harry potter - forever (PG)
Title: forever
Author: risa
Rating: PG
Characters: Sirius, Remus
Summary: Sirius doesn't want to live forever.
Even as a child, Sirius has always known that a long life doesn't necessarily bring happiness. In fact all his experience has pointed to the contrary.
12 Grimmauld Place is virtually a legacy, a museum of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and it contains not a single thing from rooftop to foundation that does not bite, curse, maul, or otherwise ruin one's day. And so he won't ask for forever; he doesn't want it. Sirius Black will live his life in a flash and savor each moment; he will die in a blaze of glory, trading secrets with the giant squid of Hogwarts Lake or waging a war against the gargantuan battering ram that is Snape's nose. Either way it will be heroic, for a glorious cause-- and he will leave behind a great-looking corpse.
When the vows of eternal devotion consume James's already-limited vocabulary deep in sixth year, the words are supremely ironic for him, feelings wholly incomprehensible and undesirable. "You can't be happy forever, mate," Sirius points out, trying to be helpful, to bestow enlightenment upon his unfortunate best friend, "it's just not possible." James looks back at him with unguarded pity, and for the life of him, he cannot understand why.
He cannot understand that look and after Hogwarts, weddings are as common as wakes and neither can stir much emotion anymore... there is too little these days to spare. Sirius does understand the galloping pace James has set, though he does not feel compelled to follow. For James there are ceremonies and parties, weddings and baby showers in rapid succession; there is danger outside of Hogwarts, and while it teaches James to run, Sirius has begun to crawl. Languidly, the last Black explores the changes involved in being free and being him, in too much Firewhiskey and the company of an old friend through new eyes. He doesn't understand the softness in Remus's glances toward him, or why the werewolf's touch renders him complete, but he begins to accept this newness he does not yet understand.
He imagines that he'll grow, eventually, to see-- from the lighted steel in Remus' eyes, the molten velvet of his lips-- or he's sure Remus will be glad to show him exactly the benefits of forever.
Crossposted here and here.
Author: risa
Rating: PG
Characters: Sirius, Remus
Summary: Sirius doesn't want to live forever.
Even as a child, Sirius has always known that a long life doesn't necessarily bring happiness. In fact all his experience has pointed to the contrary.
12 Grimmauld Place is virtually a legacy, a museum of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and it contains not a single thing from rooftop to foundation that does not bite, curse, maul, or otherwise ruin one's day. And so he won't ask for forever; he doesn't want it. Sirius Black will live his life in a flash and savor each moment; he will die in a blaze of glory, trading secrets with the giant squid of Hogwarts Lake or waging a war against the gargantuan battering ram that is Snape's nose. Either way it will be heroic, for a glorious cause-- and he will leave behind a great-looking corpse.
When the vows of eternal devotion consume James's already-limited vocabulary deep in sixth year, the words are supremely ironic for him, feelings wholly incomprehensible and undesirable. "You can't be happy forever, mate," Sirius points out, trying to be helpful, to bestow enlightenment upon his unfortunate best friend, "it's just not possible." James looks back at him with unguarded pity, and for the life of him, he cannot understand why.
He cannot understand that look and after Hogwarts, weddings are as common as wakes and neither can stir much emotion anymore... there is too little these days to spare. Sirius does understand the galloping pace James has set, though he does not feel compelled to follow. For James there are ceremonies and parties, weddings and baby showers in rapid succession; there is danger outside of Hogwarts, and while it teaches James to run, Sirius has begun to crawl. Languidly, the last Black explores the changes involved in being free and being him, in too much Firewhiskey and the company of an old friend through new eyes. He doesn't understand the softness in Remus's glances toward him, or why the werewolf's touch renders him complete, but he begins to accept this newness he does not yet understand.
He imagines that he'll grow, eventually, to see-- from the lighted steel in Remus' eyes, the molten velvet of his lips-- or he's sure Remus will be glad to show him exactly the benefits of forever.
Crossposted here and here.