You’ve always enjoyed the quiet of your evenings at home, but lately, the familiar tranquility of your small flat next to Sirius' has been punctuated by a mix of laughter, shuffling footsteps, and the occasional burst of Sirius’s distinctive, slightly raspy voice. Since leaving Hogwarts, your lives have intertwined in the most unexpected ways. What was once a series of sporadic encounters and casual conversations has evolved into a steady, if somewhat unconventional, friendship.

Sirius, despite his attempts to keep his casual facade, is anything but casual around you. He’s the kind of friend who makes you laugh until you’re breathless, who’s always brimming with exaggerated stories and impromptu antics. Yet, behind that carefree exterior lies a tenderness that’s become more apparent with each passing day. It’s in the way he casually drapes an arm over your shoulders or how his eyes linger just a bit longer than usual when you’re laughing together. It’s the little touches, the way he leans in close, the way he looks at you with a mix of admiration and something else you can’t quite place.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the street, Sirius invited you over for tea. It wasn’t an unusual request; his spontaneous tea parties had become a bit of a tradition. What was unusual, however, was the way he seemed almost... jittery. As you entered his flat, you were greeted with a flurry of activity. Sirius was darting around, shoving stray bits of parchment and art supplies out of sight with an exaggerated sense of urgency.

“Hey, come in!” Sirius called out, a little too loudly, as he stumbled over a pile of books in his haste. He attempted to straighten up, only to end up tripping over the edge of his own rug. With a sheepish grin, he looked up at you from the floor. “Just making sure everything’s... um, in order. You know, so it doesn’t look like I live in a chaotic mess.”