A/N: Day three of Blackinnon Week 2020!

Prompt: their first time realizing they had feelings for the other.

A/N: I've already written this story, Fall, chapter 2 of Saudade, and Ascertain, chapter 22. So, I'm writing a new story for today, and if you'd like to you can go back and read those other two as well. Today's story is from this dialogue prompt that I found on Tumblr, link on AO3, and Tumblr.

"You give up a lot for me."

"I gain a lot too. It's a fair trade."

Acquiesce

Sirius had retreated to the Black Lake. He kept replaying the conversation he'd overheard in the Library.

He'd been looking for Marlene, and when he heard her, he'd almost announced himself loudly until he heard what she was saying.

"Get a life, Carol, or even just a hobby that doesn't involve other people's business."

"I'm just telling you that now is not the time to be hanging around people who might turn on you. Your parents work with Muggles, Marlene, and he's a Black."

"So was Andromeda Tonks, and she married a Muggle-born."

"Do your parents know? What would they say? I know you think I'm being a prick but I'm worried about you. Our families have known each other for years, Marlene. And with Voldemort gaining power and sway we should be looking out for each other."

Sirius heard a book slam shut.

"Yeah, bigoted people who make assumptions about someone before getting to know them are definitely people I'm steering clear from."

Sirius didn't stick around. He'd known that people had hated him based on his last name on both sides; one side was mad he had changed; the other side didn't believe he could change. But he didn't think about the fact that people would try and turn those he trusted against him. It was panic-inducing.

What if these people succeeded? What if they turned Marlene against him, or James, or Mia and Monty, or Remus, or Peter? What if they managed to turn everyone against him? He wondered how far his bike could go. Maybe he could make it to Morocco, at the very least he was sure it would be able to fly over the Channel and to France. Maybe he'd leave before everyone could turn on him.

"You're going to miss dinner."

Sirius turned and looked up at Marlene. The thought of her abandoning him was distressing when she wasn't in front of him, but looking at her while that thought ran rampant through his brain was overwhelming. Maybe it would be better if he let her leave. Then she couldn't hurt him. Then she couldn't crush him at her will.

"You give up a lot for me." Sirius turned back to the lake.

"I gain a lot too. It's a fair trade." Marlene sat down next to him on the bank.

"Yeah, right," Sirius scoffed.

"I do," She shrugged. "You make fun of everyone with me. You keep me laughing. You keep me entertained."

"So as long as you aren't bored, you'll stick around, good to know."

He'd meant the comment to be off-handed but Marlene's hand shot out to grip his arm.

"Look at me."

Sirius huffed and turned to look at her, "What?"

"I'm not going anywhere. Even if we decided that messing around wasn't worth it anymore, I'm your friend Sirius. I'm always going to be your friend. I'm not going anywhere." Her blue eyes bore into his and she gripped his arm tightly enough that the strength behind her small hand was surprising.

"Me either," were the words that slipped out as he stared down at her.

"Good," she pulled his arm around her shoulders. "You were in the library, weren't you?"

Sirius chuckled, "You already know the answer."

Marlene rested her head against his chest and instinctively he pulled her closer.

"I'm not listening to people like that."

"It's more distressing that those people exist, Marls." Sirius shook his head. "I'm already hated by the pureblood maniacs, what happens if everyone on our side turns against me too? What then?"

"If everyone turned against you, we'd go someplace else and start over." Marlene pulled her knees into her chest. "You speak French, we could go to France, or we could go to Belgium or Morocco, or we could go see what all the hype about the States is, or we could really go hide and run away to Australia or New Zealand."

"Wait, we?"

"Of course, we," Marlene looked back up at him. "You didn't really think I'd let you run away by yourself, did you?"

Sirius chuckled as he looked down at the determination in her eyes. "No, I suppose you wouldn't."

They sat there on the lakeshore watching the sun sink below the horizon and Sirius tried to believe that Marlene would be true to her word. He chose to believe she'd stay, that she wouldn't abandon him and that if everyone else turned against him, she'd run with him. He chose to believe that she meant what she said.

Sirius chose to trust her.

"Let's go to the kitchens," he kissed the top of her head. "See what the elves are willing to throw together for us."

"You sure?" She looked up at him.

"Enough for right now, yeah." Sirius smiled before kissing her gently.

"Good," Marlene ran her black nails against his scalp and deepened their kiss.

And it was, because at least right now, Sirius believed that she'd stay. She'd stay through everything, at least right now, and that was enough.