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Theme #21: Creating common memories with me

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"Why must you always insist on reading?" Sirius asked as he leaned against the table in the common room, giving Remus a withered look for daring to read during his free time. "There's so much more you could be doing right now."

"Like what?" Remus asked smoothly as he turned a page of his book with his thumb. He continued reading, impervious to Sirius' antics. He was far too used to it by now.

"Like talking with me, the almighty Sirius Black," the before mentioned boy said valiantly.

Remus had the common courtesy to not burst out laughing. He merely gave Sirius an impossible look and a gentle shake of his head. He turned his attention back to reading.

Sirius looked properly scandalized by Remus' less than enthusiastic reaction to such a suggestion. He frowned thoughtfully at Remus and said, "What's so great about these books, anyway?"

"They're interesting and they don't talk back," Remus said softly before adding, "Well, most of them."

"That's not a good reason. I'm interesting!"

"Are you comparing yourself to a book, Padfoot?" Remus asked, looking legitimately amused.

Sirius huffed. "I'm more interesting than some stuffy old book, I daresay."

"Books take you to another world. They're exciting. They're unpredictable. They're interesting. They're a great deal of fun…" Remus trailed off as he turned another page. "And they're quiet. Now go away."

"But I've taken you to other worlds! Remember when I made you go diving into the lake and we said hello to the merpeople?" Sirius demanded.

"I still have the aches from trying to out swim them to prove it, yes," Remus said evenly.

"And I'm exciting. Not a day goes by that I'm keeping you on your toes," Sirius insisted.

"I suppose you can be exciting at times," Remus confessed and tried to appease Sirius in order to be left alone in peace and read his book. "I believe that, at this point, there's never a moment when I'm not on my toes, thank you very much."

"And," Sirius continued, as if Remus were not injecting his own commentary into Sirius' soliloquy, "I'm unpredictable!"

"About as unpredictable as a paper sack," Remus countered. At Sirius' appalled look, Remus elaborated, "It's always the same with you, Padfoot. You play a prank, you get caught, you go to detention, you woo some girls, you do some of your homework, you pass your tests without studying, you eat truckloads of food, you sleep until noon if given the chance, and you still manage to get enough energy to aggravate me when I'm trying to read."

Sirius furrowed his brows, not liking that he was considered humdrum. He puffed up like an angry rooster and gave Remus what could have been considered a puppy dog pout on anyone else. The inevitable usage of such a lame pun, however, prevented Remus from labeling the look as such.

"I'm a great deal of fun," Sirius insisted, if only to be stubborn and perhaps because he did need reassurance.

Remus smiled at him warmly and said, equally as tender, "Yes, Padfoot, you are a great joy to be around."

Sirius wasn't sure if Remus was being sarcastic or was genuinely meaning what he said, but accepted it in stride, opting to believe it was the latter.

"And before you even try, no, you are never quiet," Remus said quickly, "even in your sleep you still manage to mumble things."

"Now how would you know that?" Sirius questioned, waggling his eyebrows. "Have you been watching me sleep, dear Moony?"

"No," Remus said and blushed brightly, "You just talk really loud."

"Whatever you say, Remus," Sirius said in a sing-song tone, and Remus knew right away that Sirius was making fun of him. His blush intensified and he stuffed his nose into his book, refusing to look at Sirius.

"I don't need you making fun of me," he muttered darkly to the text.

"What are you reading, anyway?" Sirius questioned, recognizing that it was time to change the subject.

"Cats," Remus muttered.

"What? Cats!" Sirius laughed, and his laughter sounded like a barking dog. "Why would you read about a silly thing like that? You don't like cats!"

"Actually," Remus replied evenly, "I really do like cats. I love cats, in fact."

"What?" Sirius croaked. "Why?"

"They're rather majestic and graceful creatures, really. Some people believe they have ESP, which is why witches and wizards like having them as familiars and companions." Remus smiled as he relayed this information. He always loved teaching other people things. "They're affectionate, yet independent enough to take care of themselves. Plus, they're very pretty."

"I can't believe this, I thought you liked dogs," Sirius said.

Remus blinked. "When did I ever say that? I much prefer cats over dogs. Really now, Sirius."

Sirius looked distressed. "Geez, I wish I could be a cat. I could distract you from reading about them."

"That really makes no sense," Remus confessed and laughed, patting Sirius' hand with his own, scarred one. "No worries, Padfoot. I like dogs, too."

Sirius gave Remus a dry look and Remus laughed again.

"Really, though, the only thing that matters is that I like you," Remus said. "Whether you're a dog or a cat. In all actuality, I prefer human company." A dark look passed over his eyes for a quarter of a second before he'd resigned himself back to his default, benign smile. "It's the humans that don't typically enjoy my company."

"Remus…" Sirius began.

"It's fine, Sirius, no worries," Remus repeated with a wave of his hand. He turned a page in his book—which, apparently, was about cats. "Now leave me be. I'm reading."

"I'll take you new worlds someday, Moony," Sirius said seriously.

Remus was only half listening. "I'm sure you will."

"And I'll make your life exciting and spontaneous," Sirius insisted.

"Mmhm," Remus hummed, not even pretending to listen anymore. He was used to ignoring Sirius, and, to a lesser extent, James and Peter.

"I'll make sure your life's never lonely or boring or unimpressive or deafening—unless strictly necessary—and I'll be there with you, as a human, enjoying your company," Sirius said seriously. Remus didn't respond. He grew agitated and proclaimed, loudly, "Listen to me!"

Remus, startled by the sudden change in tone, turned to Sirius in surprise, blinking his eyes and tilting his head to the side, trying to comprehend what had put such an anxious note in Sirius' voice. Sirius stared at him desperately.

Sirius shot out his hand and grasped Remus' book. He plucked it away before Remus could protest and tossed it unceremoniously over his shoulder. Remus looked about ready to get up and go after it, but Sirius grabbed his hands next.

"I'll prove to you I'm better than some stuffy old book."

"Oh?" Remus asked. "How so?"

"Because a stupid, boring old book can't do this," Sirius said confidently and leaned forward, kissing Remus soundly on the mouth.

Remus' eyes widened for half a second before they fell shut and he melted into the unexpected kiss. It was sloppy and unprofessional, but neither boy expected it to be earth shattering. In fact, neither boy really expected it at all. Sirius was equally as stunned as Remus was, but like hell he was going to let it show.

After a moment that was over far too soon, Sirius backed away, looking quite smug and pleased with himself. He questioned, rather confidently and rhetorically, "Now what kind of book can do that?"

Remus looked shocked for half a second before he whispered, a genuine smile crossing his lips, "See, Padfoot. You can be spontaneous. You just need to put forth a little effort."

"And don't you forget it," Sirius said, his grin turning a bit sheepish.

Remus sighed out slowly, collecting his thoughts and scratching at a small itch behind his ear.

"And I bet no bloody cat can do that either," Sirius persisted.

"No, and I'm not one hundred percent positive I'd want it to," Remus confessed. He grinned goofily at Sirius. Sirius mimicked the look.

"So…" Sirius said slowly, unsure where to go from here.

"So, if you could fetch me my book, Sirius dear," Remus said with laughter in his eyes, "I'd like to continue reading about my favorite animal."

Sirius' eyes flashed and Remus laughed again.

"Shut up and commere," Sirius muttered as he dragged Remus forward by his Gryffindor tie and kissed him again. Remus was happy to comply.