#phoebe's masterlists

Whatever's Left Over - James gave away the one weekend that was meant to be just yours. The argument that follows isn't really about the barbecue.

Heavier Than It Should Be - The number was agreed weeks ago — tidy, mutual, businesslike. Tonight the envelope's too thick, and neither of you can keep pretending it's just business.

Hold Still - He swaggers into your tattoo studio on a dare, all talk — right up until the needle touches down and he finally goes quiet.

The List - You come home wrecked from a bad day, and James clears the whole evening to look after you — and add your boss to the list.

A Whole Speech - James has been cagey and strange for a week, and you've feared the worst — but what he's trying to ask is much smaller, and much bigger.

Just the Umbrella - He only came to drop off the umbrella — then your two-year-old grabs his hand, hauls him onto the rug, and falls asleep on him, and Remus doesn't dare breathe.

Some Assembly Required - The box promised forty-five minutes. It did not take forty-five minutes.

Ambience - The power's gone and the plans are ruined, so Remus decides you're both stranded — cereal in mugs, every blanket in the flat, and candles at half eleven in the morning.

The Cardigan - During exam week, Remus's table becomes your table, his chocolate becomes your chocolate, and his cardigan somehow never makes it back to him.

The Tacos Win - His burger van's been at war with your taco stall all week, chalkboard to chalkboard — until you slide him a taco and the feud takes a turn.

The Wrong Way - He plays like he's trying to break something, never pays for his pint, and walks you to the bus stop every week — the wrong way for him. Tonight you ask why.

Somewhere Along the Way - At James and Lily's wedding, Sirius stands up to give a speech with no jokes to hide behind — and loses his place completely when he finds you across the room.

Frozen Peas - Sirius turns up past one in the morning with split knuckles and a grin that means something's wrong — so you skip the questions and get the peas.

Trouble - You went in to look. Thirty seconds later Sirius is on the shelter floor in his good jeans, and you're both going home with a dog.

James Potter

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Word Travels - Your mate drags you to a gig and vanishes, leaving you at the bar with a dry, lemonade-nursing stranger — and his boyfriend, grinning at you from the stage like he already knows how the night ends.

Across the Hall - The two men across the hall keep inventing reasons to knock — a corkscrew, some sugar, a plate of something warm — and it takes you a fortnight to work out you keep handing them an excuse to try again.

The Middle Chair - Sirius says yes to a six-week tour before the phone's even back in his pocket, then falls apart on the kitchen floor at 2am — and you and Remus have to learn what you look like without him in the room.