Remus' P.O.V.

It's Valentine's Day. The day I dread every year. Why? Because I never have anyone to spend it with. My friends all have dates, or 'plans' in Sirius' case. Surprisingly, even Peter managed to successfully find a girl to spend the day with. But, the only thing on my schedule today is to sit by the fire in the common room and read about some cheesy romance, imagining myself with someone that finds me attractive and loves me just as much as I love them. That is, until I'm forced back into the crappy, loveless reality that coexists with my daily life. It's not like I have a chance with anyone, right? Who would be crazy enough to fall in love with a werewolf? Let alone, a gay one...

I climbed out of bed last, giving the other's a chance to shower and make themselves look nice for their dates. Plus, there was a full moon a few days ago and I'm still trying to recover fully, so the extra sleep was nice.

Once Sirius, my best friend and secret crush since third year, walked out wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, I ran into the bathroom. I love and hate when he does things like that. He is gorgeous and his body is flawless, save for a few scars here and there that his parents have given him over the years, but I think they just show how brave and strong he is for finding the courage to stand up to them. Unfortunately, he's straight, so I have no chance with him. But that doesn't mean I can't admire the artwork in front of me when the opportunity presents itself. It gives me something to think about... at times...

The Marauders know I'm gay. They found out a few years ago during a game of Truth or Dare at 3 in the morning. They said they didn't mind at all and they haven't treated me any differently because of it, which I'm grateful for. James and Peter did become slightly more reserved when it came to changing in front of me after they found out, but I understand and don't let it bother me too much. Sirius, on the other hand, seems to be much more open about showing off his body around me. It's like he's trying to tease me constantly and remind me of what I'll never have. It's a little irritating, but at least I know he doesn't feel uncomfortable around me.

I strip off my clothes and step in the shower. I decided to take my time, knowing I had no plans for the day, and let my thoughts consume me. Once I believe I've spent enough time drowning in self-pity, I step out of the shower and move to grab my towel. However, the door burst open before I could reach it. I froze in shock as the last person I ever wanted to know how pale, scarred, and unhealthily thin my body looked stood in the doorframe with a dumbfounded expression seemingly slapped across his face. His eyes travel over my ill-looking frame for a moment before I finally recover and grab my towel. I quickly wrap it around my waist, trying really hard to convince myself it was a mistake and that I shouldn't be angry with Sirius. I want to cry in embarrassment. My face heated up quickly, becoming red with a dark blush, making me incapable of finding the will to meet his eyes.

"What do you need, Sirius?" I ask quietly. He finally snaps out of his trance and clears his throat.

"I-I'm sorry," he mumbles and backs away, closing the door behind him.

Great, now I scared him off. I sigh, rolling my eyes at myself as a tear finally escapes. I wipe it away quickly and look at my reflection in the steamy mirror. I look awful. I despise every last scar on my body. My ribs are almost visible through my skin, even though I eat constantly. My collar bones are harshly defined and I'm so pale, it's almost blinding. I hate the way I look. I wish I looked more like Sirius or James, but I'm stuck looking almost like I have an eating disorder. I have thin arms and legs with seemingly no muscle, but still, I'm somehow stronger and faster than anyone that has ever challenged me.

I sigh and wipe away the remaining tears that had fallen down my face. I dry myself off and get dressed quickly, in the fear of another random break-in. I brush my teeth and shake my hair out before finally exiting the bathroom.

Sirius is sitting on his bed, deep in thought. James and Peter are nowhere in sight, so I assume they've already left for their dates. I walk over to my trunk and pick out a sappy romance novel before starting for the door. But I'm stopped by his voice.

"Remus?" Sirius whispers. I wouldn't have heard it had I not had heightened werewolf senses. I turn around to face him.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for your 'plans'?" I ask teasingly, avoiding the conversation I know he is trying to start. I think it's best if we both just act as if nothing happened.

"They don't start for a bit," he explains, brushing it off with a wave of his hand.

"Okay, then. Well, I have my own plans, so... I'll see you later, yeah?" I turn back to the door and try to leave, but I'm stopped again.

"Wait! What plans? Do you have a date?" he questions. He seems upset, but I brush my hopes aside with a painful reminder that he's straight and I don't have a chance.

"Yeah, I have a date with the common room couch and a sappy romance book. It's the same as every year, Siri," I joke with an unenthusiastic laugh, rolling my eyes and finally making my way out the door. The moment I leave the dorm, I hear a relieved sigh from Sirius. I just roll my eyes again and head down to the empty common room. I make myself comfortable on the couch and began reading.

About an hour later, Sirius walks down from our dorm, wearing a confident smirk that would do an excellent job masking his nerves from anyone but me. He plops down on the couch beside me, closer than he usually would. I try to ignore him and focus on my book, but I'm distracted by his close position that has caused an intense group of butterflies to erupt in my stomach and my palms to grow clammy. I am overwhelmed by his scent and the burning feeling of his eyes on the side of my head. I sigh, giving up on reading until he leaves for his 'plans', whenever and whatever they may be. I close my book abruptly and turn to face him.

"What are you doing here, Siri?" I ask.

