Hello! Thanks so much for the comments so far! Really glad you enjoyed part 1. Here is part two... I had planned to post this yesterday, but decided to add a section :) Language warning for this section too.

Part 2

*** Unravelled

The days turned into weeks and then months and before he knew it, Tonks had been a part of the Order, a part of his life, for a whole year. Neither of them mentioned it, or did anything to mark it, but he knew she was aware of the fact too. A forbidden anniversary, a reminder that it had been 365 days of flirting, becoming friends, learning each other's likes and dislikes, falling asleep on the couch together, hugging each other for just a couple of seconds longer than they would anyone else. What would be the appropriate gift for the anniversary of all that? It certainly wasn't paper, wood, silver, or diamonds. Remus was aware all he was giving Tonks was more heartache each day he allowed this to continue.

He knew he needed to walk away, to leave, let her get over him and move on. He also knew, he'd never get over her, but that didn't matter. He had done this to himself, this was all his fault. He'd allowed them to become close, he'd sought out her company and so quickly began to crave time with her. In any other situation, he'd have just started walking, but walking wasn't an option this time, they were at war. Remus knew he couldn't walk away from the Order, from Sirius, from Harry, but it was also painfully clear that every single day he stayed, he made Tonks' life harder.

In those first few weeks after Tonks had joined the Order, Remus had known he needed to keep his distance. He'd felt an instant attraction to her in the bookshop which had only grown each time he saw her. He had quickly learnt that not only was she immensely beautiful, but she was also intelligent, quick witted, independent, strong willed and hilarious. He'd never laughed so much than he did when he was with Tonks, never been reduced to tears, never felt his cheeks ache. She was warmth and light and love…

And that was the crux of it all really wasn't it.

Remus John Lupin had only gone and fallen in love.

He'd known it was happening, felt himself falling and had he, for even a tenth of a second, thought that Tonks might also be falling in love with him too, he'd have put a stop to it. His foolishness had been the self-deprecation that his school friends had always scolded him for. He had firmly believed that whilst Tonks might flirt with him, throwing him the odd wink, that she may even have come to care for him, maybe even love him as a friend like Lily had – he would have bet all he owned, though admittedly that wasn't much, that the utterly perfect Nymphadora Tonks could never fall in love with an old, poor werewolf, not even if he was the last wizard on earth.

Like most of the other times in his life Remus was rooted in his convictions, he'd been completely and utterly wrong. He really was a bloody fool.

He'd shared his life with Tonks over the past year. They were often on duty together, where he'd told her things about himself, he'd thought he'd never tell anyone. He'd told her about the days, weeks, months and years after Lily and James' death. He'd even told her about the night he was bitten – a story not even Sirius knew in its entirety. He had found himself completely at a loss to how to stop her having unguarded access to his inner most thoughts, feelings, memories – she had somehow bewitched him, and he was too in love to care.

Until the moment he'd come to his sense – the instant he'd realised she loved him too. Tonks had told him in her own unique way just a few weeks ago and that had begun to pull at the thread, leading him to unravel what felt like was his whole world.

*** A lonely place to be

Loving a man like Remus Lupin was easy. Too easy. He was charming, affable, calm, kind and humble. Not to mention dead sexy. Tonks had thought so the first time she'd seen him in her favourite little book shop in Soho, a little over a year ago. Once she'd realised, he was part of the Order, she'd known they would need to put the attraction they clearly both felt to one side and learn to be colleagues.

At first it had been easy. She was so busy adjusting to her new life. Trying to find the right balance of being a pain in Scrimgeour's arse, as she always was, without risking getting fired. If she became too compliant, her colleagues would suspect she was up to something. It had all felt a bit like walking a tightrope those first few months. Tonks was someone who processed how she felt by talking it through, usually with her friends and family – but she couldn't do that this time.

'Hey Mum, I've joined a group of people who are seeking to bring down Voldemort and all who support him, which will probably include the current Minister for Magic and many of the people who work there.'

