Severus was walking along the halls at Hogwarts when he found himself behind Peter. He was sitting by himself. It was odd to see him without one of his friends. He was always with someone.

"Why are you alone?" Severus asked and he cursed himself. Did that sound rude?

Peter looked up in surprise. "Oh, uh… hi." He blushed and wiped at his face. He tried to hide it, but it was impossible to hide when you were crying. Severus saw how red his eyes were and how puffy his cheeks were.

"Hi, Peter. What's up?"

The blonde looked down and sighed. "Well, you've got Remus, which I think is great, honestly, I do!" Severus believed him.

"And James and Sirius are meeting with some scouts. Something about joining a professional team."

"Are they even that good?"

Peter laughed.

"Sorry. Force of habit."

"Yeah, they are. They're getting a flat together up near where their team is located."

'Ah, so there it is. He's lonely. It makes sense.'

Severus sat down next to Peter. "Peter, you know you can visit Remus and I, right?" The shocked look in his eyes said he did not know that.

"I-I can?" He flushed and another tear fell down his cheek. "Sorry for blubbering. I should be happy for everyone. Getting on a team is their dream and well, you're Remus's dream."

'I never knew he just spoke so freely from his heart like that.'

"You'll be someone's dream one day."

Peter snorted. "I don't think so. Girls don't like fat…" He bit his lower lip, becoming flustered.

"That isn't true and besides you're not fat. Chubby isn't the same thing as fat and you're cute, so you won't have much trouble. You need to think more of yourself, Peter."

Peter covered his face to hide his blush. "Don't let Remus hear you. He'll eat us both."

"Cheer up."

When they said goodbye, Severus shook his head, but then he was smiling. ' I really have turned into a softy, true Hufflepuff, that's me.'

He never thought he would fall in love with a Gryffindor, one that was part of a group that he didn't get on with for so many years, let alone feel worried about another one from that group.

Something just told him that Peter wasn't the type who could cope with being alone.

And just like that, they were graduated. Severus and Remus hand in hand stood waiting for the Hogwarts Express. Besides them stood Peter and Lily. They were soon joined by James and Sirius.

"It's kind of sad that it is over," Lily whispered.

"It's not over, Evans," James said as he came to stand by her. "The world of adventure is ahead for all of us!"

Lily huffed. "James Potter, you call Severus by his first name now but still insist on calling me Evans?"

"He's cuter."

"Gross, don't say that." Severus would soon die than go on thinking James Potter thought he was cute.

"Yeah, don't say that," Remus said. He looked like he wanted to jump James. Severus grabbed his arm and he calmed down.

James held up his hands. "For crying out loud, Remus, you've never acted like that before!"

"I've never been in love before," Remus said. "You're one of my best mates, but stay away from him."

'Whoa, possessive, protective Remus…wow…' Severus's face was so hot that he thought he was going to pass out.

"Okay. Dude, I'm not even into blokes."

"Are you two done flirting?" Lily teased, making Severus and James groan. Remus glared at her.

"Relax," Severus whispered into his ear. "I'm only yours no matter who may or may not think anything about me."

"Lily, " James said, stressing her name. "I'll call you whatever you want if you never say that again."

"Deal." She looked over at Sirius.

"Lily, my dear," Sirius said, dramatically bowing. "Happy."

"We should all be friends, so yes."

She was right. She was Severus's best friend. Severus was Remus's boyfriend and Remus was best mates with James, Sirius, and Peter.

They looked at several places but finally settled on a three bedroom flat. It was in the good part of the neighborhood. The community was open minded and hosted events regularly.

It was perfect.

"Why three bedrooms?" Remus asked as they were unpacking.

"The price was good and why not?"

Severus went to open the door when he heard a knock. Peter was on the other side.

"Ready to help!" The blonde waltzed in like he owned the place and started to unpack without being asked. Luckily everything was neatly labeled and they didn't have many belongings as it were.

"Peter, where are you staying?" Severus asked casually once they were finished and sitting in the living room having some tea.

"Um, with my mum and dad." He flushed and looked down. "I'm looking for a job, but until I can find one and pay my way, it's back home for me."

Peter sighed. "I don't exactly have any great skills."

"Not true!" Remus sat up and looked at Peter. "You're great with the younger kids. They love all the stories you made up for them and you're never really shy around them."

