Writer: Azure K Mello
Title: A Bond Never Dies
Part: 119 of ? or part 34 of Part Three
Words: 388
"Of course I'm happy," replied James. "It's just do you remember the last time war started?"
"Yes, lots of people got married and had beautiful children. Everyone was scared they clung to the good things. We were safe and in school; but it was still frightening." Sirius thought sadly of Frank and Alice Longbottom, the other couple who could have given birth to "The Boy That Lived". But, unlike Lily and James, they had wanted to marry; had been thrilled when Dumbledore offered to do the service.
"But what if they weren't the good things? What if they were just clinging to anything?"
"No, James, they were good. Look at the Weasleys. They're happy and still together." He breathed for a moment before saying more softly, "We're still together. I think they're the good things." He laid back down but he was on his side facing away from his lover, "Goodnight, James."
"You could have been with anyone. You could have had those 'beautiful children'. If it weren't for this bond-"
Voice like cold steel Sirius said, "Are you speaking for me or you because I'm the one who set up the bond. You didn't trap me. And as for beautiful children, we could still have them. We're only thirty-seven, there are a lot of potions for this sort of thing. I'm with the only person I ever wanted." Suddenly the words took on a less sure tone, "I should have asked you before I bonded us or bound us, or whatever the past tense of this thing we're living in is called. I know I should have asked first. But I was stupid, and scared, and a child, so I clung to the only person who ever made me feel safe. I loved you since I was eight years old. I'm sorry that I denied you that life with the someone else. I'm sorry if you're unhappy. I'm sorry that we've seen so many good people killed and broken. But I can't tell you I'm unhappy. If that's what you're waiting for me to say, I'm sorry. I'm happy if I can see you, or hear you, or smell you. I barely need to touch you, or taste you, or have any interaction to feel happy with you. And I'm sorry if that's not the right answer."