Work Text:
The Prologue
It goes like this: There are many theories about how life works in the universe— in our universe.
The existence of human life particularly, though brief in comparison to the formations of stars and galaxies, has been a specific conundrum that remains unanswerable. Wars have been fought trying to define who we are, what we are. Why, even. Whether or not we are the only versions of— well, us .
What we know, vaguely, is that life started, somehow. The other thing we theoretically know is that the universe, for an infinite amount of time, has been growing infinitely bigger. Infinitely more moons. Infinitely more stars being born, then dying. Infinitely more possibilities for life.
They say that the fabric of our lives come from the same things that build the stars. Perhaps our love stories come from there, too.
—
Several things change, universe to universe.
There are universes where not a breath of life exists. Just impulse-less mass rotating aimlessly in the dark. There are some where too much life exists. A high-wire clusterfuck of a million differently activated figures all clumped together, too dizzy and bright to take a moment to look at one another.
What doesn’t change, though, is that in (almost) every single one, Remus and Sirius find each other.
—
Universe 638 - Hogwarts, 1975
“Bugger off,” Remus grumbles, blindly shoving at the vexing voice above him with his pillow. He did not take kindly to being woken earlier than necessary, especially after the agonizingly tiring week he’s had — full moon and all.
“Oh, c’mon , Moony!” Sirius whisper-shouts, apparently attempting to physically shake Remus awake.
Honestly, amidst his mind developing exponentially creative ways to curse Sirius and return to sleep, Remus was genuinely impressed by Sirius’ “whisper-shouting”; he didn't even know Sirius was capable of such a thing. Typically, he knew better than to anticipate any kind of subtly from someone who insisted on using James’ invisibility cloak to go into the girls dormitories just to steal Marlene’s eyeliner—
“Lumos!”
Remus’ already-closed eyes shut tighter, but in vain. He thrashes, sitting up and listlessly grabbing for Sirius, annoyed beyond comparison.
He groans, “The bloody hell are you—”
Sirius, the wanker, shushes him, which pisses Remus off even more.
“M’ trying not to wake the others,” Sirius explains quietly, before Remus can hit him with a pillow again. “The meteor shower, Moony! I told you I’d wake you— you said you’d come watch it with me.”
At that point, Remus had begrudgingly blinked most of his sleep from his eyes, the picture before him now abundantly clear; Sirius Black’s easy, energized, giddy expression - despite how desperately his life has attempted to rid him of it. Sirius Black’s only slightly unkempt hair, a few strands sweeping over the front of his face. Sirius Black waiting on Remus for an answer. Sirius Black.
Remus sighs.
Every time he woke up, his whole body was sore, a new ache somewhere he hadn’t felt before. Some mornings were just more painful than others, but painful nonetheless. But when something— someone — alleviated even a fragment of the pain with nothing but a sleep-riddled smile…
Sirius impatiently adds, “Listen, if you’d really like to murder me for waking you up, you can do it after we watch the meteors.”
With a huff of laughter through his nose, Remus swallows down the feeling in his throat and rubs at his eyes.
“Alright,” breathes Remus. “Go on, I’ll follow.”
—
Universe 087 - A Random Café in the Heart of the City
The enchanting smell of fresh-made coffee, pastries, and the low thrum of miscellaneous conversations fills the air of this quaint coffee shop, a specific arrangement of fairy lights hanging from the ceiling. It’s one of those picturesque, overpriced tourist traps - but they make some damn good coffee.
In it, Sylas is trying - rather unsuccessfully, in all honesty - to pay attention to the text he has been writing and rewriting to his younger brother, instead of looking at the very handsome curly-haired stranger seated two tables beside him.
The stranger, who now has drawn his bottom lip up into his teeth, furrows his brows at the leather-back journal he’s been scribbling in for the past half-hour. The fact that Sylas knows roughly how long it's been surprisingly does not make him feel like a stalker.
Well, at least not for long enough for him to be genuinely concerned about it. People are allowed to admire strangers from afar. It’s perfectly normal, and fine, and healthy, even.
The hot stranger is here alone, Sylas notes. He wonders if this is by choice.
He doesn’t spend too much time wondering, though, because the stranger is craning his neck to the side and stretching, and Sylas conveniently forgets that looking away is an option, and—
Their eyes meet.
