"I saw Mummy kissing Santa Claus, only Mummy is Lily and Santa is really Sirius and ... why are you laughing, James?"
(you're getting a quick Jilypad Christmas story too because I just needed to get that out of my system. Happy Holidays!)
Peter really didn't mean to get into this situation.
He just wanted a refill on his mulled wine, a totally normal thing to do at a Christmas party. So he went to the kitchen, again a very normal thing to do, only he wasn't prepared for what he would be walking into.
Sirius leans against the kitchen counters, his hands on Lily's hips, while Lily leans against him, her arms around his neck, their lips locked like no one could possibly catch them in the act.
Only Peter did catch them and they didn't even notice because they are so busy making out. In James' and Lily's kitchen. In the house they just moved into.
So Peter creeps back out of the kitchen, slow and silent, and then turns to go and do his duty.
He knows it's Christmas and all and he'll probably ruin it but James needs to know about this. What kind of friend would Peter be if he wouldn't tell? Telling is exactly what he has to do and that makes him so much better than the so called best friend who's currently snogging James' wife in his own kitchen. Such low morals, really.
Not that Peter is that surprised about it, he has known Sirius for years after all. Not exactly the one with the greatest morals. But it's always been JamesandSirius from the moment they met on the train. They share everything. So Peter is not surprised about Sirius possibly having his eyes on Lily as well, he just is a little bit surprised he would go for it and risk James finding out about it and all the drama that will bring.
Good thing Peter is here for James to step in where his so called best friend has failed him so much. He will be the strong shoulder James will desperately need after this shock. Maybe James will even need a place to stay while he waits for the divorce to go though. Peter's apartment is small but they will be able to make it work. They can just spell the bed to make it a bit bigger – James will surely know how to do that – and Peter will be able to be even closer if James needs him, whatever time of day or night.
Peter rounds the corner to the hallway that leads back to the living room and nearly runs into the very person he needs to see.
“James!” he squeaks and then lowers his voice so the cheaters in the kitchen won't hear him. “James... I .. I need to tell you something.”
“Oh, okay. Just let me get more wine first,” James says and tries to step around Peter to get to the kitchen but Peter jumps into his way. He can't let James go in there unprepared. And without his wand ready. James stops and frowns. “Peter?”
“Do...do you remember that song Remus played for us earlier? That muggle song? About Mummy kissing that Santa Claus person?”
James looks at him with a bit of concern creeping into his eyes but Peter barrels on. He's a Gryffindor after all.
“Well, I've seen it. Just Lily is Mummy and Santa is really Sirius and you really should know that – why are you laughing, James?”
Now Peter is the one looking concerned because James laughs so hard, he has to lean against the wall for support. Maybe Peter didn't break the news gently enough and it did some damage, making him spin into insanity. Maybe Peter's apartment isn't the best place for James to stay after all.
James gulps down some air and wipes at his eyes beneath the glasses. At least he's breathing and not falling over dead in shock. That's something, right?
“Where have you seen them, Peter?” James asks and Peter is a little bit relieved. There was always the possibility that James wouldn't believe him. It's Sirius who's betraying him after all and James has a blind spot when it comes to Sirius that is really a dark hole. The man can do no wrong in James' eyes. Well, see how that blind trust has turned out.
Peter points at the kitchen behind himself and this time he doesn't manage to stop James when he darts around him. There is nothing else for Peter to do than to follow James to the kitchen. He really hopes it won't come to a duel. Maybe he should get Remus as back up?
They step into the kitchen and Peter watches James, wanting to catch the exact moment James sees what's going on behind his back.
Peter blinks in confusion.
“Really now?” James says and Sirius and Lily finally pull back from their kiss, but still stay in each other's arms. The audacity. “I have to hear from Peter what you're doing in here while we have guests out there?”
Peter really wishes James wouldn't drop his name. He's not the best duellist and he knows both Sirius and Lily are way better than him.
Sirius only huffs, not going for his wand to defend his questionable honour at all. “It's just Remus and Peter, that's hardly guests.”
James laughs, because of course he does. It's like Sirius is doing some kind of magic to him. Magic that ensures that as soon as James looks at him there is no way for James to think anything else but of Sirius as the most perfect human on this planet, even if he just snogged James' wife. It's infuriating because Peter has no idea how it works.
“Still,” James says and crosses the kitchen to stand beside them. “A little unfair that you get to have all the fun without me.”
And then James just buries his hands in Sirius' hair and pulls him into a kiss. While Lily is right there, watching them with a fond smile.
Peter wonders if he's hallucinating. Maybe there was something in the wine.