{Happy New Year. May 2025 be kinder to us all}

Sirius and Remus had been dancing around each other for years. If you looked up codependency in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of them, limbs intertwined on the couch. Sirius would have his head in Remus's lap, and Remus would be carding his fingers through Sirius's hair.

It was New Year's Eve, and Remus had escaped the party twenty minutes ago. He needed some quiet, and the cool air filling up his lungs replaced the sting of cigarette smoke that he's been missing since he quit. That was last year's resolution.

"There you are Moons!"

"Hi Padfoot. Where's your jacket? You'll freeze out here," Remus chided, already taking his off to put on Sirius's bare shoulders.

"Why would I grab one when I can wear yours?"

"So you want me to be cold, that's what it is."

With a dramatic eye roll, Sirius draped the jacket back over Remus's shoulders.

"What?"

"Put it on."

"But-"

"Shh. Do as you're told."

Remus followed instructions, an eyebrow raised in amusement the whole time.

"Perfect. I'll just- There we go. Nice and cozy!"

Sirius had curled himself up in Remus's lap and pulled his jacket over the both of them.

"Comfy?"

"Always when I'm with my lovely Moony."

"Just how much have you had to drink Sirius?"

"I'm pleasantly tipsy, no more than that. We have to share our resolutions! It's almost midnight so I escaped to find you."

"Oh, I'm not done yet. I'm finishing up now- Sirius!"

"Why are you upset I took it from your hand? We share these anyway."

"It's not done and-"

"Number 1, read 100 books this year. Number 2, go for a walk once a week. Number 3, learn 10 new recipes. Number 4, use my sick days when I need them. That's a great one Moons I'm proud of you. Number 5, travel somewhere. I'll plan somewhere for us to go, it'll be so much fun!"

"See, just a normal list! Can I have it back to finish please?"

"I didn't finish reading it yet! Number 6, keep the garden alive. Oh that's a really good one. Number 7, learn to bake the chocolate cake recipe to save money. Number 8-," Sirius was cut off by Remus snatching the list from Sirius's hand.

"Remus!"

"Thank you. It's almost midnight, I need to finish."

"What exactly are you hiding from me?," Sirius asked with a frown.

"Nothing," Remus answered quickly, trying to turn away, forgetting Sirius was in his jacket.

"Number 8, ask him to be my boyfriend...," Sirius trailed off. "Oh. That's why you didn't want to share."

Remus felt Sirius stiffen up, and an involuntary frown took over his face.

"Do I know him?," Sirius asked quietly, pulling his arms out of Remus's coat.

"Obviously. Put your arms back in, you're going to freeze."

"I should go inside."

"You can't, it's our tradition. We didn't even get to your resolutions."

"You can make a new tradition! Go find your man and kiss him at midnight."

"I don't need to find him," Remus huffed, rolling his eyes.

"What I don't understand is when you've had time to get close to someone else. I'm happy for you Remus, but you spend practically all of your time with me. Where did this guy come from? You said I know him, but we really only spend time with James who has Lily, and then Peter. Is it one of the twins? Or is it-"

"Sirius, it's a good thing you're so beautiful," Remus interrupted with a laugh.

"What does that have to do with anything? What if they hate me? Is that why I've never seen them? Oh God, they're probably threatened by me. I can talk to them! I can leave the house if you want to have them over so I'm not in the way. I don't want to-"

"Sirius! What has gotten you in such a strop?"

"I just want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy most of all Remus, and I don't want to come between that."

"Sirius, you make me happy. Let me see your list, it's almost time."

"My list is silly," Sirius replied with a frown, knowing what he didn't want Remus to read.

"Hand it over. I'll go digging in your pockets if I must."

"Back pocket."

If Remus was going to go and get himself a boyfriend in the new year, Sirius would enjoy one fleeting touch of Remus's hands in his back pockets.

"You want me to get it?"

"My hands are otherwise occupied in your jacket."

"You're something else Sirius Black," Remus retorted with a laugh, sliding both of his hands into Sirius's back pockets to pull out the list.

"There we are. Number 1, be more courageous. Sirius, you are one of the bravest people that I know. I don't know how you could possibly be more than what you already are. Number 2, learn to bake fresh bread. Maybe I'll add learning to make my own jams on the list. I know you love fresh strawberry jam."

"And you love freshly baked bread."

"I do," Remus agreed. "Number 3, finally take that trip to Wales. Really? You want to go?"

"We only went that one time. I'd love to see where you grew up. I miss your mum."

"She asks about you all the time. I think she likes you more than me. Number 4, read one book a month. That's a good start Sirius, I have a whole shelf I think you'll like."

"Is that the countdown?," Sirius interrupted, head tilted to the side to listen to the increased noise volume better.

"That it is."

"We should head in then?"

"I'd rather stay out here with you, if you don't mind."

"But I thought you were looking for someone?"

"I have everything that I need out here. Number 5, tell Moony that I- Sirius, give it back!"

"That one is private," he panicked.

"You didn't care when mine was private!"

"I'm getting rid of number 5, it doesn't matter."

"Are you getting rid of it because of my number 8?"

"20, 19, 18...!"

"Maybe..."

"Sirius, I love you."

"I love you too Remus," he replied quietly, looking up at the stars.

"11, 10, 9..."

"I love you, in a non-platonic way," Remus tried again.

"I- you do?!"

"5, 4..."

"I'm stealing your resolution idea," Remus replied quickly, kissing Sirius as screams and shouts emerged from inside of the house.

"Number 5, tell Moony that I'm in love with him and that I never want to spend another day without him."

"Number 8, Sirius Black, will you be my boyfriend?"

"Yes. I'll be your boyfriend Remus."

Remus kissed Sirius again, just because he could.

"I can't believe you would ever think that there's someone else who could come close to you. Why bother looking at the sky when I know I have the brightest star?"

"And I have the whole moon. Happy New Year Remus."

"Happy New Year Sirius."