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

And a Happy New Year!

The delicacy and elegance of Sirius frame remained, however. He was still much smaller than Remus' towering figure, slim and lean with a fragile-looking posture. Perhaps he was coddling Sirius' form because, compared to people like Lily, he was a brick wall. Then again, Remus supposed he himself was a brick wall compared to Sirius, so it was all in perspective.

They entered Sirius' room wordlessly, the hum of traffic outside in the background of their world. It was cozier than Remus had expected it to be. Given his rather wealthy background, Remus expected Sirius' home to be lavish, at least, and grand in the scheme of things. In his rampant imagination, he could see Sirius splurging on decorum and tasteful accessories that really pulled the entire place together. However, just as he always did, he went and surprised Remus.

It was around the size of a Gryffindor dormitory, which was small compared to his place at the Potter's, with a queen-sized bed pressed against the wall. Remus hid his smile when he found Eupehmia's quilt thrown over the mattress and her little needle-point pillow on top. The only other things in the room were a fireplace, two dressers, a mirror, two chairs, and a guitar Sirius swore he would learn eventually. It smelled like lavender, and Remus fell in love.

"In here," Sirius quipped, entering his closet.

Remus followed obediently, watching as Sirius carded through an assortment of clothes.

"Could I bother you with a question," Remus mused. Sirius merely grunted in response. "How do you have something that'll fit me? You wear a women's petite size 26 sinched waisted pants and I wear circus tents."

If only for a second, Sirius grinned, "That is my secret, Moony. Although, I daresay, kudos to you for knowing my size."

"Thief," Remus snickered.

"And a good one. Here," Sirius thrust something into Remus' hands. "It's an old jumper of yours and some slacks. Might be too small now, though."

Remus pulled off his sweatshirt with a grimace, "Calling me fat now?"

"One more bag of sweets and you'll be assume Peter's former glory as porky from now on," Sirius sneered, clearly averting his eyes from Remus' naked chest.

Not much had passed between them since their kiss on Christmas. Now, that wasn't to say that they hadn't made progress. Just two days ago, Sirius had taken Remus out for a nice cup of coffee just before a book signing. They'd gone back to Remus' quaint little flat and smoked, talking about the good old days of mischief and marauding. Chatted about how happy Lily and James appear to be, planning the wedding between themselves like schoolgirls. It felt like a natural progression had settled over them, pulling them closer at the perfect speed.

In school, there was such an intensity neither had been ready for. Neither Remus nor Sirius knew how to react to the feelings in their hearts and bodies and had no one to turn to for advice. Now that they were older, even if only by a year, it seemed easier to grasp. Their future seemed more tangible now that they were beginning to understand who they were.

Remus pulled the jumper over his head, tossing his tawny hair all over the place like the wind, and beamed at Sirius. The latter gazed at Remus with a vacant look deep in his eyes. The three feet between them felt like lifetimes that could only be filled with cement, trapping each other on opposite ends. If Remus had prayed for anything that holiday, it had been for their relationship to land on its feet.

Remus managed an odd smile, "I haven't seen this in ages." Sirius shrugged. "I wouldn't suppose you have my –"

"Even if I did, my good man," Sirius declared, sauntering out of his room, "you would not be getting them this fair night."