Of Bookshelves and Baby Carriers

When he looks forward, he doesn’t get dragged down into a pool of anxiety anymore - he just feels hopeful.

Awesome,” he says softly. “In that case, if it’s cool, I would really, really like to kiss you now.”

Remus doesn’t answer. Instead, he leans the rest of the way over the counter and kisses Sirius right on the mouth.

“Cool,” Sirius mumbles against his lips, and kisses him back.

I’m kind of… a mess. I’ve been kind of a mess for a long time, since long before James died, and that certainly hasn’t helped matters at all. And I can be kind of a hard person to be around sometimes, and I have a kid now, and I don’t know that I’m worth the effort, but what I want to say is that I really, really like you, and that I’d really like to go out with you - and it’s not that I think you’re going to fix me or something, and I’ll totally understand if you don’t want to, but…”

So Remus gives him the most reassuring smile he can. "That's nice of her," he says. "Got any plans for your day off?"

"If I say 'you' is that corny?"

Remus feels himself turn red,

Sirius is there within ten minutes.

He has a coffee cup in each hand and a big smile on his face and... he doesn't have Harry with him. He's not wearing the baby carrier, nor is he pushing the stroller.

Also, he's wearing a crop top.

Remus is going to die.

"lol ur too cute. r u working today? is it cool if i come by?"

Remus takes a quick moment to panic - he's really cut his panic time down recently, somehow, in spite of everything, and he's quite pleased about it - before texting back "yeah, sounds good".

"what kind of coffee do u like?"

"hot chocolate ;)"

At least he manages to make it out the door before a big, goofy smile takes over his whole face.

Remus is able to keep his mind off of Sirius apparently fancying him. He can freak out about that later, in the privacy of his own home.

"He was asking for his dad," Sirius whispers before Remus even has a chance to ask what happened. "And... and normally I can handle it, kind of, but he just... he wouldn't stop crying, and I couldn't - I can't -"