blissember day 5, prompt: reunion
Remus Lupin was exhausted. The first-years had been particularly difficult today as they all were overly excited for the festivities that night before the holiday break. He’d had a troubling time getting them to settle down for their very quick lesson on the drawbacks of having to use defense magic in the snow. It really wasn’t much, just explaining the quite simple aspects of slowed brain function due to cold, and lack of being able to easily use spells that provide fire or sparks. He knew they were kids, and they’d be super happy to move out of theory and into actual spellwork after the break, but really, it was the end of the school day - couldn’t they wait to release their energy after his lesson was over?
Remus decided to head right back up to his chambers and relax - some hot chocolate would be nice - then sleep early. He didn’t have anyone to celebrate with, besides, so what was the point of joining a rambunctious bunch of hormonal teenagers for a dinner that would be much nicer on Christmas when half the school was gone?
He ignored the fact he used to be one of those hormonal teenagers.
He was almost to his rooms when an owl suddenly swooped down around a corner - it nearly beaned him with its claws, then dropped a thin, light piece of parchment that fluttered down onto his head.
He picked it up, and there was no explanation, just a hastily written “He’s cleared” in what looked like McGonagall’s handwriting. He pushed down the excitement that bubbled up because surely this was meant for the wrong person. Who was the “he,” what was the “cleared,” that couldn’t mean anything. So, sighing, Remus stuffed the small paper into his pocket and continued on his way to his rooms.
He opened the door and froze.
Surely it was a hallucination because there stood Sirius Black, the man he hadn’t seen but most longed for in twelve long, long years, standing in front of his bed and looking quite nervous but openly excited because his mouth quirked up into a hopeful smile when Remus came in.
But he reached for the now-crumpled paper in his pocket that said “He’s cleared” and he allowed himself to hope just for a moment, connect the dots and believe he was connecting them correctly.
And he just stared, for a moment, before he spoke without thinking in a near whisper, “Sirius?” He felt as if he spoke any louder the spell would break then he’d be alone again, staring at his empty bed with no one there waiting for him.
But, with a tiny, tiny smile, eyes watering, Sirius said, “Remus.”
And Remus immediately crossed the room and threw his arms around the other man and held him so, so tight, and suddenly both of them were wracked with little sobs as Sirius buried his head in Remus’s shoulder. They both muttered each other’s names over and over until Remus pulled back and cupped Sirius’s face. He traced his fingers over his high cheekbones and slightly crooked nose and plump lips and handsome, beautiful face.
“I never thought I’d see you again,” Remus said in a shivery voice.
“I thought of you every day. Every single hour, Moony, I-” Sirius’s voice broke. He rested his head against Remus’s. “But now we’re together.”
“Now we’re together,” Remus breathed.
And they pressed their lips together, and it was wet and messy and desperate but oh so perfect. They clung to each other as if they would never see each other again, but this time, it was okay. This time, they were okay.
