Unity

Disclaimer: Not mine, JKR\'s. Borrowed with affection and treated with respect.

Summary: Two friend discover that they mean more to each other than they ever realized.

Notes: This is slash. If you don\'t like that, turn back now.

Unity

It was as inevitable as the cycles of the moon.

After all,us tus thought, it\'s not as though we hadn\'t felt, well, *something* before. A connection that had started as a liking, then had evolved into a deep and trusting friendship. One that was powerful enough to survive suspicion and prolonged separation, one that transcended doubt and provided strength. A connection, a bond, a kinship. One that had blossomed into... something more.

Amber eyes glanced down to see the deeply tanned arm with its light coating of black hair thrown possessively across his waist. Against his back, spooned up against him, he could feel the warm body of his lover, feel the deep, rhythmic rise and fall as breath was drawn in a slumberous tempo. With the acute sense a l a lycanthrope he could hear the soft inhalations, overlaid by the steady, reassuring thrum of a beating heart. And the scent... the smell he knew so well, musky and tangy and warm, now overlaid with adrenaline and pheromones and sweat. The scents of Sirius and sex.

A pleasurable shiver of reaction ran through him, and the arm around his waist pulled him closer, the exhalation of a sleepy murmur tickling his ear. His body tightened in response, and he stifled a moan as need poured over him, washed through him like a cresting wave. He bit down on his lip, forcing himself to remain immobile when what he really wanted to do was wiggle back against the body cradling his, burrow into the embrace and feel Sirius hardening against him.

It had been so long, so many years since anyone had held him, caressed him, touched him with desire and brought him to completion. And he had never - before, at least - considered himself attracted to men. Well, he wasn\'t, really, was he... he was attracted to Sirius. Male or female ceased to matter, the soul of Sirius Black was what inflamed him, drew him in like a web and wrapped him in sensual promise. Made him feel cherished and needed. Made him feel... loved. And in much more than a brotherly way.

He still couldn\'t believe it had happened. Of course he had accd thd the reality of Sirius\'s escape from Azkaban, and, as a friend, had believed him about Peter. He had even, as a friend, wanted to take care of the shell of the magnificent man who had once been as close to him as anyone on earth. But then it had begun to change. Slowly the pain-wracked, emaciated body had filled out again, treated with tender loving care by someone who knew far too much about physical suffering. And as Sirius was restored to health, slowly his soul had begun to heal as well. Not completely, of course. Sirius would never have the care free intensity that he had before Azkaban... but then, Remus was different too, and had grown weary from being too long alone with the silver goddess who ruled his life.

But together they became far more than just the sum of two individuals who had suffered more than they ever deserved, and who had seen more death than anyone should ever know. Each of their strengths countered the weaknesses of the other. Remus\'s calm demeanor countered Padfoot\'s blazing temper, while Padfoot\'s adventurous streak pulled Remus out of his tendency to brood. Intellect and strength, caution and impulsiveness, dark and light. They were complements... and together, they were complete.

Not that it had happened quickly, of course. The healing had taken time, and so did their rediscovery of each other. But friendship and caring had progressed to love, and love to being in lovthouthout either of them being consciously aware of what was growing between them, so slowly did it happen. They were merely there for each other, always, in joy or pain, loneliness or triumph. To love each other had been as natural as breathing.

So it had been for several months, while they had travelled at the behest of Dumbledore, carrying out whatever business of the Order that Albus felt suited their talents - and always together, as though the Headmaster was more than aware that the two of them together were far more than twice as formidable as one of them alone. But there hadn\'t been anything physical, not on either of their parts. Neither of them had ever even thought about it.

Until last night.

They had arrived back at the cottage they were staying in, an isolated one deep in virgin woods that was part of an old estate the Black family owned. The mission they had undertaken for Dumbledore had been exhausting, and the full moon was approaching, leaving Remus feeling more drained than he normally would have. Sirius had ordered him to go take a bath while he put something together for dinner, and Remus had gratefully done as he was ordered.

