I'm..gay.. · Y/n story by @idk

The floorboards creaked beneath Caine's socked feet as he shifted on the edge of his bed. Across the small room, Remus was sprawled on his own mattress, a battered copy of Advanced Potion-Making balanced on his chest, pages yellowed and curling at the corners.

Remus Lupin

without looking up You're staring.

Caine

shifts again, picking at a loose thread on his jumper Am not.

Remus Lupin

smirks, eyes still on the page You've been staring for the last three pages. And you fidget when you're thinking too hard. So either you're planning something or you're about to tell me something.

Caine's throat tightened. His brother knew him too well. Always had. Made sense, he supposed—growing up in this house, two beds pushed against opposite walls, nothing but a cracked window and a rickety wardrobe between them.

Caine

And what if I'm planning something?

Remus Lupin

finally looks up, raising an eyebrow Then I want in. Mum won't be back till late, and Dad's got the night shift at St. Mungo's.

The silence stretched. Caine could hear the clock ticking in the hallway. The sound felt too loud in his ears.

Caine

I'm not planning anything.

Remus Lupin

closes the book, setting it aside, now fully attentive Okay. Then tell me what's going on. You've been off since Tuesday.

Caine opened his mouth. Closed it. His heart was hammering against his ribs, a panicked drumbeat he was sure Remus could hear from across the room.

Caine

I— swallows hard I need to tell you something. And you can't laugh.

Remus Lupin

sits up straighter, his face softening Caine. I've never laughed at you. Not for anything that mattered.

And that was true. Remus had held him when the nightmares got bad. Had smuggled chocolate up to their room when Mum was in one of her moods. Had never once made him feel small for crying.

Caine

I'm... I think I'm—

The words stuck in his throat like honey. Thick and sticky and impossible to get out.

Caine

I'm gay.

The word hung in the air between them. Small. Quiet. Terrifying.

Remus Lupin

stares at him for a long moment, then breaks into a slow, wide grin That's it?

Caine

blinks That's it?

Remus Lupin

laughs, not unkindly, but with relief Caine, I thought you were about to tell me you'd joined a dark cult or gotten a girl pregnant. he rolls off the bed and crosses the room, sitting down on the edge of Caine's mattress I don't care if you're gay. I care that you're my brother.

Caine

voice cracks You— you really don't mind?

Remus Lupin

Mind? snorts Half the people I know at Hogwarts are gay. Sirius certainly isn't straight. James would probably try to set you up with every bloke in Gryffindor if you let him.

Caine let out a shaky breath. Something tight in his chest loosened, just a little.

Caine

I've known for years. I just... I didn't know how to say it.

Remus Lupin

puts a hand on his shoulder You don't have to hide it from me. Ever. Alright?

Caine nodded, blinking back the sting in his eyes. Remus grinned and shoved him playfully.

Remus Lupin

So. Anyone I know? Or are we keeping that a secret too?