Work Text:
James watches the small penguin scrambling up the rocks, a shiny pebble firmly in the grasp of his beak. He's on a romantic mission, ready to court the penguin he selected to woo as a mate. If he's lucky, his chosen companion will accept the offering.
If they are all lucky, really. While for the little penguin it means building a nest for future eggs, for him and Sirius it means a prime spot to get some good photos of their doings.
Next to James, Sirius lifts the camera as the small penguin gets closer to his target. He's going to capture the moments of success or failure of their tiny friend.
James keeps his fingers crossed for him. His heart beats faster in anticipation as the small penguin finally stops. His hand goes into his pocket as he watches, gloved fingers brushing over something small and hard in there.
It's for good luck. For both himself and the penguin, really, because if their little penguin manages to make a successful move, James has made up his mind to try for one as well.
Penguin fate will show him if he should risk it.
Their penguin friend drops down the pebble in front of the other penguin and pushes it closer towards them with his beak. The other penguin looks down at the offering critically.
It's a few moments of tense waiting before the other penguin reacts at all. They bend down their head and push the pebble closer to themselves. James muffles a cheer in his thick glove so he won't startle the new pair.
“That was a success. Well done, little one.” Grinning, Sirius lowers the camera. “It's a great nesting spot too. It will be a little easier for us to stay out of the wind.”
James looks at Sirius, his cheeks pink from the cold and snowflakes stuck in his hair. His eyes shine with the excitement of exploration and discovery.
He's beautiful, like always. He's the best thing in James' life.
(Sorry, little penguin, but you're only second on the list right now.)
Without thinking much more about it, James pulls his hand out of his pocket and brings the small, hard object along with it.
He holds it out to Sirius, offering it to him.
A small, pretty pebble.
It's smooth and shiny, shot through with red and gold veins that give it an interesting pattern. James found it three days ago when they made their trek up the cliff for the first time to watch penguins during breeding season.
Sirius looks at the pebble in James' hand. He tilts his head slightly to the side, then looks from the pebble to James.
“It's a pebble,” James says helpfully.
“I see that.” Amusement tugs at the edge of Sirius' lips and James really hopes that's a good sign and not the prelude to heartbreak. “But we already live together, James.”
“I know,” James says, his free hand going for his hair to card his fingers through it, like he always does when he's nervous, but all he manages to do is to nearly knock his hat off his head. “This is less about building a nest together and more about the courting part of it all.”
“The courting part,” Sirius repeats slowly.
“Yes,” James says and tugs his hat down over his ears. “Courting and mating.” He briefly closes his eyes, barely resisting the urge to bite off his tongue for babbling nonsense, and takes a deep breath. “Not like mating mating... I mean, I'm not opposed to that, clearly.”
“Clearly.” Sirius' lips twitch. He looks very much like he's trying hard not to laugh.
Maybe it's not too late to fall off the cliff.
“What I mean is... being together,” James tries again, hoping against all hope that he can somehow save this. “As a couple... you and me...”
Sirius keeps looking at him. Slowly, James' heart sinks. While their little penguin was largely successful with his courting attempt, it looks like James only managed to make a perfectly good friendship really awkward. It's probably in the penguin's favour that he can't talk and make a fool of himself that way.
James closes his fingers around the nice pebble and tries to pull his hand away in defeat, but Sirius grabs his wrist before he can put the pebble back into his pocket or fling it off the cliff.
“Don't you dare take away my pebble, Potter.”
James blinks at Sirius. The words take a moment to sink in. Then, slowly, a hopeful smile spreads on James' lips. “So, you want my pebble?”
“I want more than just your pebble, James.” Sirius tugs at James' wrist, making him stumble forward on the snowy path, nearly colliding with his chest. “Clearly.”
James doesn't get a chance to say anything more to that before Sirius is kissing him.
It's a little off centre and their lips are chapped from the cold, but it's still the best kiss James ever had.
Sirius lets go of James' wrist so he can wrap his arm around James' waist, pulling him closer while still holding on to the camera with his free hand.
James sighs into the kiss and slides his hand into the pocket of Sirius' jacket. He drops the precious pebble safely into it before he wraps both arms around Sirius' neck to kiss him properly.
Can't jeopardise their lucky pebble after all.