For Liza via the Hogwarts gift tag (Wolfstar with an age difference)
Book Club (Jesper Fahey: western!au, gambling, "Pretty ruthless. Have you ever killed anyone?")
Sirius fans his cards out in front of his face, a wicked grin on his lips. With his free hand, he tosses a few more gold coins onto the pile.
James groans, tossing his cards to the table. "I fold."
"Me too," Peter agrees.
With a laugh, Sirius shows his hand. It hadn't been worth a damn, but he knows how to bluff. "Good show, boys," he says, pulling a cigar from his pocket and fitting it between his lips before lighting it. He takes the gold in, trying not to take too much delight in the way his friends look so defeated. "Hey, Abe! How about another round?"
The doors to the saloon open with a creak, and Sirius' attention catches. A young man enters, and Sirius almost laughs. He looks like a kid but carries himself like a man— a timid man, but a man nonetheless. He's the type that should be in the city, attending college, not in a dusty town, visiting a smoky saloon.
"I'm looking for Sirius Black," the newcomer announces.
James and Peter exchange glances. "Should I shoot him?" James asks.
It may seem dramatic, but in Sirius' years as a gunslinger, a stranger coming into town to seek him out is rarely a good thing. Still, there's something in the young man's tawny eyes that makes Sirius hesitate. "Scatter," he tells his companions.
His friends don't look happy, but they don't argue. With just a dip of their heads, they climb to their feet. Where they go doesn't matter. As long as they give Sirius privacy.
"You're looking for me, then," the gunslinger calls.
The stranger looks at him. His face pales, and Sirius wonders if he'll tuck tail and run. Instead, he walks closer, lingering beside a chair.
"You can sit, boy," Sirius laughs, plucking his cigar from between his lips and tapping it, letting the ashes fall to the floor.
"My name is Remus," the younger man says. "Not boy."
Sirius grins. Remus may bit timid, but he has a little fire in him. It's a pleasant surprise. "Well, Remus," he says, taking a puff of his cigar and leaning back in his chair, "you found me. What do you want?"
Remus reaches into his pocket. Quick as a flash, Sirius draws his revolver, his finger twitching against the trigger. Remus raises his hands. "I'm unarmed. It's just a poster."
Unarmed. Sirius rolls his eyes. Only a fool would be unarmed in a town like this.
He takes the paper from the younger man, unfolding it. It's a wanted poster, and Sirius doesn't recognize the man glaring up from it.
"Fenrir Greyback," Remus explains, finally taking a seat. "He killed my pa. I want him to pay for what he's done."
"Pretty ruthless. Have you ever killed anyone?" Sirius asks.
"No."
Of course not. Remus is too green. He looks about ten years Sirius' junior, and the gunslinger is willing to bet he's never touched a gun in his life.
"That's why I wanted to find you. They say you're the best at what you do."
Sirius snuffs his cigar. A small smirk plays at his lips. The best. He knows his reputation precedes him, but he's never quite realized how far his infamy has spread. Judging by the information of the poster, he's at least whispered about five towns over.
"What's in it for me?" he asks. "Killing a man don't come cheap."
"I have land; Pa left it to me when he…" Remus trails off, clearing his throat. In the dim lighting, Sirius can see the tears glistening in his eyes. "You can have it."
Sirius considers. He doesn't have any use for land so far away, and he's never traded his services like that. Gold has a lot of power in the west.
But there's something about the younger man. He has an innocence to him, a sadness that stirs the hardened gunslinger's heart. "We'll work something out. Where do you plan to stay in town?"
Remus makes a gesture with his hand. "Here?"
Sirius snorts. The Hog's Head is a damn good watering hole, but it's hardly a safe haven. If the whores don't eat him alive, the roaches will. "I don't think so."
…
Remus insists at least a dozen times that he can't possibly intrude like this. Sirius ignores him. It isn't often that he shows kindness to strangers, and he intends to follow through.
The younger man allows himself to be led into the small house. There's nothing special about it. Hell, it isn't even cozy. But it's home.
Remus looks around, and everything about him screams discomfort. His posture is rigid, and he seems to sink into himself, like he's afraid Sirius might shoot him if he touches anything.
"You can relax," Sirius tells him. "Make yourself at home."
"Bit dirty to be a home.'
