rosie_rues: (Default)
rosie_rues ([personal profile] rosie_rues) wrote2006-01-23 11:27 pm

Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace ([livejournal.com profile] blanketforts Day 19)

Title: Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace
Rating: PG for multiple reasons
Disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm just borrowing them because I like them.
Wordcount: 1986
Prompt: Completely unrelated to the prompt. Sorry :(
Notes: Curry Night again. Lily is losing patience. Remus' toes are freezing off. Peter needs a date. Title from Richard III



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Peter wandered out of the kitchen, dropping a beer onto Remus’ stomach. Remus moved too late to catch the bottle and so huffed as it landed. “Ow. Watch where you’re dropping things.”

“Rank ingratitude,” Peter said, flopping back into his chair. “You can get your own next time.”

“Can’t,” Remus said sleepily. “I’d have to move Sirius and he’s asleep.”

Empty takeaway cartons were scattered across the floor. The air was warm and smelt heavily of curry. Lily and James were entwined on the sofa. Peter was propped on one chair and Remus was sitting sideways on the other. Sirius was sitting on the floor in front of him, head thrown back against Remus’ hip as he snuffled sleepily.

“Fair point,” Peter said. “Does he always sleep with his mouth open?”

“You shared a dorm with him too.”

“I spent less time staring at his mouth.”

Remus gave him the finger and leant back against the arm of the chair again. His feet were cold and his belly was still warm from the curry. He’d got three hours sleep last night, before they were called in to follow a trail that led nowhere, and had worked from four am until late yesterday. Things were beginning to seem a little hazy. The beer probably wasn’t helping.

Lily giggled breathlessly and said, “James.”

“Get a room,” Peter said. “Moony, are these still the peanuts from New Year?”

“I have a room,” James said indignantly. “I have lots of rooms.”

“Where?” Lily asked incredulously, propping her elbows on his shoulders. “I thought your parents got rid of the guest rooms.”

“Er,” James said.

Remus looked at Peter, who was pretending to be fascinated by the peanuts. Remus looked for the nearest thing to be fascinated with and found himself staring at Sirius. A lock of hair had fallen forward along his nose, and it was stirring with every breath. Neither of them had had time to shave that morning and his cheeks were rough and dark. The right sleeve of his robe was still tied in a knot from when he had lost patience with it dipping in his ink. Only Sirius could make it all look dashing.

“Really,” Lily said, her voice rising, “all I want is to know what’s going on.”

“Nothing’s going on,” said James.

Sirius’ eyes blinked open, as if he could feel Remus’ gaze. He drew a breath and Remus reached down to touch his lips lightly, demanding silence. Sirius breathed out softly, staring up at Remus.

“So, what’s the secret?” Lily demanded, pushing herself up. “What is it that none of you will tell me? You’re not subtle, James Potter.”

James sighed and reached for his hair, before letting his hand drop. Then he said soberly, “Can I talk to you in the kitchen, love? There’s something I need to ask you.”

Sirius’ eyes widened. Peter crouched lower over the peanuts. Remus pretended to be asleep.

Lily huffed. “Fine.”

Remus watched her stalk by from under his lashes. James followed, making a weird hand gesture at them. He closed the door behind them.

Sirius sat bolt upright and hissed, “Is he going to?”

Peter clutched his bowl of peanuts. “He’s never got this close.”

“It’s hardly romantic, is it?” Remus said and Sirius poked him in the ribs.

“Who cares about romance. He just has to ask before the suspense sends me to an early grave.”

“Shut up!” Peter whispered. “I’m trying to eavesdrop.”

Sirius motioned zipping his mouth shut, tapping his fingers on his thigh impatiently.

There was a shriek of pure rage from the kitchen. They all heard Lily scream, “Will you stop talking about fucking mustard! It’s not funny!”

“Lily-”

She slammed out of the kitchen, snapping, “Peter! Move.”

“Why?”

“I want your chair.”

