Originally posted on AO3.
TW: Suicide attempt, death, reference to child abuse, reference to addiction and trauma.
1. Don't You Feel My Heart Go, Every Time You Whisper In My Ear?
"So, Remus, what's your favourite book?" His brain short circuited and he couldn't think of a single book he'd ever read, so he stood there staring at the prettiest boy he'd ever seen and said nothing. "For a lover of words, you certainly don't use them much."
2. We Don't Need To Say We're Dead - Remus
James ran faster than Remus ever thought a person could run and Andy wasn't far behind. He ran too, but his bones ached with every step, especially on the uneven terrain, he pushed back against pain, making Sirius the focal point of his mind.
2. We Don't Need To Say We're Dead - Sirius
He loved James so much, but saying it in that moment felt cruel. In the maddening depth below, the water tricked his eyes and he was certain he could see every person he'd lost looking back at him, reaching out hand, inviting him into a reunion.
3. I Want Luck, I Want Love, Sharing Earphones On The Bus
Harry didn't respond. He stayed there nearly unmoving, his chest rising and falling as he breathed, hands rested on his stomach. He looked back down and for a moment, he thought he'd fliched, but than, nothing happened.
The War was rough on everyone. The Weasley's lost a son/sibling, The Malfoy's lost their public lives, going on the run, though they were soon prosecuted. Lucius in Azkaban for life, Narcissa had five years in Azkaban and Draco, being underage at the time, was only on house arrest for a year. Others lost family, friends, and more.
Remus Lupin lost his wife and son. Nymphodora Tonks went into battle unknowingly pregnant. She was killed by a Death Eater sometime during battle and no one knew until bodies were round up during the aftermath.
Harry Potter was used to losing things. He had grieved; mainly glad it was all over. No more war and no more Voldemort. He had put his mind to renovating Grimmauld Place, the home Sirius had left him. Unexpectedly, Remus lived with him. Harry didn't know why, though he suspected it was because Remus thought it was his duty as his parents' best friend.
Remus knew it was because Harry was his true mate. Harry's mere presence calmed Remus's inner wolf. Moony liked Tonks and thought she was safe, but she wasn't their mate, like Harry was. Remus would never act on it though. Harry was Lily and James' son. His best friend's son, he would never. Not to mention the age gap between them, and the public scandal it would be, along with Remus's lycanthropy. He would never subject Harry to a life with him.
Tonks was different. She wasn't mate, she wasn't forever, not really. She could leave whenever she wanted, it wasn't permanent. Mates were. Once a bite is bestowed upon one's true mate, they would be bonded until one died.