The soak in the tub helped to restore him somewhat, but despite temptation he didn\'t linger too long in the hot water. He had risen from the bath and had been drying off when he heard a sudden, unexpected bellow of rage from the kitchen. With a feeling of panic he wrapped the towel around his waist, snatched his wand from the edge of the sink, and had run with breakneck speed into the kitchen, certain that Padfoot was in mortal danger. His heart had been pounding, and a snarl had risen in his throat as he raced into the room - only to see Sirius standing in front of a cupboard, grimacing in distaste as he muttered to himself.

\"What in the bloody hell?\" Remus had snapped in annoyance - although secretly part of him had been greatly relieved to not see anything sinister afoot, and that Sirius was not in any danger.

\"Sorry, Moony. Saw a mouse nibbling on the cracker box, and I...\" Sirius began, turning around to face him. But when his eyes had fallen on the nearly naked werewolf, wet hair clinging to his cheeks and neck, chest heaving as he panted from a combination of exercise and adrenaline, Padfoot had suddenly fallen silent.

Slowly the black eyes of the animagus had travelled up Remus\'s body, gaze as intent as though he were memorizing every muscle, every inch of skin, before finally meeting the amber eyes of his best friend... and then sliding quickly away.

Remus, for his part, had felt the impact of that searching glance as directly as if it had been a physical touch. Sirius had caressed him with his eyes, and a shiver had run down his spine from the feeling, leaving an unexpected and pleasant tingle along every nerve ending. And that was when he knew, suddenly and completely, that he wanted Sirius. Wanted to tumble him right there to the kitchen floor, and damn the consequences.

But Sirius had turned away, a flush of embarrassment visible under his tanned skin. \"Anyway...\" he began to speak, trying to act as though nothing had happened. \"There was a mouse, and I... er, it, well...\" Sirius had paused, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

For Remus, however, there was no doubt. He could smell the desire that poured off of Padfoot in a wave, and he knew that, strange as it seemed, Sirius wanted *him*, too. Funny how they had come to this so slowly, and yet it had broadsided them both when it finally arrived. He couldn\'t believe that both of them had been so blind to it for such a long time.

Stepping up behind Sirius, Remus had wrapped his arms around the other wizard\'s waist, pulling him back against his body. For a moment the animagus had stiffened in surprise... but then he had sighed, a shudder of need wracking his body as he leaned back into the embrace. They were much the same height, and Remus had rested in chin on the other wizard\'s shoulder, bringing his lips close to Sirius\'s ear.

\"Padfoot... Is this what you want?\" he had asked softly.

Sirius had paused for a long moment before replying. But the reply he gave was exactly what Remus wanted to hear, issued in a voice that was almost hoarse with passion.

\"Gods, yes.\"

At that, Remus had chuckled softly. He had drawn in a deep breath, letting the scent of his lover-to-be permeate his senses, before placing his lips at the side of Padfoot\'s neck, kissing gently where the pounding of Sirius\'s heart made his pulse beat in counterpoint. Meanwhile his hands had travelled upwards, under the shirt Sirius wore, caressing the taut muscles of his abdomen. The werewolf had felt the gooseflesh left in the wake of his fingers, and he had given a growl of satisfaction when his fingers had found the hard pebbles of the other man\'s nipples.

A strangled gasp had escaped the animagus\'s lips, and then Remus had suddenly found the tables turned. Sirius had spun around in his arms, slipping his own arms behind Remus and hauling the werewolf roughly against his body. Remus had wanted to growl as he felt the hard bulge beneath Sirius\'s robe suddenly pressed against him. He had never imagined that the feel of another man against him would be so erotic, would fill him with such a burning ache... he had never thought it would feel so incredibly *right*.

\"This isn\'t a game, Moony,\" Sirius had ground out, his black eyes boring into him, peering past his face and deep into his soul.

\"No, it isn\'t,\" Remus had agreed huskily - and was rewarded as Sirius\'s lips suddenly crushed against his own.

There had been nothing gentle or tentative about their first kiss. Strangely enough, it hadn\'t been awkward, either. It had been nothing but pure hunger, as their mouths opened to each other, tongues caressing boldly. A giving and a taking that left them both so breathless that they had both been gasping for air by the time they drew back, staring at each other.

