It all started with the small glances he'd indulge in.
Then came the prolonged stares.
He was getting addicted, and did nothing to stop himself.
For once, he let himself fall.
As long as she never knew, what was the harm?
'I mean, it's not like she'll ever want to be with me,' Remus thought, finding his logic without any flaws, and yet it hurt him nonetheless. In his mind, she was more likely to fall for Sirius or James, and vice versa. An involuntary wince came at that thought.
A wiff of sakura blossoms and green tea alerted him on who was approaching. Quickly he attempted to look incognito, when in fact he froze and sat straight like a board, drawing confused looks from his close friends.
"Hey Moony, you alright? You're looking kinda...stiff there," James eyed Remus's tense figure and clenched hands folded neatly on his lap. His knuckles were blanched white from how tightly he was fisting his hands.
"Yeah, and not in the good way either," Sirius joked with a concerned eye.
Peter simply tilted his head.
"I'm-I'm fine, nothing's wrong. Nope," Remus stuttered out, cursing Merlin on his lack of tact.
The groan of the common room doors and and the intensity of the familiar scent had him sighing.
'What is happening to me,' the werewolf thought hopelessly, refusing to allow his eyes wander behind him. Instead, he let himself take in a deep breath.
"Oh! Remus-san! I was looking everywhere for you," A pleasant chime rang into his ears.
Remus turned to look at the speaker out of courtesy.
"Were you? I'm sorry, I didn't know," He tried casually, eyeing her rosy cheeks. No doubt from the chilly snow-filled weather outside. She looked so lovely...like Christmas morning.
"It's okay! I was just hoping to catch you before dinner, do you mind if we study an extra hour tonight? Today's Potion's lesson kinda stumped me," Kagome explained sheepishly as she brushed away a lock of hair. She looked down at the pale brunette smiling, his handsome eyes widening and lighting up with an emotion she couldn't quite put her finger on. And almost instantly, the wolf aura that clung to him also lightened, reaching out to touch her. She wondered for a moment if Remus was aware of his counterpart's actions.
Either way, even if he had said no, she was pretty sure she would've kept smiling at his lightened expression. She would ask him one day.
And she had to admit, she might have exaggerated that hour in order to spend more time with the kind-hearted, handsome teenager. Maybe she would be able to snag a Hogsmeade date from him.
"S-sure! I don't mind at all, um I'll bring extra material so we can look over it, t-together," Remus pinched himself harshly for stuttering at the simply word.
"That's great! You're the best Remus-san! I'll bring you a gift tonight!," Kagome called as she made her way to her room, smiling and waving at the Marauders as she left.
His cheeks warmed as he smiled like a goof.
"Oh, Moony, since when," Sirius drawled out, milking the moment for what it was worth. Their dear werewolf was down right smitten with the gorgeous Japanese Gryffindor, and only Holy-powered student in Hogwarts.
"Damn, and you have her all to yourself tonight. You've been having her all TO yourself ALL these nights! And a gift! You're getting a gift" James continued, his eyes widening comically as he stared at his friend-practically-brother.
"What! No! I haven't been having anyone. Don't be so immature you guys!" Remus tried to bat away Sirius's hand as it tried to ruffle his hair.
"No way you're getting out of this, you ol' dog,"
Peter watched helplessly as Sirius and James tackled Remus off the couch.