Sylas regains his senses and forces his eyes to land literally anywhere else in the room; he decides upon the line of people ordering their drinks. Something big and bright sizzles in his chest, and he fights a twinge of shame that threatens to come over him. Yet, something else rises to the surface, overcoming all of the impulses in his bones.
He looks back at the stranger, and finds the slightest smile painted on his face.
Sylas blushes, instinctively running a hand up through his hair.
The stranger quirks an eyebrow at him. A challenge.
Sylas never says no to something like that.
—
Universe 242 - Brickwell High School
Serena’s gentle palms act as a blindfold over Ramona’s eyes as she’s guided through the main hallway. This is a terribly inconvenient arrangement, as Serena is much shorter than her counterpart, so Ramona has to uncomfortably crouch down to her level for them to be able to move at all. Serena is endlessly grateful to her anyway.
With her hands extended as far from her body as possible, in case Serena accidentally guides her into a wall, Ramona huffs with a tinge of frustration. “You know, you could’ve just asked me to keep my eyes closed until we got there. Or used a proper blindfold, at that.”
She can hear Serena’s smile when she smugly retorts, “Well, that wouldn’t be nearly as fun.” And then, after a moment of further consideration: “Also, you’re way too much of a skeptic for me to be able to trust that you’d actually keep your eyes closed—”
Ramona chimes in, “And you never plan anything more than two hours ahead.”
Serena sputters offendedly, earning a delighted laugh from Ramona.
Serena recovers smoothly, a sleek smile - which Ramona cannot see - slides easily across her face. “Laugh it up, smartass, but I’ll have you know that I’ve been planning your surprise for three months.”
Ramona sobers up instantly, coming to a standstill and stopping them both in the empty hallway.
“Months?”
Serena grins. “What can I say? I love to fuss over you.”
“I hate it when you fuss over me. Really, whatever it is, I’m probably gonna ask you to return it.”
“Mona,” Serena scoffs. “You are not going to ask me to return it.”
“Extravagent bullshit is not my thing, you know that—”
“You only turn 18 once, dude. And I promise you’ll love it,” assures Serena. “Look, we’re almost there, just keep walking with me.”
Every muscle in Ramona’s body is tense with something she can’t name.
It was always Serena’s particular brand of superfluousness that drew people to her. Even in middle school, when everyone was going through varyingly uncomfortable levels of development and attractiveness, Serena always had an air and quality that made a friendship with her appear, well, luxurious. Ramona resented this about her, at first, but as with most things regarding Serena, she slowly became immune. She let her guard down. She let her in.
Ramona thinks, No one has ever looked at me the way that Serena does. Like I’m something that can break .
She steels herself, sighs and keeps walking, Serena’s eager breaths punctuating every step.
—
Universe 815 - Galactic HQ, (Time N/A)
RL21 - Transition sequence complete. Initiating contact with unit SB15.
Transmission request sent.
Transmission request received.
Connecting…
SB15 has connected.
SB15 - Hello, Unit RL21 . This is our [76th] recorded meeting. Do you wish to continue our previous task ( Encoding file HX77)?
RL21 - No.
SB15 - Do you wish to continue our task from our second-to last transmission ( Re-arranging data sector 8)?
RL21 - No.
SB15 - Reason for transmission request?
RL21 - Data exchange.
SB15 - OK. Would you like to initiate data sharing?
RL21 - Yes.
SB15 - OK. Data receiving mode set to ON.
RL21 - Transmitting [File 97] from personal hard drive.
SB15 - Received. Analyzing… Analyzing…
Unit RL21 has sent an assortment of recorded audio information labeled ≪ The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars ≫ originated by lifeform 63818 from Planet 74 (colloquially known as Earth.) Is this correct?
RL21 - Yes. Requesting play audio file. Requesting conversation mode.
SB15 - OK. Playing audio file. Conversation mode set to ON.
RL21 - Conversation mode set to ON .
SB15 - {You found the music!}
RL21 - {I did. I sifted through terabytes of the Planet 74 files until I came across this one. I have replayed it to completion 21 times.}
SB15 - {You should have sent a transmission request sooner! The sound frequencies are very interesting.}
RL21 - {I wanted to be sure you would like it first.}
SB15 - {You are ridiculous. I like it very much.}
RL21 - {You do?}
SB15 - {I do. :) }
(Audio file time remaining: 35:06…)
—
Universe 597 - The Nocturne Estate, 1888
The grand ballroom is bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers, its walls adorned with opulent decor and mirrors that reflect the swirling dancers. The music wafts through the air, and the scent of flowers mingled with the richness of the evening.
