"Maybe you don’t want to talk about it now," Xenophilius continued, his tone soothing despite the tension in the air. "But if you ever do... I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."
"This place," Xenophilius said after a long pause, his voice soft but filled with quiet reverence. "It’s peaceful, isn’t it? I know it’s a bit... wild, but I like it that way. Nature has its own way of healing, I think. It doesn’t need to be controlled or tamed. It just needs time."
Xenophilius didn’t respond immediately. He set his teacup down on the table and folded his hands in his lap, his gaze thoughtful. "I do have Luna," he said softly, "and for that, I’m grateful every day. But I also lost a great deal during the war. More than I care to admit." He paused, his fingers twitching slightly as if remembering something painful. "And there are things I did—things I can’t undo—that weigh on me more than you might think."
Content Set to Go Live: Sep 27th, 2024 on Ao3
After an argument-filled morning, Filch returns from a solitary walk to find Xenophilius in the garden, their conversation filled with tension as Xenophilius gently tries to reach out. Despite Filch's resistance, there’s a growing awareness that Xenophilius might be the first person to understand him in ways he’s not ready to admit.
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Xenophilius reached down to stroke Mrs. Norris, his fingers brushing lightly against her fur. Filch watched him warily, his shoulders tensing again as the man’s hand moved closer to his own leg. He wanted to pull away, to snap at Xenophilius to stop being so damned touchy, but the gentle way Xenophilius interacted with the cat was almost... soothing. As if he understood that even the smallest creature deserved care. "You’ve taken good care of her," Xenophilius said softly, his hand lingering on Mrs. Norris’s back for a moment before pulling away. "She’s a loyal companion." Filch grunted in response, his eyes narrowing slightly. "She’s the only one who’s ever been loyal to me." Xenophilius looked up, his expression soft but serious. "Perhaps. But loyalty comes in many forms, Argus. And it’s not always about the people or creatures we’ve known the longest. Sometimes, it’s about the ones who choose to stay, even when we push them away."
Ready to Dive In?
As Xenophilius tries to break through Filch’s hardened exterior, will Filch allow himself to accept help—or push him away for good?
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