Honesty is such a lonely word

[goodwoofjames]

Who: Padfoot and Moony
Where: Moony's sweet new bachelor pad
When: Lateish Wednesday the First
Rating: Probably PG-13 for cursing at most
Summary: Sirius has let Remus settle in, but he can't just NOT tell him what he's in for back home forever, right?
The Story:

Sirius knows James wants to be careful-- knows it the way he knows a lot of things about James. They didn't need to discuss it. He could just tell that that was what was going through James' mind at breakfast the other day. That and a constant litany of don't beat the piss out of Peter just yet or possibly at all, although Sirius much prefers the first option. Not everything gets translated perfectly in their pseudo-telepathic conversations.

The point being that Sirius knows he isn't supposed to launch Remus headfirst into everything he's just learned about their future back home. But there's a full moon coming up fast, and Remus has had time to adjust, and frankly. Frankly he thinks Remus deserves to know. And if James is going to bolt away from all this like a deer frightened by a motorcycle, then he'll take it upon himself to deliver the news.

Only it's much harder now that he's here, standing at Remus' door. Nobody wants this news. But they all need it, or they're never going to change anything. And as much as he's still angry-- enraged --with Peter, there's a chance that they might prevent it all simply by being on the same page about everything. Which means Remus needs to know that he'll otherwise be spending his adult life friendless and alone.

Swallowing back his worry, Sirius knocks on the door.

Comments

[wer]

Remus takes a breath in as Sirius starts explaining and only belatedly remembers to let the breath out. "Without us," he echoes.

He can't imagine Peter betraying James, betraying all of them to the Dark Lord. He bites his lip as he tries to process this new information. Then, shaking his head in disbelief, he looks back up at Sirius.

"Can't we-- I mean, if we're from before this all happens-- can't we make it... not happen?" He's grasping at straws here, and he's not at all sure that's how the rules of Wonderland work, but he doesn't want anything bad to happen to any of his friends. Any of them.

[goodwoofjames]

And it's this that Sirius loves about Remus. He's already trying to figure it out, trying to do the right thing. He can't help but smile a little and nod.

"That's the plan. We don't know how yet-- since nobody seems to remember this place when they go home --but we intend to change that. And by changing that, change everything."

What small excitement and optimism has flashed on his face fades as he continues: "Thing is...we need to know everything that went wrong, right? Or else how're we going to now what it is that needs to be different?"

Not to mention they all deserve to know that Peter is (or at least might be) a lying fucking gnome. But Sirius is trying not to focus on that, for James' sake at least.

"So. Ready for the rest of it, so far as James has told me, or would you rather read it?" He pauses, then adds, "Might be easier to hear what happens to us specifically in a chat over some firewhiskeys, but it's up to you."

[wer]

"I think..." Remus hesitates. He's never minded books before, but never before have books been about anything so important as this. "I think I'd rather get through it on my own. If that's alright." Maybe if he reads about it, it won't all be so sudden and shocking. He did notice that Sirius never mentioned himself or Remus in his description, and he's a bit scared of what might be in store.

"But thanks," he does say, "for the warning, I suppose."

[goodwoofjames]

Sirius nods, jaw tight. "It's...the least I can do. We need to get working on this as soon as we can, and that means understanding what we're up against."

He stands, preparing to go. "You sure that's all you want to hear? I can...I can try to remember everything James has told me."

It's clear from his tone that it might be a bit painful, though. For both of them.

[wer]

Remus shakes his head, quickly. "No. I'd rather... I mean, I think I'd rather read them myself."

He tries a smile for Sirius' sake. "You know me. At the rate I read, I'll be through them in no time."

[goodwoofjames]

"You've gotta wait on me, though. And...and Peter."

He doesn't comment further on that, instead clearing his throat and moving to leave. "I'll try to speed it up for you, mate. And, uh. Sorry. For bearing the bad news and all."

[wer]

He tries for a smile again, but it doesn't exactly come. He waves a dismissive hand. "Somebody had to. I'm glad it was you, for what it's worth."

He grips the thick book tightly in his hands and sort of follows Sirius towards the door. "Thanks, I guess."