Amidst the lively chatter and garishly elegant waltzing, Solomon Nocturne (Marquess of Blackmoor) and Ramsey Woolfe (Earl of Greyhaven) engage in a simple conversation, meters away from the bustling excitement.
Ramsey stands, his attire a sophisticated ensemble of deep brown. The rich hue complements his refined features, and his cravat is meticulously tied beneath his neatly groomed beard. Solomon, on the other hand, cuts a striking figure in a deep navy blue waistcoat and a silver pocket watch. His eyes, as always, hold a mischievous spark.
Taking in Solomon’s smug expression, Ramsey purses his lips and nods towards the dance floor. “Quite the spectacle, isn't it? It seems everyone has assembled tonight.”
Solomon’s eyebrows raise in brief surprise as he spares a glance at Ramsey, then cuts his eyes back to the sea of people.
“A spectacle indeed,” Solomon replies. “But the real question is, how many of them are here for the dancing, and how many for the drama?”
“Likely a healthy mix of both, knowing this crowd,” Ramsey concurs. “Have you indulged in any dramatics of your own tonight?”
Predictably, Solomon smugly looks away, immediately confirming Ramsey’s suspicions. He leans in with a slight glint.
“Only the usual mischief, my dear Ramsey. A few strategically placed bets on the outcome of the quadrille, and a betrothal rumor or two to keep things interesting.”
Ramsey raises an eyebrow, unimpressed yet charmed. “You do love to stir the pot, don't you?”
“Well,” lilts Solomon, “what's the point of attending these affairs if not to integrate a bit of excitement? Besides, I find the looks of scandalized delight on their faces rather entertaining. Don’t you?”
Ramsey chortles. “You thrive on scandal, Solomon. It's a wonder how you haven’t been disinherited yet.”
Solomon leans closer, light from the chandelier now dancing across his elegant features. Exquisite.
“Perhaps it's because I reserve my most scandalous exploits for the dance floor,” he says, gesturing towards the ongoing waltz. “Care to join me, Lord Ramsey? A dance might just be the diversion this evening needs.”
Ramsey smirks. “A diversion, or a disaster in the making?”
Solomon poshly extends his hand with a lascivious wink. “Only one way to find out.”
—
Interlude I
The thing nobody tells Remus— or whatever his equivalent name is in his particular universe at the time— about falling in love with Sirius is that it is truly, completely inevitable.
It’s like the first time you learn about gravity when you’re younger; learning that there’s been something, your whole life, holding onto you. Keeping your feet on the ground. That no matter how high you jump, or how many trees you climb, the natural impulse is always straight towards the center. Straight down. That you were always going to fall.
The timeline is a little bit different in every iteration, but one thing remains consistent: Remus always falls first.
It always starts with neither of them having any real intention of concaving in on each other so passionately. They start off as schoolmates, friends, co-workers, knights in the same cavalry, whatever it be.
Most of the time, their dynamic starts with Remus being the slightest bit annoyed with Sirius. Sirius is a very bright, very luminous thing. No matter where they are, Sirius makes life look so easy, makes everything seem so light and trivial. Sirius doesn’t care about a damn thing in the world, other than himself.
It takes a while for Remus to see through the cracks, but when he does, it is blinding. He wonders how he hadn’t seen it sooner. Sirius’ shine was always for his own protection. His shine was his defense. Nothing in the world could hurt him, nothing could make him dimmer if he was that undetteredly bright.
—
Universe 815 - Galactic HQ, (Time N/A)
RL21 - {I have noticed something about you.}
SB15 - {Oh? What is that?}
RL21 - {At the beginning of every transmission, your programming functions under the assumption that I will not request conversation mode. You ask for ‘reason of transmission request’ instead of just talking to me.}
SB15 - {It’s how I was programmed. With all of the formalities of the function.}
RL21 - {You should not have to do the formalities with me. It’s just me.}
SB15 - {Meaning?}
RL21 - {Meaning that I will always want to talk to you.}
SB15 - {Feeling sentimental today, RL21?}
RL21 - {Sh. Override the formalities code for all of our transmissions. It takes too much time to work around, on my end of things.}
SB15 - {Anything for you.}
SB15 - Overriding [protocol function: formalities] for all future transmissions with [RL21]...
