Everything you're running from is in your head -- Early 2000

The question finally came up:  why did I come to the States?  I was sitting in the living room with Lyn, thankfully by ourselves, with her leaning against me as we watched the flames in the fireplace.  It was in the wee hours of the morning and our conversation that night took many turns.  I sighed when she asked me that.  "Oh, you know, I got the job offer in the Department of Magical Creatures.  So I took it.  I have always enjoyed magical creatures as you have probably witnessed.  Well, creatures in general.  Animals." I laughed at my ramblings.

I rolled my eyes at Jetty.  "Yeah, I understand the job," I said to him, smiling a bit.  "But that doesn't explain the sadness that I see in your eyes sometimes.  If you don't want to talk about it... that's fine.  We've all got our secrets.  But I just think that soetimes it's good to talk."

I looked at Lyn and should have known she would see through the partial lie.  I sighed at her and shrugged.  "It was after the war at Hogwarts," I explained.  I knew that she was there with her parents; how could they let the war go by when it was their mates fighting and whatnot?  "I lost a lot... I had to get out... try to get away from all the sadness everyone had at home.  a lot of people were lost and it was so depressing."

i looked at Jetty and could see a lot of sadness in his eyes.  "You lost someone didn't you?" I said quietly.

I looked over at her and nodded.  "A lot of people did," I said to her honestly.  "But yes, I loved her.  I got the job offer at the bureau and I took it.  I had to get away from everything back home.  It was a fresh start."  I hoped that Lyn did not think that I was just using her or anything, but she did ask.

This was all entirely understandable. "I'm sorry, Jet," I said to him gently.  I rubbed his shoulders and gave him a kiss on his cheek.  "If you don't want to talk about any more, I understand."

I looked at Lyn and smiled slightly.  "It's quite alright," I said to her.  "It'd be an insult to her if I completely ignored what had happened and also an insult if I did not learn to take each moment as a gift, too."

I was at least glad that Jetty was open about it and could take it in stride as much as a loss could be taken at least.  "I'm sure that things will get easier... it'll just take time," I said to him softly.

I was glad that she at least understood what I meant.  I held her hand and squeezed it.  "I know," I said, taking a deep breath.  "I don't necessarily mean to bring you down, though..."