For the Roald Dahl Event (end of the rainbow: leprechaun!au)

Word Count: 1008

"Look, mate," James sighs, wiping his brow, "I love a good adventure as much as anyone. But this is a bit ridiculous. We've been at it for hours. There is no end of the rainbow."

Sirius shakes his head. He knows his best friend is probably right, but he's enjoying himself. It's always been one of those impossible dreams he's had. "You can go," he says with a grin. "I'll still split the gold with you."

James laughs but pats Sirius on the back. "Whatever you say, mate. I'll have Mum set a plate aside for whenever you get back."

With that, they part ways. Sirius lingers for a moment until James' figure has disappeared in the treeline. With a sigh, he shifts his gaze back to the sky. He has to work quickly. The fact that the rainbow has remained in the sky this long is a miracle. If he delays his journey much longer, he'll miss out.

Sirius takes a swig of water from his canteen and carries on.

…

Sirius groans. His feet begin to ache, and he's afraid he might not be able to go much farther. Fueled by sheer stubbornness, he forces himself to take another step. The rainbow is still there. It isn't just a trick of the light; he has to believe it. This rainbow is not ordinary.

By the time he reaches the clearing, he thinks he must be delusional. The rainbow has ended, and there's a pot of gold as they stories have foretold. But discovering that the old legends are true isn't what makes him question his sanity. It's the fact that his boyfriend is slumbering with his head propped against the pot.

"Remus?"

Remus leaps up. "So, you've found my- Sirius?"

Sirius rubs his eyes before blinking rapidly. The scene before him doesn't change. Remus Lupin is most definitely standing beside a pot of gold like a…

"Leprechaun?" Sirius whispers.

Remus winces as though the word hurts him. "Not much of one," he sighs. "I never cared much for gold."

The words don't make sense. The pot is very clearly filled with gold coins. As though Remus can read his mind, he plucks one from the pot, peeling a metallic layer away to reveal a circular piece of chocolate. He pops it into his mouth, letting out a satisfied smile.

Sirius rubs his temples. When he set out to find the end of the rainbow, he never imagined he'd succeed. Moreover, he never thought he'd find something so strange. "You're a leprechaun," he says.

"A disgraced one," Remus confirms. "Chocolate is better than gold in my eyes. They wanted to strip me of my powers, but it's not that easy."

It amazes how casually Remus talks about it, as though they're just discussing the weather. He drops to the ground, the shock of it all too much for his mind to process.

"I still have to sit at the end of the rainbow," Remus continues. "Most people who find me are pretty upset."

"Understandable," Sirius mutters, absently plucking a blade of grass, desperate for anything that can keep him grounded as his mind spins.

"You- You won't tell anyone, will you?" Remus asks nervously.

Sirius laughs. It's all so ridiculous. Telling people his boyfriend is a mythical creature is strange enough. Having to explain that he keeps a pot of chocolate coins at the end of the rainbow will probably earn Sirius a trip to an asylum. "Your secret is safe with me," he assures him, clearing his throat.

"And, uh… Will this change anything between us?"

The question catches Sirius off guard. He's been in love with Remus since they were kids. They've been together through so much. He's never considered things changing between them, never imagined anything could make him love Remus any less. He's surprised to realize that even such a strange revelation could never make him turn and run away.

He climbs to his feet, holding out his arms. Remus hesitates. After several moments, a soft smile tugs at his lips. He closes the distance between them, burying his head in Sirius' chest.

"I love you," Sirius whispers, wrapping his boyfriend in a tight hug. "You could have five heads and blue skin, and I would still love you."

"Good. I'm sorry I never told you."

Sirius pulls away, studying Remus for a moment. "Just so I'm clear, you always magically have a huge stash of chocolate?"

Remus nods.

"And since I found you, this pot of chocolate is mine?"

"That's the way it goes," Remus confirms. "Why?"

Sirius grins, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend. "Grab the chocolate. We've got a stop to make."

…

"James, dear!" Mrs. Potter calls sweetly. "Sirius and Remus are here!" She turns her attention to the two of them, her brows raising. "Do I ever want to ask?"

"Care for some chocolate?" Sirius asks with a grin.

She shakes her head, letting out a soft laugh. "I've already filled up on dinner. Don't eat too many sweets, dear. I made stew."

Sirius nods. "Can't wait," he says before guiding Remus through the house and up the stairs.

Their movements are awkward. The pot they carry between them make it difficult to navigate the stairs, but they manage just as James steps out of his room.

James studies them, eyes widening. "You… You found it?" he asks incredulously, moving closer and helping them pull the pot up.

Sirius laughs. "Found something better than gold," he answers, setting the pot down in the hallway. He grabs a coin from the pot, peeling the foil away to reveal the chocolate inside.

James rolls his eyes. "Brilliant. You really had me going, mate," he laughs. "Can't believe you got Remus to help you with the prank."

Remus and Sirius exchange knowing glances. "Don't tell me you really thought Sirius would find a pot of gold," Remus says, pressing a quick kiss to his boyfriend's cheek.

"Yeah," Sirius agrees. "I hate to say it, but that's just a story after all."