James is not an idiot. He knows something's up with his friends but he doesn't know what. Remus and Sirius have been sneaking off lately and are always whispering things to each other and giggling. GIGGLING! He has never once seen Remus Lupin giggle before now. Yeah, something is up. And James is determined to find out.
That's how he found himself going to the library (The LIBRARY of all places) on a cold January evening. He's there in hopes of finding them studying together and eavesdropping on their conversation with the help of his invisibility cloak.
They said they were going down to the library to study but at first glance it looks like they aren't there. They've also taken the Marauders Map so James can't check their location.
He creeps around bookshelves looking for his friends. It's not until he reaches the very last bookcase that he finally spots Sirius and Remus. They're both sitting in one armchair, which is surprising since there's plenty of other chairs. James supposes Sirius is trying to copy off of Remus' work again.
Sirius is straddling Remus and turns when he hears James' footsteps. The odd thing is, they look very frumpled and have messy hair and clothes. All that studying James thinks must be hard work.
"Oh, uh, hey James," Sirius says casually, "What are you doing here? I don't think I've ever seen you in the library before."
"Oh yeah," James says, cursing himself that he forgot to put on the cloak, "I was just wondering where you were since you were gone so long."
"Well, uh, we've just been here," says Remus, "Look, there's no use avoiding it. About what you saw-"
"What did I see?" James says very confused.
"You know what," Remus says after glancing at his long-haired friend, "Nevermind."
"Ok well, it's getting late so we might as well head back now."
"Oh, no that's ok," Sirius says, "You head on we'll catch up."
"No, no. I'd rather go with you guys. I get bored walking alone."
Remus and Sirius share a look before shrugging their shoulders and packing up their bags.
The trio of friends make their way up to Gryffindor tower, conversing about classes and their upcoming Quidditch match. When they finally get to their dorm James hops into the shower and thinks of what might be going on with his friends.
What's happening? They seem different somehow. More closed off. But also happier? They're definitely keeping something from me. But why?
Coming out without a conclusion, James decides to sleep on it.
The next morning, James wakes up to his alarm buzzing at 5:00 AM for his morning jog.
"Turn that bloody thing off!" Remus yells from inside Sirius' four-poster. Huh. Weird. James walks over to the bed and rips the curtains back, revealing a cozy-looking Sirius Black and Remus Lupin all cuddled underneath the thick bedclothes. Remus has his head tucked into Sirius' hair and his arms around his waist.
"Well, you could always come on my run with me," James says.
"Hah! Never in a million years!" replies Remus, not looking up from Sirius' hair.
What good friends James thinks, I love how close they are. #Friendship goals.
When James gets back from his run back he sees Remus and Sirius once again sharing a small armchair that is definitely not meant for two people. Sirius is sitting on the taller boy's lap and is sleeping while Remus is reading a book.
Sirius stirs when James walks past, opening his eyes.
"Oh, sorry," James apologizes, "Did I wake you up?"
"Yeah you better be," replies Sirius, "I was having a good dream."
James laughs and walks to the stairs before he stops and turns back to Sirius. "Hey, is that Moony's jumper you're wearing?"
"Oh, yeah," Sirius blushes, "It must have gotten mixed up with my stuff."
That's weird, James thinks, Sirius is always so organized, he never mixes up his stuff. He decides to leave it and goes up to get ready for breakfast.
James is trying—and failing—to tame his wild hair, when suddenly he gets an idea. He decides to follow Remus and Sirius around all day underneath the invisibility cloak. Proud of his brilliant idea, James heads down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Do you know where James is?" Asks Peter.
"No, I haven't seen him since this morning," replies Remus.
"Hey Remus," says Sirius, "I think I left something upstairs. Could you come help me look for it?"
"Oh, yeah," says Remus, "I better help look for that thing."
Peter rolls his eyes as the two boys leave the table, James following unbeknownst to the others.
This is my chance James thinks I can finally find out what's going on.
James follows Remus and Sirius as they walk up to the dorm holding hands. Remus has always had cold hands, Sirius is probably keeping them warm.
"So," Remus says when they get to their room, "I think James might know."
"Know what?" James whispers under his breath.
"Did you hear that?" Asks Remus. Curse his werewolf superhearing.
"Hear what?" Says Sirius.
