Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Love?" Sirius gently comes up behind him and rests his chin on his shoulder. Remus jumps slightly, before leaning back into his touch. “You’re the one who tells me that waiting for a pot to boil is pointless. She’ll get here.”

“I’m afraid I forgot something,” Remus admits as he gazes out the window. 

“Aren’t you always?” Sirius teases gently, squeezing his waist. “You act like you’re the one adopting a child for the first time. I would like to remind you that is not the case.”

“I know, but this time feels different. Teddy… his parents passed away in an accident. He had a loving family...” Remus turns around and Sirius snuggles into his arms. “I know that’s not the case this time.”

Sirius nods with a sigh. “Well, at least that’s something I know I am experienced with.” 

“Is… is there anything that helped you once you left that place?” 

Sirius bites his lip. Even with how long they’ve been in each other’s lives, they didn't talk about this part of his life often. It was something they acknowledged, it was hard not to when sometimes those scars impended your ability to be communicative with your partner, but after the shit show that was Regulus's lawsuit, that was a part of his past they liked to leave unmentioned.

Sirius gently squeezes him before whispering softly. “Patience. Space occasionally. Sometimes subtle actions to remind yourself that you are still loved and not a burden. That helped convince me that I was wanted…”

Remus presses a soft kiss to his forehead. “You’re always wanted, my love.” 

Sirius closes his eyes and smiles. “See. That’s all you have to do. It’ll take time, but if there’s anyone who has endless patience, it’s you.” Sirius opens his eyes and leans up to kiss Remus softly. 

“I love you,” Remus mumbles when they pull away.

“I love you too,” Sirius whispers, giving him another kiss. “Breathe, love. It’ll be alright.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.” Sirius hugs him tightly. Remus sighs softly and rubs his back. 

“Have I ever told you how incredible you are?” 

Sirius smiles. “You have, but it doesn’t make me any less happy to hear it.”

“You and Teddy are my world.” Remus presses a kiss to his forehead.

“Well, our world is about to expand, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is.” Remus squeezes him tightly as the doorbell sounds downstairs. 

“Well then, lets meet our new family member.” Sirius takes his hand and pulls his husband down the stairs after him. 

Sirius slowly opens the door, exercising as much restraint as possible for himself. He remembered how easily startled he was when he ran away to the Potters. He can only imagine where this poor girl's head is at right now. Her entire life was uprooted and now she was moving in with complete strangers.

He opens the door with a smile to see a girl standing behind Amelia with a strong grip on the strap of her backpack. Sirius’s heart falters as he looks at her. She only had a backpack…

Of course, it shouldn’t be surprising. He left his home with barely even that. The Potters immediately needed to take him shopping. At least hers seemed stuffed with belongings. 

For a moment he sees himself standing at the Potters’ home, eyes wide and scared, afraid his parents would jump out of the nearest bush and kill him for sure that time. 

He gives her a smile and slowly moves out of the doorway.

“Come in, come in.” He quickly reaches for Remus’s hand, hoping to hide the fact their shaking. Remus takes it and his gaze subtly, but intently, moves to him. Sirius gives him a smile, seeing the worry in his eyes. 

He gives Remus three squeezes, which seems to ease the concern a little as Remus smiles at him before squeezing back.

Amelia shuts the door and Sirius’s attention is immediately directed to the girl who stands in the corner, looking petrified. 

Amelia opens her mouth to speak, but Sirius quickly intervenes. 

“Would you want to keep the door open?” Sirius asks gently. “Or maybe a window.”

“Window would be nice,” the girl responds with a small smile. Sirius quickly moves over to their living room and opens the window. 

“There. If it gets too cold, we’ll grab a blanket, okay?” She nods, a grateful look on her face. “You must be Hope, correct?” Sirius says, giving Amelia a smile. Hope nods and pulls her hair between her fingers. “I’m Sirius, but Teddy calls me Pa or Pads. This is Remus, Teddy calls him Dad though you can also call him Moons if that’s more comfortable for you right now.”

“Teddy?” She asks softly.

“Your older brother. He’s spending some time with his boyfriend right now. Their long distance and Charlie's going back home tonight, so, we told him he could stay with him as long as he was sure to be home at a reasonable hour to meet you.” 

“Have you ever had a sibling before?” Remus asks gently. Hope shakes her head. “Ah I see.”

“He’s a sweet boy,” Amelia assures her. “I’m sure you two won’t have any trouble getting along, but you can take it as slow as you need.”

“He’ll be patient. That’s a quality he definitely didn’t inherit from me." Sirius jokes.

Remus chuckles and Hope cracks a smile. 

“Do you want to see your room?” Remus suggests. 

“That would be nice,” Hope admits softly. 

“I do need to discuss some next steps with one of you,” Amelia tells them both and Sirius nods.

“Hey love, since you’ve done this once before, how about I take her to her room and you talk this over with Amelia?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Remus leans over to give him a kiss on the cheek and Sirius catches Hope’s eyes widen for a moment and the grip on her bag tighten. When Remus pulls away Sirius makes sure to take his hand and squeeze it gently. 

“I love you,” he says softly. Remus looks a little surprised, but smiles in return. 

“Love you too. Now go upstairs, silly.” He gives him another kiss on his forehead before leading Amelia towards the kitchen. 

“Ready?” Sirius asks Hope who slowly nods. 

Sirius slowly leads her upstairs to their old guest room. 

“Here’s your room,” Sirius walks in and opens this window as well. “I know it’s kind of blah right now, but I was thinking about us going shopping with you in a few days to get you some stuff to customize it?” 

“You’d…” Hope’s voice trails off and Sirius sighs before turning around. 

“Yes. Yes we’ll let you do that. We’ll let you paint your walls with whatever colors you want. This is your space, alright? Doesn't matter if it's our house, this is where you can go whenever you need space. You will pick your own clothes. If you want to go bra shopping and don’t want to do it with us, I’m happy to call on some of our gal friends to help out - they are eager to meet you when you’re ready.” Hope nods, looking a little overwhelmed, but not upset. 

“Before I leave you to your space, I want to tell you this. Your door locks from the inside.” Hope’s eyes widen and she looks like she’s about to cry. “We will never barge into your room without knocking first. Teddy won’t either. You can open your window whenever you want. Your new phone should be here tomorrow morning. Your dad works from home so if you ever need anything, he’s a shout away. My studio is only a five to ten minute drive, so the same applies for me. Lastly…” Sirius takes a deep breath. “Me and my brother were abused physically and emotionally for years by our parents. I was from childhood to when I was sixteen and ran away to my best friend’s house when they tried to kill me over my sexuality. I know everyone is different. We have not lived in exactly the same situation. Still, if you need to talk about anything like that...I understand and I'm here to listen.” 

She nods. “No closets?”

Sirius gives her a small smile. “I will never put you in a cage. These doors are sliding, and if they get stuck, give us a yell and Moons will break down the door.” 

She nods with a slight smile. “Okay… should I unpack.”

“Whatever you feel like doing. If you want to explore the house more, you are welcome to. If you want to unpack… I may be your guardian now, but I want to make sure you know you have agency now, alright? You can start making choices for yourself now.” She nods again. 

“I… I’m not sure I know how to do that,” she says softly. 

“I didn’t either at first. It’ll take time, and that’s okay, alright? We’ll be here every step of the way. Now I’m going to go downstairs and check on my husband, but we are right downstairs if you need anything.” She nods and opens the door. She looks at him in surprise. 

“I have my own bathroom?”

“Yeah, pretty cool, huh? Remus and I remodeled a few years ago to make some more room and added separate bathrooms for everyone along with a studio downstairs for me and an office up here for him.” 

Hope looks around her room and Sirius can tell in her eyes she’s taking it all in. Sirius smiles before slowly stepping out of her room. 

“I’ll be downstairs,” he calls gently before walking down the stairs to join Remus. He catches him and Amelia in the entryway. 

“How is she settling in?” Remus asks as he joins him. 

“Pretty well. I think we should give her a bit of space first to absorb everything. She knows where we are.” Remus gently slides an arm around his waist and Sirius sighs happily. “Also, Amelia, has she experienced any domestic abuse in her life?”

Amelia sighs. “We believe so.” 

“When Remus pulled me close to kiss me, she looked like she was about to freak out… like he was about to hit me.”

Remus looks at him even more concerned. “It’ll be okay, love. It’ll take time for her to get adjusted, but I have faith she will,” Sirius assures him

Amelia nods. “I just told Remus, but I’ll come and check on her in a week to see how everything’s going. Agency policy and all.”

“Sounds good,” Sirius replies. They say goodbye and when the door closes, Remus pulls Sirius into his arms.

“Are you alright?” he asks gently and Sirius smiles sadly to himself.

Of course Remus could see straight through him.

“Yeah, but, god Remus… she…. she reminds me so much of myself it aches...”

“I know, baby…” Remus presses a kiss to his forehead and rubs his back. “Trust me, I know…”

Chapter Text

“Dad? Pa?” Teddy calls, the door shutting gently behind him. Sirius, hearing the warble in his voice, quickly rushes to the entryway. 

“Hey buddy, are you alright?” Sirius asks and Teddy reaches out for a hug, which Sirius immediately pulls him in for. 

“Yeah…” Teddy says after a minute or so. “Going to miss him, that’s all.” 

Sirius gives him a squeeze. “I understand. You can give him a call after dinner if you want.”

“Is that being too much?” Teddy asks, pulling away from the hug. “He only left twenty minutes or so ago and Hope…"

“I don’t think Charlie’s the type to be upset by a call from his boyfriend,” Sirius replies with a small chuckle. “And Hope probably would appreciate the space. It can be pretty overwhelming to move into a new place."

Teddy rubs the back of his neck. “True… Where’s dad?” 

“He went out to take Hope on a drive around the neighborhood. Thought it would help to get her out of the house for a little bit, and he’d learn more about her interests along the way."

“Mhmm, makes sense.” Teddy puts his bag down next to his shoes. “He did something similar when he adopted me, I think. I’m not sure, I was little.” Teddy rambles a little as he takes off his light jumper and folds it on the stairs.

“Teddy?” Sirius asks.

“Yes Pa?” Teddy replies, looking at the pictures on the wall and expertly avoiding eye contact. 

“What’s wrong?” 

Teddy sighs, his shoulders slumping a little in defeat “I think I’m overreacting a little.”

“Oh?” Sirius asks, leading him in the kitchen to get him a glass of water.

“I know he’ll call. I know I’ll see him again sooner than I know, but still it’s…”

“Distance is hard, Teds. I won’t deny that. Relationships in general are hard work, but the added fact of not being able to hold them…”

“How did you handle that?”

“What do you mean?” Sirius asks as he hands him a glass of water.

“When Dad goes away…How do you function?” 

“Originally? Not well. I used to spend a lot of time looking at the ceiling of my bedroom trying not to cave and call him.” Teddy cracks a smile. “It took me until around the time we got engaged to face the reality that even when he was out of sight, I was still there in his mind. That he was thinking of me. I think it’s that added level of reassurance that helps you get through the tough spots. That even when it feels like there’s no possible way they're thinking of you, they are. It’s a hard thing to reach that level of trust though, so you can always reach out to Charlie for reassurance if you need it.”

“He won’t find it annoying?”

“I don’t think so.” Sirius offers him a smile. “I love getting calls from your dad.”

He hesitates before nodding. 

“Want to order pizza?” Sirius asks and Teddy laughs.

“Is that even a question?”

***

About a half hour later the door swings open and voices fill the hallway. Sirius smiles to himself as he rises to his feet. He remembered the days where he used to sit at this kitchen table and wish he wasn't alone. Now his home was filled with laughing voices and pictures covering every available surface. He goes to the doorway and smiles as he sees Remus gently ruffle her hair and she rolls her eyes. 

“See,” he wants to tell him. “I told you that you’d be great at this.” Remus looks over and his eyes meet Sirius’s own with a glimmer of love in them.

“Hey darling, Ted got home a little bit ago. We bought some pizza.”

“Oh amazing.” Remus laughs and leans over to give Sirius a brief kiss. Sirius smiles and squeezes his arm as he walks into the kitchen.

“Coming, Hope?” He asks and Hope quickly nods. 

“Right. Yes.” 

Sirius’s eyes soften as she walks past him looking a bit disappointed in herself. Sirius wants to tell her to be gentle on herself, but remembers back at that age, he wouldn’t have heard that advice either.

“Gentle!” He hears Remus chide as Teddy hugs her.

“She’s not a doll, Dad," Teddy retorts with sass reminding him of a younger Remus. Sirius smiles wider at the thought.

“I’m okay,” she says, sounding more surprised than upset. 

“Sorry, I always wanted a sibling. Unfortunately, that is kind of biologically impossible.” 

Sirius’s jaw drops open and Remus’s eyes widen. Hope laughs, and it truly is one of the best sounds he’s ever heard. 

He remembered what Effie said one night when Sirius couldn’t sleep and she found him by one of the windows in her home. 

“I knew the first time you laughed in my house, that you were my boy.”

He should give her a call…

“Alright. Hope you can have as many slices as you want, but be warned your brother has the stomach of a well.”

“A well?” She asks as she takes a seat.

“Yes. Always needing more and never ending.”

“Oh hey!” Teddy complains as Remus laughs. Sirius smiles, taking his hand under the table and squeezing it. Remus squeezes back three times and Sirius smiles to himself. 

All those years ago… This is all he wanted, and now he was grabbing a hold of it, squeezing it tight, and never letting go.

Chapter Text

Sirius’s eyes flutter open to a sun soaked bedroom. He sighs happily and leans back into his husband’s arms. Remus hums deeply, tracing circles into the soft part of Sirius’s stomach.

“Good morning, my love.” Remus mumbles and presses a soft kiss to his neck. “Sleep well?” 

Sirius nods. “Yeah, once I got to sleep. Sorry I kept you up.”

“Shhh,” Remus pulls him closer, his hand splaying out over his stomach. “That’s what I’m here for. We don’t take on things alone anymore, remember?” 

“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to have any issues with the memories last night.”

“You have a daughter who lived through some of your experiences. I’m not surprised it opened up some old wounds.” 

Sirius groans as he turns around and hides his face in Remus’s neck. “I know I’m getting better at de-compartalizing stuff, but it’s not always so easy…”

“It's never simple, sweetheart. You’re doing amazing. I’m so proud of you every day… I only wish sometimes there was more I could do. That I could’ve done to lift that burden from you.”

“Shhh.” Sirius snuggles into Remus’s arms more. “You did everything you could. We were kids back when all the horrible shit happened. You couldn’t save me. The past is the past.” Sirius squeezes him tightly. “And now you’re here - and doing enough, my love. I’m so lucky to have you.”

“I am more. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” 

Sirius nuzzles him and kisses him softly. Remus kisses back as gently, and rubs his back in circles, easing Sirius into a peaceful sort of comfort. 

“I was thinking about taking Hope shopping today. I wasn’t sure if I should invite Mary and Dorcas. It may be more comforting to go shopping with fellow girls, but then again introducing more people so early - and then shoving her into an environment with a lot of people… it’s hard to know how she’s going to react.”

“Well lucky for you, she is fourteen. Unlike when Teddy was young, you can ask her what she thinks she’d be comfortable with. If none of it seems appealing, go shopping online. It’s not as immediate, but it will get here relatively soon.”

Sirius considers this before nodding. He reaches up and ruffles his husband’s curls. “Who made you so brilliant?” 

Remus laughs and pulls him closer. “Years and years of trial and error.” He leans down to kiss Sirius’s forehead. Sirius smiles up at him when he pulls away. 

“You are so beautiful,” he whispers and pulls Sirius closer. “God I’m so lucky.” 

Sirius nearly giggles as Remus presses him back into the mattress and kisses him again. It was insane to him how after so many years Remus could still make him feel like he was a teenager again. It felt like he was experiencing his first kiss with butterflies all aglow once again. Of course not all moments between them were so fluttery, but Sirius loved all of the moments. He loved that for once in his life he felt safe and comfortable, and he would never let anything threaten that serenity for himself or any of his loved ones.

