Chapter Text
A New Life
Prince Sirius is still rubbing at the bruises in his neck as Remus steers the carriage into the woods. “Merlin, that hurt!”
Remus tugs at the reins to make the horse go faster now that they're under the cover of the trees, and his eyes briefly dart over to the young man sitting beside him. “Be happy, Prince Sirius. Most people who get hanged only wish they can still complain about it afterwards.”
Prince Sirius winches. “True. Impressive trick you and James pulled.”
Remus shrugs. “Just a metal wire in the noose, to give you just enough room to breathe while hanging, plus a bribe to the executioner, and there you go. The whole kingdom gets to witness the hanging of the last member of the Royal House of Black, without you actually dying.”
Prince Sirius scoffs. “Still ridiculous that I had to be executed. I helped James from within to overthrow my family!”
“I know,” Remus sighs. “And King James knows. But after your parents’ cruel and terrible reign the people simply demanded the entire House of Black to be eliminated. Besides, as the previous crown prince, you have an undeniably strong claim to the throne."
“I have absolutely no desire to-”
“I know,” Remus says again. “But you do. So as long as you're alive, or, well, presumed to be alive, ambitious nobles can use that claim to cast doubt upon King James’ legitimacy, and even conspire against him.”
“Right,” Prince Sirius says. “So you gave the people what they wanted. The Public Execution of Prince Sirius Orion Black.”
“King James did feel bad about it,” Remus says, in a weak attempt to make it better. “But he had no choice. Stabilizing his still early reign to bring peace and prosperity to the land, after the havoc your parents wrecked upon it, simply must take priority over his own peace of mind.”
“I understand,” Prince Sirius sighs. “But I still think I could have been of great help to James. I know the kingdom and the inner workings of its nobility like no one else.”
“Look at it from the bright side, Prince Sirius,” Remus says. “You now get to leave all that behind you and start a whole new life the way you want to live it.”
“Which means you have to stop with the whole prince-thing, and start calling me just Sirius,” Prince Sirius says, poking Remus in the side.
“Auch! Would you stop it!” Remus bats Prince Sirius’ hand away. “Okay, okay, just Sirius it is. You're not being very prince-like anyway.”
Sirius grins as he leans back against the wooden bench and slings one arm around Remus’ shoulder. “So, this is the part of the story where you and I ride off into the sunset and start our new life together?”
“What?” Remus chokes. “What are you-? No!”
Sirius just keeps grinning at him, and Remus can feel his face heating up. He tries to compose himself and scrapes his throat. “I'm just doing what King James ordered me to do. Bring you to Godric’s Hollow at the border of the kingdom, so you can start your new life, and then I'll return to my place by King James’ side.”
“Aaaw,” Sirius pouts. “Come on, Rem. You have to admit that my version is a lot more romantic!”
“This has nothing to do with romance!” Remus looks away from the teasing smile on Sirius’ face and pointedly stares at the horse. “This is just me doing my duty.”
“Mmm,” Sirius hums. “And how long until we reach Godric’s Hollow?”
“Four days and three nights,” Remus replies.
“Well,” a smirk spreads over Sirius’ face. “That's plenty of time to make you fall in love with me!”
Remus refuses to look at Sirius, as he feels his face getting redder.
Oh, he's in trouble.