Mausoleums and Marauders is a collection based around the Marauders playing Dungeons and Dragons, or AUs set in a D&D style world. Knowledge of the game is not required.

Written for:

Meet-Cute: A is rushing down the street, hurrying towards an appointment, when A hears someone shouting from behind. It's B, calling out: "Wait! Excuse me, you – you dropped something!" A turns, realising B is hailing him/her, and turns white as a ghost. There, in B's hand, is the one thing that A never wanted anyone to see.

Writing Club

Appreciation - 25 - Trait: Friendly

Disney - Themes - 1 - . Being different is okay: Write about someone accepting themself.

Comic - 30 - (word) darkness

Showtime - 21 - Working My Way Back to You – (food) Cake

Amber's Attic - 25 - (drink) hot cocoa

Elizabeth's Empire - 10 - The Raft by S.A. Bodeen: (emotion) fear

Liza's Loves - 28 - Caramel Latte - Setting: Coffee-Shop

Trope of the Month - 8 - Word: Passionate

Scamander's Case - 25 - (dialogue) "That's the wonderful thing about me: I never know when to give up."

Lyric Alley - 21 - I'll be there to pick you up

Wacky Wandmakers -

Wood: Hazel - (action) shouting

Wand Core - Unicorn Hair - (word) mysterious

Crazy Cones - 17. Caramel Coffee Waffle - (word) sensation

Supernatural Club - Emily (Emily Windsnap): (dialogue) "Everyone has a secret."

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Assignment 6 - Muggle Studies - Task #1 - Vacuuming Shoes: Write about finding something out about someone else.

Not Just a Game

Sirius prides himself on being one of the coolest students in the school. He's in the last year and he knows everyone is always watching him. Other students aspire to be like him (and that's why he stopped smoking, after catching some kids mimicking him and realising the influence he had over people). Image matters to him because it's one of the few things he has left. He likes being cool, mysterious.

But to maintain his image, he's had to keep other things secret. Not his sexuality of course - that's something to be proud of, and he's made no attempts to hide it. Though his flirting isn't making much difference when faced with the beautiful Remus Lupin who barely looks his way and who has never said a single word to him, much to Sirius' dismay.

No, the thing he hides is mortifying. If people knew his secret hobby… the secret activity he loves, that keeps him awake at night, trawling the internet and writing… well, he's not going to even think about it.

He's in a rush today. His train was delayed after a good day of playing D&D (not that he'd play locally - he plays a 20-minute train ride away to avoid anyone knowing his shameful secret). He's got an appointment in ten minutes and he doesn't want to be late. Dorea will be disappointed if he misses it again, and Sirius doesn't want to disappoint his new mum. As he rushes past Remus Lupin, he only stops for a moment because it's not often he sees Lupin outside of school, and he's not going to pass up the opportunity to speak to the love of his life. Maybe this time Remus will reply?

"Sexy as ever, Lupin," Sirius murmurs. "When will you ever let me see underneath that cardigan?"

Remus' face reddens as quick as ever and his mouth opens to reply, but he doesn't say anything. After a moment, his gaze hits the ground.

"Well, I'd love to stay and continue this," Sirius says, meaning every word as he'd even skip playing Dungeons and Dragons if it meant spending time with Remus, "but I've got an appointment to keep." A little disappointed he can't hang around, he turns and pulls out his phone to check the time. He walks off quickly, not even turning around to see if Remus is checking out his arse in his lovely jeans.

"S… Sirius?"

It may be the first time he's ever heard Remus speak. That's enough to stop him. Appointment be damned, Remus Lupin has finally spoken to him and Sirius isn't going to miss out on a chance to actually have a conversation with his soulmate.

He finds himself unprepared as he turns. Flirting with Remus is one thing, but Remus has never spoken to him before and this may be his chance.

He turns. "I think you dropped s-something. Is t-this yours?"

Sirius' eyes dart to the paper in Remus' hand as Remus walks over to him. It's unfolded and Remus glances at it, freezing as he takes in the writing, the boxes. He stops walking, looking at it fully and Sirius knows that this feeling is his life crashing down around him.

Remus won't want to know him now.

He's frozen in place too, as he watches Remus examine the sheet.

"Dungeons and Dragons," Remus finally mutters. "A Bard… of course. I wouldn't expect anything else. But a Tiefling? I'd have thought you'd pick an Elf or something."

Sirius doesn't trust himself to speak. He's mortified.

"I've always wanted to play," Remus continues. "I tried online, but it didn't work out too well and I can't get enough people locally..." His eyes scan the sheet again. "Are you… are you free for… I mean, I'd love to talk about this more with you… if you're free." His hopeful expression fades. "Oh, you have an appointment, right?"