Yeah – Tonks couldn't see that going over too well with her Mother. Oh, she was certain her parents would be on the same side as she was, in fact she knew that they were helping Dumbledore quietly in the few ways they could, but she didn't want to worry them until it was necessary. When she'd decided to become an Auror, she had worried her Mother wouldn't understand, would want her daughter to do something more dignified than hide in swamps and end most days sweaty and dirty from chasing down low lives. But not for the first time in her life, her Mother had completely surprised her. She'd been delighted and had become her number one motivator, supporting her at every turn, she'd even cried at Tonks' Auror graduation ceremony. Andromeda had told Tonks that she didn't care what she did with her life as long as she was passionate about it. Tonks knew that seeing her risk all she'd worked for, would be hard for her parents.

Her friends, the ones she'd had before joining the Order had all but drifted away. Between guard duties, Order meetings and being a full time Auror she barely had any free time as it was and she found more and more that when she did have a rare evening or even rarer weekend to herself, she simply didn't want to have to waste energy pretending. She didn't want to have to simper and smirk and lie to her friends about her life.

Being on the side of the good guys felt like a lonely place to be. And so, she started spending most of her free time at Grimmauld Place. Getting to know Sirius, playing wizards chess with Remus, planning for assignments, again with Remus, eating with Sirius and of course, Remus. Laughing, joking, pranking, sharing her thoughts, hopes, dreams, ambitions… once again with Remus.

Looking back, she couldn't pinpoint the exact moment she'd fallen for him, but she knew the moment she'd realised she was smitten. She had arrived at Grimmauld Place after a mission for the Order. Though she was usually paired up with Remus, it was a day since the full moon, so this time she'd been teamed up with Bill Weasley.

Like all the Weasley's, with the exception of Percy, she knew Bill was an excellent flier and she'd heard from Charlie that he could handle himself in a duel, so she wasn't too worried. The mission itself would hopefully be nothing more than recon, but Tonks was aware of the dangers of this one going in. They were to watch Goyle's house, as Dumbledore suspected he'd started to associate more closely with his old Death Eater pals. Goyle was as close to a troll in terms of intellect as it was possible to be, but he was also vicious. Of course Tonks was too young to even remember much from the first war, and her parents had sheltered her from of much of it as they could, but Mad Eye had been all too eager to share war stories with his Auror cadets, no doubt trying to scare off those straight away that were easily spooked. It hadn't worked on her, but she did palpably remember the cold chill that had ran up her spin as Mad Eye had recounted just some of Goyle's criminal activities.

Thankfully, the mission had pretty much gone as expected with only the tiniest hiccup at the end. Herself and Bill had sat quietly just outside the perimeter of Goyle's estate for hours. It had been dark, damp, cold and fruitless. They'd seen and heard absolutely nothing helpful. That was until Mundungus had turned up.

She understood Dumbledore's rational for keeping Mundungus around, after all he had access to pettier parts of the criminal underworld who would never be willing to speak to an Auror or a Weasley but would happily deal with Mundungus. Still Tonks had to admit, she'd started to question whether Mundungus' connections were worth keeping him around, so useless was he in every other way.

When she'd seen him knocking on Goyle's door, she'd thought she was imaging things and had asked Bill if he was seeing it too, just to make sure that one too many night shifts hadn't finally sent her doolally. It became quickly apparent from their vantage point that Mundungus had some stolen wares he clearly thought Goyle might be interested in. After her confusion had cleared, she had just been frustrated. However, her frustration had quickly turned to concern.

Mundungus had clearly pushed his look as suddenly a red light flashed within the windows of the Goyle family's front room. The front door opened seconds later and Mundungus came stumbling out, followed by an irate Goyle. Tonks had quickly performed a disillusionment charm on herself and Bill, then wand in hand, she'd moved quickly but silently, positioning herself 10 feet behind Goyle. Knowing she couldn't risk alerting Goyle to her presence, she'd managed to perform some magic she had only used a few times in her whole life. She had cast a jink spell, which took control of Mundungus' wand and made it copy her own spells. Thankfully Goyle held true to his reputation and was too stupid to realise that Mundungus had suddenly and miraculously improved at duelling.

