Buttons: Cupid!au, headphones, Remus Lupin, dare, "You can't hide forever."
Showtime, "Thank Goodness": happy ending
Book Club, Dayna: flirting, glass, free will
Disney Challenge, "Prince Ali": Write about someone pretending to be something they're not
Serpent Day, green anaconda: apple
Scavenger hunt: Write a slash pairing
Insane House Competition: Molly Weasley
Gobstones, (gold stone: opportunity): Accuracy: present tense, Power: bacon , Technique: "I promise."
Word Count: 1520
There he is. Remus Lupin. Sirius' latest target.
The Cupid studies the human as he sits on the park bench, eating an apple and reading a book. White wires from his headphones rest against his tattered tan cardigan. He's much more handsome than Sirius had imagined. Tawny hair, amber eyes, shy smile.
Sirius shakes his head. Rule number one of being a Cupid: never get too invested in your target. Fire the arrow; get out. Sirius has been doing this for centuries, and he's always followed the rules.
Now, he finds himself hesitant. He's never been one to lust after humans. Sure, some of them are attractive, and he enjoys looking at them a little too much. But to actually try and keep one for himself?
He's heard legends of the Cupids who have fallen into the trap of desire. None of them ever get a happy ending— a few months of happiness at the most, but the end is never pretty.
Sirius shakes his head. This is a stupid, reckless idea. So why is it so tempting?
With a sigh, he returns his arrow to his quiver and slings his bow over his back. A snap of his fingers, and his charm falls away. His form becomes solid, and it's absolutely painful. Sirius stumbles forward, gasping and groaning before collapsing.
"Mate? Hey, are you okay?"
Remus Lupin kneels beside him, kind eyes filled with concern. Sirius winces and sits up. "Perfectly fine. I guess you can say I just fell for you," he says, offering the human his most charming smile.
A soft pink stains Remus' cheeks. He takes Sirius' hand and helps him to his feet. "Very smooth," he says quietly.
"So I've been told. Can I buy you lunch? It's the least I can do for subjecting you to my terrible flirting."
"I don't think it's terrible," Remus murmurs. "It's sweet."
"Then let me buy you lunch because you fell for my terrible flirting," Sirius offers, still grinning.
…
"I don't normally do this," Remus tells him as their food arrives. "Go out with strangers, I mean."
"Don't worry. I don't usually pick strangers up," Sirius assures him, biting into his bacon sandwich with a satisfied moan.
Humans may be strange creatures, but they have the best food. Cupids, on the other hand, have annoying strings of candy floss and enough sugar to give dentists nightmares for a lifetime. Humans have salty and savory, and it's enough to drive Sirius wild.
"Somehow, I doubt that."
Sirius chuckles. He supposes his eagerness to flirt with Remus could give the wrong impression. But it's true. He has never dared to break the most sacred rule of being a Cupid. "Well, I hope to prove you wrong. I'm a one man kind of man."
Not so true. He has never done this at all.
Remus lifts his glass, taking a deep swig of the soda. "Prove me wrong?" he echoes, setting the glass down. "Does that mean you intend to see me again?"
"If you'll allow it.'
Remus smiles. "I think I would like that."
…
"I received some interesting news today," Molly says, cornering Sirius the second he returns to his realm.
"Did you?" Sirius asks, keeping his posture rigid. Molly is a lovely Cupid, but she's a bit scary when angry. Sirius has learned to hold his own but remain respectful.
"I did. Remus Lupin was meant to receive an arrow that would guide him to one Nymphadora Tonks today," she says, flipping open a book and jabbing her finger at a line on the page. "The texts say it's supposed to happen, and yet we have no record of an arrow or a match. Care to explain, Sirius?"
"Bad aim."
She lets out a deep sigh. Her brown eyes harden, and he knows he hasn't told a convincing lie. "Bad aim?" she repeats. "Strange, since we have no record of any arrows leaving your quiver."
"Strange," Sirius agrees, fighting back a smile. "Guess I'll have to try harder."
"See that you do, dear. You know humans are a bit useless with love. They need a gentle hand to guide them."
