Remus watched from his usual spot near the fireplace as Sirius lounged in the armchair, looking every bit the picture of careless ease. One leg was slung over the armrest, and a smirk played on his lips as he spun his wand effortlessly between his fingers. The flickering firelight caught the sharp angles of Sirius’s cheekbones, casting deep shadows under his stormy grey eyes. Remus’s gaze flicked to the map spread out on the coffee table—the one they’d spent hours enchanting earlier that week. A masterpiece of delicate charm work, its wriggling footprints and flowing ink revealed every secret inch of the castle.

"Brilliant, isn’t it?" Sirius murmured, his smirk widening as he studied the map.

Remus had to admit, it was brilliant. Their finest work yet, though he didn’t dare say it aloud and inflate Sirius’s already outsized ego. He watched as Sirius leaned back further in the chair, a soft chuckle escaping him. Probably imagining the chaos this map could cause. Filch would be beside himself, no doubt, and Severus… well, Severus deserved whatever trouble he brought on himself.

But there was a fleeting change in Sirius’s expression—a flicker of something unspoken as he glanced toward the fire. Remus recognized it instantly, that subtle shift. He’d seen it before, in the quiet moments Sirius rarely allowed anyone to witness. Regulus, Remus thought, the name unspoken but lingering between them. Sirius never mentioned his brother outright, not to Remus at least, but the ache was there, buried beneath every rebellious smirk and mocking laugh.

Before Remus could decide whether to say something—or perhaps just sit quietly, as he often did—the common room door creaked open. Sirius moved like lightning, snatching up the map and tucking it away with practiced ease.

Remus suppressed a grin. Typical Sirius. Always one step ahead.