the_debt_of_time

Remus was petrified had he not been able to see the way his shoulders moved as he took
in slow, deep breaths. "Answer me, Moony!"
"Of course I love her!" Remus stood and stared icily down into Sirius's face. "I've
been in love with her for years, but it doesn't matter!"
"It fucking should! You didn't have a choice to become a werewolf; you should have
a choice in who you bloody seal your life to! You're able to defend your past relationship
with her against her brother." He gestured to the unconscious James on the bed, who was
already snoring. "Why aren't you willing to fight for her?"
"Because it's pointless," Remus admitted angrily. "It doesn't matter how I feel or
what I want because being a werewolf took that choice away from me."
"Then take it back!" Sirius kicked the trunk at the foot of Remus's bed in anger.
Remus raised a brow. "Why are you forcing this? Don't you want her? Or was she
just some piece of―"
Sirius clenched his fists. "Finish that sentence, Moony, and I'll break your fucking
jaw."
"Then explain."
Sirius took in a deep breath and moved across the room, plopping down on his bed
and pressing his palms into his eyes in frustration. "I want her happy and safe. She's not
safe with me, and it's my.. ." He paused and then corrected himself. "It's our job to make
sure she's safe and happy."
Remus sighed. "Sirius―"
"So I'm forcing the issue because I want to make her happy, and she was happy
with you. If she and I end up together in the end.. ." He frowned, wondering if that was
even a possibility. Soul Bond or not, they were in the middle of a war, and he had a target
on his back. "I will always wonder if it's because she wanted you but didn't think she had a
choice, and she'll wonder that too."
"She wouldn't get back together with me." Remus shook his head. "She made her
decision."
"You didn't give her a choice," Sirius said, narrowing his eyes. "You told her you
had a mate out there somewhere, and she did the honourable thing by stepping out of the
way."