Chapter Text
“We’d better hurry up, mum’s going to want us back soon.”
Sirius waved a dismissive hand as lead James towards the front desk, which now had a large box lying on it.
“We won’t be long,” he promised. “And I’m not going anywhere til I’ve seen this thing.”
The two boys stood eagerly by the box, managing only just to resist the temptation of opening it. With a brief wave over his shoulder, James beckoned Remus and Regulus over.
“Guys, get over here. We have to be the first ones to see this.”
Remus was busy showing Regulus a Deep Purple vinyl, explaining how it worked as the younger boy watched with wide-eyes and asked all sorts of questions. At James’ request, Regulus grabbed Remus by the wrist and dragged him over to the front desk. Once the four of them were huddled round the cardboard box, Lyall emerged from the stock room and clapped his hands briskly.
“Right. Who wants to see this beauty?”
“Me!” Sirius squeaked, flashing Remus a grin when he subtly went to rest his hand on top of his . When Lyall opened the lid of the box and set it aside, there was a gasp from his audience.
“That,” breathed James, “is beautiful.”
It was a Gibson Les Paul Custom, one of the 20th anniversary models that had just been released. The body shone a dazzling purple, with black streaks like tiger stripes.
“Can I touch it?” Regulus asked softly, standing on tiptoe to see over the rim of the box. Lyall just laughed.
“Sure.”
Regulus carefully reached an arm into the box and poked the head of the guitar with one finger. Next to him, Remus smiled fondly.
“You can touch it properly, you know.”
This elicited a small squeal of excitement from Regulus, who ran his hand lightly over the strings. The other boys marvelled at the sound.
When Lyall left again for the stockroom, James launched into an animated story about how he wanted to be a world-famous drummer; Regulus listened eagerly, though his eyes were still fixed on the guitar. Remus got onto his knees and began rummaging around under the till for something. Seeing his chance, Sirius bent down too and kissed him, out of others’ sight.
“We probably have to get home soon,” he told Remus. “James’ mum went nuts last time Reg didn’t have dinner.”
“Okay,” Remus said softly, eyes wandering slowly across Sirius’ features; Sirius looked different now that his hair had been allowed to grow out in dark, loose curls around his face. Even more beautiful, according to Remus.
Sirius knew he should probably get up again, otherwise James and Regulus might wonder what was so fascinating about the floor under the counter. But something in Remus’ gaze made it hard to look away. He was dimly aware of the song playing from the turntable Lyall had put on earlier, but for once, Sirius didn’t feel like singing along.
“Thanks, Moony,” he said suddenly. Remus blinked.
“For what?”
Sirius shrugged.
“Everything. Thanks for existing.”
“You should really thank my parents for that and not me. But you’re welcome.”
Sirius slapped him playfully as he began to blush.
“Come home with us for dinner,” he offered.
Remus looked nervous.
“Oh. Uh, I probably shouldn’t-”
“Bollocks. James’ mum loves you.”
“She’s only met me once.”
“I’d only met you once when I fell madly in love with you.”
Remus shook his head, but he was smiling. Above them, James was still ranting relentlessly, but his words had lost meaning. Instead, Sirius let Bowie’s voice from the record was over him, encasing he and Remus in their own private bubble.
Keep your ‘lectric eye on me, babe,
Put your ray gun to my head,
Press your space face close to mine, love,
Freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah -
Sirius didn’t worry about if he was going to get a meal that evening, or how he was going to hide the new record James had given him. He didn’t think about the people he had once called parents, or the house he had once called home.
Sirius’ universe consisted only of Remus, and that was a wonderful way to exist.