After the Rain
Title: After the Rain
Author: nimrod_9
Pairing(s)/character(s): Remus/Sirius
Rating: NC-17
Prompt# #29 Sirius mysteriously returns after the war. Tonks died but Remus survived. When Remus takes Sirius in to live with him and Teddy, they find themselves attracted to each other. Nothing ever happened before this, so how do they deal with falling in love with each other now?
Word count: 3,771
Summary: Remus and Sirius find something beyond friendship.
Warnings: Highlight to read*brief mention of bestiality*
Disclaimer: I’m a brunette from Chicago, not a blonde from the U.K.
A/N: Many thanks to the mod for the fest and her kindness!
Teddy was down for his nap, so Remus grabbed his basket off the kitchen counter. He was going to pick some beans and the late ripening tomatoes. His little cottage in Wales was on a nice patch of land with an equally nice vegetable and herb garden out back. He enjoyed working in the slightly rocky soil and eating fresh veggies - he'd even attempted some canning.
A knock at his front door stopped him cold. Visitors weren't unusual, unexpected visitors were. He dropped his basket on the table near the front door and opened it. His wand was out and ready in a flash.
"This isn't funny! Who are you?" Remus growled.
Sirius Black or his doppelganger stood with both hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. "Remus, it's me."
Remus attempted to slow his breathing and heart rate. "Who sent Severus to the Shack in our sixth year?"
"Me."
Remus pursed his lips. "Who saved him?"
"James." Sirius countered quietly.
"What was the last thing that Albus Dumbledore said to the pair of us?"
"Trust Severus, no matter what."
"How is this possible?" Remus breathed.
"Don't know." Sirius shrugged.
Then Remus saw the 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120 out of the corner of his eye as it sat bold and shiny on his overgrown gravel drive. This could only be one person. He reached for the other man and hugged him tight.
"Harry hugged me for a full three minutes before asking my any questions to verify my identity."
"He only remembers one war." Remus choked out. His grip finally loosened and he stood back.
Sirius looked over Remus' shoulder. "Might I come in?"
Remus blinked. "Sure." He stepped back to let Sirius pass.
"Don't let me keep you from what you were doing." Sirius looked around the lounge.
"I was just going to the garden to pick some beans for dinner."
"I assume my little cousin is sleeping."
Remus chuckled. "If we're lucky it will be for more than ten minutes." He picked his basket up again and headed out the back door with Sirius right behind him.
"Will you be staying for dinner?" Remus asked as he knelt near the bush beans.
"It's nice here. Rugged. I see you still have a thing for aubergines," Sirius nodded to the two large pots, plants heavy with the small fruits surrounded by herbs.
"Dinner?" Remus asked again.
"About that. I mean yes, but I was wondering. If, well, if you have space. Harry is remodeling Grimmauld Place with Ginny and they…"
"You are welcome to stay here. We'll just have to do some rearranging," Remus worried his bottom lip as he considered the logistics.
"I can pay my own way. Harry hadn't touched my vault and, of course, James and Lily left him everything. He can keep the house… I can probably find work anyway…." Sirius rambled.
Remus put up one hand. "Stop. I’m going to pick a couple of those tomatoes and then we're going inside to have some tea."
"Solving problems the old fashion way?"
"Solving problems the English way," Remus plunked three tomatoes down on top of the beans in his basket.
"You still make good sandwiches," Sirius stated a while later
"Not exactly a skill you lose," Sirius continued to munch his egg salad. "What is this chervil?"
"Chervil and chives actually. All home grown."
Sirius eyes widened. "The eggs too? "You have chickens?"
"Yes, the big bad wolf raised chickens," Remus took the last gulp of tea. "Let's see to your room. I think we'll move Teddy…" A squeek came from a bedroom. "But first we probably need to feed and change him."
Remus started down the hall.
"May I do it?"
"I'll change him and introduce you. If he doesn't mind, of course, you may feed him. It's only a bottle now; The messy stuff will come with dinner."
Remus changed Teddy with practiced ease. "Teddy this is mum's cousin and my best friend, Sirius Black." Teddy darkened and lengthened his hair and his eye changed from blue to a soft gray.
"Just like Mimi," Sirius whispered in awe.
Remus' forehead wrinkled. "Mimi?"
"She was about two and I was probably fifteen or sixteen. Everything I said she would say 'me! me!'. Finally, I just started calling her Mimi." His shoulder slumped. "She was so vibrant… brilliant."
"Yeah."
The room went quiet and the silence stretched until Teddy began to fuss. Within a few minutes Sirius was in the large wooden rocker, cuddling Teddy who greedily sucked on his bottle.
Remus used the moment to move the small chest of drawers in his bedroom to make room for the desk. The built-in bookcase would have to be emptied, but there wasn't much else to move. He was going to miss the large window, obviously not an original feature of the cottage. The chair rolled itself down the hall with the help of a charm. His desk was more a table with a drawer than a true desk; it wasn't extremely heavy and he carefully moved it into his room.