Sirius\'s eyes had travelled down his body again, and then returned to Remus\'s, glittering wickedly. \"You lost your towel, Moony,\" he had said, grinning. Then Remus had groaned, as Padfoot\'s hand had circled his hard shaft, caressing down the length almost teasingly. \"Just as well, saves me having to take it off of you.\"

\"Not fair,\" Remus had growled, but without much conviction, as Sirius continued to stroke him. Padfoot seemed to instinctively know just what to do, just how to touch him in order to give him the most pleasure. He had thrown his head back, arching against the animagus\'s hard body. Then Sirius\'s lips had been at his throat, teeth nipping into the soft flesh before his tongue soothed the sting away.

\"Sirius....\" he had grated hoarsely, his hands fisting in the soft, black hair of the head pressed against him. He could feel the pressure building too quickly, sharp and insistent and undeniable. It had been so long, he felt like a randy teenager. \"Wait... stop...\"

\"No,\" had been the response, muttered in a thick voice, lips vibrating the sound against his exquisitely sensitive skin. \"Lose control for me, Moony. Show me how I make you feel. My lupe garou, show me how much you want me, as much as I want you...\"

Sirius\'s words sent him over the edge with a harsh cry, had made his entire body resonate as the pleasure pulsed over him again and again. It had seemed to continue forever, as Sirius cradled him against his chest, supporting his weight and murmuring husky encouragements in his e
H
He wasn\'t certain how much later it had been when he had drawn a shuddering breath, opening dazed eyes to see black eyes gazing down into his, full of hungry desire. \"Welcome back,\" Sirius had greeted him, giving a slow, slumbrous smile before leaning forward to claim his lips in a sensual kiss.

\"Your turn,\" Remus had replied breathlessly a few moments later, pushing Sirius back a bit. Then he had chuckled softly. \"We\'re going to have to wash those robes.\"

\"You\'ll have to get them off of me first,\" Sirius had said, raising a black brow.

And Remus had proceeded to do just that, rubbing his body against Sirius\'s as his hands had made a game of removing the heavy black garments. By the time the animagus stood naked before him, they were both flushed and breathing hard. \"So... now what do you want, Padfoot?\" Remus had growled suggestively, running his hands up his lover\'s chest.

\"You,\" Sirius had growled in reply, grasping Remus\'s forearms and pulling him roughly against him. They both groaned at the friction as their bodies made contact from knees to chest. \"But not here...\" the animagus had continued, pushing Remus back with a grin. He had turned to grab the bottle of cooking oil that stood on the counter, then looked over his shoulder at the werewolf. \"Last one to the bedroom gets the bottom,\" he had taunted, before changing into canine form, snatching the bottle up in his mouth and racing out of the kitchen.

Remus had almost choked on laughter, before dashing off in Sirius\'s wake. Butthe the time he had made it to Sirius\'s bedroom, the black-haired wizard was already there, back in human form and lounging on the bed. \"I win,\" he had said, very softly.

\"Seems you did,\" the werewolf had replied, eyes glittering darkly. He had sauntered over to the bed slowly, feeling Sirius\'s eyes raking over his body, hearing his breathing become harsh with desire. Reaching the edge of the mattress, he had pushed Sirius over onto his back, then climbed over him, straddling the animagus\'s hips. \"Do you want me, Padfoot?\" he had asked, leaning down to nuzzle his lips down the column of Sirius\'s throat.

\"Do you have any doubts?\" Sirius had growled back, thrusting his hips up against the werewolf, making Remus smile as he felt the evidence of exactly how badly the other man wanted him.

\"Not really,\" he had murmured in response, before his lips had travelled down Sirius\'s chest, his tongue laving over the taut nipples nestled in the dark hair. He had continued with the slow torture of licks and nibbles until Sirius was panting harshly, visibly trembling on the bed beneath him, his body glazed in a fine sheen of sweat.

