I've decided to try my hand at this story again. I apologize ahead of time for any OOCness.

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Two men stand facing each other, both worn around the edges. Neither speak for a moment. The dark haired one, the one behind bars, is searching for something to say. There's a look on his friend's face that he has only seen once since meeting the man—and that day nearly shattered their friendship.

He doesn't think they're going to be able to fix it this time.

He wants to ask about the boy. He knows that it'll probably cause his guest to break in front of him, but he has to know.

"Remus—"

The man—Remus—holds a hand up to stop him from speaking. He tells him to stop—don't, just don't.

Sirius holds his breath as he stares at the other man's retreating back.

He is alone.

This is a story of boy meets boy. The boy, Remus Lupin of a half-blood family, grew up believing that he'd never truly be happy until the day he met the one (if even then). This belief stemmed from watching his parents together as he grew up and being read a few too many fairy-tales by his mother.

The other boy, Sirius Black of a pure-blood family, did not share this belief. Since growing up witnessing a loveless marriage between his parents, he'd only loved two things: his little brother and causing trouble.

Remus meets Sirius on their first day of school at Hogwarts. He knows almost immediately he's who he's been searching for.

This is a story of boy meets boy.

But you should know up front, this is not a love story.

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Sirius Black rocked back and forth on his feet impatiently, earning a scowl, which he ignored, from his mother for doing so. She was always angry about something or another, and he knew that she wasn't likely to cause a scene in front of hundreds of people. It wouldn't be good for the Black's reputation, after all. The harder than necessary clap on the back from his father let him know that he would probably be hearing from them later in the night though; poor posture was also bad for the Black family reputation, after all.

"Behave yourself while you're over there, young man."

He agreed to, though they all knew otherwise. Their parting soon ended after; no hugs, no kiss, barely even a goodbye. He didn't think much of this though, long accustomed to his parent's unattached behavior. Besides, he was far too excited to let it bother him—not that it normally would anyway; he could do without both of his parents. He would miss his younger brother though; he ruffled the boy's hair before taking off for the train the second his parents left him to talk to another pure-blood family.

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When Sirius finds the box of chocolate sitting on his bed, he's surprised. It isn't because the Christmas gift is early (Remus would be leaving early for whatever it is he vanishes to do, after all), nor is it because he got one at all; being a Black, he is used to getting things.

Sirius is surprised because Remus never shares his chocolate with anyone unless they're sick—anyone. He feels a bit unspecial (and jealous) when he realizes that both Peter and James got the same gift, but when he also realizes, not even a minute later, that Remus actually remembered his favorite brand, he feels better.

Besides, Remus is wearing the scarf he bought for him, and it causes a warmth in Sirius' belly to grow that he can't honestly blame on the fire whisky they snuck out of a teacher's desk earlier that day.

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When Sirius runs into James Potter, he quite literally runs into the boy. Their heads smack together, and Sirius doesn't know if he should laugh or attack. He's about to take the second option when he realizes that James actually is laughing, and from that moment on, they're best friends.

When he runs into Remus, however, it is not quite literally; there is no touching involved at all.

Sirius enters the first compartment he sees without knocking, James in tow. There, already sitting, is a boy. Average looking enough, in Sirius' opinion, though just a bit on the boring side; a book is open on the kid's lap. Sirius can tell within seconds that the boy is also a lot poorer than himself by the clothes he's wearing. Money doesn't matter much to him—he enjoys having it, but he hates people who flaunt it, like his parents—but the book has thrown him off enough to make him want to find somewhere else to sit.

It's when the boy looks up at him that Sirius changes his mind. Amber eyes are not average, after all, and Sirius has been studied enough—usually by "friends" of his parents—during his lifetime to know that when the boy's eyes meet his face, that's what the kid is doing. Sirius Black is never one to not flaunt himself, and he puffs his chest out a bit. He is earned a small, slightly shy smile for doing this.

He has found his compartment.

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Sirius is beginning to regret becoming friends with Remus. The boy is quieter than he likes, takes his grades too seriously, and is friends with the dreadful (labeled by Sirius) Evans girl. The main problem though is much, much worse (even worse than Remus wanting to become that even-worse-than-Evans Snape boy's friend)—Remus is boring. Sirius Black can handle anything but boring. Remus isn't even the type of boring that Peter is; Peter, at least, will go along with their pranks.

It's when, mere minutes after Sirius has voiced his complaint to James, Remus offhandedly perfects a crick in one of their plans that Sirius changes his mind.

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When Peter joins them a bit later, it's Remus that sparks up a conversation with him. He knows that the other two boys aren't very interested in the muggle-born, though it isn't mutual, and, in James' defense, he does try. Remus feels a bit bad for the larger boy; he knows what it's like to be considered boring. Eventually though, even he can't handle the awkward lulls in the conversation, and he goes back to his book.

He thinks about trying harder to make a connection with the other boys, but he knows that he isn't their type. He also knows that though Peter might now find comfort in staying close to him the first few days of school, he shouldn't allow it. He knows that he's better off alone.

He occasionally peeks up from the pages in his book.

Though they're just eleven, he also knows that Sirius Black is extremely beautiful—and will more than likely become even more handsome with age.

Remus knew, almost immediately, when Sirius stepped into the compartment that it's him he's been searching for.

He also knew that he could never have him-but Remus Lupin is the kind of boy who loves, no matter what he knows.