Warning: This story is NC-17 and quite graphic. If that kind of thing is not your bag of tea, it would be best to turn back now.

 

Remus closed his eyes. In his mind, he could still remember that precise moment. The chaos echoed all around him, voices shouting, streams of light flashing as they whizzed past. He envisioned the Death Eaters, watched as he aimed curse after curse at them while forcing legs that had suddenly lost their will, to move forward. Some of his hexes landed, others did not, but it was really no matter in the long run. What was important was that he reach Harry and the other children, and his lover, before they did anything foolish.

Of course, Sirius and Harry had both acted rashly, and it had cost them all dearly. Those two were more alike than he would have ever guessed, his lover and former student. In this way, he couldn't help but compare Harry to his father. James and Sirius were very much alike in their attitudes and outlooks on life. Of course, Sirius' childhood had been riddled with tortures unimaginable, whereas James' parents were the envy of wizarding children everywhere.

Still, there was a likeness that bonded them in friendship. In brotherhood. And Remus was beginning to see the reasoning behind Harry's love and trust of Sirius as well. It seemed they both possessed a temper that when stimulated, could become unrelentless and stubborn in its ferocity. They had both shown bravery beyond anything Remus could have hoped or dreaded. And they were loyal to a fault.

If only Sirius hadn't been so adamant about going along to the Ministry that night. If only Harry hadn't been so insistent about playing the bloody hero. But, Remus reflected, these were the characteristics that made the two men so endearing. It was who they were. And he wouldn't change them for the world.

Unfortunately, Harry would suffer most of all. It had hurt Remus to watch his lover fall gracefully through that veiled archway, knowing that he had passed into a place that no living person had been granted entrance before. Fear and heartache had gripped him instantly, and he worried that he should never find his mate again. But Harry...oh, Harry. He'd believed the worst, and no one, no matter how desperately they desired to, could inform him otherwise.

Despite the cruelness of the lie, Dumbledore had insisted that Sirius' death would be the catalyst that would eventually fuel Harry to do the thing that was expected of him, and Remus had to grudgingly agree. It pained him to witness Harry's anguish. He could not bear to see the boy in so much mental and emotional turmoil. He'd almost let the secret slip a couple of times, remembering his own pain at thinking that Sirius had been lost to him forever.

But now he had Sirius back, and despite the injuries and ailments that might never fully heal, they were stronger, more in love, more determined than ever before. They had overcome even death, and Remus knew now that they could do absolutely anything they put their minds to. And so, he conceded to Dumbledore's request and allowed Sirius' godson to go on thinking that all hope of a joyful reunion with his godfather was lost.

He remembered vividly the image of the abandoned archway, a small crowd gathered there, backs straight and faces set as they spoke the enchantment in hushed yet powerful voices. Slowly, those voices rose as one, the sound echoing through the chamber, growing steadily louder. His own voice mixed in among the chorus, his heart pounding madly, droplets of sweat beading up on the pale forehead. His quaking hand gripped the wand tightly, pointing it along with the rest toward the foreboding veil, a silent prayer playing over and over in his mind.

And quite suddenly, five beams of light had shot out of the various wands, coalescing in the center to attack the veil. Remus squinted his eyes shut against the brightness. And then Sirius was there, palms pressed firmly against the floor, body quaking. He was sore, frightened, panting, but alive. And Remus had rushed to him, scooped him up into his arms and cried.

The spell had been a complicated one, and it hadn't gone without its consequences. Remus' energy had been drained for days, and with the impending moon only nights away, he'd thought for a time that he himself might indeed die and pass through that veil as a spirit never to return. How ironic that he should save Sirius only to be separated from him mere days later because of the very ritual he'd performed to bring his lover back.

Sirius had been very disoriented at first. Traveling between the living world and that which lay beyond could really play tricks on the mind and soul. He hadn't known where he was in the beginning, and he'd cried, pleading for release from whatever prison he'd once again landed in, for in his world, there was nothing but darkness. Dumbledore had warned them that this might happen. No living being was meant to see what lies beyond the veil. That realm was reserved for the deceased alone--for the spirits of wizards and muggles alike who had physically died and been separated from their bodies. Sirius had passed through, body in tact, heart still pounding maddeningly in his chest as the stunning hex hit him, and thus, as he crossed into that forbidden realm, his sight had been stolen away from him.

