They all belong to JKR, except for the title, which to belongs to e.e.cummings the great. Mild slash- I'm sorry if it squicks you. For you, I mean.

Tree By Leaf
///
'Lo. Did you miss me?

Not really.

Yes, you did.

Of course.

You scared?

Incredibly.

Happy?

Kind of. I don't really know-

How to tell?

Well, yes.

I get that too. Don't have enough experience in the field.

I'll help.

Thanks.

Did you dream last night?

A little. I can't remember the plot.

Images?

Your hair was like dandelion clocks.

Thank you. I think.

It's a thank you. And you're welcome.

Okay. I know about this kind of thing. It's important that we're careful.

What's the fun in that?

Shut up. Survivial of the fittest, that's what I'm telling you.

I thought we were supposed to be each other's salvation.

We are. Just carefully.

But that's-

Listen to me, all right? I know this kind of thing.

I'm listening.

Only flames can be extinguished. People are flames. If we're not careful we break like glass.

Seriously?

Yeah, seriously. We need to hold on and not let anyone slice us into two separate halves, each-

Holding the other's severed hand. I can live with that.

Thank you.

So, are /you/ scared?

Of course I'm scared. I'm trembling like a leaf. Even my rhymes can't help me now.

Excuse me?

Sorry. It's just that I use them. They're familiar.

What's your favorite season?

What?

Since you hate leaves.

Oh. Winter, I suppose. The only time I feel I'm really home.

That sucks.

Not really. We all have our oddities.

Yeah, I know. You're just weirder than most.

Don't do that.

Do what?

Piss off the winter-boy. I know more than you do. You're spring.

Am not.

Are. Pure and innocent and if anyone sticks out their foot you'll fall over and break your glasses.

Great.

Don't worry, I won't. I'll beat up anyone who tries.

Unless they see you?

Yeah. Unless they see me.

How nice of you.

That's as good as it gets, leaf-boy. That's as good as it gets.

Winter?

Yes?

I like you.

I like you too. You were misplaced, you know.

Why?

You're a wimp. You're saying "like."

Fine. I love you. Happy now?

Not really. The word creeps me out.

Hypocrite.

It's all in the complexion.

The hypocrisy?

Well, yes, but that isn't what I meant.

I like it. It goes with the dandelion-clock hair.

And the season.

Yeah.

The spring thing is a compliment, you know. You're lucky.

Ha, that rhymes.

It's the only thing that keeps me alive.

Jerk.

Well, you too, but still. Anyway, your eyes are too open. It's frightening. Someday you'll fall.

Will not. And they aren't that open.

No use talking to you. Just like there's no use crying over spilt milk.

And dreams.

Yeah, and dreams.

Always.

Spring?

Yeah?

I love you.

Thanks.

You don't thank people for loving you, stupid. You just bask in it. Especially if it's me.

I guess. I just feel like I should. Like I'm not owed it.

Of course you are. Not to get all inspirational on you, but you are.

Thank you.

You can't let them win. It's like dying.

So?

Go back to being spring, leaf-boy. You're scaring me again.

Sorry. I know I should let you be the forces of darkness.

I wouldn't go that far.

(Silence. Light touches, quiet.)

Leaf-boy?

Yeah?

Thanks. Because I think you just fucking saved my life.

Always happy to oblige.

I know you are.