Without a Single Word
a Harry Potter story
by Tina
He'd never had to sneeze so badly in his life. And he had never wanted so badly not to sneeze. Sirius was staring into his eyes, they were having...... a moment. This was something he had only dreamed about, and he didn't want to do anything to ruin it.
It was the afternoon following the full moon. The first moon he had had to endure alone during the school year since his friends had completed the animagus transformation. Sirius, James and Peter had somehow landed themselves a late night detention and had been unable to join him. The night had been a difficult one for Remus, he was definitely feeling unwell, he wasn't sure if that had been the problem, or more likely he thought, it was the absence of his fellow marauders. He didn't remember the night, be he awoke feeling cold, stiff, achy and definitely ill.
He had spent the morning in the infirmary with Madame Pomfrey sleeping, but had left at lunch time with the intention of meeting his friends in the Great Hall to eat. He was halfway there when he started feeling decidedly worse and not very hungry at all, so he had made his way back to Gryffindor Tower.
He had just taken a long hot shower, hoping to ease his aches and pains and clear his congestion and was making his way back to the dorm when he nearly collided with a frantic Sirius. "Bloody hell Moony, where have you been?" Sirius had shouted at him.
"I was taking a shower," Remus answered somewhat shocked by Sirius' intensity. "Why, what's wrong?"
Sirius made a conscious attempt to calm himself before continuing. "Well, nothing's wrong.... I was just looking all over for you, and I.... uh couldn't find you. I thought something might be wrong."
Remus smiled at his friend's concern as Sirius continued. "I ran down to the infirmary at lunchtime and Pomfrey said you'd left to go to lunch. When I couldn't find you in the Great Hall, I came hear and then you weren't here either and ...."
"I'm fine Padfoot," Remus smiled at his friend. "I just wasn't feeling particularly hungry so I decided to have a shower and go back to sleep for a bit."
Sirius smiled slightly in relief and looked at his friend appraisingly. He could see a large bandage on his left side visible underneath his pajamas and the remnants of scratches and bruises on his neck and upper chest just above the neck of his pajama top. "How was your night?" He asked softly.
"It was alright..." He stopped when Sirius gave him a look assuring him he wouldn't be able to lie to his friend. Remus avoided his eyes, "It was a rough night...."
"I'm so sorry that I wasn't there Remus...." Sirius began but Remus interrupted.
"It's fine Sirius, I know you couldn't help it..."
"No Remus," He almost lost his breath as Sirius took his face in his hands gently and looked into his eyes. "I should've been there for you. And I promise, that from now on I will be there for you, always."
"Sirius...." he breathed.
Sirius leaned closer to Remus, pushing the hair back from his forehead. Remus started to lean into his touch, closing his eyes, desperately trying not to sneeze, but as their lips met he suddenly pulled back. Sirius was shocked and hurt until he opened his eyes and saw Remus.
Remus had abruptly turned his head away from Sirius, his breath hitching. Suddenly he exploded into several wet, forceful sneezes, "HURCHOOOOOO!!!! Heh CHOOOO!!!! CHOOOOO!!!"
Sirius broke into an easy smile, "Way to ruin the moment Moony!" The expression on his face quickly turned to concern as he witnessed the long wet gurgling blow Remus gave after retrieving his handkerchief from his pocket. "Remus, you're sick!"
Remus shook his head, looking sheepish at his outburst. " Sorry Padfoot. I think I'm just coming down with a cold."
Sirius placed his hand to Remus' forehead which he was pleased to find wasn't warm at all. "Leave it to you Moony, to come down with a cold with summer just around the corner! Now to bed with you." He pulled Remus by the hand over to his bed and pulled back the blankets for him, ushering him into bed.
Remus just smiled and allowed himself to be led by Sirius, hoping the moment could be recaptured. He was having a hard time believing what had just happened . Sirius had almost kissed him.... if only he hadn't sneezed....did he ruin his only chance...... so much to consider.
Sirius tucked him into bed snugly, and brought him a box of tissues and a glass of water to his bedside. "Do you need anything else Moony?" Remus just shook his head, afraid to trust his voice. "Good then, move over!"
Remus looked up questioningly. "Well you don't think I'm leaving you now do you Moony?" Sirius grinned at him and climbed into bed next to Remus. "And if it's alright with you I'm going to stay right here and take care of you until you're feeling better."
Remus was about to answer when he was again overcome with the need to sneeze. "Heshhhhhhhh!"
"I'll take that as a yes. Bless you Moony." And with that Sirius leaned in to finish the kiss he had tried to bestow on Remus earlier. Remus still speechless, managed to convey his acceptance and agreement without a single word.
The pups belong to JKR not me. In response to Weekly Hatching 72 (general) - Plot Bunny Idea: Start the story off with the line, "He'd never had to sneeze so badly in his life."Just a short fluffy piece - my first almost sorta kind a slash. I don't know how that happened! Must be tarotgal's fault :) Sirius just wants to take care of Remus.