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Title<\/b>: All The Comforts Of Home [Remus\/Sirius]
\nRating\/Warnings<\/b>: PG-13, because they’re too tired for anything else.
\nSummary<\/b>: Lupin Lodge didn’t name itself, you know.
\nA\/N<\/b>: Originally a shorter piece entitled ‘In a Manor of Speaking’, written to cheer up Lastmarauder’s player.<\/p>\n
All the Comforts of Home<\/b><\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus asked Sirius. <\/p>\n
Sirius looked around without stepping the whole way in the gate, his gaze running over an overgrown lawn, a cottage that looked as if ivy was the only thing holding it up, and a path that was more grass than stone. He sniffed the air.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It looks like it could fall down at any moment,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius finally said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The first time you transform, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll probably disintegrate!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know it needs a bit of work,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus sighed. Sirius snorted.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s two miles to the nearest neighbor. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be safe here. Besides,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus seemed to shake off his momentary melancholy, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s woods back there. Miles of woods.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
\tSirius tried to affect disinterest, but Remus could almost see his ears perk up.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nothing but trees as far as the eye can see,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus continued, starting to grin mischievously. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just think of all those leaves to jump through\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6dead things to roll in\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All RIGHT!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius cut him off abruptly, laughing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You win, I love it, okay?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If only I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d figured out Third Year that all it took to make you happy was something smelly to rub yourself on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus shook his head in mock-disgust.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you had figured it out,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius sniffed as though he were mortally offended. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If that cologne you wore to our first Yule Ball was any indication\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, just get in here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus pushed Sirius through the gate. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s see what the inside of this place looks like.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Death trap,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius muttered.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153SECLUDED COTTAGE,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus drowned him out loudly.<\/p>\n
The inside of the house turned out to be a little more livable than the outside suggested. The previous owner had left some sturdy furniture, a table, some chairs, and a bed that seemed to currently be the home to a dozen or so mice.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Too bad McGonagall isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius snickered, and Remus punched his arm.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153One animagus at a time, please,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he rolled his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The bed frame looks all right, but the mice have to go. Help me carry this mattress outside.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
They carried the mattress out the back door and dropped it in the jungle-like garden that sloped down a short hill into the promised woods. <\/p>\n
Sirius stared at the deep shade of the trees, captivated as he imagined the nights Padfoot and Moony would run there. He lifted his head and sniffed again, closing his eyes and breathing in the cool scents of greenery and shadows.<\/p>\n
\tHe felt Remus slide a hand through his and twine their fingers together.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you think now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked, humor evident in his voice. Sirius raised an eyebrow in response, snorting a soft whuff of capitulation.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, go ahead and try it out, I know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re dying to,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus laughed, ruffling Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 longish hair. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Padfoot deserves a good run.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll try not to roll in anything too smelly,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius promised, leaning down to kiss Remus in gratitude. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be long.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius bumped noses with Remus and reached up to twirl a strand of his hair.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go on then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus, pushed him towards the woods, grinning. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Before you start something we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have time to finish.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tSirius flashed him a broad grin, then suddenly in his place stood a huge black dog sporting an identical grin. Padfoot woofed another loud thanks and licked Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hand before bounding off towards the woods, sniffing everything in sight.<\/p>\n
Remus wiped his hand off on his trousers, wishing his own transformations were as easy or as carefree. Wishing he could run through sun-drenched trees with Padfoot.<\/p>\n
\tAs Remus turned to go back into the cottage, he comforted himself with thoughts of the wolf running in the moonlight with Padfoot. He wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exactly looking forward to it, but he was a long way away from the dread that used to choke him at the mere thought of a full moon.<\/p>\n
Remus found a broom in the corner of what he thought could have been the kitchen, and began sweeping out the leaves and dust and mouse bits that had collected on the floor since the cottage was last used. He was pushing his pile out the front door when someone halloed him from down the path.<\/p>\n