Sirius was standing in the hallway when he came back out.
"All fed and burped," Sirius smiled a crooked smile as Teddy tugged at his hair.
"I have most of the things moved from the spare bedroom. If you can keep Teddy occupied, I'll move his things."
Sirius' forehead wrinkled. "Why move him?"
"This bedroom is fairly small."
"I don't need much. A bed, a night table maybe."
"Wardrobe?" Remus asked.
Sirius shrugged. "Don't have many clothes. Well, none really except for these." His arm gestured to emphasize what he was wearing. He stepped toward the room he hadn't seen yet. "This if fine. Perfect in fact. The view and the light….it's amazing."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to feel too closed in."
Sirius turned around in the room. "No, this is just right."
"I know there is a double bed out in the shed; I moved it out there when we moved in. There's a jumble of furniture out there. Let's have a look."
Teddy crowed as the mattress jumped about, fluffing itself end over end. It was followed closely by the wardrobe and bed frame that Remus had lashed together with a spell; he carried the small night table by hand.
"Before we move the furniture in do you have any specific colour you'd like on the walls?"
"Anything but grey," The small smile on his face was belied by the bleak truth in his eyes.
"It's already mossy green. Will that do?"
"I'm not a woman, Remus. It's fine."
Remus' extra tan and brown linens were added as the strange parade passed by the linen cupboard. When the room was complete Teddy sat in the middle of the bed smiling and promptly tipped over. Dinner was a hilarious affair involving mushy peas that required both Sirius and Teddy to take a bath. Remus left his best dressing gown and a pair of pyjama pants on the hook for Sirius and tucked Teddy into bed.
Sirius emerged a few minutes later wearing the pyjama pants. "I left the dressing gown on your bed. I really didn't need both."
"I know of your penchant for going starkers."
"That only happened…"
"For four years and several streaking events in the common room...I know."
"Sirius crossed his arms over his chest. "You never looked anyway. Until I found out you married Mimi I thought you had a thing for James."
Remus blushed. "Nope. It wasn't James."
"Lily then?"
"No, not Lily either."
"Then who? Was she a Gryffindor?"
"He should have been." Remus whispered. "Let's drop it. I've got a film for us to watch." He busied himself loudly opening the plastic case and then fiddled with the disk player before turning back to Sirius.
Sirius grinned. "Vampire or werewolf?"
"Neither. It's the latest Godzilla it just came out on disk. I missed the release in the theatres due to the war." Remus moved towards the kitchen. "Do you want a beer? I'm going to make popcorn."
"No thanks. I'm not sure about alcohol yet."
Remus returned with a gigantic bowl of the salty, buttery treat that they shared while they watched Godzilla trample New York City.
_____
Teddy was bashing something gleefully with a soft hammer when Sirius came out of his room the next morning. He was wearing the jeans, and one of the jumpers Remus had left him; his feet were bare.
"Oh good you're up. Andromeda will be here at any moment. I'm off to see two films today."
"Are you still reviewing them for that newspaper in Glasgow?" Sirius queried.
"Yes. I need a job, it fits the bill."
"You don't have to…"
"Sirius, I get a stipend for my work during the war, I have Dora's pension. I'm an able bodied person. I need a job. I need to get out and Andromeda needs to see Teddy. It works."
Sirius looked unconvinced.
"I always liked the escapism aspect of reviewing films, but now it's more. I get to be with other people as well. I know a sad commentary on my social life. And I need to feel productive. Raising Teddy is fulfilling and all, but… Is it wrong to want to need more?
"No, of course not. I just wanted you to know you didn't have to. Sirius moved towards the counter and took out a cup to pour some tea. "I think I'm going to go shopping for some clothes and some groceries. Do you need anything?"
Remus tapped his finger to his lips. "Not that I can think of." He checked his pocket, again, to make certain he had a ballpoint and not a quill.
Sirius sipped his tea and started to rummage through the cupboards.
"Sorry, I'm being a bad host. What can I get you?" Remus asked.
"Nothing. I can make my own toast. Ah-ha bread," Sirius grasp the oat bread leaving the sourdough loaf an scones behind. Do you have any jam?"
"In the cold box there. Homemade strawberry and blackberry." Remus couldn't keep a bit of pride out of his voice.
"So one piece of each. I'll critique them for you." Sirius grinned. "Do you have a subscription to the Daily Prophet?"
"Of course. Also, the Edinburgh Evocator."
"Great!"
The doorbell chimed.
"There's Andi.
Remus slipped out the door after hugging Teddy and let the cousins have their reunion in private.
