"...I hope I will." Sirius just muttered it, feeling at a loss. Why was Severus talking like that? It was like having the floor pulled from under him. He was stroking the side of Severus' face. When had he started doing that? And why did he feel as if he was about to cry? He held the tears back, but the pain in his heart remained. Finally he spoke again, implored him. "Why are you putting us on opposite sides?"