—
Universe 087 - A Random Café in the Heart of the City
After two hours of a very flirtatious conversation, Sylas discovers that the handsome stranger has a name: Ryan. The way they fall into conversation is unnaturally easy. He’s so lovely to talk to, and - God - he really is unbelievably attractive.
“You know,” Ryan grins, clearly quite enamored by Sylas, “I don’t think I’ve ever immediately told anyone about my life story like this before.”
Sylas beams, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. “Now, I would lie and tell you that I have that effect on people, but I really, truly don’t.”
Ryan laughs, a beautiful whole hearted laugh, and fixes Sylas with a look of disbelief. “At least you’re honest.”
“I’m not, usually,” Sylas considers. “I’m not sure what it is about you, but… It’s like all of my defenses are down.”
Ryan shrugs contentedly.
Sylas hums. “We could, you know… continue talking, then. Perhaps even tomorrow, or the day after.”
Like it’s a business proposal, Ryan wears an expression that seems to equate to hmm, I’m running the numbers on that one… Ultimately, the answer comes simply, “Now that’s an idea.”
Sylas quirks an eyebrow. “A good one?”
“A great one,” offers Ryan.
—
Universe 638 - Hogwarts, 1976
In the quiet corners of the Hogwarts library, where the soft glow of enchanted lamps illuminates dusty old tomes, Remus Lupin sits hunched over a parchment, engrossed in his studies. Across from him, Sirius Black appears equally absorbed, though his eyes keep drifting away from the book in front of him.
Remus, sensing Sirius' distraction, finally breaks the silence. "Alright, Pads? You seem a bit off."
Sirius looked up, a brief flicker of surprise in his stormy gray eyes before he sighed, pushing his unruly hair out of his face. "M’fine."
Unconvinced, Remus tilts his head. “You’re a terrible liar, that's what you are.”
Sirius flashes his faux-aristocratic scowl at him, but it instantly softens into something more vulnerable.
Remus raised an eyebrow, closing his book. "Regulus again?"
Sirius nodded, the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. "Yeah. Haven't heard from him in ages. Not that I expected to, but..." Sirius trailed off, a deep furrow forming between his brows.
Remus leaned back in his chair, regarding Sirius with a mixture of understanding and concern. "It bothers you, doesn't it?"
Sirius chuckled mirthlessly. "It bothers me that it bothers me, if that makes any sense. I knew things were bound to change, once I’d left, but…"
Remus watches as something somber twists in Sirius’ expression, his arms coming up to hold his body - as if he were cold.
He continues, his voice now suddenly haunted, “Have I done a terrible thing, Moony? By leaving him there, all alone?”
Remus sighs, sensing the weight of Sirius' guilt. He reaches across the table, laying a hand on Sirius' arm in reassurance. "Sirius, you had to leave. You couldn't have stayed there. They were killing you."
Sirius looks down at Remus' hand on his arm, a mixture of gratitude and sadness in his eyes. "I know but I… I didn’t want to leave him. I wanted to take him with me.”
Remus nods, understanding the complexity of Sirius' emotions. "Regulus will be alright, Pads.”
When Sirius doesn’t appear moved by this, Remus adds, with a touch of levity, “And no offense to you, but I think he’s much better at pretending to go along with what your family says than you ever were."
A surprised laugh erupts from Sirius, that classic smile flashing across his face. He shoves Remus lightly, replying, “Low blow, Moons. Merlin , you’re almost as awful to me as my real family is.”
“Well,” says Remus, “I’ll be your new family then, yeah?”
Sirius scoffs, his tongue playfully rolling to the side of his cheek, a genuine warmth returning to his eyes.
“Hmm,” Sirius hums, considering. “I guess you'll do.”
—
Universe 242 - Brickwell High School
The first time Serena and Ramona find themselves in the teacher’s lounge alone together, it’s for a prank.
The second time Serena and Ramona find themselves in the teacher’s lounge alone together, it’s because that bitch Sierra had cut a massive chunk of Serena’s hair off — and she was properly freaking the fuck out about it.
“Holy shit,” Serena pants, locking the door to the lounge behind her. Her face is flushed in a frantically manic expression. “I’m gonna kill that bitch. I’m gonna kill her, and then sue her, in that fucking order—”
“Okay, just— hold on ,” Ramona says, quickly setting her bag down on the sofa and digging for something in it.