“I love you,” Sirius whispers in between kisses. 

“And I love you,” Remus whispers back. “You beautiful, beautiful angel.”

Sirius does laugh then and pulls him close, letting himself lose himself in his husband’s arms.

***

“Shopping?” Hope asks in surprise that morning at breakfast. “For me? Only me? Like - you don’t need anything?”

“Well of course I’m sure I’ll accidentally bring something useless home, but,” Sirius laughs and Remus gives him a smile from where he’s making him some coffee. “Yes. Primarily for you. You didn’t bring much here and I was thinking you’d want to add some personal touches to your room, or maybe your wardrobe. We can do both or one - and we don’t have to go in person if you don’t want to.”

Hope still blinks at him with shock for a moment. “But…” Sirius reaches his hand out on instinct before pausing. When Hope doesn’t jump away he slowly places his hand over hers and squeezes. 

“Not everything has to be about someone else, Hope. Some things can be about you.”

“I… I know that, but. I don’t want to be selfish and-“

“It’s not being selfish to want things - or even more to need things. It’s natural to have desires - dreams.” Sirius smiles and squeezes his hand. “I know that me saying this won’t get through on the first try, but I'm happy to remind you as much as you need.” 

She nods slightly, still seeming a bit surprised, but more understanding of the concept.

“So, how do you want to do this? I’m happy to invite some friends over - or it can be just me and you. We don’t even need to go out if you don’t want to.” 

Hope thinks for a moment and Remus comes over with some coffee. Sirius smiles up at him. “Thank you, love.”

Remus tucks some hair behind his ear and presses a kiss to his forehead. “Love you.”

“I love you too.” Sirius reaches out and gives his arm a squeeze before Remus walks out of the room to make sure Teddy is awake. They usually let him sleep in on weekends. 

“Are they safe people?”

“Very,” Sirius confirms. “If you want I can invite Amelia as well, since you know her.”

“No it’s alright. I’m sure she’s very busy.” 

“Maybe so, but I’d be happy to invite her anyways.” 

“I know…” She bites her lip. “Maybe only one of them at first?”

“That’s fine.” He squeezes her hand again. “Want to do it here or?”

“No I… my old parents, they… didn’t really let me go to stores and stuff… I’d like to experience that at least once.” 

Sirius nods. “I’ll make it fun, I promise, and if it goes overwhelming there’s no shame in going back. I mean, James took me to a record store when I was sixteen and when I walked in, I looked around and began to absolutely sob.”

She looks at him in surprise before laughing. “No you didn’t.”

“Oh I did. Absolutely started balling. People were coming over asking if I was okay, and I was so embarrassed, but I’d dreamed about going to one for so many years… it was so cathartic.” Sirius smiles at her. “Take your time, alright?”

“Alright.” She nods, the determined look on her face reminding Sirius vaguely of a young Regulus. “Let's do it.”

***

Now, figuring out which of his coworkers would meet his daughter first turned out to be a far more difficult choice than Sirius had initially imagined. After all, both of them were patient, warm and inviting. However, after some discussion between the three of them, it was decided that Dorcas would come to the mall, and later that week Mary would come to dinner with Amelia when she came to check in. That was an advantage Dorcas did not have. Mary reluctantly conceded, with a threat, of course, to send as many pictures as they possibly could have the journey without freaking Hope out, to which Dorcas agreed.

The car ride with Hope was mostly uneventful, though he watched with a small smile as they pulled into his studio so they could pick up Dorcas.

“You work here?” She asks with a look of excitement on her face. 

“Yeah. It was Moony’s mothers. When she passed away, his dad gave me the place and I restored it into this. We had an expansion recently, but it's essentially the same place.”

“I’ve never been in an art studio before,” she says softly, eyes still looking into the window displays. 

Sirius chuckles softly. “We can go in for a moment if you’d like.”

“Are you sure?” Hope asks, worry clouding her light eyes. “We don’t have too. I know you probably want to get going and-”

“Relax, love. I wouldn’t have offered it if I wasn’t willing to.”

She pauses, as if processing that logic. “No trick?”

“No. It’s not Halloween for another month or so…”

She laughs softly and nods and they get out of the car. They get to the front door and Sirius hears the familiar bell jingle. He smiles as he breathes in the smell that's become so comfortable to him. His home was one thing, but there was something that was always so warm about this place. Maybe it was the new kiln they got to keep up with the demand of Mary’s pottery classes…

“Coming in a moment!” Dorcas calls from the corner of the room, hunched over the faucet where she’s washing some brushes. “Had a primary school level group today and was a little afraid to have them wash their brushes and start a water fight, you know how it goes, so it’s taking me a little longer.”

“Take your time. We’ve got plenty more hours before shops close.” Sirius watches as Hope walks over to their pottery display.

“Whoa…” She looks over her shoulder back at him. “How did they do that at the bottom?”

“Well that would be a question for Mary. Pottery is certainly not my area of expertise.”

“It is not,” Dorcas agrees from the corner of the room. “But it’s the effort that counts. It is quite hard to do art wrong, you know. It’s not like math where there’s one right answer. I like to think of it like a river, there are many different paths down the mountain, but then they all end up in the same lake or ocean.”

“Did we add a philosophy class to our roster?” Mary teases from the doorway leading to the pottery back room.

“Oh budge off,” Dorcas retorts and they all laugh.

“My daughter here had a question for you Mary, while you’re here at least.”

“Oh yes, of cour-OH!” She exclaims and even Sirius jumps a little. “Goodness,” she says softer this time. “Sirius, are you sure she’s not… You don’t do sperm donations do you?”

Sirius nearly bursts out laughing in surprise, but covers it up with a slight laugh. “No-no. Not with my sort of bloodline. Not sure if that would be legal to be frank.”

Dorcas snorts as she begins laying the brushes aside and cleaning off her hands.

“Well, you could’ve fooled me, because she looks like a carbon copy of you. My god, down to the eyes.”

“Yeah, I know.” Sirius chuckles as Hope looks up at him, eyes narrowed slightly. She was trying to see the resemblance, Sirius figures. “Some twist of fate, isn’t it? Her name's Hope, she looks like me - I mean, Teddy looks like Remus so I suppose it was kind of my turn, wasn’t it?.. I won’t have to answer any questions though, won’t I?”

“Oh not at all.”

“Hope’s Art Studio?” Hope asks softly as she reads the name on the door. She blushes once she realizes all three of their eyes are on her. “Sorry, I just. Hope?”

“Oh. Moony's mother’s name,” Sirius explains. “Her name was Hope.”

“Oh,” Hope says softly. “Was she nice?”

“Very,” Sirius replies sincerely. “One of the warmest people I ever met. You would’ve loved her… Remus told me last night one of his biggest regrets is the fact that she’ll never know you.”

“Oh…” She says softer this time. “But if it’s an art studio, why is there pottery?”

Dorcas laughs as Mary begins to explain, “Well art takes all kinds of forms. Not all art studios teach pottery classes, but I love it so your…” Mary looks at him unsurely.

“Padfoot. She calls me Pads like Teddy used to.”

“Ah - Pads accommodated me. They’ve been pretty popular so I tend to do them a bit more often than I expected to.”

“Hence the renovation,” Sirius explains. “But you did want to ask her about the bowls over here,” Sirius reminds her gently.

“Oh! Yes. Right. How did you get that thing at the bottom? I thought you couldn’t do that or it’ll get stuck to the kiln,” Hope explains.

Sirius and Dorcas exchange an impressed glance as Mary walks over. 

“Oh, that’s only on the bottom, see?” She lifts it up and exposes the bottom to her. “But inside I can do whatever I want. I thought this kind of glass-like design was pretty cool. It’s a bit more complicated, but the way it reflects light is just perfect.”

“Which is why we put it in the display,” Dorcas says gently and Mary nods.

“Right.”

“Oh… I used to do pottery after school, but then my parents didn’t want to pick me up and buses didn’t run that late so I’d have to walk home. I got sick one day walking in the rain so I stopped, but… I miss it.”

“What a shame,” Mary says gently as Sirius feels his heart clench. “If Pads is okay with it, I’d be happy to teach you again. You don’t need to do the classes if you don’t want, just me and you.”

“You’d be willing to do that?” She asks in surprise. “I mean - I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

“It’s no inconvenience,” Mary says with a warm smile, “We teach privates all the time. Pads used to teach your brother’s boyfriend, and sometimes still does when he’s in town.”

“You do?” Hope asks and Sirius nods. “All three of us do, so if that’s something you want, I’d be happy to set that up.”

“Are you sure?” She asks, looking between them both. 

Sirius nods. “Of course. If that’s something you want. Is it?” He asks. Hope looks nervous before her eyes harden into that look of determination he saw earlier.

“Yes.”

“Then it’s settled.” He smiles before turning to Mary. “We’ll talk more about it on Friday night?”

“Sounds good,” she confirms before looking down at Hope. “It was nice to meet you, Hope. I’ll see you soon, alright? Now go have fun with Dorcas and Pads. If you pout at Pads, he may just get you something special.” She winks and Sirius gasps as Hope giggles. 

“You’re motivating my daughter against me, how could you?”

They all laugh as Mary ushers them out with a shooing motion out of the store.

Chapter Text

“Remus?” Sirius calls as Hope runs upstairs to start decorating her room. 

“Yeah, baby?” Remus calls from the kitchen and Sirius smiles rushing towards the kitchen. “Baby?” Remus calls again upon not receiving a response, before letting out a soft ‘oof’ as Sirius hugs him from behind. He sighs and Sirius feels him lean into his embrace. Remus gently moves so he’s holding him in his arms and Sirius smiles. Remus reaches up to thread his fingers through his hair and sighs. “Hi, darling.”

Sirius nearly melts in his arms hearing this. “Hi, my love.”

“How was shopping?” Remus whispers, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. 

“Good,” Sirius relaxes further into his arms. “We have a bunch of clothes to wash.”

“I can take care of that.”

“Moons-“

“It’s fine. I’m offering. You seem tired.”

“A little,” Sirius admits leaning into Remus’s hand on his cheek. “I was on such high alert the whole time. I didn't want to fuck up, but she did great. I think once she was focused on a room design  she wanted to go for and Dorcas got her out of her head a little more, it went well.” 

“Mhmm, that’s great, love.” Remus presses another kiss to his forehead. “Now breathe for a moment, alright? I’ve got you.” Remus pulls him closer. “I will always have you.” 

“I love you,” Sirius whispers and Remus hums again. 

“I love you too."

“Can we cuddle tonight?” Remus laughs. For a moment Sirius closes his eyes and he can clearly picture them together at Remus’s home when they were children. He’d cracked a joke then and Remus threw his head back in laughter as it rumbled through his chest. Sirius knew he’d never tire of that sound. 

“Of course, my love. We cuddle every night.”

“I know, but… we usually read and sketch and I… I only want you to hold me tonight.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, okay. What? Did you think I was going to say, 'no cuddles for you?'”

“I don’t know!” Sirius laughs and Remus pulls him closer. 

“God you’re so beautiful,” Remus says softly before kissing him. Sirius wraps his arms around his neck and leans into him. 

“As are you, my moon…” Sirius squeezes him again. 

“Pads? Moony?” Hope yells from upstairs and Sirius reluctantly separates a bit from him. 

“Yes?” Remus calls, rocking Sirius gently in his arms. 

“I can’t reach high enough to hang the lights. I put the batteries in and everything, I promise. Do we have a ladder or something?”

“One minute!” Remus calls and gives Sirius one last hug before pulling away. “I finished the dishes, I’m a little taller than you so I’ll probably be able to help.”

Sirius gasps in mock offense. “Excuse me?”

“Love you, sweetheart. Mind pulling out the current laundry? I’ll do Hope’s when I’m done.” 

Sirius pouts. Remus chuckles and leans forward and kisses him gently. Sirius immediately folds and kisses him back, pulling him close. When they pull away Remus gives him a grin before running upstairs. Sirius watches him go, blushing to himself. 

He'd really won, hadn’t he?

***

Sirius wakes up seeing darkness in his room. He blinks slowly in confusion. Ever since he moved in with Remus, he usually didn’t have issues sleeping through the night. 

He pats next to him and sighs happily at the feeling of Remus by his side.

He turns around slowly to face him and smiles, seeing Remus fast asleep. He gently brushes some curls out of his face and presses a kiss to his forehead. “I love you,” Sirius whispers as he pulls away. He sees Remus smile in his sleep and his heart melts. 

A clap of thunder sounds and Sirius jolts in surprise. 

Maybe that's what woke him up? 

He starts to settle back down to sleep when he feels a bit of nagging in his gut. He sighs, debating on whether to follow it. His gut had been what helped him survive when he was a child, so he tended to follow it, but then again maybe he was only being paranoid. Still, at the end of the day he’d rather be safe than sorry.

He gives Remus another gentle kiss before slowly getting up to check on the kids. 

He makes his way to the hallway and peeks in Teddy’s room. He smiles seeing him fast asleep, and it settles something in his chest. 

He hesitates before walking towards Hope’s closed door. He didn’t want to open it and invade her privacy, but he did want to check on her. He continues to wrestle with this until another clap of thunder sounds and he hears a squeak of fear inside the room and a slight sob. 

“Hope?” he knocks gently. “Can I come in?"

There’s a moment of quiet before another clap of thunder sounds.

“Yes,” a shaky voice calls. Sirius opens the door, and sees Hope curled up in her bed with her lamp on and hugging a pillow. 

“Not a fan of storms?” Sirius asks, carefully taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“When… when I was younger. Mum made me go outside in one. Lightning struck the tree next to where I was…”

“Oh sweetheart.” Sirius gently takes her hand in his and squeezes. “I’m so sorry. That must have been really frightening.”

“It’s so loud,” she cries. “Why does it need to be so loud?” 

Sirius swallows hard remembering feeling the exact same way when his parents were arguing. “I don’t know. But I’m here, alright. We’re inside and nothing can hurt you.”

“I’m sorry. I know this is stupid.”

“Shh. It's alright. It’s not as stupid as you may feel it is. If something is triggering, you’re allowed to react to it. I’m glad you’re talking to me about it, alright?” She nods and Sirius squeezes her hand. He hears a soft knock on the doorframe and turns around to see Remus 

“Woke up and you were missing. Are we okay over here?”

“Not a fan of thunderstorms,” Sirius explains. 

“Ah.” Remus grimaces. “Like I was then?”

“Mhmm.” Sirius smiles.

"How did you get over it?” Hope asks. 

“Well… “ Remus slowly makes his way over and sits behind Sirius on the bed. He puts a hand on his back and Sirius smiles to himself. "I found someone who was willing to sit through them with me. Someone who wanted to see the beauty in the world more than the bad in it.” 

“Sometimes making some good memories helps the association.” Sirius explains, leaning back against Remus’s shoulder. “But that takes time. I know it’s so hard to be patient with yourself, but sometimes knowing you’re with people who understand and care about you… It helps with the healing part of those kinds of triggers.”

“You’re not mad at me?” She asks softly. 

“Why would we be mad at you?” Remus asks.

“Because I woke you up.”

Sirius shakes his head. “You definitely didn’t. I think the thunder woke me up. I felt like while I was up I should check on you and Teddy, and then I heard you were upset. It’s alright not to be strong every minute of every day.” Remus squeezes his shoulder. “You’re going to be okay, alright? We’ll do everything in our power to make sure of that.”

She looks up at him with tears in her icy blue eyes and Sirius takes in a sharp inhale for a moment. 

She looks at him worried and he smiles softly. “Sorry, you look eerily similar to me. Sometimes it takes me aback.” 

She laughs wetly and nods. “Am I going to have to answer questions about you cheating on Moony at school?”

