Regarding his horrendous username

[gayjunkie]

...Sirius came up with the name, didn't he.

[No, actually.]

Regardless of what he claims, not everyone who chooses not to spend an inordinate amount of their time chasing after skirts is a poof. Or a prepubescent. Or any of the other oh-so-clever names he sees fit to bestow upon me because I don't fawn over girls or make a fool of myself in the name of fancy.

James does quite enough pining for the both of us, I think, perhaps enough for the entire house. In fact, I'd say we have a surplus, which Sirius should be grateful I am not adding to.

[You hear that, Padfoot? Grateful.]

---What's more, I fail to see how my fondness for chocolate translates to drug addiction. It's not as if I’m dependent on it. Contrary to popular belief, I can have my morning tea without a square of Dairy Milk and still remain functional throughout the day.

[This argument would be so much stronger if he didn't have half a bar of Honeydukes in his pocket.]

Though, I suppose you don't care about any of that, do you? Obviously not, since you've already chosen the name. You're just like Prongs and Pads in that respect; once you've set your mind on something, there's no reasoning with you.

Comments

[teenagebadboy]

[Have a glare 'cos somebody doesn't like people using the word poof. 'Course it's not aimed to him but then again he's here 'cos his Mun wanted him here. He won't say anything though.]

I hope you can forgive him. Poor Remus isn't familiar with modern-day political correctness

[gayjunkie]

[Oh, bollocks. Remus is used to people giving him harsh looks, but only after he's helped the other Marauders pull some sort of prank on them. He really doesn't know what he did to earn that glare, given he's from the 70's, where words like "poof" and "bugger" were practically commonplace (especially if you were living in a boy's dormitory.)He favors Arron with an unsure look, his eyebrows knitting together slightly in a mixture of confusion and wariness.]

Ah--I take it you're not much for chocolate?

[It's a lame icebreaker, he knows, but he sincerely has no idea what he said that was so offensive, so he's fumbling a bit.]

This is even worse as this lad is gay

[teenagebadboy]

[Aaron watches the other man with a scowl on his face. He knows it's not his place to say anything, the guy did not say anything to him. However he still doesn't like the use of that word, it brings him bad memories. When the other bloke attempts to have conversation Aaron just gives him an annoyed look back. Maybe if he had been Jackson this might have been a little more pleasurable conversation.]

I don't like the way you chose your words.

Ouch. Culture-clash at it's most awkward.

[gayjunkie]

My words?

[He worries his thumb against the sleeve of his jumper for a moment, then forces himself to stop before he tears a new hole in it.]

Well, ah---this is a first. I'm not usually in the habit of speaking insultingly--er--by accident, at any rate.

[He won't lie and say he's never insulted anyone on purpose before, but even that is a rare occurrence.]

But I assure you, I hadn't intended to offend anyone in this instance.

[He would ask what he said that was so insulting, just for clarification, but he really can't stand it when people are upset with him, so he's going to try to refrain from annoying Arron further. He's just not the sort for confrontation]

Indeed. Btw Aaron is spelled with two A not two Rs.

[teenagebadboy]

[Aaron raises his eyebrow. It's a bit strange that the guy doesn't even know poof was insulting for Aaron but he's not the one to push a matter.]

Yeah, maybe you ought to think about what you're saying in the future, aye.

Oops, my mistake!

[gayjunkie]

[If Aaron spent one day in any of the boy's dormitories at Hogwarts, he would understand how Remus has more or less been desensitized to the word. Teenage boys are not known for their sensitivity, especially when it comes to curse-words and slurs, which are used liberally when the professors aren't around, and slightly less liberally when they are. That, and he's from the 70's, so less-offensive terms haven't really come into mainstream usage yet. At least, not in the Wizzarding world.]

I thought I did, to be perfectly honest.

[In fact, he's still thinking about what he said, running his words over and over in his head to try and figure out what it was that was so offensi--]

[Oh. Oh. A look of horrified realization passes over Remus' face, which he tries (and fails) to mask with his hand.]

Oh, you meant--- [He's fairly certain his ears have started to turn pink, judging by the burning feeling.]