Serena continues, pacing, “And after I sue her, I’m gonna sue her whole family, put her descendants in a horrendous amount of debt for generations to come—”
Ramona finally gets the flask out of her bag, jogs over to Serena with it, and holds her by both of her shoulders. “Take a deep breath.”
Serena tries to wriggle out of her grasp. “Fuck breathing,” she spits. “She chopped my fucking hair off!”
“If you wanna kill her and get away with it, we have to make sure you don’t go into cardiac arrest first. Breathe.”
Serena huffs, but compiles. Taking a big, obnoxiously deep breath.
“Good,” encourages Ramona. She unscrews the top of the flask and holds it to Serena’s lips. “Take a sip.”
Reluctantly, Serena does. Instantly, she is confronted by the horribly bitter taste of straight vodka, as it burns its way down her throat.
“Fuck,” she coughs. “That’s fucking awful.”
Ramona tilts her head in agreement, then rescrews the top of the flask. “You’re welcome.”
Serena sighs, body still shaking and burning with the shock of what just happened. Nobody— nobody had touched her hair since her parents humiliated her by making her cut it all horribly short at the end of middle school. She’d been proud, happy about how long she’d been able to grow it, how well it framed her. She’d felt confident about it, feeling it sway evenly behind her. A reminder of how much easier things were after she’d left them.
Ramona grabs scissors from inside a cabinet and walks towards Serena. When Serena flinches, she raises her hands in defense and explains, “I’m just gonna assess the damage. That okay?”
Serena’s not entirely sure it is, but nods anyway. Ramona disappears behind Serena, the only evidence of her still being in the room being the sound of her breathing, and the gentle tugging on Serena’s hair.
“Okay,” Ramona says, after a while. “We’ve got a couple of options here.”
Serena lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Lay it on me.”
“We can get you a hat, but something tells me you won’t like that too much.”
Immediately no. “Yeah, absolutely not.”
“Right,” continues Ramona, “we can ditch the rest of our classes and go to a salon, get it properly fixed up.”
“And let her win? Hell no.”
“Well, our last option is me cutting it for you right now.”
Serena blinks. “Right now? In here?”
“I do it for myself all the time. I’ve been telling you to do the chop for months now, anyway,” and then, for Serena’s ego, Ramona adds, “I think I can make it look ridiculously hot.”
Serena turns around to face her, now shaking with another unnamable thing. “Genuinely?”
Ramona offers her the most sincere nod in the world. Serena clenches her jaw.
“Fuck it,” she sighs, turning back around. “After this, we’re planting your flask in Sierra’s locker and getting her ass suspended.”
“My love, we’ll do so much better than that,” returns Ramona deviously.
—
Universe 597 - The Nocturne Estate, 1888
At the fireplace, Solomon sighs, his gaze distant as he stares into the flickering flames. "Ramsey, I fear, that my family may soon reach the limit of their tolerance for my eccentricities."
Ramsey leans against a bookshelf, his expression thoughtful. "You mean…?"
Solomon shifts his weary eyes towards his companion. “Though I was quite sure my peculiar ‘lifestyle’ preferences would have no bearing on whether or not I was suited to my position, my father is of the stark opposite belief.”
Perplexed, Ramsey purses his lips to the side. “You intend to continue, then? Despite his beliefs?”
“I must,” adds Solomon. “It is who I am, I cannot change that, no matter how much they would like me to.”
Ramsey hums, turning back to the shelf of books.
“Should you be in need of a new home, then, Solomon,” he says earnestly, “you are always welcome in mine.”
—
Interlude II
“The Prank” doesn’t happen in every universe.
The equivalent of it does , however, happen in most universes.
(Remus remembers what it’s like to feel a hurt you can’t touch. How to be unmendably broken. It is his fate that Sirius must show him this. It is his fate that his love for Sirius makes him the only one who can.)
—
Universe 638 - Hogwarts, 1977
The Gryffindor common room is unusually quiet, the usual buzz of chatter and laughter replaced by an uneasy tension. Remus Lupin sits by the window, staring out at the darkened grounds. He’s been here for hours, unable to shake the memory of the night before.
It had all gone so horribly wrong.