He was late retuning. Hopefully, it wasn’t a problem. Of course, he could have sent his Patronus, but he hated to communicate that way unless it was a true emergency. The war wasn’t so far behind them that people were startled by them. He hurried up the walk, cast an Alohamora and slipped inside the front door.
The lounge was empty, but he could hear Sirius talking in the kitchen. He followed the sound. His mouth went dry as he stood in the doorway. Sirius was now wearing new, perfectly fitting jeans and a skin tight jumper as he balanced on one hip and a clicked a pair of tongs in the other. Remus was stunned by his own reaction.
“Where’s Andromeda?” Remus croaked.
Sirius turned. “She was having tea with Cissy. I told her I could handle Teddy. Naturally, she didn’t leave until she’d given me a thousand instructions.”
“Sorry, I had a meeting that went longer than I expected.”
“I thought you were just going to see a couple of films to review.”
“Well… I didn’t want to say anything, but I had a meeting with a publisher. I have a couple of stories… a series really and they agreed to see me. The meeting went longer than I thought it would. I just didn’t want to jinx it by saying anything beforehand.”
“And… ” Sirius prompted.
“They set me up with an editor for the three that I’ve already written.”
Sirius grinned. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It’s just unbelievable.”
Sirius' forehead wrinkled and shook he his head as his grin widened. “It’s believable. You were always the studious one. Hungry?”
“Starved.” Remus chuckled as his stomach growled.
“I cooked.”
Remus’ eye grew wide. “You cooked?” He gasped. “You don’t know how to cook.”
“I learned. Here you take him.” He handed Teddy over. “I have pears for the little man and roasted aubergine and goat cheese sandwiches plus a salad for us.”
Remus settled Teddy in his highchair and the got out two glasses and filled them with water. They settled down to eat.
“You can cook for me anytime.” Remus groaned as he took a second bite of his sandwich. “Where did you learn this?”
“Grimmauld Place and during the war, oddly enough. Snape used to keep a stash of gourmet cooking magazines there. I used to read them when I couldn’t be helpful or do anything else. Turns out I actually learned something.”
Teddy did a much better job eating the pears as they talked about the films Sliding Doors and Armageddon. Remus managed to forget about Sirius tight arse until he was walking behind the man on the way to their respective bedrooms.
_______
They spend the next few days learning the dance of living together. Teddy took to two caregivers with ease, and, surprisingly, Sirius took to his new role with the same lack of drama. The garden was weeded and suggestions for new beds and plants were made. They took turns making meals. The only dark cloud was Remus’ wayward which constantly disturbed him - but he kept them to himself.
The days turned to weeks and Remus marveled at this man he was living with. Sirius had joined an over-thirty Quidditch club and he still took long rides on his flying motorbike; He cooked like an angel and took care of Teddy gentle ease and amazingly silly madness. There were glimpses of the autocratic pure-blood boy with his wild sense of adventure, but here was the mature man who had lived through things that would have broken a lesser man. Remus was fascinated, intrigued and aroused.
______
One early December as a cold rain battered the windows, Remus had a re-write to finish Sirius was puttering in the kitchen; Teddy was already in bed. Remus had completed the section he was working on and glanced at the clock to see how late it was. Not late at all actually, he headed to the kitchen to see if Sirius would be interested in watching Dr. Who on the telly.
He was greeted with a finger covered in gingerbread batter.
“Taste,” Sirius requested.
Remus licked his lips and swallows hard. He took a tiny tentative lick.
“All of it before it drops on the floor.”
Remus sucked the digit into his mouth and then swirled his tongue and sucked. And sucked. Suddenly, he was being herded back against the counter. Sirius pressed his lithe hard body to his. The finger in his mouth was withdrawn and hard demanding lips replaced it. He responded immediately and gave and took in equal measure. He could feel his cock harden, and, with a rock of Sirius’ hips, he could feel that he was aroused as well.
They kissed and ground together for many long minutes. Remus wasn’t certain how long, but nowhere near long enough. Sirius released his mouth and tugged at the hem of the jumper. Remus was blinded for a moment as it was pulled over his head and then everything cleared. He reached for Sirius’ jumper and took it off as well. Their fingers frantically worked the fastenings of the others trousers. Remus won the race, and Sirius groaned loudly as he wrapped his fingers around the thick prick. Sirius was only momentarily distracted and Remus let out an audible gasp as his cock was encircled by a warm hand. Their mouths found each other again as their fingers pulled, tugged and aroused. Skin was nipped and licked. Nipples were twisted, tweaked and sucked. Remus rocked his hips to fuck the hand that held him. It was going to be over far too quickly as the scent and the feel of his friend was overwhelming him. His balls drew up; he was going to lose it any moment.
He felt Sirius’ prick harden further in his hand. Thank Merlin! He felt the pulse against his fingers and cried out as he then lost control. In a moment, they stood panting harshly. Sirius pulled his hand to his mouth and began to lick the creamy essence that covered it. Remus took the cue and did the same.
