As the evening progressed, the need for a restroom break became unavoidable for both Y/N and Sirius. They exchanged a quick glance, silently communicating their intentions to Remus before excusing themselves from the table. Remus nodded tersely, his possessive gaze following them until they disappeared into the crowded pub.
Alone now, Remus felt a surge of irritation bubble up within him. His heightened senses, already on edge from the impending full moon, amplified his possessiveness and protectiveness over Y/N and Sirius. He watched their path through the room like a hawk, noting the glances and smiles directed their way by other patrons.
Meanwhile, Y/N and Sirius navigated their way through the crowd toward the restroom, exchanging polite nods and smiles with acquaintances along the way. They reached the restroom door and sighed with relief as they entered, glad for a moment of privacy away from the intense atmosphere at the table.
Inside, Y/N glanced at Sirius with a small smile. "Remus seems a bit on edge tonight, doesn't he?"
Sirius chuckled softly, leaning against the sink. "Yeah, it's the moon. He gets like this sometimes, especially close to the full moon. Can't blame him, really."
Y/N nodded in understanding, adjusting her hair in the mirror. "True. But we should probably hurry back before he starts conjuring werewolf protection circles around the table."
Sirius grinned, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Or growling at anyone who even looks in our direction."
They both laughed softly, but their amusement was cut short when they heard voices approaching the restroom. Y/N glanced at Sirius nervously, recognizing one of the voices as belonging to a particularly persistent admirer who had been eyeing Sirius all evening.
Sure enough, as they exited the restroom, they were intercepted by the admirer and a couple of his friends. They exchanged pleasantries, but the conversation quickly took a turn toward overly familiar territory, the admirer stepping a bit too close to Sirius for comfort.
Sirius shot a quick glance toward Y/N, his smile strained. "We should really get back to Remus," he said firmly, trying to politely extricate himself from the situation.
But the admirer persisted, his tone becoming more insistent. "Come on, Sirius, don't be like that. We were just getting to know each other."
Y/N stepped closer to Sirius, her voice calm but firm. "He said we need to get back to our table."
The admirer frowned, not used to being dismissed so easily. "Come on, love, don't be so possessive. He's just having a bit of fun."
Sirius tensed beside her, his hand subtly moving to rest on her lower back. "We're not interested," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Meanwhile, back at the table, Remus's irritation grew palpable. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop, his eyes flicking to the restroom door every few seconds. James and Peter exchanged concerned glances, noticing his agitation.
"Moony, they've only been gone a few minutes," James ventured cautiously, trying to diffuse the tension.
Remus didn't respond, his jaw clenched as he fought the urge to go after Y/N and Sirius himself. His instincts screamed at him to protect what was his, to reclaim them from anyone who dared to encroach on their space.
Back near the restroom, Y/N's patience was wearing thin. The admirer and his friends were persistent, their attempts at flirtation becoming more overt and unwelcome. Sirius's hand tightened on her back, his eyes flashing with a mixture of annoyance and concern.
"We really need to go," Y/N said firmly, her voice leaving no room for negotiation.
Just as the admirer opened his mouth to protest again, a low growl cut through the air behind them. Remus stood there, his posture tense and imposing, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light of the pub. His presence alone was enough to make the admirer and his friends take an involuntary step back.
"Is there a problem here?" Remus asked, his voice low and dangerous.
The admirer stammered, suddenly unsure of himself. "N-no, we were just..."
"Leave," Remus interrupted, his voice firm and commanding.
Without another word, the admirer and his friends beat a hasty retreat, disappearing into the crowd. Remus watched them go, his chest heaving with pent-up frustration and relief.
Y/N sighed with relief, stepping closer to Remus and resting a hand on his arm. "Thanks, Remus."
He glanced down at her, his expression softening slightly. "I should have gone with you."
Sirius chuckled, stepping up beside them. "It's alright, Moony. We're back now."
Remus nodded, his tense shoulders relaxing marginally. "Let's go back to the table."
As they made their way through the pub, the tension that had gripped the air earlier seemed to dissipate. Remus kept a protective arm around Y/N's shoulders, his grip possessive yet comforting. Sirius walked close beside them, offering a reassuring smile to Remus every now and then.
Back at the table, James and Peter exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the complex dynamics that bound their friends together. Remus's possessiveness was a manifestation of his love and fear, amplified by the impending full moon. But in the end, it was their unwavering support and understanding that helped navigate these turbulent moments, strengthening their bond as a trio against the challenges they faced together.