"Is that a skill? Being good with kids and telling stories?"

"Of course it is, and you're also good in herbology. I seem to remember you got a good score for it on your O.W.L exam."

"Knowledge in herbology is a good skill to have when it comes to potion making, too" Severus murmured.

"Yeah? I didn't do great in potions, though." Peter seemed like he never thought about any of these things. Remus was sad that his self esteem was so low.

Severus scoffed. "It's no wonder with the book we were taught out of and Slughorn always teaching vanity potions."

Getting up, Severus went to fetch his potions book from the desk they had set up in the living room. Of course, he didn't leave it behind.

"Sev, you stole it!" Remus looked scandalized, but then he started to laugh.

"Had to. Thinking about writing my own version with the proper instructions." Severus grinned and then handed the book to Peter.

Peter took it, confused.

"I bet if you were taught with my instructions, you would have got an O in O. with flying colors."

Peter flipped through the book.

"Bit late for that, though," Peter said, sadly.

"Maybe. Just stating a fact. You do have skills and you can gain more skills. Do you think turning into an Animagus is an easy thing to do?"

"Aww, Sev, you're such a sweetie," Remus said, beaming at him. Severus flushed. He took the book back from Peter and smacked Remus on the head with it.

"Hush, Remus."

"Thanks, Severus." Peter chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Severus?"

"Mm?"

"Are we… well, I mean…" He looked down at the carpet and swirled his toe around. "Are we friends?"

Severus laughed. "I let you ride on my shoulder, I can understand you when you're a rat. You were to first to accept me and said I was soulmates with Remus. Of course, we are."

He meant it.

"Oh, thank you."

Remus stood up and walked over to Severus throwing his arms around him.

"You guys, no making out in front of me!" Peter grinned when they looked at him.

"Are you teasing us?" Remus asked.

"Yes. Though, please, get a room if it gets heavy." Peter blushed.

"Oh, Peter, you are not so innocent are you?" Remus snickered.

"I'm seventeen! Of course, I'm not!"

Severus whispered something in Remus's ear, causing the werewolf's eyes to go wide.

"Really?" He blinked at Severus. "So that's why? Honestly, Severus, you keep surprising me every moment. Yes, I don't mind."

"What's going on?" Peter asked.

"Peter, would you like to move in?" Severus asked. He just could not stop himself from worrying about the kind of future Peter would have if he was left alone. Remus really helped him grow as a person and he felt better than he had his whole life.

If anyone had ever told him he would entertain the idea of living with two Gryffindor, he would have told them to go to St. Mungo's.

But here he was, asking another one to move it. He glanced at Remus and didn't need the mind link to know what the other was thinking.

'No, I'm not planning on adopting more Gryffindor, two is enough.'

Peter stood there in stunned silence, his mouth falling open.

"You mean it?" Peter asked, his voice shaking.

"Wouldn't ask if I didn't mean it."

"B-but, I don't have a job yet! I can't pay my share." Peter hung his head.

Severus shrugged. "It cost the same whether or not you move in."

"B-but…"

"Peter, friends help friends out!" Remus walked over to Peter and bent down to his level. "We care about you and I know you're not happy to be back at home. Are you?"

"N-no," Peter said, looking like he would start crying soon, but mortified for anyone to see.

Severus excused himself, leaving Remus and Peter alone.

"Peter you're worth it. You believe that, right?" Remus wrapped his arms around the shorter boy.

"I don't know," Peter admitted. "Severus really doesn't care?"

"He specifically rented this place so there would be room, so no, I don't think he cares."

Peter just flushed and let tears pool in his eyes. "I don't know what to say. Won't I cramp your newlywed style?" He laughed and started to feel better.

"Oh, Peter, don't be a pervert. There are spells we can use so you don't hear or see anything." Remus smirked. "No style cramping and we're not newlyweds."

"Pff, might as well be."

"You and Remus are like parents," Lily said, giggling on the other side of the phone.

"Don't infantilize him, Lily. He's almost eighteen for crying out loud!" Severus groaned.

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I think it's sweet. Severus, you've really grown. I'm so proud of you."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Blame Remus."

"Okay, I'll do so."

"Have you got a job? Where are you staying?"

"Are you going to ask me to move in, too?"

"Hell, no! My quota for Gryffindor has been reached."

