Holding On To You
Written for Shipping Week on Morsmordre
Prompt: no prompt
Pairing: Aberforth/Dragon
"I don't want to lose you, Dragon."
Those words, that single sentence, began their journey together.
"My family..." Aberforth continued, hesitating slightly. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily, eyes like azure fire glinting in the sunlight. That sparkle wasn't at all like his brother's, but it was still there. Muted somewhat, but clearly present. "I don't think I need to tell you what a disaster that is. My parents, my sister, Albus."
His sentence ended abruptly, swallowing the bitter feelings of resentment. Now wasn't the time for recalling unpleasant memories. He reached for the pewter goat pin on his vest, fumbling with the clasp on the back. Dragon blinked, tilting her head and watching his movements with a certain curiosity. What exactly was he doing?
He removed the pin, admittedly nervous but determined to move forward. "I'm sorry," Aberforth said, holding out his hand and offering the goat pin. "I can't afford... that is to say I don't have a ring. But I can give you my pin."
"What?" Her eyes widened and Aberforth smiled.
"I don't want to lose you the way I lost Erica," he continued, a glimmer of moisture shining in the corners of his eyes. It still hurt to think of her and everything they could have had. "I want to do everything right this time. So I'm asking you... I mean, would you? Marry me, that is."
Dragon didn't even have words for this. She didn't need any. Instead, she leaned forward and practically threw her arms around him, shedding tears of mingled joy and sorrow.
They both knew why he was doing this. Aberforth had lost almost everyone in his family, nearly everyone and everything he'd ever loved. Credence would be next. And when his son was gone, what would they have left to hold onto? Nothing but each other.
"Yes, of course I will," Dragon murmured, smiling through her tears. His fingers closed around the pin, then his arms closed around her, desperately longing for some semblance of stability, something that would last.
She wept against his shoulder, and Aberforth inhaled slowly, trying to maintain control while looking towards the ceiling, towards the heavens and wondering if perhaps his mother could see them now.
He felt her shudder against his chest, his hand moving to gently stroke her back. When she was able to regain her composure, he lifted a hand and wiped the tears from her eyes. Even in her human form, Dragon always wore a collar. He gazed at it momentarily before pinning the pewter goat to the strip of worn leather. A smile formed on his lips, one that she returned. They would still have each other. When Credence passed and all the world seemed to crumble beneath their feet, they could hold onto each other, and maybe find a single spark of hope and happiness even in the darkest of times.