Chapter Text
As the sun sank in the west, a brown car pulled into the parking spot of 105 at Elysium Flats. The enormous building loomed above them, and a chill shot down Remus’s spine, the ache of his joints pairing to match. Remus hesitated, but James barely noticed. As soon as the car was off, his door was open and he was tumbling out. He looked up at the building, a smile spreading over his face.
The apartment was a tall, and modern high-rise with a sleek glass and steel facade that reflects the sunset, casting orange and pink streaks across the street. There was a small, landscaped plaza with low bushes and smooth stone benches in front of it.
The bushes were cut to perfection, throughout the whole outer building there wasn’t a speck of dirt.
Remus fell into step next to James, the noise of New York City hit their ears. Loud sounds of rushing cars and blustering honks. It was a comforting and normal background noise. “Look at this baby!” James whistled, “Ready to take a look?”
Remus rolled his eyes, “We’ve already seen it. The only difference is it’s filled with boxes.” James sighed at the mention of unpacking, the long but inevitable task.
“Don’t even remind me.” He complained, “Besides, it's ours now. Trust me, you’ll see it in a completely new light!” He beamed. They arrived at the doors of the building, James opened the door and held it open for Remus.
“Thanks.” He said softly, walking into the building. Remus’s pulse quickens as he glances around, the air felt heavier than usual. The echo of his footsteps sounded sharper than he expected. A draft brushes past him oddly, and he shivered. The building was nice, modern, and seemed well clean.
It was spacious and bright, with polished marble floors that echoed footsteps. The lights cast a soft, almost artificial light, casting shadows across the outer corners of the lobby. A faint smell of fresh paint, furniture polish, and the underlying scent of the city hit Remus’s nose.
Something about it set his nerves on edge; he couldn’t shake the feeling something wasn’t right.
“My pleasure, love.” James shot him a playful smirk and laughed loudly, drawing a few curious glances in the otherwise silent lobby. Remus shot them with apologetics looks.
“This is so modern!” James walked towards a piece of art hung on the wall. It was massive, with thick textured paint. It was a man, sitting with a straight posture. Remus furrowed his brows, it seemed that his eyes were watching him. The eyes were piercing, unnaturally large.
He took a slight step back, his shoulders stiffened, and his breath shallowed. He averted his gaze from the painting, it was too much to even look at. The thick paint caught the light in a jagged streak, the shadows around the figure twisting oddly.
“I wonder if this was the owner!” James tilted his head, looking at Remus.
“I hope not.” He muttered, and clicked the button for the elevator to arrive.
As they waited, James remarked, “This apartment has a bath, right? It’ll probably help with your back.”
Remus tucked his hands into his pockets, forcing himself to meet James’ gaze only briefly. “Yeah… Maybe.” he said, wondering if a bath would truly make a difference.
The elevator arrived and they both stepped in. It was a short ride up to floor one. They walked towards their apartment, and James unlocked the door.
It wasn’t as bad as Remus expected. He was expecting hallways full of boxes, but it truly wasn’t that bad. They were all organized pretty well, unlike the last time he moved, alone. James must’ve paid for good movers.
Compared to his old apartment, this one was heaven. It was pretty big. Two bedrooms, 1 bath, a living room, a kitchen, a storage room with a washing machine and dryer, and even an island in the kitchen! It was a wonder it was so cheap, but it was too worth it to dwell over.
Remus walked further into the apartment, froze. Someone was on the couch.
He stumbled back, his voice sharp. “What the hell?”
James nearly bumped into him, “What?” he said, frowning as he stepped forward.
Remus pointed, hand shaking slightly. “There’s a guy on our couch.”
James blinked, then scrambled to find his phone. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” He patted his pockets, and swore under his breath. “Left it in the car.”
Remus shot James a look mixed with annoyance and fear. He let out a loud scoff of annoyance.
The stranger shifted, leaning lazily against the armrest. He lifted a hand and smirked like they were the ones intruding. “Hello.”
James squinted. Black, shoulder-length curls. White tank top under a leather jacket. Loose black pants that caught the light like oil.
“Do we know him?” he whispered.
Remus swallowed hard. “Doesn’t matter. This is our apartment.”
“Call the cops,” James hissed.
Remus nodded, fumbling for his phone.
The man stretched out, completely unbothered. “I mean no harm… mostly.” He said, a wolfish smile on his lips.
