A/N: Where would we be without Shira? This was written for her Word Count Drabble Challenge (as roughly 50% of my fics are) with each section having a specific word count. 97, 198, 200, 89 and 121 words respectively.

Also written for FoxfaceWeasley's Reunited Challenge, where I was provided with the pairing.

Pairing: James/Sirius

Prompt: 12. Interrupt (because their relationship is interrupted, right? Right. Warning: loose use of prompt.)

"Most blokes don't kiss each other," Sirius says.

"But we've never been 'most blokes', have we?" says James, and kisses Sirius again.

Because they're young and they're beautiful and why the fuck not?

"Don't tell the others," Sirius begs quietly, bouncing on the balls of his feet and breathing deeply.

"Calm down," says James, "No one needs to know."

Sirius nods shakily. There's a hint of a smile on his lips before James is on him again, lip to lip, hip to hip, smile to smile.

Because they're boys and they're reckless and why the fuck not?

"Pads, I'm sweating," James murmurs. "Get off me."

"S'cold," Sirius mumbles sleepily, and clings tighter to James for fear that he will be tossed out of the bed.

"Your hair is practically down my throat, you know," says James, but Sirius knows that he's just acting all nice so that Sirius will drop his guard and then James can kick him to the floor. Again.

"James," he says suddenly, "Do you think they know?"

"Know what?" James asks, as if Sirius isn't wrapped around him like a lover, as if Sirius' name wasn't just a moan on his tongue, as if Sirius is nothing to him. And maybe that's not how he means it, but that's how it sounds.

"Nevermind."

"Look, Pads. There's nothing to notice, right?" James whispers.

"Right," Sirius says, but his heart is sinking and his smile is gone. He closes his eyes again and tries to fall asleep, wondering how it would be if people did know.

James kisses the top of his head. Sirius tries to pretend he is just happy that he hasn't been turfed to the floor.

But James' words echo in his head and Sirius might as well be alone.

"God, look at her," James says with a stupid grin. "She's gorgeous, isn't she?"

"Yes," Remus says with a sigh. "Evans is a beautiful specimen. The world simply could not go on without her. Now finish your essay. Slughorn won't be happy if you hand up half a roll of Lily Evans, now, will he?"

James tears his eyes away from where Evans sits, reading quietly, and turns to his friends.

"I hate potions," he mutters darkly.

"We all hate potions," Sirius snaps, "Just get on with it, okay?"

"What?" James says, a little taken aback.

"Just – just shut up, James. Just stop fucking talking! Just – just – oh, nevermind," Sirius says, growing flustered, his quill shaking in his hand, eyes downcast.

Remus blinks at him in surprise. Peter peers at Sirius over the top of his essay.

"You okay, Padfoot?" Peter asks timidly.

"Yeah," Sirius sighs. "I'm just tired. I think I'll go to bed early tonight."

The others watch in silence as Sirius gathers up his books and shoves them into his bag. As he walks away, he hears Remus ask, "What the bloody hell was that about?"

"I don't know," James lies.

Sirius falls asleep last that night.

"So you love her, then?" Sirius asks, an edge to his voice that sounds like a sulking child. He hates it.

"I've always loved her, Pads. You knew this."

There is an unspoken apology in James' eyes, as if he knows what he has done but can't acknowledge it. Sirius thinks he understands, but the bitterness burns in his chest.

"I want you to be my best man," James says.

But Sirius hears I'm sorry for all of this. I still need you.

"Okay."

Their smiles feel like plastic.

"Welcome home, Padfoot," James says quietly. Lily stands behind him with a sad smile on her face and tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Sirius says, "Harry-"

"Harry'll be okay," Lily says. "I can feel it."

"Pads," James says, embracing him. Suddenly, it's very hard to breathe. There are rusty sobs caught in Sirius' throat. James is too real, too alive, and Sirius is only just realising everything he's left behind.

He kisses James quickly, his heart soaring when James doesn't pull away, when James pulls him closer. Because he's dead but he's happy, so why the fuck not?

"Lily, I-" Sirius tries, but she cuts him off.

"Welcome home, Padfoot," she says. "Thank you for saving our son."

"You're welcome."