Disclaimer: All recognizable things belong to J.K.
"James," Sirius sighed as he set his glass back on the counter. "You're not supposed to be talking to me about this."
"I know," he muttered, his hand tugging at his hair as the thoughts raced in his brain. "I know, I'm supposed to only talk about it with Lily. I trust her, I really do, but she's the one who suggested it and I can't think straight anymore."
"James I'm serious, you can't talk to me about it."
"Sirius," he grumbled, "I'm thinking out loud, I can't help it if you listen."
Sirius glared at his best friend. This was one rule that he didn't want to break. If it put James, Lily, and little Harry in danger he didn't want to hear about it. He knew that James was wracking his brain over who to pick for secret keeper. He knew that the decision had to be made soon as they were going into hiding at the end of the night. Dumbledore had warned them of a danger that targeted the Potters.
Instantly panic set in and, while few details were given, the need of a secret keeper was certain. James had thought that Sirius would be the perfect candidate for the job, Lily had other opinions.
"I just don't know why she wouldn't think we could trust you." James went on.
"That's not it at all," Sirius stated. A small cry suddenly filled the air and Sirius jumped up, "I'll get him. Lily doesn't need the distraction packing. In fact, I think she could use a little help," Sirius gave him a sharp glare before he went into the next room to pick up the small boy with already too much hair.
Hearing a small sigh behind him, Sirius turned to see Lily resting against the doorway. "Thanks Sirius," she said. Her hair was falling out of the bun she had placed it in earlier and there was no hiding the worry in her eyes. He gave her the best smile that he could muster, knowing that she thought he had the potential to be the spy.
Instead of worrying about her, Sirius focused his attention on his godson, making faces at him to quiet the sounds. Soon the boy was pulling at his long hair instead.
"I know you don't think that well of me right now," Lily said "But it can't be you. You mean too much to James."
"Exactly why it should be me." Sirius stated, doing his best not to sound too annoyed with her.
"No, exactly why it shouldn't. Everyone would think that it was you who we picked, you're the obvious choice." She sighed and pushed herself off the doorframe, resting her hand on Sirius' shoulder. "I trust you with my life, as would James. We know that you aren't the spy, we know that you would die before you give anything away. I can't put you in that position, and Dumbledore encouraged us to listen to all doubts. "
He knew that she was right, that there had always been doubts about him. They couldn't take any chances. It still hurt to not be entirely trusted by them. "I know Lils," he said, making his way out of the room, little Harry wiggling in his arms.
"Took you long enough!" James said, doing his best to grin at his best friend.
"Ran into Lily. She's pretty beat up about the whole thing."
Letting out a sigh, James reached out to pet Harry's head, "I know she is."
"James," Sirius breathed out, looking up at his friend. "It should be Peter."
He only nodded, his lips tight.