Halrloprillalar   prillalar@gmail.com   http://prillalar.com/

October 9, 2003

RATING: PG13.

FANDOM/SPOILERS: Harry Potter. Books and movies.

SUMMARY: Remus/Sirius. Conversation.

DISTRIBUTION: Archive anywhere. Email forwarding allowed.

DISCLAIMER: Rowling, not me.

NOTES: Dialogue by victoria p, the rest by me. For the
contrelamontre dialogue challenge.


A GAME OF PATIENCE 2
by Halrloprillalar - prillalar@gmail.com

+++ takes place during the first war +++

"Are you coming?" Sirius asked.

Remus sighed and looked at the stacks of books around him, the
rolls of parchment he'd yet to go through. "Go ahead without me."

"Are you sure?" Sirius put his hands on Remus's shoulders and
leaned in to brush his cheek against Remus's. Sirius was wearing
that terrible cologne again. Remus didn't know how to tell Sirius
that he hated it.

"I just want to finish this up," Remus said. "I'll be along in a
few minutes."

"Are you sure?" Sirius kissed Remus's neck, sliding his hands down
over Remus's chest.

Remus was annoyed. He had a lot to get done, research and study and
it was *important*, necessary for the Order. He leaned away from
Sirius and went rigid. "Did I not just say I was sure?"

"Well, yes, but-- Okay." Sirius pulled back abruptly, his voice
sullen.

Remus closed his eyes. Not this again. "But what?"

"Nothing."

He'd known this was a bad idea from the start. They couldn't be
together now, shouldn't. Too much stress and too little time to
work it out. "I said I'd be there. Just go without me."

"You have a nasty habit of getting involved in a project and
forgetting to show up when you don't want to be someplace." Sirius
sounded harsh, accusing.

Remus pushed his chair away from the desk and turned to Sirius. "I
lose track of time." He tried to make his voice conciliatory. But
he thought he just sounded miffed.

"You never lose track of time," Sirius said. "You're just sneaky."

"I am not." Remus didn't feel sneaky; he just felt tired. He rubbed
his eyes.

"Yeah, you are." Two long steps and Sirius was back with Remus,
kneeling down and reaching a hand up to Remus's face. "But it's
okay. I'll wait for you." He smiled, quick as lightning.

Remus found these mood swings exhausting. He could never predict
how Sirius would react. "How long?"

"What?" Sirius stroked Remus's cheek.

"How long will you wait?" Remus looked at Sirius and tried to
fathom him, then wondered why he wasn't trying to fathom himself
instead.

Sirius rocked back onto his heels. "As long as I need to."

Remus gestured at the books. "It may be a while."

"Yeah, but it'll be worth it." Sirius made a dismissive gesture.
Remus knew Sirius thought the research was a waste of time, that
they should be out fighting, not inside reading.

And what did that make Remus? Useless, except for, apparently,
shagging? "Sarcasm doesn't become you," he said and didn't bother
to hide the anger this time.

Sirius seemed surprised. "Hey! I was being sincere. Couldn't you
tell I was being sincere? That was my sincere voice." He touched
Remus on the arm.

"I see." Remus wanted to have this out, to tell Sirius what was
wrong with this, with them. To yell and fight and maybe end things
now. But he was too tired and the work was too important. So he
swallowed it all and smiled at Sirius. "It sounds a lot like your
'sarcastic voice'. I apologize."

"Hmph. I'm not sure I accept." Sirius made an exaggerated frown.
"Are you done yet?"

"I thought you said you'd wait for me."

"And I will." Sirius stood and bent over Remus, kissing him on the
cheek, then on the mouth. "I said nothing about waiting patiently."

"I see." There would be no stopping Sirius now. Remus stood,
thinking of how late he'd have to work to get everything done.
"Let's go, then."

Sirius kissed Remus one more time. "Okay," he said and led Remus
off to their room and laid him down on the bed.

The next day, Remus broke it off.

F I N I S

Halrloprillalar   prillalar@gmail.com   http://prillalar.com/