“ people say life is full of choices. no one ever mentions fear. ”
SUMMER - SWEET BREATH FALLS with the s o f t n e s s of a sigh as the older takes his place on the bed, SITTING at the side of the younger. NOW’S the part where he says every choice is the r i g h t one. NOW’S the part where he spouts some trivial BULLSHIT that ends up the perfect thing to say, the ANSWER to all of life’s questions. but he’s never been much good at seeing the CLEAR path through, himself. so he DOESN’T, instead letting silence reign, LOUD as WAR DRUMS through the room as a thousand thoughts claw at each other, t e a r i n g at the walls of his mind with matted TALONS && biting NAILS.
finally, a hand moves from where it’s f l u t t e r e d about, in the air one moment, in BLANKETS the next. an INSTANT flashes where he schools the shifting FINGERPRINTS, the pulsing knuckles to SOLID form. he won’t let albus be unnerved because the t e n s i o n of the moment is getting to him. he may NOT have the answers, may not be the best with ADVICE, but for one so beloved he will t r y . so that hand falls to rest upon YOUTH’S shoulder, thumb rubbing circles into the k n o t s he finds there as they sit.
‘ no matter WHAT, albus, you have a family that l o v e s you. don’t forget that like i did. ‘ a tense smile, eyes POTTERLIKE && SPARKLING to emphasize his point. he’ll never be ONE of them by blood, but it’s easy to FAKE certain features to make the association, to show his T I E S . ‘ choices be bloody well DAMNED, that will always be true. && even if you make the wrong ones, well, look at ME. i came back from it, didn’t i ? && you’ll have me to guide you through it, if it happens. you’ll have ALL of us. it’s alright to be s c a r e d , but you’re not alone. if you FALL, we can CATCH you. ‘
