Remus forced himself to believe Sirius's words. Part of his mind was still objecting that his failure to understand Vera was a failure of his own abilities. Maybe he had overextended himself. But also, it was possible that Sirius was right. Remus would rather not talk about it any more in either case, and so he pulled back from Sirius just enough to lay a chaste kiss on Sirius's mouth.
"You better stop spouting wisdom, I've a reputation to keep as the smart one," he smiled, hoping that it was an adequate change of subject.