Although Black’s smile sent a wave of relief through Remus, he was left nodding, awkwardly formal for something as casual as what he had offered.<br/>Remus’ fingers hovered above the edge of his chairback, tapping it, not fully able to leave the anchor the chair offered.  It felt anything but casual; rather, like a crucial moment in their relationship, all coming down to the way they carried themselves for the next thirty minutes, and how they managed to ease back into civility.<br/>Finally, Remus reaffirmed Black’s acceptance with another solemn little nod, stepping away from the chair, back to Black as he did up the clasps of his bag.<br/>“I’m not embarrassed,” he found himself saying, and as he pulled the bag over his shoulder, he turned to meet Black’s eye head on. For the first time yet, Remus did appear at ease with his words, finally speaking a truth he could stand by.<br/>A sheepish smile ghosted at the corner of Remus’ mouth, stepping towards the door.<br/>“Just for the record.”