“That was unexpected,” Remus murmured as the silence began to stretch.
“Hardly. You’ve been ogling me for months. Well, at least I think that’s what you were doing.”
“We should talk.”
Sirius pressed a finger to Remus’ mouth. “We most certainly shouldn’t. Go find out if we missed the Doctor and I’ll get the cake in the oven.” He picked up the discarded jumpers and handed Remus his.
_____________
The next few days were a study in normalcy. They went along as they always had without stress or awkwardness. Remus could almost believe nothing had happened. Almost.
Until one morning when Sirius joined him in the shower.
Stark naked, morning wood, skin covered in tattoo and scars. Remus’ cock and heart leapt at the sight.
“Just kiss me, soap me up, fuck me,” Sirius murmured over the sound of the running water. The nutty smell of the almond soap rose up in the heat of the water. “Please.”
They kissed and soaped and touched and slid against each enjoying the slipperiness and the grit from the soap. Arms tightened as they pulled each other closer when one or the other encountered the cool tile. “Enough,” Sirius called a halt. “Fuck me.”
“Are you sure….”
“Cast the charm and do it! It won’t always be your turn.”
Remus shivered and did what he was told. Sirius was hot and tight and he set the pace fast and hard. Remus couldn’t get enough of this man he was busy attempting to push through the tiled wall. His fingers crept around front to take Sirius’ cock in hand and he pushed his face into the long dark hair as his teeth sought the sensitive flesh at the juncture of the neck and shoulder. On the second try he managed to get it right. Sirius came all over his hand, and Remus howled as the rhythmic clenching sent him over as well.
______
The shagging became an almost daily thing, and Sirius spent most of his nights in Remus’ bed as well. Occasionally, Remus would wake to find him gone, and would always find him in his small bedroom gazing out the big window.
“I need a something else,” Sirius muttered one such night.
“Like what?” Remus’ forehead wrinkled and his heart beat faster. What if they didn't have what he thought they did?
“A job. A purpose.”
“We’ll just have to find it then,” Remus soothed and wrapped his arms around the other man. "You're still a powerful wizard, you have choices.
"I don't want to sit behind a desk in the Ministry. I can't be an Auror…too old, too convicted….too jaded. I was thinking about motorcycle repair at first. Strange who everything I think of seems too confining.
"We'll start a list and perhaps you should ask the people in your quidditch group," Remus shoulder shrugged. "The more people we have looking the better chance we have of finding them that suits."
Sirius relaxed slightly and let his head fall to Remus' shoulder. They stood that way for a long while letting the stars and mysteries of the night sky fill them before they returned to bed.
Not too many days later. Sirius did get a job as a Quidditch coach for a junior club. He fairly glowed when he came home from the practices. Long rides on the flyting motorbike were still common, but Remus hadn't found Sirius wandering about in the middle of the night again.
______
It was Christmas Eve and they had just had a ridiculously hot shag over the back of the sofa facing the Christmas tree, and were settled in their dressing gowns in front of the fire.
“Are you going to eat the cookies for Santa?” Sirius asked. Earlier in the afternoon, he’d spent hours in the kitchen baking and, as with all his culinary efforts, Sirius seemed eager for Remus to try them.
“What? No. You can have them. We should really talk. There is Teddy to consider and all.” Remus tried not to twist his hands. He wanted to take the words back, now! What was he thinking?! It was Christmas Eve. The holiday that made he do it, of course. He wanted his family together, this family he'd been creating in his mind. This family that contained Teddy and Sirius and him. He put his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes briefly. Merlin, he should just oblivate them both!
Sirius shook his head. “Remus, we’re different now. We're so far from where we started. You grew up even braver than you were when you were Sorted. Every month you have to prove it. I survived and that took every bit of strength I had," He took a deep breath and fixed his eyes to Remus' "I want to tame your wild garden and make it wilder still. I want to teach Teddy to play Quidditch and make dung bombs and have that sexy walk that gets all the girls… and the boys, too, if that’s what he wants." He stopped to search Remus' face for something, that inexplicable something that could make him continue. Remus' eyes glittered blue-green in the fairy lights. "It’s a life and we’re together. We share some common interests and have enough of our own. You’re hot; I’m hot..which goes without saying, of course.” Sirius grinned as he watched a smile curve Remus' lips and reach his eyes. He plunged forward.
“There is more sex to be had. I want to take on the wolf… I got a second chance for a reason. I don’t plan to waste it looking for something I think I already have.” He glanced down at his hands. “So let’s not go mucking it up with words.”
“Even I love you?” Remus asked softly.
“Well, perhaps that. But not too often otherwise I might think it’s not just about the sex.” Sirius grinned.
Remus smiled softly. I was good to see the old Sirius once it a while; it was better to live with the new one.