Sirius scowls at that but chooses not to respond. Admittedly, housekeeping has never been his strong suit. "This Greyback fella… What can you tell me about him?"
The younger man examines a straightback chair for a moment; he frowns as it wobbles under slight pressure and finds a different one that's sturdy. He hesitates before taking a seat at the rickety wooden table. For several moments, he sits there in silence, his long fingers drumming nervously against the table. He clears his throat at last and says, "He isn't a good man."
"Figured as much," Sirius offers, leaning against the wall, his grey eyes fixed upon the younger man.
"He, uh… He mostly killed children. It was a way to scare their parents into submission," he continues. "My pa… I don't know what he did to earn Greyback's fury, but…" He trails off, his fingers tapping faster now. "Greyback went after me, and my pa intervened, but not before Greyback gave me this."
At first, Sirius doesn't understand what Remus means. It takes several seconds for him to notice the scar that stretches from Remus' cheek to his neck. How that has escaped his attention is a mystery.
"He slit Pa's throat, and I ran." Remus' cheeks turn a dusty pink. "I was a coward."
"Nothing yellow about running," Sirius assures him, finally deciding to sit in the wobbly chair across from Remus. "Not when it means saving your life, at least."
Remus doesn't respond. He ducks his head, staring at the scratched tabletop beneath his hands.
"How old are you?" Sirius asks.
"Twenty."
Twenty. Sirius sighs. His guess hadn't been too far off. Remus is eight years younger than he is. He is still a kid in many ways, still so young and innocent. Sirius can't imagine being like that. He'd picked up his first revolver at fifteen, and he hasn't looked back.
"Are you sure you're prepared to have this man's death on your conscience?"
Remus nods, looks Sirius dead in the eye, and says, "That ain't a man, Mister Black. That's a monster."
…
When Sirius leaves the next morning, Remus is still asleep. Sirius doesn't bother to wake him. The young man has been through hell; he deserves a few more moments of peaceful sleep. Besides, Remus isn't necessary for the things he has to get done today.
Sirius leads his horse, Buck, to the stable before entering the Potters' home without knocking. Lily greets him in the kitchen with a smile. Her face is beaded with sweat and streaked with flour. "You're just in time for breakfast," she tells him. "Harry should be waking soon, and—"
Sirius removes his hat and offers her a polite nod. "Afraid I can't stay too long, Lil," he says. "Official business."
She stiffens slightly at that, her lips pulling into a tight line. Lily knows what Sirius does. She knows that he'd recruited James and Peter into his little group long before she had come into their lives. She doesn't approve, and she probably never will, but she doesn't try to fight it anymore.
"James is in his office," she says quietly before turning back to the stove.
Sirius nods and walks out. He knows the house well. Even with its many rooms, Sirius has spent so many days of his youth here that he could never get lost. He finds the office quickly and lets himself in.
James doesn't even look up from his reports when Sirius enters. "California," he says.
"Do we have a new code?" Sirius snorts.
"Mining opportunities," James clarifies, letting the reports drop to his desk. "Thinking about sending out an expedition."
Sirius shrugs. He's never cared much for business. His parents had run an empire back in New York, but Sirius had wanted nothing to do with it. At thirteen, he ran, and he didn't stop running until he found this dusty little town. James, on the other hand, is happy to protect the Potter legacy.
"While you decide what to do with that," the gunslinger says, resting his elbows atop the leather chair across from his companion, "I have a job for you."
James folds his arms over his chest, peering up at Sirius. "Does it involve the boy from yesterday?"
Sirius sighs, nodding. He quickly catches his friend up on everything. When he finishes, James leans back in his chair, whistling.
"Bit young to want someone murdered."
Sirius rolls his eyes. "How old were you the first time you shot a man?"
"That's different. I killed him myself," James points out. "What do you need from me?"
Sirius smiles at that. In the years they've known one another, he and James have grown closer than brothers. Neither could ever deny the other even the most absurd request. "I need you and Peter to find this Greyback fella," he says. "Issue the challenge."
"From what you've told me, do you really think he'll accept an honest duel?" James asks.
Sirius considers this. Really, the duel is just a ruse. Greyback kills children; he doesn't deserve the etiquette of a duel. But James has a point. "Tell him I have the Lupin boy. If he can kill me, he can have him."
