Chapter 58 – Showers
OoO
Sirius stepped into the house with James after their training. The whole house was decorated with Christmas decorations. Garlands, lights, a large Christmas tree right next to the fireplace. It was all Lily and Remus's doing, they loved, but like really loved Christmas time. They spend hours last weekend to decorate the house from top to bottom. Now the living room was empty. Lily was still in school, studying with her classmates. Regulus was still at Hogwarts, he would be coming home in a few days. But where was Izzie and Remus? They didn't need to work today.
Sirius shared a glance with James, who gave a shrug. They dropped their bags on the floor and walked to the kitchen. It was a tidy as ever, nobody was there.
"Where are they?"
"Maybe in the garden?" James suggested already making his way to the back door. He opened it in one swift motion, and they peered outside. The Quidditch goals were covered in snow, just like the rest of the garden. But there were footprints scattered on the snow and a large, too large snowman was sitting in the corner. But the snow was falling again, and the footprints were starting to disappear. "Seems like they had fun." James grinned.
"Yeah." Sirius smiled. "Maybe they are warming up in the library." Sirius stretched, rolling his sore neck. "I'm going to take a shower, Sterling didn't held back today. Everything hurts."
"Thank Merlin, I had Dawling." James snickered. He took of his coat and hung it on the coat hanger. "I'll go start on dinner. And yes -" He looked over his shoulder as Sirius opened his mouth. "I'll make hot chocolate too, with whipped cream."
Sirius grinned, his eyes sparkled. With a wink, he turned around. Tossing his coat over James' before heading upstairs. With each step, he discarded a piece of clothing. When he reached the bathroom, he was only wearing his boxers and socks. The rest of his clothes were in an untidy bundle in his arms. He opened the door and the sight in front of him was not what he expected.
Remus was standing in front of the sink in only a towel around his waist, while he dried his hair with a smaller towel. The shower next to him was still running and he saw Izzie standing under a hot stream of water. They were conversing like it was the most normal thing to do. And maybe it was for them, they've been friends for so long. And much to Sirius dismay, they have seen each other naked. Then Remus dropped the towel in the sink and looked at him in the doorway.
He eyed Sirius up and down with a bemused expression. "Oh, hey Sirius."
"Hi, love." Izzie smiled happy from the shower.
"Your boyfriend looks really good." Remus chuckled as he looked over his shoulder to Izzie, she pursed her lips at him to hide a grin. Sirius couldn't follow, probably an inside joke.
"What's going on?"
"I'm taking a shower." She said as she put some shampoo in her hair with a grin.
"I already got out of the shower." Remus had the same expression on his face as Izzie.
"I figured that out." Sirius grumbled a little.
Remus couldn't help but laugh at his obvious and unnecessary jealousy. "You know I'm in love with your brother, right?" He quirked an eyebrow. Sirius crossed his arms over his chest. "We were playing in the snow and needed to warm up. We decided to warm up with a shower. Separately. But I guess you want to join her?" He said, eyeing the lack of his clothes. He whispered something to Izzie before he walked out of the bathroom. He stopped for a second next to Sirius, trying to keep his face straight. "Besides, I've already seen her naked." And Remus ran out of the room before Sirius could grab him.
"I hate you!" Sirius called after him. He was shooting daggers at his back until he disappeared in his room.
"Sirius." Izzie purred from the shower, and he spun around. Her head was just above the covered part of the glass, her eyes dark. "Are you just going to glare at an empty hallway, or are you going to join me?"
He didn't answer, he just dropped his clothes in the sink and closed the door. Tugging of his boxers and socks before jumping in the shower with her. Her wet naked body was covered in foam, she turned as his arms wrapped around her. "Hi." He breathed.
"Hi." She smiled before she stood on her toes to kiss him, their bodies flush against each other.
OoO
Sirius, Izzie, Remus, Lily and James were all waiting for the red steam strain at platform nine and three quarters. Even though Sirius had his arm curled around Izzie's waist, he was whispering to James. Izzie looked to them with a raised eyebrow, they must be planning something, poor Reg. He was so engaged in his whispered conversation with James that he didn't notice much of anything else, but still his thumb was tracing slow circles on her waist. Lily was in the same position as her. James had his arm around her shoulders, tucking her close but he was leaning in, to whisper to Sirius. They caught each other's eyes and rolled their eyes with a smile. On Izzie's other side, Remus was nervously bouncing on his heels. She intertwined her fingers with his and he calmed down, he turned to look at her with a soft smile. Then the steady sound of the train came to their ears, and they all turned to look at the oncoming train. Remus grip on her hand tightened and she was sure his heart was beating fast in his chest.
