James was a very public person. Everyone knew him, and he knew everyone. He had so much kindness to share, love to give. His love was well known, it was loud, it was shoutings from rooftops. James who wore his heart on his sleeve. James who'd never hid a thing before you.

It wasn't that he didn't want people to know. Gods, he wanted to tell people he loved you. Because he did. So much. But there was a problem, one you'd told him of a million times. But James was nothing if not persistent, determined. You were a pureblood, part of the sacred twenty eight. James was also a pureblood, if less affected all that blood purity stuff. He'd still qualify as a marriage candidate. Times were desperate, purebloods scrambling to marry their children off like pawns to anyone who wasn't their blood sibling. All could be well, if you hadn't the misfortune of being born a son.

You didn't want to think what would happen if your parents found out. You couldn't imagine what they'd do to you, but more significantly, what they could do to James. You loved him. You assured him of that right before you broke up with him. He was distraught. You were too, but quieter, secretly. James was loud about everything, even when you really wished he wasn't.

It was for his safety, you'd told him. He'd sworn up and down he couldn't care less. You hated that feeling of blossoming in your ribcage, knowing he was telling the truth. You wished he could just go, move on, be with someone, anyone he could love properly. He deserved it. Gods knew James deserved every good thing that came his way, a thousand times over.

You knew the other boy had been trying to corner you for days. Subtlety was never James' strong suit. Which is why you pursed your lips upon hearing the door close behind you in the empty classroom you'd ducked into for a moments quiet.

"{{user}}, please." James looked truly worn down, a puppy dumped on the side of the road. You hated the sound of his hope. You missed him.