As soon as she had deflected a few of Goyle's nasty hexes including a few unforgivables, and shot a few stinking hexes, Mundungus had at least had the good sense to apparate out of there. Herself and Bill had remained still and quiet until Goyle had returned into his house, then they'd apparated back to Grimmauld Place.

Mundungus was already in the kitchen when they arrived, telling Sirius how amazing it was, how he'd just somehow known what spells to use, how he'd had Goyle dancing. It was clear from the smirk on Sirius' face and the sheer panic on Remus' that neither of them believed a word of it.

"What was amazing Mundungus you little shit, was how fast Tonks sprang into action and the fact that she is one of very few people in the country who can cast a jink spell strong enough to actually fire hexes from your wand. Do you realise how fucking stupid you were, going to a known death eaters house?" Bill Weasley had said.

"Recon I held my own." Mundungus said, still totally oblivious.

"Held your own? He was firing cruciatus at you Mundungus. If it wasn't for Tonks…"

Bill had flopped into one of the kitchen chairs. As Sirius took over giving Mundungus a bollocking.

Remus had stood in the far corner of the kitchen, furthest away from Mundungus. Which judging by his face, seemed like a good idea. Once everyone had calmed down slightly and Mundungus had been sent packing, Tonks had sunk into a seat and seconds later Remus had placed a cup of tea in front of her, squeezed her shoulder and then exited the dank basement kitchen. As soon as he'd gone, Tonks felt...uneasy. It wasn't anything she could really explain, but she'd only remained with Bill and Sirius for five minutes before she'd gone in search of Remus.

She'd found him in the parlour, arms stretched out, hands on the mantle, his head hanging down.

"Remus? Are you… is everything okay?"

She'd crossed the room immediately and placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling instantly the tension he was holding there.

"I'm sorry."

"Your sorry? For what? You weren't the one who suggested Mundungus join the Order were you"

Remus scoffed, "If it was up to me, Mundungus wouldn't be… I'm sorry I left just now, I just needed to…" Tonks had realised Remus was looing everywhere but at her.

"Remus." Finally, he'd turned, and the pair stood facing each other in front of the cracking fire.

"I'm glad you're okay. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't okay. I just…Tonks…" It had been said barely above a whisper, his eyes shut tight, his face pained as if trying to push thoughts away of what could have been.

Tonks had closed the gap between them, throwing her arms around his waist. Closing her eyes as his arms had tightened around her.

Standing in Remus Lupin's arms, she'd felt every muscle in her body relax, felt the exhaustion of performing incredibly difficult magic on the fly, drain from her as if the warmth from his body was refuelling her.

And that was how she had known. She was in love with him. There were no fireworks, no symphony or shooting stars. Just the feeling of his arms, the beat of his heart under her cheek and the knowledge that he was all she needed. That every single time she went out on a mission from now on, he'd be her reason for coming home.

*** In the middle before I knew I had begun.

"Remus you can't be serious?!" Tonks stared him down as she held the book she'd just swiped from the table in front him. "Again? I'm pretty sure you could just resight this to yourself without the book in front of you by now."

Remus shrugged, "It's a classic. Sometimes I like to read new things, sometimes I find comfort in the familiar."

Tonks sat down next to him, "I suppose I can understand that, but I mean, it's a bit cliché isn't it?"

Remus made lots of huffing noises hoping to show just how affronted he was by that statement, "Jane Austen, cliché? How very dare you. She was so ahead of her time, if her writings have become cliché, it is only because so many artists have been inspired by her genius."