Author: nimrod_9
Pairing(s)/character(s): Remus/Sirius
Rating: NC-17
Prompt# #29 Sirius mysteriously returns after the war. Tonks died but Remus survived. When Remus takes Sirius in to live with him and Teddy, they find themselves attracted to each other. Nothing ever happened before this, so how do they deal with falling in love with each other now?
Word count: 3,771
Summary: Remus and Sirius find something beyond friendship.
Warnings: Highlight to read*brief mention of bestiality*
Disclaimer: I’m a brunette from Chicago, not a blonde from the U.K.
A/N: Many thanks to the mod for the fest and her kindness!
Teddy was down for his nap, so Remus grabbed his basket off the kitchen counter. He was going to pick some beans and the late ripening tomatoes. His little cottage in Wales was on a nice patch of land with an equally nice vegetable and herb garden out back. He enjoyed working in the slightly rocky soil and eating fresh veggies - he'd even attempted some canning.
A knock at his front door stopped him cold. Visitors weren't unusual, unexpected visitors were. He dropped his basket on the table near the front door and opened it. His wand was out and ready in a flash.
"This isn't funny! Who are you?" Remus growled.
Sirius Black or his doppelganger stood with both hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. "Remus, it's me."
Remus attempted to slow his breathing and heart rate. "Who sent Severus to the Shack in our sixth year?"
"Me."
Remus pursed his lips. "Who saved him?"
"James." Sirius countered quietly.
"What was the last thing that Albus Dumbledore said to the pair of us?"
"Trust Severus, no matter what."
"How is this possible?" Remus breathed.
"Don't know." Sirius shrugged.
Then Remus saw the 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120 out of the corner of his eye as it sat bold and shiny on his overgrown gravel drive. This could only be one person. He reached for the other man and hugged him tight.
"Harry hugged me for a full three minutes before asking my any questions to verify my identity."
"He only remembers one war." Remus choked out. His grip finally loosened and he stood back.
Sirius looked over Remus' shoulder. "Might I come in?"
Remus blinked. "Sure." He stepped back to let Sirius pass.
"Don't let me keep you from what you were doing." Sirius looked around the lounge.
"I was just going to the garden to pick some beans for dinner."
"I assume my little cousin is sleeping."
Remus chuckled. "If we're lucky it will be for more than ten minutes." He picked his basket up again and headed out the back door with Sirius right behind him.
"Will you be staying for dinner?" Remus asked as he knelt near the bush beans.
"It's nice here. Rugged. I see you still have a thing for aubergines," Sirius nodded to the two large pots, plants heavy with the small fruits surrounded by herbs.
"Dinner?" Remus asked again.
"About that. I mean yes, but I was wondering. If, well, if you have space. Harry is remodeling Grimmauld Place with Ginny and they…"
"You are welcome to stay here. We'll just have to do some rearranging," Remus worried his bottom lip as he considered the logistics.
"I can pay my own way. Harry hadn't touched my vault and, of course, James and Lily left him everything. He can keep the house… I can probably find work anyway…." Sirius rambled.
Remus put up one hand. "Stop. I’m going to pick a couple of those tomatoes and then we're going inside to have some tea."
"Solving problems the old fashion way?"
"Solving problems the English way," Remus plunked three tomatoes down on top of the beans in his basket.
"You still make good sandwiches," Sirius stated a while later
"Not exactly a skill you lose," Sirius continued to munch his egg salad. "What is this chervil?"
"Chervil and chives actually. All home grown."
Sirius eyes widened. "The eggs too? "You have chickens?"
"Yes, the big bad wolf raised chickens," Remus took the last gulp of tea. "Let's see to your room. I think we'll move Teddy…" A squeek came from a bedroom. "But first we probably need to feed and change him."
Remus started down the hall.
"May I do it?"
"I'll change him and introduce you. If he doesn't mind, of course, you may feed him. It's only a bottle now; The messy stuff will come with dinner."
Remus changed Teddy with practiced ease. "Teddy this is mum's cousin and my best friend, Sirius Black." Teddy darkened and lengthened his hair and his eye changed from blue to a soft gray.
"Just like Mimi," Sirius whispered in awe.
Remus' forehead wrinkled. "Mimi?"
"She was about two and I was probably fifteen or sixteen. Everything I said she would say 'me! me!'. Finally, I just started calling her Mimi." His shoulder slumped. "She was so vibrant… brilliant."
"Yeah."
The room went quiet and the silence stretched until Teddy began to fuss. Within a few minutes Sirius was in the large wooden rocker, cuddling Teddy who greedily sucked on his bottle.
Remus used the moment to move the small chest of drawers in his bedroom to make room for the desk. The built-in bookcase would have to be emptied, but there wasn't much else to move. He was going to miss the large window, obviously not an original feature of the cottage. The chair rolled itself down the hall with the help of a charm. His desk was more a table with a drawer than a true desk; it wasn't extremely heavy and he carefully moved it into his room.