Remus had spoken softly to him, murmuring words of comfort and love in his ear as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. Eventually, Sirius had calmed, and he'd listened to that honeyed tenor--the very familiar voice that he'd always loved. The tone alone possessed the power to chase away all of his nightmares. He clung to Remus then, tears flowing from the deadened eyes, breathing in his lover's scent, running trembling hands over his face to assure himself that he had indeed returned, that this was his love who now held him.

It had taken quite a while for Sirius to become accustomed to this new handicap. He had always been a visual person. He'd loved to look upon the world around him and discover its many hidden secrets. He missed the brilliant oranges and purples of sunrise. How many times in their youth had he and Remus snuck out of the dormitory early in the morning to gaze upon its splendor? He missed seeing Harry, the look of mischief that reminded him so much of James. But most of all, he longed to gaze into Remus' beautiful face one more time, to see the hidden passion there, burning like molten gold in those flame-kissed eyes. He yearned to see the rare joyous smiles that his lover seemed to save only for him. He wanted to once again gaze upon the silvery visage of the wolf, standing serene and powerful and graceful beneath the glowing light of the large full moon. For the wolf was, and always would be, a part of Remus, and he loved them both.

But as always, life had not necessarily been kind to him, and he was forced to deal with this new challenge. He'd thought about giving up on occasion--just letting fate finally win, resolving himself to suffer for the rest of his days. But he knew he owed Remus more than that. Remus, his beautiful, self-sacrificing mate. He had almost gotten himself killed to save Sirius and bring him back, simply because he longed for one last chance to find some semblance of happiness together. Remus was the epitome of bravery, perseverance and strength. And Sirius loved him for that.

There were times, however, when depression seemed to weigh heavily on him, when all he could feel was the pain of his past. When his current circumstances seemed nothing but grim and desolate. This was one of those times. For he felt a warmth spread through him, but could see nothing, as Remus leaned over him, lowering his face slowly to place a gentle kiss on his slightly parted lips.

Sirius moaned, wishing desperately that he could gaze upon that beloved face, to read the emotions that were swirling there in those eyes (he'd always been quite adequate at reading his lover), to gaze upon the smooth pale flesh, the rosy lips and golden brown hair. But all he could see was darkness--a never ending blackness that blocked out all light, all hope. And it infuriated him.

"Shhh..." Remus whispered, sensing Sirius' frustration as shoulders and stomach muscles tensed. "It's okay, love. It's alright. Remember when you were on the run. Remember the cave. It was dark there and we couldn't see one another. We had to use our instincts alone. Remember how thrilling that was, never knowing where or when you would be touched? It's the same as that now. Relax Sirius, and let me do this for you..."

He inhaled deeply and tried to will his body to relax back into the mattress as he let out the breath slowly. Remus was right--he was always right--his lack of sight should not be the catalyst for the end of intimacy. He needed to learn to deal with this complication, to perhaps draw some benefits from it. But most importantly, he needed to try--for Remus.

He felt the soft lips assail him again tenderly, caressing his own with delicate kisses which he gladly returned. A long-fingered hand snaked through his hair, fingertips pressing gently into his scalp as Remus held him. Sirius breathed in again, filling his senses with the scent of his mate. Oh, how he loved the smell of cinnamon and cedar that composed his love's essence. He truly understood now the heightened sense of smell and hearing that Remus possessed, especially near the full moon. Although Remus' sight wasn't hindered by his condition, neither did it improve with the coming of the wolf. But it is a known fact that with the loss of one sense, the others are usually heightened, sometimes by outstanding degrees.

Sirius discovered just how much his sense of touch had been altered when Remus moved down to plant tiny kisses along the column of his throat. Each press of the soft lips sent tingles of warmth through him. Sirius reached out, running his hands over the incredibly smooth hair, enjoying the way the strands fell lightly through his fingers.

Remus gazed up into the sightless eyes of his lover, smiling at the look of love and desire he could see kindling there, even now. He remembered the many nights when they would gaze into one another's eyes heatedly as their bodies moved together, the passion in each set burning into the other as they neared their release. He yearned for that connection now. How he longed to see the recognition in the silvery eyes, to show Sirius with his own expression just how much he desired and loved him in return. But it was not to be, and so he decided that he would do what was necessary to show him in other, perhaps even more pleasurable ways.

Slowly, seductively, Remus crawled down the length of Sirius' body, allowing the ends of his golden brown locks to map a trail along the moist, sensitive flesh. Sirius gasped as tickles of pleasure flowed down his chest and through his belly, his hand clenching convulsively in Remus' hair.

