our universe

- R E F U S E -

"Teddy?" A white light flooded his vision. "Teddy?" His head throbbed with a blinding pain as he slowly blinked his eyes open.

"I—" he started hoarsely, grimacing when he tried to sit up.

"Oh thank god," Rory collapsed into James's arms, teary eyed. "Thank god, thank god, thank god. He's alive. He's alive." She breathed in and out shakily, and Teddy was shocked at how upset she was. The pieces were starting to click together in his mind, the previous night coming back to him in vivid horror.

"Teddy— what— what the bloody hell happened to you?!" James burst out. And Teddy was so relieved that James was speaking to him again that he nearly started weeping on the spot.

They cared about him. Even after— they still loved him. He realized then that he had no choice. He had to tell them. Juniper was the one in immediate danger, she was the only one who couldn't know. And he needed his best friends back. So so bad.

And that's exactly what he did. He told them. Everything. About his plan to get Juniper away from him. When he was finished, there was a beat of silence.

Then, "You absolute idiot!" Rory hit him in the arm.

"Ow!" Teddy cried out, tears stinging his eyes. "Rory!"

"Rory!" James chastised. "He's already injured."

"Because he's an idiot!" Rory reiterated, throwing her hands up in frustration. "We have to tell her, come on James!"

"No!" Teddy attempted to get up and prevent her from leaving, but forgot that literally all of him was beaten up. "You can't!"

"But—" both James and Rory began to protest vehemently.

"I'm serious," Teddy said, "you cannot. This is the only way, trust me." He looked to James, knowing that he would understand this, "This is the only way she doesn't get hurt, or worse— it's the only way. I'm protecting her. I swore I would, and this is how."

Rory was wavering. She loved Juniper just as much as anyone. "Are you sure, Teddy?"

"I'm sure," Teddy replied. "Do you think I would do this to myself— to her, if it wasn't my last option?" He ran his hands through his hair, "Can you guys actually— I'd like to be alone to rest for a bit." He reminded them staunchly, "And under no circumstances are you to tell Juniper anything. Is that clear?"

"But—"

"NO!" Teddy could not stress the importance of keeping it a secret from Juniper enough.

The pair sighed resignedly, heading out the door. "Fine," Rory huffed. "Idiot," she added in parting.

"Sunshine we don't call people names," James reprimanded, guiding her out the door. Then, under his breath, "Even if it's true."

Teddy winced as he pulled on a fresh shirt. Finally left alone with his thoughts, his mind drifted to the previous night. HIs heart beat faster, howls echoing in his ears. Greyback and his smell, gloating in what he had done, relishing in Teddy's suffering when he brought up Remus.

Selene's whisper when they left him there to die come morning, red nails sharp on his skin, "We'll be back." Teddy shook his head like a dog, screwing his eyes shut. He was alive. Juniper was alive. And she was safe, now and forever. He had made sure of that.

At least Rory and James didn't hate him anymore. That was something. But Juniper— his Juniper, he missed her so much it winded him. He missed her laugh and her crazy hair, and her kisses. God— he missed kissing her. He missed being with her. There was a giant, gaping Juniper shaped hole in his life and there was nothing he could do to fill it.