Remus forced his shoulders back, trying to sound steady. He met the man's eye, but he flushed until his intense eye contact. “You need to leave. Security’s on their way.” It was a bluff. Remus doesn’t even know the front desks number.
It was hard to sound firm when the guy looked exactly like his childhood (and, fine, current) celebrity crush.
“I’m not going anywhere, love.” He lifted his eyes to meet Remus’s.“Not that I even can.”
The guy leaned back and sighed, a little too dramatically. It was obvious he had given this speech a few times.“Me and my brother are stuck here.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “We died in this apartment a long time ago.”
James stumbled back in shock, Remus’s mouth fell open, his breath catching in his throat. “What? That’s impossible?”
James shook his head adamantly, “That’s not… you're not serious?”
The man grinned, but clearly held something back. “Oh, but I am.”
Remus’s mind refused to accept it. He can’t be serious… ghosts aren’t real. Remus’s heartbeat spiked, as his breath got rougher.
“Stop fucking with us.” James stepped in front of Remus, his eyebrows furrowed.
“You're a ghost.” Remus sighed, feeling faint and biting his lip.
“Bingo.” He said with a playful smirk, “Not the best roommates, I know.”
James stumbled, sucking in a deep breath. “This isn’t… Prove it. You can’t.”
The man flashed a mischievous smile before vanishing.
They froze.
Remus’s hands clenched, and took a step back. His shoulders tense, and his breath was short and shallow.
James was shaking, and his hand buried into his hair, yanking it to try and ground himself. He muttered something under his breath, something Remus didn’t pick up.
“I think… I think he wasn’t lying.” Remus mumbled.
The man appeared back, right in front of them.
“What the shit!”
“Holy fucking hell–”
A beat of silence, Remus stared at him in horror. The man's loud cackle broke the silence, like a sharp siren in an otherwise silent space. “Your face! Oh my god– I wish you could see it.”
Remus snorted, and crossed his arms. “That was not funny.”
James let out a small laugh, leaning against the doorway. “I mean… it kinda is.”
Remus rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips. “James Potter don’t even–”
Remus suddenly remembered the man was here, and he blurted out, “Who are you?”
“You don’t recognize me?” The man sighed overdramatically.
The man looked exactly like Sirius Black from old magazine covers and music videos, though that couldn’t be… he’s dead.
James paused. “..Are you Sirius Black?” He let out a shot of nervous laughter, blinking quickly in confusion. His voice was tight, heartbeat picking up.
The man flashed a knowing smile, and let out a single nod in confirmation.
“No fucking way–” James exclaimed.
A beat.
“You're not serious.” Remus shook his head, he couldn't believe it. It does make sense… The man looks too similar to him. He also speaks very similarly to the way Sirius Black did. Remus couldn’t believe this wasn’t painstakingly obvious to him at the start.
The man smirked, “Oh but I am. Very… Sirius.” He cackled loudly at his joke.
“Wait… Sirius? That’s–oh, come on..” Remus groaned, rolling his eyes.
“Are you being serious?” James tried to process it.
“I am very Sirius–”
James let out a shocked laugh. Remus groaned in disbelief.
“Don’t you even–” Remus loudly complained.
Sirius laughed, but softened a twig. “Sirius Black, in the flesh.”
“That is a–very– bold claim, considering you are indeed a ghost.” With a closer look, Remus saw he had smudged, smokey black eyeshadow on with eyeliner.
It shined in the light when Sirius shifted. Remus could make out little particles of glitter. It made him look much more dangerous… and captivating. The eyeliner drew attention to the sharp shape of Sirius’s eyes, like the gaze of a hound stalking prey. Remus straightened, a flicker of danger stirring in his gut.
“Sirius Black is dead.” Remus shook his head. And yet… his voice, how he looks just too similar, the loud presence taking up the room, it all fits. This man is Sirius Black. His hands slightly trembled.
“Well… We actually don’t know that–” James blurts out.
“Shut up James.” Remus shot back.
He was obsessed with some stupid theory that Sirius Black isn’t dead, just taking a very long 45 year break from fame.
Sirius smirked, clearly amused by their friendship.
“You said your brother is here with you. Regulus. Where is he?” Remus questioned and tilted his head.
James’ ears pricked at the mention of Regulus. He glanced at Remus, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“He’s not here right now.” Sirius shrugged nonchalantly.
“But you said you guys can’t leave.” Remus pushed. “Where is he?”