Oh, what delicious pain. Remus closed his eyes, savoring it. For a moment, he wondered what it would be like to be truly sightless, depending solely on touch and scent and sound to guide him. Eventually, Sirius' grip loosened and he opened his eyes, taking full advantage of the opportunity to move on to more...sensitive areas.

He kissed a trail of fire down the inside of Sirius' left thigh, biting gently with his teeth in the crease where appendage meets body. Sirius gasped again, senses heightened to an almost unbearable point, and arched his hips into the touch. A hot, wet tongue flickered lightly over the same junction on the other side of his body before sliding seductively to take its place at the base of Sirius' balls.

Remus inhaled deeply the scent of his lover, basking in the familiarity of an odor that was completely and unmistakably Sirius. Oh, how his heart rejoiced to know that his lover had indeed returned to him. How lost he'd been when he thought they had been separated for eternity. He'd felt it physically the moment his heart had broken, and at that time, he thought he'd never again be able to gather the pieces so that it might mend. But Sirius was here with him now, and despite a few complications, both mental and physical, they were whole once more. Remus was determined that nothing would ever take Sirius away from him again.

Sirius felt something warm and pleasant nudging up against the underside of his balls. He hummed with pleasure as Remus scented his way up, finally replacing his nose with the tip of his tongue. The warm wetness seemed to wash over him, his breath catching as he felt Remus carefully suck one testicle up into his mouth. A hot tongue swirled and flickered over his sensitive flesh as Remus sucked delicately, devoting all of his attention on that single area of Sirius' body. He dug his fingers into Remus' shoulders, the back of his neck, desperately needing that contact, wanting to feel more of Remus' presence.

Remus let out a strangled groan as Sirius began to knead the muscles in his neck and shoulders. He felt his lover tense at the sensation the vibration caused against his flesh, hips once again bucking as the breath caught in his throat. The hands stilled for a moment as Sirius concentrated on the feeling of Remus' warm mouth. He moved to the other testicle next, devoting the same loving attention to it as well.

Sirius' hands began moving again when Remus finally released him. They smoothed over his taut back, fingernails lightly scratching, and Remus arched up into the touch. Oh, how he'd missed this contact. He relished every movement and caress and sound with new enthusiasm.

And Sirius seemed to be thoroughly engrossed in the moment as well. His hands were moving rapidly, stroking and groping any part of Remus they could reach. He caressed the smooth, lightly muscled flesh of his lover's arms. Fingertips fluttered lightly up over a straining throat, pausing to flow slowly and carefully over every feature of Remus' lovely face, committing it to memory. They traced over the smooth, unblemished forehead, down the straight, aristocratic nose, the soft full lips. And he envisioned each feature clearly in his mind. He could see those flushed lips parting, the golden eyes burning into his own, reflecting desire and need and unbreakable devotion. How he longed to actually look upon them with his own eyes again, to watch the mesmerizing colors swirl within their depths, reflecting the varying moods of his stoic, yet very emotional lover. Remus possessed an uncanny knack for hiding his feelings behind a mask of impassivity, but Sirius had always seen through it. Even when they were young, the boy he'd loved had never been able to hide the pain or joy or anxiety that swelled so strongly within his heart. The eyes were the key. He could feel them on him now, watching him intently. He closed his own, imagining what emotions they might be conveying at that very moment.

But he didn't have to rely on visualization for long. For only a moment later, Remus was kissing him again, desperately, seeking entrance which Sirius gladly granted. Their tongues caressed for long moments, joined in a dance that defied time and pain and grief and sorrow. When Remus finally pulled away, he smiled down at Sirius, wishing too that his lover could once again see the play of emotions that clenched at his soul.

"I love you," he whispered. "More than the air I breathe."

Sirius smiled in return. He knew those words to be truth. "Mmm...and I you, my love."

And then, without warning, hot, sweet, glorious wetness engulfed him. He let out a strangled cry, back arching up off the bed, and hands grasping desperately for anything they could find to latch onto. He settled for the bed sheets, twisting and wringing them in balled fists.

Remus smiled around Sirius' straining flesh, delighting in the sound of the ragged gasps that were being ripped from his lover's throat. Oh, how he loved to reduce the brazen man to such a vulnerable, pleasure-heightened state. He relished the fact that he alone was the one who could send him there.

"Remus...oh god..."

