Outtake of These Four Kings Year Six 3/9

[fox_confessor]

Remus slammed his hand down onto his alarm clock before Sirius or James could find their wands, wishing he'd turned it off altogether when it had become obvious that he wouldn't have any sleep that night. Charming it to run without batteries had seemed like a good idea over the summer when he'd desperately needed distraction, and indeed he had many magically enhanced Muggle gadgets now, each one endlessly fascinating to Sirius. It seemed less brilliant when his head ached as if a Salvation Army band was marching through the High Street of his brain, cymbals clashing and the om-pa of the bass drum finding a rhythm he'd be more than happy to lose, and could only grow worse once the other boys woke. He could already hear James grumbling from beneath his pillow and Sirius rattling back his curtains, and shoved his own head beneath his blankets.

It was the morning of the night of the full moon and only just the day to be got through before he could start the cycle over again. Tomorrow he would be sore but the pain would be manageable and his thoughts would once again be filled with more pleasurable things, like the prank he'd conned James into running next week--not that James ever needed more than the slightest encouragement. It would be brilliant, not least because he knew it would ensure him a run of owls from Sirius during the holidays demanding to know how he'd planned it and the spells he'd used. Remus curled himself tighter around his pillow while he tried to think of that rather than the persistent pain at the base of his spine that radiated out and made his hips and back ache. The problem was that right now even his thoughts hurt, even the happy ones.

His bed dipped under Sirius' weight and Remus curled his fingers into his blankets to keep Sirius from pulling them down though Sirius still found gaps enough to slide his hands beneath, prodding at sore muscles and aching joints. Remus meant to roll away, to get up and get dressed, but couldn't bring himself to move, not when Sirius was such a solid and comforting presence behind him.

"You look awful."

"Thanks Sirius. Some of us weren't blessed with--"

"Shut it." Sirius leaned further over Remus, kneading Remus' neck and shoulders, his voice still sleep roughened. "You didn't sleep."

"No."

"And James said you went to the library last night when I told you to stay in."

"We have that essay due for McGonagall this morning and I had to finish. Plus, I promised to help Peter with his."

"If you hadn't spent all afternoon tutoring first years, which I also told you--"

"You know I have to."

"What's with him?" Peter asked Sirius, and Remus opened one eye to look at him. He stood with one blue sock and one brown in his hands, gaping at them both.

"He's being a prat," Sirius said, gesturing with his chin toward Remus though he did not still his hands, and Remus was grateful for that.

"Am not."

"You wouldn't be like this had you just woke me last night."

"That would be brilliant. Then we could both be miserable, and you're so much better at it than I am." Remus sat up and cradled his head between his hands, acquiescing when Sirius reached for him, his long fingers massaging his scalp.

"I could have gone to Madame Pomfrey for a sleeping draught."

"I wouldn't have stopped you. She's always up for an opportunity to knock you or James under, and I can't say that I blame her."

"You are being a idiot. I'd have gone for you."

"Didn't want one."

"Stubborn."

"Arse."

"Well, you can just stay in bed now."

"I can't. Besides, it's just Transfiguration and Arithmancy. I'll be fine."

"I wish you’d quit saying that, especially when you're anything but," Sirius said.



"What are we doing today, lads?" James asked around his toothbrush.

"Breakfast," Peter said.

"Wait for me, Pete." Remus grabbed Sirius' wrists to push him away and swung his legs over the side of the bed but he didn't get any further before Sirius began wrestling him to lie back against his pillows. "Leave me alone, Black. I don't want to miss classes."

"And Pete doesn't want to miss Christine," James said, winking at Peter and Peter grinned back. "Let him up, Sirius."

"I won't," Sirius said, sounding petulant. "He didn't sleep last night or the night before and--"

"You're not my mother, Black," Remus said though the skin along his spine prickled as he remembered they'd spoke similar words during the summer. He pushed hard at Sirius, not looking to see if Sirius remembered--or worse, that he didn't--and quickly stood out of Sirius' reach. "And I certainly don't need a nursemaid."

"C'mon," Sirius whispered, wheedling as he stepped closer. Remus did not move but leaned closer when Sirius renewed his gentle massage the moment James had turned his back. "I'll stay with you, if you want. Prongs'll take good notes."

"We're going to be late," Peter said under his breath but Remus heard, knew he was meant to hear, and straightened up. They were the same words Peter had spoke not even a week ago when he'd caught Remus in the stacks with Colin Edwards, a fifth year Hufflepuff. It'd been nothing, just the briefest of kisses, Colin having caught him off guard. It'd been nothing at all like when Sirius had kissed him and Remus felt himself go hot all over as he remembered that, not that it mattered because Sirius had a girlfriend, which made it clear that it'd been a mistake.