I--oh Merlin's beard, I am dull.

[He runs his hands through his straggly hair, before running his hands back down his face. He honestly can't believe it took him this long to realize what word Aaron was upset about.]

[teenagebadboy]

[From where Aaron are, both in time and place, it adds to commonality to be called poof, bender, fairy or just faggot. Jackson once told him that after some time he would learn to ignore it. It hasn't came around to that yet, not fully. It still winds him up at times.]

Well you didn't. [Aaron responds with an annoyed expression.]

[He then watches as realization finally dawns upon the other person. In response he aims another scowl at him. Back in his head though he is surprised at the other person choice of word for expressing his shock. He slowly begins to think something is wrong with the guy.]

Got it now, didn't ya? Try to keep that in mind from now on. It's hurtful and may cause you to get hurt in return if you're not careful. [He intimidates. Sensitivity is not Aaron's strong point either but for other reasons.]

[gayjunkie]

[Remus comes out from behind his hands after a moment, one hand lingering to rub nervously at the fresh scar near his nose.]

My apologies, I -- [Oh God does he feel foolish. And uncomfortable. And slightly confused.]

I suppose I never put much thought into how insulting the word really is. Which, I now realize, was an incredibly foolish oversight, given the word itself is meant to be an insult.

[In his defense, the frequency of the word's use has more or less drained most of the its effectiveness for him. In an all-boys dorm, you can expect to be called a poof at least once a week, usually for no reason other than that's just how some boys like to talk. That, and Remus has never really considered the word insulting in the first place, since homosexuality isn't something he finds offensive.]

[teenagebadboy]

Better sooner that later, ey. [Aaron responds. He's still giving the other man a annoyed look although he has calmed down some. That's just his look. Bout one things is for sure and that's that their conversation and relation is in for a rough patch, so to speak.]

[In Aaron's time being called poof weather you is it or not is devastating. Aaron knows that because he has been there, hating himself for being one. It's a sore spot still since he rather recently came out.]

[Not knowing what to add more, since he has never been good at that, he'll just stand there with an scowl on his face. With him often wearing that expression you can almost say it has become a permanent one. That isn't true of course but he has a hard time relaxing his features.]

[gayjunkie]

Indeed.

[Were Remus aware of what Aaron had gone through, or how he felt, he would have given the larger man a much longer and more remorseful apology. As is, however, he feels more embarrassed than guilty, though he certainly feels a great deal of that as well. As far as he knows, he just offended him on principle, rather than personally.]

[Shifting awkwardly, he chews his lip for a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the aforementioned Honeyduke's chocolate bar. He breaks off a piece, opting to chew on it instead of his lip, before gingerly holding out the bar to Aaron, in a gesture of offering.]

Was that a 'no' to the not liking chocolate, then?

[Again, he's really not one for conflict, and even though Arron doesn't appear to be particularly livid with him at the moment he'd prefer it if they were on somewhat decent terms.]

[teenagebadboy]

[Although being gay was OK in his time in many countries people could still get beaten up or killed for it. Then it was those whom took their life because of it, one of them being himself. He tried not to think about that although he did wish he was dead from time to time. Mostly due to recent events causing distress, heartbreak and guilt. Unless Remus asked directly it wasn't likely he would know that the insult hit a personal level. Aaron was not one to show it off or talk about it a lot.]

[He gives the chocolate bar a suspicious look. He doesn't trust easily and that was a brand he didn't recognize. Instead his crosses his arms over his chest and shrugs.] No. I do like chocolate but I tend to not eat it often.

[gayjunkie]

[It's really none of Remus' business or concern, so he doesn't press the matter. He doesn't want to overstep his boundaries after all, especially since he's on such loose footing with Aaron as it is. He doesn't want to risk offending him further by asking personal questions, so he smothers any curiosity he may have and focuses instead on steering the conversation to a less touchy subject.]

[Namely, chocolate.

If you enjoy it, then why not indulge in it?

[He pops off another square, before persistently waving the rest at Aaron once again.]

It's not poisoned, if you're wondering. I'd be dead as a doornail by now if it were.

