John

[mooningremus]

The full moon wasn't until the next night, but Remus was already feeling edgy. Mostly he wanted to eat a rare steak and go home and fuck Willy. Except Willy... hadn't been home, even though he'd told Remus he would be. And Remus had baked a pie in anticipation. He'd texted, asking when he'd be home. And he got a response, hours later: probably not home tonight. And then he'd thought... where he probably was... which was with someone else...

Remus left the pie on the counter, put on the new scarf and coat he'd gotten for Christmas, and walked down the street to the nearest bar.

He ordered a rare steak and ate it quickly, and then just sat at the bar sipping bottom shelf whiskey.

Comments

[petty_dabbler]

"I'd imagine so," he said casually. "But you go into lock down, don't you?"

Of course he did. John was well aware.

[mooningremus]

"Yes... tomorrow night." He didn't sound terribly happy about it. But then, his attempt to use that potion to stop the change had been a disaster. So back to the status quo.

He picked up the glass and knocked back the rest of the whiskey.

[petty_dabbler]

"Last meal of the damned?" John asked as he caught the bartenders attention and motioned to refill Remus's glass.

[mooningremus]

"Mmmmm just a craving for red meat," Remus said. "And I was lonely."

He almost protested when the bartender refilled his glass, but then decided against it. It wasn't charity for someone to buy you a drink, after all. He gave John a nod of thanks and took a sip.

[petty_dabbler]

"How long have you been...this?" John asked, keeping casual. He didn't want to say 'werewolf'...who knew who might be listening.

[mooningremus]

"Since I was ten," said Remus.

[petty_dabbler]

"Jesus wept," he said softly. "Just a kid."

[mooningremus]

Remus looked down. "Funny," he said, "considering how I've been treated most of my life because of my condition, I sometimes forget that it isn't actually my fault."

[petty_dabbler]

"Why would anyone think it's your fault?" John replied. "Fucking wizards. Bunch of bigots."

[mooningremus]

"Well I don't know that they think that, just..." He sighed and looked down at his drink. "Most of the werewolves followed Voldemort during the war, and I think it's just a one dark creature is the same as the..." He frowned, and picked up his glass. "You're right, they are a bunch of bigots!" And clinked it to John's beer glass.

[petty_dabbler]

"There you go," he grinned, sipping his beer when Remus drank. "You still with that faerie?"

[mooningremus]

"Yes," said Remus. And immediately took another drink.

[petty_dabbler]

John watched him drink.

"Trouble in paradise?" he asked, a little sympathetic.

[mooningremus]

Ironically, Christmas had been what felt like the closest to paradise his relationship with Willy had been. Which was not very long ago, but then... things went back to just as they were before, and tonight was just another reminder. He wouldn't complain. He felt so grateful for what he had. But he did know that how desperately in love with Willy he was... was not reciprocated.

Perhaps a little past tipsy now, he said, "He's probably with someone else right now."

[petty_dabbler]

"Sounds like he's a wanker," John said. "You going to give him what-for?"

[mooningremus]

"It's not his fault," Remus said, shaking his head. "He's always been very clear. What our relationship is not."

[petty_dabbler]

"But you're sprung," he sighed with a shake of his head. "My friend, you need to run away from that mess. You do realize how dangerous he is, right?"

[mooningremus]

"So am I," Remus pointed out.

[petty_dabbler]

"Maybe you are, but he's a million times worse, Remus," he said. He truly wondered why no one saw that. Part of him was sure Willy used magic to charm all these poor sods.

[mooningremus]

"Even if that's true, haven't you ever loved someone you shouldn't?" Remus sighed. Then added absently, "Besides, it's not like anyone else wants me."

[petty_dabbler]

"I've loved a lot of people I shouldn't," he replied. "That doesn't mean you stick with toxic people."

[mooningremus]

Remus noted that John didn't argue with him about the second part.

"I don't want to talk about Willy," he said. "I came here because I wanted to not think about him." Well, and also he'd wanted a steak.

Then he sighed.

"I made a pie."

[petty_dabbler]

"Fair enough," he said. "But I still think it'd be a good new year's resolution to drop him and run."

He took a sip of beer and put the topic to bed.

[mooningremus]

"Run to where?" Remus asked. And then - "Do you like apple pie?"

[petty_dabbler]

"I do," he nodded. Run to where was a good question. One John couldn't answer.