Sirius considers this. "Costa," he says. "My appointment might run late since I'll be late and Mummy won't be happy if I miss it, but I'll come and find you afterwards." He's almost certain Remus is asking him out. He's not going to miss this now that he's finally got the chance with the one guy who he's had a thing for since he started at James' school.

"You… you will?" Remus sounds doubtful. "You don't have to."

Sirius glances at his precious character sheet. "I'll get that off you at Costa in about thirty, okay?" It's a massive risk, but he thinks if he allows Remus to hold onto the sheet, maybe that's reassurance for both of them. Remus will know that Sirius will come to get the character sheet. Sirius knows that Remus hasn't even returned a library book late (and if Remus has, Sirius will have to rethink his whole life), so will be there.

Remus nods, his eyes going to the sheet. "Costa. The one on the high-street?"

Sirius nods. It's only a few doors from the doctors. "I'll come straight after my appointment, okay?"

...oOo...

Sirius is in too much of a panic by the time he comes out of the doctors. There was a thirty minute wait, followed by the blood-test and he's almost running. What was he even thinking, leaving Remus with this sheet that proves that Sirius isn't as cool as he pretends to be? Now Remus will see he's a fraud. A fraud because he prefers playing Dungeons and Dragons over anything.

He rushes into Costa, unsure what he's most nervous of - Remus realising he's a fraud, or Remus not even being there, since the thirty minutes have passed, and he doesn't see the other guy. He's not sure he can breathe as he walks through the coffee shop, his head starting to feel foggy.

"Sirius? Over here!" He turns, noticing Remus in the back corner where a small table sits by a plant pot. The most private table in the place, and he feels a hint of hope. The dizzy spell doesn't fade though, but he manages to get to the table. He hates the sensation and hopes his head clears quickly.

"Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"Blood test," Sirius mutters. "Mum is worried because I'm often tired and insisted I get checked over." He takes a deep breath and then another before feeling a little calmer. He stands again, shrugging off his leather jacket and hanging it on the back of the chair.

"What are you drinking?" he asks.

"Oh, I'll get my own. The chocolate cake—"

"On me," Sirius insists. This is probably a date. He's counting it, and he's going to pay on their first date. "What're you drinking?"

"Oh. If you're sure, I'd really like a hot-chocolate, but with a couple of those little flakes on the side for dipping."

Sirius notices Remus doesn't mention the chocolate cake again, but he's going to get Remus some. He grins at his 'date' and heads to the counter.

...oOo...

"So… D and D?" Remus says, amber eyes fixed intently on Sirius. "I'm surprised."

"What? Why?" Sirius asks nervously. He reminds himself that Remus has always seemed like the nicest person. He's heard about Remus tutoring other students and looking out for the younger years. Remus wasn't a prefect for nothing. In fact, had it not been for ill health that kept Remus out of school sometimes, he'd have most likely been head boy.

James confided in Sirius months ago that Remus had been offered the role and had turned it down. Sirius only joined the school last year - but knows Remus made an excellent prefect. Remus could tell him off anytime...

"You're Sirius Black," Remus points out as though that's the answer.

Sirius' hopeful smile fades. Does Remus really see the same as everyone else? That Sirius is just this cool, confident guy? That there isn't more to him than that?

"Everyone has a secret," he replies quietly. "There's a lot more to me than people see." Finding D&D has made a big impact on Sirius' life because it allows him to be someone else. It allows him to stop being Sirius Black. There's so much more to it, but that's the main impact it has for him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Remus murmurs softly, clearly realising his mistake. "What I meant was - I see you in school so often and I see this flirty, popular guy, and… and… and…" he begins to trip over his words and the blush appears.

Sirius watches him.

"S...Sirius, I… there's… there's a-a lot… more to you…" Remus is stuttering now, trying to force the words out and now Sirius understands why Remus doesn't say much usually. The more nervous Remus appears, the worse it becomes, and Sirius doesn't want Remus to ever feel nervous around him.

He reaches out, placing his hand gently on Remus' hand, and Remus stops trying to talk, his gaze darting to their hands, and then up to Sirius' eyes.

"People expect me to act a certain way," Sirius says. "First I was Sirius Black, you know my father is a member of parliament, even though that was before I came to Hogwarts. Everyone wanted to befriend me because of who my parents are. Then I rebelled. Then I ran away, and I somehow because this awesome rebel and… and then the Potters enrolled me in Hogwarts, but I'm still the son of Walburga and Orion Black, still… still have that weight over my head. People look at my history, my family… even my image, and don't realise there's so much more to me than all of that."