\tSurprised, Remus shielded his eyes against the glare of the afternoon sun to see a wizened old man approaching his front door.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You must be the young fellow who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bought the Manor,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man said.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus answered, leaning his broom against the house and offering his hand to shake. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Manor?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what the last person who lived here called it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was something of a joke round these parts.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you my neighbor?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus asked, keeping his concern masked with polite neutrality.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153One might say that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I live up the road a couple miles or more.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRelieved, Remus opened his mouth to reply, but just then Padfoot came bounding around the side of the house and up to Remus. He sat down next to Remus, panting heavily, and leaned against him hard enough to almost knock him down. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This\u00e2\u20ac\u2122un yours?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man asked, raising an eyebrow.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know about that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus said wryly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but he does tend to follow me wherever I go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tPadfoot barked in reproach and Remus scratched his ears soothingly. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Might be good to have a friend fierce as that stay with you at the Manor,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man said, offering his hand for Padfoot to sniff.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why do you say that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It might be only rumor,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man looked a little embarrassed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153before my time, you know, but folk in these parts say the last owner disappeared under mysterious circumstances.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus cocked his head with interest, and felt Padfoot do the same thing. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s naught who know what really happened,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but some say there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s strange howling and banging about from inside this place late at night. Locals won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go near it after dark.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus was silent, but relief washed through him. He wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t endanger anyone here when he transformed. He was safe here.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Anyways,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the man said with false cheer, evidently mistaking Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 silence for discomfort, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d best be on my way. Good luck with the Manor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Remus watched the man go, still scratching Padfoot\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ears, and when he was out of sight, Remus looked down to see Sirius leaning against his leg. Sirius sighed happily as Remus tangled fingers in his thick hair.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Howling and banging in the middle of the night?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus said, bemused.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Feels like home already,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius opened one eye and grinned up at Remus.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus sighed after a minute. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Our lunch hours almost up, Dumbledore expects us back.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tSirius climbed to his feet with a sigh, casting a longing glance back towards the woods.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait until you can run with me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said wistfully. Remus was painfully aware that Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 expression of frustration was echoed loudly on his own.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sirius,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said quietly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153if I had the power, I would tear off all my clothes right now and transform, and spend all afternoon and all night running through trees and rolling in dead things with you, just to see your exhausted, muddy, blissed-out hide crawl into my bed tomorrow morning.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tSirius stared at Remus wordlessly for a long minute, mouth parted slightly and eyes intense.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153DAMN!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he finally roared. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You ALWAYS do this to me! Right before we have to Apparate back to work, you ALWAYS come up with some way to give me an ENORMOUS STIFFY!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not too hard, you must admit,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus replied, laughing freely.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll pay for it this time!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius shouted, tackling a still-snickering Remus to the ground. They wrestled good-naturedly for several minutes, until an out-of-breath Remus came up on top and pinned Sirius to the ground by his wrists.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I win!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he gasped, leaning down for his victory snog. He rolled off of Sirius despite some desperate protesting and held out a hand.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on, we really have to go now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he told Sirius. Grumbling, Sirius took his hand and hefted himself back onto his feet. He glanced down at Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 trousers and grinned ferally.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have grass-stained knees,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he leered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to want to know what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been up to on your lunch hour.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus leaned to glance at Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 backside with a smirk of his own, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a grass-stained arse, so there!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus disappeared with a small pop while Sirius was attempting to twist around and see for himself.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bloody werewolf,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he growled good-naturedly when he saw Remus was already gone. He mumbled something else before he too Apparated.<\/p>\n
Something about revenge and illegal desk rogerings.<\/p>\n
