Substitute
by Shealtiel
Rated: T for mature themes, violence and sexual references.
Summary: He wants it to be as painful as possible, to remind him what he did to the girl with the dreamy eyes.
A/N: The last part. Hope you've enjoyed it.
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When he hears about it, he very nearly kills himself. Astoria finds him in their bedroom with an old-fashioned Muggle knife to his chest. He wants it to be as painful as possible, to remind him what he did to the girl with the dreamy eyes. She stops him of course, holds him while he cries. And it reminds him that this is why he married her. She's actually okay with being second best, and she just wants to heal him.
He knows it's not fair of him to begrudge her a happiness he's already found in the dark haired Slytherin beauty who couldn't be more opposite to her. But he can't stand the idea that some other man will be raising his child, some other man will be there for his son's first birthday, his son's first steps. He can't imagine this new man being Lorcan's first word, he can't think about this 'Rolf' being called dad. He's 'dad'. He's supposed to be.
So he just lets Astoria comfort him, distract him with herself, which actually works, to his surprise.
He finally sees that they're falling out of love with each other, that he cares more for his alienated son than he does for the mother, and somehow, even after everything, it's the last thing in the world he wants to happen. But then, if it brings back that dreamy look in her eyes, he thinks he won't mind so much.
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