Sirius was standing in the hallway when he came back out.
"All fed and burped," Sirius smiled a crooked smile as Teddy tugged at his hair.
"I have most of the things moved from the spare bedroom. If you can keep Teddy occupied, I'll move his things."
Sirius' forehead wrinkled. "Why move him?"
"This bedroom is fairly small."
"I don't need much. A bed, a night table maybe."
"Wardrobe?" Remus asked.
Sirius shrugged. "Don't have many clothes. Well, none really except for these." His arm gestured to emphasize what he was wearing. He stepped toward the room he hadn't seen yet. "This if fine. Perfect in fact. The view and the light….it's amazing."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to feel too closed in."
Sirius turned around in the room. "No, this is just right."
"I know there is a double bed out in the shed; I moved it out there when we moved in. There's a jumble of furniture out there. Let's have a look."
Teddy crowed as the mattress jumped about, fluffing itself end over end. It was followed closely by the wardrobe and bed frame that Remus had lashed together with a spell; he carried the small night table by hand.
"Before we move the furniture in do you have any specific colour you'd like on the walls?"
"Anything but grey," The small smile on his face was belied by the bleak truth in his eyes.
"It's already mossy green. Will that do?"
"I'm not a woman, Remus. It's fine."
Remus' extra tan and brown linens were added as the strange parade passed by the linen cupboard. When the room was complete Teddy sat in the middle of the bed smiling and promptly tipped over. Dinner was a hilarious affair involving mushy peas that required both Sirius and Teddy to take a bath. Remus left his best dressing gown and a pair of pyjama pants on the hook for Sirius and tucked Teddy into bed.
Sirius emerged a few minutes later wearing the pyjama pants. "I left the dressing gown on your bed. I really didn't need both."
"I know of your penchant for going starkers."
"That only happened…"
"For four years and several streaking events in the common room...I know."
"Sirius crossed his arms over his chest. "You never looked anyway. Until I found out you married Mimi I thought you had a thing for James."
Remus blushed. "Nope. It wasn't James."
"Lily then?"
"No, not Lily either."
"Then who? Was she a Gryffindor?"
"He should have been." Remus whispered. "Let's drop it. I've got a film for us to watch." He busied himself loudly opening the plastic case and then fiddled with the disk player before turning back to Sirius.
Sirius grinned. "Vampire or werewolf?"
"Neither. It's the latest Godzilla it just came out on disk. I missed the release in the theatres due to the war." Remus moved towards the kitchen. "Do you want a beer? I'm going to make popcorn."
"No thanks. I'm not sure about alcohol yet."
Remus returned with a gigantic bowl of the salty, buttery treat that they shared while they watched Godzilla trample New York City.
_____
Teddy was bashing something gleefully with a soft hammer when Sirius came out of his room the next morning. He was wearing the jeans, and one of the jumpers Remus had left him; his feet were bare.
"Oh good you're up. Andromeda will be here at any moment. I'm off to see two films today."
"Are you still reviewing them for that newspaper in Glasgow?" Sirius queried.
"Yes. I need a job, it fits the bill."
"You don't have to…"
"Sirius, I get a stipend for my work during the war, I have Dora's pension. I'm an able bodied person. I need a job. I need to get out and Andromeda needs to see Teddy. It works."
Sirius looked unconvinced.
"I always liked the escapism aspect of reviewing films, but now it's more. I get to be with other people as well. I know a sad commentary on my social life. And I need to feel productive. Raising Teddy is fulfilling and all, but… Is it wrong to want to need more?
"No, of course not. I just wanted you to know you didn't have to. Sirius moved towards the counter and took out a cup to pour some tea. "I think I'm going to go shopping for some clothes and some groceries. Do you need anything?"
Remus tapped his finger to his lips. "Not that I can think of." He checked his pocket, again, to make certain he had a ballpoint and not a quill.
Sirius sipped his tea and started to rummage through the cupboards.
"Sorry, I'm being a bad host. What can I get you?" Remus asked.
"Nothing. I can make my own toast. Ah-ha bread," Sirius grasp the oat bread leaving the sourdough loaf an scones behind. Do you have any jam?"
"In the cold box there. Homemade strawberry and blackberry." Remus couldn't keep a bit of pride out of his voice.
"So one piece of each. I'll critique them for you." Sirius grinned. "Do you have a subscription to the Daily Prophet?"
"Of course. Also, the Edinburgh Evocator."
"Great!"
The doorbell chimed.
"There's Andi.
Remus slipped out the door after hugging Teddy and let the cousins have their reunion in private.
