red [complete]

3.1

"Lily, you look great. Really." Remus watches his childhood friend fuss over her hair and her dress. "It's only the rehearsal dinner anyways. Everyone is here to support you."

"Everyone but the best man." Lily grumbles. "My wedding and he can't even come to the rehearsal."

"James said-"

"I know what James said," Lily snaps at him. "They're always busy busy busy." She brushes blush on her cheeks. "Like he doesn't already know that I feel out of place with them." She pauses to do her lipstick. "Their business suits to my scrubs and their fancy fucking golf games to my Phillies. I don't know." She sighs and looks in the mirror again. "I just feel inadequate for James, I guess."

"He looks at you like you're the sun," Lily looks at him unconvinced, "and the moon and the stars."

"Whatever." Lily knows he is right. "Just talk me up to his parents, please."

"They like Sirius don't they? He can put in good word."

"And he fucking owes me." She pushes past Remus to make her way to back to the restaurant dining room. "Late to my fucking rehearsal.." is the last thing Remus hears her mutter as she passes him.

Remus isn't necessarily upset that Sirius missed the rehearsal, besides for the fact that he was stressing Lily out. Where Remus is concerned, Sirius doesn't even need to come tonight. Then it would just be one long day together- instead of two. He doesn't even know if Sirius knew Remus was coming to the wedding- much less in the wedding party. Remus knew pretty much as soon as Lily knew, though Lily didn't know that Sirius and Remus had a bit of a history.

Eventually, Remus slips out of the ladies room where he'd been trying to calm Lily down. He sees that the place next to James' mother is no longer empty, and in it is none other than Sirius Black.

***

His scruff should be a sin. Absolutely illegal.

But of course that would be too merciful for Remus. Instead he has to sit across from Sirius all night. Watch him in what Remus assumes is his element- fancy cocktails, well fitting slacks and people to woo. Remus thinks he's going to be sick.

He takes his seat dead across from Sirius. Sirius only looks over at him for a second without loosing his place in his conversation with James' parents. Remus can't read his face, but if he had to guess he'd say Sirius was a bit surprised but also pleased. Though the half smile he wore could just be from whatever he said to make Euphemia blush.

"Oh, Sirius!" Euphemia says suddenly during a lapse in their conversation, "I don't think you've met Lily's man of honor, Remus."

Now Sirius looks at him and his smile is all for Remus. "I think we've bumped into each other a few times," he says to Euphemia. "It's good to see you again Remus, trust you're well." He says smoothly with his eyes back on Remus.

Remus feels like he's under a magnifying glass with Sirius' gaze on him. He's definitely sweating and very glad to be wearing a dark green sweater over his white and grey checkered button up. "Great." He takes a sip of the water in front of him and reminds himself to stop being so goddamn awkward. When he looks back up at Sirius, Sirius looks pleased with the bit of discomfort he's caused. "How are you? It's been a while. What now, a year?" He asks like he's indifferent and hasn't been thinking about texting Sirius every day for the last two.

"Two, actually." If Remus' feigned indifference hurt his feelings he didn't show it. "Time flies."

Remus nods and feels the relief wash over him when Euphemia continues introducing other guests at the table- Lily's parents, grandparents and sister.

***

It was hard enough not to stare at Sirius through the entire meal, but Remus also didn't let himself fidget continually. He was sure the pained look on his face gave him away to Sirius, who looked smug all night. After dessert was served, Remus excused himself to the bathroom to make final tweaks before he said a few words.

He isn't surprised to see Sirius come to stand in the mirror next to him.

"You're surprised to see me?" Remus asks.

Sirius chuckles. "Yeah, James never said who was in Lily's party. I'm assuming you knew I was coming."

"Oh yeah. Nice of you to not show up today, by the way." Remus knows he's being rude and a little cold towards Sirius, but it is his best defense to Sirius'.. everything.

Sirius only smirks in the mirror. "You ready for your speech?"

"Yes. You?"

"I guess."

Remus straightens his collar. "Well, I'll see you out there." He steps away from the mirror and back into the busy restaurant.

***

When Remus arrives at the hotel, Lily is at the front desk arguing with the concierge. Sirius is standing next to her.

"I told them yesterday that there was one person who'd be late to check in." Remus hears as he approaches them.

"I'm sorry miss Evans, the room was turned over to a different guest."

Lily's face is set in a hard line and Remus knows that this could even poorly for the poor hotel worker, so he inserts himself into the conversation. "Um, what's the matter."

Lily turns to him. "Sirius was late so didn't check him in yesterday and my reservation got turned over so Sirius has no room and the hotel is full. Just my fucking luck."

"Oh, um.." Remus thinks. "Lily, a chat please."

She doesn't respond, just gestures broadly with her arms as if to say sure, what the hell else am I going to do?

"What, Remus."

Remus runs his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. "I can say with my mom and dad, Lily. Just give him my room."

"Yeah?" Lily looks up at him.

"Yeah. Yes."

Lily pulls him in for a tight hug, "thanks." She releases him and looks over at Sirius- he's flirting with the woman working the bar, "can you-"

"Yeah Lil." Remus kisses her forehead. "Sleep well."

"You're the greatest best friend."

Remus just chuckles and spins Lily towards the elevators. She leaves with no hesitation and Remus is left alone to deal with Sirius.