This was why he loved jokes. Jokes were harmless. And even pranks with a touch of harm were easily forgiven.
"No," he replied to Remus, his voice heavy with remorse. "No, I don't think it's gag."
He yearned to lie. Every fiber of his being longed to smooth it over with a laugh. Remus looked as though he was about to retch. The icy calm of Sirius' fury permeated the room. It was always worse when it was like this. It was so much easier when he'd just yell. There was something to this anger that bespoke so much more. Watching the two of them, James realized he had missed something. Well, not missed something so much as he had not sought to confirm what he'd assumed.
As the question left Sirius' lips James swore under his breath. James fought the urge to place his body between them. He had so wanted to soften this blow for them. This wasn't right- Sirius and Remus shouldn't have to do this in front of him. But there they were. And now they had to deal with it.