"What do you mean, Remmy, dear?" he responds with an innocent smile on his face that I refuse to be fooled by.

"Sirius, it's Valentine's Day. James and Peter both have dates. You've said no to all 14 girls who've asked you out so far, claiming you already had plans. But you're just sat here keeping me company in the deserted common room. Why did you turn down all these girls and what the hell are your plans?" I rant, growing flustered as his innocent smile morphs into an impressed smirk of sorts. He chuckles and yawns, stretching his arms up and strategically placing one around my shoulders.

"Take a wild guess, Lupin," he purrs seductively into my ear. I shudder as his hot breath hits my neck. Everything in me is begging to just let this happen, but the conscious reminder that Sirius is straight overpowered the urges to cave. I don't think my heart can handle being played with by him of all people.

"W-what are you d-doing? You're straight, Sirius. S-stop teasing me," I stutter, not allowing myself to acknowledge how tight my pants are getting. "Please..." I plead, wanting to slap myself at how desperate and whiney I sounded. Sirius pulls away and looks at my flustered state with an amused smile. I knew it! He was just toying with me.

"Remus, let me tell you a secret. I'm about as straight as a circle. I've just never told anyone. I've been working up the courage to tell you how I feel about you for a long time. Much longer than I'd care to admit," he explains.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm gay, Remus. I've been in love with you since third year, but I didn't say anything because I didn't think you'd feel the same way. Then, when you came out to us, I had so much hope. But, I was still worried about you not feeling the same way. I still don't know if you do, but I thought I'd let you know anyway because it was getting harder to hide. I turned down those girls for a couple of reasons. One, because I have no interest in any of them, or any girl for that matter. Two, I didn't want you spending Valentine's Day alone. And three, I wanted to use the sappiest day of the year to come out and tell the one person I love and care about more than anything how I really feel about him," Sirius says quickly. All I can do is stare at him. He starts to stand, looking a bit disappointed. I finally snap out of my trance, but Sirius was gone. I could hear his footsteps at the top of the stairs.

I jump up and leap over the back of the couch, running as fast as I can up the stairs to our dorm. The moment I see him, I grasp his wrist and spin him around to face me. I place my free hand on his cheek, wiping away a fallen tear with my thumb as I stare into his silvery eyes.

"Do you really mean it? This is not a prank? You promise you're not just messing with me?" I ask genuinely, wanting a truthful answer. I refuse to break eye contact with the smaller boy in front of me.

"Why would I lie or joke about something that could potentially destroy my relationship with my best friend?" he earnestly responds, offering me a small crestfallen smile that breaks my heart. I smile back as tears of joy and regret for questioning him fill my eyes.

I slowly take a step closer to Sirius and pull him towards me by his waist, nervously leaning towards him. His hands move up my chest and cup my face gingerly. He leans up and connects our lips. My breath hitches in my throat at the feeling. My stomach feels as if a volcano just released millions of butterflies. My heart is racing, but I'm unable to bring myself to care about anything other than the sensation of his lips against mine. I can't help but smile into the kiss as I feel his lips curl upwards as well.

Sirius' arms wrap around my neck and he tangles his hands in my hair. I slip my arms around his waist and pull him closer. I feel like I'm floating on cloud nine. His lips are soft and gentle as they skillfully move against my own. Much to my displeasure, air is a necessity, so we had to pull away. I rest my forehead against him, unable to remove the smile from my face as our panting breaths mingle between us. His smile was as wide as mine, but I could still see a trace of worry in his breathtaking eyes.

"I love you too, Siri. I have for as long as I can remember. You've been um... kinda, sorta, pretty much, always on my mind. Since the day we met. I just didn't realize why I saw you differently from James and Peter until I came to terms with my sexuality. I'm sorry I didn't believe you right away. After a few years, I had trained my mind to believe that I would never be lucky enough for you to reciprocate my feelings. I stopped believing I would ever have a chance with you. So, I assumed that you were just pranking me. It just seemed too good to be true." His smile grows wider upon hearing my confession. "I wish you had told me sooner," I add.

"Me too."

I kiss his lips again gently, but its short-lasting before he pulls away, earning a quiet whine from me. He chuckles softly, looking into my eyes.

"Remus John Lupin, would you do me the great honour of being my boyfriend?" he asks, hopefully. I freeze again, opening and closing my mouth with no words forming.

"Pinch me," I finally mumble.

"What?" Sirius asks, clearly confused by my response.

"Pinch me. I want to make sure I'm not dreaming right now," I explain. He does as I asked and pinches my shoulder. He releases an amused laugh when I flinch from the pain. "Thanks," I breathe.

"So..." he trails off. "What's your answer, love?"

"Of course, you bloody idiot!"

***

AN - I'm back!

I know it isn't anywhere near Valentine's Day, but I wanted to post something. I wrote this a while ago before my laptop issues started, but I never published it! I just edited it (if you could call it that) today because I felt like I needed to start posting things again!

I hope you all enjoyed it! I gotta say, it's not my best work, but I guess it will do for now! :)

If you have any requests, let me know! 

Next update will be within the next few days!

Thank you so much for reading!

Victoria