She giggled. "I'm staying with my friend Alice and her husband Frank. They were a few years ahead of us. Alice has been my owl-pal for a while. Don't laugh, but I'm working at a muggle florist at the moment. It's peaceful and I love flowers."

"Well, your name fits."

"Also, I kind of have a date with James..."

"You could do better..." Severus rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. "If he hurts you, I'll kill him."

"Ha ha, very funny."

"That's me, the comedian. Love you, Lils, but I need to go."

"Aw, I love you too, Sev! Give Remus a kiss for me and Peter, too."

"Sure sure, a great big smooch for both of them." With a grin, he hung up.

He heard a playful growl behind him and spun around, exclaiming in a most undignified way when he found himself pressed against the kitchen counter.

"Who are you giving smooches to?"

"You and Peter. Lily's orders."

Remus leaned forward and kissed his neck. "Don't you dare. First off, you're mine, second off, you'd kill poor Peter."

"Um," Severus forgot what words were as Remus kissed up the side of his chin. "Remus…" Severus moaned and then tried to push him back, but once again, he was reminded how strong Remus was. He was fully pinned and couldn't move.

"Want me to stop?" Remus asked softly.

"N-no, but Peter. He's only lived with us for two days, so I think it would be bad to kill him so soon, you know? He could walk in…" Severus lost his breath when he was suddenly picked up by the hips and placed on the counter.

"Remus!" Severus yelped, his heart racing.

The werewolf lifted his shirt and kissed above his belly button.

"Remus…"

Severus looked down at him, as Remus looked up. The love he felt was so overwhelming.

"You're beautiful, Severus."

"Don't be silly…"

"I'm not! You're a lovely person and not just in looks. You might try to hide that fact, but you got this place so we'd have room to ask Peter to move in because you knew he was lonely. I adore everything about you."

Remus was less shy with expressing himself as he worked more with his werewolf side. On the other hand, Severus felt like he was a stuttering fool.

"Thank you. Let me down so I can kiss you."

"Okay." Remus helped him down and wasted no time pressing his lips against Severus's.

"I love you so much," Severus panted between kisses. He bit down on Remus's lower lip, confused when the werewolf suddenly pulled back.

"I love you, too, but…"

"Don't say that after."

"No, it's not bad!" Remus said, pressing his face against Severus's chest. "When you bit my lip it made me think that we never talked about safety."

Severus flushed. "Safe sex? There are spells for that."

"No," Remus coughed, feeling heat come to every part of his body. "I mean werewolf safety."

"Mm?"

"Well, I don't know exactly for sure… if I were to accidentally bite you in human form."

"Oh." Severus hadn't thought about that. "We can slow down. I don't want you worrying about anything. How many other werewolves have you talked to?"

Remus shrugged. "Well, none."

That saddened Severus. Didn't his parents even think to get him into some sort of support group?

"I'll fix that." Severus kissed the top of Remus's head.

"How? All the books on werewolves are written in derogatory ways. I don't know any books written with straight up facts."

"My business caters to werewolves, we can start a group or something. It could be especially helpful for parents with young werewolves."

Remus laughed. "You're so cute."

"If you say so."

"There is another thing."

"What?"

"Babies…"

"Come again?"

Remus grinned, so Severus wasn't sure if he was joking when he said, "What if werewolves can get their mates pregnant? Also, once a year I kind of go into heat."

Severus blinked. "Good thing I'm a male."

"Eh… maybe? How would we know?"

"Surely, that would be all over the news, Remus. You're teasing me, aren't you? And what do you mean heat?"

"Maybe, a little, but who knows," Remus said and with a flush, he continued, "Between January and April, I go into heat and it can last between five and fifteen days."

Severus's mouth dropped open. "That's why you vanished for a week or so once a year."

"Yep, I can't be around people. Feeling, smelling all the desires, it's too much…"

"But…what would happen if you were around people?"

Remus rolled his eyes. "What do dogs do when they are in heat, Severus?"

"Oh, right."

The images that came to mind weren't horrible ones and Severus found himself smirking. Remus smacked him on the head.

"Head out of the gutter."

They hadn't even gone very far, but Severus was still human, so it wasn't like he could help thinking about it. They had never even talked about sex or their experiences, if they had any at least.

"Remus, have you…" Severus looked to the side. Remus still had his head pressed against his chest.

