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Honeycomb (music box)

Writing Club-

Showtime, "One Last Time" (saying goodbye)

Word Count 910

"I don't want you to leave," Remus grumbles, watching as his boyfriend pulls on his uniform.

Sirius pauses, his fingers gripping the buttons, a faint smirk on his lips. "Good. I'd be more concerned if you couldn't wait to get rid of me," he teases, poking his tongue out.

Remus rolls his eyes. It's become like a routine by now. Sirius has done two tours overseas, and the only thing that keeps them from crying when they say goodbye is finding a way to joke about it all.

Sirius finishes the task and stands before the mirror, grey eyes narrowed critically as he studies his uniform, looking for any creases or wrinkles that might get him in trouble with his superior officers. "I have something for you," he says, keeping his gaze locked on his reflection. "Look in my sock drawer."

Remus wrinkles his nose. "It had better not be a dirty sock," he warns; Sirius snorts.

Remus opens the drawer, greeted by nothing but a neat array of socks. Hesitantly, he digs through until his fingers brush over something that is most definitely not a sock. Curious, Remus pulls out a polished mahogany music box. He brushes his thumb over the stained glass top depicting a beautiful countryside with blue skies, trees, grass, and a stream, a smile tugging at his lips. It reminds him so much of home.

"Open it," Sirius instructs gently.

Remus obeys. A sweet, mechanical sound fills the air, and Remus smiles as he recognizes the tune. "Over the Rainbow," he says with a soft chuckle.

It's the song Sirius always hums, the song Remus has come to associate with his boyfriend. Sirius appears behind him. His arms drape over Remus, holding him close. "Just play it whenever you start to miss me," he says, kissing Remus' cheek. "It'll be like I'm still here."

"I don't think it'll still work when you get back if I do that," Remus says quietly. "It would play non stop, and and the mechanisms will break."

"It won't matter. When I get back, you'll have me," Sirius points out.

Remus turns to face him, his stomach twisting into knots. He hates this part the most. The jokes and lightness have to fade. They have no choice but to face reality and say goodbye.

"I'm going to miss you," Remus whispers.

"Not as much as I'll miss you," Sirius assures him before pulling him close.

Their lips linger close together for several moments. Sirius gets closer, teasing Remus with a gentle brush of his lips before capturing him in a deep kiss.

"I'll see you soon," Sirius tells him, offering him a brave smile.

Remus nods. He wants to say that it won't be soon enough, but he knows how hard this is for Sirius. Remus knew what he was getting himself into when he fell in love with a soldier. "See you soon," he manages, gripping the music box in his hands.

…

Remus lays in bed. He hates how cold it feels without Sirius.

He pulls the music box from the bedside table and turns the key. As he opens the top, the familiar chiming music sounds, and it eases the loneliness a little.

…

The familiar tune fills the air of the kitchen as Remus prepares a simple breakfast of toast and eggs. If keeps his eyes forward and doesn't look at the mahogany box, he can almost pretend that Sirius is still there, humming that gentle tune while Remus cooks.

But when Remus turns and the table is empty, his heart breaks. He sets his plate down and lifts the music box, gripping the key and winding it again.

…

A month passes, and Remus notices the first blemish on the box. He's held onto it so many times that the wood has lost its shine in a few spots, worn down by his fingertips.

But the music still drifts from it, and that's all that matters.

…

Three months after Sirius deploys, Remus decides to clean. He keeps the music box open, smiling as the melody fills him with hope.

As he breaks out the broom, there's a knock at the door. Remus glances out the window to check, and his heart breaks at the sight of the uniformed soldiers.

Remus swallows dryly, his chest aching. He wants to pretend he doesn't hear the steady rapping of the soldier's knuckles against the door, but he knows he has no choice. He has to answer. After Sirius' falling out with his family, Remus is the only one listed as next of kin. He grabs the music box, praying it will give him strength somehow.

Hesitantly, Remus approaches, opening the door, clutching the music box for dear life. "Good morning," he says quietly, his voice quivering.

The soldier in the lead nods his acknowledgement, lips pulled into a sympathetic frown. "I have been asked to inform you that…"

The words wash over Remus. He takes them in, but they make no sense. Sirius can't be dead. He promised to come back. He always comes back.

"...extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy in your great loss."

Remus drops to his knees, tears clinging to his lashes. The soldiers are quick; they rush to his side, offering him comfort without hesitation.

But all Remus can do is wind the key again and let the familiar music drift through the air, knowing it's all he has left.