Supercollide

Ch. 8. Is This a Dream?

**Author's Note: Thank you so much to my best friend and Beta reader skvnwalker for all your help on this chapter, including the poetic lines that are Sirius' monologue. You're the best. xx**

Sirius thanks the Muggle hostess before pulling a tall backed, crushed velvet covered chair from the table. Smiling, I sit down, watching as he rounds the small table to sit across from me. The restaurant is the finest I've ever seen, much less been inside. On the outskirts of London, tucked into a historic mansion, the restaurant spans the entire third floor. The bottom floor looked to be a tea room when we had walked by, ascending the grand staircase. I scan the expansive room, watching as Muggles dine, unaware of who is in their midst. The entire East wall has been renovated to be massive windows overlooking a vineyard from the looks of it.

I feel Sirius' gaze on me as I watch the sun set, the sky exploding into various oranges and purples as it sinks down behind the hills. Turning to him, a smile playing on my lips, I watch as he speaks in low tones to the waitress, discussing the wine list. He listens to her politely, but his gaze stays on me, the air sparking with electricity that only him and I can feel. Completely unaware, the waitress points to something on the list and he nods, the middle and index fingers of his left hand playing with the corner of his lips as he smirks at me.

"That sounds delightful," he nods once more, never breaking eye contact with me, effectively sending the oblivious woman away to get the wine.

"Are you even aware what you ordered?" I laugh lowly.

He grins, "No." That electricity sparks again.

The woman returns, the cork squeaking as she tries to open the bottle, she smiles apologetically. Sirius finally breaks eye contact with me, "I've got it, thank you." She blushes as he takes the bottle from her before ducking away again, promising to be back in a few minutes for our order. I stifle a laugh as he deftly opens the wine and pours us each glass.

Taking a sip, I'm delighted to find that the wine is smooth and strong. I'm distracted again as the night sky begins to make an appearance, stars blinking into existence. Sirius' large hand envelops mine on the table, and I turn to find him watching me intently, the hand holding his wine glass paused between the table and his mouth. He takes a deep breath, blinking once before looking down to the table, setting the glass down.

"What is it?" I squeeze his fingers gently, leaning forward. My wine forgotten on the table, I lift my other hand to trace my fingers down his cheek. The low din of the other patrons fades away, and it's as if only the two of us exist.

He breathes in another shuddering breath, lifting his grey eyes to mine, "I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and this will be a dream."

Tears prick at my eyes as I squeeze his hand again, interlacing his fingers with mine. He leans his cheek into my palm, the touch grounding him. "I am too. But I promise it's real. I promise I'm here. I'm always going to be here." Sirius turns his head to kiss my palm, his eyes closing as he does so.

Someone clears their throat and I look up to find the waitress shifting on her feet, "I'm sorry to interrupt."

I give a shaky laugh, dropping my hand as Sirius blushes, giving a quiet chuckle of his own. The woman looks embarrassed as we give her our orders, and then studies Sirius for a moment. "Yes?" He drawls, looking up at her.

In a low voice, she asks, "Are you Sirius Black?"

The only surprise he shows is squeezing my hand, "Who's asking?"

"Just me. I'm a Muggle born, I thought I recognized you... but, I thought you died."

With a sly smile, Sirius answers, "It will take a lot more than my cousin to kill me for good."