VI

The school year was ending, and Sirius finished all of his exams. He was very relieved to be done because he hated tests. Sitting in a large room filled with other students, and having to focus on one thing for the entire time was exhausting. He would anxiously look at the large clock at the front of the hall, realizing he was running out of time. Sirius knew the information, but having to write it down in this high-pressure setting was difficult for him. He was tired and was so ready for the summer. Sirius just had to push through the last bit. He only had two final projects to hand and then he would be done.

Remus's roommate was gone for the weekend. He invited the entire friend group to hang out in his room. They all crammed into the small dorm and sat around drinking together. Sirius stretched across Remus's bed, with his head in his lap.

"Moony, will you help me with my life drawing final project?" Sirius asked. He had put this assignment off until the last possible minute, because he had not felt particularly inspired.

"No," Remus chuckled. "Especially because you keep calling me Moony."

"I like it," Lily said, overhearing the two.

"Don't encourage him," Remus grumbled. The grin on his face told everyone that he didn't actually hate the nickname.

"It's a bit on the nose," Marlene chimed in. "He gets a moon tattoo, so you call him Moony?"

"Would you rather moon boy?" Sirius joked.

"Moon lad would be better," James added.

"Sailor Moon," Peter shouted.

"Okay, fine!" Remus said in defeat. "Moony it is."

"It fits you," Lily said warmly.

"Well, if your oldest friend approves, then it's settled," Sirius said, pleased with himself. He was beaming up at Remus, who stuck out his tongue at him.

The group talked about their plans for the summer. Most people were going home to see their families. Lily's family was going to France for a quick trip. While Sirius and James had gotten jobs at an art camp.

As the group splintered off into conversations, Remus looked down at Sirius, asking him, "someone is letting you take care of children?"

"Shocking, I know!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Are you going to be a counsellor?"

"Naw… I'm on their multi-media team," Sirius told him. "I will take photos for promotional stuff and then sometimes we run a program teaching kids about photography."

"That's literally perfect for you." Remus smiled, running his fingers into Sirius's hair, massaging his head.

Sirius's eyes fluttered closed, leaning into the touch. "I think it will be a fun way to spend the summer," he admitted. Remus's hand slipped under Sirius's head, massaging the nape of his neck. If they had been alone, he would have audibly moaned, but he bit it back, not wanting to draw attention from the group.

"You're going home?"

"Yeah, nothing very exciting planned," Remus told him.

"I'm gonna miss hanging out with you," Sirius said in a hushed voice.

Remus's lips tugged up at the sides. "Me too."

As the night drew to a close, James raised his beer into the air. "Cheers to having an awesome first year. Next year is going to be even better!" They all pushed their drinks together, whooping and cheering.

Lily was the first to say she was ready to go to bed. Once she was getting up to leave, most people followed. As everyone was getting to their feet, Sirius sat up, looking for his phone. Remus ran his hand down Sirius's arm. "Don't leave yet," he said in a low voice, intended just for Sirius to hear.

After everyone left the room, Remus got up and opened his closet door, reaching to the ground to get something. Sirius watched him with curious eyes as he brought a box over to him. "What's that?" he asked, looking down at the box, as Remus rushed it into his hands.

"I just… I saw it and I thought of you," Remus explained, his face flush.

Sirius pulled the lid off the box, finding an old analogue camera inside. He held it up, reading the logo, which read Pentax. He flipped the camera over in his hands, his mouth dropping open in shock.

"I know you want to major in photography," Remus said quickly. "And you said you wanted to take historical processes and learn to use the darkroom. I saw it at the store and thought you might like it."

Sirius looked down into the box as he went to put the camera back. There was a small envelope with his name written across it. He pulled it out, opening it. It contained a small watercolour card, with a series of constellations across the front of it. Inside the inscription said:

Sirius,

When I saw this camera, I thought of you. I cannot wait to see what you do with it.

"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen. The books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved." - Ansel Adams

- Moony

Sirius jumped forward, pushing him over. His arms pulled around Remus's waist. "Thanks!"

"You like it?"

"Of course!"

The two pushed up, sitting next to each other. "I didn't get you anything," Sirius said, feeling guilty. Why hadn't he thought to get him anything?

Remus shrugged. "You owe me."

"You signed it Moony," Sirius added, his cheeks hurt from smiling.

"I will forever deny it."

When Sirius got back to his room, James was sitting on his bed. Clearly waiting up for him. "Where were you?"

"Who are you, mom?" Sirius suggested, a snarky tone in his voice.

James rolled his eyes before realizing Sirius was holding something. He eyed the box closely. "What's that?"

"Moony got it for me," he said, pulling the camera out of the box to show him. Popping the box open, he explained how it worked. Sirius showed him where the film canister would sit, clicking the shutter a few times.

James blinked. "That was nice of him."

"Yeah, it was," Sirius said, safely putting it on the desk beside him. His eyes were still on him. "What?"

James got up and looked into the box. Picking up the camera and eyeing the card. "That was really nice of him."

Sirius could feel heat travelling up the back of his neck. Sure, it was nice of Remus to get him the camera. He wasn't sure why he felt so uncomfortable suddenly, though. He grabbed the camera out of James's hand, wanting the interaction to be over. James raised his eyebrows, appraising him.

"Stop it," Sirius said, defensively.

"Stop what? I'm just looking at you."

"Then stop looking at me."

"Are you a kid?" James doubled over, laughing.

"I think we both know the answer to that question," Sirius said, joining in James's amusement. Sirius needed to change the subject. And quickly. He didn't want to talk about the gift anymore.

"You gonna miss Lily this summer?"

"Yeah," James said sheepishly.

Sirius grinned over at him. "You two are perfect together." He couldn't believe that two people could be so genuinely happy. He caught them looking at each other every so often, and he could tell they were falling in love. There was something about the way their eyes lit up when they saw each other. It made Sirius believe that true love could actually exist. It made him want it in his own life.

As James got ready for bed, Sirius pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Sirius: thanks again for the camera

Moony: It was nothing honestly

Sirius got to his feet, walking into the hallway, pretending to go to the bathroom. Once safely in the hall, he called Remus. "It was more than nothing," he said as soon as Remus answered. "I really like it."

"I'm glad.

There was a long pause, before Sirius asked, "will we still talk over the summer?"

"Of course."

"How often?" Sirius blurted, feeling embarrassed as soon as the words were out.

Remus chuckled. "Every day."

"Good."