A/N: Well. I updated again. Enjoy~
Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did, do you really think I'd be here writing fanfiction?
~Pet Names~
"I have a question." Remus announced. It was just him and his favorite Metamorphmagus in the house; they had been assigned to watch over something for the Order at Tonks' parent's house.
"And what would that be?" Tonks asked, scooting down the couch so she was right beside him. Her book lay forgotten on the end table.
"Must I call you by your surname? I know you dislike your given name, but I could come up with something else. . ." Remus said, closing his book as well. Truth be told, he just didn't like referring to her like everyone else did.
"Hmm," was Tonks's reply as she pondered the inquiry. Should I let him call me something else? I suppose it'd be okay, since we're together. . . She had never let anyone else call her something else.
"How about 'Dora'? Isn't that what your family calls you?" Remus realized what he said, but only after he said it. Oh, lord. I'm implying that I'm her family! Is it too early for that? Does she want that? Oh, bugger. This is why I never bothered with relationships before. Remus fretted about it.
"I like that. I mean, I don't like that it's a derivative of my full name, Nymphadora" – she said the name with disgust – "but I like that you'd be calling me something that . . . well, something like that." She was at a loss of what she was trying to say, but she hoped that Remus understood.
And he did. "I get it. And I would like it if you would let me call you that." He smiled, adding a bit of his trademark "under-lying devilishness," as Tonks – Dora called it.
"I certainly wouldn't mind." Tonks smiled back.
"Okay then. We've established a name for you, but what about me? Are you going to use another name other than my given one?"
"Hmm," she said once again. She leaned forwards, peering into his face as if that held the answer she was looking for.
After about 3 minutes of her staring intently at him, Remus started to get uncomfortable and self conscious. "Any ideas?" He asked, hoping that would distract her.
"No. I can't imagine you as any other name than 'Remus.' I know that Sirius calls you Moony, but that's a you two thing. I don't even—" She got cut off here.
"It's not a me and Sirius thing. It's a Marauder thing. James was in on it, too."
"Harry's dad?"
"Yes. It was something we came up with in school."
"Oh. Well, since I wasn't in on that, I can't call you Moony. I think I'll just stick with Remus. Isn't your middle name Jonathan, or something like that?" He had told her what it was before, but Tonks always forgot.
"It's just John. My parents were boring." Remus tried to keep a straight face as he said that, but it was with no avail.
"Really, now? At least your parents didn't give you a name like Nymphadora. I don't even want to know what they were thinking when they came up with that one." Tonks rolled her eyes.
"So, my 'nickname' is going to be my given name?" Remus knew that Tonks disliked her first name, but frankly he was a bit tired of hearing about it.
"Hmm. Yes. If that's alright with you." Tonks said, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Of course it is. I'd be alright with almost anything, within reason."
"So if I decided to call you Wolfie McLupin Moon, you'd be okay with it?" Tonks couldn't resist poking fun at him.
"Uhh, no. I said within reason, my dear. Don't forget that." Remus apparently did not appreciate that comment.
"That's what I thought. I was just testing."
"Okay."
"Remus! You need to go back to Grimmauld Place!" A voice drifted in through the kitchen door.
"Mum?" Tonks got up and went to investigate.
"Yes, dear. I've been instructed to tell Remus he needs to get back to Grimmauld Place. And I have a note from Sirius. . ."
"From Sirius?" Remus had gotten up and came over when he heard Padfoot's name.
"Here it is."
Moony! I'm bored, and I want you to bring me some food.
Signed,
Padfoot.
Remus laughed. It was something typical of Sirius.
"I have to go. I'll see you later, Dora." Remus used his new pet name for Tonks as he pecked her on the cheek and walked out the door.
"Did he just call you Dora?" Andromeda asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Mum." Tonks said, not elaborating. "I have to get to work. I'll see you around dinner. Love you!" She gave her mother a fleeting hug, then walked out the door, too.
A/N: I hope you liked it! The Remus/Tonks pairing is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Next, I'm thinking about Ron and Hermione. I'm open to ideas on pairings. Tell me what you want, and I'll try to make it happen. Remember, reviews make me happy regardless :]
-Zenelia*Sky
