The garden was littered with leaves in shades of gold and brown. Remus held Severus' hand tightly as they walked through the fragile foliage. The crunching of the leaves went unnoticed as they moved.
Severus stopped near the oak tree. It had turned vermillion; soon the leaves would crumple and brown, but continue to cling tenaciously throughout the winter. In spring, the buds would finally push the old leaves away.
Remus spoke. "A bit like us, really. Hanging onto life so doggedly."
Severus snorted, his unvoiced thoughts the same.
Remus let go of Severus' hand, and instead wrapped his arms around him from behind. Severus leaned back into the warm cocoon. Remus' arms had been a safe haven from many things; today they were only protecting him from a cool breeze. Remus slid his hands down further to the slight swell of Severus' belly. Severus' own hand slipped down to hold Remus' there. For them the coming spring not only promised rebirth, but with luck they would witness the birth of their first child.
"I'd always thought of autumn as bittersweet." Severus uttered quietly.
"It is love. But we've had our time with bitter, and now it's time for ever-sweet."