James nods, and the deal is sealed with a quick handshake. Sirius starts for the door but stops when James says, "The boy isn't even paying you. Why are you so invested?"
Sirius chuckles, returning his hat to his head. "God only knows, old friend."
…
When he returns home, Sirius has to step right back outside. Yes, it's the same rundown hovel he's called home for years. No, Buck didn't take him to some stranger's home.
He steps over the threshold again, frowning. The dust is gone. Everything has been straightened. Remus looks up from the stove. "Hope you don't mind," he calls. "I clean when I'm nervous."
Sirius moves through the small space, brows raised. Even the bits of brass here and there have been polished. This place hasn't looked this good in… Well, Sirius can't remember it ever looking so clean. "Thanks," he says, glancing down at his boots. He's left a trail of red dust on the freshly swept floor, and he feels a bit guilty.
Remus throws something in the skillet, and the sizzle and sudden salty, warm aroma catches Sirius' attention. His stomach growls, and he's happy he'd turned down Lily's offer earlier.
"I hope you don't mind," Remus says again. "The bacon looks like it's about to go out, so I thought… I'm sorry. Was it rude to do this without permission?"
Sirius moves into the kitchen, following the mouthwatering smell. "You're not a kid," he says. "I don't have to hold your hand whenever you want something to eat."
The blush that stains Remus' cheeks is endearing. He looks away, his gaze fixed pointedly on the skillet. "Right. Sorry," he says.
"You apologize too much."
"Sorry."
Sirius snorts and decides not to comment on yet another apology. He busies himself with the dishes, smiling when he realizes the younger man has even washed them. He doesn't think his forks have ever been so shiny.
He sets the table, chuckling to himself. He's never really had company. The Hog's Head is the only place he's ever around people. It feels strange to set the table properly.
His gaze flickers back to the kitchen, and he smiles. He doesn't know why his attention keeps going back to Remus. Sirius has always been alone, except for James and Peter. No one else has ever caught his interest, but there's something about the young man that causes him to stare.
"These eggs fresh?" Remus calls.
"Alice brought them earlier this week," he answers. "Should be good."
He hears a soft thud of the eggs being tapped against the stove, followed by another sizzle. Sirius smiles to himself. It's been years since someone other than Lily has cooked for him.
A few minutes later, Remus appears, sliding thick slices of bacon and perfectly fried eggs onto the waiting plates. Sirius digs in immediately, letting out a soft moan. The food is perfect; he could definitely get used to having Remus around.
…
Sirius meets the others in the saloon just before sundown. Aberforth offers the three of them a nod and immediately retrieves a bottle of whiskey and a glass for each of them. Sirius offers him a grateful nod and tosses a coin on the polished bar before taking the glasses to a private corner. Aberforth knows what they do, but Sirius takes care to leave a little extra money to pay for his silence.
Sirius plucks his cigar between his lips, chewing on the end as he focuses on his friends. "You know what you need to do," he says.
James nods, loyal as ever. Peter, however, sighs, hesitation clear in his eyes. "He's a madman," he points out. "It isn't exactly safe."
Sirius rolls his eyes. The life of a gunslinger isn't safe. Maybe his friends aren't gunslingers, but they have faced danger head-on plenty of times. "Issue the challenge," he says. "I'm not asking you to shoot the bastard yourself."
Peter sinks back in his chair, taking a deep drink. He drains the glass in one quick gulp. Sirius grins; Peter has always been the one to need bottled courage.
"We'll do this," James assures him.
Sirius nods and lights his cigar at last. He hates having to send them out like this. Though they are his companions who often get mixed up in his work one way or another, he's never asked them to take such a big risk. Ordinarily, he'd go out himself, but he has to look after Remus.
"We're leaving tonight," James adds.
Peter frowns but nods. "Tonight," he echoes, his voice small. Sirius pushes his untouched glass of alcohol towards him. The poor man definitely needs the extra boost.
…
The first day passes, and Sirius finds himself growing restless already. He hates having to stay back. As a gunslinger, he likes to issue his own challenges.
But Remus…
Sirius glances at the young man, curled up beneath a blanket, lost in dreams. He doesn't know Remus, doesn't owe him anything. It should have been easy to leave him behind at the saloon and deal with Greyback himself. In, out, make a profit. It's the way it's always been.