Sirius rolled his eyes, leaning back, arms spread over the couch. “Calm down, hotstuff. We can’t leave the building, not just the apartment.”
“Then why do you stay here?” James leaned forward, tilted his head.
“Well, it’s my apartment. Besides, it’s a good place to relax.” Sirius explained simply.
“That’s so cool! We’re staying in the Sirius Black's apartment!” James’s smile spread wide, disbelief and excitement mixing on his face.
Remus rolled his eyes, “Fanboy. It’s our apartment. Not his.”
Sirius cocked his head, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Ours,” he suggested. He pushed off the couch and stretched. “Come on, let me show you around.”
He gestured towards the kitchen, behind him. He walked over, and swept a hand over the island. “Here’s the kitchen. Regulus said this island was overkill,” he admitted, “But honestly? I think it’s perfect.” He chuckled.
Sirius was leaning against the counter, his head resting on his hand. Remus’s eyes strayed, Sirius’s ass on display. Remus quickly glanced away, a deep blush on his cheeks.
“So can you close cabinets and doors and stuff?” James wondered, looking at Sirius and tilting his head in soft curiosity.
Sirius smirked, “I can! Watch.” His eyes sparkling with midschief, Sirius raised a hand. The cabinets burst open all at once, the clatter echoing through the kitchen. Remus jumped back, heart pounding, while James leaned in, eyes wide with amazement. Before anyone could recover, the doors slammed shut as if mocking them.
He cackled, and walked deeper into the kitchen. The two men followed him. The marble gleamed under the soft kitchen lights, veins of gray and gold swirling across the surface. Despite its age, it looked meticulously cared for.
“There’s an espresso machine!” James exclaimed, he leaned in to examine the machine, fingers hovering over the buttons.
Sirius’s lips curved into a smug smile. “There is. When I was alive I got it installed into the wall.” He seemed proud of this. Sirius led them along the counter, gesturing at each feature as if showing off a trophy.
“Here’s the secret wine rack. You just press this button.” The spice cabinet suddenly turned, and there was a rack filled with holes big enough to hold about 20 bottles of wine. Almost all of them were filled with closed wine bottles.
“Woah that’s a lot of wine.” James remarked.
“Huh. You're a wine guy?” Remus asked, crossing his arms. A small frown tugged at his lips, but the neatness of the rack impressed him. He never imagined Sirius Black being a wine guy.
“No,” Sirius brushed off, “It’s Regulus’s.”
“Ah, that makes more sense.” Remus nodded. “Did he install it?”
“He did. He really has a flair for unnecessary things.” Sirius said, his face softening.
“And you don’t?”
“Well. I never said that.” Sirius’s lips twisted into a teasing smile.
Remus snorted, and glanced around the kitchen. “We probably should start unpacking before it gets too late.”
James groaned but nodded. “Yeah.”
Remus grabbed the nearest box, “James, pass me the boxer cutter.”
“I thought you brought it?” James tilted his head, looking expectant.
Remus sighed and shook his head. “I didn’t.
“I’ll go grab it.” James muttered, snatching his keys. “Be back in a sec.”
The door shut behind him, leaving Remus alone in the echoing kitchen with Sirius. The silence settled like dust.
Remus set the box down and tried to focus on taking the tape off, instead of the ghost watching him.
Remus fumbled with the tape, his fingers slick as his heartbeat hammered in his ears. Every time he glanced up, Sirius was there. Leaning against the counter, smirking, watching like it was some kind of game. The box wobbled in his hands; a corner slipped, and a small thud echoed across the kitchen. He cursed under his breath, cheeks heating, trying to ignore the ghostly presence and focus on unpacking.
“You’re jumpy,” Sirius drawled, appearing at Remus’s side. “Relax. I don't bite.”
Remus’s pulse spiked. “You’re not helping.”
“Wasn’t trying to.” He grinned. “You and your friend. James, right? You two always argue like that?”
Remus didn’t look up from the box, “Only when he forgets something important.”
Sirius smirked, “Sounds like a thrilling friendship. Have you ever tried being nice to him?”
Before Remus could reply, the air shifted. The faint hum of the fridge quieted, and a chill crept up his spine. The hair on the back of his neck rose, and the shadows around them began to warp. In the corner of his vision, tiny hints of movement flickered—he couldn’t tell what they were. The temperature dropped, and the lights flickered once. Twice. His breath caught.
A voice came from behind him—smooth, sharp, low.
“You forgot to mention we had company, Sirius.”