October rolled into November, and Remus and Sirius hadn't spoken since the day of the Quidditch match, unless Sirius decided he wanted to wind Remus up.

James, Peter and Remus were in the dorm, doing homework. Sirius strode in, looking rather dishevelled and extremely proud of himself. James couldn't help but notice that he was covered in lip stick.

"Evening men" he said as he threw himself down on his bed. Everyone answered accept Remus, Sirius turned towards him "I believe I said evening men, unless you are no longer a man you should've replied Fruit Lupe". Remus had his fist clenched around his quill, his breathing quickened. James was sick of Sirius carrying on like this

"Stop it Sirius, this had gone on long enough"

"What? It's not like he's trying to be my friend or anything"

"He's not saying you have to be my friend, he wants you to stop acting like a dick" growled Remus, the first thing he said to Sirius in weeks

"Ooh look who's suddenly regained the ability to speak" mocked Sirius "I'll act like a dick all I want Remus. I'm surprised you're pissed off about it, I thought you liked dick". Remus slammed his book shut and went for the door. "Aww, what's the matter Remus, your time of the month?" Remus turned around

"No Sirius, it isn't. That reminds me actually, I'm not going to Hogsmeade this weekend" Remus was about to leave again, but he stopped when James began to speak

"Remus! You can't not go because of Sirius! It's your birthday and it's out first trip!" The malicious smile on Sirius's face had dropped somewhat, he had forgotten it was Remus's birthday

"I'm not, not going because of Sirius, as he so eloquently put it it's "my time of the month" next weekend" he spat bitterly

"You're transforming... on your birthday?" asked Sirius sadly

"No, the night before, I'll be in the hospital wing on my birthday"

"Oh..." James didn't think he'd ever seen Sirius look so guilty before. For a third time Remus tried to leave "Rem, wait" sighed Sirius

"What do you want Black?" snarled Remus, Sirius had clearly pushed him just a little too far this time

"I just... I'm sorry" Peter, James and Sirius waited for Remus to accept, and for things to be returned to normal, Remus smiled callously

"Good for you Sirius" he trilled sarcastically, for the fourth time, he tried to leave and did so successfully

*

Sirius blushed; he hated having to be humble but he hated having it thrown back in his face more

"What a prick" he said matter-of-factly, James and Peter had returned to their homework, Peter looked confused, James just looked irritated by him "What?" Sirius asked. No reply. "James, what is it?"

"You're the prick Sirius"

"How!? I apologised! He flung it back in my face!"

"I don't blame him. You've being acting like a complete prat for over a month, you're lucky Remus is such a nice person, I'd've hexed you into oblivion weeks ago" Sirius was shocked. For the first time, James wasn't siding with him

"But... but... I said sorry, what else am I supposed to do?"

"You could mean it" suggested Peter

"I did mean it!"

"It didn't sound like you did" Sirius wished Peter hadn't chosen now to grow a back bone "You sounded all huffy when you said it, like when a child apologises"

"Peter's right you know" Sirius's mouth almost hit the floor "You did sound all pissy when you apologised, I wouldn't have accepted that apology, I don't even think Peter would" Peter nodded in agreement

"I wouldn't you know"
"But I meant it! Even if it sounded insincere I meant it! I'm just getting used to the apology thing, I've only ever said sorry to my mother before and I never mean it then! I'm just not used to sounding like I mean it! It's ridiculous... I've been acting awful and I really am sorry" said Sirius, every ounce of regret he had for his behaviour reflected in that sentence

"Why didn't you say it like that before? Even I believe you now" Said James rolling his eyes at Sirius.

"Well I'm going to go and get him"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" sung James

"Why not? He's with Cunningham again, isn't he?" he sputtered forebodingly, feeling that betraying lurch in his stomach

"Sort of, he's going to try and break it off with him tonight... again" sneered James

"What do you mean? How many times has he tried to break up with him over the last month?"

"Pretty much every night since you two had that fight, he thinks you're right, he felt really bad until you started acting like a wanker, but he still kept trying to break up with Cunningham"

"Why couldn't he do it"
"Because he... I don't really want to think about it, but you can guess why, can't you?" said James, going pink with embarrassment over the thought of Remus and Cunningham together, Sirius saw the opportunity and jumped on it, he smiled innocently and said

"Is it because every time he does they end up fu-"

"YES" Snapped James, who proceeded to massage his temples

"Where do they usually go? His dorm?"

"Prefect's bathroom. I hope they never make me a prefect now" said Peter, shuddering

*

"We need to talk Caelan" Said Remus, when they arrived in the bathroom, his face as serious as he could make it. Caelan twitched his eyebrows

"Okay" he said hopefully, now smiling

"No, I mean actually talk this time"

"Okay, I believe you"

"Seriously, we're talking, don't try anything funny" Remus frowned, he sighed glumly

"Okay fine"

"I don't think we should see each other anymore"

"Why not? Aren't you enjoying yourself"

"Yeah... but, you're just using me"

"Initially, I was, but, honestly, I think you're using me now" he was very straight forward

"What?"

