Animals (Sirius x James Harry Potter Marauders fanfic)

4 :: James

"If you were looking for your quill then it's on my nightstand, um, next to everything else that matters to me," my once confident question turned to a mutter.
"Um, thank you," his voice faded, "I was just working on our Dark Arts paper," stuttered Sirius.
We exchange a look that only us two understand.
"So you're asking Lily to the dance?"
"How did you? did- Did you read my note?!"
"James I'm so sorry, I didn't mea-"
"What in the hell- what even!?"
"I- I j- jus' saw it and realized what it was.. I p- promise, Prongs, I- I did not mean to-"
"To what? Intrude on my personal life? Is that all I am to you? The guy who borrowed your quill?!" I scream.
"No no no, Prongs. You are much more important to me than tha-"
"Cut the shit, Sirius," I snarl, "and my name?" the look on his face returned to a frightened one, "is James."
"Pr- James. I promise it was a mistake.. I promise I won't say anything, I know how much you like her and-"
"I said cut the shit, Sirius," an overwhelming sense of self-hatred took me as my once best friend laid his fist across my cheek with all his force. I fall backward on my behind and stare at him.
He approaches me, "You want me to cut the shit?" Sirius sighed, "Fine. It's done."
"No.. Sirius, I'm sorry.. I didn't mea-"
"Stay. Away. From. Me," he said through gritted teeth, "you're not worth it."
He left the room as I lay there holding my face. My throbbing cheekbone screamed at me incessantly. I cough and blood escapes my mouth. My torn cheek ached and I continued to breathe.
I stand up with the assistance of my bedpost.
"You ought to see the headmaster about that," said a voice from behind.
"Why would I go to the headmaster for a damn bruise?" I questioned, "Who even are you?"
I turn around, still cradling my face, only to see a tall kid in Slytherin robes. He was at least 6'.
He shook his long brown hair and blew it from his face, "You can call me Michael."
"Well, uh, Michael. Why are you here?" his lanky frame stepped into the light.
"My friends."
"Your friends?"
"Yeah."
"Which would be?"
"Severus."
"Oh, God."
"And Sirius."
I flinch by the sting from the mere mention of his name.
"Um.. Okay so how can I help you?"
"You can back off. For far too long I've watched you push them around."
"Sirius never mentioned a uh," I spat blood at his feet, "a Michael."
"That's because he's not comfortable around you anymore," he snarled, "he's not your friend. Neither is Severus."
"I don't care about Severus God Damn it! I care about Sirius!"
A silence swept over the room as both parties realize what was said. My clenched jaw relaxes and I run my bloodstained fingers through my long, messy hair as I let out a sigh.
"I care.. about Sirius," relief flushes over me.
"You? You're capable of feeling?"
"Quite."
Michael walks toward me and puts his hand on my cheek. The weak touch stings painfully and I flinch.
"It's okay, James," his kind eyes affect me more than anyone else's. Suddenly the hatred I felt for him evaporated. "Here, sit down."
Michael guided me to my bed and proceeded to clean the fresh blood from my face. His large hands and gentle touch confused me.
"You're pretty good at that," I smirk.
"I like helping people."
"I wish I could help people."
"You're helping me right now."
"How in the hell am I helping you, " I say sniggering.
"You're showing compassion."
"I'm an asshole."
"But you're pretty," he said.
Immediately, we both froze. The words seeped in. Soon after the pregnant pause, I fell backward. Mostly because Michael pushed me but also because I was willing. He immediately began to kiss me, his tongue took charge of mine and forced its way into my mouth and began to explore. He stopped as he realized that we both felt each other.
"Holy shi-," he cut me off with another kiss. Suddenly the pain in my mouth dissolved into pleasure and my heart began to pump at speeds it has never met before.
Michael pulled away and wiped his mouth off, "You.. um."
"Taste nice," I finish.
He blushes, "Yeah."
I stand up and begin to pace, "I mean, Holy... Oh my god.. I've kissed girls before and it was.. I mean. It was okay I guess.. This simultaneously makes sense and doesn't make sense."
"Don't worry about it," he says, "You'll figure it out. I guess let me know when you do. "
For the first time in a long time, Sirius Black was no longer the only thing on my mind.