"Sunflower, what are you doing ?"
Remus watches Sirius push the glasses up his nose.
"Reading."
What.
Remus leans his shoulder on the door frame, crossing his arms.
"Sirius, you don't read."
For a moment, the man glances at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I can read Moony."
Remus feels something's not right.
Not that Sirius can't read. As he said, he's very capable. In fact, Remus loves when his husband reads to him. Sometimes he sleeps to Sirius' voice.
"Sirius, honey." Remus kneels before him, rubbing his knee.
"Hmmm."
"What's going on ? Are you okay ?"
Sirius huffs, casting the book down.
"Can't I read Moony ? Is it so strange ?"
Remus hurriedly shakes his hand.
"Not at all. It's just.. you don't.. usually. It's like if I suddenly up and tap danced."
A grin teases on the corners of Sirius' lips, threatening to break into a giggle. He imagines his lover, who trips over his own shoelaces cause he's too lazy to tie them, tap dancing cartoonishly.
Sirius sighs, putting the novel away. He lets Remus reach up and slip the glasses off his ears, neatly placing them on the coffee table. Remus sits back down on the floor, leaning his chin on Sirius' knee.
"What's happening little star ?"
Sirius' fingers ran through his curly, brown hair.
"I just thought I should take up reading. So I could get smarter and.. stuff.."
Remus' eyebrows knit. "What do you mean smarter ? You're incredibly intelligent Sunflower."
Sirius shrugs carelessly though his face clearly showed his stormy thoughts.
"Remember when I picked you up at the Archives?"
Remus nodds slowly. He remembers what happened on Wednesday pretty well.
He was sent to the Ministry of Magic's archives by McGonagall. Supposedly to find an obscure scroll about the ancient wizarding war. The professor had been going back and forth for a couple of months by now.
They promised to go on a date after his session on Wednesday. No doubt, missing their alone time together. Sirius offered to pick him up with the fancy motorbike he just had fixed.
"What about the Archives hmm ?"
Sirius contemplated whether to tell him. His thought sounded stupid now that he's about to say it.
"I heard some.. Ministry people talking about you."
Remus' expression soured. Could this be about his werewolf thing ? Hadn't the wizarding world moved on from werewolf prejudice after he pioneered the Magical Creatures Equality Act ?
"Not about your furry problem." Sirius chuckles. He leans down and kisses his wrinkled forehead.
"Quite the opposite actually, they worshipped you. Kept talking about how handsome you are, how charming you were when you spoke about history."
Remus rolls his eyes. "Tsk, I could care less what they say."
Really. Heck, even Alicia Redangel, allegedly the most beautiful witch in the world, could compliment him. He wouldn't bat an eye. He doesn't care at all. If it isn't Sirius, he has no reason to.
"No, they said something about me."
Ok, NOW he cares.
"What'd they say?" Remus' tone edged in anger. "Tell me."
"They wondered why you married me. Cus' y'know, I'm not the book-y type. I mess up, went to Azkaban and what not. They just think you'd fit someone quieter.. someone who's like you."
Sirius pretends like the words don't affect him. He shrugs, looking away.
"It's whatever." He says, moving a little, probably to leave.
Remus stops him. He stands on his knees and leans close to Sirius' nose.
"It's not whatever. It's clearly bothering you which means it bothers me too."
Gentle hands cup Sirius' face, thumbing his cheek. Remus knows his husband is particularly sensitive towards people and their perception of him. It hurt him that Sirius is hurt.
He brings Sirius' left hand between them.
"Do you see something ?"
Sirius rolls his eyes, a quiet giggle leaving his lips. "Uh huh, my ring."
Remus kisses the ring on his ring finger.
"Do you see anyone else wearing this ring with my name on it ?"
Sirius shakes his head
Remus laces their fingers. "Exactly. Cause nobody holds a candle to you. I want nobody else to wear that ring but you Sirius because I love you. Not some Ministry girl, I love /you/."
Remus flips their hands, showing Sirius his ring.
"And, I'm the only one with your ring. This means, as long as you're married to me, you're mine, my only one. Not some ?"
Remus raises his eyebrow, a teasing smirk on his lips as he waits for Sirius to finish his sentence.
Sirius dramatically dabs the corner of his eyes, as if he was crying. "Not some Ministry girl. You'll make me shed man tears Lupin."
"Black-Lupin." Remus corrects him easily.
"Come here you." Sirius tugs him by their joined hands.
Who was Remus to object ? He'd do anything to keep that smile on his face. The werewolf bumps their noses together like an over-excited puppy before putting his head on Sirius' lap.
"Besides... I like that you're not like me, that's what makes you so... lovely. Think life would be boring without you in it." Remus says, tracing Sirius' jaw.
"And you're smart without having to be nerdy like me. I could talk to you about anything and I'd prefer that discussion over any professor."
Sirius feels himself smile relieved. He combs the messy curls back, flattening it in place with his palm. He could finally see Remus' clean forehead. Gently, mustering all the love he could channel into this kiss, he presses his lips on Remus' forehead.
Hopefully, his adoration, his love, his care, his heart, gets transferred.
"Thanks Moon Moon."
"Anytime, Lover."
***
Bonus:
The next time Sirius picks Remus up, he's no longer bothered. The ring on his fourth finger felt like a shield, ready to remind him who loved him.
But there was no need for that. The Ministry girls looked like they've seen a ghost when he walked by them. They scurry away, as far as they could.
Sirius raises an eyebrow.
"There you are." Remus greets him with a hug, kissing his cheek.
"Uhh.. Moons, what happened?"
"What happened what ?"
Sirius signals with his eyes to the Ministry staff bunched together in a corner.
Remus whisks him away with a tug of his hand. They walk off arm around each other.
"Nevermind them. Let's go have that strawberry tart you've been talking about."
Sirius grins brighter than the star he's named after.
"Really ?! You want to?"
"Of course, I want to." Remus turns over his shoulder to the pale faced people. "If anyone objects, they'll have to face me."
The nervous group squeaked and hurried, making Remus sigh in content.