Fingers once again threaded through his hair, clenching until it was nearly painful. But still, Remus worked the aching, reddened flesh, plunging it again and again into the warm, wet depths of his mouth. He released it then, assaulting the head with licks and nips and gentle bites, gazing up at Sirius' face and taking note of the passion there. Sirius' head was tilted back, throat bared, eyes squeezed shut tightly. A row of perfect white teeth (they'd been restored since Azkaban) bit into his lower lip, attempting to stifle the cries that threatened to break loose.

Remus ran his tongue from the base to the head and back down again, watching the play of pleasure wash over his mate's face. "Let yourself go," he whispered. "Give in, Sirius. Give in to me..."

And as he once again lowered his mouth to engulf Sirius' cock, the other man did just that.

Sirius let out a guttural moan, which quickly escalated into a low scream as he gave in to his passion, to Remus' sweet, honeyed words, to the prickling sensations of ecstasy that traveled through his body. Remus closed his eyes as Sirius found his release, savoring the flavor of his essence on his tongue.

After what seemed nearly an eternity, Remus finally released him and crawled upwards again, sweaty flesh rubbing deliciously against sweaty flesh. Their mouths met again, softly this time, lips and tongues caressing gently. Sirius ran his hands down over the toned back of his mate, fingers grazing lightly over a slightly protruding spine as they made their way lower to gently knead the firm mounds of Remus' backside.

Remus closed his eyes for a moment, lost in the feeling of his lover's gentle touch, cock still achingly hard and screaming for release. Still, he would not push Sirius. He would wait until he was ready--forever if he had to.

But his lover did not disappoint.

Feeling his way along Remus' body, Sirius wrapped a leg around him and carefully rolled them over, straddling the other man. He slid his hands down the strong, thin arms, seeking out the hands that just moments ago had been pleasuring him so expertly. Palms pressed together, he interlocked their fingers, squeezing lightly. Remus responded, squeezing back as Sirius slowly rose their joined hands to rest on the mattress above their heads.

"I need you, Remus," he said softly. "I need...I need to feel you. To taste you. To hear you..."

"Mmmm...Sirius..." Remus whispered. "You can have me. Anyway you want."

Sirius smiled at that, something lighting up in those silvery eyes that almost made Remus gasp with delight. Although they were now sightless, those eyes still possessed the striking ability to enchant. To witness joy and anticipation and passion burning in them once again was a treat that Remus would do nearly anything for.

"I want to bugger you senseless, Remus. Like you've never been buggered before."

Remus laughed in delightful anticipation, and was overjoyed to see a huge grin spread across Sirius' face. He arched his hips up, grinding his erection against Sirius', hoping to encourage him to do just that.

Sirius closed his eyes and let out a groan of pleasure, cock already twitching back to fullness again. Remus marveled at this new benefit, wondering if perhaps in exchange for Sirius' sight, fate had decided to reward his lover with incredible stamina. Perhaps it was only the fact that Sirius had been lacking in physical pleasure as of late, or maybe this was an effect of his heightened sense of touch. But whatever the reason, Remus had the feeling that this new discovery would give even his wolf-induced stamina a run for its money.

Sirius slid down his body, placing hot kisses all along his flesh as he went. Remus writhed beneath him, whispering Sirius' name over and over, knowing how much his lover enjoyed hearing him speak it, especially in the husky, lust-filled tone it now embodied.

Sirius inhaled deeply, lost in the scent and feel of his mate. This was his Remus whose taut, thin, firmly muscled body currently writhed beneath him. The familiar musk and spice of his love was now tinted with a headier odor, laced lightly with a hint of sweat and sex.

He snaked out his tongue to taste that divine flesh, marveling in the sweet saltiness that exploded against his taste buds. He closed his eyes, focusing all of his concentration on that sensation, and on the feel of the firm, lightly rippling muscles of the well-toned abdomen. He grazed his lips against the sensitive skin, delighting in the spasms that flowed through those muscles. He could feel Remus arching his back below him, attempting to get closer to the warmth his mouth provided. He obliged willingly, placing delicate love bites down the soft, lightly scarred flesh as he went.

Remus had always hated those scars, but Sirius loved them. They were a part of Remus just as much as the tawny hair and the amber eyes, the shy smile and those oh-so-talented, long fingered hands. He ran his lips and tongue over a vulnerable pucker, earning a hiss from his lover and another bucking of his hips. He laved that mound of flesh until Remus' fingers had curled painfully around his long locks, and he was certain the flesh must be red from his unmerciful ministrations, before moving on to another beloved blemish.

