Carve Me Open / r.l. + s.b. /

Up to No Good

Remus grabbed the handle alone, trying to decide if he wanted to know what was behind the door. From the melodic hum of voices, they were two girls, but their urgent murmuring was too faint for him to distinguish. Something in him, fueled by sick fascination and an unfamiliar spark, compelled him to take a look—even if just for an instant. Remus bowed, forcefully swallowing and allowing the door to slide open.

They moaned, blind to the fact that they were being observed with dread from the entrance. Lily Evans sucked at Julienne's earlobe, pullover removed and skirt raised to reveal her thighs, too-hot breath lingering on Julienne and staining the skin a faint red. Then she licked her ear to her neck, raking teeth across tanned, flushed skin. Kisses left a path of strawberry chapstick from Julienne's neck to her collarbone, as well as traces of dusty purples and mauves on her neck.

Julienne snatched Lily's tie and dropped her face to meet her stare, revealing a dip in her clavicles. Julienne continued to shower frenzied kisses from her neckline to Lily's lips now, fingers fisted in an auburn ponytail, after a brief pause to appreciate the warmth.

Remus was captivated and appalled, unable to pull his attention away. Revulsion overtook fascination as he let that inexplicable burning in his stomach to linger and spread throughout him. Shutting the door behind him, the journey to the Prefects carriage was spent in a confusing blur.

A few eyes scrutinized him, causing his cheeks to tingle and his ears to pinken. Remus figured that he wouldn't know many people in the compartment; he didn't hang out with the Ravenclaws, and the Slytherins were terrified by his mere appearance. The Gryffindors embraced Remus with open arms despite his tardiness, clapping him on the back and congratulating him. Naomi actually gave him a satisfied grin before starting. He knew a few Hufflepuff faces, one of them was Marlene McKinnon, and his demeanor softened. He shuffled through the pack, overcome with delight when he noticed the seat beside her was vacant.

"Good morning," she said with a smile.

"Good morning, Marls," he said softly as he looked up at the eight heads of houses. "Have I missed much?"

She kept her eyes locked on the book in front of her, caressing the spine with her long nails. "No, they just finished introducing themselves."

He swallowed, his palms clammy and shaking, and tried not to twitch too much. It was weird to be near another woman after... after seeing what he had. Remus didn't want to paint himself as a victim or a devastated child. He realized that the exchange between Lily and Julienne was intended to be personal and sacred. Perhaps it was just chance that he and Sirius hadn't been caught up in their antics thus far. Remus decided to force the memories to the depths of his mind for their sake, telling himself that the diminishing arousal was a coincidence and that he liked males. He didn't he? The color flooded to Remus' nose and cheeks as he wavered.

Lily Evans had entered unannounced while the Slytherins reviewed their responsibilities. She slid into the seat across from Marlene, a kind smile on her face.

Because of Remus' acute discomfort, their eyes did not connect. She attempted to strike up a quiet conversation, but Remus nearly cried as his stare landed on the inflamed, moist area of her neck, where Julienne's lips had formerly sucked. The sights and noises reappeared, putting his willpower in jeopardy.

Marlene tapped him on his arm.

"Rem," she said. "Are you feeling well? You look pale."

Lily stood there astonished, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear. The debriefing completed, and the fifth-year prefects were allowed to return to their compartments for the rest of the trip on the condition that they accompany the first years to the castle. It didn't seem like such a bad deal at the time. Remus hadn't heard a word they'd spoken. He promised he understood the significance of their positions, and if he ever needed difficulty, he could easily leech off Lily. Could he do it?