He was late retuning. Hopefully, it wasn’t a problem. Of course, he could have sent his Patronus, but he hated to communicate that way unless it was a true emergency. The war wasn’t so far behind them that people were startled by them. He hurried up the walk, cast an Alohamora and slipped inside the front door.
The lounge was empty, but he could hear Sirius talking in the kitchen. He followed the sound. His mouth went dry as he stood in the doorway. Sirius was now wearing new, perfectly fitting jeans and a skin tight jumper as he balanced on one hip and a clicked a pair of tongs in the other. Remus was stunned by his own reaction.
“Where’s Andromeda?” Remus croaked.
Sirius turned. “She was having tea with Cissy. I told her I could handle Teddy. Naturally, she didn’t leave until she’d given me a thousand instructions.”
“Sorry, I had a meeting that went longer than I expected.”
“I thought you were just going to see a couple of films to review.”
“Well… I didn’t want to say anything, but I had a meeting with a publisher. I have a couple of stories… a series really and they agreed to see me. The meeting went longer than I thought it would. I just didn’t want to jinx it by saying anything beforehand.”
“And… ” Sirius prompted.
“They set me up with an editor for the three that I’ve already written.”
Sirius grinned. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It’s just unbelievable.”
Sirius' forehead wrinkled and shook he his head as his grin widened. “It’s believable. You were always the studious one. Hungry?”
“Starved.” Remus chuckled as his stomach growled.
“I cooked.”
Remus’ eye grew wide. “You cooked?” He gasped. “You don’t know how to cook.”
“I learned. Here you take him.” He handed Teddy over. “I have pears for the little man and roasted aubergine and goat cheese sandwiches plus a salad for us.”
Remus settled Teddy in his highchair and the got out two glasses and filled them with water. They settled down to eat.
“You can cook for me anytime.” Remus groaned as he took a second bite of his sandwich. “Where did you learn this?”
“Grimmauld Place and during the war, oddly enough. Snape used to keep a stash of gourmet cooking magazines there. I used to read them when I couldn’t be helpful or do anything else. Turns out I actually learned something.”
Teddy did a much better job eating the pears as they talked about the films Sliding Doors and Armageddon. Remus managed to forget about Sirius tight arse until he was walking behind the man on the way to their respective bedrooms.
_______
They spend the next few days learning the dance of living together. Teddy took to two caregivers with ease, and, surprisingly, Sirius took to his new role with the same lack of drama. The garden was weeded and suggestions for new beds and plants were made. They took turns making meals. The only dark cloud was Remus’ wayward which constantly disturbed him - but he kept them to himself.
The days turned to weeks and Remus marveled at this man he was living with. Sirius had joined an over-thirty Quidditch club and he still took long rides on his flying motorbike; He cooked like an angel and took care of Teddy gentle ease and amazingly silly madness. There were glimpses of the autocratic pure-blood boy with his wild sense of adventure, but here was the mature man who had lived through things that would have broken a lesser man. Remus was fascinated, intrigued and aroused.
______
One early December as a cold rain battered the windows, Remus had a re-write to finish Sirius was puttering in the kitchen; Teddy was already in bed. Remus had completed the section he was working on and glanced at the clock to see how late it was. Not late at all actually, he headed to the kitchen to see if Sirius would be interested in watching Dr. Who on the telly.
He was greeted with a finger covered in gingerbread batter.
“Taste,” Sirius requested.
Remus licked his lips and swallows hard. He took a tiny tentative lick.
“All of it before it drops on the floor.”
Remus sucked the digit into his mouth and then swirled his tongue and sucked. And sucked. Suddenly, he was being herded back against the counter. Sirius pressed his lithe hard body to his. The finger in his mouth was withdrawn and hard demanding lips replaced it. He responded immediately and gave and took in equal measure. He could feel his cock harden, and, with a rock of Sirius’ hips, he could feel that he was aroused as well.
They kissed and ground together for many long minutes. Remus wasn’t certain how long, but nowhere near long enough. Sirius released his mouth and tugged at the hem of the jumper. Remus was blinded for a moment as it was pulled over his head and then everything cleared. He reached for Sirius’ jumper and took it off as well. Their fingers frantically worked the fastenings of the others trousers. Remus won the race, and Sirius groaned loudly as he wrapped his fingers around the thick prick. Sirius was only momentarily distracted and Remus let out an audible gasp as his cock was encircled by a warm hand. Their mouths found each other again as their fingers pulled, tugged and aroused. Skin was nipped and licked. Nipples were twisted, tweaked and sucked. Remus rocked his hips to fuck the hand that held him. It was going to be over far too quickly as the scent and the feel of his friend was overwhelming him. His balls drew up; he was going to lose it any moment.
He felt Sirius’ prick harden further in his hand. Thank Merlin! He felt the pulse against his fingers and cried out as he then lost control. In a moment, they stood panting harshly. Sirius pulled his hand to his mouth and began to lick the creamy essence that covered it. Remus took the cue and did the same.
