It had been two full years since they had performed the soulmate ritual for Sirius. Two years of watching one of his best mates become complete and happy.

James stood in the shadows of the Potter manor gardens, hands shoved deep into his pockets as he watched Sirius. It was strange at times, seeing the reckless, sharp edged boy he’d grown up with act so differently around his soulmate. There was a peace in his friend that James had never seen before.

It made James feel envious at times.

He turned toward the ancient stone basin sitting on the grass, the silver liquid within shimmering under the cold moonlight. The ritual was once again ready.

James stepped forward, his heart hammering against his ribs. He didn't want a "maybe" or a "someday" anymore. He wanted what they had. He picked up the silver dagger, the cool metal biting into his palm, and looked at his friends one last time.

"Ready, Prongs?" Sirius asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft. James nodded, his jaw set with a sudden, fierce determination. "Ready."

He let the first drop of blood fall into the basin. The reaction was instantaneous and violent. It turned into a blinding, jagged bolt of white light that shot straight into the sky, cracking the air like a physical blow. The ground beneath the Potter estate groaned as the magic began to claw at the atmosphere, twisting the very stars above until the sky looked like a bruised, swirling vortex.

Reality seemed to buckle and fray at the edges. A high pitched hum vibrated through James’s teeth, and then, with a sound like a thunderclap, the air several feet above the grass simply tore open.

A figure was spat out of the rift, tumbling through the shimmering distortion before hitting the soft turf with a heavy thud. The rift snapped shut as quickly as it had opened, leaving the garden in a ringing, heavy silence. James didn't hesitate. He was moving before the light had even faded, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest as he scrambled across the grass.

"James, wait!" Sirius shouted, but James was already dropping to his knees beside the crumpled form. “Are you okay? Are you okay??” James’s voice was frantic, his hands trembling as he reached out gently cupping there face. He felt a jolt of pure, electric heat at the contact, a confirmation that hummed through his entire nervous system.

"Moony!" James barked over his shoulder, his eyes never leaving the person on the grass. "Moony, get the supplies! They’re here!"

Remus was already moving, his pace calm and practiced as he stepped forward with a bag of potions and warm blankets he’d prepared just in case. "I've got them, James. Move back just a hair so I can check for any magical exhaustion or injuries from the fall."

James didn't move far. He couldn't. He stayed tucked close to their side holding there hand.