Remus laughs and Sirius shakes his head. “Nah. I think you’ll be good on that front. Moony and I haven’t been together long enough for that even if they were nosy enough to ask.” 

Her brows furrow. “No?”

“We were friends for years, but both were too afraid to say something and lose each other.” 

“Oh… I suppose that makes sense.”

“Yeah, but sometimes when things are good, you just need to grab ahold of it and hold onto it as tightly as you can.” Sirius turns to look at Remus with a smile. “Some things are too precious to let slip away.” 

“Okay.” She squeezes Sirius’s hand back with a small smile. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask... Come here.” He opens his arms up for her and she hesitantly goes into them and hugs him tightly. Sirius sighs almost in relief as he holds her close. He looks over at Remus who is smiling at him with a look of adoration in his eyes. 

“I love you,” he mouths. 

Sirius smiles and mouths back. “Love you too. Always."

Chapter Text

Remus and Sirius didn’t really fight. If they did it was over silly things like who did the laundry last, or who forgot to wash all the forks in the house. They’d left their truly explosive arguments back in their early twenties with their repressed feelings for each other and teenage angst. The worst of their disagreements while in a relationship tended to be trauma based and were usually worked out within the next few hours when one of them caved and apologized to the other for acting or reacting the way they did.

So when Remus stormed into Sirius’s work unexpectedly, looking angry as all hell, Sirius immediately feared the worst.

“Love?” He asks as Remus takes a seat in the corner of the room and groans into his hands. He makes quick eye contact with his colleagues who quickly make a beeline to do anything, but listen in. Mary whispers some excuse about checking the kiln while Dorcas picks up her food and hurries into the back room.

“Remus?” Sirius asks softly, carefully approaching his distressed husband. He gently puts his hands on his shoulders, hoping he’s not about to die for something he accidentally did wrong. “What’s wrong, my love? Have I done something?"

“No. No, it's a contract. They want to convert one of my books into a movie, but they want the entire rights to the material, which I won’t give,” Remus says into his hands.

“And your agent?”

Remus sighs and rubs his brow. “Basically told them to go to hell with that deal. But that just means either months longer of negotiations or a lost opportunity.” 

“Maybe not a lost opportunity per say…” Sirius sits down next to him and carefully scoots his stool next to him. “I don’t claim to understand anything about contracts like that,” Sirius admits with a smile, reaching out to rub his shoulder. He feels the muscles begin to untense under his hands and feels a bit of relief flow through him. 

“But I feel like anyone who wants to just steal your ideas without putting in the work to make them… Well it doesn’t sit right with me. It feels like… they aren't up to any good, almost? Like I understand filmmakers sometimes do know best with that kind of stuff, but if you want to adapt a work… Plus you’re still working on the series.” 

“Sorry for storming in here. I know you’re at work and I could call but I-”

“-You needed that support. It’s okay.” Sirius stands up and wraps his arms around him from behind. “I’m on break anyway.” 

Remus chuckles into his hands before slowly pulling them away from his face and leaning back. “What would I do without you?”

“I don’t know,” Sirius admits, pressing a short kiss to his cheek. “And I never hope to find out.”

“You won’t.” Remus reaches up to hold his hand and squeezes tightly. “I promise…"

***

On the matter of eavesdropping, Sirius was unfortunately an expert. He used to sit outside his parents office, feeling helpless as he listened to whatever horrors they had planned for him. Eavesdropping was a matter of survival, and it kept him prepared. Of course, this was a habit that wasn’t easy to break. You don’t ever truly forget how to survive.

He remembered that Lily used to get beyond annoyed at his tendency to listen in on matters that weren’t his business back in their school days. Well, at least she used to be until he brought her back the best gossip in their year. 

He’d mostly curbed the tendency by adulthood, but still found himself accidentally eavesdropping on conversations he probably shouldn't. That’s how he found himself outside of Teddy’s door that night, listening to him and Hope talk, with a fond feeling in his chest. 

“That looks horrible,” Hope complains. 

“I don’t think so. I mean, hey, if you showed that to Pa he’d know it was a dog,” Teddy replies.

“Yeah because he’s used to seeing worse from kids younger than me.” She sighs and Sirius can almost hear her pout. “Maybe I’m not meant for art.”

“That’s okay. It’s not for everyone, but I wouldn’t give up on it just yet. Art is something that kinda gets better the more you do it… well, most of the time. Sometimes you get into art block and stuff but… Here.” Sirius hears pages flipping. "This is a family portrait I did like a year or so ago."

“That looks good though!”

“Well, I guess but… That’s what I used to draw all the time. I got a lot of practice, you know. Wanted to get it right. My boyfriend helped too.”

She hums before pausing. “Do you ever think about them?”

“Who? Charlie and his family?”

“No. Your family - well, birth family. This is your family, but.”

“No…Not really…” Teddy admits softly. “I don’t really remember them. I’ve been with Dad basically as long as I have memories. Of course I have some fuzzy ones of them both, but…” 

“Not clear ones,” she finishes his sentence.

“No…” Teddy agrees before taking a deep breath. “I’m sure you probably wish you couldn’t remember yours.”

Hope laughs and Sirius can hear it’s strained. “Yeah. No. Not really.”

“I’m lucky, I know.”

“No you’re not. No one is lucky to lose a family that loves them. Yes, I may have a worse situation that led to me staying with Moony and Pads, but that doesn’t make your pain any less real.” 

Teddy is quiet for a moment before responding, “I guess that’s true… You know you kinda remind me of Uncle Reg. I feel like you’d be friends.”

“Maybe…” 

Sirius steadies himself before moving into the doorframe and knocking lightly. “Hey, dinner’s ready, kiddos.”

“Awesome!” Teddy says, eyes immediately lightening up as he puts his sketchpad down and rushes out. Hope pauses for a moment before standing up. 

“Alright?” Sirius asks carefully. 

“Yeah.”

“It’s okay if the answer is no.”

She sighs. “Is it bad that I feel guilty? I know I got out of a bad situation, but I still feel like  I…”

“Like you took the coward's way out? That you should’ve been able to tough it out?” He finishes with a grimace. She nods. “Did you have a sibling?”

“No. Thank god.”

Sirius snorts. “Yeah. Very fair. I did, and I got out long before he did… I know how it feels to think you should’ve been able to handle it on your own - that it was your burden to bear. It’s not though.” Sirius carefully extends his hand and she takes it and squeezes it. “You should never feel guilty for deciding you deserved better than that. Their behavior is a reflection of them, not a reflection of you. It’ll take a while to separate that identity, but we’re all here for you through that process, alright?” 

She nods slowly. “Alright.” 

Sirius gives her hand another tight squeeze. “Alright… Well Moons made some chicken and potatoes tonight. I know he’ll be awfully upset if it gets cold before we get down there, and the last thing I want is a grumpy Moony, so.” She laughs and nods as they begin to make their way downstairs. 

“Oh I was about to call for you,” Remus says when they get to the stairwell. “Everything alright?” 

Hope takes a deep breath, but nods. “Yeah… Yeah it is.” Sirius bites his lip to hide a smile at that and he sees a slight relief flicker in Remus’s eyes before a small smile takes over his feature. "In that case, move your bums, dinner is getting cold.” 

Before Sirius can follow after Hope, he feels an arm wrap around his waist. He smiles as he feels a kiss press to his forehead. 

“I love you,” Remus whispers and that warm feeling in his chest grows. 

“I love you too, Moons. So incredibly much.”

Chapter Text

He should’ve been home by now. Remus never knew Sirius as one to be one to be late, especially when he and Hope had something planned. Maybe he was when they were kids. He used to slack on his school work due to his rebellion against his parents, but when they got to uni that desire to self-destruct calmed down. He no longer had anyone to disillusion.

When Remus looks out the window, he gets an idea as to why his husband would break his routine. It was absolutely pouring. The rain was coming down in sheets and Remus knew the visibility would be shit. Add in the fact that as incredible as his husband is, he’s also the most stubborn man Remus has ever met. Stubborn enough to take a motorcycle to work when he knew it was going to rain. Though neither of them had predicted it to be this bad. If he had he wouldn’t have let Sirius out of the house this morning. He would’ve put up more of a fight.

When Remus was a child in his old bedroom, he remembered a storm like this one. The lightning cracking through the sky and illuminating the layers of rain for a millisecond before flashing back into darkness. He’d remembered being afraid when his father went outside to secure some of the patio equipment, but that was nothing compared to the sinking feeling in his gut when Sirius wouldn’t pick up the phone. 

Remus sighed. He knew it was dangerous, but he couldn’t stay here without knowing he was safe. It was eating him alive. Sirius always picked up his phone. Especially in these conditions. 

Remus picks up his keys and both kids look up from their spots on the couch at the sound.

“I’m going out.” Teddy sighs and nods, but Hope looks worried.

“Can I come with you?” She asks softly. 

“I’m sorry, Hope, but it’s too dangerous out.”

“If it’s too dangerous out, then why are you going out?” 

Remus sighs and Teddy hisses. “She’s got you there, Dad.”

“I know, but I can’t risk you two.” 

“Alright, I won’t stop you. I just don’t want to lose my family again…” Hope says softly, going back to her headphones and book. Both of these were new techniques her therapist suggested to get over her fear. They seemed to be working thus far, which Remus and Sirius were thankful for. He hated seeing his girl worried. That was why with his hand on the door, Remus hesitates. 

He takes a deep breath as he steps back from it. His heart bangs against his ribcage as he takes out his phone and dials Sirius’s number again. 

“Come on baby,” he whispers under his breath as he leans against the door. “Come on…” 

Voicemail. Again. He leans his head back against the wall with a groan. He didn’t want to leave his kids, but he also didn’t want his husband to be hurt or god forbid dead in a ditch somewhere because Remus didn’t fight him on his stupid decision. 

He’d hoped when he reluctantly let Sirius go that morning, that when he came back, of course soaked and whining about it, he’d be able to hold him and help him warm up. Yet now, he couldn’t have regretted anything more. When Remus is about to have another crisis about whether to leave or not, he hears the sound of an engine in the driveway.

Instantly all common sense leaves him as he rushes out the door. He sees Sirius swing his leg off of his bike. Before he can say a word, Remus has his wrapped up in his arms and is kissing him until he swears he’s starting to feel lightheaded.

“Baby, it’s pouring,” Sirius says with a laugh when they pull away. 

“You weren’t picking up,” Remus replies breathlessly, cupping his cheek in his hand and gripping his waist with his other. 

“Sorry, it was pouring and I shut my phone off to keep it safe. I thought I texted you I was leaving.”

“It took you so long to get here. I thought you were hurt or worse.”

“No, no,” Sirius gently pushes some hair out of his eyes and there it is again. That glimmer in his eyes that sucked Remus in back when they were children. That spark he used to chase in other people’s eyes, but no one could ever compare to his Sirius. “I’m sorry, my love. I drove very slow to get here.”

“Fuck, you’re going to get a cold, come in. You need to shower and warm up.”

“So do you,” Sirius retorts.

“I’ve been out here only a few minutes. I can’t believe you drove home in this.”

“Wasn’t too far. I was careful.” 

“As he steps in both Teddy and Hope jump up from their seats.

“God Pa you’re soaked.”

“Good to see you too,” Sirius jokes and Remus feels a tug in his chest at his laugh.

“Do we need to turn the heat up? I can get blankets?” Hope suggests, looking as relieved as Remus felt. 

“No, it’s alright. I’ll take a warm shower and I’ll be fine.” Sirius looks at Remus before a twinkle of mischief appears in his eyes. 

“Sirius-“ he barely has the word out before Sirius is shaking his hair at him like a dog. Although Remus was drenched himself, it was the principle of it that irritated him. 

“Alright you brat, come on.” Remus reaches down around his waist and pulls him over his shoulder. Sirius laughs, but doesn’t resist as he carries him up the stairs. When they're in their bathroom, Sirius quickly gets down.

“As fun as that is, I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” 

“Oh I’m not that fragile.”

“I know, I just don’t want you to hurt when it’s not necessary. You’re not carrying me out of a burning building you know,” Sirius informs him, starting to pull himself out of the wet clothes he was in. Remus bites his lip and smiles to himself as he watches him. Sirius starts the shower before turning back to the mirror. He groans slightly as he runs his fingers through his hair and it gets caught in the knots. He catches Remus chuckling and looks over. He rolls his eyes, even though Remus can tell it’s affectionate. 

“Go away and get changed into something warmer. I’ll be down in a bit, I promise.”

“You weren’t saying that yesterday,” Remus says with a smirk Sirius sighs with a small laugh. 

“Out!”

“Yes, my love.” 

He laughs as Remus leaves and he slowly pulls himself out of his clothes. Before going downstairs he slides on some joggers and looks towards the dresser. He grabs one of Sirius’s university hoodies and walks downstairs. 

***

Before Sirius got married to Remus, he’d sat down and had a long chat with his cousin Andy and Euphemia Potter. It wasn’t really a planned conversation, it’d been at their rehearsal dinner when Sirius wasn’t sure if he or Remus was closer to freaking out. 

“Do you think this is going to change everything?” He’d asked Andy in a fit of panic.

“What do you mean?” Andy asked, in the way of hers that let him know it was a silly question, but she would answer it anyways.

“I mean, will this step mess up what we already have?” He asked, looking between the two women with a touch of fearfulness.

“Mess up?” Euphemia said will a chuckle. “No. Marriage does of course change things, but it doesn’t mess anything up.”

“Some people aren’t ready for marriage,” Andy agrees, “But you two… you can tell you both are. I know you Sirius, you’ve longed for someone to share your life with as long as I’ve known you. I used to catch you in my room reading my romance novels because that beast of a woman wouldn’t let you buy any.”

“Is that why you sent me so many once I left? I thought you were making fun of me.”

Andy snorts. “Not over that. I wouldn’t. Anyways, I agree with your mum. Marriage won’t mess you two up. I will add on though, that doesn't mean it doesn’t change anything, but some things will surprise you. That is kinda the best part though, so I won’t spoil it.”

At the time Sirius wished she did. But, now that he was sitting on his couch after getting absolutely pummeled by rain, his phone dunked in a bag of rice in the kitchen, and watching his husband in his clothes, he started to understand what she meant. 

Remus catches his eyes and smiles at him.“Seems like someone missed her favorite pillow,” he murmured.

“Mhmm, I should probably bring her up, yeah?” 

“Yeah. Big day tomorrow with school and all.”

“Wouldn’t be surprised if there was a delay,” Sirius admits. “I’d be shocked if this rain didn’t cause some kind of dangerous erosian. I was lucky most of the roads home are paved. Even then, traction was hell.” 

“I’ll keep an eye on it. We should probably leave your phone in the rice overnight.”

Sirius sighs, but nods. “I liked that phone too. Didn’t know how to keep it any dryer.”

“I’m sure your efforts weren’t in vain,” Remus attempts to comfort him.

“I hope.” Sirius scoops Hope up in his arms and smiles as she hums, but doesn’t awaken. “That’s a good sign,” Sirius whispers.

“Hmm?” Remus puts a hand on his lower back and Sirius nearly shivers at his touch. He blushes, but controls himself.

“Her staying asleep. It took me months to not wake up at every little sound.” 

Remus smiles and nods in understanding. He places a soft kiss on his temple and Sirius feels that fluttering feeling in his chest again as he begins to carry her up the stairs. He carefully tucks her into bed, turns her night light on and presses a kiss to her forehead. Remus follows carefully behind and closes the door behind them.

They walk over to Teddy’s room and take a peek in. Sirius chuckles with an affectionate look over at his husband. 

“Well I know which one this one takes after.” Remus rolls his eyes, but nods in agreement. They walk over and Remus helps pull Teddy up out of his chair and around his desk and places him into bed. Teddy hums in his sleep and Remus smiles as he tucks him in. 

“Sleep well,” Remus says softly before kissing his forehead. Sirius also gives him a kiss before turning off his lamplight and following Remus into his room.