Peter sidled across to the sofa and Lily hurled herself backwards in the chair, glowering. James crept out of the kitchen, dangling a beer before him in appeasement. Lily turned her head and said, icily polite, “How are you, Sirius?”

“Me?” Sirius yelped. “Fine.”

James sank onto the sofa beside Peter and began to gaze at her imploringly.

Lily crossed her arms. “Remus, aren’t your feet cold? Where are your socks?”

“They’re fine,” Remus said defensively. His toes were so cold they hurt but he knew that Sirius liked his feet. If he had to get frostbite to tempt Sirius back, so be it.

Sirius turned his head. “They look freezing.” He reached out and wrapped his hand around Remus’ left foot. “Bloody hell. Did you not notiuce it was snowing?”

“I’m fine,” Remus protested and then yelped as Sirius grabbed both his feet and swung him round. His knees ended up over Sirius’ shoulders and his feet brushed Sirius’ lap. Sirius folded his arms over them, muttering, and Remus protested weakly, “Sirius!”

“You’re not getting frostbitten in my flat, you prat.” Sirius lent back between his thighs, glaring at him.

Remus was not worrying about frostbite. The weight of Sirius’ hands was having an effect and he shifted in his chair, trying to discreetly readjust his trousers.

“And you, Peter,” Lily continued. “Have you had a good week?”

“Not bad,” Peter said warily. Then he hesitated. “Actually, I need a favour from somebody.”

“Yeah?” Sirius said.

“I’ve got a spare ticket to see Richard III tomorrow.”

“I thought you were taking Emmeline Vance,” James said. “You went on about it enough.”

“She’s sprained her ankle,” Peter said. Then he shrugged. “That’s what she said anyway. Could be an excuse. I’ll feel a right twat going on my own, though. I don’t know anything about muggle theatre.”

Lily shot a cold glance at James and then tossed her hair. “I’ll come with you, Peter. I’m not doing anything tomorrow and I love Shakespeare.”

Peter looked at James and flinched. James sank further into the corner of the sofa, scowling. Peter gulped and said, “That would be lovely, cheers, Lily. It’s at the National at eight. Shall I come and meet you.”

“I’ll meet you there,” Lily said and smiled dreamily. “Who’s playing Richard?”

“I don’t know,” Peter said. “It was all Emmy’s idea.”

James stood up, knocking over several empty bottles. “I’m going home.”

“Pooh Corner,” Remus said demurely, and James snarled, flapping his hands at him.

Lily sniffed. “I’d be more convinced you weren’t pranking me if you didn’t have code words.”

“I’m not pranking you!” James shouted. “When was the last time I pranked you?”

“Christmas Eve. With the mistletoe.”

James blushed. “That wasn’t supposed to end like that.”

“Take it somewhere else,” Sirius said firmly. “Unless you want to use the spare room for something.”

Peter blinked. “Isn’t Remus sleeping in the spare room?”

“Sofa’s comfy too,” Sirius said sagely. “Doesn’t even smell funny any more.”

James stomped towards the fire. “Thanks, but no thanks. After you, Miss Evans.”

Lily swept forward. “You are too kind, Mr Potter. Worplesdon Station.”

As the fire died behind her, James turned round. “You lot are not helping. At all. And as for you, Wormtail...”

“I’ll be repulsive,” Peter promised quickly. “And I’ll talk about you all the time, I promise.”

“In a repulsive way?” Remus inquired.

Peter cackled. “That’s more your line of action, mate. Seriously, Prongs, give her a day to calm down.”

“And then just bloody well ask her,” Sirius said, fingering Remus’ ankle.

James gave them another injured stare and made his exit.

“Right,” Peter said. “Need a hand with the cleaning up?”

“Nah,” Sirius said. “Got all weekend.”

“I won’t be here to help,” Remus said anxiously.

Sirius rolled his eyes. “I can put stuff in a bin without you. Night, Wormtail.”

