For Outof_azkaban

[unmasked_wolf]

[He hasn't seen Sirius since the end of the school term - thank you for that, Snape. He's not even entirely sure where Sirius is, or what he's doing. All he is sure of is that Sirius isn't responsible -was never responsible- for James and Lily's death, and he spent a decade in prison for a crime he didn't commit - and Peter, who did commit the

Comments

[outof_azkaban]

[There is a large black dog on his doorstep, looking no less dirty or mangy than the last time Remus saw him. If anything, his hair is even more matted. He'd left Buckbeak out a ways, hidden in a patch of trees while he came to the door, unsure of how he would be received and waits nervously on the doorstep.]

[unmasked_wolf]

[Remus steps back and holds the door open until Sirius is safely inside, then pushes it closed and locks it behind him.]

Tea? [When in doubt- And he is in so much doubt. At least 'you need a shower' didn't actually make it out of his mouth.]

[outof_azkaban]

[Only when the door is closed and locked does the dog shift and change until Sirius is standing there. He's ditched the Azkaban garb, but the dirty shirt and trousers he replaced them with isn't much better.]

Yes please. [It's overly polite and his voice is scratchy from disuse. He shifts foot to foot for a minute before asking,] Do you think I could have a shower?

[unmasked_wolf]

[He's so relieved that he forgets to be awkward.]

A shower, a change of clothes, and a brush. Through the bedroom [nods that direction] for the bathroom, rifle through my drawers to find clothes. I'll get tea started and find something to feed you.

[outof_azkaban]

[Sirius gives him a grateful smile,] Thanks Remus. [He'd hug him, but he's afraid that's too much and he doesn't want to get Remus dirty or smelly.]

[He disappears into the bathroom and a minute later the water can be heard. He's in there for a while, until the hot water runs out because it's been so long since he had a hot shower, and even longer than that because he spends forever brushing his hair out. When he's satisfied, he leaves his hair wet and goes into the bedroom to find something to wear. Back before Azkaban he'd never have been able to wear Remus' clothes, but now he's rail-thin and far too bony in too many places. He finds a pair of trousers and a clean shirt that are both worn but well-cared for, and they fit him just fine. He smells like Remus a bit when he finally emerges, looking warm and clean for the first time in far too long.]

[unmasked_wolf]

[Remus takes advantage of the time Sirius is in the shower and makes tea, scrounges around to find a decent amount of food - which amounts to a lot of sandwiches , but it's what he's got on hand and can put together quickly, not in the least because it's relatively cheap. It keeps him busy, keeps him from thinking too much, gives him something to do with his restless energy.

When Sirius comes out, wearing his clothes but clean and looking better, and smelling like him -which is odd, but even more oddly comforting- Remus does smile and it's with relief. In spite of the painful thinness, Sirius looks more like himself than he has.]

It isn't a problem. Come eat. Then maybe you can tell me why you're here.

[outof_azkaban]

Thanks. [Sirius sits and avoids the question by nearly inhaling a sandwich, though he slows down and actually chews the second one, taking the time to sip his tea with it.]

[unmasked_wolf]

[He makes himself a cup of tea, and leans against the counter to watch Sirius eat, rather than sit down/ He definitely notices the avoidance, but lets it go for now.]

I don't need to tell you I have a stack of chocolate if you want it, do I?

[outof_azkaban]

You always have chocolate. [It's one of those little things he remembers.] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just show up without writing...

[unmasked_wolf]

I always have chocolate. [He smiles, very slightly.] I don't mind the visit, at all. I've been worried about you, and it's good to see you. I would like to know what prompted it, though. Is everything all right?

[outof_azkaban]

I was sort of in the area, and I know the full moon is only a few days away... I thought you might want some company... [He takes a large bite of his sandwich and looks at the table instead of at Remus.]

[unmasked_wolf]

Are you. [He hesitates, a little uncertain and trying to be careful.] Are you sure you're up to... dealing with that?

[outof_azkaban]

[He's left Remus alone for so many moons, it's ten years of regrets and breaking a promise he's made as a teemager to never leave Remus alone during that time.] It isn't so bad as it was since you have the wolfsbane, is it? [Then he retracts it a bit,] Unless you don't want me to be there...

[unmasked_wolf]

I want you here. [Absolute honesty and certainty, at least of that much. He knows what he wants, he just... ten years of his own regrets and broken promises and - At least he can answer the question. He takes a deep breath, keeps watching Sirius as he lets it out, slowly.] The wolfsbane helps, a lot. It's still me, in there. Theoretically you wouldn't even need to be Padfoot to be safe, but... I don't want you to feel obligated to do this.

[outof_azkaban]

It's never been an obligation. [He looks back up and it's obvious he's being entirely truthful.] I want to be there.

[unmasked_wolf]

Then be here. Stay here, if you want. Just... figure out something to do with that hippogriff before I get kicked in the head - again. [No, he doesn't remember, yes he knew about it. He is, however, joking. Mostly. Trying to lighten the mood a little, albeit awkwardly.]