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Brotherly Love	By : KJmom827 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 15519 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters associated with Harry Potter, I make no profit from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Brotherly Love
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-Epilogue
- 17
- 18
A/N: So, I'm going with something slightly different for this epilogue. I've recently discovered that I love writing in first person and present tense, so I'm switching it up on you. I hope it isn't too distracting and that it doesn't take anything away from the story, but it kind of feels right to me. So, here it is:

They are smiling at each other again. It's a special kind of smile, one reserved for lovers. It really amazes me that, after more than twenty years, no one has noticed. I've known since the beginning of sixth year. He always had this ethereal glow when he spoke of Charlie. He was always so happy - too happy - when he returned from a holiday in Romania. It broke my fragile heart. I just knew I'd lost him, and to his own brother of all people.

Then, one day, he asked me out, I was wary - knowing what I did - but I said 'yes' anyway. How could I do anything different? I was, and still am, deeply in love with the boy. I thought that after we started dating regularly that the trips to visit Charlie would stop, I was horribly wrong. Then, I told myself that after we got married he'd definitely stop, wrong again.

He visits his brother in Romania twice a year, I am never invited. They go on 'camping trips' every few months and I never even ask to go. It scares me to death every single time. I'm sure, each time, that he will decide stay. He always returns to me, though, and I never say a word.

Charlie leans over to whisper something in my husband's ear and it's suddenly too much. I can ignore it or forget it when Charlie is miles away and poses no immediate threat, but when we are all together, sometimes I just can't. I practically leap from the couch and rush out onto the back porch. I grip the railing tightly and screw my eyes shut as a wave of nausea almost overtakes me. Once I'm positive my dinner is going to stay where it is, I open my eyes and take a deep breath.

I can do this, I've been doing it for all these years, and I will continue to do it. It would just be so much easier if it were another woman, one that he didn't worship and love unconditionally. I can't compete with a man, I have nothing to offer that would even compare. The love they share? It runs so much deeper than anything he's ever felt for me.

I hear the back door creak and try to arrange my face into some semblance of a smile. I can't have Ron see me cry, not right now. He's been worried about me more recently. With good reason I suppose, even in the wizarding world, the older you are the more complications can arise with pregnancy. I feel a hand on my back and stiffen. It isn't Ron that's come out to check on me, he always puts his arms around me.

"Hermione, are you ok, love?" I love him, I really do, Charlie is nothing but considerate of me - except when he's fucking my husband behind my back, of course. A wave of anger washes over me, but I fight it back. I'm smart enough to know that most of my resentment right now is being driven by hormones.

"Just fine, Charlie, thanks," His hand starts to move in soothing circles over my back, and he steps up beside me wrapping his other hand around the rail to the left of mine.

"He loves you, you know."

"Yeah," The last thing I need is Charlie weighing in on my relationship with Ron.

"He does, I… I could never be what you are to him," He sounds wistful, as if he wishes that wasn't true. Are we really going to have this conversation? So many years and not a word on the subject has passed between us. Sometimes he looks at me, and I can tell that he knows I know, but he never says anything.

"Charlie, please. Now is not the time. I don't know that there ever will be a time, but I'm overly emotional right now and I don't want to discuss this," His hand stills for a moment, then moves to cup my hip and pull me closer to him.

"I never wanted to hurt you. I still don't. I won't lie and say that I'm happy with how things have turned out, but I was overjoyed when he told me you were to be his wife. If I couldn't have him to myself, if he couldn't be entirely mine, there was no one else I'd rather share him with. The two of you have something special and the few nights a year he spends in my arms can't change that. I wouldn't want to change that," I let my head fall to rest on his shoulder, any port in a storm, right?

