The Second Time Around

Remus rolled over in bed, his amber eyes locking with a pair of peridot green. "G'morning," he mumbled, blinking blearily.

"'Morning," Harry said, grinning and placing a soft kiss on Remus's nose. "Do you know what today is?"

Remus tried to think in his half-asleep state. It wasn't a holiday, Harry's birthday was still weeks away... oh. "One year," Remus said.

Harry smiled broadly. "Yep. Happy anniversary, love."

Remus snuggled in closer to the warm body. "Happy anniversary to you too." Remus could feel his eyes drifting shut, but Harry was trailing small kisses down his neck and chest, and Remus was having a hard time concentrating on sleep. "Mmphf," he mumbled, playfully pushing Harry away. "Have you any idea what time it is, Harry?"

"Mmm. Early." Harry ran a hand along the inside of Remus's thigh, smiling at the older man's sharp intake of breath.

"My God, man. Are you ever not in the mood?" Harry was kissing Remus's navel, and Remus could feel the young man's grin against his rather warm skin.

"I'm 22," said Harry matter-of-factly. "I'm still in my prime."

"But it's so early," Remus whined, trying rather unsuccessfully to ignore the seductive little game Harry's tongue was playing with him.

"Alright then. I'll just stop," Harry said amicably, rolling away and over to his side of the bed, pulling a sheet over top of him. He had only to wait a moment before the older man pounced, his hands yanking away the sheet, mouth devouring Harry's throat.

Harry pushed him back onto the bed, moving on top of him. He grinned triumphantly. "That's what I thought," he said, lowering his head to feather kisses along Remus's pectoral muscles.

"Maybe I'm still in my prime too," Remus said, trying not to gasp at the sensations Harry's mouth was causing.

Harry snorted. "Prime, my arse. You are decades past your prime, old man."

Remus had flipped him over and straddled him in a heartbeat. "You'll pay for that," Remus snarled, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

"Looking forward to it," Harry said, his breath coming faster now. "I only hope you're up to it, wolf."

Remus grinned, and then remembered he was supposed to look angry and sexy. "We'll see who's 'up to it,' pup," he growled, tickling Harry's side in that one certain spot that always made him gasp just... like... that...

"And you'll pay for that, you flea-bitten fur ball."

"Mongrel."

"I love it when you talk dirty, Remus."

"Mutt."

"Mmm... take me, I'm yours."

Remus laughed, looking fondly into Harry's handsome face. He recalled their first full moon together, one year ago. It had been painful for Harry, the first few times, but as he adjusted, it became a ritual the two of them looked forward to, instead of the curse Remus had had to bear on his own all those years. Harry had never once complained, or said anything to make Remus believe he regretted what had happened.

"I love you so much," Remus whispered, rubbing his hand lightly up and down Harry's side.

"I know. Why do you think I hang around?"

"The wolf treats?"

"Ahh... is that what we're calling it, then?" Harry leaned up, pressing his lips against Remus's, eventually pulling him down into the kiss.

Twenty minutes later, both men were sweaty and panting, the covers and sheets in a heap on the floor.

"Harry," Remus gasped, pulling the dark-headed man up and into the circle of his arms. "I think...I think you forget that I am significantly older than you are."

"Are you saying you don't have the stamina to keep up with me?" Harry asked with an evil grin.

"Of course I have the stamina," Remus grumbled. It was a familiar argument. "I'm just saying I don't want to have a heart attack in the middle of it."

"But what a way to go," Harry said, winking. "The-man-who-died-screwing-the-boy-who-lived."

Remus laughed, even as he shivered at Harry's tone, which was a little beyond teasing. "Hmm.. A bit wordy perhaps, but I like it. But do you think they'd print that on the tombstone?"

Harry laughed, but his eyes went serious. "I've got a present for you," he said, jumping up.

"Harry, you didn't need to do that."

"I know, but I wanted to." Harry got up from the bed and walked over to their chest, opening the top drawer. Remus admired his lover, marveling at the sheer beauty of the human form. Harry rummaged through the drawer for a moment, finally pulling out a flat, square package wrapped in a brown bag. He turned and grinned at Remus, waving the parcel in front of him. "It's not much, but I hope it makes you happy." He handed it to Remus, who took it, suddenly a bit nervous.

He ripped the paper off slowly, and gasped. "Harry, how did you..."

"I did it myself," Harry said, toying with a string on his pillow he suddenly found fascinating. "I know I'm not as good as he was, but... it just... needed to be finished."

Remus looked down again, and saw himself, twenty-odd years younger, looking back up. It was the painting - the one Sirius had begun. Harry had finished it, filling in Sirius's side with dark shades of blue and grey, which fit Sirius perfectly.

"I know my style is a bit different than Sirius's, and I'm nowhere near as good..."

"It's perfect," Remus breathed, unable to tear his eyes away. The line between the two halves was obvious, but that somehow made it better, more real. "It couldn't be more perfect, Harry. This means so much to me."

Harry smiled, a pretty pink flush settling over his cheeks. "I found it up in the attic a few months ago. I had to replace the frame, and repair the canvas... it's still a little beat up, but...."

"It's wonderful, Harry." The younger man beamed. "Thank you... for the gift, and for understanding."

"Understanding what?"

"Sirius's memory... that it's... how important it is to me."

Harry smiled, cupping Remus's face in his hand. "I know. It's important to me too. I think he's a part of us both."

"Mmm." Remus gathered Harry into his arms. "You know, they say it's better the second time around," he murmured into Harry's hair.

Harry looked up, smiling. "Who is this 'they' of whom you speak, and what is 'it'?"

"'They' are wise and learned people," Remus said with a grin. "And 'it' is love."

"Ah. And is it? Better the second time around, I mean."

"No," Remus said, and Harry looked up, the vaguest hint of worry reflecting in his eyes. "It's... more," he said, searching for the right word. "Not better, really. But different. And wonderful, and amazing, and.... more," he said again. "I feel so lucky to have experienced such unconditional love twice in my lifetime." He kissed Harry's cheek sweetly. "So thank you."

"Mmm... 'welcome," Harry said, gently pushing Remus back onto the bed. "You know," he said, his voice lowering, "there's something else that's better the second time around..." He arched an eyebrow in an attempt to look sexy and irresistible, and Remus laughed.

"What?" Harry said, sounding hurt. "You don't believe me? Well then, I guess I'll just have to prove it..."

"I suddenly find I've got my stamina back - mmphf..." Remus said, before his words were muffled by Harry's lips.

His only reply was a growl, though he couldn't be sure which one of them it came from.

***THE END***