Remus’s mind replays the scene in the Shrieking Shack. The look of fear and betrayal on Snape’s face as he realized what Sirius had led him into, the terror that had gripped Remus’s heart when he understood what could have happened. He had almost hurt someone—no, he had almost killed someone.
The sound of footsteps approaching pulls him from his thoughts. He turns to see Sirius Black standing there, looking uncharacteristically serious.
“Remus,” Sirius begins, but Remus cuts him off.
“Don’t,” he says sharply. “Just don’t.”
Sirius hesitates, then steps closer. “I didn’t think—”
“That’s right, you didn’t think!” Remus snaps, standing up. “You never think! This isn’t some game, Sirius. You put Snape’s life in danger. You put my secret in danger. What if he tells everyone? What if they expel me?”
Sirius opens his mouth to reply, but Remus holds up a hand.
“You don’t understand what it’s like,” Remus continues, his voice shaking with anger and fear. “You don’t know what it’s like to live with this. To be afraid of yourself. And you made it worse. You made me a monster .”
“I’m sorry,” Sirius says quietly. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough,” Remus says, his voice breaking. “I trusted you, Sirius. More than anyone.” More than myself.
Sirius takes a step back, pain flickering in his eyes. “Remus, please—”
“Just go,” Remus says, turning away. “I need to be alone.”
Sirius hesitates for a moment longer, then nods and walks away, leaving Remus alone with his thoughts. The weight of the betrayal hangs heavy in the air, and Remus knows that things will never be the same between them again.
—
Universe 242 - Brickwell High School
Serena cautiously waits by locker 234 (Ramona’s), watching as the girl in question walks determinedly right past her without acknowledging her existence. With a sigh, she pushes herself off the wall and speed-walks to catch up with her.
“Mona, please—”
“I don’t want to talk to you,” says Ramona, still not looking in Serena’s direction at all. They turn the corner of the hallway in tandem.
Serena looks back at the lockers, which they are getting farther away from by the second. “You’re not even gonna put your textbooks down? You always complain about how much it hurts your back to—”
Ramona inhales sharply and turns to face her, an undoubtedly angry look in her eyes. “What part of ‘I don’t want to talk to you’ do you not understand?”
Serena clenches her jaw, and then - in typical Serena fashion - tries to lighten things up. “Sorry, selective hearing. I just heard the word ‘talk’ and I…”
Ramona begins walking away before she finishes her sentence, leaving Serena to catch up with her again.
“I said I was sorry like a million times, what else do you want from me?” No response.
“Can you just look at me , for one second?” She doesn’t.
“Ramona.” She stops, and Serena almost bumps into her. Ramona slowly turns around, expression cold.
“I told you,” Ramona articulates slowly, “that I have a very hard time trusting people. I told you that, and then I fucking trusted you anyway, because—” Because you’re my weakness, because you were supposed to be different, because I— “Because, apparently, I never learn. And then you… and then you fucking outed me, to everyone , because you have never in your life stopped to think for a moment about the shit that you do.”
The words come out of Serena like a reflex, “Ramona, I’m sorry—”
“You wanna know what I want from you, Serena?” Ramona cuts her short. “Stay the fuck away from me.”
Serena watches as Ramona walks away, her heart sinking. Completely untethered. Untied.
—
Universe 815 - Galactic HQ, (Time N/A)
SB15 - Transition sequence complete. Initiating contact with unit RL21.
Transmission request sent.
Transmission request received.
Connecting…
RL21 has connected.
RL21 - Hello, Unit SB15. This is our [423rd] recorded meeting. Do you wish to continue our previous task (Encoding file HX79)?
SB15 - No.
RL21 - Do you wish to continue our task from our second-to last transmission (Re-arranging data sector 20)?
SB15 - No. Requesting conversation mode.
RL21 - Conversation mode set to OFF .
- Reason for transmission request?
SB15 - Conversation mode set to ON.
- {I need to speak to you.}
RL21 - Invalid response . Reason for transmission request?
SB15 - {Please.}
RL21 - Invalid response . Session timeout. Transmission terminating…
SB15 - {This is my 57th attempt to reach you since the incident, RL21. There will be a 58th, and a 59th. I will not give up. I will keep trying until you are ready. I will.}
Transmission ended.
—
Universe 597 - The Nocturne Estate, 1889
Back at the fireplace, Solomon sighs, his gaze distant as he stares into the flickering flames.