\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m leaving!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius called into the office on the way by.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait a moment, you!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus shouted back, peering over a stack of paperwork. Sirius reluctantly backpedaled and leaned in doorway, clearly ready to make his escape at any moment.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked innocently.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where are you off to so fast?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus inquired. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just ready to go, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius answered blithely.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you were going to wait for me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus cursed internally as the spoken words sounded a hell of a lot more needy than the mental ones. Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 face softened slightly and he actually stepped into the office the whole way.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a surprise,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he told Remus.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus raised an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you up to?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll like it, I swear,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said, shuffling his feet with impatience, but clearly unwilling to give up his secret yet.<\/p>\n
\tRemus sighed, reflecting how he had told Sirius repeatedly that the day of the full moon was no time to toy with werewolves about surprises.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he finally said reluctantly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go ahead if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so important.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tSirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 face flooded with a relieved grin and Remus couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but smile a little at his childishness. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trust me, Moony,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius told him. He made for the door, but stopped halfway through. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother with the flat either,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said quickly, as though he were already giving up too much, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153just come straight to the Manor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tSirius disappeared while Remus was still opening his mouth to ask him more questions. Shaking his head, Remus turned back to the paperwork, now thoroughly distracted.<\/p>\n
\tThe last hour ticked by slowly, but finally Remus had enough work done to feel like he could spend the next day recovering from his transformation without the office grinding to a halt. He straightened up his desk quickly and stood up, taking out his wand.<\/p>\n
\tWhen Remus appeared in the front room of the Manor with a pop, he looked around in confusion for a few moments, sure he was in the wrong place. The walls were painted a soothing blue, and the furniture had been arranged rather than being strewn about. A shabby but comfortable-looking couch had appeared as well. Remus looked down and saw a thick throw rug underneath his feet.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Surprise,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said softly behind him. Remus turned with a warm smile.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is wonderful, Padfoot,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he replied, sitting down his briefcase. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When did you have time to do this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did it bits at a time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius told him proudly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153James and Peter helped some too. They said I had no talent for arranging furniture. Or matching colors. Or, you know, anything.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus barked out a laugh and reached out to hug Sirius tightly.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s perfect,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he sighed into Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hair. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Especially this rug. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m almost looking forward to waking up on it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really comfortable,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius informed him, nuzzling his neck. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although the sales lady seemed a bit put out when I tried it out.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus laughed throatily and pushed Sirius away gently.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tempt the wolf this close to the moon,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he admonished, only half-kidding.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I like the wolf,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius replied firmly, eyes gone a bit dark. Remus shook off the slight shudder that ran through him and suppressed the growl rising in his throat. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have time for that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he reproached Sirius when he could speak normally again.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, all right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius took Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hand and pulled him towards the kitchen. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have too much control, if you ask me, Moony.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have near enough when it comes to you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus replied wryly. <\/p>\n
\tOver years of experience, Remus had learned that transforming on a full stomach was bad, but transforming on an empty stomach was much worse. The trick, Remus knew, was to hope for the best and eat something that wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tear up his throat on the way back out. Sirius seemed to have remembered this lesson, even though he had never independently recalled a birthday or anniversary in his entire life, and had made tea and stew.<\/p>\n
\tOr maybe that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just all he can cook, Remus mused as he accepted a mug and a bowl from Sirius.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you smiling about?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius asked, eyes still a little dark, but begging to be let in on the joke.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was going to thank you for remembering that this is about all I should eat,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus gave in easily under Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 gaze, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but then I recalled that this is the extent of your culinary capabilities.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some thanks this is,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius snorted, feigning hurt. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I spent all half-hour slaving over a magical pot\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus threw his head back and laughed, and he felt Sirius nudge his foot under the table. He returned the kick playfully, but a glance out at the impending twilight forced them both to return to eating.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good enough?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius asked when Remus had finished eating and was sipping his tea.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153More than,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus smiled gratefully up at Sirius as he stood and picked up Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 bowl. Sirius put both their bowls on the counter and pulled out his wand.