Remus hadn't spoken to anyone since it happened, not for a few days at least. Yes he'd mutter 'yes' and 'no' at questions but that was the extent of his desired interaction. It was clear to the other three boys that Remus was stuck blaming himself and hurting from Sirius' behaviour all the same.

Grant was observing him from his bed in one of the corners, seeing the lost look in his friends eyes making his heart break more and more. He knew when to leave Remus alone but he seemed to be retreating deeper and deeper into himself after the incident. He remembered how much he'd blamed himself after the incident, not because he'd said anything but because he looked lost and ashamed.

James and Peter left Remus to his own devices, not quite knowing what the best route to take was. They decided they'd just have to wait it out and give Remus some space, hoping he'd adapt but...the change wasn't coming.

The one who took Sirius leaving the hardest was James, who'd snapped at him moments before he left and was feeling almost as guilty as Remus. Although Grant had told James a million times that the incident wasn't his fault James would just shake his head and said 'I should've been there to stop him leaving'.

All 4 of them worried, that was clear. Remus wouldn't say it but they could all see it. Sirius had moved out of hiding with them and straight into the world with a wizarding war uprising, not exactly the safest time to storm off. Peter mentioned how good Sirius was at defence and magic and that he'd be okay. This didn't seem to reassure any of them though because they knew how dangerous it was out there. They were hoping to hear word from the Order that Sirius had joined up with them but none came. James was listening intently at the radio, hoping for any news on Sirius' whereabouts to pop up. They were all listening too, hoping they wouldn't hear the worst.

On the 5th day after Sirius leaving, Remus started to interact with the others more and more. Although, they all noticed that any mention of Sirius made Remus go silent again so they decided not to mention the situation until Remus was ready.

From then on they passed their days slowly, with each passing like a dragged out performance. They'd smile and sometimes even laugh but without Sirius it al felt out of place, like they were inside a jigsaw puzzle but an essential piece was missing and they couldn't find it. The incomplete feeling even spread to Grant who wasn't smiling as much as James was used to seeing.

Their routines would shift and they could spend hours at a time in silence. This became dull and tiring and finally James spoke up on Thursday morning.

"I know we feel a little....lost right now" he said eyeing Remus before continuing "but we have to stay updated with the wizarding world and keeping us hidden...which we can't do effectively if we keep worrying about Sirius"

This made everyone look up, Remus didn't flinch or shrink away, if anything he sat up straighter. Jame's determination was infectious.

"Alright" Remus said shrugging.

"We can still talk about him and keep tabs on where he could be but....I think in the end he'll come back to us. We just need to stay put" James said, starting to talk strategically.

Both Grant and Peter exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement with the idea. Although the atmosphere never got back to what it was before, it was definitely an improvement from insufferable silence. James was back to his usual routine of waking early, cooking, listening to the radio and marking down notes on his large, table length map.

Grant was keeping himself entertained by going out for firewood with Peter and reading some of Remus' schoolbooks. And Remus...well..he smiled. He had to. He had to keep himself distracted otherwise he'd sink into thoughts of Sirius again.

Remus knew that the argument they'd had was just a spat that got out of hand, but it had gotten so heated in the moment that every single angry thought he had came tumbling out before he could stop it. Sirius had been picking on Peter for almost the entire trip, he'd insulted Grant and even managed to piss off James. Remus was defending his friends in that moment...at least that's what had stemmed the initial anger. But the fact that Sirius wouldn't even apologise is what made him furious. He knew what he'd said was uncalled for....he knew that...and he hated that he'd said it. But Sirius had pushed him to his limit. Either way, he didn't want him out there alone, not matter how angry he may be. He hoped for Sirius' return but dreaded it all the same. What would he say to him when he saw him again?....If he saw him again?

He shook his head, trying not to go down that path and quickly started to engage in a conversation with Peter about something or other. But, no matter how much he tried to distract his thoughts it was utterly pointless, worry for Sirius would just keep creeping back in like a snake.

