Forever

(A/N- This is the night after Dumbledore dies, after they meet around Bill in the hospital wing. I love Remus and Tonks and I hope you enjoy this story. I might continue with a few more drabbles if any reviewers want me to. Enjoy!)

He stood in the Astronomy tower, looking out at the night. Predictable, she decided, but slightly frightening, considering the previous events of the night. It was quiet, now, the last of the students in bed and even the teachers in their dormitories. Most of the Order had taken rooms in Hogsmeade, those who hadn't were guarding the castle, patrolling the corridors, or keeping watch in Hogsmeade. But not him, or her. It had been decided that they'd done enough that night, that they should rest finally. But rest was the last thing on either of their minds.

He knew she was there, she was sure of it. Her quiet footsteps had been audible in the empty tower. The wind was still, the sky dark. The moon was a half moon. That, she knew, was important. She decided to leave the speaking to him, slightly afraid of what he would say. She ought to be more nervous than she was, she thought, but strangely, she felt a sense of comfort, however fleeting. The comfort came from the fact that however reluctant he was to let her in, he would, she knew, give her at least a few final hours to argue her point. And that, for now, was enough for her.

He turned around, finally. The sight was the same as it had been for months, but still shocked him. The mousy brown hair, dark, sad eyes, and the thin, gaunt build of someone who hadn't been healthy for months.

"Hello, Nymphadora." The words came out of his mouth instinctively, calmly. Too calm, he knew, and surprised even himself. She didn't react at the sound of her first name; she was long over it. The maturity that she'd been through in a year was alarming. It was, he mused, mostly because of him. Himself being too old for her was hardly an excuse anymore.

"Hello, Remus," She said, just as calmly, the sound of her smooth voice almost enough for him to forget everything that had happened that night. But it wasn't. He noticed, in the light of the stars and- shudder- the moon, that tear tracks glistened on her cheeks, but her eyes were anything but watery. He understood, though, the events hardly seemed realistic. They couldn't be, he'd decided, and somehow that seemed enough of a short term malady to cure him.

"Nice night?" He asked conversationally, and she walked to stand besides him. He watched as one of her hands slid over his on the railing, so subtly that it could have been an accident. But it wasn't. It made him shiver, the warmth of her hands that he hadn't felt in- what was it- a year? Almost. The last time they'd touched had been a few months after the fight in the Department of Mysteries.

"As long as I'm with you," She replied casually, looking straight ahead. The words had a much deeper meaning than the tone let on, and they both knew they were nearing the subject for which they'd come here, but he fought to keep it like this as long as possible.

"How did you find me?" He asked, fully knowing how.

"Marauder's map," She answered, just as he had expected.

"Why?" That, too, was obvious. He didn't want to think about the answer, though, and what it meant.

"Remus," She started, and he knew they were at the subject. "I love you." She turned to face him, and he felt an obligation to do the same. They were close, he realized, all too late. Too close. Close enough to see the brown flecks in her eyes, the lips he'd once kissed without guilt, the wilting brown hair that had once been full of life. And, for a few moments, he didn't feel the need to back away.

"I love you, too," He said, as if the words were forced out of him. She winced slightly and stepped back.

"Why is that so hard to say?" She asked quietly, emotion flickering over her face.

"Maybe because it would be so much easier if I didn't," He finally replied, looking away from her eyes.

"I thought you understood now. When you didn't judge me when I came up here…I thought you had an open mind. That your prejudice was gone, in the shadow of everything that happened tonight." She told him, the warmth of her hand disappearing.

"My prejudice?" He asked incredulously. "Mine? You've got it all wrong, Nymphadora. I'm the victim of the prejudice." His voice had turned cold, instinctively, but a sharp look had taken over her face.

"I've got it all wrong?" She retorted, seething. "How about you, with your stupid ideas of why I shouldn't love you! With your beliefs that we can't be together! What is it- oh, yes- because you're too dangerous!" He opened his mouth to speak, to calm her, but she wasn't finished. "As if it wasn't dangerous tonight! As if I didn't know what I was getting into, being an Auror. You think I can't handle danger? You think a little bit more danger will make a difference? What's the price for it? A lot more love in my life?" She stepped back, away from him, breathing heavily. "You might do well to think about that before breaking my heart." They both stood there, waiting. The silence not needing to be broken- not yet.

He thought about what she said. Wasn't it true? Hadn't she been in danger for nearly every day of her life, just being in the Order? Hadn't tonight overruled all the danger that would come with him being with her? He thought about the hospital wing- how everyone had agreed with Tonks. How- Dumbledore- he winced slightly at the name- would have wanted a little more love in the world. How, with Bill and Fleur, their love prevailed through everything had happened. He looked at Tonks, her beautiful face challenging him. Couldn't he- just once- go with what he wanted for once? He'd been deprived of everything else in life, after all. Instinctively, without thinking, he nodded, making his decision before it could change.

"Okay," He breathed. "You win."

"Excuse me?" Shock flitted across her face, and she didn't move. He frowned, doubt overcoming him for a moment. Didn't she say she loved him? He took a step closer.

"You win. I love you. You're right." He repeated. She took a hesitant step closer to him, her hair slowly turning brighter by the minute. They were close now. So close that he could see the blue tendrils of color spreading through her eyes.

"I love you," She gasped, before he crushed his lips to hers. He pushed her against the railing, almost roughly, his lips passionate, warm, and tender on hers. His arms were wrapped around her waist, their bodies melding together, and hers were thrown tightly around his neck. When they broke apart, his hands slipping under her shirt to increase the closeness and hers resting on his chest, her hair was a bright pink, shining in the night.

"This isn't just for now?" She breathed, her forehead pressed to his.

"Forever," He promised, before leaning in again to prove his love.

(A/N- Reviews are greatly appreciated :) Love you all! Let me know what you think.)