And follow (Neville/James, PG-13)
Title: And follow
Pairing: Neville/James
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 217
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: Not mine. JKR's.
Summary: Neville remembers other winters and prepares himself for this one.
Notes: An Advent Drabble for celandineb, who requested Neville/James, "Try to remember".

There's a haze of winter swathing the night, and Neville sinks into his armchair by his fire, watching out the window, waiting for the snowfall, his hands idle for once. He remembers other winters spent by other fires, bodies tangled and sweating on the hearthrug, when guilt still hurt and secrecy was all that kept them safe.

Neville watches the flames dancing around each other, engaging and becoming one, snaps of fire indistinguishable from the licks of orange and white they were moments ago. A log shifts, and sparks flare, and there's a soft footfall behind Neville's chair.

James curls into Neville's lap as he first did all those winters ago, and Neville embraces him automatically.

"I don't know if I can do this," the boy mumbles, so low that Neville can barely hear him at first.

But Neville speaks the words of reassurance he's been imparting to himself for weeks now, ever since they made the decision to spend Christmas together with James's family, the first time they'll all have been together since Neville and James took their relationship public.

And though Neville's never been good with words, he must have said something right, for James stands and smiles and offers a hand to Neville, then goes into the bedroom to fetch their bags.

Neville follows.