Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
***
Remus reads the foreign letter again and again and again. No matter how many times he'd skimmed through the lines, not a single word made sense. His head throbbed as if a woodpecker was knocking at his skull.
The old king, his dear mentor, had warned him that the duties of being a king is no jolly days. It's not just about sitting on a throne with a golden crown. Remus pinched the bridge of his nose. He could hear the old king's amused chuckle at his frustration.
Remus sets the quil down and looked up.
Sirius was perched on his corner. His graceful arms hung stiffly yet his finger plucked and brushed the harp gently. He was draped in a lose white shirt, his long, jet black hair half tied and half left cascading over his shoulders.
Remus rests his chin on his free hand, watching Sirius carefully push the music sheet to reveal the one beneath it. The prince had only become his songbird for a week yet he already made the king wonder what he thought of him.
Remus averted his eyes, frowning at the ink pot that sat not far from his fallen quil. Why does it matter what Sirius thought of him ? So what if the foreign prince disliked him ? Why does Remus really wish Sirius to accompany him sincerely for the sake of companionship and not because he comanded to ?
The king felt his lips push into a thin line, thankfully hidden behind his palm. By then, Sirius had picked up a newsong. A fresh melody that slowed Remus' anxious heartbeat and winding thoughts. His brown eyes returned to his songbird.
Suddenly, the stack of documents doesn't seem so daunting, the letter not draining and his body not aching. Remus hid his smile the same way he hid his frown.
"Prince Black."
Two palms flattened on either side of the strings, halting the music. "Yes, your majesty ?"
"Is the room too warm ?"
Sirius head tilted, his brows furrowed in confusion. "N-no. It's alright."
That's a lie. Even Remus was sweating through his royal attire. He stood up, shedding the outerjacket before turning to open the windows. Without its shade, the sun beams colored Remus' office. They could hear the trees rustling and even feel the wind as it passed.
What trully entranced the king was...
Sirius.
The prince simply sat. His grey eyes gazing into the view that had just unfurled in front of him. The warm sun had touched his harp and turned it gold. It also gave Sirius' skin a shine.
Seeing the king had settled back in his chair, Sirius continues to play. A soothing tone, suitable to carry the light summer air. Remus couldn't take his eyes off him.
He wondered what those fingers felt like carding through his hair. Perhaps as they sat by the lake. Remus would read with his head on Sirius' lap. He could imagine it clearly. The prince holding a lyre on the other side and playing for them again. It's perfect.
Then Sirius started humming. Albeit too quietly for Remus' liking. Afterall, he needed to hear his songbird's voice. But for now, he'll have to accept tbe minimum.
The king's imagination returns them by the lake. This time, he hears Sirius' soft humming voice as he imagined resting his head on the prince's lap. Remus hopes he'll properly sing then.
Wait, Remus' clear mind stopped his wild imagination.
What the hell is he thinking ?
****
Just a reminder, the chapters aren't chronological but I'll always give a time hint. Refer to the Origins chapters for the full story
