Title: Regrets, Memories and Healing

Author: Antilupintonks

Beta: Vikertee

A/N: Suspense...Suspense...Suspense...and now for the long awaited Romance!!

Chapter Seven:

"Don't worry, Sirius. We'll get him." Remus muttered while gently pulling Sirius back, away from the bushes and against the cool, stone wall. They rested there for a few minutes, listening as Orion's laughter faded into the distance.

"I failed him." Sirius whispered, his voice cracking.

"Oh, Sirius." Remus pulled the taller boy closer and embraced him tightly. "You didn't fail him. Regulus loves you and you love him. You could never fail him." Sirius sniffled and hid his face in the wolf-like boy's shoulder, letting the few tears drop.

"Thanks..." Sirius murmured after a few minutes, pulling back. His ears, neck and cheeks were stained red from embarrassment. Remus merely smiled.

Sirius looked at Remus, taking in his appearance. His hair was flopping over his forehead and brushing his long golden lashes. His eyes were piercing, even in the darkness His face wasn't perfect and a few faint scars littered his skin. Sirius' fingers itched to reach up and touch them. His gaze dropped to Remus' lips, small and thin. Light pink and chapped. Sirius leaned forward slowly...

"Padfoot?" Sirius snapped back to reality and reeled backwards, flushing.

"Uh...What?" Remus chuckled and leaned forward, pressing his lips to Sirius'.

Sirius froze for a second before letting his eyes flutter shut, kissing the petit boy back. Sirius had kissed a lot of men and quite a few women as well, but none of the kisses were like this.

Remus' lips were soft and faint, barely there. He tasted like hot chocolate and Sirius pressed closer, reaching up and placing his hand on the back of Remus' neck, keeping him from pulling away.

Nimble fingers grazed over Sirius' face, tracing his chin, nose and eyelids. Carefully they drew apart when the need for oxygen became too much. Smiling slightly, Remus placed his forehead to Sirius' and pecked the red and swollen lips twice.

"Hey, Remus?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did you say my name?" Remus chuckled.

"You were taking too long..."

"Set him down on the couch."
Two bulky men crammed their way into the living room, carrying a small boy in between them. They not-so-carefully set him down on the large and fluffy beige couch. Orion stepped over and bent at the waist, hovering over his youngest son. Thin fingers shot out and pressed against Regulus' high cheek-bones. "Wakey, Wakey, Reggie." He whispered in a singsong voice.

Regulus groaned and blinked his large, grey eyes open. They crossed briefly before focusing on his father's face.

"Daddy?" He whispered, his voice taking on a childish tone and the line in his forehead smoothing out. Orion chuckled.

"Yes, Reggie. Time to wake up." Reality crashed into Regulus, causing him to snap his eyes fully open and shoot up into a sitting position.

"Where's Sirius?" He asked, panic clear on his face.

Orion chuckled.

"Don't you worry about Sirius, Reg. He'll be with you soon..."

"Alright, what's the plan?" Sirius asked, snaking an arm around his new boyfriend's waist. Who would have thought that in a time of crisis he would start his first real relationship? Remus smiled.

"Well, we could try and find him...but I have a feeling that's what your father wants." The dark-haired teen nodded grimly. "Sirius..." Remus shifted, moving from Sirius' grasp and facing him. "I-I think you should just let Regulus go." Sirius recoiled, an angry expression blooming onto his face. "No, no." Remus quickly added, taking Sirius' hand. "I'm not done. I don't think your father would hurt Regulus. Maybe we should just go away for a bit and let him think you gave up. Once he drops his guard we can come back."

"He's my brother, Remus." Sirius stood and began pacing, not caring if anyone noticed him. "I can't just leave him behind." Sighing, Remus stood and gathered Sirius into a hug.

"We'll come back, Paddy." They stood there for a few moments. Sirius nodded.

"Okay..." He whispered, his voice barely audible.

Several hours later, Sirius stared at the sunrise through the window of the train. Remus snored softly in his ear and Sirius wrapped his arm around the smaller boy. He watched as streams flew by and closed his eyes. They'd be in Scotland by noon.

Regulus grinned and reached his hands out. "I'm gonna catch you!" He giggled as Sirius ran, chasing behind (not sure that's necessary. but actually, i think i've only noticed it cos of a lack of worthwhile things to say. well done) his older brother. Sirius kept running, even when he heard his brother call out to stop. Regulus' footsteps stopped and his child-like screams pounded in Sirius' head. "SIRI! SIRI!" Sirius kept running, his trainers pounding against the concrete. The darkness enveloped his body.

"He'll forgive me..." He whispered, tears dripping from his eyes. A wall shot up in front of him, and Sirius looked up, straight into the eyes of Regulus Black. His body was squirming as arms wrapped around his bare shoulders and pulled him out of view.

Sirius turned and ran, sobs forcing their way out of his throat.

"SIRI! SIRI!" His four year old voice echoed through the house as Sirius turned the knob of Regulus' room, expecting to see him on his knees, praying.

Regulus stood in the middle of the room, sneering. Behind him stood Orion, a large hand on Regulus' shoulder.

"Sirius..." They spoke simultaneously. "Sirius, wake up."

"What?" Sirius whispered as fire flared up around him, burning his family before his eyes. His mother's voice muttered directly behind his left ear.

"He'll use Regulus against you..."

"Wake up..." A hand was shaking him and he bolted awake, panting. Remus' worried face stared down at him and he forced a smile onto his sweaty face.

"H-Hey..." He croaked.

"You okay?" Sirius nodded and sat up, subconsciously trying to stop his shivering. Remus nodded.

"You might as well get up, we'll be arriving in a few." They both got dressed in lighter jumpers and waited for the train to stop.

Sirius and Remus stepped out of the train station and stood close together.

"Where are we going, anyways?" Sirius asked.

"I have an old friend we can stay with."

"Really? What's his name?" Sirius asked as they started walking toward a car that just pulled up. Remus pulled the passenger seat door open and a man with light brown hair stared up at them with sparkling brown eyes. Remus smiled brightly.

"Sirius, this is my friend..." Sirius grinned. "Frank Longbottom."

TBC

A/N: Not very long but I tried to drag it on for as long as I could. Hope you enjoyed!!