For some moments: stillness. It was difficult to tell whose eyes were bigger: the baby's or Lupin's. They stared at each other as if whole stories were playing out behind their eyes. For Remus, at least, they were. Every memory of James—and, of course, inextricably then, all the rest. Their loss, again—things he'd seen and hadn't had to—and the fight to help Harry, not as his guardian which was of course impossible but somehow, and that (seemingly) denied… all made all right by this, now. He could have fallen to his knees. Instead, he looked again at Lily. Alive. Real. Here. When he fixed his eyes again on Harry's, Remus was here, too. This wasn't a dream he was going to wake up from and have to mourn. This was happening. Lily was alive. And this… at last… not for him to flee or rend from or wall himself away, to protect himself and everyone else. He was here meet… and… as family.
Remus had had two families. Each ended disastrously. He'd believed he'd never have another. He was never so glad to be wrong. And this one would not go that way. He'd die to make sure.
Remus didn't kneel… that would be ridiculous… but he did bend so that his eyes were at a level with Harry's. (The one difference from James: Harry's eyes were Lily's green. Wonderful.)
Very gently and sombrely, Remus took Harry's tiny hand between his own fingers; and gave the tiniest, introducing shake. "Hullo, Harry." He was pretty sure Harry was too young to follow words, but perhaps he could feel by tone. The lump in Remus's throat thickened his voice, but didn't make it less warm or wondering or grateful. "I wasn't sure I'd ever meet you. I hope to be your friend. And I'll do anything to help you and keep you safe." Though his eyes didn't flicker this time, that vow was also to Lily.
no subject
For some moments: stillness. It was difficult to tell whose eyes were bigger: the baby's or Lupin's. They stared at each other as if whole stories were playing out behind their eyes. For Remus, at least, they were. Every memory of James—and, of course, inextricably then, all the rest. Their loss, again—things he'd seen and hadn't had to—and the fight to help Harry, not as his guardian which was of course impossible but somehow, and that (seemingly) denied… all made all right by this, now. He could have fallen to his knees. Instead, he looked again at Lily. Alive. Real. Here. When he fixed his eyes again on Harry's, Remus was here, too. This wasn't a dream he was going to wake up from and have to mourn. This was happening. Lily was alive. And this… at last… not for him to flee or rend from or wall himself away, to protect himself and everyone else. He was here meet… and… as family.
Remus had had two families. Each ended disastrously. He'd believed he'd never have another. He was never so glad to be wrong. And this one would not go that way. He'd die to make sure.
Remus didn't kneel… that would be ridiculous… but he did bend so that his eyes were at a level with Harry's. (The one difference from James: Harry's eyes were Lily's green. Wonderful.)
Very gently and sombrely, Remus took Harry's tiny hand between his own fingers; and gave the tiniest, introducing shake. "Hullo, Harry." He was pretty sure Harry was too young to follow words, but perhaps he could feel by tone. The lump in Remus's throat thickened his voice, but didn't make it less warm or wondering or grateful. "I wasn't sure I'd ever meet you. I hope to be your friend. And I'll do anything to help you and keep you safe." Though his eyes didn't flicker this time, that vow was also to Lily.