.......................................

It was days like these, long ones with nothing much to do, where Grant started to notice Peter wandering off. He'd kept it to himself, thinking Peter just needed fresh air and time alone which, he completely understood. The tent would get stuffy on hot days and even more unbearable on cold ones. But every time Peter returned he looked paler than usual, with more worry in his eyes than what was natural for Peter's anxious manner.

Grant thought about asking him but he figured that it was none of his business. Besides, Peter would go on walks and disappear all of the time when they first arrived in the Forest of Dean, until they moved that is. He knew by now that Peter could transform into a rat and figured he'd be running around the forest for some exercise when he'd disappear for hours. But the more he left, the more unnerved he seemed to be when he arrived back at the tent. James, being so attentive on the radio and his research, barely noticed when Peter was missing and Remus would read most days and help James sometimes. Grant was attentive to everything in that tent so it was impossible for him to not notice peter's disappearances.

He shrugged it off of his mind before walking over to James who was by the map as usual. They were amidst a war that was still a shock to Grant, but he had the never-ending urge to help. He decided that this wa probably a better moment than never to have a discussion with James that was long overdue. He wasn't used to feeling nervous about these things so he took a few seconds to get his thoughts in order before tapping James lightly on the shoulder

"Oh..." James said in surprise, clearly being intently focused on his work before Grant had appeared and smiled at the company. "Hi Grant..come to help with the map?"

"Actually" Grant stated before looking at Remus desperately, wanting a moment alone with James.

Remus got the hint immediately, reading his eyes like a book.

"Hey Pete..." Remus said, trying to act casual "Wanna go outside and help with dinner"

Peter shrugged, not seeing a reason to say no, even though he was shivering a little. Grant made a mental note to ask Peter where he'd disappeared off to later.

Once the two boys left the tent, Grant and James were alone, the candlelight from the hanging structures in the unique tent glowing a delightful orange onto Jame's face.

"So...what's up?" James finally asked, turning to look at Grant so his back was against the table.

Grant felt his heart rate pick up, still not adapting to the unnatural nerves in this situation.

"okay so....." Grant started but stumbled for words, forming a few possible sentences in his brain before shaking his head, deeming them all stupid.

"Grant, you're blushing" James said with a smile, noticing the crimson circle appearing on the boys pale skin.

Grant laughed, a nervous waver escaping before he took a slow deep breath and said extremely quickly "ireallylikeyouandihavesinceimetyou.ilikeyoumorethanafriendjames"

James took a few seconds to process the words and his face showed a ghost of smile "You...like me?"

Grant felt as though he'd freaked him out and quickly began to stumble over his words again "Well....it's fine...forget I said anything..." he said going to walk away but he felt Jame's hand latch onto his quickly.

"Grant, wait" James said, a giggle in his voice as he pulled Grant back over, placing two hands on his chest and looking up into his eyes.

"I've adored you since the day I laid eyes on you" James said softly which took Grant by surprise but made his heart flutter, not with nerves this time but with hopeless romance.

"Really?" Grant asked happily "Well...then I'm the luckiest guy in the world" he said reaching up a hand and brushing it through James' messy hair.

James leant into his touch slightly and grinned "Not possible. I already have that title"

Grant couldn't stop himself as he leant in and kissed James gently, all emotion flooding out of him like a river of adoration. James reached his hands up to wrap them around Grant's neck, feeling Grants hands reach his waist and pull him closer. 

"About time" came a voice from across the tent and they both pulled away in shock. they looked over at the tent entrance to see Remus and Peter grinning.

This time it was James who blushed bright scarlett as he buried his head in Grants shoulder and laughed.

"I knew it" Peter whispered triumphantly and laughed happily, seeming glad to see his two friends so clearly in love.

Grant chuckled at Peter's enthusiasm and kissed the top of James' head.

"So Potter...you and me?" he asked and James slowly pulled back to look at him.

"You and me" he responded with a smile.