+004+

[maraudingmutt]

[To say that Sirius Black was confused was more than just a bit of an understatement. To begin with, he'd been pretty sure he was dead. . . Then there was that little matter of . . .Well. . . The last he remember was being in the Department of Mysteries fighting Bellatrix Lestrange. Certainly not on a beach or anywhere near a beach. The man in his ragged robes tightened his grip on his wand, clearly more than a little on edge.

If you knew Sirius - or even if you'd only seen his younger self on the island at some point - you might not recognize this man as the same cheerful youth. His hair was untamed, down to his elbows and his face gaunt. The cheerful spark you might have noticed on his younger self was diminished replaced instead with a haunted look - the look of a man who had more than his fair share of troubles in his lifetime.

You might possibly be able to tell if you looked close enough. . . Or perhaps if you knew him well enough. . .But for the most part he was completely unrecognizable as the young man that ran the pet shop here on the island. He was also quite on edge - as if he expected someone to come out with their wands drawn at him any moment now.]

Comments

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

". . . I take it they're what brought us here?"

[He blinked at that, not even sure why he's believing all of this so easily. . . But it's probably because it's you. Oh. And it means he doesn't have to see Grimauld Place for a while. Which brought him to another question. . . and he's actually looking concerned now.]

" . . . What about back home? What's happening there?"

[That concern was definitely showing through his tone - he was quite concerned about the well being of his godson.]

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

When we do go back we'll apparently have no memory of this place and be exactly where we were when we left....we're pulled out of time and inserted directly back in.

{He bites his lips and one hand reflexively grasps at your bicep.}

You'll be alright won't you?

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

[An odd expression crosses his face at this news and some part of him knew right then and there that he. . . probably would be dead when he returned home. He had no doubt that Bellatrix's last curse had hit him spot on. Regardless, he'll offer you a slight grin.]

". . .I'll be fine."

[. . . There was that chance though . . .If. . .he did die. . . He'd be back with James. . . and he'd never have to step foot into Grimauld Place again. His only concern was for Remus and Harry. . Though it wasn't like he was able to do much protecting cooped up as he had been and in hiding. Maybe this was a selfish thought but. . .He really couldn't stand being caged up like that any longer. He hadn't even felt as if he were truly living like that anyways.]

[So. . . He would be fine. From a certain point of view.]

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{He stares intently at your face. Examining the deep lines that had once not been there at all. He wants to know all that he can. He wants to do something, anything for you that might strengthen that ghostly, flickering smirk or smile.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

[He notices you staring and shifts slightly.]

" . . . Where have you been staying?"

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

We have an apartment.

{He doesn't break his scrutiny, but he does back off a little deciding to be patient, rather than expecting all the answers now.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

" . . .'we'?"

[He wasn't sure what you meant by that. . . Was there someone else here with him? He almost felt a tinge of jealousy. . .Not that he was going to say anything on that.]

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{He thought it was probably unfair of him to do so....but you were walking right into it.}

My friend and I, you can stay with us.

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

" . . Who's your friend?"

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

First person I ran into when I showed up, rather interesting fellow, if a bit dense at times. You'll like him I think.

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

[. . That's not entirely the part he was interested in.]

". . .So he's just a friend?"

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{Remus raised an eyebrow.}

Why do you ask that? Unless you finally figured...?

{That he was as bent as a u-turn.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

" . . When you know someone for as long as we have known each other, you kind of figure out these things."

[After a moment.]

". . .So are you dating that friend or not?"

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{Ignoring your question in favor of his own.}

We're still friends then?

{There's a small pleased smile playing on his lips.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

" . . . Of course we are. And stop avoiding my question, Moony."

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{He can't keep it up anymore, too happy to know that he still his you by his side in the future.

He grins.}

Oh I don't know, Pads, was I dating you when you were sixteen?

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

[He was surprised by this response - he hadn't thought about it being him. Seeing as. . He had just arrived here. But regardless, he stops to think over your question.]

". . It was either sixth or seventh year. It's been a while for me. I know I liked you like that . . . possibly before sixth year but. . . "

[He tried to think of how to say it.]

". . .I was kind of weird about admitting I liked a bloke."

[He'll give a slight sheepish grin at that.]

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{Wait, what?}

H-hold on a minute....I was...I was joking...we aren't-- You mean we do?

{He's blushing and look at that young spark of hope in his eyes.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

[He's going to give one of his bark-like laughs at your reaction.]

". . We do. There's a . . . slight . . .gap in the relationship but we eventually got things worked back out."

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

I never thought you'd.....

{He laughs and can't stop grinning like an idiot or blushing for once.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

"I'd what? . . Like a bloke? Neither did I until you finally confessed to me. Dear old Prongs never quite let me live it down that you had to say something first."

[He seems to be a little more cheerful talking about this, seeming almost. . younger as he spoke about it. His eyes, at least, seemed a bit brighter.]

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

{He chuckles.}

I guess I managed to work up some Gryffindor in me after all if I confessed.

{After all if he did it once and it worked surely he can do it again when he sees the younger you.}

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

[He was grinning now.]

". . . Well, there wasn't much chance of me admitting it. I hadn't even quite come to terms with it when you said something. I'm glad you did though."

[marauding-wolf.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I'll be glad when I do, as well, but for now...I don't see a problem with you staying in your own room.

{He smirks.}

You'll have to run your pet shop too. Merlin knows I can't go near the animals.

[marauding-mutt.livejournal.com]

" . . . 'pet shop'. . .? . . . I have a pet shop?"

[. . . This almost worried him, actually.]