A/N: Okay, so this is a really, really short chapter. As always this doesn't belong to me, nor do the lyrics (Leona Lewis). Cheers.

Chapter Nine: Bleeding Love

I don't care what they say; I'm in love with you. They try to pull me away, but they don't know the truth.

Sirius stared at the lake, picking at his skin miserably, not understanding why it was still itching. Evans had cleared the odd coloring away three hours ago. Maybe he should grab some of Ansa Tidgrove's honey and lemon body lotion next time he saw her. Sirius sighed loudly when he realized how pathetic that particular thought had been.

"Jeez, I could hear you sulking all the way in Gryffindor Tower. Who killed Padfoot?"

Sirius glared at James as the other boy plopped down next to him. He really wanted to be alone right then and said so. James scoffed.

"Puh-lease, Padfoot. You do not need to be alone. Besides, what the hell are you pouting for anyway? Lily got all the color off, didn't she? And now we know not to mix Nightshade and Poly Gills together."

"It's nothing, Prongs, just leave it alone."

"No, something is bothering you, what is it?"

James looked so earnest that Sirius began to tell him. Telling his best friend about his family was quite possibly the hardest thing he had ever done. James had nodded in all the right places, gasped when appropriate, but still shook his head when Sirius was done.

"Thank you for telling me that, Sirius. But you and I both know that that isn't what's bothering you. You don't have to tell if you don't want to, but know that I'll still be here whenever you want to talk." And with that, James dusted off the seat of his trousers and walked back toward the castle.

Sirius wondered if insanity was contagious.

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Remus giggled helplessly as Sirius attacked his feet. Tickling them without mercy. It had been a complete accident that Sirius had found out about Remus's extremely sensitive, a.k.a ticklish, feet. But honestly, Remus shouldn't have gasped quite so loudly when Peter had dragged the edge of a blanket across them. Remus had practically been begging for it.

Sirius let Remus get a gulp of air before diving back in; dodging the book Remus was trying to beat him with. This was true joy, but Remus would never, ever know.

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Sirius was glad that it was a Hogsmeade weekend, but did it have to be so damnedly cold? He had chosen to forgo the carriages and run to the village as Padfoot, informing the rest of the Marauders that he would meet them at the Three Broomsticks. Padfoot cantered past several of the homes, stopping outside the Shrieking Shack; it was still just as creepy in the daylight. Sirius changed back as he stared at the derelict building.

"Now that's something you don't see everyday." A voice came from behind Sirius, prompting a startled yelp and a three-foot jump.

"Calm down, kiddo. It's just me." Alphard Black grinned at his nephew.

"You won't tell, will you, Uncle?" Sirius asked, knowing that while his uncle was extremely nice, it may not extend to breaking the law.

"Nah, where would all the fun go? Now are you going to come here and give me a hug or not?"

Sirius smiled and leapt at his uncle, knocking them both into the fresh snow.

"What are you doing here? Not that I'm not pleased to see you."

"You sounded so torn up in your last letter that I decided to come and see you."

It was true enough. Sirius had finally given in and told his uncle about his feelings for Remus. Alphard had immediately written back to Sirius, telling him how proud Sirius had made him by admitting it.

"So, what's been going on?" Alphard had turned them toward the village, but was taking his time. Sirius knew the less he said the longer the walk would take. Sirius spoke about his feelings for Remus, life in general, school woes, and somehow filled up the time it took them to get to the Three Broomsticks. His uncle listened quietly, making noncommittal noises to any rhetorical questions Sirius asked. It made the Gryffindor wonder how Alphard was related to his parents.

The two Blacks made it to the pub just as the other boys came up to it. James, who had met Alphard the summer before, was pulled into a hug and given a quick hair ruffle. Peter smiled tentatively at the older man. Sirius didn't blame him, Alphard was giving the squat boy an odd look. The other two headed into the pub as Remus moved forward.

Sirius grabbed the thin arm and pulled the suddenly shy Remus closer, "Alphard, this is Remus."

Remus gave a timid smile, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Black."

