#last stop

@wolfstarmicrofic October 9, word count 865

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They were making good time and decided to stop early as the next inn was hours ahead, and it would be well after dark before they reached it. Remus promised that the road wasn’t that bad and that they would easily make it to his parents' house the next day. 

The Inn was a lot nicer than some of the ones they’d stayed in thus far. It had a warm, homey appeal to it. The fiery-haired woman behind the bar welcomed them in. 

“Mind the kids, sorry, my mother's ill, and they get up to too much mischief on their own.” She had a small babe on her hip while two others, twins by the look of them, rushed past with huge serving spoons loaded with what looked like congealed porridge in the bowls. “FRED, GEORGE COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!!!” She bellowed, attempting to move from behind the bar as the baby in her arms began to cry. 

The twins came within reach, and Sirius quickly grabbed them by the backs of their collars, stopping them in their tracks while Remus swiftly plucked the spoons from their sticky palms and held them out of reach. “Thank you,” the woman said gratefully. “Now, how can I help you?” She asked them. 

“We need a room, please,” Sirius told her, slowly letting the boys go and watching them eyeing Remus to see if they could get the spoons back. 

“Just the one?” She asked, making sure that's what they wanted. 

“Yes, please,” Remus answered, making Sirius feel better about assuming that they would only want one room. The woman looked them up and down. 

“I won’t have anything untoward going on under my roof. We’re a respectable place.”

“I can assure you, Madam, that nothing but sleeping will be going on in that bed. We are simply friends on our way to visit relatives, and have unfortunately had a few out-of-pocket expenses on the journey, and sadly, we only have enough left for one room,” Sirius told her, lying through his teeth. She scrutinised them again before her face softened. 

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a necessary evil, I suppose money. We’re constantly trying to make ends meet. How about this, I’ll give you an extra room so you’re not sharing, seeing as how you saved me half an hour of scrubbing?” 

“Oh, that’s very kind of you, thank you.” They had to accept, even though everything inside Sirius was screaming no.

They took their things up to their rooms, Molly escorting them personally, and then decided after a friendly mug of ale to go for a walk. 

It was warm for the season, and so they had stripped down to their shirts, carrying their outerwear over their arms. 

“There’s a really good river walk this way, if you’re up for it?” Remus suggested, and Sirius simply couldn’t say no. Remus’s eyes had lit up at the idea, making Sirius’s heart thrum in his chest. It was probably for the best that they had separate beds tonight; he was becoming far too comfortable in Remus’s presence. 

The river lazily meandered beside them as they walked the well-worn path with trees on the other side. Sirius couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent time like this. Probably when he was a boy at the Potters. He and James had spent hours outdoors, climbing trees, swimming in the streams and pools and camping out under the stars. He smiled as he remembered that wonderful part of his life. He’d been so carefree.

“What’s got you looking so mushy?” Remus grinned, nudging him. 

“Just remembering my childhood,” he replied, nudging Remus back. They nudged each other a few more times, laughing the whole time, until a couple with a dog came into view, and they quickly separated. 

“I hope it’s not going to be loud tonight. Molly said she had six kids and one on the way!” Remus said, raising his eyebrows. 

“All boys as well,” Sirius added. “Though she’s certain this one's going to be a girl,” Molly, as it turned out, was quite the talker given the chance. 

“Still, I feel for her poor mother, looking after all those kids every day,” Remus went on. Sirius nodded in agreement, and they continued their very pleasant walk. 

They arrived back at the Inn slightly muddy and incredibly starving. 

“I need food,” Remus whined, moving ahead of Sirius and beating him to the door. Molly did not disappoint. She had a verifiable feast set up for them. 

“Molly, I might never leave,” Remus groaned, his mouth full of meat and potatoes. Sirius helped himself to a plate before Remus had a chance to devour the entire table. Molly patted Remus fondly on the shoulder and left them to it. 

Full and sleepy, they climbed the stairs to the upper floor where their beds awaited them. 

“Night,” Sirius murmured, waving a hand sleepily while stifling a yawn. 

“Night,” Remus replied, disappearing into his room. 

His bed felt so empty that night. He tossed and turned until he finally drifted off properly. He woke in Remus’s arms, confused about how he got there, but pleased he was there nevertheless. 

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