But there's something about Remus. Maybe he isn't a kid. Maybe he's old enough to fend for himself. It doesn't matter; Sirius feels compelled to protect him.
If only he could figure why.
…
By the third day, he realizes they've fallen into a routine. Sirius wakes up, contemplating having a bottle for breakfast. Instead, he's greeted by the smell of breakfast on the stove again.
"Careful," he warns, standing in the doorway of the cramped kitchen, a grin playing at his lips. "I'm starting to get used to your company."
"Why should I be careful?"
Good Lord. He really is innocent. How does he not realize that good men— men like Remus, with possibilities before them— shouldn't get too close to men like Sirius.
He shakes his head, pushing a hand through his dark, shaggy hair. "Use that pretty brain of yours, Remus. I'm dangerous."
Remus shrugs. "I feel safe around you."
The words catch Sirius off guard. He steps back, brows raised. No one has ever used that word around him. They trust him, but do they really feel safe? "Brave words," he mutters before sitting at the table.
It isn't right. Remus shouldn't have to look to a gunslinger for safety. He should have the security that home and family offer, but Greyback has taken it from him.
As Remus brings him his breakfast, Sirius makes a promise to himself. He will make Greyback suffer for what he's done.
"Don't you say grace?" Remus asks as Sirius digs into his plate.
Sirius laughs. "I don't think the man upstairs wants to listen to me, kid."
"I'll pray for you anyway."
A small smile tugs at Sirius' lips. Remus really is something else.
…
Sirius strokes Buck, smiling as the horse nudges his hand. Behind him, he hears soft footsteps. He turns quickly, hand resting instinctively on his revolver.
"Don't shoot," Alice says, offering him a bright smile. "I brought you some more eggs and milk. Frank will be sending some meat in the next day or two."
Sirius relaxes as his dear friend moves closer. There aren't many things he can depend on, but Alice's weekly visits never fail. "You're too kind," he says with a small bow of his head.
"Now, what's this I hear about you sending James and Peter off to find an outlaw four days ago?" she asks.
Sirius grimaces. Lily doesn't tell his business to anyone who could ruin anything, but she always talks to Alice. "Business," he says dismissively, taking the eggs and milk and starting inside.
Alice follows behind him, easily matching his hurried pace. "You gotta get out of your business," she says. "I worry about you."
"Thank, Mother," Sirius says, coming to a stop outside his home. He faces Alice, exhaling deeply. "This one is important to me, okay."
"You've never used that word about anything." She raises a brow, studying him curiously. "What's so special about this one?"
Before Sirius can answer, Remus steps outside, bath water still glistening on his bare chest. "Is something wrong? I heard voices, and— Oh!"
At the same time, Alice and Remus both look away. Sirius grins at the identical pink stains in their cheeks. "So sorry!" Remus says, as Alice says, "Forgive me! I didn't—"
Sirius clears his throat and hands Remus the milk and eggs. "Go ahead and put those away," he says. "And put a shirt on before Alice has a heart attack."
Remus nods. With one last mumbled apology, he turns and heads back inside. Sirius finds his gaze fixed upon the fine muscles on the younger man's back as he retreats.
"Well, that explains it," Alice says.
Sirius doesn't turn his gaze back to her until Remus has disappeared from view. "Explains what?"
She offers him a soft smirk, as though they're sharing a secret joke. Sirius wonders what the punchline is and why Alice looks like she knows something he doesn't. "He's awfully young."
"He's twenty." He's painfully aware of how defensive he sounds.
"Rather handsome."
"You're married."
Her smirk only widens at that. "You're not."
Sirius scowls, looking away. A faint heat creeps into his cheeks. What is she implying?
"You should get out," Alice says, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "For his sake."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
When he returns his gaze back to her, she's serious again. There's a sort of sadness in her eyes that Sirius doesn't quite understand. "You always were slow when it comes to matters of the heart," she sighs, shaking her head. "I had best be off. Be careful, Sirius."
…
That night, he and Remus sit together beneath the stars. It's the most relaxed Remus has looked since he'd arrived in town.
"My pa used to teach me the stars," Remus tells him.
Sirius smiles at that. He's always had an affinity for stars; he blames on his family's tradition of naming their children after constellations. "Cute," he says.
"Can you teach me to shoot?"
The subject change is so sudden that Sirius sputters his confusion. "Teach… You want to what?"
