Recap:

Remus is more manipulative than he seems, Sirius is taken aback, Harry is a baby.

Sensing a common theme of late updates… but our mutts are starting to get closerrrr!…Review my lovelies :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing. For more detail, feel free to read disclaimer in Chapter 1.

September 15, 2009

"You're home late."

Sirius Black jumped nearly three feet into the air and let out an entirely undignified squawk as the pitch black kitchen lit up unexpectedly. He clutched dramatically at his heart and glared at the small man sitting at the table, a mug of tea in front of him, clad his pajamas.

"Holy shit Lupin. You nearly killed me."

Remus raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back.

"Hardly Black, although that prissy little scream might disagree with me."

Sirius's brows drew together and he huffed loudly, deflating into the chair opposite the small brown haired man.

"What the devil are you doing sitting in the pitch dark?" Sirius shot, miserable smirk still firmly in place on his handsome face.

"Why are you so late?" Remus countered. "It's nearly half-one"

Sirius crossed his arms defensively.

"I asked first."

Remus stared at him in disbelief for a moment.

"Going to stick your tongue out at me too?" he asked, taunting Sirius's juvenile nature. Sirius stuck out his tongue in retaliation. Remus put his face down into his folded arms on the table. "Merlin Black, how old are you?" he groaned.

"Twenty-three." Sirius shot back smugly.

"Well you bloody well act like you're Harry's age". Remus mumbled, barely audible, with his head pressed against the table. "How in Merlin's name am I supposed to keep track of two infants?"

Sirius black stared at him for a moment, mouth wide open and eyes indignant.

"I will have you know Remus, that I am a grown ass man."

Remus laughed slightly, peeking out from under his bangs.

"A grown ass man?"

Sirius scowled good naturedly, clearly enjoying taunting the other man.

"Yes Lupin, a grown ass man."

Remus sighed heavily and lifted himself out of his chair. He stretched his back, vertebrae popping on his way to the sink. He washed the mug and left it drying on the rack beside the sink. He wiped his wet hands on his jeans and proceeded to walk out the kitchen door.

"Hey Lu-Remus" Sirius's voice was uncertain, which was strange for the generally self assured man. Remus turned to look at him over his thin shoulder.

"Yeah?" his voice came out softer than he had intended and he mentally chalked it up to not wanting to wake Harry.

"Why were you waiting for me?" he stood up, only now realizing he was dusty from the floo and taking the time to brush it off.

"Does your wife need a reason to wait up?" Remus turned to leave, but stopped when Sirius's hand caught his wrist.

"Lupin are you honestly still sore about this morning?" Sirius spun him around and searched Remus's for an answer. Remus looked away, uncomfortable with the proximity and close examination.

"No, I'm not…I've just…I've had a long day Sirius." Remus pulled slightly away, Sirius's arm extending. When Remus reached the end of his reach, the hand dropped away. He shot a sad, apologetic smile towards the larger man and walked away and towards his bedroom. He could hear Sirius's footsteps following him into the hallway, but they stopped when he passed the kitchen's threshold.

"Lupin wait!" Sirius's gentle voice was deafeningly loud in the silent hallway.

Remus stopped for a moment, but didn't look back, his shoulders tensing up. He closed his eyes and took a breath.

"What Si-Black." He lifted his head slightly, and said it again, almost as if he were reassuring himself. "What do you want Black?"

A hurt look briefly crossed Sirius's face, hearing his name said with such venom. He steeled himself against the cold hallway and took a step closer to Remus.

"I miss them too you know."

Sirius's voice wasn't much more than a whisper, but it was enough to cause Remus to turn. He looked immensely small underneath the tall ceiling, thin frame shivering almost imperceptibly. His face was shimmering with tears in the half-light of the stars. It was a moonless night, but the stars illuminated Remus in a way that made him look otherworldly. Sirius's breath caught slightly in his chest when he saw how vulnerable the other man looked. He closed the gap between them with three large steps and wrapped his long arms around Remus. One of his hands cradled the back of Remus's head, holding him securely against his broad chest. A growing wet patch on his shirt told him that Remus was still crying. Sirius leaned his cheek against the shorter mans head and exhaled.

"I just feel so alone, and its so hard looking at Harry, he looks just like them Siri-" Remus's statement was cut off by a choking sob, his thin voice muffled in Sirius's embrace. Sirius laughed, but it sounded forced and a little thick from the tears he was withholding.

"Siri? We moving to pet names already Remmy?" Sirius winced slightly as he realized that his attempt to diffuse the situation was pathetically thin. Remus pulled back slightly from the hug, glaring through his tears.

"Shut up you great git." Remus's halfheartedly pushed Sirius away from him, but to his satisfaction the large man didn't budge, but stayed firmly wrapped around him. They stood in silence for a few moments, lost in thought.

"Remus, you… you aren't alone" Sirius cleared his throat halfway through his sentence, to disguise the cracking in his abused voice. "I'm here."

Remus smiled tearfully within his arms.

"Yeah, yeah I know." Remus pulled back, this time for real, wiping his face on his long sleeved shirt. Sirius hesitated a moment, suddenly unsure of what to do. Remus started towards his bedroom again, but stopped just outside the door to look at Sirius.

"Do you need me to … come with you or something?" Sirius's voice was hesitant but sincere, leaving the choice up to Remus.

"Wouldn't that shatter your image Mr. Black?" Remus raised a brow challengingly.

"No one has to know right?" Sirius suddenly sounded nervous, the gravity of the situation finally starting to sink in.

"I won't tell if you won't." Remus smiled gently. The ache in his heart for his friends was what was causing him to push Sirius so, he just didn't want to be alone tonight. Sirius smiled slightly.

"Because the Sirius Black does not sleep platonically with people." He smirked slightly, but his face fell slightly in panic. "Or hug people! Oh lord, what was that…"

Remus laughed at him, walking into his bedroom and immediately falling into bed and facing the opposite wall. Sirius sat down uncomfortably for a moment, unsure what to do. Remus shot an amused look over his shoulder.

"Get in you tosser." Sirius blushed slightly and shook his head. He stripped off his robes and his pants, leaving him in a t-shirt and his boxers. He carefully got under the covers. After a few seconds hesitation he scooted closer to Remus until he was pressed up against his back, throwing an arm around the small man's waist. Remus chuckled quietly.

"Never would have figured you for a cuddler black"

Sirius blushed, but then closed his eyes.

"Shut up."