the_debt_of_time

shifted into something feeling a smidge closer to jealousy. "I have this fear, illogical or
whatever, that even after sealing it, she'll want... you."
"She doesn't love me," Remus said. "Not like that. It's always been you."
"Are you mental?" Sirius raised a sceptical brow. "You were her first boyfriend―"
"Because you walked away," Remus argued.
"She lost her virginity to you―"
"Because you were busy sleeping with every Ravenclaw in the castle."
"Anytime she and I... for whatever reasons." Sirius sighed, holding her tighter as
though admitting these fears would let her slip away from him. "She went back to you.
It's always been you, Moony."
"Until it wasn't," Remus said with an understanding smile. "In the end she chose
you. She really chose you, Pads. Not because it was fate or destiny, but because she
loved you more."
"Well, it sure took her long enough." Sirius pouted.
"She was with me because I was safe," Remus said. "She and I both knew that we
weren't mates. I'm the person that she could trust with her life and her heart while she
waited for you to get your shit together. While she waited for you, she wasn't lonely with
me, and we both took advantage. Pads, we've been through this before. Why do I have to
constantly repeat myself?"
"Because I saw her last night, and I can't help but feel a little... inadequate." Sirius
sighed shamefully at the admission. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous. I've never really
been jealous, strangely enough. Not with her. Not with you. I don't know what it is, but I
would have stepped aside, you know, let her be with you forever."
Remus nodded. "I know."
"Moony, she'd do absolutely anything for you. And that's kind of what scares me."
"Yes," Remus agreed. "But she would do everything for you."
Sirius scoffed. "And you know this because you know all her secrets?"
"Don't be bitter. I'm getting up. I'm in desperate need of a bath. I bet my magic's
strong enough again I could wandlessly cast a Warming Charm over the river," he said with
confidence, the colour in his cheeks signifying a level of health that Remus had not
experienced since before he had been attacked by the werewolf packs.