Word Count: 523

Warning for implied alcoholism


Sirius hadn't actually intended to drink so much at the wedding. It's a bit too easy sometimes. All around them, the world is falling apart. How could he not enjoy the numbing comfort of alcohol? At least his mind is sharp enough to know he hasn't done anything he'll need to apologize in the morning. That's always a good thing. The last thing he needs is Lily and James yelling at him for falling face-first into the cake.

"Easy does it," Marlene murmurs, helping him along.

Sirius blinks, but his vision is still blurry. He doesn't remember leaving the wedding, and he isn't sure why Marlene is the one guiding him into his house. "You looked… You looked stunning tonight," he says, his words slurring.

"Is that what it takes to get a compliment from you?" she snorts. "Gotta get you drunk first?"

Sirius mutters something. He isn't even sure what he says as his brain struggles to keep up. It sounds like a string of nonsense, even to his ears.

"No offense, but I'm not stripping you down and dressing you in something more comfortable," Marlene tells him after depositing him onto the couch.

"Fair." Sirius flops down dramatically, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Feels good tonight, doesn't it?"

"I'll fix you a glass of water in case you start feeling dehydrated. Have you got any hangover potions?" she asks.

Heat floods his cheeks. Sirius has more need for the potion than he would like to admit. He doesn't have a problem, of course! Sometimes he just needs to stop feeling. Alcohol makes it easier to cope.

"Cabinet over the spice rack," he answers, closing his eyes.

He hears Marlene shuffling around. A few moments later, he can feel her nearby and hears the soft thump of the vial being placed on the coffee table.

"Why do you love me?" Sirius asks.

"Who said I love you?"

Sirius chuckles softly. No one had to say it. He can see it in the way Marlene takes care of him. Only love does that to a person.

"Not romantically," he adds.

"Because you're a good bloke, when you aren't trying to be an idiot," she answers, sitting in the chair beside him. "I just want you to be okay. We've already lost so much in this war, and I don't want to lose you too."

Her honesty hits him like a ton of bricks. Sirius swallows dryly, trying to ignore the guilt that gnaws at his stomach. "Oh."

It isn't as eloquent as he'd like, but he doesn't know what else to say. He hadn't meant to make anyone worry about him.

"Get some rest," she says softly. "We can talk about it in the morning, okay?"

Sirius yawns, curling up and nodding. "Mmkay."

The war is breaking him. He wishes he could be stronger and resist the pain and pressure, but it has taken its hold on him, and he isn't sure if he's strong enough to escape the vice grip. Still, at least he doesn't have to do it alone. As long as he has his friends, he will always have hope.