Why should he be so surprised? Only a few days ago, he'd considered Remus a fool for not having a weapon. Now, however, the idea of it is too much.
Remus is young. He should be allowed to keep his innocence.
You should get out. For his sake.
What had Alice seen between them that Sirius doesn't?
"You don't need to learn," Sirius says quietly.
"Why not? You have a gun," Remus points out.
"I'm a gunslinger. I live by the revolver," he says simply.
The younger man lets out a huff. In the flow of the moonlight, Sirius can see a faint pout on his lips. "Teach me to be a gunslinger."
He's often wanted an apprentice. In a moment of desperation, he had even taught Lily to shoot. She'd decided the gunslinger life isn't for her, that motherhood suited her better.
But Remus… He is a good man. Sirius can't bring him into this life. Avenging his father is one thing. Actually giving him the tools to kill…
"When this is over, you're going back to where you came from. You aren't suited for this life."
"I'm not a child!"
"No. You're a man with a future. Embrace it."
…
The days move slower after that. Sirius doesn't know what changed after the night under the stars, but there's no denying the new tension between the two of them. Remus keeps his distance, and the two rarely talk. Even their meals have become a quiet occasion.
Sirius tries to tell himself that it doesn't matter. Hell, it's better this way. He can't afford to get too attached to Remus.
Greyback will die. Remus will go home. And Sirius… Sirius will continue his life.
…
Peter arrives ahead of James. His chubby face is red and beaded with sweat from the long ride.
"James is escorting Greyback," he reports, guiding his horse, Scabbers, to the feeder. "Should be here by sundown."
For the first time in days, Remus smiles again. "Good."
Sirius nods. "There's something I have to do." When Remus opens his mouth, Sirius quickly adds, "Alone."
…
"I need to get a room for the night," Sirius says.
Aberforth looks up from the glass he's cleaning, his grey brows raised. "Which of the lovely ladies would you like to spend the night with?" he asks.
Sirius shakes his head. He doesn't mind the working girls. Some nights, he'll pay for their company just to let them take a break for a few hours. But that isn't his intention tonight.
"I have a job to do," Sirius says quietly, tossing a pouch of money onto the bar. "Should be enough to cover your troubles, the cleanup, and your silence."
Aberforth snatches the pouch, opening it to glance inside. He nods, quickly pocketing it.
"It's for a man named Greyback," Sirius adds. "He'll be arriving soon."
With that, Sirius finds a private corner and lights his cigar.
…
It's nearly sundown when the saloon doors swing open. James comes in first, followed closely by a man that can only be Greyback. James leads the stranger over to the corner.
"I'll be fine," Sirius says, blowing a puff of smoke at Greyback. "Go on."
James nods, but he doesn't go too far. He sits in the opposite corner, his hazel eyes never straying from where Sirius sits.
Greyback takes a seat, and Sirius finally gets a chance to look at him properly. His stringy hair falls in his face, and his eyes are dark and hungry. When he grins, Sirius notices that his teeth are yellow and abnormally sharp. He wonders if it's natural, or if this monster has had work done.
"So… You want to challenge me?" Greyback asks.
Sirius nods. "A gentleman's duel."
The other man snorts. "Gotta have a fancy name for it? Does it help you live with yourself by not calling it murder?"
"Vengeance isn't murder."
Greyback leans back in his chair, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. He folds his arms over his chest, offering Sirius a wicked grin. "Did you like the cut I gave the brat? Shame I didn't get to finish the job," he laughs. "When I get the chance, I'll rip that pretty tongue out of his mouth and feed it to him. Cowardly little thing can't even face me like a man."
Sirius yearns to draw his revolver now and put an end to it. He doesn't. Aberforth has a strict rule about not fighting in the saloon itself. It's too loud and too messy. Besides, there would be too many witnesses to buy.
"If you can kill me, he's yours," Sirius says, his voice apathetic. Years of poker have taught him the perfect bluff. "I have no use for him."
Greyback licks his lips. "You have no imagination. Know why I like them so young? They scream so pretty when you cut them."
Sirius keeps his features composed somehow. "I'm glad I don't have your imagination then."
Greyback laughs. "Don't tell me you haven't looked at him," he says, smirking. "Pretty thing like that…"
Sirius climbs to his feet. "I got you a room here," he says simply. "Aberforth will show you to it."