Scars crisscrossed over the muscular chest, dispersing into a random pattern as they mapped their way down the strong, flat abdomen. Sirius ran his hands over them, delighting in their familiarity. He could picture them precisely in his mind. He moved his mouth lower, placing teasing kisses over the evidence of the other man's inner beast, adoring each mar and imperfection--for they were each an integral part of what made up the man as a whole. He wished for all the world that Remus wasn't forced to undergo the monthly torture of the transformations--would do anything, in fact, to take that pain from him--but he could not deny his fascination of the curse, nor of the stoic man who walked with his head held high, despite all of the negativity thrown at him. These scars were a reminder of that very thing--Remus' bravery, his stoicism, and the ultimate good that overpowered the beast twenty-nine days out of the month.

Enticed now by the increasing magnetic pull of desire he could feel emanating off his lover, Sirius gripped the bony hips, steadying the squirming body and dipping his tongue into the shallow navel. Remus gasped loudly, head tilting back sharply to expose the vulnerable column of a smooth throat. Sirius could feel the shift in body position and decided to take advantage of the moment. He crawled up his lover's body swiftly, opening his jaw to place a loving yet insistent bite at the base of that throat, eliciting another sharp intake of breath from his lover--part pleasure, part pain. He remembered a time long ago when Remus had first bestowed upon him the bite that had claimed him once and for all as his own. Sirius now wished to return the gesture, letting Remus know that he wasn't the only one who'd committed his heart and soul all those years ago.

Remus panted heavily, chest heaving as Sirius kept his teeth firmly in place for a moment. He hadn't bitten hard enough to draw blood, but his teeth would leave their mark nevertheless. Fine boned hands gripped his shoulders, squeezing tightly, and Sirius could feel the bob of the Adam’s apple as Remus swallowed.

Finally, he pulled away, laving the wound with a gentle tongue. Remus hissed and pulled Sirius closer to him, hot breath mingling with his own as he kissed him fiercely. Sirius was surprised when he pulled away to find wetness on his cheek. Remus had been crying.

"Did I hurt you, love?" he asked with trepidation.

But Remus laid a finger against his lips, silencing his concerns. "Thank you, Sirius," he whispered simply, then pulled him back down for another sweet kiss.

Sirius could feel all the love and joy and blissful abandon in that gentle caress, and he returned the sentiment in earnest, longing to show Remus with these intimate touches alone how much the man truly meant to him--how he'd changed his life for the better, that he would do anything if Remus would only ask.

"I love you," he said finally, the faintest whisper to break the silence. "I love you so much, Remus."

"Mmmm..." He could feel Remus smile, and his own mouth quirked up at the corners. "I love you too, Sirius. You are my heart and soul."

Their tongues tangled again for long moments, until finally, Sirius decided he could wait no longer, and pulled away to explore other entertaining options.

Remus felt a pair of insistent hands carefully pushing his knees apart, and he obliged immediately. He opened his eyes to watch his lover, the look of determination on the handsome face. He smiled to see it, noting how much of the old Sirius was now returning. Sirius never did anything half-assed, and he was always more concerned with Remus' happiness than his own.

Sirius felt around helplessly for a minute, searching the mattress for something. Remus frowned, watching him, before comprehension dawned on him. He reached up near his head and grabbed a pillow, holding it out to the other man in hopes he'd guessed correctly. Sirius reached for it, smiling softly, and Remus automatically lifted his hips, allowing him to slip the cushion beneath him.

Sirius cradled his hands in the bends behind Remus' knees and gently bent his legs up, exposing his most intimate of places. He kissed along the flesh from knee to upper thigh, leaving trails of fire in his wake. Remus moaned in anticipation, wanting--needing to feel Sirius. He didn't have to wait long. The other man complied to his wishes almost instantly, placing the first delicate kiss upon the puckered flesh, and causing a wave of pleasure to ripple through him.

Sirius felt Remus' hips buck, and he gripped them firmly once again, attempting to still him. His tongue flickered lightly against the sensitive flesh, teasing it to redness as Remus gasped and moaned and curled his fingers into the sheets.

Finally--mercifully--Sirius relented. But despite his relief from the almost overwhelming sensations his lover was envoking within him, Remus whined at the loss of contact. Sirius didn't make him wait long, however. Feeling his way over the smooth mounds of taut buttocks, he once again sought out the delicate ring of muscle and oh-so-slowly inserted a saliva-slicked finger. Remus inhaled sharply at the new sensation. He squeezed his eyes shut, lost in the feel of the searching digit and it's gentle yet insistent exploration.