Tonks laughed and held one hand up in surrender, whilst handing him the book back with the other. "Woah, okay… don't insult the life or works of Jane Austen – got it."

It was months later that Remus had discovered his treasured copy of Pride and Prejudice was missing. He was sure he'd last seen it in the parlour, but Sirius was not remotely interested in where it might have gotten to and several searches or the library, kitchen, parlour and his bedroom had convinced Remus that he must have taken it out at some point and left it somewhere. He tried not to dwell on this realisation too much, telling himself repeatedly that he could just buy another copy. The book lover in him screamed 'It just won't be the same'.

It was yet another few weeks before he was at Tonk's flat, waiting for her to get ready so they could head out for some food before their evening stakeout of another suspected Death Eaters house, that he'd spotted the book on the little table next to her sofa. He'd recognised it as his own copy immediately.

"Er Tonks, why do you have my copy of Pride and Prejudice?"

Tonks emerged from her bedroom, looking, Remus felt, stupendously pretty.

She shrugged, "Oh year sorry, I kept meaning to mention I had it. I told Sirius I was taking it."

Remus rolled his eyes, "Sirius said he didn't know where it was. I thought it was…what were the words you used, too, lovey dovey and full of cliches…not something I'd have thought would be on your summer reading list."

Tonks knew Remus was teasing, but she couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed, "Yes well, I figured as it was your favourite book, I should at least give it a chance."

Remus stopped smirking immediately, "Oh, so you read it because…" He stopped, not knowing what words should come next.

"Because you love it and I wanted to share in that with you."

Remus heard the 'Oh' come from his mouth but didn't seem to be in control to say anything else.

Tonks continued to grab her things from around her front room, putting some into her bag. "I really enjoyed it; in case you were wondering."

Remus didn't know what that made him so very happy, but there was no denying it did. "I'm glad. Not too many clichés then?"

Tonks rolled her eyes, "I'll admit that it was actually completely cliché-less. You were right, Jane Austen was clearly ahead of her time. The way she writes Elizabeth Bennet she could almost be a woman alive today – she's so sure of herself, or what she wants and what she doesn't."

Remus couldn't wipe the smiled off his face if his life depended on it.

Once she'd put her jacket on, and placed her rucksack over one shoulder, she picked up the book, smoothed over the front cover and handed it to Remus. "I finished it a few nights ago, I kept meaning to give it back to you. I can definitely understand why you keep coming back to it."

Remus tried to convince Tonks that she should keep it, so she could read it again whenever she wanted.

Tonks shook her head and placed it gently on Remus' chest. "No, I think you should read it again first. I'll borrow it off your again some other time."

In hindsight, Remus' brain had tried to tell him that her reading his favourite book so she could share in something he loved, should have been enough to clue him in to the depth of her feelings towards him, but of course, he'd remained blissfully unaware.

It was yet still another few weeks before Remus had the time to prop himself up in bed and beginning to reread the familiar beginnings of his favourite novel. When he'd reached the page which had, he was sure made his heart stop for a few seconds, he hadn't noticed anything untoward. The magic she had used was simple but could only imagine how tricky it must have been to use it so precisely. As he'd read down the page, he'd finally come to a line, which lit up as he read. The text enlarged just slightly and appeared in a beautiful pink that perfectly managed the spikey hairstyle she favoured most.

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

*** It isn't that simple…

It was on Tonk's birthday, two months after their unmarked anniversary that Remus had made his biggest mistake to date. Perhaps the best mistake of his life – he still couldn't decide.

After finding the charm Tonks had placed in his book, he'd tried his best to act as if he hadn't seen it. He'd put the book in his bedside draw and mentioned it to no one. Of course, Remus had always been a terrible actor.

"Okay spill it." Sirius said one night after Tonks had left.

"Spill what?" Remus had asked innocently.

"Why are you being a dick to Tonks?"