Regulus was so busy studying, he hasn't been able to sneak out of the castle since Halloween and Remus has been on edge to say the least. The snowball fight, a few days ago was the perfect way to get him to relax. But now Izzie could feel his magic buzzing. When the train came to a halt, Remus froze in place, his eyes were the only thing that moved, in search of his boyfriend. People started to trickle out, but it took a few minutes before three Slytherins came out of the train. Izzie noticed that Sirius and James raised a banner over their heads, but she couldn't read it from her place. Nor did Regulus, his eyes were on Remus and only Remus. Remus untangled their hands and he pushed himself passed everyone to get to him, Reg did the same. They came together, Remus cupped his cheeks and searched his eyes for only a second before they lips crashed together. Regulus bag dropped to the ground, and he tugged on the collar of Remus's jacket.
"Oooh." Izzie and Lily cooed with a sappy smile. Sirius snorted next to her. "Oh, hush you." She elbowed his side. "They haven't seen each other in weeks, if you don't want to see your brother snog your best friend, avert your eyes."
"Besides, it's not like Reg or Remus always react like that when you kiss Izzie." Lily mused.
"It's not like I kiss Izzie much in front of other people, certainly not like that."
James snorted. "Mate, you are much worse." He laughed as Sirius pursed his lips at him. But James wasn't lying. Sirius can't keep his hands to himself, nor his lips. Sometimes it's innocent and sweet, just a kiss on the cheek or a peck on the lips when they cooked together. But other times, he just grabs her and snogs her, doesn't matter if they are alone or in a room full of people. Izzie had a feeling that no matter how much time has changed, Sirius would always be like this. Just happy to call her his.
Regulus and Remus only kiss like that in public if they've been apart for too long or something happened, otherwise they kept the snogging private, only sweet kisses and pecks in front of others. She doesn't think Remus would mind, snogging him like that in front of everyone but Regulus that's another story. He's always been very private and doesn't want others to mind in their business, which is fair but completely different than his brother, whose thumb was already hooked under the waistband of her skirt.
Regulus and Remus broke apart, both smiling like sappy idiots in love, it was one of the sweetest things she had ever seen. Remus pecked his lips one more time before picking up Reg's back and slung it over his shoulder. He knew he didn't have to wrap his arm around him because the moment Reg's eyes found Izzie's, he sprinted over. He scowled at the banner and Sirius and James snickered to each other. Izzie stepped out of Sirius hold, he let out a small wine, but her focus was on Regulus. She wrapped her arms around him, the moment they met, and he did the same. He rested his cheek on the top of her head.
"I've missed you." She whispered against his chest.
"I've missed you." He whispered back.
She pulled back and cupped his cheeks. Checking every inch of him to see if he was alright. She was relieved when there weren't any bags under his eyes.
"How have you been?" Have any nightmare? Was the underlining question.
"I'm good, I promise." He smiled. "Happy to be with you and Remus again."
"Oi!" Sirius yelled.
Regulus looked to his older brother with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?"
Izzie saw Sirius's nose scrunch up in the most adorable way. "Don't -" He shook his head with a shudder. "Don't say that."
"Why not?" He asked. His lips were twitching, because he knew damn well why. He knew that Sirius liked it when Izzie said it, in just the same way. Sirius eye twitched. "It's your own fault." Reg smirked, nudging his head to the banner. That's when Izzie saw what was written on it. Welcome home, little Reggie.
Izzie and Remus wrapped their arms around Regulus. She tilted her head to look at him. "Let's get home." She smiled. "James can make us his famous hot chocolate."
"Can't say no to that." He smiled as he leaned his head against Remus's chest.
"I'm just going to say goodbye to Barty and Evan, need to invite them for New Years'." She looked to Reg. "I'm guessing their still celebrating Christmas at home?" He nodded. "Right. Give me a minute." She walked over to the two Slytherins.
Not even ten minutes later, they were all sitting together in front of the fireplace with a cup of steaming hot chocolate in their hands. Regulus and Remus were curled up against each other on the armchair near the window. Lily and James were sitting on the couch. And Izzie and Sirius were lying on the floor. Sirius had made a little nest for them with pillow and blankets. They lay there with their with their feet underneath the Christmas tree, Sirius head on her chest. The radio was softly playing in the background and Izzie was singing softly to the music.
