James stepped carefully out onto the porch in the fading twilight, where Scorpius sat.
"Hi," said the younger man, almost shyly.
"Hey, Scor." James's voice was cordial, but cool. He was holding back. He sat down on the porch swing next to him, whistling tunelessly.
"I know you're kind of…angry. But, er, I really do love her."
"I know," James said, with a slow nod. He stared out onto the lawn, seeing memories of his—and his sister's—childhood. "But you've got to remember, she was mine first. I love her too. To death, you know, and sometimes she hates me for it."
Scorpius nodded as well, his eyes cloudy. He was trying to think of a younger James and a younger Lily, playing and laughing innocently. His memories of an older, over-protective James were painfully sharp, and he had to wish to go there.
They sat in silence for a few moments, before James continued. "This—came as a shock. I wasn't expecting my baby sister to get…engaged—" he said the word almost bitterly, though he was clearly trying it out on his tongue—"so soon."
"Well…we're young. But in love."
"Yes. I know all that. I know how much she adores you, Scorpius, but she loved me first!" He became agitated, frustrated. He stood and began to pace.
"This isn't about first, man," Scorpius murmured. "She can love both of us. And she does. Getting married won't change anything."
"But maybe it will."
He considered this for a moment. "Well, yes. Maybe. But she'll always love you, and she'll always love me. You were first. You will be last. But I get to be there in the middle."
James sat down again, his easy casualness back. "I'm sorry. I was…overreacting. I've always been over-protective." Scorpius snorted. "But really, you don't quite deserve her. And if you hurt her…" He let the sentence die ominously.
Scorpius chuckled, and they sat in silence as the summer evening progressed into night, just being…brothers.
A/N: This is for Hondagirl, who requested a drabble with the line, "She was mine first." Thanks for the inspiration!
Please review, as it's the only payment I'll hope to get!