Before the other man can respond, Sirius stalks out of the saloon. If he doesn't put some distance between them now, it will be brutal.
…
James waits with him outside the Hog's Head. The sun has long since set, and neither have moved from the spot.
"In and out," James says.
Sirius nods. "In and out."
Marlene, one of Abe's girls appears before them. Though she wears a warm smile, there's fear in her eyes. Sirius assumes Aberforth has told her the plan. "Ready for you, sugar," she says sweetly.
Sirius offers James a quick smile before following Marlene inside and up the stairs. As they pass by the rooms, the act begins.
"So glad you're keeping my bed warm tonight, Mister Black."
"Been thinking about you all day," he says.
"Right this way." She pauses in front of a door, nodding. Sirius understands the signal. Each girl has their own room, and this is most definitely not hers. She drops her voice so that it's barely above a whisper. "It's been quiet for an hour."
He nods, taking a deep breath. He draws his revolver, checking the chamber. It's always loaded, of course, but he has to make sure. Now is not the time for failure.
Marlene scurries away. Sirius swallows dryly and opens the door, gun raised and ready.
The shot rings out, and Sirius feels as though his arm is on fire. His gun clatters to the floor.
"You may be a good poker player, but you aren't as good at bluffing as you may think," Greyback says. "I'm not an idiot."
"Could have fooled me," Sirius snarls.
He bends down to pluck his revolver from the floor, but he hears the familiar click. Greyback has his revolver trained on him. "Would you like to watch me while I murder the brat?" he laughs. "I've never let anyone watch. It sounds exciting."
Sirius grunts. The blood from his arm gushes, the warm, sticky liquid covering his skin. "Go to Hell."
Greyback laughs. "After you," he says coldly, moving closer. "You're going to be begging for death once I finish with the brat. How long do you think it will take for him to break? Do you want to know what I'll do to him?"
Sirius doesn't know what happens. The thought of Greyback hurting Remus is too much, and he just acts. It doesn't matter that the other man has a gun in his hand. With a growl, Sirius lunges, knocking Greyback to the floor. His gun slides across the floor on impact, but Sirius doesn't bother taking it or reaching for his own.
A gunshot isn't personal enough. Sirius wants to see the light die from the bastard's eyes.
His fingers wrap around the other man's neck, and he squeezes as hard as he can. He's never killed a man like this, but he's never felt this sort of anger until now. The way Greyback sputters helplessly is music to his ears. Even the pain in his arm seems dull. Greyback will die, and everything else doesn't matter.
…
"Sirius, your arm," James says.
Sirius ignores him. He mounts Buck, taking care not to move his bad arm too much.
"Sirius!"
He digs his heels into his horse's side, and they take off.
…
"You're hurt!"
Remus is at his side, helping him off the horse. "What happened?"
"It's over," Sirius says.
He feels dizzy when his feet hit the ground. It isn't his first gunshot wound, and it is small compared to some he's gotten. But he's lost enough blood to feel weak and jittery.
Remus guides him inside, leading him to the wobbly chair before disappearing. He returns a moment later with rags, a pitcher of water, and tweezers.
"This is going to hurt," Remus warns.
Sirius nods; he's well aware. "Just do it."
…
"How's the arm?" Remus asks the following morning as he and Sirius sit down for breakfast.
"I'll live."
Remus nods, stabbing his eggs anxiously. "Greyback is dead?"
"Very."
Silence hangs over them for several moments. Sirius thinks of his anger when Greyback threatened Remus. He remembers Alice's knowing smile when she saw Remus.
It all makes sense now.
"I'll be taking your offer on the land," he says quietly. "I think it's time to retire. Find some honest work."
Remus frowns, disappointment in his eyes. "It will take a week to move everything out," he tells him. "But I will get started so you can—"
"I want you to stay."
Remus looks up at him. His frown has softened into something else. "Stay?"
"With me."
It seems foolish. It's just wishful thinking. He may have feelings for Remus, but that doesn't mean those feelings are returned.
"As my lover," Sirius adds.
Now, Remus smiles. He moves his chair closer and takes Sirius gently by the hand. "I'd like that."
With a shaky laugh, Sirius leans in, pressing his lips gently to Remus'. Alice had been right. He has to get out of this life. Remus deserves better.