The Power of Words
Words, by themselves with no connotations, are easy to say.
Love. Hurt. House. Sun. Death. Arm. Easy.
As soon as you give them context, audience, and a meaning – they suddenly weigh too much to handle. Some can be easy.
Pass the salt.
And some are completely impossible.
We have to say good-bye.
They catch in your throat, they get lost in the wind, they get drowned out in a crowd. Words can cut, they can heal; they have the power to pull someone through dark times, or send them spiralling into madness.
"You killed them!"
"How could you believe that, Remus?! They were my friends!"
"I don't know what to believe anymore. Not when it comes to you."
Words can build trust, but they can also break it down.
"I swear to you, I would never have let anything happen to them!"
"You also swore you'd never leave me."
They can bring tears of joy, and tears of pain.
"Remus, please!"
"I'm sorry, Sirius."
"Remus, don't do this! I need you."
"I don't need you. I've done fine these past twelve years!"
"You don't look fine, Moony. You look like hell."
"And whose fault is that?"
They stared at each other, breathing heavily. They were safely hidden in the shrieking shack, alone. Remus had found Sirius, causing his heart to leap with joy. But only for a moment. Then he was forced to remember that this man, this monster, lead to the murder of his best friends. Remus found himself without words, unsure of how to tell Sirius everything he had been feeling. Hurt, love, pain, sorrow. He missed Sirius, but hated himself for it. His first instinct was to run into the other man's arms, to say that everything was alright. But he know that was wrong. So, instead he went the hostile route, trying not to show him how much his heart broke every day he was gone.
Sirius just stared at Remus, a small smile playing on his lips. He stared as though he was seeing something so beautiful, so entrancing that he could not see the rest of the world beyond. He reached out for Remus, but that other just pulled away. Hurt flashed across Sirius' face as he took a step back.
"Remus…"
"Remus, please," Sirius took some heavy breaths, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Please tell me you missed me. Please, don't make me go – believing you hate me!" Remus stared at the other man, his heart going out to him.
"Remus, you have to know I would never have done those things. You have to know that I'm not that person! You know me, better than anyone else! Better than I know myself!"
They took a step towards each other; Sirius' eyes filled with tears and Remus' mouth open slightly, like he was about to say something. They took another step. And another. One more. Suddenly they were an arm's reach away.
"Remus," Sirius breathed, "please…" Remus paused, his eyes roaming all over the other man's face. It was hollow, and covered in dirt. He hadn't shaved in twelve years, and he looked like a homeless man, but underneath Remus could see the man he once loved, the man he missed, the man who made him feel complete.
Remus pulled him into his arms, wrapping them tightly around Sirius, afraid that he will disappear again. And finally he was able to say the hardest words to say.
"I forgive you."
A/N: Words – 579
Ancient Runes: "write about someone asking for and receiving forgiveness…" Extra Prompt: Pairing: Remus Lupin/Sirius Black