Nova

Sirius Black

Remus' shoulder had locked up again, Sirius could tell. The way his friend hunched, the way he winced at certain movements ... It made his fingers itch. He knew the exact spots he'd need to press to loosen up the muscles, to relieve some of the tension.

But that would be weird right now. Most people had left, James and Regulus for example had apparently fucked off together according to Pete. The ones who were still here had gathered around the smouldering remains of the fire, dragging chairs and tree trunks close so they could sit and talk. There was a slight possibility that Sirius was a little bit high right now as he sat sprawled out on the floor.

Remus was talking to someone, smiling at them. But from time to time he'd let his eyes wander to Sirius and then he'd raise a brow. Had Sirius not been stoned out of his mind he'd have understood that it was probably a bit weird to stare at your mate from across the fire for an unholy amount of time. If only he could help with that bloody shoulder.

He was so focused that he barely noticed the object of his focus moving until Remus had already walked past him.

"Moons!" he called, his hand reaching out, leading him to almost topple over. "Where'r you goin'?"

Remus' eyebrows flew up, "I'm just getting a beer Pads," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Oh yeah right beer ..." Sirius grumbled, crossing his arms and burrowing himself deeper into his dark jumper, as he turned towards the fire. Maybe it was the weed but suddenly his mood was down. Without Remus there was nothing to look at here and he didn't really know or want to know any of these people.

What an atrocity. All of his friends abandoning him at a fucking campfire in the woods. Pete had gone with someone. James had texted he'd bring Regulus back home. And where the bloody hell was Remus now?

He craned his neck to look over at the table with the drinks and snacks, but there was no one there. Gaze drifting over, to the little wooden shack, he got up. This was unacceptable.

As he wandered towards the table he saw a figure standing at the edge of the woods. Dark jeans, a beige jacket. Moony.

He walked towards his friend quietly, touching his back lightly once he arrived and stared at the forest with him. Remus didn't startle, didn't turn. He had probably known Sirius was coming from the moment he had gotten up. Sometimes Sirius thought that it couldn't possibly be only Remus' werewolf senses that let him know these things. That there was some other magic entirely taking part in the enigma that was his friend.

"What are we looking at?" Sirius whispered, unsure wether to disturb the quiet, the campfire and its laughter muffled by the distance.

Remus shrugged, his good shoulder rising higher than the other. "Just, the forest I guess."

Sirius hummed in understanding, even though he didn't really understand. That was the thing with Moony. You had to wait, to show him you're there, that you won't run, but you won't push either.

All of a sudden he began walking. Into the shadows of the woods, turning his head slightly and asking: "you coming Sirius?" who immediately stumbled behind his friend.

Catching up to Remus he decided to at least push a little, "not that I don't enjoy a good night stroll through the woods Moons but what are we doing?"

Years ago Remus eyes had scared him. They were so bright, even in daylight. Out here they seemed to glow as they met his own.

"It's just nice y'known, seeing the woods like this," he gestured down his body. "Only ever see them through the wolf otherwise."

Sirius grinned, then jumped a few steps ahead only to turn around walking backwards. The adrenaline he felt seemed to chase away the droopiness of the few hits he'd had.

"You know with the wolf we usually go running though the woods more than promenading like a bunch of ol' ladies," he said, trying to keep an eye on the werewolf still walking casually and his path behind him.

"Is that so ..." Remus asked, something beginning to gleam in his eyes. "Well then ..."

They both took off at the same time, crashing and bursting through the undergrowth.

It didn't take long for Sirius' legs to ache but he wouldn't relent. Not if Remus didn't. A laugh tore from his throat, he could barely make out Remus' path, right beside him but separated by a few branches.

Remus was laughing, bursting, running. This was usually the moment Sirius liked to turn into Padfoot. To feel the mud beneath his paws, the mass of smells in his nose. But somehow ... Somehow this was different. Significant in a way he didn't yet understand.

There was a clearing ahead and as they tore from the woods breathless and laughing he bent over, one hand on his knee one of Remus shoulder.

"That ... was ...," he said between gasps of air, "pretty awesome ..."

Remus had his hands on his knees as well, looking up, "that out of breath huh Sirius? Maybe you gotta stop smoking so much ... Or ask James to help you with your training?"

"Pff, I could ... go on for miles," he said, finally standing upright again.

"Oh yeah?" Something about the innocence in that question made Sirius a little nervous. He jutted out his chin. "Yeah."

There was a sharp tug on his hair then, black curls tumbling down his shoulder. "Oi!"

By the time he was running again Remus was already halfway back in the forest, his hair tie in hand.

Even as he mobilised all his strength, he knew Remus slowed down to let him catch up. Dodging trees and branches, running, running, running.

They both came to a halt at some point, legs tired, hearts racing.

"Give it ... back .." he gasped. Stalking towards Remus who looked unbelievably smug, backing up a few steps, his back almost hitting a tree. And then, when Sirius stood right before him the bastard lifted his arm. Turning slightly away from Sirius.

"Remus," he whined, "that's so unfaiiir."

"What, that you're small?"

"I'm not small! You're just a tall ass lanky git! Now give. It. Back." He inched closer with each word.

Pressed together like this he could feel each and every one of Remus' muscles. Tight like a bowstring. Ready to strike. Or to snap.

"Make me Siri," there was this challenge in Remus eyes, this fire. Without thinking about it Sirius stood to his tiptoes and pressed his lips against Remus'.

It was quick, just a touch but it sent a jolt of lightning though his body and he pulled back a little, looking at Remus. He was vaguely aware of Remus' hand dropping from where it had been hovering above but it didn't really matter anymore.

Remus looked shocked, his eyes jumping around Sirius' face. It was all or nothing now. Slightly shaking he brought his hand up to Remus cheek and closed the distance once more, moving his lips against Moony's, who opened his mouth and Sirius was in heaven, cradling Remus' face now ...

Suddenly his body moved and he was spun around, tree bark now digging into his back, almost painful. There was a hand wrapped around his throat, long fingers not squeezing just holding him in place. Holy fuck.

He arched into the touch, his body howling with bliss. More, more, more.

Only there was no more. It took him a moment to understand that Remus' mouth was not coming back. He blinked back into reality, amber eyes staring at him, close, he was so close.

"That's not fucking funny Pads."

And then the hand was gone and the eyes were gone and the air from his lungs right along with them.