Disclaimer: Don't own. Nope.

A/N: Random ficlet again…hope you enjoy! A slightly longer one is in the works.

Dignity Is Relative

He found that he dropped things more often.

Perhaps this was because of the strain. Or the lack of sleep. Or because he suddenly had more responsibility than he'd ever wanted and was still trying to remember how to breathe, sometimes. Or maybe because whenever he had a free moment, he'd find himself thinking about her, and habits rub off.

Not, of course, that he'd be charming his hair pink any time in the forseeable future. He was quite aware of the risks he was running, and dying in that condition seemed terribly undignified. It was fine on her – lovely, even – but Remus had always kept at least a few tattered shreds of dignity, even when he'd nothing else.

It didn't provide as much comfort as novels would have one believe.

You can't talk to dignity, he would sometimes think. You can't ask it a question – do I need to mend this shirt, you think? – you couldn't tell it to be quiet and shove off on bad days. It was just there, and not very helpful at all.

But he kept it anyway.

So he was surprised to find himself dropping papers and mugs – he'd never had enough things to break them without much thought. Dignity wasn't constant, now. Sometimes, now, he would just collapse and he'd take care of him for a little while, not very long. It was good for both of them.

When Remus dropped his tea, now, he couldn't help but laugh.

Review Responses:

Banui: Gladd you're not trotting despairingly towards any vats of cleaner, dear. And write! Do! I want to read it! Even if you don't post it, send it to me or something if you like! We could discuss IDEAS! (Repeat the: Write! mantra indefinately)

Homeric: Thank you! I liked that bit as well.

LupinsLady: Thank you.

Crookshanks22: Ah, looking at that passage I quite see what you mean...I may have to go back and tweak. Thanks ever so for the constructive criticism!

sexyface: Well, here is another.

slightly so: Here is a snippet, and more are coming.

iloveron: 'Tis not really a story that develops, per se...'Tis drabbles and such, you see, which are all quite independent. Thanks for the review - you get an e-cookie for being the first to leave one.