Guide. Sirius has always believed that. Now, he has his doubts. Remus had seemed so happy with Sirius today. He had allowed himself to fall by his own free will. Are humans really so irresponsible that they can't make a decision as important as who to love?
"I'll get it done," he assures his boss. "I promise."
He wonders if she can hear the lie in his words.
…
"I can't believe that was your first football match!" Remus laughs as they leave the field. "You're a natural!"
"Very first," Sirius assures him, grinning. "Beginner's luck?"
"Nah. There isn't much luck in football," Remus says, shaking his head.
As they walk, Sirius sees a young woman with bright pink hair. Nymphadora Tonks. The woman Remus is meant to fall in love with. Even in this form, Sirius can feel the weight of his bow and quiver on his back. His Cupid instincts scream for him to let his arrow fly.
"You okay?" Remus asks, frowning.
"Fine. How about a burger? I'm starving."
…
He doesn't return to his realm when the day ends. Another rule he's breaking. Sirius walks the streets of London, biting the inside of his cheek. When did he become such a rebel?
There will be consequences. The rules have been passed down since the dawn of time, and they are meant to be honored.
"You can't hide forever," he mutters to himself. "They'll find you."
The thought should terrify him, but he feels nothing but calm. He will have time with Remus. Maybe those days are horribly numbered, but he will take what he can get.
…
It only takes a week for Molly to find him. He's on his way to the park where he first met Remus when he sees her standing outside a bridal boutique. Sirius doesn't try to avoid her; she has been doing this much longer than he has, and she knows more than he does. It would be a losing battle.
"Where have you been?" she asks, her usually warm tone turning stern as she walks beside him. "A week, Sirius! Remus still hasn't received his arrow, and we are starting to get backed up."
Sirius rolls his eyes. It's just one Cupid failing to do his job. How backed up can they be?
As if she can read his mind, Molly continues. "Narcissa Black was meant to fall in love with Lucius Malfoy, but she's realized she finds Rodolphus Lestrange much more interesting. Cho Chang hasn't even met Cedric Diggory yet, and they were supposed to meet three days ago! Do you really not understand how delicate the strings of fate are?"
"Strings that we manipulate."
Molly inhales sharply. "Strings that we guide. Human hearts are too fickle. They don't know what they want without us!"
"So, we're overbearing parents now, huh?"
When he looks at her, his first instinct his to run. Her pleasant smile has been replaced by a hard, thin line. Her nostrils flare. "Sirius, dear, you're a wonderful Cupid. However, if you don't get this done tonight, there will be consequences. I love you, but rules are rules, dear."
Before he can speak, she disappears, leaving Sirius alone with his thoughts.
He moves faster, his mind racing. If he does his job, he can avoid trouble. Well, he'll still be punished, but he won't suffer terribly. He'll still be able to keep his status, even if his rank drops.
It's the right thing to do. Fate wants Remus and Nymphadora to be together. He should respect that; it's what Cupids do. He isn't meant for this world. He's been pretending to be a human who fits in, but it's all a lie. Remus deserves more than a relationship built on lies.
So why can't Sirius let him go? Why does he feel like he's been struck with his own arrow? If human hearts are really so fickle, why does Remus seem to love him so unconditionally already?
He sighs, slowing down as he nears the park. It won't be easy, but he knows what he has to do.
…
"Are you happy with me?" Sirius asks.
Remus swallows his mouthful of sandwich and nods. "Of course," he says. "Why?"
"Do you love me?"
"Sirius, it's only been a week," he chuckles. "Love is a strong word. I fancy you. I care for you deeply. And I think I could easily fall in love with you."
Sirius feels his bow. He needs to remove the arrow and fire it. But he can't. He will be damned for this, but he doesn't care. If it means having more time with Remus, then so be it. He will defy the sacred rules.
He pulls Remus close, kissing him fiercely. He can feel his disintegrate, can feel his bow and quiver burn against his flesh. It's agony, but he endures it. He has an opportunity to stay with Remus, and he will happily accept the consequences.