“That was unexpected,” Remus murmured as the silence began to stretch.
“Hardly. You’ve been ogling me for months. Well, at least I think that’s what you were doing.”
“We should talk.”
Sirius pressed a finger to Remus’ mouth. “We most certainly shouldn’t. Go find out if we missed the Doctor and I’ll get the cake in the oven.” He picked up the discarded jumpers and handed Remus his.
_____________
The next few days were a study in normalcy. They went along as they always had without stress or awkwardness. Remus could almost believe nothing had happened. Almost.
Until one morning when Sirius joined him in the shower.
Stark naked, morning wood, skin covered in tattoo and scars. Remus’ cock and heart leapt at the sight.
“Just kiss me, soap me up, fuck me,” Sirius murmured over the sound of the running water. The nutty smell of the almond soap rose up in the heat of the water. “Please.”
They kissed and soaped and touched and slid against each enjoying the slipperiness and the grit from the soap. Arms tightened as they pulled each other closer when one or the other encountered the cool tile. “Enough,” Sirius called a halt. “Fuck me.”
“Are you sure….”
“Cast the charm and do it! It won’t always be your turn.”
Remus shivered and did what he was told. Sirius was hot and tight and he set the pace fast and hard. Remus couldn’t get enough of this man he was busy attempting to push through the tiled wall. His fingers crept around front to take Sirius’ cock in hand and he pushed his face into the long dark hair as his teeth sought the sensitive flesh at the juncture of the neck and shoulder. On the second try he managed to get it right. Sirius came all over his hand, and Remus howled as the rhythmic clenching sent him over as well.
______
The shagging became an almost daily thing, and Sirius spent most of his nights in Remus’ bed as well. Occasionally, Remus would wake to find him gone, and would always find him in his small bedroom gazing out the big window.
“I need a something else,” Sirius muttered one such night.
“Like what?” Remus’ forehead wrinkled and his heart beat faster. What if they didn't have what he thought they did?
“A job. A purpose.”
“We’ll just have to find it then,” Remus soothed and wrapped his arms around the other man. "You're still a powerful wizard, you have choices.
"I don't want to sit behind a desk in the Ministry. I can't be an Auror…too old, too convicted….too jaded. I was thinking about motorcycle repair at first. Strange who everything I think of seems too confining.
"We'll start a list and perhaps you should ask the people in your quidditch group," Remus shoulder shrugged. "The more people we have looking the better chance we have of finding them that suits."
Sirius relaxed slightly and let his head fall to Remus' shoulder. They stood that way for a long while letting the stars and mysteries of the night sky fill them before they returned to bed.
Not too many days later. Sirius did get a job as a Quidditch coach for a junior club. He fairly glowed when he came home from the practices. Long rides on the flyting motorbike were still common, but Remus hadn't found Sirius wandering about in the middle of the night again.
______
It was Christmas Eve and they had just had a ridiculously hot shag over the back of the sofa facing the Christmas tree, and were settled in their dressing gowns in front of the fire.
“Are you going to eat the cookies for Santa?” Sirius asked. Earlier in the afternoon, he’d spent hours in the kitchen baking and, as with all his culinary efforts, Sirius seemed eager for Remus to try them.
“What? No. You can have them. We should really talk. There is Teddy to consider and all.” Remus tried not to twist his hands. He wanted to take the words back, now! What was he thinking?! It was Christmas Eve. The holiday that made he do it, of course. He wanted his family together, this family he'd been creating in his mind. This family that contained Teddy and Sirius and him. He put his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes briefly. Merlin, he should just oblivate them both!
Sirius shook his head. “Remus, we’re different now. We're so far from where we started. You grew up even braver than you were when you were Sorted. Every month you have to prove it. I survived and that took every bit of strength I had," He took a deep breath and fixed his eyes to Remus' "I want to tame your wild garden and make it wilder still. I want to teach Teddy to play Quidditch and make dung bombs and have that sexy walk that gets all the girls… and the boys, too, if that’s what he wants." He stopped to search Remus' face for something, that inexplicable something that could make him continue. Remus' eyes glittered blue-green in the fairy lights. "It’s a life and we’re together. We share some common interests and have enough of our own. You’re hot; I’m hot..which goes without saying, of course.” Sirius grinned as he watched a smile curve Remus' lips and reach his eyes. He plunged forward.
“There is more sex to be had. I want to take on the wolf… I got a second chance for a reason. I don’t plan to waste it looking for something I think I already have.” He glanced down at his hands. “So let’s not go mucking it up with words.”
“Even I love you?” Remus asked softly.
“Well, perhaps that. But not too often otherwise I might think it’s not just about the sex.” Sirius grinned.
Remus smiled softly. I was good to see the old Sirius once it a while; it was better to live with the new one.