Never Letting Go [A Marauder's Story]

Confessions

"You haven't eaten all day" Grant observed the he saw Remus at Sirius' beside again.

Remus didn't look away from Sirius and just shrugged. "I'm not really hungry"

"Come on, you're always hungry" Grant said light heartedly before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I can't eat. Not until I know he's alright" Remus said, his mind clearly made up.

"James said he'll be okay"

Remus nodded, but still kept his eyes pinned on Sirius. He couldn't help but blame himself. Sirius had been attacked because of him. He'd been his usual reckless self and followed Remus into fire and this had been the consequence. It was all his fault.

"James, Peter and I will be outside if you need anything" and with that Grant left him alone, knowing he clearly wasn't in the mood to talk.

Remus listened as footsteps faded out of the tent. He reached down and held Sirius' limp hand and waited. All he could do was wait. Sirius had been asleep since the night before, and Remus wanted to be there when he woke up.

.................................

"Moony?" Sirius' weak voice said, jolting Remus awake. He'd drifted off at Sirius' bedside, hand still in his.

"Oh my gosh... Sirius...you're awake.." Remus said, smiling for the first time since the night before.

Sirius' eyes seemed to have a hint of life in them but they were lined with red. He'd clearly been sobbing and his pale face contrasted the crimson circles beneath his eyes.

"Of course I am" He said sitting up slowly on shaking hands.

"Here" Remus said, reaching over to the bedside table and handing a few squares of chocolate to Sirius "Eat. You'll feel better"

Sirius bit into the delicacy and once again, his face seemed to relax as he felt the warmth of the remedy seep into his body.

"Thanks" he muttered as he reached for the glass of water.

Remus stayed silent as he watched SIirus drink the water slowly.

"You scared me there for a second" Remus said quietly, looking down at his hands.

"Sorry" Sirius said with a guilty smile, his usual charisma returning. "Thank Merlin for you though Remus. That was one hell of a Patronus"

"Well I had to do something" Remus said as he felt Sirius squeeze his hand affectionately.

"I'm glad you did. You're braver than most Remus Lupin" he said with a small sigh before resting his head back onto the pillow and drifting off again.

"I'm just glad you're safe" Remus whispered before finally relaxing and leaving Sirius' bedside to let him rest.

................................

Luckily for everyone involved, Sirius recovered in a few days and was back on his feet in no time. He hadn't talked about the incident and honestly Remus didn't blame him. Dementors replay your worst memories and Sirius had enough of them to haunt him. So they were all happy to have him in good spirits and didn't bring it up for his own sake.

So glad to see his best friend awake, James went to his map and the radio, getting back to work in an instant. Grant had taken to the habit of helping most days and Remus couldn't help but observe them. They were like two peas in a pod, reading each others minds.

This was why Remus wasn't surprised when Grant approached him that evening with a shy look on his face. Seeing Grant nervous was something Remus wasn't adapted to.

"Can I ask your advice?" He started as he sat beside Remus with a shy smile.

"That depends, about what?" Remus said with a teasing tone but a serious gaze.

"Well...your friend James" Grant said, wringing his hand and acting very nervous and out of character.

"You wanna know if he's single?" Remus guessed and Grant reddened.

"Yep" he said, a little shocked how fast Remus had guessed "How did you know..."

"I'm not blind" Remus said with a soft laugh "I've seen the way you look at him. I've never seen you so love struck in my life"

Grant looked to the floor with an embarrassed smile "I just.." he sighed "I'll always love you Remus.."

"Hey" Remus said immediately "you don't have to explain yourself to me Grant. What we had was always hit or miss and I had some of the best days of my life with you but most importantly." Remus said with a smile "I want you to be happy. And I've never seen you happier than when you're next to James"

Grant looked like he could cry with happiness and he reached forward to hug Remus, wrapping his arms around him.

"You're the best bloody werewolf on the planet" he muttered and Remus' heart lifted as he gripped onto Grant tighter, smiling to himself.

.....................