Title: Etymology

Author: Lorien_Eve

Pairing: Harry/Ron

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I love 'em, but I don't own 'em.

Summary: Harry and Ron see their relationship in different ways.

Ron says love, Harry says involvement. It’s only vocabulary, just the difference in a single word. But Ron knows love like Harry knows the freckles on Ron’s shoulders. It’s easy for him.

Love. One word. A single syllable.

But Harry chooses involvement.

One word. Three syllables.

Being involved is more complex than being in love. Love is simple. It’s just love.

But involvement is varied. It can be a necessity. Or something that occupies and engages. Or something that envelopes, wraps you tightly, and isn’t easily refused. It’s complicated. And safe. Harry likes things that way. Ron was never good with vocabulary, and Harry suspects that he doesn’t know the difference.

“It’s not just love, Harry.” Ron states it simply. Like a comment on the weather. Sunny and cloudless.

“Not just love?” Harry asks. Grey clouds and overcast skies.

Then lightning flashes in the distance, strikes some unimportant Muggle object. Harry watches the white crackle, follows the yellow to the ground, and sits silently when it fades to the black of the sky. He shivers when it disappears into the pale horizon.

“Love is simple,” Ron states. “And I don’t feel simple about you at all.”

Harry is surprised by the confession. Ron was always simple. Red hair, freckles, a gangly body, too many older brothers.

“Not simple?” Harry asks. Ron’s meaning is too intense, and Harry’s eyes shoot to the window again.

Ron’s long fingers wrap around the legs of his chair. He carries it piggyback, scoots it over until he’s within touching distance.

“Love is more than hearts and roses, Harry,” Ron whispers.

“I know,” says Harry, but he has to swallow the lump in his throat before the words come out.

“Then accept it.” Ron’s fingers reach out to touch Harry’s.

Acceptance is more than love or involvement. It’s a combination of the two, and two is always more powerful than one. It’s unconditional. Receiving or admitting. The approval of the majority. Acceptance.

Harry presses the pads of his fingers into Ron’s. Clouds shudder, pale grey and relenting, rolling their way into clarity.