“That one is going to turn into a bit of a pain, isn’t he,” Sirius jokes as he begins to change into his pjs. 

“If he’s anything like either of us, yes,” Remus admits with a laugh. “My study habits and your stubbornness? God help us.” 

Sirius laughs as well and reaches to plug his phone in before chuckling. “Forgot it was still in rice jail.” 

Remus laughs again. Sirius smiles and closes his eyes, drinking in the melody that he adored. As if noticing the sentimental wave that’s going through him, Remus wraps his arms around his waist and pulls him into the shore. 

“Mhmm,” Sirius hums, leaning back into his arms as he presses kisses down the side of his neck. 

“God. You’re so beautiful, my love. I don’t tell you that enough,” Remus murmurs and Sirius blushes. 

“Wow, I really scared you, huh?”

Remus chuckles and pulls him closer. “Yes, but I know you’re deflecting darling." Sirius blushes and lets him slip his hand under his shirt. “Gorgeous,” Remus whispers. “My husband is gorgeous.”

Sirius blushes more. “Remus…”

“I’m being honest.”

“And horny,” Sirius teases gently. 

“Mhmm, and you’re not?” Remus whispers his hand gravitating towards Sirius’s hip. “I saw the way you looked at me when you came downstairs.”

“You were in my hoodie. Heaven forbid if I still get butterflies from that,” Sirius teases lightly and turns around in his embrace. “Though I can’t say I’m too unhappy about this turn of events. 

Remus smirks and looks down for a moment. “I’ve noticed.”

“Oh piss off,” Sirius laughs and turns to get into bed. Remus follows him in quickly, pulling him close. Sirius follows, happy to get lost in him before the night is over. 

Andy was right, it was a change, but… it was definitely for the better.

Chapter Text

Texting Key:

Sirius

Remus

~~~

Remus sighs, his hand on Sirius’s forehead. 

“Baby, you’re not doing this,” he says gently. 

“Moons, I’m fine.”

“No.” He gives Sirius a look. “Sirius Lupin. You are not going.”

Sirius pouts in response, even though his heart is soaring at the sound of his name on Remus’s lips. “Mooooonyyy.” 

Remus chuckles and kisses his forehead. Sirius melts into his arms. 

“Oh my love,” Remus leans down and kisses down his neck, leaving Sirius a pile of mush. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I wasn’t staying at work,” Sirius reminds him.

Remus sighs before reluctantly admitting, “Maybe you should’ve.” 

“I missed you…” Sirius admits softly. “I feel like I haven’t seen you much recently and maybe that’s my fault and the timing with your book meetings and my art studio not lining up, or maybe I’m clingy right now. I know I probably should’ve stayed there and made due until it cleared up, but I wanted my husband.” Sirius reaches up and cups his cheek. “I want you.” 

Remus’s eyes soften. “Oh sweetheart…”

“I know I’m sick. I know you’re right I should stay here, but… I want Hope to know I support her. This is a big deal for her.” Remus sighs and kisses Sirius’s forehead. 

“Fine, but you’re not driving.”

“Deal.” 

“Alright, this is it.” Remus turns around and looks at the kids in the backseat. “Ready?” 

Teddy nods before looking over at Hope. She takes a deep breath. 

“I think so.”

“Sometimes that’s all you need,” Sirius assures her gently. “Now go get 'em you two.” They smile and file out of the car. Before they pull away Sirius watches as Teddy wraps an arm around her shoulder and squeezes. He feels something akin to pride swell up in his chest at the action. They raised him well. Sirius looks over at his husband as he pulls out of the school. He raised him well.

Sirius slowly takes one of Remus’s hands off the wheel and squeezes it. Remus squeezes back before raising their hands to his lips and kissing it. 

“I love you,” Remus says gently. Sirius sighs, those simple words still getting to him. 

“I love you too.” 

“I hope you’re okay with the fact I cleared my schedule to spend time with you today.” 

“When did you do that?” Sirius asks gently, his heart stumbling slightly in his chest. 

“When you were taking first day pictures,” Remus replies, a small smile on his face. 

“Oh…”

“Today’s about you, alright? At least until the kids get home.” 

Sirius laughs. “Isn’t that how it always is?” Remus grins and looks over quickly at the stop sign. He pauses for a moment before sighing. “God you are still as beautiful as the day I first saw you.” 

Sirius blushes and covers his face with his hands as he groans. “Remussss.” 

He laughs and slowly eases on the gas. “Just telling you the truth, darling.” 

With this Remus reaches down and squeezes his leg. Sirius feels a stir of giddiness in his chest at the touch and sighs. He closes his eyes and thinks back to the night before, wrapped up in his arms and the warmth they shared. He remembered hiding his face in Remus’s shoulder before whispering. “You are the most incredible person I will ever know. You are perfect. Even if you don’t think so. You are the love of my life, Remus Lupin. I’m yours. I’m eternally yours.” 

He remembered hearing Remus gasp softly, before pulling him closer and showing him he meant the exact same things. 

“I love you,” Sirius says softly after a bit of silence. 

Remus squeezes his leg again. “Love you too, my darling. So much.” 

Sirius slowly leans over and kisses his cheek. Remus hums deeply and smiles. Sirius feels his chest stir again at the sight. 

His Moony…

He’s so busy staring at him, he almost doesn’t realize when Remus pulls into their driveway. That is until Remus is quickly clicking open his seatbelt and rushing over to Sirius’s side of the car. Sirius looks over at him in confusion before Remus picks him up in his arms. Sirius squeaks in surprise as Remus easily carries Sirius into the house. 

“Remus!” Sirius exclaims with almost a giggle. Remus chuckles and holds him close as he shuts the door behind him. He carries him inside their living room and gently lays him on the sofa. Sirius reaches up for him and Remus sighs with a small smile on his face. 

“One minute.” He takes off his shoes and pulls off Sirius’s. “There we go. Now come here,” Remus moves onto the sofa and Sirius smiles and hides in his neck. “There you are. I’ve got you.” He pulls a blanket over them and Sirius instantly relaxes. Sirius runs his fingers through his hair and Remus presses a soft kiss to his forehead. 

“You’re my world. I am so lucky. Everyday I feel like I’m living in a dream.”

“Me too,” Sirius whispers and snuggles closer. “I’ve never felt so safe in my life than I do with you here.” 

“Mhmm,” Remus kisses all over his face. “My love.” 

Sirius closes his eyes and snuggles closer, the warmth of Remus’s body soothing the ice in his bones. 

“Rest, baby. I’ve got you. I promise. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.” 

Sirius sighs and smiles before whispering, “I know you will.”

***

Sirius awakes to voices downstairs and the shut of a door. He hears thumping upstairs and the sounds of doors opening and closing. He smiles to himself and remembers back to when he used to spend the nights alone staring at the ceiling of his room wishing he could just pick up the phone and call Remus. Now all he had to do was close his eyes and hear the sounds of his world move around him. 

“Pa?” He hears a knock on their door frame. He slowly opens his eyes to see Teddy holding his sketchpad to his chest. 

“Yeah what’s up, Teds?” He walks over with some pencils in hand. 

“I drew something for you hoping it would make you feel better during some free time during lunch. It’s just a sketch but… I don’t think I’m getting Dad’s proportions right.” 

Sirius smiles seeing a rough draft of his husband’s face on the page and Teddy hands him a pencil, giving him permission to fix it up.

“Lucky for you, I study his face pretty regularly.” Teddy rolls his eyes and Sirius smiles as he begins to modify some of the lines. 

“When I was doing an art class at college my teacher said it’s our job as artists to see everyone’s faults…” Sirius says, moving Remus’s nose up a little farther and eyes a little closer to it. “But it is also our job to bring beauty back into those imperfections. To make life beautiful.” 

Sirius finishes with a smile. “Only some small corrections… Is that what you were looking for?” 

Teddy studies it before nodding. A smile creeps across his face as he studies it. “Yeah, that’s it.” He leans over for a side hug. “Thanks.”

“Of course. How was your first day?”

“Good… Is it bad that I still find myself looking for Charlie even though I know…”

“No…” Sirius chuckles. “I swear even in an empty room, I’d look for your father.”

Teddy nods. “Do you think I’ll be searching for him my whole life like you and Dad?”

Sirius smiles. “Maybe, but even if he’s not, I’m sure you’ll find someone you’ll search the rooms for.” 

Teddy nods before walking towards the door. “Oh.” He snaps. “Dad wanted me to tell you that he’s ordering out tonight as a treat to us, but if you’re not feeling up for it he’ll make something separate.” 

Sirius smiles. 

God how he loved this man.

"I think I’m okay.” Teddy nods before walking out and going to his room. He lays down for a moment, before picking up his phone. 

Hey beautiful, come up when you can? I’m missing my personal blanket.

Give me a few, my love. I’ll be right up.

Sirius smiles to himself and closes his eyes. 

Yes, he truly was the luckiest man in the world.

Chapter Text

Sirius awakes the next morning to the sound of typing near his head. He smiles to himself and moves over to hide his face in Remus’s torso. Remus hums softly and Sirius hears the clicking stop, then the soft thunk of Remus placing his laptop on his nightstand. He smiles wider feeling Remus move down to hold him in his arms. 

“How are you feeling today, my love?”

“Better.” Sirius sniffles. “Still a little stuffed up.” 

Remus presses a soft kiss to his forehead. “Not as hot as yesterday.”

Sirius gasps in mock offense. “Are you saying I’m not beautiful?”

“No,” Remus gently places his hand underneath his jaw. “My darling you are the most beautiful gift the universe has ever given me. You are the only proof I have found in this world that divinity may exist. You are my eternity. To live by your side and your husband and the man you chose to spend the rest of your life with is the best gift of my life.”

Sirius slowly opens his eyes, the cloud in his eyes slowly fades into seeing Remus looking at him with complete adoration. “Moony…"

“Yes, my love?” Remus asks, thumb tracing his cheekbone. Sirius reaches out and grabs him by his waist and pulls him close.

“I love you,” Sirius whispers. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

Remus gently connects their lips and Sirius kisses him back, slowly deepening the kiss.

“I’m going to get you sick,” Sirius mumbles. 

“I don’t care,” Remus mutters and pulls him closer. 

“Remus,” Sirius sighs, closing his eyes as Remus kisses down his neck. “What time is it?”

“Eleven-ish.”

“Eleven?” Sirius’s eyes widen.

“You needed your sleep, don’t worry I called you out. I took care of you.”

“You always do,” Sirius admits, relaxing back into Remus's embrace. Remus smiles wider, noticing the change in his body language. Remus slowly pushes up Sirius’s shirt and he sighs. 

“Take it off, love.”

“You sure?” Remus asks gently. “If you’re tired I can-“

“Not a chance,” Sirius pulls him closer. “I don’t often get opportunities like this alone with you.” Sirius runs a hand up Remus’s side and smiles.

“I’m so lucky.”

“I’m luckier.” Remus slowly pulls his shirt over his head. Sirius helps him and hums when the cold air hits his skin. “I’ll take care of you,” Remus whispers and Sirius closes his eyes again. 

“I know…”

***

“Oh you’re up!” Teddy says when he enters the door. Sirius looks up from his sketchpad with a smile. 

“Feeling a little more like a human today. How was school?”

“Good. I wanted to ask you…” Teddy pulls a slip out of his backpack. “What do you think of this?” He takes a seat next to him as Hope and Remus file in. Sirius watches as Remus ruffles her hair and she groans. 

He looks down at Teddy’s sheet seeing it’s an after school arts club. Sirius smiles. 

“I think it could be a great way to explore other mediums in the art world,” Sirius admits, “And it sounds like it could be fun for you. I’m fine with that as long as you don’t feel like you need to do it because of me.”

“I don’t promise, but it would mean you would need to pick me up an hour-ish later.”

“Fine by me. I can pick you up on my way back from work some days.” 

Teddy grins, eyes shining with excitement. “Oh! Also, my teacher wanted me to give you this.” He takes the note and watches as Teddy runs off with a skip in his step.

“Dad! Pa said I could do it!” 

Sirius unfolds the note and feels a sense of surprise overcome him. Before he can process it further he feels an arm sling around his shoulders and a quick squeeze. Sirius smiles and leans into his shoulder. 

“What does the note say, love?” Remus asks gently, pressing a kiss to his forehead. 

“She asked if I’d be willing to do a guest unit with the students on painting.”

“Oh baby, that’s wonderful.” Remus gives him a quick kiss and Sirius feels butterflies stir in his stomach at the simple affection. 

“So you think I should do it?”

“Of course. I mean, you run classes all the time. This isn’t much different.”

“You don’t think Teddy would be embarrassed his Dad is running the class.”

“Embarrassed? No. Proud? Very.” Remus gives him another kiss and Sirius leans into this one. Remus lets it linger for a moment before pulling away. “I’m proud of you,” he whispers. 

Sirius is about to add onto the statement when he hears Hope call him from in the kitchen.

“Pads?”

“Coming!” Sirius calls back. He gets another kiss from Remus before standing up. Remus quickly stands up behind him and places a hand on the small of his back. Sirius smiles, looking up at him gratefully before going into the kitchen.

“Yes?”

“I have a school project on my family. I asked Dad the questions in the car, but they’re asking for me to do both of my parents if possible.”

“Alright, as long as it’s not like Teddy’s was when he was younger, that sounds good.” 

Teddy snorts. “It’s not.”

“Alright, then shoot.”

“Okay,” she looks between the two warily, “Who was your best friend growing up?”

“Does it need to be singular?”

“I don’t think so. Moony said you, Uncle James and Uncle Peter.”

“Well my answer is basically the same, but add in my brother Regulus to that.”

“Were you that close growing up?” Teddy asks. “I thought you two had a bit of a strained relationship.”

“Well yes, but that was more during our teen years. Early on we were closer, we were all each other had.” Teddy nods before returning to his schoolwork. 

Remus squeezes his shoulder and he looks up at him. 

“Love you,” Remus mouths and Sirius smiles. 

“Love you too.”

Chapter Text

“Sirius?” He’s shaken awake by a worried sounding Remus. 

“Yes? What’s going on?” Sirius asks, worriedly.

“We have a problem.” Sirius looks at his nightstand and sees the time being two in the morning. 

“Yeah, I’d say. What’s got you worried this late? Another storm?”

Remus shakes his head. “No. I wouldn’t wake you up if you were sleeping through that.”

“Then what is it?”

“Amelia called.”

Sirius sits up straight in the bed and lets the graveness of the conversation settle over him. “Don’t tell me they got custody.”

“No, but I’m going to hold your hands while I say this so you don’t commit a felony.”

“Alright?”

“The agency filed the paperwork wrong. So in a few weeks they want to reset it by having her in a foster home for a few days.”

“Are they aware how much progress that will undo?!” Sirius says, trying not to yell.

“Amelia is trying to fight it, but she’s not sure what she can do.”

Sirius shakes his head. “This is going to destroy her. She’s been doing so much better with working through everything - and we were working on transitioning to adoption papers from foster papers.”

“I know,” Remus says, sounding as devastated as Sirius felt. “I don’t know how to tell her. It’s not her fault someone messed up, but you know she’ll feel like she did something."

Sirius sighs and shakes his head. “Let's wait until we’re sure Amelia says there’s absolutely nothing she can do. I know she and I both know this is wrong. See if signing adoption papers will overrule the paperwork error. Anything. Any loopholes.” 

Remus nods and picks up his phone. Sirius sighs and leans on his shoulder. 

“I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Me neither, baby.” Remus leans over and presses a kiss to his forehead.

“I love you,” Sirius murmurs into his shoulder, trying not to sink into the sadness tearing at his chest. 

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.” 

Remus puts his phone down and wraps him up in his arms. Sirius hides his face in his shoulder and Remus sighs. “What would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to know. I promise.” 

Remus nods and hugs him tighter. “You’re my world.”

“And you’re my universe,” Sirius replies gently. “Hold me tonight. Don’t let me think about this.”

“I’ll try. I’m here, love. I’m here…” 

Sirius takes a deep breath and smiles sadly, breathing in the scent that always brought him back to the world. His Moony...

***

The next day Sirius found it hard to focus at work. Everytime he felt like he’d finally gotten a grip on the situation, another wave rolled on the sand and washed all that progress away.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Dorcas asks gently, catching Sirius looking off during lunch again. “You seem like something’s weighing on your mind… Did you and Remus get into a big fight?”

“No. No, we’re okay,” Sirius says with a sad laugh. “It seems he’s the only thing keeping me sane right now.”

“What’s going on? I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but.”

He takes a deep breath. “They want to take Hope back.”

“What?” Dorcas says, eyes wide in surprise, “But you and Remus… last time we talked about it you were working on the papers to make it official.”

“Someone fucked up and we didn’t sign the right papers apparently. So they want to take her back to reset it. I asked if we can rush the adoption papers and override, but I don’t know. Remus is still waiting to hear back from Amelia on our options.”

“Oh that’s horrible,” Dorcas says.

“Hey boss, take a look at this,” Mary says, coming in and placing a pot on the table. Sirius smiles and turns it around in his hands. He pauses at the figures painted on the side, a dog, a wolf, a wolf pup...and a puppy. Mary didn’t even have to say who made it. Sirius feels tears well up in his eyes and he sighs. 

“It’s beautiful Mary. Want me to bring this home to her?”

“If you’d like. I thought it would cheer you up. You know, the figures and all.”

“Yeah… Maybe I can use this as evidence of assimilation of some shit.” Sirius sighs. “I really hope we can figure something out.”

“You will,” Dorcas assures him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You always do.”

“I feel like I’m missing something…” Mary admits sheepishly. 

Sirius sighs thinking about Remus kissing him goodbye that morning, Hope close behind.

“Yeah… me too.”

***

When Sirius comes home, Remus is waiting for him.

“So?” he asks softly. Remus makes a face. 

“It’s not easy. Not that it isn’t worth a shot. Amelia is willing to rush the papers, but she’s not sure it’ll get processed in time. I think it’s still worth trying.”

“I agree. I’ll sign them. Where are they?”

“Upstairs. I left them on our bed.”

“Alright.”

“What do you think about taking her to Dad’s shop tomorrow?” Sirius pauses on the way up. “I thought it could be a good distraction.”

“It may be nice,” Sirius agrees. “Also something different could help. Mary and Dorcas already pressed to take over my classes. Something about me never taking a break.”

Remus chuckles. “They're looking out for you, love.” He takes Sirius’s hand off the railing and kisses it. “Take it as a compliment.”

“I’m trying,” Sirius admits and squeezes his hand. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Teddy wants to watch a movie tonight.”

“Let them both pick. I’m fine with what they want. Let them have pizza too. They deserve it.”

“Alright,” Remus agrees and gives his hand another squeeze before he makes his way upstairs. When he puts his hand on the door handle he hears cheers from downstairs. He chuckles to himself and worry fills a pit of his stomach. 

What on earth would he do without this?

Chapter Text

If there’s anything Sirius thought he knew from growing up in an abusive household, was how good you become at reading people. 

Yes, he knows his exception may be trying to understand Remus’s feelings for him, but he still could read him. He still knew when he was in pain, when he was tired, when there was a lot on his mind that he wasn’t sure how to unpack, and he still did to be honest. Knew when Remus would lean on his chair a bit more when getting up, knew when he took an extra second when closing his eyes and sighing, knew when he looked up from his phone with a slight twitch in his brow. Sirius prided himself on being a person-expert, especially when it came to his partner. 

He thought he’d be able to do the same with his own children, but oh boy was he mistaken.

If anyone was an expert on that, it would be his husband. He always hesitated a little longer at the kitchen table, lingering under the excuse of making himself another cup of tea in hopes Teddy would open up when he just so happened to be present.

Sirius noticed how Remus would lean over Hope’s shoulder sometimes under the guise of looking at her homework to assist. But then Sirius would notice the small squeeze he gave her shoulder, and the slight drizzle outside their window, and would feel a bit of shame on not noticing earlier. 

Maybe he wasn’t giving his husband enough credit. After all, he’d endured Sirius’s pain for many years. Sirius, who used to jump at the sound of yelling in the streets after they exited a pub. Sirius who used to wake up with a cold sweat, swearing his mother was somehow there with them. Sirius who used to sneak into his bed back in uni for cuddles, claiming it was platonic, but really only wanting him to hold him and have Remus make him feel better. 

He’d never made it easy for Remus then, still  didn’t always now. Maybe he’d accidentally trained Remus to notice those things, or maybe Remus was the kind of person always looking out for them anyways. 

Sirius tried not to think so hard about it, until Remus walked into his studio one night after dinner and sighed, leaning against the doorframe. Sirius opened his mouth, about to ask about his hip, when Remus beats him to it.

“She knows.” 

“What do you mean she knows?”

“I mean she knows, Sirius. She knows something is wrong, and I can’t even blame her. We’ve been odd all week.”

“I don’t know how to be normal,” Sirius admits putting down his brush. “They want to take our kid from us. Our daughter, who's been planning her costume for months, gone on Halloween?” Sirius shakes his head. “It’s not right.”

“I know… I also know that if we didn’t tell her, Amelia would tomorrow so-“

“You told her? Moons, she’s going to be devastated.”

“She would be more if she heard it from her case worker and not her parents.” 

Sirius sighs, having to give him that. “How do we make this better for her?”

“I don’t know if there is a way to make it better. I did make it clear we were doing everything we could, but. If anyone understands not being able to control things in their lives, it would be someone who grew up like you did.”

