Title: Untitled
Author: Lorielen ( [email protected] )
Pairing: Sirius/Remus
Rating: PG-13 at most
AN: Post-OotP. For Justin Etre.

Remus Lupin shifted restlessly in his ragged sheets. August was too hot and damp for proper sleeping, specially when one wore a natural fur coat even after ripping off all shred of cloth. Even more in the upper floor of a small pub located somewhere forgotten by civilisation and galleons.

Such was Remus' case.

As though physical discomfort weren't bothersome enough, the former teacher had no safety in the realm with his eyelids for gates. Remus' mind was as haunted as the Shrieking Shack, and not only for the same reasons. The scars the man bore cut deeper than shape-shifting skin, bleeding his very soul. Those were the wounds that made him whimper quietly during his sleep, curling in a tight ball to protect against the visions that would assault him. Of late, he saw no more blood or broken bones, and a single voice screamed despairingly.

And he was never there to catch Sirius' hand before it faded into the void.

His silent weeping splashed against the cold floor, always icy surroundings, which was why he trembled. Quietness, coldness, loneliness. Routine during too long, time enough for memories to become vague. Warm licking of his skin, a tail waving clumsily, the annoying wet nose: even in canine shape Sirius was amusing and teasing.

Had been.

Eyes squeezed to try and put a stop to the streaming of tears, and Remus was startled when humid softness lapped at the salty droplets. Sitting on his heels he had been, and his precarious equilibrium was shattered, resulting on a fall flat on his arse, arms spread to welcome the huge black dog that assaulted him. Laughter filled the white place, and against his bare skin it warmed up as he watched Sirius change back into his less hairy self, a goofy grin on his face.

Remus claimed that mouth for his own with a blazing kiss, heartbeat drumming on his ears and he clung to his lover for some stability.

"Thought you'd never come." Husky whisper, playful kiss at the tip of his nose. Just like Sirius.

"Am I dead?" Calmness spreading, curling in Remus' toes as he found that he didn't really mind the fluffy wings as long as Sirius had them too.
A smile, caressing of his marred cheekbone. "Neither am I."
"Then what--"
"Shh, Remus. Stop trying to understand everything."
The imperative won over him, and he yielded to Sirius' fussing over him, kiss-tracing his scars, tending to his wounded heart with slow and peaceful love-making. Cuddling.
"Sirius."
"Hmm?" Drowsy. Remus chuckled.
"Where are we?"
"Together." Nuzzling. "In the void beneath your eyelids, Remus. The trapdoor on the basement of the Shrieking Shack."

Furring of eyebrows. Sirius sighed, and his roughened hand took his love's own, placing it over flesh and nipple and a beating heart.

"Here."

Remus sat up, eyes wide open, staring into darkness. Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the light of dawn and he made out the contours of the room's shabby furniture. No understanding came to him, the meaning behind Sirius' words remaining unfathomable. With his heart cocooned in peace, he turned on his side and drifted back to sleep. Hopeful.

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Author: Lorielen ([email protected] )
Pairing: Remus Lupin/Sirius Black
Setting: Marauder era
Rating: PG at most
Word Count: 350
AN: For Kasi.

Tending to werewolf-caused wounds had at first panicked a young Remus. As years streamed by, nursing himself had been ritualised as a moment of reflection, some chastising and mindful weighting of his life. Carefully would he see to the injuries acquired when morphing back, as though his furry self resented handing over the flesh and sinew they shared. Remus knew he was not an agreeable sight on the mornings when sleeplessness and guilt for jeopardising the Headmaster�s trusts painted black circles under his tired, ancient-looking eyes. Whilst he was immeasurably grateful to his fellow Marauders for undertaking easing his curse � oh dreadful teenager angst that Remus knew useless but could not help wallowing into � he wouldn�t allow a soul to witness his quiet falling apart.

Hence how startled he was when his nakedness registered something other than the rough blanket the beast he had learned to embrace would curl atop. His eyes, still affected by a few hours of restless sleep, presented him blackness, warm and furry and adjusting perfectly to the curve of Remus� fetal position. He jerked backwards, at which the huge dog�s ears prickled up and a friendly twinkle was the only thing distinguishing the pitch-black eyes from the rest of that raven-coloured body. Remus sighed, tired.

"You shouldn�t sleep over, Sirius."

His hand petted the dog absently, expertly tugging at the fur behind its ears with practised ease. Padfoot�s snout was cold and humid against his wrist but he was too busy berating to mind.

"I... I have nightmares. At times. Something could have happened."

Saying it aloud didn�t make him feel half as ashamed as he had thought it would. Maybe that was owed to the fact that he was effectively talking to a pet and not facing Sirius� maturity-devoid and handsome face. Perhaps it was just difficult to picture bad things when in company of one Sirius Black.

His frown couldn�t resist Sirius� utterly doggish and carefree licking of his scars, tongue caressing the tender skin. Gathering Padfoot between his claw-slashed arms, Remus found it in him to smile against his lover�s furry neck.

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