"Charlie…"

"I know, love, and I'm so sorry. I want to tell you that it'll never happen again, but I stopped telling myself that lie years ago, and I won't start lying to you now. I shouldn't, but I love him. I should, but I can't refuse him or myself. I've never tried or even wanted to take him away from you. Not only would I not want to come between you, but I'm terrified that I would lose. I know I would. It's not a battle we have to fight. We can both love him, and we can both be there for him. This doesn't have to hurt, love. I feel like an arse, because we should have had this conversation years ago, but I was just too damned scared."

I was too, I still am. I know he's right, I know Ron isn't going to leave me and I know that he loves me. I'm also aware of his feelings for Charlie and that I have no place there, and I think that's what bothers me the most. Not only are we married, but we're best friends, we should be able to share and talk about everything. But this, it's always just been hanging over my head and I've never said a word. I think I've always wanted him to come to me about it, but how can I fault him with that when I haven't made the effort either.

And Charlie? Well, in his defense, he had Ron first. He didn't infringe on my relationship with Ron, I invaded theirs. I've known that all along. I'm not really the innocent victim here. We're all victims in our own way. Ron and Charlie, brothers in love with each other, kept apart by a world that wouldn't understand. Ron and I, the perfect couple, except for the fact that he sneaks off to be with his brother several times a year. Charlie and I, friends despite the circumstances and our love for the same man.

I chuckle a little when I realize how much I'm romanticizing this. Yeah, pregnancy hormones are a bitch.

"I'm sorry as well, Charlie. You know I'm not going to interfere, if I was going to do that, I would have long ago," I sniffle a little and reach a hand up to wipe away the tears that started falling without my permission. Charlie stops my hand and turns me toward him. He uses his thumbs to dry my face and tilts my head up to look him in the eye.

"I caused them, the least I can do is dry them for you," I give him a small smile, the best I can muster at the moment, "I didn't come out to talk to you because I thought you were going to 'interfere'. I came out because I could see your pain. I've been seeing it for so long. I finally found the courage to acknowledge this bloody gap between us," As if to prove that he wants to close it, he pulls me against his chest and wraps his arms around my back. I let my head rest in the middle of his chest and cling to his shirt, just a little.

"I could have said something too. We're in this together, I guess we always have been. I just sometimes forget that I might not be the only person that hurts. But, it doesn't have to be like that anymore, right? We can talk, we can stop ignoring this. Maybe I should feel lucky," He tightens his hold on me.

"Why's that?"

"Well, do you know how many women would love to be able to ship their husbands off sometimes? I can do that, I can send him to you, and I know you'll take care of him," He laughs lightly and kisses the top of my head.

"Yes, I will. And, when you're ready to have him back, I'll return him - happy and well-fed," I grin because he's so much like his mum.

"And well-loved," That is the most important thing, isn't it?

"Yes, always well-loved, by both of us," The door opens again and my handsome husband pokes his head out.

"Everything alright?" Charlie and I answer at the same time.

"Yes, dear."

"Yeah, bro."

"Good, Hermione, mum's looking for you, wants to talk to you about nappies or something. Oh, and Charlie, I need you to get your arse in here and explain to Harry that the Cannons are going to win the cup this year."

He shoots us a grin before and leaning back and pushing the door open for us to follow. Charlie releases me after another squeeze. We walk back into the house hand in hand, and I feel lighter than I have in years. I'm sure it won't be easy, but we'll do what we have to take care of our Ron.

A/N 2: And that, my loverlies, is the end. It's been a helluva ride, and I'm sad to see it come to an end, but I'm happy with the way this story grew from a tiny little ficlet born of boredom into a fully grown fan fiction. I hope you've enjoyed taking this journey with me! I might, one day in the future, attempt a Ron/Charlie piece again, but for now I'm going to focus on my other stories. Other pairings need love and care as well. Drop me a line and let me know if you loved or hated this epilogue. Hell, even if you're indifferent, I could stand to know how I can catch your attention better next time... Ta-ta for now, my dears! Hug and kisses, many thanks for your support and reviews, and as always - much love!
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Brotherly Love