Sirius grimaces. “I don’t want her to grow up like that. Not anymore. I can’t… I know I was a nightmare when I first got out. I couldn’t sleep, I could barely eat - I was so afraid that next thing I knew I’d be back locked in a closet in that house, starving to death because I was such a shame to the family my mother couldn’t look at my face…” Sirius takes a deep breath and hears Remus scoot up a chair. He reaches out and cups his cheek. “I was so scared that someone would send me back. That they’d take me away. That I’d never see any of you again, but they never did.” Sirius finally lets himself meet Remus’s eyes. “And they want to do that to her. We promised her, Remus. We promised…”

“Hey, hey. I know, I know.”

Sirius curls into his arms and sobs. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried like this, feeling desperate and powerless. Most of his relationship with Remus he’d felt safe and secure. There was never any question about it. Yet now he was realizing his daughter was at risk. It wasn’t like those people were putting her back in that house, but they were still uprooting her from her safety net due to something that was their faults. 

“I hate this.” 

“I know. I know you do, darling. I’m sure she understands that’s why you didn’t want to say anything.”

“I didn’t want to break her heart. I know how it feels to have everything you want uprooted and I can’t… I don’t want to do that to her. She isn’t supposed to know how that feels. She’s supposed to know love, and safety, and home - and how am I supposed to promise her that when we have to give her back like a fucking dog to the shelter.”

“I know, I know.” Remus rubs his back, holding him close, like he always does when Sirius gets like this.

“It’s not fair, Remus.” Sirius droops himself onto his shoulder and leans close to him. “It’s just not.”

“I agree.” Remus kisses his temple. He takes deep breaths and Sirius follows them, knowing enough about Remus’s subtle hints to take them. “I’ve got you.”

“Mhmm, I know. That’s why I know I can tell you this stuff.”

He can almost feel Remus smile against his cheek. He presses another kiss to his skin, before running his fingers through his hair. Sirius closes his eyes and sighs. 

“We’re doing the best we can. I always find transparency with these kinds of things is the way to go.”

“Yeah… you’re probably right. You usually are.”

Remus laughs. “Not always. Trust me. Sometimes I am very wrong and incredibly unwilling to see it.”

“Not often,” Sirius kisses his cheek. 

“Well, I’m more willing to say I’m wrong to you than anyone else, so… Unfair study.” 

Sirius laughs. “Do I need a more proper test sample, Professor Lupin?”

Remus laughs. “Idiot,” he says affectionately. 

“Yours though.” Sirius looks up, fluttering his eyelashes. The effect is ruined slightly by a sniffle, but Remus smiles all the same. He leans forward and gives Sirius a kiss to effectively silence his mind.

“Yeah, always been mine…"

***

When Sirius next gets the opportunity to knock on her door, it’s already the weekend. Teddy is out with some friends. He asked Hope if she wanted to join him, but she declined. A part of Sirius was worried, even though he was sure it was unwarranted. Hope’s personality was just a little less social then Teddy’s was. So by noon, he knocked on her door.

“Hope, hon. Are you in there?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I come in?” 

He waits for the rejection that doesn’t come.

He hears a quiet click of the door being unlocked and smiles. He slowly cracks it open and sees her sitting back on the floor, a few paints by her side as she traces a vine up her wall with her brush. She notices Sirius watching and looks over. 

She pauses before shrugging. “It should only be a few days right? I’ll come back.” 

“Yes, but I understand if that’s a big deal for you. I know it is for me and Remus. We can talk about it if you’d like.” 

She pauses, considering this offer before shaking her head. “Not really. Moony explained it pretty well. They gave Amelia the wrong paperwork, and they’ve got to reset the staying time. Seems stupid to me, but I don’t really want to think about it further.” 

“I understand. I’d rather not either.” 

“I’ll try to think about it as a sleepover. A very brief one. Maybe I’ll have a nice bed I can tell Teddy about when I get back. He says the softest one is at Moony’s dad’s house.”

“Mhmm. He’s not wrong. Unfortunately that brand went out of business or else our whole house would be full of them.” 

She cracks a smile. “But then how would we walk around?”

Sirius shrugs. “Eh we’d make do… so what are you working on?”

“Just… wanted to ignore how I felt for a bit. Art seems to do that. I know Teddy does sketching, Moony does writing, you do painting… I haven’t really found my thing yet, but I’m trying.”

“You’re good at pottery,” Sirius suggests lightly, remembering the works Mary showed him. 

“Yeah, but I’m too much of a perfectionist for that to be much of a stress reliever,” she admits. “I try, but if I mess up I always take it too hard.”

“Hmm, I’ll think about it further. Maybe you and Moony should have a day together where he takes you to a bookstore. Moons is convinced there’s a book or genre for everyone, and I can’t say he’s wrong.”

“Maybe.” 

“We can also go to Moony’s dad’s shop. He always had some cool projects going on and I could drop you off before my shift. Could even take you on the bike.”

“Really?” She says.

“Yeah, of course. Would have to get you a helmet though. That’s a requirement for me.”

“Is that why Moony has scars?”

Sirius groans. “Ugh, don’t remind me. I still feel horrible about them.” 

She smiles sympathetically. “I’ve got scars,” she says offhandedly. “Some with better memories than others. Moony doesn’t seem to hold it against you, so I assume he associates good memories with it. Like spending time with you or something.” 

“Hmm,” Sirius says, considering that. Of course Remus had told him many times by now that he didn’t mind the scars, not when the reason they crashed was Sirius looking at him, but Sirius still felt the guilt eat away at him some nights. His husband was still so beautiful, that was never the problem and he’d kick someone in the chest and break their ribs if they suggested as much, but he wished he’d never hurt him in the first place.

Sirius hugs her from the side and she stops painting.

“Pads?”

“Sorry, it’s only that you’re so grown up, and I know some adults see that as a good thing, but I… it’s bittersweet for me. I think about why you had to be that way, and well. I just want you to remember it’s okay to be a kid still too, alright?” 

She smiles and nods. “Don’t grow up too fast. Got it.”

Sirius laughs and she does too and for a moment something in his chest soothes at the sound. This was where Hope belonged - in their home between those four walls.

It was going to work out. They’d make sure of it.

Chapter Text

“And if one of your friends who can drive asks, you..?” Sirius prompts.

“Kick him in the balls for attempted kidnapping,” Hope replies and he hears Remus cackle from the kitchen.

“Well, sure, but, what I meant was always wear a helmet.” 

“Oh. Yeah that too.”

“What have you taught her, my love?” Remus asks from the doorway of the kitchen, with a knowing smile on his face.

“Nothing to be concerned about. Men are scary,” Sirius replies simply.

Remus considers this for a moment before nodding. “Carry on.”

“Alright, come on, helmet on.” Sirius hands it to her and she nods. “Be back soon, baby!”

“Be safe!” Remus calls and Sirius smiles.

“Will do!” 

“Don’t look behind you!”

Sirius rolls his eyes before sing-songing back, “Shut up!”

Remus laughs and Sirius can’t help but crack a smile as he shuts the door behind them.

***

"From the 1970s, a beauty isn’t she?” Lyall shows Hope who nods. “Problem with her is they forgot to get her checked out, and have a bit of rust in places there shouldn’t be. Which is our job.” He looks over at Sirius who smiles leaning on the hood of another car in the shop, checking his watch to make sure he won’t be late for his shift.

“Sirius, son, why don’t you come over and help us out?”

“Oh I’m a bit out of practice,” Sirius admits. 

“It’ll come back to you.” 

He sees Hope look at him with excitement and it wins him over. “Fine.” He reaches up and pulls his hair back before walking over. “Wow, they really didn’t take care of this one, huh?”

“Gave it to his son, didn’t realize he hadn’t gotten it checked.”

“Mhmm…Good intentions, but bad implementation.” 

Lyall hums in agreement. Sirius gets to work and Hope watches him interested, before turning to look at Lyall.

“Is it true that Pads and Moony have been in love with each other their entire lives?” She asks. Sirius flushes as Lyall laughs. 

“Well, their entire lives is a long time, but for as long as they’ve known each other, I would say yes. They didn’t know it for a long time, though,” Lyall informs her.

“I still have regrets about not realizing earlier, but…” Sirius mumbles.

“The timing worked out well,” Lyall reminds him. “He was convinced you didn’t want kids, and you were convinced he couldn’t be in love with you.”

“You didn’t want kids?” Hope asks, as if the concept is foreign to her. Some part of him heals at the way she sounded so confused. Remus told him all the time he was doing great, but it was different hearing it from his kids.

“Thought I’d be like my parents. Should’ve known that I would do anything to be the opposite of them.” Sirius pulls out from underneath. “Got a sponge, Dad?”

“Mhmm. Give me a minute.” He walks away and Hope looks down at him.

“Do you think one day I’ll be able to get one of these?” 

“Of course. Once you can safely drive one.”

“Really? I thought you’d say no.”

“Well it’s not too hard to ride, it’s basically like a bike without the pedals part and with a motor instead. The danger is keeping balance, the speed, and the drivers around you.”

“Also staying focused,” Lyall says with a knowing smile. Sirius rolls his eyes, but smiles in response. “But I’d wait a little while, young lady. Though I’m sure Sirius here would be happy to take you out a few times if you ask nicely and keep your grades up.”

“Grades are no problem for her,” Sirius says with a snort, taking the sponge from his hands. “Inherited those brains from Remus.”

Lyall laughs and Sirius smiles and slips back underneath the bike.

***

“Sirius?” Remus calls when he gets home. 

“Yeah?” He calls back, hanging up his helmet and jacket on the stand. Teddy gives him a wave from the couch where he looks like he’s reading a book for class.

“Come in here?”

“Am I in trouble?” Sirius calls back. Teddy shrugs as Remus laughs.

“Do you have a reason to be?”

“Not that I know of,” Sirius admits and walks into the room. He smiles to himself at the scent of home filling his lungs. He steps up to hug Remus from behind. “Smells good.”

“Thanks. One of my mum’s tonight. Was thinking of her today.” Sirius squeezes him tightly, pressing a kiss to his neck. Remus hums in response. “Before I get distracted, on the table. There’s some details. It’s in a few weeks, but I thought it could be interesting.” 

Sirius takes a seat at the table and skims through it. “Networking event in Cardiff, huh?”

“Yeah. There for two days. The movie folks are going to be there for the first day, so Minerva thought it’d be good to work out a contract with them.”

“Fix it up?” Sirius asks, reaching up to let his hair down.

“No, this is a different group. We ended up terminating the prior deal. Turns out when you don’t pay for the licensing, we have a bit of leeway. This group is a bit less big-time I guess you’d say, but they do have a few adaptations of works that were well received. I’d love to hear their pitch.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me. If you’re worried about me watching the kids, last time Teddy was alone with me I didn’t burn the house down.” 

Remus laughs. “Not too worried about that. Actually…” Remus turns the burner on the stove off. “I was hoping you’d come with me. As is Minerva. I already got a text from Benji.” He looks over his shoulder with a smile. “I’d love to take some time with you. Exploring the city and all. Dad seemed fine with taking the kids for a weekend.” 

“That sounds really nice,” Sirius admits. “Dorcas suggested I stop by Marlene’s tonight for a drink or something. Said I needed a break.”

“Well, I do believe we have wine somewhere, but.”

“No, Moons, it’s fine.” Sirius gets up to help him plate the food. “I don’t need a drink. I need to relax a little, that’s all, and spending time with you and the kids helps with that. I’d love to go to that event with you.”

Remus’s eyes brighten up and Sirius’s stomach flips a little with butterflies. He loved that look in his eyes. He bites his lip slightly and Remus looks down at his lip for a moment before smirking. 

He leans forward and whispers, “I’m sure I can help you relax later.”

Before Sirius can stutter out a response, Remus’s call rings through the house. “Kids! Dinner’s ready!”

He looks back at Sirius over his shoulder, that lovely twinkle of mischief in his eyes as he hears Teddy groan as he gets up in the living room. Sirius smiles and shakes his head, knowing he probably looks absolutely enamoured, but unable to care less. 

God, how he loved this man.

Chapter Text

“Ready for tomorrow?” Sirius asks into the quietness of the hotel room, slowly putting his sketchpad away for the night. He’d surprise Remus with the sketch of him later. He’d forgotten how much he missed sketching for arts sake and not for work. Don’t get him wrong, he loved it, but sometimes he missed hiding himself away in his room for hours and coming out with a finished project.

Remus sighs as Sirius slowly lays down in the bed. "Am I ever ready for big social events?”

“Eh… you did well at our wedding.”

“Yeah, because you were there the whole time.” Remus turns over to look at him. Sirius reaches out to softly trace his jawline with his thumb. “It’s easier when you’re by my side.” Sirius moves closer and Remus slowly opens up his arms for him.

“Well then I’ll be right there...Any news from Amelia?” Sirius asks softly. 

Remus shakes his head. “Not yet, my love.” 

Sirius sighs. “I was hopeful.”

“I know…” Remus rubs his back gently with his hand. “I know, sweetheart.” 

“She seemed so sad when we left.” Sirius whispers, listening to the beat of Remus’s heart.

“I think reality is starting to hit. I felt bad about leaving too.” 

“Moony?” Sirius asks softly. 

“Yes, darling.”

Sirius clings onto his shirt and pulls him closer. “I’ve missed having this time with you. I love our kids, but sometimes...”

“You just want to exist without thinking about everything all the time?” Remus answers. “I understand.” He leans over and kisses his forehead. Remus reaches up and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Yeah.” Sirius exhales and hides in his neck. “Mhmm.” 

Remus chuckles softly and pulls him closer. “Come here, beautiful.”

“Don’t want to go anywhere else.” Sirius closes his eyes and lets Remus ease him into sleep.

***

“I’ll get us drinks,” Sirius whispers to him and Remus smiles. He squeezes his waist before reluctantly letting him go. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” Remus replies, watching him go with a tug in his chest. He watches Sirius step into the crowd and his heart hums in his chest. Minerva takes his arm and starts leading him around. He smiles politely, but his eyes keep finding his way back to find his partner. 

He remembered when he’d first agreed to let Sirius babysit for Teddy. He didn't know yet that it would lead to some of the best times of his life. He was worried then, and he told Lily it was a horrible idea. Lily listened as she always did, but merely laughed at his concerns. 

“You worry too much about him, Remus,” she chided gently, “Who knows. This could be very eye opening for both of you.”

Lily had listened to years of complaining from him at this point. She’d listen to him tell her how much he longed for Sirius’s touch, his kiss, his presence… How every second around him felt like being revived and being slowly killed at the same time.

He thought back when they'd first started dating that having distance between them was the way to drive himself insane. 

However, he’d been sorely mistaken. Nothing compared to the yearning in his heart for Sirius when they were in a crowded room, and he couldn’t touch him. He hated being unable to pull him into his arms and kiss the life out of him. He despised it on their wedding day. He’d just married the love of his life, his friends could wait. 

Today was no different. He would do anything to be back in their room last night, sharing soft touches beneath the moonlight and soft whispers of old memories and new dreams. Remus wanted to reach out and grab him. He wanted to squeeze him so tightly he could never escape again. Every moment that passed it was harder to push down the urge to march through the crowd, and pull Sirius into him arms again. Especially when he looked downright sinful in that suit. Remus had nearly not let him out of the hotel room looking like that. Now he wished they hadn’t gone. He knew he was supposed to be the reasonable and responsible one, but he was sure he’d never been either while loving Sirius.

So no, distance was not the way to drive Remus’s heart mad. He was learning fast that it was his company’s party, because here he was, trying his best not to shag his husband at a work event. No one here seemed to understand how much of an effort he was making for them at that current moment.

All these people were trying his patience. Sirius was easily chatting them up, weaving through the crowd like a beam of effortless moonlight. Attracting the attention of the room with his grace. Everyone was looking at him, but Sirius’s eyes were only for him. He kept looking over at Remus now and again for reassurance, something Remus didn't think he needed. He wondered sometimes when Sirius looked at him like that if he did it out of a habit from the days he lived with his parents. He simply smiled back and nodded, hoping his eyes would carry his true love for the man across the space.

You’re doing great, baby. You can talk to whoever you want. Don’t worry about me. Just come back home when you’re done.

Don’t get Remus wrong, he loved Minnie, but right now he’d do anything to get her to free him from this prison of politeness he’d found himself trapped in.

“And these are the people I was most excited for you to meet this evening. Ladies, this is Remus Lupin.” 

Both the women turn towards him and their eyes light up. 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Emmeline Vance, we talked on the phone a week or so ago?” She asks and Remus nods in familiarity. 

“Ah yes of course, and this is my friend Hestia Jones. She’d be the lead writer on the project. She was excited to meet you tonight.”

“Of course,” Remus says, giving the woman a gentle smile. She was young and reminded him of Lily when they were younger, full of life and a fire to prove herself. Remus wanted to make it easy for her.

“What do you want to ask me?” He addresses her, she seems a bit surprised, but nods, pulling out a notebook. 

“This story, Emmeline said it was special to you in a way the others weren’t. Of course, if I do say so myself, this story felt very emotionally told. It really wraps up your reader, so I was hoping that our film could infuse that in it.”

“Oh, of course.” He feels an arm brush his own and smiles down at his husband. “Thanks, my love. You have perfect timing.”

“Oh?” Sirius asks, passing him a drink, and slipping an arm around his waist. 

“Ladies, I’d love for you to meet my husband, Sirius.”

“Oh what a pretty name!” Hestia says and Emmeline smiles with a respectful nod.

“Thank you.” Sirius says and leans slightly against Remus’s arm. Remus smiles down at him, feeling that familiar warmth trickle through him. 

“You asked what was special about this story?” Hestia nods and he looks back over at his husband. “This one. If you’ve read the dedication I say something about writing a love story.” Remus smiles and wraps his arm around Sirius’s waist and squeezes. Sirius smiles wider at him and Remus wants to catch that look he's giving him and frame it. He wants to hide it in his heart forever to look at whenever he misses Sirius during the day, because god this is what he was waiting for. This was always what he would wait for.

“I wrote our love story. Obviously modified, but the baseline is the same. Two friends have loved each other forever. After one of them goes on a work trip, I had my main character as a photographer instead, but one of them babysits their son. They end up admitting over that time that they’ve fallen in love. That’s what happened to us.” Remus leans over and kisses his temple. Sirius squeezes his waist. “So of course this story is going to be special to me, because it’s my love story with my husband in a different font.” He looks back over at the women who are listening earnestly. “I’ve seen your previous work as a company. I do believe that you have the capabilities and the tact for this book that needs that care. I’d be happy to respond to any questions you have on the project, but know that this story is my baby in a way. I’m trusting you with a very big part of my life. I mean, I proposed to my husband by showing him the book dedication.”

Sirius laughs. “It was very romantic. I just had no idea he was planning this, as I had been trying to figure out how to propose to him for months.” 

Remus chuckles as well and presses another kiss to Sirius’s cheek. “I think what makes this story beautiful is the fact it is real. It could be real. It has happened, and I think that as long as you keep it real, and keep the characters love in their love, I think you’ll be on the right track.”