Remus was genuinely taken aback. He thought he'd been perfectly pleasant all evening. "What on earth are you talking about? I barely said anything,"

"Exactly!" Sirius said, a little too loudly, "You've barely said anything to her for the past few weeks. The poor woman is beside herself. Racking her brains to try and understand what she'd done wrong, how she has upset you. I've told her repeatedly that she's done nothing, that it's you who's the problem, but what can I say – the idiot is smitten."

Remus' scrubbed his face with his hands and then decided just to keep them there, too ashamed was he to face Sirius yet.

"So, like I said, spill it Moony. Why are you being a dick to Tonks, who for some bizarre reason, seems to genuinely like you."

"She more than likes me." Remus said into his hands, muffling the sound.

"She what?" Asked Sirius.

Remus lifted his head and looked at Sirius, eye to eye. "I said, I think she more than likes me."

Sirius was quiet for a moment. "Shit. You're never ready to admit someone likes you – so I guess Tonks must have danced naked with a placard that confessed her undying love for you? No?"

Remus looked less than amused.

"Sorry," said Sirius, holding his hands up, "just trying to add some lightness to the conversation. So how do you know?"

Remus shook his head, "It's hard to explain, she sort of wrote it in one of my books."

Sirius in a voice of faked horror gasped, "She defaced one of your beloved books, well now I understand why you've been practically ignoring her for the past few weeks."

Remus sounded quite frustrated as he spoke, "She didn't write in one of my books, and I haven't been ignoring her, I've just been trying to keep my distance, it's better this way, for both of us."

Sirius rolled his eyes, he'd heard this all before, too many times to count. "So how does the book come into it then?"

"She charmed a line in the book suggesting that she was in love me before she realised what was happening."

Sirius was unusually quiet for a few moments, "Woah. She charmed a line in one of your books to tell you she loved you. You two really are made of reach other."

Remus shook his head and spoke barely above a whisper, "Don't say that."

Sirius wasn't going to back down, "why not?" Remus didn't answer, but Sirius was starting to suspect that this familiar conversation was going to have a different ending than usual. He knew Remus better than he knew himself and he was sure Tonks wasn't the only one in love.

"Remember what Casandra said in her letter – about the woman who would one day be enough to break down all your guards…"

"No!" Said Remus, pushing his chair away from the table and standing up in one fluid motion. "She can't be."

"It seems like she already is mate…" Sirius said gently.

"For fuck sake Sirius, she can't be, don't you see. It'll fucking kill her, loving me will be the death of her and I can't, I couldn't, if she…" Remus' energy seemed to have drained in an instant and he slumped back down into his chair.

Sirius placed a hand on his shoulder. "So, I suppose you're leaving then?"

Remus looked up, grief now mingled with confusion, "Leaving?"

Sirius nodded, "Yeah, walking away – that is what you do isn't it, when you feel someone getting attached to you or you to them. It's what you've always done, even in school. If a girl started to show too much interest in you, you'd walk away from them, disappear into the dorm room, coming out only for lessons and for late night walks around the grounds until you felt sure they'd had time to move on."

Though a tall man, Remus had sunken so low in his chair, he currently appeared to be no taller than a house elf. "I tried. Sirius, I promised, I've tried so many times. I've even packed my bags a few times, but I just can't do it."

Sirius nodded, showing nothing but concern on his face.

"I know it's the right thing for Tonks, but then I come up with a list of reasons why I can't walk away this time. The Order, You, Harry, my duty to support Dumbledore, do my bit in this war, in whatever way I can. And to some extent that is all true, but it's also bollocks."

"Dumbledore has asked you to infiltrate the werewolf camps again, like last time hasn't he." It wasn't a question.

Remus nodded. "It'd kill her Sirius. And being away from her, knowing that I was the cause of her pain, that would kill me."

Sirius pulled his chair closer to Remus'. "Why would it kill you mate?"

