"This is exhausting," Sirius whines, dropping down right on the grass. "My poor nerves... they can't bear it."

Remus laughs at him, walking over to sit down next to him. "Let's have a small break, you two," he calls out to James and Regulus, who are trying to find the top and bottom of a window frame. It's a little funny to watch, because James is dressed like he's going to summer camp and Regulus is dressed all black from head to toe. It's like he's one of those kids who want to dress emo, but can only wear dark clothes because silver skulls aren't parent approved.

James opens his mouth to protest, but Regulus all but runs over to Sirius and lies down on the ground, head on his brother's lap. Sirius flicks his nose, earning a smack from him.

Remus finds the scene touching.

The afternoon sun bears down on them, showing no sign of hiding behind a cloud. It falls from the sky to stroke the five feet tall fraction of a wall the boys have managed to build.

"Come on, you guys," James sighs, leaning against their proud creation. "Let's at least-" he never gets to finish his sentence. Remus gasps as James suddenly turns horizontal, crashing to the ground. Regulus wouldn't have blinked an eye under normal circumstances, but almost cries out when he turns, just in time to see that James didn't go down alone.

He's gone with the wall.

"Marvellous," Sirius covers his face with his hands.

Remus rushes to help James up. "You alright? Oh, James..." he helps him stand. "Sorry about that..." James says sheepishly.

"You absolute truck!" Regulus stares at the ruins of their architectural masterpiece, mouth wide open.

"Better help him get all that sawdust off of his shirt," Sirius says, looking at Remus. His calmness only makes Remus suspect that this is exactly what should be expected from James. "Come on then, Potter," he laughs, picking a blade of grass from James' hair. "Let's go inside."

"Oh, and... Remus," Sirius calls. Two feet away from his front door, Remus turns, a hand still on James' back. "Yeah?"

"You might also wanna help him check for any splinters gone up his ass."

***

"What exactly are you studying for?" Sirius asks, sitting down on the floor next to Remus' feet. For a boy who grew up in one of the most prestigious households of the Wizarding community, he sure does love sitting on the floor.

"I'm... going to apply for a Professorship. At Hogwarts... for D.A.D.A." Remus says shyly, putting his book aside to look at Sirius properly.

"Wow," Sirius looks up at him. "That's amazing."

"You think so?"

"Of course. Being a Professor... that calls for some serious dedication. I myself could never do it."

Remus laughs. "If you were a Professor, you'd probably be the first to pull a prank."

"Thus setting the most admirable example for my students," Sirius retorts. Remus shakes his head. "You're impossible."

"Actually, I'm Sirius."

"Seriously obnoxious," Remus shoots back.

"Obnoxiously charming, though." Sirius winks at him. Remus wants to say something, but damn it, that stupid blush is already burning it's way on to his cheeks.

He picks his book up again, more to cover his face from Sirius' intense gaze than to study. Not like he could read a letter, even if he wanted to.

They fall into a blissful silence after that. Remus doesn't know why Sirius came back after dropping Regulus and James off, but he's actually glad for the company. It was fine, this being alone, before Sirius started showing up. But now he's become so used to Sirius, it's hard to bear the silence that comes with living by yourself.

"Shall we have dinner?" Remus asks after some time. "Um... Lily actually made me have tea and biscuits. I'm a little full right now. You go ahead and eat. I should go home anyway."

Remus hopes his disappointment isn't obvious. He was hoping Sirius would stay the night.

"Yeah, it's getting late," he says, standing up. Sirius grabs his hand and uses it to heave himself up. Remus places his free hand on Sirius' arm to steady him. It feels a little colder when they pull apart.

"Good night, Remus," Sirius says softly. His mood seems to have darkened somehow, his eyes not quite meeting Remus'. Remus wonders if it's something he said.

"Good night, Sirius." He smiles, but Sirius has already gone. Remus listens for the roar of his motorbike, which rolls in through the windows and fades away.

Sighing, Remus sits back down. He catches Mavis staring at him. "Don't look at me like that," he huffs, "I don't really get him either."

***

"Why do you look like you're constipated?"

Sirius looks up from his phone and at his brother, who touches the rubbery leaf of a potted plant before pouring an electric blue solution over the soil. It gives off a small fizzy sound. Regulus covers the plant with a black cloth and puts it back to join the dozens and dozens of shelves lining the shed. Through the glass ceiling, a stream of a mellow sunlight steadily streams down, touching everything below in a warm kiss.

"Sirius?" Regulus wipes his hands on his apron. It leaves a dark green stain behind on the white fabric. "Is something wrong?"

"No. No. Just that Remus going home again. To see his mom."

"Oh?" Regulus sits down next to him at Sirius' worktable. "So... That's normal, right?"

"Guess so," Sirius says quietly, putting his phone away. Regulus tilts his head, a small smirk tugging at his mouth. "You're so whipped, bro," he laughs. "You sure you don't wanna run over to his home?" He nudges Sirius' elbow with his, wiggling his eyebrows. Sirius scowls at him, wondering if a Bat Bogey Hex would make his uncle mad.

"The only thing that will be whipped is your ass," he narrows his eyes at his brother, "If you don't shut the fuck up."