This – this was perfect.
OoO
"Happy Christmas!" James's toasted, holding up his glass of champagne. They had played in the snow the whole afternoon after they slept in. They all made dinner together that night and now they were all sitting in the living room, belly's full and everyone drunk on happiness.
"Happy Christmas!" The others all chimed, raising their glasses.
After James downed his drink, he started to pass out presents like an overexcited little boy. Sirius ripped open his present like a rabid dog. It was a tennis ball. Izzie looked at it amused, and Sirius started laughing like a maniac.
"You arse." He tossed the ball to a grinning James.
Izzie shook her head smiling, looking at the colourful package in her hands. "You used the packing charm, didn't you?" She smirked at James.
He just clicked his tongue and crossed his legs over each other, looking as everyone unpacked their gifts. She turned her attention back to his present. It was a beautiful burgundy cashmere scarf with a silver brooch pinned on it, a Phoenix was carved into it.
"James." She whispered; her eyes wide. "It's beautiful."
"Why a Phoenix?" Sirius asked as his finger went over the brooch.
"Phoenix symbolises strength." He answered looking at Izzie. "You are the strongest person I've ever met. Nothing can keep you down, just like a Phoenix, you always come back up."
Izzie was nearly bursting with tears as she flung her arms around a surprised James and buried her head in the crook of his neck. James wrapped his arms around her and locked his eyes with Sirius over her shoulder. Sirius smiled at them, then he said.
"And you gave me a fucking tennis ball."
They all started laughing. Izzie pulled back with a chuckle herself and wiped her tears away. "Thank you, James, it's beautiful. I love you." It was the first time she said it to him. She said it to everyone in the room before but to James it was the first time. And again, he had a look of surprise on his face.
"I love you too, Izzie." He kissed her cheek before she sat back down next to Sirius. He kissed her temple softly with a happy smile as Lily kissed James softly.
OoO
Izzie had her arms around Regulus and Remus as she held tickets for The Rolling Stones in her hand. It took a while before all the presents were passed out. Regulus and Remus got her and Sirius tickets for the Rolling Stones, and James tickets for a Quidditch match. Reg got Lily a book for her studies. And he whispered to Remus that he will get his present later, when they were alone. James wiggled his eyebrows at that, and Sirius frowned. But it wasn't what they thought it was, it wasn't something sexual. Izzie knew of course, Regulus confided in her months ago.
"Here." Regulus handed Sirius a small present.
"You already got me something." He said in surprise as he accepted the gift.
"I know, but I've had this in my trunk for years and I -" He looked down at his lap, playing with his fingers. Remus was stroking his back softly. "I thought you should have a copy of it."
"What is it?"
"Just open it, love." Izzie smiled softly.
"You know, don't you?"
"I always know." She played with his fingers. He kissed the top of her nose before he opened the present more carefully than any of the other presents.
"Reg." Sirius gasped out his name. "I -" Izzie saw tears forming in his eyes. He looked at his younger brother. "You - you had this for years?"
"You were always my brother, Sirius. I - I never gave up hope -" Sirius pulled him in a tight hug before he could finish his sentence. Izzie saw Regulus shake a little, his head was buried in Sirius's chest, but she knew he was crying. She pulled her knees to her chest, tears in her own eyes, just like Remus. She looked down at the opened package. A framed photograph of Sirius and Regulus as kids. About 9 or ten years old, probably the year before Sirius left for school, before everything changed. They were wrapped in thick coats and warm knitted hats, they were building a snowman together before they turned and posed for a picture, arms around each other shoulders. Regulus said that their uncle Alphard took it. They looked so free and happy there.
"I love you, Reg." Sirius said, and Reg's arms tightened around his waist.
"I -" He took in a deep breath; it had been years since he said it. "I love you, Sirius."
"This night is getting too emotional." Lily said wiping her tears away as the brothers sat back down.
"Oh, then you will hate what happens next, love." James said, a Christmas ball floated over to his open hand, and he kneeled down on one knee in front of her. Izzie gasped alongside the others and Lily was visibly shaking. Only Regulus seemed confused, he frowned as he looked at James.
"Why is he on one knee?" He muttered confused; Izzie couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up.