Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter Forty-Five - Lily Gives Them What For

A/N

Thank you everyone for all the kind and supportive comments y'all gave me this past week, it truly means the world to me thank you

-x-

Somehow, the other Marauders didn't hear about the hand-holding until the next day and they confronted Remus about it before Muggle Studies. Remus, however, was too worried about Aegis to really care. He had tried to talk to Aegis after Arithmancy about what Lily said, and Aegis only shrugged, changing the subject. He seemed distant and a little... lackluster? Beaten down? There was something flat in his voice and dull in his eyes that made Remus worried. The worst part was he knew he had been a crap friend lately to Aegis, not really spending much time with him and not being very present when they did spend time together. Had Remus ruined their friendship? Was Aegis mad at him, or was something else going on?

He had been hoping for another moment or two with Aegis, however he was hauled away by James while Aegis slipped into the Muggle Studies classroom. With a sigh he explained that yes, he and Lily had held hands and no, it didn't mean anything.

"You walk around with your arms around each other all the time," he pointed out to James and Sirius.

"That's different, we're both boys," James replied.

Remus kept his face impassive, inwardly feeling punched. Different. "Yes, well, it's the same for me and Lily. We better get to class." He scurried to the classroom without another word, trying to ignore the three of them staring at him. During Muggle Studies Peter passed him a note, asking him if he was telling the truth or just didn't want to admit to James that Remus liked Lily.

She is my friend, Remus wrote back, and that is ALL. If there was something going on between the two of us I would not be ashamed to admit it, even if James hates her. He tossed the note back to Peter, eyeing him for a reaction. Peter wrinkled his nose but nodded at Remus.

After class ended, Remus grabbed his stuff quickly and ran outside to wait for Aegis. He stood on the tips of his toes, bouncing slightly, feeling impatient. Eventually Aegis drifted out, his blue eyes going wide when he realized Remus was right there waiting. The Marauders were also leaving the classroom but Remus didn't wait for them to drag him off again.

"Can we talk?" he asked Aegis. Since Muggle Studies had let out early, he knew Aegis couldn't use the time as an excuse; there was a good half an hour before his next lesson began.

"I suppose so," Aegis replied stiffly.

He's mad at me, Remus thought miserably as they walked down the hall after Remus promised to meet up with the Marauders in the eastern courtyard as soon as possible. Aegis smelled nervous, which made Remus even more worried. Maybe it wasn't to do with Remus at all...

But when they reached a quiet offshoot of the corridor, Remus still apologized. He explained he knew he hadn't been a very good friend lately, and sure enough Aegis told him he disagreed with that.

"I've been distracted," Remus tried saying.

"I know, and I understand," Aegis answered, not looking at Remus. "It never bothered me, I promise."

"Something's wrong..."

Another shrug. "It has nothing to do with you, Remus, I swear it. I've been bogged down with..." He trailed off, his chin lowering, his hair sweeping across his face to hide his eyes—just like Remus did a lot. "Things."

Things. Now Aegis was sounding like Remus. "Right... erm... if—if you ever need to... t-talk about anything... I'm here for you. I really am."