Marauders age regression one shots

Moon

It was nearing the full moon, and the tension was written all over Remus's face. His shoulders were hunched, his gaze distant, and his usual smile had faded into a worried line. Sirius had seen this cycle countless times before, the way the weight of the transformation pressed down on Remus, but today he noticed something different. Remus seemed almost... smaller, his fingers tugging at his sleeve in a nervous, almost childlike manner.

Sirius didn't miss a beat. He slid over beside Remus on the couch, gently bumping him with his shoulder. "Oi, Moony," he murmured, his voice soft. "Everything alright?"

Remus hesitated, glancing up with a troubled expression. "Just... the moon. It's..." His voice trailed off, and his eyes grew distant again.

Sirius's heart tightened. He could see how much it was wearing Remus down, more than usual. Slowly, he reached out and took Remus's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, you know?" Sirius whispered. "You don't have to do this alone."

Remus looked down at their joined hands, his gaze softening, but his grip remained tentative. 

"Sirius," he murmured, "I... I don't feel very... big."

Sirius's heart swelled with tenderness as he realized that Remus was slipping into headspace, the stress of the full moon cycle pulling him toward a smaller, more vulnerable state. He gently tucked Remus's hand into his own. "Come on, Moony," he whispered soothingly. "Let me look after you, yeah? You can be as little as you need to."

Remus's shoulders relaxed a fraction, and he leaned into Sirius, letting out a soft, tired sigh. "'M scared," he mumbled, barely above a whisper.

Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus, pulling him close. "I know, love," he murmured, rubbing small circles on Remus's back. "But I'm here, and I won't let anything happen to you."

He guided Remus over to the armchair by the fire, settling him down with a blanket. Remus nestled into the warmth, looking up at Sirius with a vulnerable expression, a hint of fear still lingering in his eyes. "Can I... Can I have a story?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a hint of shyness.

Sirius's face broke into a gentle smile. "Of course, Moony." He grabbed a book from the shelf—a well-worn one they both knew by heart—and settled down next to Remus, his voice soft and steady as he began reading aloud.

As the story unfolded, Remus's breathing slowed, and his eyes grew heavy, the warmth of Sirius's presence calming the storm within him. Sirius glanced over, seeing Remus finally beginning to relax, a small, peaceful smile tugging at his lips.

After a while, Remus's eyes drifted shut, his head resting on Sirius's shoulder. Sirius stroked his hair, whispering, "You're safe, Moony. I'll be here through all of it."

As night fell and the full moon rose higher, Sirius held Remus close, knowing the time was approaching. Remus looked up at him, eyes wide and a bit fearful, his small, headspace self caught in the shadow of the coming transformation. Sirius brushed a lock of hair back from Remus's forehead, giving him a warm, reassuring smile.

"Alright, Moony," he murmured, "we've got a little walk ahead of us. You just stick close to me, yeah? I'll be right by your side."

Remus nodded, his small fingers curling tightly around Sirius's hand. "Stay with me?" he whispered, his voice carrying a hint of the vulnerability that only surfaced on nights like this.

"Always," Sirius replied, squeezing his hand gently. "Let's get you cozy, and I'll make sure you're comfortable every step of the way."

Sirius took a moment to drape a thick scarf around Remus's neck and pull a warm jacket around his shoulders, making sure he'd be warm enough for the walk to the Shrieking Shack. He kept a steady pace as they made their way through the quiet, darkened grounds, Remus pressing close to Sirius's side, drawing comfort from his presence. Sirius kept murmuring encouragements, pointing out the stars, and talking about silly things he knew would ease Remus's mind.

When they reached the Whomping Willow, Remus's grip tightened. Sirius gave him a reassuring look. "Remember, this is our little spot. No one's here but us, and you're safe the whole time."

With a flick of his wand, Sirius froze the tree's branches, and they slipped beneath the low boughs, making their way down the passage that led to the Shrieking Shack. Remus's footsteps echoed softly, his head pressed close to Sirius's shoulder, holding onto him as though he were an anchor.

Once inside, Sirius led him to a quiet corner of the shack where blankets were already laid out—a soft spot that Sirius had prepared to make it feel less like a dreaded cage and more like a familiar haven. Remus's small, unsure expression melted into relief as he looked around the room, comforted by the effort Sirius had put into making it cozy.

"See, Moony?" Sirius said softly, guiding him to sit on the blankets. "Just you and me here, like always."

Remus's eyes drifted over the blankets and the small lantern Sirius had set up, the flickering light casting a gentle glow around them. He tugged at Sirius's sleeve, eyes still a bit apprehensive. "You'll stay close? Promise?"

Sirius knelt down beside him, brushing a thumb over the back of Remus's hand. "I promise, Moony," he said with a smile. "Through all of it. You're not alone, and you don't have to worry. I'll be right here, keeping watch, just like always."

With one last, content sigh, Remus leaned into Sirius's shoulder, grounding himself in the warmth of his best friend's presence. And as the time drew near, Sirius stayed true to his word, staying by Remus's side, ready to brave the moon and the night with him, making sure he felt as safe as he possibly could.