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Scourgify,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he told the bowls, then turned back around to throw one hip onto the table and looked down at Remus searchingly.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How do you feel?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Itchy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus replied ruefully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Too warm and oversensitive. Ready to throw you to the ground and chew on you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius let out a throaty chuckle as he saw the heat Remus was fighting so hard flare up in his eyes.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We probably have enough time for chewing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius murmured, reaching over to brush hand across Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 cheek. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But none of the good stuff.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tA soft growl did escape Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 throat this time, and he rubbed his face against Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 palm greedily before reluctantly pulling away. Sirius tugged a strand of his hair before dropping his hand.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so wrong that tomorrow morning there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be up for sex,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus sighed sharply.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re taking half-days next month,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius informed him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to shag until you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re too tired to transform.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a cure worth trying,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus snorted, but knew better than to meet Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 eyes after a joke like that. They might just end up on the floor after all. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can just see you explaining to Dumbledore what we needed half a day off for.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThey both laughed that time, the humor taking the edge off the wolf\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hunger.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good to see you laugh before,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius had suddenly turned serious. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought it would be harder without James and Peter.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I feel safe out here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Knowing there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no one for me to hurt takes a lot of the pressure off. And you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the wolf\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s territory,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought it might be worse. I thought we might need Prongs especially. Not that I mind having you all to myself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tThis time, Remus did look up and knew immediately that it was a mistake. He was standing up before he could stop himself and pressed against Sirius.<\/p>\n
\tUnprepared, Sirius nearly toppled off the table at first, but then slid up on it the whole way and pulled Remus in close between his dangling legs. He hissed out a breath as Remus ran a rough tongue over his throat and tangled his hands in Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hair. A gasp tore out of his mouth when Remus bit down roughly, not hard enough to draw blood, but definitely leaving a mark.<\/p>\n
\tThrough a haze of desire, Sirius reflected that Remus losing control had to be the biggest turn-on ever. Ten seconds like this was worth a thousand Celestina-Warbeck-in-the-shower fantasies.<\/p>\n
\tSirius jerked Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 head up by his hair to kiss him fiercely, and Remus fought back hungrily, grazing Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 lower lip with teeth that seemed slightly too sharp.<\/p>\n
\tThat brought Sirius back to his senses abruptly and he pushed Remus away jerkily, struggling for air. Remus bumped into the counter behind him and gripped it for support as his chest heaved.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Almost time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius rasped unnecessarily. Remus, who had closed his eyes, nodded slightly, his knuckles turning white from his tightening grip.<\/p>\n
\tTo prevent anymore incidents, Sirius transformed into Padfoot before approaching Remus, knowing the werewolf ought to get outside before the actual transformation started. He padded over and nosed one of Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hands. Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hand let go of the counter and took ahold of Padfoot\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s thick ruff, fingers tangling in the dark fur that was so much like Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hair. <\/p>\n
\tRemus opened his eyes slowly and allowed Padfoot to lead him impatiently outside. They had picked a spot earlier that was open enough for Remus to transform but had the cover of forest just in case someone happened to be near.<\/p>\n
\tTight waves of nausea had already begun to wash over Remus when they reached the clearing and Remus fell to his knees. He could barely fumble his robes off around the trembling that had overtaken him, and Padfoot tried to help by taking a sleeve in his teeth and tugging gently. When he had got the robes off, Padfoot licked his face, whining softly, then retreated to a safe distance until the transformation was over, taking the robes along with him.<\/p>\n
\tThe forest seemed to spin around Remus, and he curled in on himself even tighter, a sharp keening noise beginning to slip out of his throat. Distantly, he heard Padfoot bark worried reassurance, and then the wolf woke.<\/p>\n
\tThe unfamiliar scents and sounds of the forest assailed Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 newly sharp senses, almost a painful as the stretching and reforming of his muscles and bones and he cried out louder, the call ending in a howl as his throat finished changing. Then the pain was too much and Remus slipped under entirely, leaving only the wolf.<\/p>\n
\tThe wolf shook himself all over to rid itself of the itchiness of growing a full fur coat in a few minutes and let out an ear-splitting howl. The wolf did not recognize this place, this was not his range, and he sniffed the air, eyes darting back and forth and fur bristling on end.<\/p>\n
\tPadfoot barked again, several short bursts of greeting and trotted out into the clearing, letting the wolf scent him without getting too close. The wolf growled loud warning when he saw the huge dog, but the growl died down when he caught Padfoot\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s scent.<\/p>\n
\tPack. Others?<\/I><\/p>\n
\tThe wolf glanced around the clearing more carefully and Padfoot sensed he was searching for the others, for Wormtail and Prongs. He whined out a negative and took a few steps closer. <\/p>\n
