Tonks frowned as Remus went downstairs. They had been curled up in bed, chatting, when Remus had got distracted. By what, she didn't know. When she asked, he had dismissed her and then distracted her with thoughts of breakfast. Her stomach betrayed her before she could deny it and demand an explanation.
Remus had been acting weird the last couple of days. Week, even because he had started acting weird even before that first Order meeting, they had had. Something was wrong. Tonks just knew it.
Too bad he wasn't telling her what that was!
"Nothing's wrong," he tried to pacify her.
Too bad he looked incredibly nervous so she didn't buy it. But she knew better than to pry too much, he would just clam up. Dig in his heels. Remus John Lupin was an incredibly stubborn man, after all. Well, she could be just as stubborn and hard-headed (see? They really were the perfect match for each other).
She just had to figure out how to deal with this first. Or even figure out what was going on. Yeah, that would be a good idea.
A horrible thought suddenly struck her. Was he having second thoughts? Did he not want to be in a relationship anymore? Her stomach sank. Was he going to break up with her? Boys did could to go all squirrelly when they were going to do that in her experience. But Remus wasn't a silly boy. He was Remus! But what else could this behaviour mean?
What was she supposed to do? Bring it up? Ask to talk about it? Would that just make him more prone to secrecy? Relieved that it was all out in the open? Did she really want to do this?
She leaned against the doorframe and watched him cook. The only thing she was allowed to do when he was cooking. He was convinced something bad would happen otherwise. Look, that incident with the fork had been an accident. The leg of the chair shouldn't have even been there in the first place.
It was kind of relaxing watching him cook, even if it did make her a bit jealous. He knew what he was doing, after all. She, on the other hand, probably would have burnt herself by now. Or the ceiling. Look, it was a rite of passage for here. Every place she lived in she had to accidentally burn the ceiling. It was a fact of life. Also, why she basically survived on takeout, soups and cheese on toast.
On that note, it was odd that he wanted to cook. She had suggested takeaway, something they hadn't had this week, but he had turned it down. Remus had actually wanted to cook. Huh. She couldn't relate but she wasn't going to complain because although Remus' meals were simple, they were *delicious*. Especially his roast chicken and herby potato bits which was her absolute favourite meal. Actually, she would be happy with just the potato bits but Remus had sadly informed her that that wasn't a meal. Oh well, chicken was a good addition. That and it made the house smell delicious.
"Need any help?" she offered.
Not with the cooking, obviously, but she could start tidying and cleaning up if he was finished with some things.
Her presence seemed to surprise him as he jumped almost a foot in the air.
"What? No," he said quickly, turning around. "I'm fine, Dora."
She tilted her head to one side a frowned. That was definitely skittish behaviour.
"You sure? It'll save time later."
When she definitely wouldn't want to be moving as fast. Not after such a delicious meal.
"No, we can do it later."
"If you're sure..."
"I am. Very."
Oh, yes, he was definitely hiding something. Great. Tonks thought they had promised not to do this sort of thing anymore and here was Remus already breaking it!
As she was overthinking things, Remus had managed to finish dinner.
"Dora?" he called.
"Wow," was all she could say as she walked into the dining room.
Because it was quite the sight. Remus had put a tablecloth down and candles in the centre of the table. Very romantic.
"What's the occasion?" she asked as he pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. By the plate with the most potato bits, she noticed.
"Just wanted to do something special."
"You're sweet."
He gave her a tight smile and sat himself down. Soon they were eating with gusto. Tonks didn't know what he did to those potato bits but they were even better than usual.
The food was done quickly and Remus whisked the plates away before she could even think about saying anything. He then returned with two slices of cheesecake. Oh, strawberry. Her favourite. Definitely no complaints about the food.
Just as she was polishing her slice off, Remus coughed. She looked up only to gaped because Remus, well, he had stretched his arm across the table. Not that that was important. What was important what was in the hand of the outstretched arm.
A box. A box holding a ring. A very sparkly ring.
"Nymphadora Tonks, would you do me the honour of marrying me?" he asked in a carefully steady voice.
"Oh, thank Merlin," she said in relief, not even mad that he used her full name.
That was probably not what she should have said in this sort of situation as Remus now looked incredibly confused.
"What are you-" he began but he didn't get any further than that.
"Yes! Yes, I will marry you!" she interrupted happily, throwing herself at him, what was happening finally sinking in.
You would have thought that he would have been prepared for such an action but he wasn't so they both went rolling across the floor.
They only came to a stop because the wall got in the way. It was a very painful way of coming to a stop especially when your boyfriend landed on top of you.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Remis apologised, standing up and offering his hand to her.
"It was my fault," Tonks said, taking it. "I was the one who jumped at you."
They dusted each other off and made sure there was no serious injuries. Nope. Just a few bruises. Easily dealt with. Oh, and scuff marks on the walls. Whoops.
"Where's the ring?" Remus asked.
Tonks' eyes widened and she blushed. She never actually took the ring, did she? And Remus didn't have it...
"Here it is!" Remus said in relief, pouncing at the floor.
He came back up with the ring in his hand much to her relief. Then she realised how ridiculous this all was and found herself overcome with the urge to laugh.
No! She couldn't do that. It was inappropriate! But she couldn't help it. They couldn't be contained. She was giggling and giggling. Unable to stop. Oh, this was embarrassing. Why was she even like this? What would Remus think? He must think she was crazy.
Except, even Remus was laughing now. His warm chuckles matching hers.
Eventually, their laughter petered off and they were left smiling like fools at each other.
"So, the ring?" he asked, holding it up - it glinted in the light.
Oops. She still hadn't got it even after all this.
"Yes?" Tonks asked.
"Can I put it on you? If you still want it, that is."
That earned him a punch on the shoulder.
She gave him her hand. "Please."
Of course, she wanted the ring on her! He grabbed her wrist and slipped it onto her wrong finger. It was both weird to have it there (she didn't exactly wear a lot of jewellery) and... well, it's was just *right* for it to be there.
Tonks flung her arms around Remus again only this time she pressed her lips to his for a good, long kiss. The type of kiss that left everyone involved breathless.
Eventually they came up from there, grinning goofily at each other.
"We're getting married," Tonks breathed.
They were getting married!