make me so happy and this last year has been perfect. I can't wait to see you to celebrate our anniversary. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're amazing.'

The smile only lasts a moment as Remus looks at the many pink hearts that follow the message, because suddenly the guilt hits him even harder.

"This date… it's been perfect," Sirius tells him. "I want to see you again."

"Sirius, there's something… I should tell you something," Remus says softly.

"Is it that you don't want to rush this?" Sirius murmurs. "Which is fine. I'm not looking for a shag - I can see this being something amazing, something really real."

"Real?" Remus echoes. He wants that too. He wants to have another date with Sirius. He wants something amazing. Things like this don't usually happen to Remus. Guys like this never notice him and somehow his luck has changed.

"But you wanted to… to say something?" Sirius says. "And I'm really hoping you're not going to tell me that the date was terrible."

Remus bites his lip. The date had been utterly amazing.

"I was just going to say that I… I'm… I think you're really nice."

Sirius beams at him and Remus can't bring himself to say anything that could stop that smile.

The moment Sirius steps through the door, he drops the overnight bag, and wraps his arms around Remus and hugs him tightly.

"Been thinking about you all day," he murmurs. "But that's nothing new. I'm always thinking about you."

Remus smiles, holding Sirius just as tightly. He loves these warm welcomes. Sirius has a way of making Remus feel like the most special person in the world.

"You look gorgeous," Remus murmurs.

"You look bloody perfect," Sirius replies softly, "and something smells amazing. You shouldn't have worried about cooking for me - I'm always happy to cook for you… though I appreciate that you're doing this." Sirius' lips brush gently against Remus'. "What did I do right to deserve someone as amazing as you?"

"Sirius, can we talk?" Remus begins.

The smile slips for a moment and is back so quickly, Remus is sure he imagined it.

"How about we have this amazing meal first. I have a gift for you too. We can move it to the sofa and… you're still okay with me staying - we don't have to do anything tonight, there's no pressure. Remus… has something changed?"

"I want you to stay," Remus assures him. He's sure his cheeks are turning red as he thinks about what's going to happen between them. "We can talk about that after dinner."

Sirius' lips find his again. "Why don't you sit down and let me get dinner ready for you?"

Remus laughs softly. "You've just come from work. Go and put your bag in the bedroom, get comfortable and I'll have dinner served in a few minutes."

Sirius steals another kiss, his lips lingering for a long moment before he grins and reaches for his bag. "I'll never tire of that," he says softly. There's something in his voice that makes Remus think that Sirius is talking to himself, rather than telling Remus.

Remus turns to head to the kitchen, but arms wrap around him from behind and lips find his neck. "You mean the world to me. You know that, right?"

Remus nods his head. Sirius has never led him to think otherwise. Sirius isn't the lucky one, Remus is. But he's only gotten Sirius through deceit and that's not right. "You mean the world to me too."

Sirius' lips brush his neck before Sirius lets go. He watches as Sirius hangs his leather jacket on one of the hooks behind the door, before taking his bag up the hall.

'Remus, I haven't stopped thinking about our amazing date the other day. I'd like to see you again. I closed down my online dating profile the other day - the moment I left the cafe, because I have no need for it anymore. I found you, and I'm utterly mad about you.'

'Sirius, I feel the same. I don't have any intention of doing any online dating now I've met you, Sirius. You're a dream come true.'

'Remus, when can I see you again? I'm free whenever you are. Maybe I could cook for you one day? Or we could go to dinner and a film, or to a museum or something?'

'Sirius, I'm free anytime after five. I can't wait to see you again.'

The food isn't amazing, but that doesn't matter to Sirius - he knows Remus put his all into the food, and he'd rather be here at this table.

He's nervous though. Not about tonight. If they have sex - if they both finally lose their virginity, he knows it'll be amazing, but there's never a rush on that - he'd wait forever for Remus if Remus asked. No, he's nervous about this talk Remus wants to have. There had been a moment when Remus asked to talk where Sirius felt panic. People wanted to have serious talks when they were breaking up.

But Remus still wants him to stay. Remus told him to put his bag in the bedroom, so it can't be a bad talk. Maybe it's a talk about their future? That's a talk Sirius is happy to have. It's only been a year but he's known for most of it that his future is with Remus. His boyfriend is amazing.

He'd do anything for Remus and doesn't doubt that Remus would do anything for him. Not that either of them would ask too much from the other of course.

Sirius insists on washing up as Remus gets the chocolate fudge cake out and starts to serve it up. It's wonderfully domestic and as he puts the plates on the draining board, Sirius allows himself to consider what it'd be like to do this every night. To come home from work each evening to Remus.

The dessert is amazing, but somehow Sirius expects this. Remus knows his chocolate after all, so of course he'd make an amazing dessert.

"Sirius, I don't want you to hate me… but… but I have to tell you something. I need to confess something."

