the_debt_of_time

"Well, that's not how I'd put it." Hermione frowned at Sirius. "But yes. Get over
yourself. You're a good man, a good friend, a good husband, and you'll be a good father."
"I agree with Hermione," Harry said, and when Sirius cleared his throat, he added,
"and Sirius."
Sirius watched as Remus said nothing, taking Hermione's hand within his own. His
eyes drifted to her shoulder, left partially bare by the dark blue vest she was wearing. The
corners of Remus's mouth turned up slightly in a sad little smile at the sight of her blemish-
free skin. For several minutes, the room was silent while he worked through his conflict
internally with nothing but Hermione's hands and the presence of friends for support.
Eventually, he stood up, turned to face Sirius, and muttered, "Sorry."
"Do me a favour, Moony?" Sirius requested as he approached, placing a hand on
the man's shoulder. "Stay with Tonks. Hide. Don't fight. I don't care what happens. I don't
care if it comes down to the end; you stay with your family. You need to survive this." He
glanced briefly at Hermione before returning his attention to his friend, whispering, "I need
you to survive."
"I need to survive this," Remus repeated.
"You have a job to do," Sirius reminded him. "So you stay with your wife and child.
Make yourself the bloody Secret-Keeper, and stay in the fucking house. No repeating
history."
Remus nodded firmly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "No repeating
history."