InsaneJournal

Who: James & Sirius (party world)
What: angsty cuddles.
When: Saturday, after the departures (slightly backdated)
Where: random street, at least for starters
Warnings: sads

Loss was an all too familiar feeling to James. He'd lost most of his loved ones a couple of times over now, thanks to the stupid systems in place on this compound; Lily once at home and once here, Remus twice since being here. But somehow, in the midst of all the chaos of the compound, he'd gotten his old resilience back. There had been a time when nothing could break his stride, because the only thing he needed to keep moving was himself, and he couldn't lose himself. But the years without Lily and Sirius had taken their toll, broken him down in ways he hadn't even entirely noticed until he'd gotten them back. And then he'd begun the long hard process of healing again.

Now that he'd managed it, his job was once again to be the one holding everyone else together. Technically, that had always been his job, but it was significantly easier when he was not having to put so much energy into holding himself together at the same time. Now that he'd rediscovered his own inner strength, it was easier to be the rock his family needed.

First, however, he had to find Sirius. He instinctively felt that his friend was likely to be transformed, since he hadn't already appeared in human form. As for where he'd ended up, that was the harder question, because an aimlessly wandering Padfoot could end up just about anywhere. It would be quicker to transform himself, because Prongs's instincts were better than his and he was faster on four legs than two, so that was precisely what he did. Hooves clattering on the cobblestone, he took off, paying no attention to whether anyone was disturbed by the sight of a stag racing around in the city. He turned his human mind off, and followed his senses.

Not long after, he slowed down as he approached a distinctly morose and muddy Padfoot. He transformed back when he was a few feet away, because unlike the dog, he was actually cuddlier in human form, and knelt in front of his friend. Disregarding the mess it would make of his robes, he threw his arms around Padfoot's neck and rubbed at his ears.