Prompt: After Sirius ran away to live with the Potter's

Challenge: Blackinnonweek, day 2.

Marlene had been staying with James for the summer she didn't get along with her parents, and James had offered her a place to stay. Living with James, she had expected all sorts of crazy: pranks, indoor Quidditch, and various other forms of mischief.

What she didn't expect, was to be woken up in the middle of the night be told that a bloody and bruised Sirius was in living room and that he'd just run away from home. Yet that's exactly what happened.

A pair of hands shook her awake, and she groaned.

"Marls, please, you need to wake up."

James. Of course. Who else would feel the need to wake her up at this ungodly hour but James?

She shifted groggily into a sitting position, cobalt blue eyes stared into worried dark hazel ones. Her face sobered.

"What's wrong?"

His mouth was set into a grim line.

"It's Sirius. Just come on."

She didn't bother putting anything on, she slept in a T shirt, probably once James' or Sirius' that had become hers over the years, and shorts that were just a little too short. But Marlene wasn't particularly worried whether she looked decent or not.

It felt like her heart was going burst if it beat any harder, worry gnawed at her but she forced her to stay calm. Whatever was wrong, she wouldn't be doing anything to help by panicking. She forced herself to take a deep breath as she followed James down the stairs.

James paused at the door of living room. "Go in, he won't talk to anybody. He's told me bits, but I though he might relate to you more. Just," James ran a hand through his messy hair worriedly. "Tell Sirius he doesn't have to tell me the details, but just tell him not to completely shut me out, yeah? I just need to know he's okay. He's less likely to bite your head off if you tell him."

Marlene squeezed James's hand before going in. She inhaled sharply at the sight before her. Mrs. Potter had cleaned Sirius up as much as he would let her, but he still looked a mess. He was covered in blood, and it looked like he had a gash down one arm. His face was bruised, and his nose slightly crooked, as if it had been broken. She held down the bile that threatened to spill as she thought about who did this to him.

Sirius looked up she entered the room. He watched as various emotions flitted over her face, from shock to empathy to anger. Her eyes blazed in that way only hers could, lighting up her whole He tried for a smile, but he knew that that did nothing to reassure her. She was boiling to the brim with anger, he could she it as she stood in the doorway, shaking.

"Marley," he croaked. Her control snapped.

"How could they do this to you? I just...no parent should ever treat their child like this. I don't care how much of a little shit you are," Sirius had to smile there, "No one deserves this."

Marlene shook her head vehemently. Sirius's lips quirked up in an amused smile, even disheveled with bed hair and in her pyjamas, his Marlene was a force to be reckoned with.

"You think I'm a little shit?" Talking hurt his throat, but it was worth it to see her smile.

"I think you're an idiot."

"But you love me?"

He phrased it as a question, like a child. He knew the answer already, but he just needed it said out loud. She seemed to sense his vulnerability, despite his smirk and teasing quips he was a boy who had just lost everything. He needed to be reassured of what he did have, reassured of his worth, of who his real family was.

Marlene's face contorted, but not into an expression of pity. While her family life wasn't physically abusive like Sirius's was, it still wasn't the picture perfect life like James' was. She could relate a lot more to what he was going through. As much as he loved his best mate, the last thing Sirius needed was pity. He needed someone who could understand.

He shakily stood up, a small smile on his face and he held open his arms as she came flying towards him.

He winced slightly as her arms tightened around him, but the pain was worth it. She whispered 'I love you' over and over again into his ear, and he buried his face in her shoulder.

He didn't think he would be upset when he left. Sirius thought he would be glad, glad that they were gone, glad that he was free. But he wasn't.

"I miss them," he mumbled. He realised he was crying, but he didn't care. She gripped him harder, despite the pain Sirius welcomed the comfort. He welcomed the feeling of being loved, welcomed the comfort she was offering. He welcomed Marlene.

"I know that I shouldn't, I mean they weren't exactly world class parents, but I do. Why do I feel sad, Marley? Why can't I just be happy that I never have to go back there, never have to see them or put up with them again?"

Marlene pulled back and cupped his face. There was nothing but sincerity in her eyes and she searched his tear filled ones. She'd never seen him so scared, and scarred, and hurt and vulnerable. It scared her, that the boy with an ego big enough to rival James Potters, was standing in front of her crying.

"Because they were your family, your blood. They were suppose to raise you, nurture you and protect you. They were meant to love you, and they didn't. But they were still your family." She searched his eyes, he was listening intently. She recognized his need, she had felt the same many times over. "We miss what we should have had, we want what James has with his parents, and while they've been like parents to us, filling the gap our own parents should have filled, it's not the same. So there's nothing wrong with you for missing them, Sirius. It doesn't make you broken, it doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with you. It makes you human."

Marlene was crying herself by this point, and she hugged him again, silently vowing never to let this boy go.

Sometime later they broke apart, Marlene used the pads of her thumbs to wipe the tear from his face. "You have us, you have me, and James, and the Remus and Peter. You have Mr and Mrs Potter. We're your family now. I know James is worried about you, don't shut him out, okay? He has a knack for understanding things better than you expect."

She glanced behind Sirius towards the door as she spoke, to wear James was standing behind it.

Sirius laughed affectionately. "James is bloody nosy, that's what."

There was a moment of silence before Sirius grinned mischievously and spoke again, this time louder. "Prongs, come out from behind that door and bring a game of exploding snap. All this emotional sappiness is boring me."

James came in and leaned against the doorway, with one eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face. Sirius shifted Marlene so she was hugging him from the side, his arm around her waist and her head on his shoulder so he could see James.

"I heard that, you prat."

Sirius looked at him innocently. "Heard what?"

James shook his head. "I was going to bring you chocolate chip cookies, Mum baked them yesterday. However after that sneaky little comment I don't think I will. No exploding snap either."

Sirius pouted. "You were going to get me cookies?"

James nodded. "Mmhmm, chocolate chip."

"What do I have to do to change your mind?"

James pretended to consider. "Oh, I don't know, a few things. Move in with me, be my eternal slave, worship me, beg, tell me how amazing I am..."

Sirius grinned. "How about I call you the best mate I ever had, and say that the bedroom on the second floor on the left better bloody well have my name on it by tomorrow or I'll take yours."

Sirius locked eyes with James. Underneath their light banter was a whole different conversation. By teasing each other, Sirius had told James he was going to be okay, and James had told him he would always be there.

"I'll be right back," James said softly. Sirius smiled.

"You two are adorable, you know that?"

Sirius looked down at Marlene, and kissed her briefly. By putting every single thing he had into that kiss, he tried to tell her how much she meant to him, tried to show how much he needed her, appreciated her. She was his best friend, and always had been, second only to James. She was the one that not only understood him, but could relate. She was one of the few that would always be there, and always had been.

"Thank you," he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers.

"For what?"

"For being you."

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