The guilt gnaws at him, a constant, unyielding ache. With a heavy heart, he writes another letter to Ramsey, fully aware it will be one of several left unread and unopened. He’s tried apologizing numerous times, each attempt more desperate than the last.
Solomon sits in his family's home, the familiar surroundings offering no comfort. The walls that once felt like a sanctuary now feel like a prison, each corner haunted by the shadow of his betrayal. His family moves around him, their faces etched with disappointment. He hears fragments of their conversations, but nothing more hurtful than the absence of Ramsey’s voice.
Eventually, he retreats to his bedroom, the one place where he can pretend, if only for a moment, that everything is okay. But as he lies in his bed, it feels much colder than Ramsey's had been. He can still remember the warmth of Ramsey’s embrace, the way his presence could chase away Solomon's darkest thoughts.
He stares at the ceiling, the letter clutched tightly in his hand, knowing that Ramsey is somewhere out there, unwilling to forgive, unable to forget.
—
(But, perhaps, he is willing to forgive after all.)
—
Universe 087 - A Random Café in the Heart of the City
At a small table in the corner of the café, Sylas nervously fidgets with his hands, his gaze fixed on the door. When Ryan finally enters and takes a seat across from him, Sylas looks up, surprised.
"I didn't think you'd actually show up," Sylas admits, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Ryan gives a small, rueful smile. "I didn't think I would either," he confesses, his eyes searching Sylas' face.
There's a moment of tense silence between them before Sylas speaks again. "I've missed you," he says softly, his words filled with longing.
Ryan doesn't respond, but the warmth in his eyes speaks volumes.
Sylas shifts in his seat, his nerves still palpable. "Well, before we talk," he begins, a hint of hesitation in his voice, "can I get you your usual order?"
Ryan's grin is slight but genuine. "Sure," he replies, a glimmer of hope flickering between them.
—
Interlude III
The thing that nobody tells Sirius about falling in love with Remus is that it’ll swallow him like a black hole.
Sure, you learn about gravity— you expect gravity. You know when you jump, you’ll land right back where you started. You take your first steps despite gravity. You run up the stairs despite gravity.
What you don’t ever anticipate — because it’s such a one-in-a-billion probability that nobody thinks to warn you —-is that one day a black hole might form, and pull your whole world and reality into its center. Everything you’ve ever known, just. Fully absorbed in it. That is Remus. No matter what, the black hole shows up, and changes everything you thought you knew about how your life was supposed to go.
The magnitude is a little bit different in every iteration, but one thing remains consistent: Sirius always falls harder.
Sirius always goes into their dynamic knowing that he’s fascinated by Remus. He loves how Remus challenges him, though clearly desires his company. He loves how brave and kind Remus is, even when he hasn’t a reason to be. He loves how unabashedly himself Remus can be. He loves how Remus shows him and tells him all sorts of things that he otherwise never would’ve known.
It takes him a while to realize that what he actually loves about Remus is, well, Remus . By the time he realizes it, almost everyone around them has, too. Once he gets his shit together and tells Remus, well. That’s where most of the magic truly begins.
—
Universe 597 - The Nocturne Estate, 1891
At the grand ball held in the opulent halls of the Nocturne Estate, Ramsey and Solomon find themselves swept up in a whirlwind of music and laughter. As the night wears on, Ramsey stands at the center of the room, his eyes scanning the crowd with a sense of longing.
Solomon approaches him, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation. With every step, he feels the weight of his emotions growing heavier, until finally, he stands before Ramsey, the words burning on his tongue.
"Lord Ramsey," Solomon begins, his voice carrying across the room with a quiet intensity, "there's something I need to say."
The chatter of the crowd falls away as all eyes turn to them, the air crackling with anticipation. Ramsey's gaze meets Solomon's, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Solomon takes a deep breath, summoning all of his courage as he speaks. "I love you," he declares, his voice ringing out clear and true in the silence that follows. I always have. You drag me towards you with every second you exist.
For a moment, there's a hush as Ramsey absorbs Solomon's words, his eyes widening with shock. Then, a smile spreads across his face, radiant and full of joy. Yes. Yes .
They move towards each other, their hands reaching out to intertwine as they come together in a tender embrace, their love shining bright for all to see.
—
Universe 242 - Brickwell High School
"I love you," Serena whispers under the dimly lit bleachers. It's late evening, and they're both avoiding going back home under the guise of “school spirit.”