\tOnly me<\/i>, the whine said. The wolf seemed to settle down, though Padfoot could sense its unease at the pack not being full. The wolf let out another howl, longer this time, and Padfoot came to sit down beside it, joining the howl.<\/p>\n
\tWhen the wolf finally seemed to accept that no other pack members would come, he turned to Padfoot and nipped at his neck ruff, re-asserting his dominance. Padfoot dropped to his belly and nosed the wolf\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s foot submissively, but his tail wagged fiercely. When the wolf stood and began to move out of the clearly, Padfoot leapt to his feet and bounded alongside, yipping loud encouragement for the wolf to play.<\/p>\n
\tWhen Padfoot took off through the trees, the wolf followed, barking joyfully.<\/p>\n
\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*<\/p>\n
\tRemus came to on the throw rug, which was just as comfortable as Sirius had promised. Or maybe that was the blanket of black fur that was curled around him.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Morning,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he croaked, throat raw from howling and barking. He ran a shaky hand through the fur nearest it, and a dark eye cracked open. Remus closed his eyes, feeling the warm tingle of magic being done against his skin, and then felt skin rub against him instead of fur. He pried open his eyelids to find himself hopelessly tangled with Sirius, equally unwilling and unable to move.<\/p>\n
\tSirius disentangled himself enough to stretch, and Remus enjoyed the performance aesthetically, even if he was too physically tired to respond. Sirius crawled to his feet and used a nearby chair to help him stand. When he was reasonably sure he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t trip over his own feet, he bent down to coax Remus up.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he urged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We need to get you to bed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus moaned softly for Sirius to go away and let him go back to sleep, but Sirius continued to pull on him gently until he weakly struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on Sirius. They shuffled the dozen or so steps to the bedroom with agonizing slowness and Remus was too relieved when he finally could sink down on the bed to appreciate the interior decorating as he had in the front room. <\/p>\n
\tSirius disappeared for a minute, but reappeared before Remus could get up the strength to call out a question, holding his wand. He sat down on the bed beside Remus and ran his fingers over Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 chest. Remus glanced down idly to notice the scrapes and bruises that usually came after a full moon. They began to sting dully as Remus noticed them.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not too bad this time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius reassured. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want you bleeding on the new sheets.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus smiled wanly and closed his eyes. He felt Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 probing fingers brush against the cuts, felt the brief sting and then soothing warmth of healing spells take away the more serious wounds and several of the bruises. He felt Sirius slide into bed alongside him and wrap strong arms around his chest, felt the tickle of hair against his cheek, and then slipped into sleep.<\/p>\n
\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*\t\t*<\/p>\n
\tRemus judged that it was early afternoon when he woke the second time, from the sunlight slanting into the windows. He still felt weak and exhausted, but the nausea had faded and none of the cuts left were bothering him, although he did ache just about everywhere.<\/p>\n
\tA soft sigh beside him drew his attention to Sirius, who was still sleeping. He turned his head slightly to kiss Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 forehead, reaching over with a still-unsteady hand to brush some of the longish hair out of Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 face.<\/p>\n
\tHe needs a haircut, Remus thought lightly as he let his fingertips trail weakly through the hair. He paused, puzzled, when his fingers reached Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 neck and found a purple spot roughly the diameter of a small nectarine, then colored slightly as he recalled the scene from the kitchen yesterday. He probed the spot gently and Sirius stirred.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wazzat?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he murmured, opening his eyes about halfway.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I left quite a mark,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus said, voice still a little rough. Sirius smiled a little as he reached up to feel the spot for himself, fingers brushing against Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. <\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wolf nipped m\u00e2\u20ac\u2122too,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius sighed sleepily. He moved over slightly to lay closer against Remus and laid his head on Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 shoulder.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus apologized idly, feeling a twinge of guilt for the wolf\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s actions.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Told you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius had woken up a little more, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I LIKE the wolf.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tRemus shivered a little as their almost-fuck from the night before ran through his mind more powerfully.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop being such a turn-on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus grumbled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m too tired.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius replied playfully, tilting his head up to kiss Remus neck softly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153or you wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be turned on in the first place. Besides, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just slept for hours.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That whole turning-into-a-dark-creature thing does tend to take it out of me, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Remus reminded him dryly.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re making jokes, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re alive enough for sex,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius shot back easily, starting to draw little circles on Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 stomach with fingertips. Remus made a soft noise; Sirius knew that always drove him crazy, tired or not.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re too tired too, so stop teasing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus told Sirius, laying a hand over the tickling fingers and bending his head kiss Sirius softly. Sirius gave up with a sigh and kissed him back, the offending hand coming up to slip through Remus hair.<\/p>\n