"Mm?"

Oh, how he wished they had the mind link right now. Saying this stuff out loud was so hard for him. He never thought he would be the type to be shy about this. Then again, he never thought he would fall in love and be in a relationship.

"Sex?"

"You want to have sex right now?" Remus pulled back and looked at him.

"No, I mean… no, but I…later, maybe…" Severus pressed a hand over his eyes. Dear Merlin, why was he a bumbling fool?

"Severus, I'd love nothing more than to have all my firsts with you when we're both ready, so relax. What were you trying to ask?" Remus smiled at him and kissed his forehead, and then nuzzled against his neck.

"I think you just answered."

"Did I? Oh…" Remus's eyes widened and then he chuckled. "Yes, I'm a virgin. Are you?"

"Yes."

Remus grinned at him and Severus thought he looked cheeky. "I'll fix that," the werewolf said, blushing. He laughed and ran out of the kitchen.

Severus rubbed a hand over his face.

"Merlin…"

'You've fixed everything, Remus.'

With a smile, he ran to catch up with the love of his life.

-11 years later -

"Daddy!" A little girl ran into the room, jumping into Severus's arms. He placed a kiss on top of her head. "Is everyone coming for my birthday?" She looked up with wide, blinking eyes.

Severus's eyes. They had used a surrogate to have her, despite Remus's worries in the past.

'And he was worried about getting me…' Severus chuckled.

"Of course, sweetheart. You know nobody would miss your big day, Sari."

Someone walked into the room. Sari turned around in his arms and squealed. "Uncle Peter!" She wiggled out of Severus's arms and ran over to the man.

"Did you get me anything? Did you bring baby Janie?"

"Of course," Peter said, patting her on the head. "Abigail will be in just a moment." He looked up at Severus. "Hello, Sev."

"Hey, Pete!" They hugged and then laughed when a playful growl came from the doorway.

"Remus," Peter said, walking over to his friend, and pulling him into a hug. "Missed you."

"Missed you, too." Remus kissed Peter on the cheek and then walked over to Severus, smiling at him. Severus grinned back, heat coming to his cheeks. No matter how long they were together, he would always feel weak in the knees whenever Remus looked at him.

"Ah, there's James and Lily," Severus said, looking out the window as they got out of a car with their ten year old son.

"Oh, and the Longbottoms!" Remus pushed his head next to Severu's looking out the window as another car pulled up. They smiled watching little Harry and Neville grabbing hands and swinging them around.

"Is uncle Sirius coming, too?" Sari asked. Uncle Sirius always brought the best gifts.

They heard a commotion from the living room and then some coughing. "Speak of the devil," Severus said.

Everyone went into the living room, seeing a soot covered Sirius with his cousin Narcissa, and her little blonde boy.

"Sev!" Draco sounded, running over to his Godfather. He spun Draco around and then grunted when Sari jumped on his back. Before he could do anything, the others entered and Harry and Neville ran up to him and held onto his arms.

"Spin!" Harry demanded. The kids laughed in glee as Severus spun, looking mortified, but happy at the same time.

Remus watched fondly, and then looked around the room at all the faces, landing on the face of Peter's wife Abigal. He belined to her, holding his arms out.

"Baby!"

Abigal laughed and handed little Janie to him.

"You want another already, don't you?" She asked.

Remus shrugged but then nodded toward Severus who was entertaining the kids. "Can you blame me?"

Severus glanced up and saw Remus's look and his eyes widened.

Peter walked over and put his arms around Abigal.

Everyone was so happy. Life was so good. Remus felt like he could cry.

"Neville," Alice scolded. "Don't choke your future potions professor." She walked over and pulled the boy off. Frank laughed.

Severus flushed. He hadn't told anyone he got the job, but seeing the proud look in Remus's eyes, he knew the werewolf must have spilled the beans.

"I'm so excited," Harry gushed. "I can't believe we're going to Hogwarts soon!"

Lily and James looked at Harry with fondness.

"I know!" Draco said, jumping up and down.

Neville looked down shyly. "Promise we will stay friends even if we're all in different houses…"

Draco and Harry looked at him as if he were crazy. "Duh," they said at the same time.

Remus picked up Sari and then walked over to Severus, pulling them into a family hug.

"I want another," Remus whispered into Severus's ear.

"Anything for you, Remus."

END