Remus looked up at his oldest friend, tears threatening to spill over onto his cheeks imminently, "I…" Remus was quiet for a long time, "Because I…"

Sirius grabbed Remus' shoulder as the tears finally fell. "Because I fucking love her Sirius. I love her. And I don't know what to do about it. I can't stay knowing she loves me and I her, but I also can't leave, can't walk away from the only woman I've ever truly loved. I can't do anything."

Sirius allowed Remus some time before he spoke, and then with more sincerity that he'd ever spoken with before he said, "You know, I obviously never met Casandra, but I'm starting to think I would have liked her. She really seemed to know you better than you know yourself."

Remus looked up at Sirius, wiping his eyes, "What are you talking about? I haven't seen Casandra in over a decade."

Sirius nodded, "I know. But what she wrote to you in that letter, it was spot on wasn't it. Tonks has broken down all of your fortresses, I mean for fuck sake Remus, your sat in the dankest, grimmest kitchen in Britain, crying because you've fallen in love with a smart, beautiful, capable witch. You have everything people dream for – but though you love her, and she loves you, you still aren't following Casandra's advice."

"Which bit of it?"

Sirius thought for a moment, "I can't remember the exact words you told me she'd written, but didn't she tell you to allow yourself to love and let the woman love you in return. Cause that's the problem here Remus. You love Tonks, you've allowed yourself to fall but you aren't willing to let Tonks catch you." Sirius shook his head, "Shitting fur balls, remind me to stop reading those bloody romance novels Molly keeps leaving all over the place. But I stand by what I've been saying. Mate, you're sat here crying because you love someone and they love you in return, forget about charms and spells, how fucking magical is that – in the middle of this shitting war, you and Tonks fell in love. Talk about bloody miracles."

Remus shook his head, "It isn't that simple…"

Sirius interrupted the speech he knew was coming, "I know mate, but maybe it fucking could be. Cause you've never actually really tried have you? You and Casandra were happy, weren't you? I mean you practically lived together for almost a year and nothing bad happened, no one came after her or you with pitchforks. Tonks isn't stupid, she knows what she's risking, but that's the decision she should be allowed to make, stop making it for her."

*** If I loved you less…

The night before Tonks' birthday, Remus sat on his bed, with his precious book in hand. He'd already charmed the right lines, but he still hadn't decided whether or not he was going to give it to her. It would change anything between them and also change nothing. Whether he gave Tonks the book or not, the fact would remain that he loved Tonks and he knew that she loved him too. It was a gift he'd never dreamed he'd get to share in. Yet here he was, if he gave her the book, he'd be letting her in completely. Dropping the final guard protecting his heart. He'd be admitted to Tonks all he felt for her.

Remus slowly began to wrap the book, without magic, giving himself more time. What if Sirius was right? What if this really was simple – man loves woman, woman loves man, they both live happily ever after… Remus rubbed his tired eyes. Whatever Tonks was signing up for by loving him, Remus was painfully aware it wasn't going to be always happy, but as Sirius had also pointed out, that was Tonks' choice to make. All Remus could do now was be honest with her and admit his admiration for her and let her decide what happens next…

Because what had become completely apparent was that Remus couldn't walk away this time. He just wasn't strong enough, even though he knew that would be what was best for everyone.

Remus swished his wand and watched as the colour changing bow settled on top of the wrapped book. Maybe it time to let himself love and be loved in return.

He'd insisted on accompanying Tonks home after the little dinner Molly had thrown for her at Grimmauld. Not that she'd protested to much.

"I suppose as the Auror out of the two of us, once you've seen me safely back to my flat, I should probably then escort you back to Grimmauld Place, ensure you get home safely." She said, nudging him in the side with her elbow as they walked down from the apparition spot across from her apartment building.

Remus smiled, "Mmm, that could become something of a vicious cycle. How I about I come in for a cup of tea and we put off this conundrum for now?"

Tonks beamed and it broke Remus' heart. Had he really been so distant from her in the past few weeks that just the prospect of him asking to stay for a brew made her so happy?