\tThe slow kiss continued for several minutes, until Remus couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keep his head up anymore and Sirius laid his back down on Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 chest.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So now that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve christened the place, I guess we need to name it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said to Remus idly. Remus nearly commented that they hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really christened it properly yet, but cut himself off before he said the words, knowing exactly where that challenge would lead.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It has a name,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said instead. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Manor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a stupid name,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said derisively. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s something my parents would have named a cabin in the woods, as if giving it some pretentious name would make it better.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you want to call it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus asked, rather than get into some argument about Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 awful family.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What about the Lair?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wolves have lairs, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t they?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That sounds absolutely sinister!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus laughed.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lupin Lair,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It has a ring to it, I think.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t call it Lupin anything,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just as much yours as mine, more probably, you paid for it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could be a Lupin,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius responded.<\/p>\n
\tThere was a long silence. It seemed to Remus that Sirius must have been able to hear his heart pounding.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you want to be a Lupin?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he finally asked.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius responded, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m hardly going to ask you to be a Black, am I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suppose not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus said faintly, wondering if they were having a serious conversation or not. There was another short silence.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It seems to me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said abruptly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that there are a lot of times lately when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a little Lupin in me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tAfter a moment of stunned silence, Remus broke the spell by laughing until it hurt (which wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t long). Sirius laughed too, gathering the achy werewolf back into his arms and hugging him even more breathless. They ended up nose to nose, staring into each other\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes, Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 mouth still twitching, threatening to spill out more laughter at any moment.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can be a Lupin if you want,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he told Sirius, fighting to keep his voice even in what he thought ought to be a serious moment. He ordered himself not to giggle as the old joke made itself in his head.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I do want,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius grinned, lighting up his whole face and reaching deep into his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I want very, very much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\tSirius kissed Remus hard and Remus couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but respond. He forgot that he was tired and achy and injured and that he was a werewolf and what was his name again? Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 too-long hair brushed the sides of his face and his tongue brushed Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and his burning hands pressed into Remus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 back, and they made concentrating on anything else impossible.<\/p>\n
\tSirius suddenly broke the kiss with a gasp of pain and slid off Remus to rub his side.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think your body is calling for a mutiny,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus laughed breathily, reaching over to help Sirius massage the tortured muscle.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Later,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius told him, the heat and promise in his word nearly rubbing against Remus.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Later,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he agreed, sinking back down into his pillows and pulling Sirius back to lay on his chest again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And we still haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t decided on a name.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are those things Muggles stay in?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius asked thoughtfully. Remus snickered, knowing that the answer could be anything from huts to space stations.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Be a bit more specific,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he prompted.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, in the mountains,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They have fireplaces\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and animal skins on the floor\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6they do that sport with the poles and the silly shoes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Skiing!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus exclaimed, finally catching on. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re talking about a Ski Lodge.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius replied enthusiastically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What about Lupin Lodge?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s better than Lupin Lair,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus rolled his eyes. He said the name in his head a few times. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lupin Lodge. I think I like it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only one thing left to do then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sirius said, the grin audible in his voice.<\/p>\n
\t\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Christening later,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remus reminded him, stifling a yawn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sleep now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Sirius sighed out a half-hearted protest, but was already snuggling comfortably next to Remus, sprawling an arm across his chest as if he expected Remus to try and get away after he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d fallen asleep. Remus rubbed a cheek against the top of Sirius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 head and let a contented breath out through his nose, allowing the relief of another full moon past to soothe him.<\/p>\n
\tHe was safe in his bed with Sirius. That alone made Lupin Lodge home.<\/p>\n