[Aaand off goes another square of the formerly half-bar of chocolate. He pauses, a mild look of realization taking over his expression right before he pops the square into his mouth.]

---I'm really discrediting my argument against being an addict right now, aren't I?

[teenagebadboy]

[Aaron scrunches his face] 'Cos I am no kid anymore. I got more important things to put money on than candy. 'Sides it makes you fat too.

[He gives the bar another suspicious look] True. Never seen the brand before. What if I don't like it?

[When Remus realizes the addict stuff, Aaron has to crack a smile. It may be brief but it's a flashy one which you may even say brightens the room up a little]
Yes you are.

[canismajor]

[Excuse him while he's laughing his head off. That has to be the most hideous username in history of men. Oh Moony, you poor sod. Have a rather annoying grin.]

As much as I'd love to take the credit --

[Aaand it's gone.]

No.

[And now he's going to look wounded and a little bit scandalous, all in a fake mockery of lalala.]

And grateful, seriously? Tell that to all those poor girls that spend their nights dreaming of being wooed. James and I are merely on a... mission, to spread happiness and love and peace and all that jazz whatever.

[gayjunkie]

[Have the most long suffering of looks, Pads. He doesn't need reminding that his username is horrible.]

I believe you've confused "spreading happiness" with terrorizing the female population.

[He smiles faintly, though, to show this was meant as a joke rather than a personal jab.]

Either way, you're doing a fine job of it without me. I'd likely hold you back, if anything.

[No one can make self-depreciating jokes like Moony can.]

[canismajor]

[Okay, okay, he'll wipe the tears away and not mock you more. Maybe. Those suffering looks can be entertaining at times.]

No way. Terrorizing causes terror, while we cause laughter, higher self-esteem and wet dreams. And the occasional slapping. How is that not happiness?

[Ouch, man, you should really stop doing that. Sure you're a goody-two-shoes who is fun to tease, but your friends actually care about you.]

Of course we are. That's why it's the perfect opportunity for you to learn, Moony. These are the real skills of life that Hogwarts ain't gonna teach you.

[gayjunkie]

[Have an awkward, grimacing smile, Sirius.]

I doubt very much I'll ever have the opportunity to use those skills, Sirius. Romance isn't something people with my...condition are known to excel in.

[canismajor]

[Oh come on, do you have to be so depressing about everything? Sirius' smile is gone in an instant.]

Maybe that's because they don't try. So you have a furry little problem, so what? You're a great guy. The rest of the month you can live your life however you want it.

[gayjunkie]

[He's not being depressing, he's being blunt and self-critical. The line is fine, but it's there. He swears.]

'However I want' within the permits of the registration laws, you mean.

[Okay, now he's being depressing.]

[canismajor]

[Good god. Sirius is just going to tune into his anti-Moony-depression mode and gently pick his nose with a faint innocent smile on, what usually suggests that he's either not listening or disregarding what he's hearing as bull.]

Slightly bended permits.

[Shrugs.]

It's no fun otherwise.

[gayjunkie]

[His mouth flattens slightly as he resists the urge to bat Sirius' hand away from his nose.]

Some things aren't meant to be fun, Sirius.

[canismajor]

[Fine, fine, he'll pull the pinky out. Although now he's inspecting it nonchalantly like an old archeologist dusts off a golden coin found in a cave.]

It'd be boring if they were, Remus. Where's your thrill for adventure?

[gayjunkie]

[That's just as bad, Sirius. Sometimes Remus thinks he's the only marauder with manners.]

It's tucked safely away behind a wall of self-preservation, where mischievous Padfoots can't reach it.

[canismajor]

[And that is a perfectly sensible assumption. Sirius now eyes his buddy with an almost pitying look.]

Can't blame a guy for trying. At least some of it gets out during full moon.

[gayjunkie]

[Have a wan smile.]

Adventure is certainly better than the alternative, I'll grant you that.

[He'd much rather be getting into trouble during the full moon than goring himself.]

I really would have a retched time if it weren't for you and Peter and James.

[Look out, Pads. He's getting all sentimental on you now. You better stop him before he thanks you for sticking with him for the millionth time.]