the_debt_of_time

"Don't say safe," Sirius snapped and finally let go of her as he sat back on the bed.
"It is not your job to keep me safe! It's my job to keep you safe!"
"Why?"
"Because I'm the dangerous one! Tell me the truth, please. I need to know... Did
this, whatever this is, happen because of a Death Eater?"
"Yes. But I am fine, and he is dead. One day soon, I can explain it all to you. To
you, James, and Remus," she lied. James would never, could never, know the truth about
any of this.
"Fuck. A Death Eater cursed you.. ." Sirius put his head in his hands for several
long moments before turning and looking up at her. "Was it because of me?"
She hesitated one second too long, and his eyes widened.
"Fuck!" He stood up from the bed and began to dress himself.
"No!" she shouted, but it was far too late. "You don't understand. It's complicated!"
It was complicated. Though, not at all to blame, Sirius Black was the underlying
reason she had been cursed. It had been the fake image of Sirius being tortured that had
led Harry to the Department of Mysteries to face Death Eaters. Hermione had gone along
for the ride, never able to let Harry run into trouble on his own. It was Harry's need to
rescue his godfather that brought them to the Ministry.
"You asked me earlier if you're safe with me. You're not." Sirius frantically put his
clothes back on. "Mia, I need you safe, and that can't be... It's not right... Not right
now. Fuck."
Mia swallowed hard, trying to collect herself so she did not become overly
emotional, not like she used to be when she would cry over every little thing. "I told you
earlier, I had no expectations for tonight, but I was telling the truth when I said you are the
end for me. You're mine." She stood up and walked to him, unashamed of her naked form
as she reached for her clothes. "So this distance that you're putting between us right
now... it's temporary."
Sirius nodded slowly. "Of course it is. I'm sorry, Mia."
"For tonight? You regret it?" she asked, her brows furrowed, the dam she had
placed her emotions behind threatening to burst at any moment.
"Merlin, no." Sirius exhaled heavily, looking up at her with pleading eyes. "I'm sorry
that I'm so... fucking broken. Do you regret it?"