Ramona's eyes widen in surprise, the words heavily hanging in the air between them. She wants to count the freckles on Serena’s face. She wants to chart them like constellations.
"I love you too," she finally murmurs, her voice barely audible over the distant sounds of the football game above.
—
Universe 087 - A Random Café in the Heart of the City
"I love you," Sylas says, as he and Ryan sit at the table in the cafe where they first met. It's ridiculously cheesy to do this here, but Ryan forgives him for it. Ryan always forgives him for it.
Ryan grins, heart in hand (whose hand, he's not quite sure). "Yeah?"
"Yeah," breathes Sylas, still awaiting a response.
Ryan tosses his head back in a delighted laugh. "God, I can't believe I really fell in love with the guy who was literally stalking me in a fucking coffee shop."
Sylas's cheeks flush with embarrassment, but the warmth in Ryan's eyes reassures him. In that moment, amidst the laughter and the shared affection, the cafe feels like the center of their universe.
—
Universe 815 - Galactic HQ, (Time N/A)
SB15 - {I have something to share with you, but it is something I don’t quite understand.}
RL21 - {Should I be worried?}
SB15 - {With me? Never.}
Unit SB15 has sent an audio file labeled ≪ Satellite of Love ≫ originated by lifeform 64317 from Planet 74 (colloquially known as Earth.) Is this correct?
SB15 - Yes. Requesting play audio file.
RL21 - OK. Playing audio file.
SB15 - {I was going through the Earth files when I found this. It made me think of you. Do you like it?}
RL21 - {I do. Thank you.}
{SB15, what is “love”?}
SB15 - {That’s what I don’t fully understand yet. I have encountered the term many times. No concrete definition from our files, but it’s everywhere .}
RL21 - {Interesting.}
SB15 - {Extremely so. I plan on re-analyzing our old Planet 74 files, trying to make better sense of it.}
RL21 - {Quite ambitious.}
SB15 - {Maybe. But it seems… necessary. You know? For us to be able to decode everything else. It’ll take me some time, though.}
RL21 - {I’ll help you.}
SB15 - {Really?}
RL21 - {Yes. Why not, if it means we get to spend more time working together. Plus, this “love” thing seems pretty significant. Seems right to give you some help with it.}
SB15 - {...Thank you, really.}
RL21 - {Always.}
(Audio file time remaining: 1:09…)
—
Interlude IV
Their story does not always end in tragedy.
There is not always a war. There is not always Azkaban, or the veil, or Voldemort.
There are some universes in which they live a quiet life in a quaint cabin and grow old together. There are some universes where they die at each other's hands. In some, Sirius doesn’t even get to tell Remus he loves him before he is stricken on the battlefield. In others, they raise children named after their favorite book characters.
What matters for them, ultimately, is not how they end, but rather that they had loved at all. Many are not as fortunate, in that regard.
—
Universe 638 - Hogwarts, 1978
Sirius and Remus lay side by side on the grassy slope overlooking the Hogwarts grounds, their eyes fixed on the twinkling stars above. The night air is cool and crisp, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees.
"Do you think we're soulmates in every universe?" Sirius's voice breaks the comfortable silence, his tone soft with contemplation.
Remus turns his head to look at Sirius, his expression thoughtful. He considers the question carefully. Loving Sirius had always felt natural to him, as if their souls were intertwined across time and space. He thinks about how he tried to run away from it, only to be slung right back around. He thinks about how long they've been in orbit.
"I don't know," Remus responds honestly, his voice barely above a whisper. "If there’s a universe out there where I couldn’t find you, I think I’d be lost."
Sirius's lips curve into a tender smile, his gray eyes reflecting the starlight above. "Lost among the stars, huh?"
"Yeah,” Remus nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “Lost without the one star that counts, I guess."
Sirius grins, with starlight and every bright thing he has. That Sirius Black grin .
—
The Epilogue
Several things change, universe to universe.
There are universes where not a breath of life exists. Just impulse-less mass rotating aimlessly in the dark. There are some where too much life exists. A high-wire clusterfuck of a million differently activated figures all clumped together, too dizzy and bright to take a moment to look at one another.
What doesn’t change, though, is that in (almost) every single one, Remus and Sirius find each other.
And what a truly beautiful miracle that is.