Another finger followed, joining the first to gently scissor within the tight cavern, preparing Remus' body for further pleasure. Although Sirius could no longer see, he knew instinctively just what to do to drive Remus nearly crazy with desire. And although he wished he could look upon the impassioned face and find the longing emblazoned there, he realized that the heavy, ragged sounds of Remus' breathing, and the way his body moved so desperately beneath his own provided more than enough visuals to mentally paint a picture of his aroused lover in his head. In his mind's eye he could see Remus clearly--the wanton look in fiery golden eyes, lips parted and flushed, tawny hair sweat-slicked and matted to a pale forehead. His own conjured images nearly outdid him, but he told himself he had to be patient. This was their first time together after the "accident", and he wanted to take his time--to make everything perfect.

Remus was grinding against him now, thrusting his hips in time with Sirius' fingers, forcing them ever deeper. Sirius groaned at the feel of the clenching muscles, the desperate growls that escaped the straining throat. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Sirius withdrew, leaving a panting, pleading Remus in his wake.

He hooked his hands once again into the bends of Remus' knees and positioned his straining erection at the entrance to his lover's body, pausing there for a moment to gain his breath. Leaning over the slim form below him, he placed a hand on each side of Remus' shoulders to steady himself as he lowered his mouth to the other man's in a searing kiss.

He felt Remus reach up, threading his fingers in his hair and pulling him closer, deepening the embrace. As their tongues eagerly explored one another's mouths, he thrust his hips, breaching the rigid ring of muscle and pushing inside. Instant heat engulfed him, and he cried out into Remus' mouth, just as Remus let out a sharp gasp. Hot breath mingling, they began an ancient dance--Sirius pushing in and pulling out slowly while Remus arched his hips to meet every thrust, grinding his cock against Sirius' belly.

Pleasure like he'd never known began to swirl through Sirius, gripping his heart, flooding his mind with love, and centering sharply in his cock. He'd shared this act with Remus more times than he could count, and yet...something was different. Perhaps it was his dependence upon his other senses to carry him, but this newfound heightened sensation of touch more than made up for the lack of sight.

He found if he closed his eyes, he could see Remus. He could envision his every move, the way the light and emotions played across his face. His lover was gorgeous. Beautiful and ethereal like the moon wolf that danced within his soul. He could feel Remus all around him--caressing him, milking him, kissing him, loving him. And it felt right. He wrapped his arms around the sweat-slicked body beneath him, thrusting harder now, more insistent. The scent of sex and desire and spiced cinnamon rose up around him, joining with the sounds of Remus' labored breath and their joint cries of pleasure. It was like coming home again. He felt safe, loved, accepted, and there was no place else he could ever imagine being.

He was so close now. A steady wave of pleasure was spiraling through him, threatening to push him out of control. He sought out Remus' cock, took the hard length in his hand and began to pump it in time with their thrusts. Remus' breathing grew harsher, more ragged, and he bucked his hips harder, wanting to feel more, to burry Sirius so deeply within him that he would never feel empty again.

The tight muscles clenched and squeezed as Sirius continued to plunge in and out of the hot channel, his rhythm increasing until he was nearly frantic in his movements. Finally, he felt Remus' fingers digging into his back, one last thrust of slim hips. His lover's head flew back, releasing a low, guttural cry of ecstasy.

The scent of Remus' seed, the feel of it as it spurted over his belly, the sound of the satiated cries, the clenching of muscles so insistently around him--it was all too much, and Sirius felt himself letting go, drowning in the bliss of an all-consuming orgasm.

Several minutes passed before Sirius finally lifted his head to stare sightlessly into Remus' eyes. This was a ritual for them--this connection through sight after lovemaking--a joining of their eyes, conveying their innermost thoughts and emotions to one another as they basked in the afterglow of climax. Sirius now missed that connection desperately. It left a gaping hole somewhere in his soul.

Remus, ever intuitive to his love's thoughts and emotions, cradled that beloved face gently in one hand, smoothing the stubble-roughened cheek with the pad of his thumb. With his other hand, he gripped Sirius fingers, bringing his lover's hand to his chest and laying the palm directly over his pounding heart.

"I love you," he said pointedly.

Sirius knew. He could feel it in the beating of Remus' heart. And suddenly he realized that when love was shared and truly expressed between two people, one didn't need eyes to see.