“So you’re willing to work with them?” Minerva asks.

“As long as I don’t have to give up all my rights to the project,” Remus jokes with a laugh. 

“Oh, we’d never ask that of you, sir," Emmeline replies.

“You’d be surprised,” Sirius says as Remus takes a sip of his drink. “Another company wanted exclusive rights.”

Emmeline makes a face and Hestia’s jaw drops. “Oh my god, is that what happened?” She asks. “Sorry. I only heard rumors...” Emmeline gives her a look and she slowly sinks down. “Sorry.”

“It’s quite alright. We’re glad we found you,” Minerva says and Remus nods in agreement. “Now, I know you and I both came with some details to discuss. I’d love to take this time to talk to you Emmeline about some details we can iron out and Hestia if you want to tell Remus about what approach you’re planning to take with the story, I think that would be the right thing to do.” She turns towards Sirius. “Sirius, you are welcome to stick around with Remus if you’d like. I’m sure I’ve kept him away from you long enough tonight.”

Sirius laughs. “Thanks, Minnie. I…” His voice trails off as his phone goes off. “Sorry, that’s Teds, I gotta take this.” Minnie nods and walks away.

“Probably checking in,” Remus suggests.

“Yeah. I know there are some bad storms back at home. Maybe they're trying to find parts for the generator. I’m sorry, give me a moment.” He gives Remus a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping to the side of the room.

“I wish we could cast you two,” Hestia says.

“Oh?” Remus asks, forcing himself to look away from his husband.

“You two just are the characters, you know. Would make my job easier. However, right now, this is the idea I have. You had the book in dual points of view, and I’d love to try and keep that as much as possible by having a split screen at the beginning or some kind of transition where like, someone puts down a coffee cup and the other picks it up. I want to show the juxtaposition of their current lives, while also showing something like - how much of their calendars have each other on it, or a reminder goes off having to do with the other. Something to set the tone their close early on. Like their mirrors of each other.”

Remus nods as she continues to ramble, loving the ideas she brings to the table. 

“My question is, if it came down to the scene with the baby, and the scene where they admit they miss each other for the first time… is there any way that if I blended the two you think it would still get that meaning across? Unfortunately it is a film so we don’t have as much time to do that build up.”

Remus is about to speak when Sirius shakes his arm. Remus looks down and sees something frantic in his eyes. 

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Remus asks, his attention suddenly completely focused on a different matter entirely. 

“We have to go home. Now.” Sirius begins to tug. 

“Sirius, my love, what’s going on?” Remus asks, gently digging his heels in so Sirius could explain. 

“It’s Hope.” Remus freezes hearing the panic in his voice. His whole world stops for a moment when Sirius next speaks. “She’s missing.”

Chapter Text

Sirius bites his nails until he feels his partner take his hand in his and squeeze.

“Shhh… I’m here, my darling.” 

Something in his stomach flutters at the sound. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, slowly squeezing back. “I wish they invented cars with sonic speed.”

“Even if they did, then we’d all have sonic cars and traffic would still exist.” 

“How are you being reasonable right now?” 

Remus chuckles. “Because if I’m not I’ll drive myself insane.” Remus reaches down to squeeze Sirius’s thigh. “Why do you think I’m driving?”

“Oh that’s why you wanted to? I thought you were afraid I’d speed too fast.”

“No, it keeps me out of my head. I trust you, love.”

“And what about me? What am I supposed to do?”

“You have the radio.” Remus says and squeezes his thigh again. “I know how music works for you.” Sirius sighs and nods, knowing he’s right. Sirius puts his hand over Remus’s and squeezes. 

Remus hums in return. “And I’ll be here if you need to talk.” 

They stay in silence for a bit, Remus’s thumb drawing circles into Sirius’s thigh before he breaks and blurts out, “I’m worried.”

Remus takes a deep breath and nods slightly. “I figured that. I am too, darling.”

“But you didn’t hear Teddy on the phone, love. He was sobbing so hard that Charlie had to talk to me most of the time.”

“Thank god he came down for the weekend,” Remus says under his breath.

“Mhmm...Why do you think she ran?” Sirius asks softly watching the cars and buildings pass by out the window.

“Sirius, if you think it’s because of you I will pull over this car and kiss some sense into you.”

“Tempting option, but… I remember when I was that age. I ran and it…”

“Sirius. We are not your parents. I think she was scared. You said it yourself last night. Maybe she’s trying to hide out in some place and she thinks if she stays there long enough, they won’t take her.” Sirius looks down in his lap and he hears Remus sigh. “Baby. Love of my life. She is not running away because she’s scared of you, or me, or Teddy or Dad. She’s not running away because of lack of love, but instead because we’ve given her so much she doesn’t know what to do if it’s taken away. If I was in her shoes I would probably do something similar. She feels cornered by a system that she thinks is trying to rip her away from us.”

“Aren’t they?” Sirius asks and Remus hums in agreement.

“I know, sweetheart, I know, but she’s still so young Sirius. So… so us . She was bound to do something reckless one of these days. We’ll find her, baby. I wouldn’t be surprised if they find her before we return.”

Sirius gently leans over to rest his head on his shoulder and Remus hums softly. 

“Moony?”

“Yes, beautiful?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. We’ll be there soon, but just rest for now. Dad said he’d call us if they find anything, and there’s nothing we can do until we get there.” 

Sirius nods and exhales softly. He breathes in the scent of Remus and something in his chest calms at the familiarity of it.

“What would I do without you?” Sirius asks softly.

“You’ll never have to know, my love.” Remus replies and presses a soft kiss to his forehead. “I’m right here. Always." 

***

“Dad! Papa!” Teddy runs over to them and Remus holds him to his chest. 

“Oh sweetheart, we’re here, it’s okay.”

“She’s out there! In this storm. What if she’s hurt, or cold, or sick? I didn’t even notice she left. What kind of big brother am I?” Teddy cries, clearly in a complete state. 

For a moment Sirius thinks back to Remus holding him in his arms after the accident that’d left them both scarred in different ways. Blood was pouring from Remus’s face, but he was holding Sirius in his arms screaming, begging him to be okay. He pushes it aside for now, knowing that the memories this entire situation were bringing up were something he would need to dissect, but now was not the time.

“Oh Teds, you can’t blame yourself,” Remus says gently.

“I’ve been telling him that, but he feels horrible. We were watching a movie - actually, I’m not covering for anything. When he went to let her know dinner was ready, she was missing,” Charlie explains.

“Grandpa hasn’t found her yet.” Teddy sniffles as Remus rubs his back gently.

“Is there any conversation you had with her recently that could give us a clue on where to go?” Remus asks them both gently.

“Well I did say that I was hoping to take her stargazing with Grandpa, but that the storm would be too bad today. Said it was your special spot, but that’s the only place I think that Grandpa hasn’t looked. Right now he and the police are looking at friends' houses. I kinda hope she ended up there, because at least she’d be warm.”

“Alright.” Remus leans down and kisses his forehead. “Anything else?” He asks, looking between the two.

“Yeah, the motorcycle in the garage is missing,” Charlie says. “I went there to look to see if she’d left any clues about where she’d gone and Teddy said you didn’t take the bike up north."

Remus and Sirius look at each other for a moment and Sirius feels his heart drop.

“I never taught her how to drive it,” Sirius tells him. “Teddy knows more than she does, most likely.”

“We’ve also been letting her spend more time at Dad’s shop… maybe she gleaned some info. She rides her bike a lot. Maybe she figured it couldn’t be different.”

“Moons, that means she could be anywhere.”

“Let’s not think like that.” Remus squeezes Teddy one more time before letting him go over to Sirius. Sirius holds him close and slowly rocks him in his arms. He closes his eyes and for a moment he’s holding his brother again for the first time in years, promising they’d never be separated again. He squeezes his eyes tightly and takes a deep breath.

“We’re going to need someone to stay here in case someone comes back. Do you think you can do that for us Teds?” Sirius asks gently.

“Yeah.” He sniffles as Sirius brushes some hair out of his face. “I… I made a bit of a care package though. I’ve got blankets, an extra coat of mine I found, and some snacks.” 

“It was the only thing we could think of to do,” Charlie admits. When Sirius lets Teddy go he turns to Charlie and runs back into his arms. Charlie holds him tightly and Sirius has a moment of remembering how it felt to have Remus hold him like that when he heard Regulus run away. He was so scared… He didn’t want his child to know that pain.

“Come on,” Sirius takes Remus’s hand. “Lets grab some stuff and get out there. Call your dad, see what we can hit that they haven’t. The larger net we have the better.” Remus nods, and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Sirius takes a deep breath as he looks at the new photo on the wall of the four of them together. He wasn’t going to let them down.

Chapter Text

“So we’re sure she took the bike,” Remus says into his phone that is on speaker on his dashboard. The rain was starting to slow down, and Sirius was thankful for the higher level of visibility. They hadn’t found her at her friend’s houses and had moved onto Sirius’s coworkers. Since Remus’s were all back in Cardiff and no one lived near enough to know her recently, they’d been ruled out. He’d been getting sporadic texts from Minnie to check in. It broke Sirius’s heart every time he’d texted back still no sign of her. 

He shouldn’t have been surprised by her ability to vanish. He knew how necessary hiding in those kind of households were to survival, but he never expected it to be used against him. He’d nearly called Regulus, asked if he had any ideas, but he knew his brother had mentioned recently working on a case that was of utmost importance. He didn’t want to break him out of whatever he was working on.

Sirius hoped she was at Mary’s, hiding at the place of her pottery teacher, yet he knew deep down he would’ve gotten a call from her at this point. They were driving the backroads near their stargazing spot, hoping to find the bike on the side of the road. It was a long shot. If she’d driven it into the bushes, it would’ve been hard to see, but it was still worth it to try. 

“Yes. It’s highly unlikely she was kidnapped from within the house when there are no signs of forced entry, and they’ve already checked to make sure the parents are out of the picture and they are. We can’t completely rule it out, but the assumption is she left of her own free will. I’m also sure one of us would’ve heard if she hadn’t. I doubt Hope would go quietly if someone was trying to take her,” Lyall tells them.

“No, certainly not. She’d try to-“

“REMUS STOP THE CAR!” Sirius yells and Remus slams on the breaks. 

“Baby?” He asks as Sirius tries to open the car door. Sirius looks towards him, feeling a surge of adrenaline squeeze his heart.

“That’s my bike.” 

Remus looks ahead of him and swears under his breath. Sirius breaks out into the forest and hears Remus yell after him. He looks around, frantically looking for his daughter, until he sees something that makes him nearly cry of relief. A yellow tent. The one Remus had gifted to Teddy last Christmas. 

Sirius rushes over, not caring that he’s being pelted by rain. He’d swim the oceans to hold her again.

“Hope?” He yells over the rain as he approaches the tent. He slowly sees the zipper of the tent move an inch and he sighs in relief. He rushes over and she opens the tent more. He lets himself in and nearly sobs in relief. She was fine, looked upset, but was fine. No bruises or scratches. Just his daughter, looking ashamed and unable to meet his eye.

“Oh sweetheart, come here, you had us worried sick.” Sirius moves towards her, but she stays frozen.

“You’re not mad?” She asks worriedly, rubbing her arm. “I thought…”

“Not mad. No. A little upset you didn’t tell us where you were going, but we can discuss that later. Do you need blankets, water, snacks, a coat? I can make Moony bring some.” Sirius takes out his phone and quickly sends his husband a text that she’s been found and is safe.

“N-no. I’m okay.” She shivers slightly and Sirius sighs, removing his suit jacket. “Come here. Put this on. It’ll keep you warm.” This time she moves closer and leans in for a hug. Sirius sighs, pulling her close and slowly rubbing her arms to help warm her up. “God, in this weather. Hope, what were you thinking?”

“They were going to take me away from you both,” She says, her voice shaking. “I thought maybe if I hid… I know it’s stupid. I didn’t even think until I got here that it could look bad on you and Moony and I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do. I don’t want to go back. I’ve tried to be brave, but-”

“Hope, you are brave. You are so brave.” 

She shakes her head. “No I’m not. I ran. That’s not brave.”

Sirius takes a deep breath, knowing he had said something similar to both James and Remus once many years ago. 

“Sometimes it is the bravest thing you can do, but Hope…” Sirius tucks some hair away from her face and notices she’s crying. “It’s okay to be scared, but talk to us, alright? We’ll do everything to make it better. You gave Moony and I a scare tonight.” 

She nods. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to leave. They said they’ll bring me back, but I…”

“You don’t trust them.” Sirius fills in the blank. 

She shakes her head. “They said I could stay with you! They promised.” Sirius holds her tightly. “I just want to go home. To my room. With my walls. In my space. Where I’m safe. Is that too much to ask for?” 

Sirius squeezes her tightly, trying not to cry himself. “No. No it’s not sweetheart. I asked the same thing myself when I was your age, and safety is not a crime. God, come here. I’m so sorry. Moony and I have been trying so hard to surpass this mess. We don’t want you to go either.” 

“No?”

“Hope, you’re a part of the family now. You are family. Of course I don’t want my daughter taken from me, because you are my kid in every way that matters. I mean, how many people have we fooled?” He asks with a soft chuckle and sees a small smile. "I don’t care if you are technically of my blood or not.” Sirius cups her face and kisses her forehead. “You’re my girl, okay? Moony and I will take care of you. When you come back, if you want, you’ll never have to leave again.”

“You… you want to adopt me?”

“Yes… We’ve wanted to since the first week you stayed with us.”

“Really?” She asks, clinging on a little tighter.

“Well, more likely the first day if you ask me,” Sirius says with a laugh. “But yes. I knew, we all did. You belong here with us. Me, Moony and Teddy.”

“Oh god, is Teddy okay?” She asks, sounding almost as panicked as Teddy had when they first arrived.

“He’ll be fine knowing you’re alright. He was terrified you were hurt or someone had taken you and he hadn’t heard. He wouldn’t have forgiven himself.”

“It’s not his fault…” Hope says quietly.

“I know that, as does Charlie, but he’ll probably take it better hearing it from you.” She nods and makes eye contact with him for the first time that night. 

“There you are,” Sirius says gently brushing some hair away from her face. “There’s my girl.” 

She starts crying again and throws her arms around him. 

“Shh,” he rocks her in his arms. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

“Papa,” She cries and something in Sirius cracks wide open. He remembers the first time a young Teddy had spoken the word to him and he knew his life would never be the same. It didn’t hit any differently the second time, but something within him knew that he would make sure to prove himself worthy of the name for the rest of his life.

“Shh, I’ve got you. I’ve got you. You’re safe. It’s okay. It’s okay.” 

Sirius looks up and sees the tent open. Remus slowly steps in, shaking out an umbrella with a blanket, a water and some snacks in his other hand.. 

“Just got off the phone with my dad and Teddy. How are we doing in here?” He asks gently, wrapping a blanket around Hope’s shoulders. She looks over at him and whimpers before throwing herself into his arms. Remus quickly catches her and holds her close. 

“Shh. I’ve got you. It’s okay. We’re not mad. Are you hurt? Do you need anything.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Dad.” 

Remus’s eyes widen and he looks at Sirius who hasn’t stopped crying since she first called him Papa. He nods and Remus takes a deep breath before holding her tighter.

“It’s okay. Your pa and I’ve got you, yeah? Now lets warm up a little before we go home. Then you can take a warm shower and we can have a little bit of a pj night before we go to sleep, okay?”

Hope nods and clings onto him. “Okay.” 

Remus looks between Hope and Sirius and smiles sadly. 

“I’m sorry I scared you,” she says softly.

“Shhh, we’re just happy you’re okay.”

Sirius hums in agreement and makes sure the blanket around her is snug. She sighs and closes her eyes against Remus’s chest. Sirius smiles to himself and looks at Remus who holds her close.

“See. I told you that you’re good with the big emotions, and you didn’t believe me.”

Remus rolls his eyes. “Oh shut up.” 

Hope laughs and they both do too. As Sirius gently rubs her back a piece of him finally settles into place. Something he had a feeling was the final missing puzzle piece he’d been waiting for his whole life. He’d finally reached that point he once could only dream of. He had a space where he felt so comfortable he could make someone else feel comfortable with it. He had finally made a home with his favorite people within it - and fuck he wasn’t going to let one piece of paper stop it. 

***

“How did you even drive Pa’s bike?” Teddy asks as Hope leans on his shoulder. Charlie smiles from Teddy’s other side, looking relieved. 

“Not well…” Hope admits. “I’m surprised I didn’t get caught.”

“Well enough I didn’t get caught. An answer to strike fear into the heart of any parent,” Remus jokes and Sirius chuckles, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Hope was completely bundled up. Sirius had thrown some pjs into the dryer for her so they were warm when she got out of the shower. Teddy insisted she wear one of his jumpers, and they were hardly one to fight him on that, especially not Hope, who seemed to understand just how worried her older brother had been.

“Alright. What movie is the chosen one of tonight?” Sirius asks with a smile, playing with Remus's fingers in his hand. He catches Remus's smile and something in his heart settles at the softness of his hand in his.

Teddy and Hope both yell out the same movie before they start laughing. Sirius looks at Remus with a relieved smile and leans his head on his chest. Remus moves his hand and wraps his arm around his waist and squeezes him close. Sirius closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. 

Yeah. This was home.

Just as they're settling in to watch the movie, Sirius’s phone buzzes. Sirius looks over, half expecting it to be Mary or Dorcas. He blinks for a few seconds seeing the name on the screen.

“Hey Reggie,” Sirius says, leaning over and giving Remus a quick kiss before getting up and walking towards the kitchen. “Everything alright?”

“Yes I’ve finally finished my project.”

“Oh that’s great!”

“Yes. You see, I have news.”

“Yeah?” Sirius asks, flicking on the light in the kitchen. 

“Yes. It took a lot of time, and a few well placed connections, but I’m happy to report your adoption’s been approved.”

Sirius freezes, halfway to the kettle to make some tea. He blinks at nothing in his kitchen. his brain lagging behind the conversation like someone skating with one ski. Finally he gets at least his mouth to catch up.

“I’m sorry. What?"

Chapter Text

“Amelia called,” Regulus explains. “Said you needed help pushing an adoption through. You know I do family law, so I have some connections. Would’ve taken a whole lot less effort if Mr. Randolph actually worked at all, but you know how it goes.” 

Sirius laughs and wills his shaking hands to attempt to make the tea. He accidentally drops the box of bags and groans. 

“Baby?” He hears Remus call from the other room.

“Fine!” Sirius calls back, but he wouldn’t believe himself. 

He felt like when he slipped off the monkey bars at school and fell onto his back so hard he felt the air rush out of his lungs. He remembered back then hearing James’s shout of surprise and the sound of Remus’s feat against the ground. He wondered sometimes if that was the moment he fell in love with him. Worried brown eyes and freckles that reminded Sirius of the stars. They were too old for the monkey bars, Peter declared on their way home as Remus kept a wary eye on him in the backseat of the Pettigrew’s car. Sirius nodded, still not speaking much, an ice pack applied to the back of his head. 

