Black

He sheds no tears, not like she does. Hers leave hot stains where they fall from her face onto his. Yet she is the one cradling his head to her chest, holding him, stroking his hair as he clings to her slight frame.

He tries so hard to control himself; he of all people should be used to losing friends this way. He should not feel so empty, not with Tonks so very warm and real and solid in his arms, but now that all of his friends are gone the ever-heavy loneliness seems so much harder to bear. He breathes deep, slow and strained against the slender arms pulling him tight against her, but all it seems to do is add physical pain to an already unbearable grief.

Neither needs to speak, offering and receiving comfort only in each other's arms, in the shared hollow ache of losing one so close to both their lives. Mere words would dishonor the friend they mourn. Remus knows they should not linger too long in this sadness; Sirius would want them to laugh, would tease them for the mopey things they are. But if sorrow must color the moment then together should be how they will banish it. They owe him at least that much. He'd pulled their strings and given the bit of a push they'd both needed, and they both know that somewhere he'll find their thanks in this embrace.


A/N: A tribute to Sirius. Reviewers get invited to the kickin' party I'm throwing to celebrate him :3