Remus waved as Peter muttered at the fire. Sirius still had his ankle. He probably ought to do something daring and seductive, now they were alone. He was too tired to move, though, and Sirius was relaxed and happy below him. He closed his eyes and tried to keep his toes from curling into Sirius’ palm.

Sirius leant his head on Remus’ knee. “Bloody awful day.”

“Bloody awful couple of days,” Remus said, and cupped his hand around Sirius’ head.

“Mmm. Dead Aurors. Makes you think, doesn’t it?”

“Fancy a change of career?”

“Nah.” He was running his fingers down his soles now, slow and thoughtless. “Just wonder if there’s anything more we could do.”

“Going to sign up for the Order of the Phoenix?”

Sirius snorted. “They don’t seem to have a recruitment office.”

“Padfoot.”

“Dunno. Something like that, maybe. I don’t know where to start.”

Remus tangled his fingers in soft hair. “Be careful. Nasty things happen around them. These murders are – disturbing.”

Sirius leant right back and smiled at him. “I’ve got you to be careful for both of us. You’re with me, right?”

“Always,” Remus said, “but two careful people are better than one.”

“Mmm.” He was drawing circles over the top of his feet now.

Remus stared down at him. He was so breath-taking, draped loosely against the chair, eyes and expression soft with sleep. He drew a breath and then let it out, beginning to understand how James felt. Then he summoned his courage and said, “Sirius?”

“Remus.”

“I’m a little bit drunk and I’m pretty certain I’m sleep-deprived. So I’m feeling a little reckless.”

“You want to play urban Quidditch?”

Remus ignored him. “I’m about to do something we might both regret. You have about thirty seconds to stop me.”

He lifted his legs slowly, feeling Sirius’ hands slide away. Then he climbed out of the chair and dropped to his knees, straddling Sirius. Sirius stared at him from a few inches away, his eyes wide and his breath coming fast.

“Remus?” he whispered.

Remus kissed him.

Sirius sighed under his lips and then his mouth opened. He tasted of beer and spices and Remus fell forward against him, too dizzy to stay upright. Sirius wrapped his arms around him and sank against the seat of the chair, pressing the kiss back with hot force. Then he broke away.

“Remus,” he said.

Remus kissed him again and he moaned, arching against him. Then he dragged his mouth right away. “Remus. Enough. We can’t.”

“Why not?” Remus demanded. “We both want to.”

“It’s not safe.”

“For whom?”

“You. I’ll hurt you.” He buried his face against Remus’ neck. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Remus stared down at the top of his head, annoyance warring with affection. “You won’t hurt me.”

“I did.”

“So you know better now.”

“It’s not worth the risk.”

“I don’t think that’s just your choice.” He slipped his hands inside Sirius’ robes, seeking warm skin. He found his hip, hard strength beneath soft skin, and stroked. “Please.”

Sirius gasped and jerked against him. Then he stilled and said, quietly, “No.”

Bloody stubborn prat. Remus took a deep breath, trying to ignore the heat throbbing through him, and managed to produce a calm tone. “In that case I consider it only fair to warn you that I shall be trying everything I can to seduce you.”

Sirius’ head snapped up. “Moony!”

“Padfoot,” Remus said gravely, and nibbled his ear.

“I won’t let you,” Sirius blurted out. “I can resist.”

“Really?”

“Definitely.”

“So it’s a challenge?”

Sirius gulped and then lifted his head. “Yes. May the best man win. Shake on it.” He let go of Remus, dangling his hand before his face.

Remus sat back reluctantly and shook. “Seal it with a kiss?”

“No!” Sirius shoved to his feet, stumbling towards his bedroom. “I’m going to bed.”

Remus chuckled. “Can I come too?”

“No!” Then he hesitated. “Git. You said that just to get a reaction.”

“It worked.” He’d spooked Sirius enough. Let him brood on the idea for a while.

“Goodnight, then.”

Remus smiled up at him lazily. “Enjoy your dreams.”

Sirius whirled into his room. Remus chuckled and closed his eyes. Life seemed to getting a little better.

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