"Tell me," Remus murmurs. There's still a bit of a stutter to his words, but he looks calmer now. Maybe it's because the sentence is short, or perhaps because there's less pressure on him and what he's saying.

"I like playing computer games. I… I like drawing, I love art. I love music too, but art is my passion. I do… geeky - I suppose - things, such as playing Dungeons and Dragons, because I feel like I'm not 'Sirius Black' there, I'm whatever character I choose to play. I'm whoever I want to be. It's very freeing."

"But you don't want the world knowing you play?" Remus questions.

"I don't," Sirius agrees quietly. "I don't know why. Maybe I'm not ready to show that side of me. Or… maybe I'm scared. Scared of… scared of how people will look at me."

"That's a shame," Remus replies with a soft smile. "But that's your choice. I'm not going to tell anyone, but if you ever change your mind and want to play closer to home… I mean, it's just me and Alice that are looking for a group at the moment, but… I'm sure we can get something going if you ever want." He grabs a pen out of his bag and scribbles his number on the napkin. "In case you ever want a game, let me know."

Sirius takes the number. He's not sure if this is Remus' adorable way of giving Sirius his number, or if he actually means that Sirius can only contact him regarding D&D. He can't bring himself to ask.

He puts the napkin in his inside pocket, where he knows he won't lose it.

"Now… tell me about your character," Remus insists, reaching into the bag and withdrawing the sheet. He sets it onto the table in front of him and Sirius reaches for it. "Level seven - you've been playing a while?"

Sirius nods. "Well, you were surprised earlier that I picked Tiefling, but you weren't that I was a Bard. How come?"

Remus grins. "Sirius Black, the most charismatic and flirty guy I've met in my life… of course you're a Bard."

"Bards have a reputation," Sirius points out. Then it hits him. "Wait. Do I?"

Remus nods slightly, glancing at the table again. "It's mostly about you dating… dating a lot."

Sirius watches him for a long moment. He's never cared that people claim to have dated him, but there's a hint of bitterness in Remus' voice that finally clues him in.

"And that's why you never respond when I flirt - because you're worried that it'll be as short term as the others?"

Remus hesitates before nodding once more, still not making eye contact. "I honestly thought you'd get tired of flirting with me and move onto the next person."

"Rumours are just that," Sirius tells him softly. "I promise you that." Hoping to change the subject away from these rumours that have kept Remus away from him, he glances at his sheet again, moving his hand from Remus' so he can smooth it on the table. "That's the wonderful thing about me: I never know when to give up. I'm not giving up on you until you tell me no - you're not interested."

"I don't think I'll ever say that," Remus admits. "So… your character?"

Sirius is thrilled at Remus' words, but can see Remus is blushing again and he takes the change of subject because he wants Remus to be at ease. He glances at his sheet once more.

"Tieflings are cursed humans. Their curse comes from what their family has done in the past - they're cursed because of someone else's darkness. They do everything they can to fit in… I guess there's a part of me that really related to that when I made my character up - I still do feel like that, I suppose."

Remus is watching him, and it feels nice. It's a real conversation. Things he's only ever talked to James about.

"Maybe you can help me make up a character one day?" Remus requests softly. "I was thinking a Cleric or something."

Sirius nods slowly. A Cleric heals and helps. It's so very fitting, really. "I'd be delighted," he replies.

"You know… I like knowing this about you," Remus insists softly. "I like this glimpse into the real you. The real Sirius Black is much cooler than the one I know from school."

"Maybe… maybe we could get a group together sometime?" Sirius suggests softly. It's scary, the idea of people seeing the real him, but maybe it's time to stop pretending?

"As much as I'd like that, I'd also rather like having you to… to myself," Remus says.

Sirius can't keep the smile off his lips. When Remus picked up his sheet, he had imagined that this would be the worst day ever, but it's turning into the best.

"Both. Both sound good," Sirius insists. "Play DnD with a group, then me and you can go on a date."

Remus nods, and Sirius is starting to recognise the expression on his face where he's struggling for words. He takes Remus' hand again, running his thumb over the back in what he hopes is a comforting manner.

"I'm glad you found my sheet," he admits softly. "So, so very glad."

Because now he understands a little more. It may be just a game, but it could make a difference to Remus' life, as it has his. Sirius was someone who hid behind masks, but not anymore. Maybe playing DnD doesn't go with his current image… but he doesn't need to be that person.

It's time for the real Sirius to finally take a step forward, and Sirius is ready for that.

"So am I," Remus replies. "You're so passionate about this and… and I like seeing this version of you." He glances at the empty cups. "Are you free for a bit longer? I can get the next drinks in."

Sirius nods. This is definitely a date.

2612 words