Remus swatted again at Sirius' hands before he pushed past Peter to go into the bathroom before Sirius could find another way to make him stay. His only problem now was that the standing and walking made him dizzy, and the memory of what had happened between him and Sirius clung persistently, not helping the matter at all. James stood in front of the mirror, his comb in one hand and his wand in the other as he attempted to tame his mop of hair, but stopped when he saw Remus. Remus stooped and emptied his stomach neatly, years of practice leaving him with at least one talent though when he stood back up, he found that James was watching him still as Remus swiped his hand over his lips. Remus joined him at the sinks, not meeting his eyes as the mirror tutted and hmmed at them both though not outright scolding them yet.

"Don't tell Sirius," Remus said when he'd finally put his toothbrush down and began slicking his hair down with water so that it wouldn't stick up so much.

"I won't."

"And don't tell me that I should stay back."

"I wasn't."

"It's just two classes and then I'll let him talk me into coming back up here.

"It's fine, Moony. Whatever. He's just worried is all."

"I know," Remus snapped though his lips twisted guiltily almost immediately. "It's just-- I don't get him, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's just the stuff that happened between us this summer and his girlfriend and I don't know."

"What happened this summer?"

Comments

[eprime.livejournal.com]

Ooh, it's so interesting to see the same scene from another character's perspective. I'm glad to know the details of what happened with Colin, and that it happened like that. Also, Remus bringing up what happened over the summer with James!! On pins and needles for the next chapter!

[escribo.livejournal.com]

It's like remixing my own work, which was kind of fun :D I'm glad you liked it.

[amuly.livejournal.com]

GAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

*CLUTCHES COMPUTER*

Moore!!! I want more now!!!!

This outtake is canon, right? I mean, canon for your story? WILL JAMES FIND OUT NOW? WILL HE?!?! *shakes escribo*

So good so good so good!!

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Canon (except for the bits I messed up, like Colin switches from Hufflepuff to Ravenclaw and ...something else that I don't remember now, but is small). Thanks for reading :D

[liebedance.livejournal.com]

Brilliant! Oh, I loved this. I just really love Remus (and the way you write him) and seeing this chapter from his POV just made it A MILLION times better. :D

[liebedance.livejournal.com]

Also, I love how that Remus is also protective of Sirius in his own way. And, OMG I need to know if James finds out.

[escribo.livejournal.com]

I like to think that Remus would try to give back to Sirius in whatever way he could. I also like to think that just by allowing Sirius to take care of him, he's giving something invaluable to a boy who was never given reason to look beyond himself whilst growing up. I also just like to think about them full stop :D ahaha

[charcharberry.livejournal.com]

WHAT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER? now i'm on the edge of my seat, i really need to reread this series. update soon!

[escribo.livejournal.com]

:D ahaha This will catch you up as to what happened over the summer. (http://escribo.livejournal.com/38165.html)

[kiki-delmaestro.livejournal.com]

Loved both the chapter and the outtake. Fascinating how much you 'miss' by only seeing things from one character's perspective.

Also yay for Remus bringing up Summer with James. Literally cannot wait for the next chapter!

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyed both. In the end it was kind of like remixing my own work :D

[enjayas.livejournal.com]

AAAAAAH. I LOVE THIS. AND PETER'S AS WELL.
It's really interesting to read two different perspectives and I'm lazy and tired, so I'm gonna comment on both here:
I love how you write Peter. I love how he feels like people don't like him, and think he's stupid, while he's actually almost trying to come across as unintelligent.

And I absolutely love the interactions between Sirius and Remus. They better come to their senses soon. I can't wait to see James' reaction either...

*shakes laptop, to see if update will appear*
Meh. Well, it was a nice try, I guess...

[escribo.livejournal.com]

I wish updates would work like that, too :D It would make it a lot easier. I'm glad you're reading and happier that you're enjoying it! Thanks for commenting.

[kiltsandlollies.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, I could have used another frillion words between James and Remus there. :D But this is very nice on its own, and I do love getting to read from Remus' POV. This universe is something very special you've created. :)

[escribo.livejournal.com]

I know, right? I do really like when James and Remus talk and interact. Thank you. I love and appreciate that you read this.

[phiso-kun.livejournal.com]

Ooooh I want more outtakes! This was brill. Eprime's right, it's fascinating to see everything from another point of view - we so rarely get this chance - and I love seeing all these things Peter missed.

Though I think your choice to keep the official chapter Peter-centric was a good idea. :)

But yeah! Great stuff. :D

[escribo.livejournal.com]

It's kind of like remixing my own story, which was fun. Peter, I think, misses a lot. They probably all do, being teenage boys :D

So I am belated again, but thank you for reading! I don't have much more up my sleeves, I don't think (not quite true, plenty more up my sleeve with this story ahaha), and I hope I don't write another chapter twice, at least not on purpose.

[wilwa.livejournal.com]

Interesting to see the scene from another point of view. Gonna be interesting to see what Remus does tell James and how he will react.

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

[thelovewitch.livejournal.com]

AHHH I LOVE IT! :D