Do not post unless you are x_CannibalisticCows or SilverSnake

It was laughter now etched on his aged face, replacing the premature wrinkles and scars momentarily with laugh lines. It was almost as if, for that one moment, his lycanthropy was non-existent as his eyes twinkled and the firewhiskey sloshed carelessly in his goblet. The fire crackled along with the pair, laughing and reminiscing together. A sudden pop from the fire pulling the laughing werewolf back out from his fit of laughter – as he half expected someone to have apparated into the room - though still chuckling, he smiled as they continued their conversation.

“Yes! Yes! I remember her, she fallowed you and James around like a puppy for the longest time!” Remus recalled, his eyes, alight from the glowing fire, were resting on his friend as his laughter had come down to a relaxed sigh, as he sat back in his chair nostalgia filling him up quite contently. “You would lead her on, as I recall, until you made a bet with James – that you lost – so you had to take her out during the next trip to the village.” The jokes that Sirius had endured after that were endless – especially since Peter had caught Mathilda writing Mrs. Mathilda Black all over her school books.
“You did always have quite the fallowing Padfoot.” Remus said, taking a drink from his goblet. “I remember back then I was jealous of Mathilda, even if it was only a pity date.”
.....

Remus’s smiled wavered for a moment. Whoops. He hadn’t really intended to say that. Perhaps Sirius wouldn’t look to much into it? Or, perhaps an order member might show up breaking up their laughter and fun times with more news of some dire mission that needed to be completed. “I mean, well... It’s just that she...” Not thinking of any way to recover, the now embarrassed werewolf turned to the fire place and downed the rest of his firewhiskey.

It was one of those very rare times when Sirius actually had somebody to spend time with him in this dull family's house that he hated so much. After months of wandering around in dark halls, dreaming about nothing else but see and feel sun touching his pale skin, this little drinking time with his best friend seemed like the best thing in the world. Sirius laughed loud, though because of a very long time spent in dog's for his laughter still reminded barking - and after all there weren't many chances for him to laugh at all. Calming down a bit and taking a sip of firewhiskey, Sirius decided that he had enough of talking, and now pleasantly decided to let Remus share his memories.

"That Mathilda girl..." He barked again, nodding and taking one more sip of the drink, feeling already slightly dizzy. "I bet she had troll genes. At least she always looked like one, and generally.. The way she's been thinking leads to that perfect idea of mine too!" He carefully pushed his dark curly hair away from his face and then sighed, piercing his eyes into fire dancing. A small smile made it's way across his face as Sirius sighed softy. His look was slowly getting filled by both - sadness and happiness. He shook his head, more for himself, and looked back at the werewolf who's been his best friend through all the years at Hogwarts. A smile became little wider - after thirteen years in Azkaban and all those lonely months of wandering around his mother's house, Sirius understood better than anybody else, what does it mean being lonely. Because of such an experience he was appreciating Remus even more.

Sirius blinked fast as he realized his best friend went silent. Because of being slightly drunk he didn't get his words completely at first, but now he understood what he said. He tilted his head to side in a very dog manner and still blinking confusingly asked. "Hm? What do you mean?" Things were starting to get even more interesting than just lovely talk about their years spent at Hogwarts.

Remus looked sheepish as he turned back to Sirius. To tell or not to tell? Though, what did he really have to hide now-a-days anyway? A boy-hood crush? That wouldn’t change anything. Not the war, not his condition, and defiantly not his friendship with Sirius. Besides, it would give the lonely animagus something to think about while he was stuck alone in this bloody house all day.
“Well, you see my friend.” He began, wishing his goblet wasn’t so empty anymore. “Many people were jealous, of whoever you went out with. You were just that type of person that everybody wanted. Mostly the girls though.” He added the last bit as an afterthought, smirking to himself.

The quizzical puppy dog look on Sirius’ face made Remus feel even more nostalgic. The war couldn’t touch him, either of them right now. No lycanthropy. No dementors. Just memories, the pleasant ones. “I was happy enough being your friend though,” He said smiling. Ah. To be a marauder. The best years of his life, by far. To have found a group that accepted him, even if it meant risking their education, or lives. He was just happy to be accepted. Even now, he felt lucky. He had people who accepted him, and Tonks. Why she liked such an old man like him he would never know. Though, he’d rather not question it – in fear she may realize it and go on to find someone better.

His thoughts had caused him to subconsciously rub one of the newer scars on his arm – from his little ‘missions’ with other werewolves. At least he was being put to some use, right? Though, every time he left he’d rather be in Sirius’ position. Not because he was scared, but because seeing others like him, especially Finir Greyback... it was like a constant reminder of how people saw him. Why it was so hard to find those willing to accept. But, I wouldn’t change anything... Better friends couldn’t have been found. He said smiling to himself. As Kretcher came into the room to fill up the goblets, while muttering about ‘werewolf trash’.

"I see...." Sirius finally muttered after letting comfy, and maybe even soft, silence to fall between them. He didn't seem to be so satisfied by his answer, as the feeling of Remus hiding something after all those years spent together couldn't be wrong. Yet, he decided to keep it for himself - why break such a nice moment? Sharing memories and drinking firewhiskey with his best friend... By every second Sirius was realizing how precious it was for him more and more. Oh, he would give away all gold in this world just to make it never end. Sighing softly he looked away from werewolf and rubbed his forehead, trying to make himself to feel at least a bit more sober.

The only thing Sirius was really lacking at the moment, was presence of James, or Prongs how they were calling him. Just by thinking about him tears started to flow into his eyes, but using all his mastery of hiding feelings, Sirius took one big sip of drink, making it seem like sudden watery eyes are caused by getting his throat practically burned. Sometimes he seriously believed that James is alive. There were many times when he was almost losing his mind by looking at his godson Harry. If not those emerald green eyes, and little scar on his forehead... Sirius could have sworn he's back at 5th course together with James, living life carelessly, breaking school rules and befriending with Pettigrew, not even realizing that few years later he'll cause one's death and other's imprisoning.

Shivering at Kreacher's mumbling Sirius unconsciously smashed his foot into elf's head, making him fall down. Looking down at him, frowning and because of alcohol working even more angry, Sirius yelled. "DON'T YOU DARE INSULTING HIM! GET OUT OF HERE YOU TRASH!" As elf hurried out, still mumbling random threatens under his breathe, Sirius relaxed again, letting out a long sigh. "Damn that elf.. I wish I could strangle him myself. Full of my dear mother's ideas and just mad about it all. Though I believe I'd go insane myself if I'd be talking with my mother's portrait for hours..." He frowned again, taking one more big sip of firewhiskey.