"Well, things have changed, the last twenty or so time we've seen each other, it's been you who's made the first move"

"It has?" Remus tried to think back, to their last liaison, Remus had kissed him... but only because Caelan had done that thing with his lip...

"It has, do you have a legitimate excuse for dumping me?"

"You're still going out with Donna Ashcroft"

"I can be rid of her by tomorrow, if you want"

"I don't like you as a person, you're sly and manipulative." Upon seeing that Caelan was smirking at him "And you can't take anything seriously" he shrugged

"I don't really like you either, you're pedantic and you're a pushover. It's not like you can't be manipulative either"

"My friends think you're bad for me"

"You told your friends about us!?" he looked mortified

"Yes. I tell them everything now"

"I can't believe this! I... I trusted you!"

"You never said not to tell!"

"I thought it was given that we wouldn't say anything!" he said furiously scrunching his fists

"I've only got like 4 friends, they won't tell anyone!"

"That's 4 more people who know about me" his teeth were clenched

"So... people have to find out sometime"

"You little bastard" he growled, glaring at Remus

"What?"

"You little bastard! You planned this!"

"Planned what? You're scaring me" Remus said backing away from Caelan

"You were pissed off about that night in May"

"More scared by than pissed off, but carry on"

"You're trying to humiliate me, by spreading shit about us"

"I swear to god Caelan, I"

"Stop talking... Stop it" He advanced on Remus, tense and breathing heavily, his nostrils flared, eyes blazing; he reminded Remus of a bull about to charge. He raised a pre-clenched fist and hit Remus squarely in the mouth, Remus fell to the ground, knowing that any attempt to defend himself would end up with Caelan in the hospital wing. Caelan kicked him brutally in the stomach, and again and again. "Don't say anything to anyone, and don't dare come near me again" He stormed out of the bathroom, Remus's mouth filled with blood.

*

Remus had been gone for a while, Sirius, James and Peter had been waiting for him. Deciding that it was a bad idea to go looking for him.

"I just wish he would hurry up I'm not going to feel this guilty forever" Joked Sirius, James tutted. Remus stumbled into the room

"Remus, I want you to know I'm sorry, I was wrong to treat you so badly and I mean it with ever..." Sirius had been looking at the floor, Remus was clutching his stomach, his lip, swollen and bloodied "...What did he do to you?" Said Sirius as he got up to help Remus. He spat blood on the carpet before he spoke

"Bastard went mental when I told him my friends knew about us, he hit me and I fell then he kicked me a few times, that's all"

"Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" Asked James

"No, my stomach isn't that bad and I can sort the swelling on my lip by myself – apology accepted Sirius" He smiled warmly at Sirius

"Yay! Are you sure you're alright mate?" said James, looking through his trunk for some general healing draft for Remus's lip

"Yeah... You were right all along Sirius, he was a bad guy"

"I know, Blacks are always right" he giggled "Chuck me that healing draft Jamesy" James complied, Sirius tore a strip of cloth from a nearby t-shirt, poured some of the raft onto it and began to dab at Remus's lips, his soft swollen lips. Sirius was amazed Remus wasn't upset, the whites of his eyes were completely clear and didn't show a trace of tears. He supposed it must have been easy for him to deal with physical pain

"Sirius, I appreciate the effort, but I can manage" Remus said with some difficulty, he smiled at him

"Sorry" Sirius prayed he didn't blush and handed Remus the piece of t-shirt "Did you just let him hit you?"

"Well... yeah"

"Why Remus? It's not like you can't defend yourself"

"Exactly, werewolves are around" he thought for a moment "five or six times stronger than humans... he might've ended up really hurt"

"Good! It would teach him a lesson!"

"Sirius, violence is never the answer" Said Remus sternly, reminding Sirius of a teacher for a moment

"Oh shut up" he said smiling

Sirius went to bed that night feeling intensely satisfied. Cunningham was finally gone! And he had Remus back. He slept soundly for the first time in over a month.

*

Remus went to bed that night feeling a little apprehensive. He was glad to be rid of Cunningham for the most part. A bit annoyed he'd lost himself about 9 months of sex, but it was better he was gone. He was relieved Sirius and him were friends, he was mostly a good friend, but if Sirius wanted to get to you, he knew exactly where to poke a sharp stick and if he was angry enough he wouldn't hold back. He slept badly, his stomach ached still, and his lips throbbed despite the healing draft. He wished he still had the pressure of Sirius's fingers against them, they had stung less. He raised his own fingers in an attempt to recreate the feeling. It was useless. Was it pressure he needed on his lips to ease the pain?

Or was it Sirius's pressure?

Was it just Sirius?