Remus heard something hit his window.
Then another. And another.
It was as if the birds sitting on the telephone cables outside learned how to knock. Remus was getting annoyed.
He kicked his blanket to the side and sat up. On his desk, his leather watch's hands pointed at 12. Exactly at midnight. Remus rubbed the sleepiness on his face.
Suddenly, whatever it was hit his window again. Remus scowled. He'll chop, burn, squash and drown the neighborhood kid who thought pranking him was funny.
Remus slides the window up. "I will skin you alive- Sirius ?"
"It is my lady, O, it is my love !"
A smile replaces the sour purse of Remus' lips. He easily replies the Shakespeare dialogue. "O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo ?"
Down on the ground, Sirius throws his head back and laughs. "Won't you help me up there Moonliet ?"
Tsk. Moonliet.
Remus disappears from the window. Sirius wondered if he'll shoo him away, tell him to go home before his parents woke up. But his boyfriend returns, extending a rope ladder.
"You have a proper ladder in your room ?"
"Do you want to get up here or not ?"
Sirius chuckles. After tugging it a few times to ensure its stability, Sirius climbes the ladder quickly. Sometimes he pauses when the ropes swayed or when Remus told him to stop.
Perhaps Sirius was a cat in his past life. He makes his way up and into Remus' room as soundless as a feline in the dark.
"Hello Moonliet." Sirius says flirtatiously, one leg through the window.
"Just come here Padmeo."
Remus embraces Sirius the moment he does. He knows something is wrong. Sirius doesn't come at midnight unannounced if it wasn't urgent.
Did something happen in his house ? Remus prays not. Even he wouldn't call Grimmauld Place a home.
Sirius sighs in content. His nose was tickled by Remus' shirt and his steady arms around him; he's safe. In fact, he's in the safest place in the world.
"What happened ?" Remus asks cautiously.
His hand goes to stroke Sirius' dark hair. He felt the deep breathes his boyfriend took. He figured he'll need time.
"They fought again." Sirius' voice was as tiny as a mouse. "I couldn't stand it."
"Regulus is safe ?" Remus can't help but ask about the younger Black.
"He's away. That's why they blew up. Didn't have to worry about their new heir."
Remus kisses his forehead. "Come, you need rest."
He pulled Sirius by the hand, inviting him to lie down next to him on the comfortable bed. Sirius does as he's told after shucking his shoes to a corner. He climbs in, tucked right into Remus as he was before.
Meanwhile, Remus thought hard.
How could he comfort Sirius ? How could he distract him from the storm that cursed his house ? What can he possibly do ?
He didn't realize his very existence saved Sirius. It was his smart jokes and terrible puns that pushed Sirius to wake up everyday and meet him at school. It was Remus' itchy grandpa sweaters that made him stay.
"Thank you." He murmurs, taking Remus' hand and giving it a kiss.
"Why ? I didn't do anything."
Sirius sat up, glaring at him. "What do you mean you didn't do anything ? You did everything that mattered."
