Wolfstar AU

Friends? Pfft.

Their detentions ended and the project was due, so there was no reason for Remus and Sirius to hang out anymore. Frank Longbottom left school to move in with his girlfriend Alice. They have plans to get married. But now Peter's moved into his seat and Lily moved back to hers. Sirius reluctantly moved from his spot next to Remus to the spot next to James, and his seat was filled immediately by a greasy-haired Severus Snape. He spoke to Remus, who shook his head and blushed, before getting up and retreating to his corner. He leaned over his desk to talk to Regulus Black, Sirius' ex-brother. Unlike Sirius, he hadn't been disowned when he'd come out as bi. Sirius kept trying to get him to move, but he never did. Regulus looked at Sirius, then around the classroom. His eyes stopped at Remus and Sirius followed his gaze, trying to hide the love and adoration he felt for the other boy. Regulus looked back at Sirius and gave him a look he took to mean 'later'. Sirius faced the board without another look at Remus, little did he know the latter was burning holes in the back of his head and willing him to turn. 

McGonagall droned on and on about the same things and Sirius wasn't even half-listening he was running through the conversation he'd had with Remus the day Sirius sat next to him. He and Sirius were friends, even though they'd fought. How? Sirius didn't know. He didn't know if he wanted to know. He didn't want to ruin what they had, but he wanted to be more than friends with Remus. He wanted to hold his hand and hug him if he was sad, or happy, or scared. He wanted to protect Remus, though thinking back on the fight it would most likely be the other way around. 

Eventually class ended, and Sirius remembered he had to talk to Reg. 

"What do you need?" He asked, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

"There's a rumor going around. About you and that Lupin boy." He jerked his head at Remus, who was standing in a corner. It looked like he was waiting for someone, probably Sirius.

"What's the rumor? And is it believable?" The two questions the Black brothers had engrained in their minds since they were kids. There was always something about them, so that was all that mattered. Whether people would believe it. People of power in particular.

"That you and him are together. Is it true?"

"We're friends so yeah, we're together a lot."

"Together together you oblivious llama."

"Llama?"

"Just answer the question, pelican."

"We're friends."

"Friends?"

"Yeah. I don't know who's spreading this lie but it isn't true and it never will be."

"Don't be too sure, I see how you look at him."

"Even if that was true, brother dearest, he doesn't feel the same about me."

"So you do like him then?" Sirius sighed and nodded  

"Don't tell anyone."

"He doesn't have to!" Sirius spun, petrified. He would recognize that voice anywhere.

"Eavesdropping, are we?" Sirius tried to keep him calm demeanor, but it was failing him.

"Crushing on your best friend, are we? Yes, I believe you are."

"None of your business."

"But it is Remus's business. I'll tell him so he can keep on top of it." Severus smirks. Sirius's blood boils.

"Tell me what?" Remus appears from behind Severus. Sirius's breath catches.

"Oh, Sirius here was just talking to Regulus about his homework, hoping you could help him with it." What was Sev playing at?

"I can. Today?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. I'll catch up with you, just have to... sort something out." Remus nods and walks away. "What was that?"

"Did poor Sirius think I was going to tell? Oh no, I wouldn't do that. Instead I'll hold it above you for as long as I can."

"See how well that works for you." Really goddamn well.

"I suppose we shall." And with that, Severus walked away. Reg followed with nothing but a pitying glance back at Sirius, who walked to where Remus was waiting for him with a quizzical expression.

"What was that about?"

"There's a rumor. About us." Remus's eyes widened. Like two little moons. "That we're... together."

"What's your plan?"

"How do you know I have a plan?"

"You always have a plan."

"You're not going to like it. The way I learned to deal with rumors such as this one is to make it true then false."

"Are you asking me out?"

"I'm asking you to pretend to be my boyfriend."

"Oh... ok. I accept. What does that mean?"

"In front of people we have to act all... couple-y. Holding hands and the like."

"Ok. I can do that. At least I'm not single anymore."

"But you're dating a guy." Sirius wasn't looking when Remus was chuckling and raising an eyebrow. He supposed he'd never specifically told Sirius he was bi, but he never hid it either. 

"And I'm not technically dating him." Remus's phone buzzed and he checked it. 

Emmeline 

I have to go

Bye, Lupin.

Today

Are u almost home?! U r the worst  

I'm coming now, I'll be home soon. 

He responds. 

"Look I gotta go. Emmeline wants me."

"That's either a clingy girlfriend or your mum."

"I just told you I was single."

"You call your mother her first name? I can do that because she disowned me but that is disrespectful. I expected more, Lupin."

"It's my roommate."

"The one with the dog?"

"I don't have another. Unfortunately."

"Call me if you need me." 

"People are around so don't hate me," Remus said, his bag packed. 

"What?" Before Sirius gets an answer, Remus kisses his cheek and walks off. Sirius sits still as a statue. He turns and sees Regulus and Severus gaping at him. He smirks. "How's that secret working out for you? Still gonna hold it against me?" Severus storms off, and Regulus follows close behind, shaking his fist behind his back as he goes. Since they've been kids that's been their secret message for 'tell me later.' Sirius gladly would, knowing Regulus would never dare tell anyone that they weren't actually together.