The fears run through his head. What has Remus done? Cheated on him? He hates that this is his first fear because Remus isn't the sort to do that, but he's terrified. What if whatever confession this is causes their relationship to end?

"Whatever you did wrong… or need to confess, you don't have to," Sirius blurts out. "We're fine."

As the words tumble from his lips, he sees the change in Remus' expression. It's gone from worry to something else. Remus is staring at him in concern.

"I could be about to say anything right now, and you're just happy to… to forgive me," Remus murmurs. "Sirius, I don't want this. I want… I want to make my confession and know that… that you forgive me. It's been eating away at me for so long now and… and it's not fair I've hidden this from you."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, pump your brakes. What is this about?" Sirius asks. He doesn't like it - that something could make Remus feel like this. He never wants Remus to feel sad, he made a promise a year ago to always make Remus happy and he feels like he's failing somehow.

"Please don't hate me though," Remus quickly adds.

"I will not. It is literally impossible for me to do that," Sirius assures him. He could never hate Remus. He loves him too much.

"You remember the first time that we met…"

Sirius nods once more. How could he forget? The day he met his soulmate. The day he started falling in love with Remus Lupin.

"Well, you approached me because you thought I was your blind date. But I… I deceived you. I… I wasn't your date. But… but I was captivated by you and couldn't tell you the truth. I'm still completely captivated of course. But… but I understand if you can't forgive my deceit."

Sirius shifts in his seat. He's not thought about it in months, lost in his own happiness, but the guilt hits him. Not just for what he's done, but because of Remus' words. The guilt has been eating at Remus this whole time, and Sirius caused that. He's caused Remus hurt.

"Please forgive me," Sirius says quietly. "I… it's all my fault, love. You've done nothing wrong at all. I saw you in the cafe and I wasn't sure how to ask you out so… there was no blind date. I made up an imaginary blind date just as a way to approach you. If I knew this was hurting you, I'd have confessed long ago. I didn't realise it was pertinent, my love. I hate that I've hurt you."

Remus stares at him for a long moment. "I've been feeling guilty for stealing you away from someone else. I thought maybe I got in the way of you finding your soulmate."

Sirius doesn't like this. Remus must hate him now.

"I need you to understand. You haven't kept me from my soulmate," Sirius continues, studying Remus' face. Amber eyes are on his, searching. "You're my soulmate."

Silence follows and Sirius is terrified now. He might lose Remus, but suddenly Remus is smiling and laughter follows.

"So we both deceived each other," he says, moving closer to Sirius. "I'm… I'm glad. I've been feeling terrible about this. I… I thought you'd leave me when you found out the truth."

Sirius takes Remus' hands in his. "I'd never leave you," he promises.

"You're my soulmate too, I love you," Remus says softly.

Sirius can't hold back the smile. They've never said those words before, but he's felt them for so long. "I love you too. I… I want us to live together. Though if you're not ready, we can wait a while—"

"I'd love that," Remus insists. "But before we make those plans, I think we need to have a talk about what you said earlier - you'd forgive me anything. Sirius, that's a little not good. I could have said anything."

Sirius hesitates. He's avoided talking about his family, only telling Remus that he was raised by the Potters and James.

But this relationship is forever and he's going to share.

"I didn't have a nice upbringing," Sirius says quietly. "I come from a loveless family. I ran away and lived with the Potters, but… I dated before I met you and… they weren't very nice. I honestly don't know how I've managed to win your heart. I don't feel worthy of this happiness."

Remus reaches for Sirius' hand. "I'm going to lock up," he says. "Then we're going to climb into bed, cuddle and you're going to tell me all about it - if you feel comfortable to do so - and I'm going to explain to you exactly why you deserve to be happy, then we're going to fall asleep in each others arms."

Sirius allows Remus to pull him up from the sofa. There are no secrets between them anymore. The truth of how they met is out.

Well… almost no secrets. There's one left - the engagement ring he's already picked out for Remus. Remus doesn't need to know about that today, but he'll find out soon enough.

"I love you," he says softly, clutching Remus' hand tightly.

"And I love you too," Remus replies, smiling the adorable smile that makes it feel like there are butterflies in Sirius' stomach. "We both lied to each other. Two wrongs don't make a right, but no-one got hurt, we found each other. I love and forgive you."

"And I love and forgive you too," Sirius insists softly. "And I won't ever deceive you again."

Sirius never believed that love at first sight was even a thing. It's not until he's in his local cafe having tea with James when he first lays eyes on Remus Lupin.

His eyes follow the other man as he queues. Follows him to the table and Sirius watches him glance around at the other couples longingly. He can see the loneliness in this man's eyes, something he recognises.

He doesn't even think about what he's doing as he stands and heads over there. The lie falls from his lips so easily. James is forgotten as he sits down facing the man who he quickly realises is his soulmate.

And by the end of the date, he already knows that his luck has finally changed. He was right, this is love.