Tangled Web: KingsleyAntonin

Word Count: 634


It takes every ounce of control for Kingsley not to lash out when he opens the door. He thinks he might have been able to face any other war criminal, but not this one. His heart aches as he tucks his wand away.

"Kingsley." Antonin's lips tug into a too-bright smile. "I hear you're acting as Minister. Congrats."

"Do not provoke me," Kingsley warns.

He wonders if Antonin can see through him. Kingsley has spent years trying to build his reputation as a strong Auror, but Antonin had known him before that. Antonin knows him more intimately than anyone else ever could.

Almost grudgingly, Kingsley sits across from his former lover. He shouldn't even be here; he isn't an Auror anymore, and this shouldn't concern him as the acting Minister. Still, when Dawlish had come to him with news of a captured Death Eater who would only speak to Kinsley, he hadn't even hesitated. Maybe this is all he'll ever be–just a man seeking adventure and living for the thrill of adrenaline rushing through his veins.

Why does it have to be Antonin?

"Provoke?" the other man echoes with a laugh. "Aren't you a grumpy one today?"

Kingsley takes a deep breath. "You killed someone I cared about!"

He hasn't been able to shake the image of Remus' corpse from his mind. Remus had been a damn good man, and Kingsley had looked up to him.

Of course this doesn't seem to bother Antonin. His dark eyes sweep over Kingsley's figure, and he smirks. "You cared about me once," he reminds him. "Would you be this angry over my death?"

Kingsley looks away. He doesn't have time for this.

"I think you would. You can act all high and mighty, but you're still you," Antonin continues. "It would kill you."

He wishes he could deny it, but Antonin is right. It doesn't matter how corrupt Antonin is. Kingsley had given him his heart, and that sort of connection doesn't just go away. Despite how much time has passed and how far apart they have drifted, Kingsley still loves him.

"Tell me I'm wrong." Antonin laughs, and the sound is so victorious, like he's made some profound discovery. "You can't, can you?"

Kingsley finally looks up, and his stomach seems to tangle painfully. Why does everything have to fall apart? Why can't he have some fairytale ending where things will work out against all odds? In another life, maybe he and Antonin could have had a future. Maybe he could have found a way to keep Antonin from joining the Death Eaters.

But this isn't another life. This is here and now, and nothing Kingsley can do can change things.

With a sigh, he climbs to his feet. "Cooperate with the Aurors," he says, keeping his tone steady and strong, "and I might be willing to negotiate a lighter sentence for you."

The arrogance fades from Antonin's face. He leans forward, dark brows knitting together in confusion. "Just gonna walk away? After everything?" When he laughs now, there is no amusement in it. He sounds panicked, desperate. "I thought…"

"You were right," Kingsley says. "If you died, I would be angry. But you aren't dead, and I'm not grieving for." He takes a deep breath and holds his head high. "There will always be some part of me that loves you, but I will not be a slave to it. Cooperate, or don't. I've made my decision. Make yours."

Before Antonin can protest, Kingsley turns and walks away. It hurts so damn bad, but he knows it will be okay in the end. Their love hadn't been made to last, but he's held on for so long, and it's been hurting him. It's time to let go and figure things out.

It's time to heal.