Remus,

I've made sure you're still keyed to the wards at the cabin.

It was signed only with a muddy footprint. Remus knew what he had to do. He'd been waiting for this chance since the moment he had seen solid proof Sirius hadn't betrayed the marauders.

It only took him a moment to center himself and arrive at the cabin. Everything was just as he remembered it from their previous visits. So many memories flooded back to him, each bringing a smile to his face. He could almost pretend time hadn't passed.

But then Sirius opened the door, and, although he looked better, his gaunt face forced Remus back to the present.

"Moony! I knew you'd come."

Remus stumbled forward into the outstretched arms, feeling as though he'd arrived home for the first time in nearly 13 years.

"I thought I'd really lost you, Padfoot. I thought you'd be kissed."

Sirius hugged him harder, but he could feel the man trembling. "Harry and Hermione saved me."

"They are extraordinary, aren't they?"

"Come inside, Remus. There's something I want to talk to you about." Remus did as asked and was surprised to find a dinner for two set out. His heart jumped to his throat, but he choked it down, not wanting to get his hopes up.

"I've got all your favorites. Big chocolate cake for dessert, even." Remus couldn't stop his grin. Sirius could be incredibly thoughtful when he wanted to be.

They made it thought most of the meal in silence. But when dessert was served, it was obvious Sirius could no longer contain himself.

"Tell me everything you've been up to."

So Remus did. He talked about the crippling depression, roaming the forests of Europe, leading a pack, stepping down, and his teaching career. Sirius was a perfect audience, but Remus could tell he wanted to know more.

"Did you…" Sirius started, looking, and sounding, uncharacteristically nervous. "Did you do all this alone?"

"Well, yeah. Who would I have with me?"

"A…a mate, perhaps?" Remus could hardly believe what he was hearing. Sirius had never been willing to discuss this in the past.

Unable to meet Sirius' eyes, Remus answered the table. "I can't just find myself a mate, Padfoot. Especially when I already have one."

"So you haven't…?"

"No, Padfoot." Remus finally made himself look up, straight into Sirius' eyes. "I've been waiting for you."

With a whoop of joy, Sirius jumped to his feet and pulled Remus up into a hug. "I shouldn't be happy you were alone, but I'm so glad I don't have competition!"

Sirius pulled away and looked solemnly at Remus. "I let fear rule me last time. I couldn't bring myself to commit to one person, and look at where that landed me. You would have kept me from going after Peter, and we would have raised Harry. Instead we've had 13 miserable years apart."

"Sirius, it's—"

"No, let me talk, please. It's not OK. And yes, it's in the past, but it's still mostly my fault. But I'm not making bad choices this time. And I'm starting by fixing the worst mistake I made. Remus, Moony, will you marry me?"

Remus felt his heart leap before this rational side kicked in. "We can't. You're a wanted felon, and I'm a werewolf. If anyone were to marry you, they'd be in serious trouble. I'd surely be thrown in Azkaban with you for being a dark creature. So marriage in the magical world is out, and men can't marry in the non-magical world."

For some reason, Sirius was still smiling. "I don't need anything fancy. If it's ok with you, we can marry ourselves. It won't be binding by law, but we can write up some documents with Gringotts to make everything legal. Since I was never charged, they're still quite willing to work with me. If that's not ok, we'll go to America and get married there. No charge, no conviction, means no record. But as long as you'll agree to be mine, I'll be happy. Please, Moony?"

For a moment, Remus could only nod as he processed everything. Sirius was right. They didn't need it to be binding in the eyes of the Ministry. They just needed to promise each other. He could hardly believe something this good was happening to him. But there was Sirius, still waiting for an answer. "Ok, Sirius, let's do it. Let's get married!"