“So I can email it to you. Amelia said she can run over tomorrow morning and sign them,” Regulus continues, bringing Sirius back to reality.

“Sounds great,” Sirius admits, feeling a gentle hand brush over his back.

“Let me, my love,” Remus whispers gently. Freckles leftover from the sun. Slightly worried eyes, surrounded with a small ring of golden from the lights.

Sirius lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and nods. He moves off to the side as Remus starts to make the tea. He stays close, hovering around Sirius as if he’d fallen off the monkey bars again. As he watches the light dance on his husband’s face, he thinks maybe he has again.

“Do you think you and Remus could do it tonight?” Regulus asks.

“Absolutely. And you should come over sometimes to meet your niece. You deserve to see the fruits of your labor.” He notices the pause in Remus’s motions. He watches the slight crease in his brow as his mind struggles to catch up to what he’s heard. Sirius can’t help the smile that slips across his face at the action.

“I should. I’ll let you know when this office lets me breathe for a moment. I should have some more time now. This was a bit of a passion project.” 

Sirius smiles to himself. “I owe you.”

“Eh… it’s been a long time coming. The least I can do.” 

“You don’t owe me anything you know,” Sirius says, tasting something oddly familiar on his tongue. He feels Remus’s hand brush his more than he sees it.

“Maybe not, but you’re family. I’m always going to feel like I do. The papers are in your email. Please get them to me as soon as you can.”

“I love you.”

“Yeah, I know. Love you too, I guess.” 

Sirius rolls his eyes before hanging up. “Give me a moment, love?” He asks Remus, giving his hand a squeeze. Remus nods and squeezes his hand in return. He doesn’t press, knowing Sirius will tell him when he returns. He leans over and presses a quick kiss to his cheek as a small token of the love he felt coursing through him at the moment. 

He runs up to Remus’s office, signing into his email and sending it to their printer, thankful that for once there was enough paper. Remus used to complain all the time that he kept forgetting. Sometimes in the occasion where Remus fell asleep before him, or he couldn’t sleep, Sirius would check the paper levels and refill it for him. He wondered if Remus had realized he had a paper fairy at this point, but if he had, he hadn’t said. Maybe he didn’t want to ruin the magic by asking, or he didn’t need to. Like most things about Sirius, he already knew.

He runs down after, pen in pocket and he hears the whispers of Teddy making a remark to Hope who laughs. His heart warms knowing there will be much more of that for many years to come. He places the papers on the table and pulls the pen out of his pocket. 

Remus takes a sip of his tea, before remarking, “Looks awfully familiar.”

“Mhmm,” Sirius agrees, “Good memories with these.” 

“Yeah,” Remus agrees. “Third time is the charm, after all.” Sirius and Remus begin signing, passing the pen back and forth between each other in a comfortable silence. 

“Do I want to know how much your brother bribed people?”

Sirius laughs. “Oh he’s far too righteous for that.”

“Maybe so, but I for one am privy to what Blacks would do for love.” Remus tucks some hair behind his ear with a softness that makes the world still for a moment. Sirius wants to melt into his arms, wind himself around his husband and solidify like a candle forever entwined with him. 

“Yeah. I think strongly worded pleas were the most he did, but if it came out later that money was involved it wouldn’t completely rock my world.” 

Remus hums and nods. He presses a soft kiss to Sirius’s forehead. He closes his eyes for a minute, enjoying the quiet before he knew noise would fill his halls once again. It was a quiet unlike one that Sirius had known most of his life. 

Silence had always been cold, calculating, like a guillotine hanging over his head with a rope somewhere in the dark, waiting for him to trip over it and assign his own punishment. 

Yet, for around four wonderful years, quiet had been the sound of a crackling fire, a burst of sunlight on a summer morning, a warm jumper being thrown onto his lap when his husband got back from errands because he knew he liked it when it smelled like him. It was comfortable, a safe sort of blanket that Sirius could sink into at night when all around him was alright. 

He slowly steps into Remus’s space and lets himself sink into it. Remus squeezes him in that way that makes something in his chest warm. He feels almost tired with the way the soft silence surrounds them, enveloping them in this kind of peace that he knows always comes when he stays by Remus’s side.

“I don’t think I tell you I love you enough,” Remus whispers softly. Sirius snorts. 

“Every morning, and night with some sprinkled in between isn’t enough for you?”

“No. Not nearly.” Remus presses another kiss to his forehead and Sirius sighs, letting the air settle back into his lungs. “Do you want to tell her, baby?”

“Mhmm, yeah. Just. One more minute with you.”

Remus hums and slowly rocks Sirius in his arms. Sirius lets his shoulders sag, groaning at the popping sound and Remus chuckles. 

“My poor, stressed, baby.”

“Oh coming from you.”

Remus laughs and leans in for a quick kiss. Sirius pouts when he pulls away, earning another small chuckle. 

“Come on, call her in, sweetheart. She’s your girl.”

“She’s as much yours as she is mine.”

“I know, but I’ve done this once before… this is your turn.” 

Sirius swallows and nods, slowly stepping back and squeezing Remus’s hands.

“Hope? Can you come in here for a second? You’re not in trouble.”

“Promise?” She calls back, but Sirius can already hear her feat on the carpet approaching the kitchen.

Sirius smiles at her as she comes in, Teddy trailing not far behind. For a moment he sees two other siblings, peeking into their uncle’s kitchen to try and eavesdrop on his call with their parents. Two brothers with similar curiosity in their eyes - who definitely should’ve been asleep. 

Sirius smiles to himself before looking at Remus.

“My brother called. Turns out he was able to work one of his family miracles.” He looks back over at Hope, trying to school his emotions back from one of pure glee. “The papers went through.”

“What?” Teddy says, excitement laced in his voice as Hope’s eyes widen. 

“We already signed,” Remus continues, “But the final choice is yours Hope.”

“As if she’ll say no.”

“Teddy,” Sirius gives him a look and he quiets and looks at her. 

“I mean… he’s right but… yeah… Yeah, give me the pen before my hand starts shaking.” 

Sirius moves aside, letting her step in between him and Remus. He places a gentle hand on her shoulder as she takes a deep breath.

“Where do I sign?” She looks up at him and for a moment he recognizes himself in her. He remembered that kind of simmering excitement, but a hesitance as well. He knew then, as Hope did now, what this step meant for their future. He squeezes her shoulder. 

“Here. You have a few less than your dad and I do.” She nods and slowly signs, being methodical with each letter. He meets Remus’s eyes and for the second time that night, wants to melt into him. The warmth that they held could burn him to his core, and Sirius would let him. He’d seen the burning heart of him and yet, he’d never wavered. A wave of gratefulness and awe washes over him as he looks at the man who chose him every day.

“Love you,” Sirius mouths. Although it’s not enough for all he wants to say, it will do.

“Love you too.” Remus mouths back. 

Sirius flips the page for her as Teddy comes over to look.

“Familar?” Remus asks Teddy, who nods. “Vaguely. Last time I saw this was when Pa adopted me.”

“Mhmm…” Sirius smiles. “I have good memories with this paperwork.” 

He flips to the last page and gives Hope’s shoulder another squeeze. She pauses over the paper, hand shaking. He hears her sigh with slight frustration.

“Shh, it’s okay. We’re right here. Not going anywhere. You’re safe. It doesn’t need to be perfect.”

She takes a deep breath and nods, rushing to sign her name. He notices Teddy grin out of the corner of his eye and a slight puff of pride from Remus. Hope looks between the two and also lets out a sort of sigh.

“Alright. We can cry now right?”

“We can always cry,” Sirius assures her, before pulling his family into a group hug, with a slight shout from Teddy, a wet giggle from Hope, and a laugh from Remus. He closes his eyes and lets the warmth sink in once again. A warmth he’d finally recognized as the truest kind of love he’d ever known.

Chapter Text

“Okay, so Charlie said they won’t be going outside the neighborhood,” Remus’s voice informs him over the phone. Sirius slides his jacket on and nods, even though he knows he can’t see it. “Said one of Hope’s friends… I think her name was Amie is coming over to go with them? Teddy was really passionate about making sure she wasn’t going alone.” 

“That sounds like him. Your dad said he’ll take care of refilling the store’s bowl if need be, cause I told the kiddos I’d leave candy out for them if they happened to stop by.” Sirius flicks on the outdoor light and locks the shop doors.

“I’m sure at least one or two kids will take you up on that effort.”

“You’d be surprised. Dorcas was wondering if she should stay behind and man the door. I told her not to bother.” He jostles the keys in his pocket and swings his leg around his bike.

“Oh well, then you’ll be lucky if they don’t steal the bowl."

“If they do, they're all contributing to buy a new one.”

Remus laughs as Sirius puts his keys in the ignition and the bike roars to life. “Be home soon, baby. I love you.”

“I love you too. Be safe.”

“Will do, my love.” He hangs up and a part of him already misses the sound of Remus’s voice as he slides his helmet on. He rolls his eyes, knowing that he’ll see him soon, but can’t help but smile. Hope was going as a bat and her brother, who was going as a wizard. They joked around that she was his familiar. 

“I can poison your enemies.”

“Can bats poison,” Teddy asked, turning to his parents with inquisitive eyes. 

“Well, not the bite itself, but it can carry diseases," Remus wisely informs them.

“See, I can give you diseases.” She clamped her teeth down twice, spreading laughter around the table. 

Remus and Sirius hadn’t really gotten a plan together this year, but knew they should do something for the neighborhood kids. Sirius had a slightly home-made vampire costume waiting for him at home, and Remus was doing a doctor by stealing one of Sirius’s yet to be used smocks, that could kind of be passed off as a medical coat. He starts driving home, carefully keeping out of the way of the little small tick or treaters. A few of his students wave to him and he carefully waves back, making sure to keep his eyes on the road. When he pulls in, Remus is already handing out some candy. 

“Pick two, alright?” He suggests. The two kids, one as a princess, the other as a pirate seem to contemplate before grabbing two. Their moms thank him as he walks off.

“You had a few students looking for you,” Remus says, pulling Sirius in by his waist and pressing a kiss to his forehead. 

“Mhmm, better get ready then, yeah? How are the kiddos?”

“In Teddy’s room preparing. Apparently Hope’s friend is very good at makeup, so she’s helping Charlie with his costume.” 

“Mhmm, did you tell him there could only be one vampire in this family?”

“You know he’d take that as a joke from you and not me,” Remus gives him a quick peck before shooing him up the stairs. 

“Get dressed, or your students are going to start showing up asking if you’re dressed as a hot biker man.”

Sirius laughs, “Are you saying I’m not a hot biker man?” He wiggles his eyebrows and Remus sighs. 

“Out!”

Sirius pauses on the stairs, looking down at Remus and feeling a warmth rise in his chest. Remus notices pretty quickly that the footsteps have stopped.

“What?” He looks down at his costume and Sirius chuckles.

“Nothing, I just love you.” 

Remus sighs, puts the candy bowl down on the table near the door and walks up the stairs to kiss him. Sirius hums and kisses back, leaning into the hand on his cheek. 

“I love you too. You’ll have me all to yourself tonight.” Remus presses a kiss to his forehead and Sirius sighs. 

“Aren’t I lucky?” Sirius pats his chest before running upstairs, hearing Remus chuckle behind him.

“Remember to keep your phone charged, alright?” 

“Yes, Pa.” Hope says, rolling her eyes.

“You see that, love? She’s already rolling her eyes at me.” 

Remus hums with a small smile. “Make sure they don’t fly away. Alright you four, I believe it’s time..”

“Be careful this doesn’t get caught,” Sirius refers to the webbing around her arms.

“I’ll be fine. I’m not planning on going bush crawling,” Hope huffs, smiling slightly.

Sirius chuckles and kisses her forehead. 

“Alright kiddos. Stay safe, alright? Keep your phones on. We’re only one call away!” Sirius calls as they begin their walk down the driveway. 

“Okay, we definitely need to go right first. That has the most houses in a small area,” Teddy calls over the noise and Charlie agrees.

“What are we waiting for?” Amie asks and they start to make their way to the right. Hope peaks back over her shoulder and grins at them before running off. 

Remus wraps his arm around his waist. 

“We did good, baby,” Remus says, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Yeah.” Sirius leans into him. “We sure did.”

***

“I’m sorry I didn’t bring much candy,” Lily apologizes. “I assumed Sybil would bring more.”

“You assumed right,” Remus tells her. "Though she also brought pumpkin bread, muffins and even some kind of soup, which absolutely terrifies me, but I refuse to invoke the wrath of a pregnant woman in my own home.”

She laughs as James claps him on the shoulder. “Good man.” He then turns to Sirius and pats him on the head. “And a good boy!” He messes up his hair and Sirius groans. 

“Stop,” Sirius whines, "Peter has already done this.” This sends the two before him into a series of giggles as Harry grins up at him and reaches his arms out. 

“Doggy!” He says happily and Sirius nods. “Yes. A special black dog because your cousin Hope insisted we all match this year.”

“I’m surprised she talked you into this,” James admits as they start making their way to the living room.”

“I’m not. All she has to do is bat her eyelashes at him and she gets her way,” Remus slings an arm around his shoulder and he pouts up at him.

“Hey! I’m not that much of a pushover,” Sirius complains. “She’s just my little girl, you know. I do the same for Teddy.”

“I know, which makes me the bad guy!” James and Lily laugh as Harry runs off to say hello to Peter and Sybil. 

Remus yelps slightly as Teddy hugs him from behind.

“Hi dad,” he says as Remus groans, a smile on his face.

“Give a guy a warning,” he jokes but turns around and hugs him close. “What is it?” Sirius smiles to himself. He knew getting adult onesies was the right idea. A part of him ached that he was no longer buying his children clothes from the child part of the stores, but as there was something so rewarding about watching them grow into themselves. Teddy was looking at following in Remus’s footsteps, going to school for literature, and as much as Remus tried to pretend he didn’t mind, Sirius had seen the tears of pride rise to his eyes when he looked away. 

Sirius adjusts the wolf ears on his son’s head.

“They were tilted,” he explains. Teddy rolls his eyes, but smiles. 

“Hope was wondering if we could start going around now. Do you think it’s too early?”

“Not if you want to hit a lot of places,” Sirius says and Remus hums in agreement. 

“The wind has calmed down now. If you two get too cold…”

“We’ll call you,” Hope says, climbing down the stairs and joining them in the entryway. “You know we always do. How long do you want us out for?”

“I would say 10, though most of the houses may close by 9-ish. Pads and I have some special treats for you two when you get home.”

“Oh?” Hope raises her eyebrows.

“Pa cooked?” Teddy says, sounding surprised. 

“Hey, I know your dad is good at it, but I can if I want.” Sirius laughs. “I decorated this time though.”

They’d made some cookies with the faces of wolves and dogs. Sirius had watched Remus make the recipe while the kids were at school, and had never been more revealed he was relegated to the job of decorating.

“Teddy let me draw the map of the places I want to go to this year. I made sure Marlene and Doracas are in it this year, they were awfully disappointed they missed us last time.”

“Their house is a hike…” Sirius glances over at Remus who seems to share his same hesitations.

“We’ll call you if we get tired,” Teddy says. “Next year maybe I can drive her?” 

“Stop it already scares me that we're looking at unis,” Sirius says and Teddy snorts.

“You both already know I probably won’t go far.”

“We’ll see,” Remus says, knowing Teddy had been looking pretty heavily at Edinburgh.

“He thinks it’ll break our hearts,” Remus told him one night as Sirius carded his fingers through his hair. 

“I think the heart it will break is Hope’s,” Sirius corrects, leaning over to press a kiss to his husband’s forehead. “Her brother being so far… You know how close the two have become.”

“Yeah… I wonder if he’ll defer a year, just so he can stay with her.”

“Hope wouldn’t let him. You know her.”

“Mhmm, the stubbornness comes from you." Remus smiles up at him, depriving the comment of all its bite.

Sirius rolls his eyes. “Sure, love. Whatever you say.” 

Sirius watches Teddy and Hope walk down the path waving before disappearing into the pile of trick-or-treaters on the street. 

“One of us is going to have to watch the door,” Remus hums, seeing trick-or-treeters making their way up the lawn. “It’s a busy year this year.”

“We should make James do it. You know how excited he gets about the costumes.”

Remus nods in agreement.“James!” he calls, going into the living room. Sirius watches him go, the tail swinging behind him. He chuckles to himself before opening the door to more witches and wizards. He watches the two siblings go with candy in their bags, running down the lawn hand in hand. 

“I can go pick them up if you need.” Sirius jumps slightly and smiles looking back at his brother. 

“Why? So you can tell your niece and nephew more embarrassing stories about their parents?” Sirius teases, handing him the bowl for the next group of trick-or-treaters. Regulus didn’t get many in London, and as much as his brother would try to tell him he didn’t need too, Sirius could see in his eyes how much he loved it.

“Oh I won’t tell them anything too embarrassing. Just how you almost kissed Remus at a Halloween party back in school and cried because you didn’t.”

“I did not,” Sirius baulks.

“Oh you totally did.” 

“Charming, darling,” Remus says, leaning against the stairs. 

“Ugh, shut up you.”

Remus grins before looking towards Regulus. “James is dealing with diapers. Are you okay handling the bowl until he gets out?”

“Yeah, course.” He looks between the two of them with a smile. “You two deserve some time alone.”

“Don’t say that. In three years the kids will be at uni and we’ll miss these days,” Sirius reminds him.

“Mhmm,” Regulus considers this before beginning to smile, “and unlike our parents, they’ll miss you.” He turns back to the door as more kids arrive and Sirius squeezes Remus’s hand. 

“He’s right you know,” Remus murmurs. 

“Yeah.” Sirius turns around and pulls him close by his waist. “Where would I be without you?”

“Me? This is all you, my love.” Remus looks around at the house and Sirius looks at the walls full of family photos. He’d worked hard to cover those walls, remembering the years they’d laid barren. When his home was barely lived in. He’d wandered like a ghost around these halls, but now he was home. He was loved in a way he would’ve never imagined when he was a child, and every day when he woke up besides his husband, down the hall from his family, he thanked the universe for his good luck. He also sent up a message of gratitude to Remus’s mother. You know, just in case she was listening.

“But if you’d never asked me to babysit Teddy,” Sirius insists. 

“That was because I had no choice.” Remus laughs and presses a kiss to his lips. “But every day I thank god you came and never left.”

“I wasn’t going to let you leave again.” Sirius squeezes him and Remus leans his forehead against his. 

“I love you, Sirius."

“I love you too, Remus.” His phone begins to ring and Remus sighs. “Never a dull moment. It’s Dad though. Probably checking in. Make sure to send him the photos we took earlier though. He’ll want to see the group costume, since the kids had been talking it up so much.” 

“Will do.” 

Remus walks back into their kitchen as he takes the call.

Sirius hears laughter from inside the living room and peaks his head in to see Peter setting up the movie while Lily and Sybil chat on the sofa, trading family stories. Peter and Sybil had just moved into a new place, and Lily was discussing her new promotion. 

He glances above their spot on the couch and smiles seeing his newest painting. The silhouettes of a pack illuminated by the light of the moon. Remus and him running behind, their pups leading the way. He beams down at his phone as he sends the photo of them smiling at the camera to Lyall. He looks at their arms wrapped around each other. Teddy grinning proudly, almost as tall as Remus. Hope to Sirius’s left, throwing up a peace sign and grinning brightly. He looks back to Remus and himself, heads leaning towards each other, smiles appearing endless in the frame.

Yeah, they’d done alright.