No, it's—Fred, it'll be three in December, it's only been...
[Two and a half. Like that will make it any better. Too late. Ginny wishes she could take back the words the moment she's said them. The sudden deflation in her brother, the surge of anger, knowing for certain now that it was what she said that did it - the regret tears through her stomach and claws up her throat, snatching desperately at the words in the air, but it's too late. Still, she tries to salvage the situation as best she can, slipping off the countertop and crossing the kitchen so she can rest a hand on her brother's shoulder, squeezing it with a firm reassurance even as she ducks her head around to try and meet his eyes again.
Her expression is earnest and apologetic. It says I'm so sorry and please trust me all wrapped up in I'm still me and I love you. Her voice is a low, but fierce whisper, willing the words to make it through the emotional wall they were so good at hiding but all knew was there. Weasleys. Their strength and their weakness is the absolute love and loyalty they have for each other.]
Hey. Hey. [She gives his shoulder a little jostle.] Fred, listen to me. I know what you're bloody thinking, so don't. It's not your fault, any of it, me being here or you not being here, and Merlin knows I'd feel the same way if it was the other way around but don't you dare. If you want anyone to blame, it's the City and its deities, but I've never hated any of you lot for leaving me behind here. Why should I? We're all meant to be home, and if some of you lot got there faster than me, then... fine. That's— [She's losing steam.] It's fine.
[She drags in a breath and it catches on the tightness in her throat, so she shakes her head and gives her brother as tight a hug as she can manage with him standing at the counter like he is. Tall. They're all so much taller than her, she'll never be as tall even as time passes, but this is a constant to them. Her voice gives the tiniest of hitches when she next speaks, and she's suddenly grateful he isn't looking at her for this next quiet admission.]
But if being here means I can be with you for a little while longer, then I don't give a damn how long I'm stuck.
[And there's Fred's answer to his unspoken question. His little sister does know what happens in the end.]
he's there for you when he shouldn't be but he stays all the same;
[Two and a half. Like that will make it any better. Too late. Ginny wishes she could take back the words the moment she's said them. The sudden deflation in her brother, the surge of anger, knowing for certain now that it was what she said that did it - the regret tears through her stomach and claws up her throat, snatching desperately at the words in the air, but it's too late. Still, she tries to salvage the situation as best she can, slipping off the countertop and crossing the kitchen so she can rest a hand on her brother's shoulder, squeezing it with a firm reassurance even as she ducks her head around to try and meet his eyes again.
Her expression is earnest and apologetic. It says I'm so sorry and please trust me all wrapped up in I'm still me and I love you. Her voice is a low, but fierce whisper, willing the words to make it through the emotional wall they were so good at hiding but all knew was there. Weasleys. Their strength and their weakness is the absolute love and loyalty they have for each other.]
Hey. Hey. [She gives his shoulder a little jostle.] Fred, listen to me. I know what you're bloody thinking, so don't. It's not your fault, any of it, me being here or you not being here, and Merlin knows I'd feel the same way if it was the other way around but don't you dare. If you want anyone to blame, it's the City and its deities, but I've never hated any of you lot for leaving me behind here. Why should I? We're all meant to be home, and if some of you lot got there faster than me, then... fine. That's— [She's losing steam.] It's fine.
[She drags in a breath and it catches on the tightness in her throat, so she shakes her head and gives her brother as tight a hug as she can manage with him standing at the counter like he is. Tall. They're all so much taller than her, she'll never be as tall even as time passes, but this is a constant to them. Her voice gives the tiniest of hitches when she next speaks, and she's suddenly grateful he isn't looking at her for this next quiet admission.]
But if being here means I can be with you for a little while longer, then I don't give a damn how long I'm stuck.
[And there's Fred's answer to his unspoken question. His little sister does know what happens in the end.]