\"Gods, Moony...\" Sirius had groaned, before seizing Remus\'s arms and roughly flipping them over so that their positions were reversed. His long black hair had framed his face as he leaned over to place his lips close to Remus\'s ear. \"I want you so much...\" he had whispered, before nipping the soft flesh of the lobe. \"But I suspect we need to go slowly. I\'ve never done this before... have you?\"

\"No,\" the werewolf had murmured.

\"Well then... you\'ll have to tell me if anything hurts or bothers you. Promise?\"

\"Promise.\"

It had helped that they trusted each other so completely, knew each other\'s every mood and expression. Sirius had taken the bottle of oil from the table where he had placed it, pouring a generous amount into one palm before replacing, then warming the slippery liquid in his hand.

\"Roll over, Moony,\" he had instructed, lifting his hips so that Remus could comply. Then he had knelt over the werewolf\'s upper thighs, drizzing the oil over his arse before beginning to massage the pale, firm flesh with his fingers.

Sirius had always been good with his hands, and it wasn\'t the first time he had given Remus a mass He He had done so after every full moon, easing the painful knots from Moony\'s abused muscles. But never before had it been like this. This was not comfort, it was sensual torture, and Remus had moaned in appreciation.

After a few minutes, feeling Remus relax beneath his hands, Sirius had moved lower, sliding one hand gently between the werewolf\'s legs, then slipping a finger upwards until he found the tight, puckered opening to Remus\'s body. Slowly, gently, he had brushed over the small hole, before carefully working a finger inside.

Remus had tensed at the strange, uncomfortable feeling of the invasion, but Sirius had stopped immediately. Slowly he had forced himself to relax, feeling his body accommodate the intrusion. Then Padfoot had gently stroked in a slow rhythm, giving Remus time to adjust.

In this fashion Sirius had worked up to two fingers, and finally three, at which point the penetration had begun to feel quite pleasurable, making Remus moan at the deliciously full feeling. On one particularly deep stroke Sirius\'s fingers had brushed a spot inside that made him gasp, made a tingling heat radiate outward in a burst of pleasure.

\"Remus?\" Sirius had asked, concerned, but the werewolf had shaken his head slightly, and chuckled.

\"I\'m fine... it felt very, very good,\" he had replied.

\"Good,\" came the throaty rejoinder. The Sirius had moved, nudging his legs open and urging him upwards at the hips, until Remus had been kneeling. Leaning forward, Sirius had bent down to whisper to him. \"I love you, Remus,\" before sliding the hot length of his shaft slowly into Remus\'s body.

Remus had gasped at the fullness and hardness, but Sirius was still, making sure he didn\'t hurt him. Gradually he had adjusted to the new feeling, hearing Sirius panting behind him with the effort of holding back. He had felt the trembling of the body above his, and a rush of love and gratitude had brought tears to his eyes.

\"Then love me, Sirius,\" he had murmured. \"Because Merlin knows, I love you, too!\"

Sirius had begun to move then, slowly at first, then harder and faster as their desire mounted higher and higher. With every stroke Remus could feel that burst of sensation, feel it travel down the length of his own stiff shaft. He had lost track of time, and couldn\'t tell where his body ended and Sirius\'s began, as they moved together in sensual harmony. Then Remus had felt Sirius\'s hand around him again, stroking in counterpoint to the thrusts... and with a howl of pleasure he had erupted, hearing Sirius gasp from behind him, feeling the pulsations as his lover spilled his own pleasure into his willing body.

Remembering that shared giving, the complete and utter unity he had felt in that moment, Remus smiled. And the aftermath now, lying in Sirius\'s arms and feeling utterly cherished for the first time in his life was unbelievable, almost like a dream. Strange how after thirty six years of looking, he had found utter completion in one of the people he had known the longest.

He sighed, relaxing into the cradle of his lover\'s arms, content as he had never been before in his life. They had time, all the time in the world to continue to make each other feel this way. Even if Dumbledore did want them to move into Grimmauld Place next week, and even if the Weasleys and others would be around, they would still be together. Forever.

Then the arms holding him had tightened subtly, and warm breath caressed his ear. \"I know you aren\'t asleep, Moony... so, do you want to try the top this time?\"

Remus chuckled. \"Padfoot, you sly dog... you read my mind!\"