"Never mind. Anyway, I feel like James knows something. Like he saw us this morning in bed and then again in the common room, and now he's just disappeared. I feel like he might know and be avoiding us."
"You really think he would react like that?"
"It's quite possible. I mean not everyone is going to be super supportive," Remus tells him.
"But it's James," replies Sirius, "He's my best friend. I don't think this could change that."
Now James is really confused. How could anything change the way he feels about his best mates? He loves them and would die for them. What are Sirius and Remus talking about?
"Yeah, I know that," admits Remus, "I guess I just got in my head about it. Plus there's no way he could no. Remember when he kept trying to set you up with Marlene?"
Sirius chuckles and says, "That was really funny. He was proper convinced we were meant to be together."
"Anyway," says Remus, "I don't want to think about this anymore."
"I think I know a way to distract you," Sirius smirks. Then Sirius pulls Remus down into a kiss.
James' heart breaks. I thought I was Sirius' best friend! He even said so himself! But here he is kissing Remus. He probably likes Remus better than me. Am I not good enough for Sirius? If we're best friends why doesn't he kiss me?!
James storms out of the room slamming the door behind him.
He's sulking in a small alcove behind a tapestry, contemplating his whole friendship with Sirius when he hears a knock on the stone.
"Go away," He responds. He knows Sirius knock and is not in the mood to talk to him, "Shouldn't you be with Remus?"
"He's actually here too," Sirius says as he pushes back the tapestry to reveal the other Marauder.
"Hey James," says Remus, "I feel like we should talk."
"How did you even find me?" Asks James.
"The map," Sirius answers.
"Shit. I should have thought of that. But anyway I'm not talking to you. Since you clearly don't care about our friendship!"
"Hey! I'm trying to be nice because this is kind of a lot for you but this doesn't change anything between us! If you're going to be a jerk then I don't know if I want to be your friend at all!"
After hearing this James starts crying. "I thought I was your best friend," he says through sobs, "but I don't even know you anymore."
"Come on James," Says Remus, "Sirius is still the same person. You need to relax because this doesn't change anything between you guys."
"But it changes everything!" James almost yells, "Am I not good enough for you?!"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Sirius yells back.
"If we're best friends then why do you kiss Remus and NOT ME?!"
Silence falls over the three boys when suddenly Remus and Sirius start, laughing? What's going on?
"Merlin's balls, you really don't know do you?" Asks Remus.
"Of course I know," James snarkaly replies, "You're Sirius' new best friend and he's left me alone and bestfriendless."
"Woah. You were way off."
"You were right Sirius, he really is that oblivious."
"James," Sirius says very, ahem, siriusly, "Remus isn't my 'new best friend' he's my boyfriend. Honestly you'll always be my number one. The fact that you would think otherwise is actually kind of offensive."
"Wait boyfriend?"
"Yeah," Remus answers, "I know it's a lot but I promise this doesn't change anything."
"Oh thank Merlin!" James shouts, launching himself at Sirius and Remus in a three way hug, "So that's why you've been acting so weird."
"Yeah," says Remus, "We thought you knew and had a problem with it when you slammed the door and stormed out of the dorm. Turns out you're just really stupid."
"Hey! No actually that's fair. I can't believe I didn't realize you were dating until now. This all makes so much sense now," James says as the memories come flooding back. "And I don't have a problem with it. At least now I know why it didn't work out with Marlene."
"Yeah, that and the fact that she's a raging lesbian."
"Really?" James asks, shocked.
"Yeah mate," says Remus, "Her and Dorcas have been going out for a year and a half."
"Wow, I am really oblivious."
"Can't argue with you there," Sirius says, pulling back the tapestry, "Now we better get back to breakfast or Pete will start getting worried."
The three Marauders walk back to the Great Hall laughing and telling stories that Remus and Sirius haven't been able to tell James until now.
When they sit down at the table Remus takes the opportunity to kiss Sirius hard on the mouth, now that James knows.
"Remus!" Sirius says as he pushes his boyfriend back, "Peter!"
"Fuck," Says Remus, obviously forgetting their other friend was there.
"I fucking knew it!" Pete smirks, "Benjy owes my five galleons."
"How did you know and I didn't?" Asks James.
"Because you're oblivious," the other three marauders courus.
The end