"Please, Mr. Black is my brother in law, Alphard will do. Nice to meet you Remus, I've heard so much about you."

Remus smiled wider and motioned towards the door, "Shall we?"

Sirius nodded and fell back to walk with his uncle. Alphard leaned in, "I like him."

"Me too." Sirius mumbled and felt warmer than a log fire.

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Sirius grinned as he watched James choke on his sip of Firewhiskey. Alphard laughed and took the glass back, "I told you, you wouldn't like it."

Sirius took the glass and tipped it back. The spicy warmth of the alcohol was soothing and the cinnamon aftertaste was nice, but the burning sensation was slightly unpleasant. He made a face and handed it back on the table. Remus slid it closer, looked at it for a moment, and took a sip. The other boys watched in fascination as Remus held it in his mouth and then swallowed without grimacing. Alphard snickered as the other boys groaned at the unfairness.

"Beaten by a bookworm, such shame." James moaned and plopped his head on the table. Remus grinned and all the males at the table saw the wolf inside him shine.

Alphard smiled, "Well boys, I'd better get back. Wouldn't want to get in trouble with Aurelieus."

Sirius chuckled and shook his head as his uncle stood. The man slid his cloak on and walked over to where Regulus and his friends were sitting. He pulled the slight boy up and wrapped his arms around the thin shoulders. It was plain to see that Regulus wasn't happy to be hugged in public, but was pleased with Alphard being there nonetheless. Things were still off between the brothers, but Sirius supposed that was just how it was going to be.

"Hey, Sirius, who's Aurelieus? Your uncle's boss?"

Sirius snorted into his chips, "Something like that."

The other boys looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean?" Remus finally asked.

"Well, Aurelieus is my uncle's partner."

"Oh, he's an Auror, right?" James snapped to attention.

"No," Sirius shook his head, "Aurelieus is his life partner."

"Huh?"

Sirius sighed, "Alphard's gay, Peter. Aurelieus is his lover."

The looks on his friend's faces were almost comical in nature. Peter had stunned disbelief all over him, James had a look of morbid curiosity, and Remus…Remus had a warm blush all over his cheeks. It made him look rather fetching, actually.

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Remus laughed softly as Sirius sent a flash of glitter over him. It was Christmas once again. He had the young werewolf all to himself. He had finally decided to do as his uncle had suggested back in October. Tell Remus. Sirius had no idea how to even start, so he focused on clearing his mind on everything except Remus and opened his mouth.

Sirius had expected fireworks, violin music, or maybe people cheering when he kissed Remus for the first time. What he got was different than the original thought, but it was still much better than the alternative of Remus smacking him.

Sirius trailed a tentative hand down Remus's arm, to wrap around the slim waist. He felt the brittle looking fingers slip into his hair and pull to the left, effectively slanting their mouths together perfectly. Sirius couldn't stop the stupidest grin from spilling across his face as he felt the warm mouth trail down his throat. This was so much better.

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"So, when did you decide you were gay?"

"I hardly decided to be gay, James. It just happened." Sirius sighed, this was the third turn around the lake and James still did not understand.

"Well, I hardly think having both hands under Erika Sharpanova's skirt was…" James trailed off as Sirius turned to the nearest tree and beat his head against it.

"James, you're practically my brother and I love you, but you are a stupid jackass. I don't know why I hang out with you."

"My devilish good looks?"

Sirius snorted, "Hardly."

"My charming personality?"

"Nope."

"My unparalleled intelligence?"

"Not likely."

"My total disregard for the rules?"

"That must be it."

They laughed and continued walking. James broke the silence by sighing and saying, "I guess it's your choice, but I don't get it. I can accept it though, can't be any more difficult than accepting that Moony has a furry problem."

"Thanks, James."

"You're welcome."

"Would it be too much to ask for a hug?"

"Don't push it."

"Alright. A manly embrace?"

"Fine."

Sirius smirked as James hugged him, neither wanting to mention that any sort of embrace really wasn't that "manly" at all.

A/N: Here you go. Um…yay me. Also, my beta apologizes profusely for being slow and a bunch of other things, but it's okay 'cause I like her anyways.