Remus Lupin didn't even really remember how this argument started. It was close to a full moon and he was tired and emotional and Sirius had just pushed him too far. He angrily stomped into their dorm room as he fought tears. He heard Sirius follow quietly behind but he didn't have the energy to yell or even acknowledge the other boy. Remus crashed onto his bed hoping to avoid a discussion and just sleep forever.

"Moony.." Sirius said quietly as he sat gently on the foot of Remus' bed.

"Sirius, I can't right now. I don't want to say something I might regret."

"I'm so sorry. It was dumb," Sirius said, trying again as he reached out slowly to hold Remus' hand. As soon as he made contact, Remus sat up and moved to the head of the bed as if he had just been burned. The look of pain of Sirius' face almost broke him, but he couldn't let the red tint of anger go. Maybe if it was further from a full moon, but not now. Remus closed his eyes, hoping that Sirius would take the hint and leave. When he opened them a couple minutes later, he was only mildly surprised to see a black dog where Sirius just was.

"Padfoot, this isn't.." Remus started softly as the dog started to move. He turned his head toward the wall, baring his neck to Remus, an action that went against his entire being. Suddenly all of Remus' anger melted. He knew how hard it was for Sirius to be vulnerable, let alone to willingly submit to another person as he was doing now.

"Pads, that's not necessary," Remus said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I need to control myself more; I never want you to feel like you have to, well, lessen yourself for me."

The dog tilted it's head at Remus before bounding over to Sirius' bed where he became human again. Once fully clothed, Sirius walked back over to his spot at the foot of the bed and held his hand up to silence Remus.

"First," he started gently, "don't ever apologize for emotions. No matter who or what you are, you are allowed to feel whatever you do and react appropriately." Remus looked as though he wanted to debate that point, but Sirius shot him a glare that silenced him.

"Second, it's not like that. It's taken a long time, but I have realized vulnerability is not a weakness," Sirius said. "I wasn't 'lessening' myself, it takes strength to trust someone with your heart and soul. And that's what you have of me."

At that Remus couldn't stop the blush from creeping up his cheeks as he grabbed Sirius' hand.

"Sirius, you know I feel the same. I am yours; even if my animal form won't let me surrender my human form does. I surrender to you. And I am sorry."

Sirius smiled sadly as he watched Remus play with their connected hands. The world, especially the wizarding world, had never been seeped in more blood or hatred or mistrust. Miraculously, in the midst of this, love and moments of two people going against the odds and trusting another person wholly still existed. Sirius and Remus knew that if even they could let down their walls and trust and hope, then there was still hope for this war.