The Things That Happen In The Night - Wolfstar

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Talk

I walked through a hallway nervously. It was a Wednesday evening, only three days since Peter and James found out about me liking Remus and Marlene's pregnancy. I was on my way to see Remus.  Lily had told me to go talk to him and I had finally agreed. Monday evening I had gotten permission to leave the castle from McGonagall and sent Remus a letter. I hadn't mentioned Peter or James in my letter to Remus but that was one thing I needed to tell him.

As a healer let me into Remus' room, I saw that it was empty except for Remus. He was sat up on his bed and he looked better than he had before. He smiled weakly at me and I attempted to return it. I sat on a chair by Remus' bed and tried to find a way to start the conversation.

"Have you talked to Marlene?" I heard Remus ask. I cleared my throats before replying,"yeah." I looked around the room, awkwardly avoiding Remus' gaze. "How's the pregnancy going?" I wish Remus would have started this conversation off differently but I can't blame him for being curious.

"Good, I guess. She's about four and a half months along I think," Remus' eyes bulged out a little at my statement. "Four and a half months?" He questioned me, just like I thought he would. I nodded,"yeah."

I quickly explained the situation with Marlene's pregnancy to Remus in order to get off the topic. Remus sat, thinking to himself before speaking up. "I know that this isn't the best time to be having a kid, especially at sixteen and with Marlene, but I think you'll make a good dad, Sirius."

I know Remus meant well, but him reminding me of the situation at hand didn't help. I nodded my head in appreciation towards Remus' comment anyways. "Thanks, but I'm just not sure Marlene will let me be a dad. I know she wants to get back together but I'm not sure I want to. Will she even let me see him if I tell her I don't want to date her again?" Remus and I sat in silence as I thought about this. This is something that scared me, I may not feel an attachment or love for the baby now, but what if I eventually do? Would she use this against me?

"I'm sorry," was all Remus said as I sat back in my chair and stared at the clock on the wall. Only a few minutes had past since I walked in the room, but it felt like an eternity.

"What about us?" I hesitantly removed my gaze from the clock and rested it upon Remus. Remus ran a finger along his opposite hand's bruised knuckle," I don't know, Sirius. This situation is just a mess." His words hurt me, I wanted there to be something between us, but at the same time I knew he was right. I needed to figure things out with Marlene and the baby first.

Before I could say anything else, the door opened and Remus' mum came in. She carried a small tray of food and a tired smile on her face. "I know you have company, dear, but I thought you might like something to eat." Mrs. Lupin gently set the tray down on Remus' side table before bending over Remus' bed to give her son a light kiss on the forehead.

Before she left the room again, Mrs. Lupin turned to me,"I brought enough for the two of you, help yourself if you'd like." She gave Remus and I a small smile before leaving and closing the door behind her.

As the door closed, Remus sat up higher in his bed and went to grab the tray. As the tray slide off the table and into his hands, Remus lost balance and the tray began to fall as he attempted to keep himself up. I jumped up from my chair to help him and grabbed the tray and his shoulder to steady him.

"You okay?" I asked as I set the tray of food on his lap. Remus nodded, his cheeks red from embarrassment. "Yeah, thanks." I sat on the side of his bed as he picked up the sandwich and began to eat.

We sat there, slightly awkwardly, as Remus ate and I pretended not to be affected by how close we were. As Remus finished, he went to put the tray back on the table. "I got it," I said as I grabbed the tray,"don't want you falling for me again," I joked lamely as Remus smiled and hide his red face.

"Sorry," I mumbled, realizing that I might have made things more awkward. "It's okay, Padfoot. Glad you still got your stupid humor," Remus said smiling a bit, finally looking up at me. His cheeks were still a pink color and I suddenly felt more attracted to him.

As Remus and I sat next to each other, I felt the awkwardness melt away. We smiled at each other before I remembered one of the reasons I came here. "Remus?" I asked hesitantly as my smile dropped. Remus frowned a bit before motioning for me to continue. "You know how Marlene saw us...you know...kiss..." I waited for Remus to react before finishing. He nodded his head as I continued. "Well, I'm so sorry Remus, but I kinda told Lily and she accidentally let it slip to James and Peter." I waited for Remus' reaction, not really knowing what to expect.

"Sirius, don't be sorry. I honestly don't care who knows as long as you don't." Remus' calm reply put me more at ease.

I stared into Remus' eyes and smiled. He returned it and for now, it seemed, everything disappeared. Marlene, the pregnancy, everything that kept us apart.

As Remus leaned forward, I couldn't help but do the same. Our lips gently touched as we kissed. My hands found his hair as his found my leather jacket. In that moment everything was perfect, our troubles forgotten and our minds only on each other.

We finally pulled apart and for the first time that day, I truly saw Remus smile.