A/N: I spontaneously called for a 5-word story with some of my classmates in the Houses Competition, offering my own example forward - "Love dies with the sunrise. Originally, I wanted to write for a different fandom with a different take - but once I got going? This story really flowed from my fingertips without any hesitation. I hope that you enjoy it.
Content Disclaimer: This is an AU piece without much context, fyi.
Love dies with the sunrise.
That's the Zabini motto, my motto.
She's lying there, wrapped inside of her cheap cotton sheet with a pillow covering half of her face. We were just hanging out at the pub, laughing over a shit quidditch match she played a few days ago, a very loose idea of how the evening might go but nothing specific in our minds. We'd been flirting off and on for weeks, tension building between us, but now I don't even remember what all we did last night. All I know is that I should be getting out of this bed right now. The room is getting brighter and brighter with each passing minute, the sun rising fast, as if it is testing me.
Any other woman, any other night – this would be easy. I'd get up the second I knew she was asleep. I would slip out with no problem, no second thoughts! So why am I hesitating now? I don't even know. I don't understand.
Sitting up, I am sure that I've decided to stay. I didn't actually make that choice yet here I am -accepting it as if I consciously remained in her bed, by her side. My movement causes her to stir, strands of her red hair flying all over as she rotates beneath the sheet. She's so light, in every single way, whereas I'm dark, contrasting every single thing about her. How I got here is confusing and strange, and I'm not sure I can put words to it even if I try.
But I'm here.
And I'm questioning myself – what if my motto has been wrong all along?
What if… love doesn't die with the sunrise?
Ginny Weasley wakes up, more beautiful than the warm sunshine peeking through her dusty blinds, smiling at me like she's actually happy to see me. I like this feeling. Surely I was wrong, I had to be, all the time.
The sunrise gives love life.