the_debt_of_time

Remus shook his head. "Not once I decided that it would happen. Granted, with
the Mate Bond already sealed, the wedding was really just for show. Did I ever tell you
that you're the reason I finally did it? That I finally got over my issues and just... ran to
her."
"No, but I'd love to hear it," she said with a smile as they began their walk toward
the circle, ignoring the many eyes that turned their way.
"I thought I'd screwed up, you know. When Sirius went through the veil, I thought
something had happened, and the future was broken. I figured Tonks would be better off
without me, and I spent the better part of a year fighting her advances. And then
Dumbledore died, and I found you up at the Astronomy Tower."
"I remember. I told you that you should be with your mate."
He nodded, squeezing her hand. "I figured that I'd spent a year trying to make my
own decisions and I screwed it all up. I was going to listen to anything you had to say from
that point forward. Not only that, but I remembered that night. You showed it to me in
the Pensieve. I didn't understand because I thought the future had been ruined, but that
memory gave me hope, and I... I decided I liked hope."
"I like hope, too," Mia said softly.
Just then, Sirius broke away from the centre of the circle, and all of the guests gasped
at the sight, some more than likely worried that he was making a run for it. Mia braced
herself at his speed, eyes wide, but she laughed when he tore her out of Remus's gentle
grip, spinning her around in his arms and kissing her thoroughly.
"I know I've only said it casually, and never with the intention you deserve." He took in a slow
and deep breath and then stared into her eyes. "But... I love you. It's bloody terrifying and painful,"
Sirius said, putting a hand over his bare skin where her name was visibly inked into him over his heart—
a drunken joke turned permanent romantic gesture. "And most days when I look at you, I feel like my
chest will cave in on me unless I say something, but I still usually choose not to say anything."
"Why?" she asked with a frown, tracing the edges of his lips with her finger, smiling softly when
he paused to kiss the tip.
"Stubborn pride?" Sirius suggested.
"I love you too, Sirius."
"More than Remus?" he inquired in a light, teasing tone.
"Prat." Mia rolled her eyes, slapping his chest.