Tonks unlocked the door and led them into her flat. She threw her coat over the back of one of her dining chairs, whilst Remus hung his up neatly on the coatrack, place his shoes by the door. Tonks kicked her boots off, aiming them in the general direction of the door as she did so. Remus couldn't help but smile at her. She was wonderfully chaotic and he was fastidiously neat, polar opposites who somehow found enough common ground to be happy together without changing who either of them were.

"So, I think you mentioned wanting some tea." Tonks said cheerfully, walking into her kitchen.

"Mmm, yes please." Said Remus, watching as she filled the kettle and then started the search for teabags.

"Honestly, I love the visits I have with Mum, but I do wish she'd stop rearranging my kitchen. Why can't she just accept it the way I've organised it."

Remus tried not to laugh, "Er, maybe because you've been known to keep books in the fridge and your reading glasses in the freezer."

Tonks huffed, "That was one time! And I told you, I was going to the fridge to get some chocolate but I didn't want to put my book down because it was a real page turner and whilst bending down to get the ice cream from the bottom draw, the glasses must have fallen off my head."

Remus chuckled openly now, "Yes, but that still doesn't explain how the book ended up in the fridge?"

Tonks grinned, "Argh, yes, well, I don't actually remember putting in there… AHA!" Tonks pointed to a shelf, finally spotting the jar filled with teabags that her Mother had moved to one of the highest shelves in her kitchen, which Tonks was sure only giants could reach…

"Let me help." Remus stood behind Tonks, her back pressed against his chest and reached up over her shoulder to get the teabags. Once they'd been placed on the work surface in front of them, Remus didn't move. "You know you could just morph yourself taller to reach things on high shelves. Or summon them with your wand."

Tonks laughed, "Yes I am aware of my own magical abilities, thanks Professor." She turned and looked at him, smiling she said, "Perhaps I'm just always hoping you'll come to my aid. Just like the first day we met."

Remus laughed, "I'm not sure how much of a help I was that day, I seem to recall laughing at you more than helping you."

Tonks rolled her eyes, "Oh yeah you definitely mocked me and haven't stopped since." The pair just stood in the kitchen, looking at each other. Remus placed his hand on Tonks' waist, pulling her tighter against his chest. She allowed her head to rest against him, leaning to her left to expose more of her neck as Remus lowered his lips and kissed from her ear down her long neck to her shoulder. "Remus." She murmured.

After a few more minutes of exploring her neck with his mouth, Remus squeezed her waist, "Maybe we should sit down. I have a birthday present for you."

It took Tonks a few second to regain any sense of where she was or that she needed to speak. She'd waited so long for Remus to show any physical signs of affection for her. He showed her in thousands of ways that he cared for her, but she was aware that he'd always been so careful not to cross any lines physically. Until tonight. She took the hand he held out to her and followed him to her sofa, where they sat, much closer than they usually would, her hands still held in his.

After a few moments of them smiling at each other, he summoned a package from his coat and handed it to her. "I'm sorry it took me so long to reply to you…"

Tonks slowly and carefully opened the present in her hands. "Your copy of Emma? Remus I can't…You love your copies of Jane Austen novels."

Remus smiled and placed his hand on Tonks' cheek. "I want you to have it. Because, I want you to have all that is mine Tonks."

Neither of them spoke. It could have been minutes or hours; all Tonks was aware of was the feel of Remus' hand on her skin and the sound of her own breathing.

"Tonks, look at page I've marked." Remus pointed to a pressed flower sticking out from between two pages quite near to the end of the book.

Tonks scanned the page, reading until she saw the same charm, she'd placed on the book a few weeks ago. The lines enlarged and each word turned a different colour as she read it.

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am."

It was several minutes before Tonks could clear the tears threating to come, so she could speak, "Remus do you mean it, do you really…"

Her pause was so full of hesitation, Remus couldn't help but loathe himself. How could he have allowed this incredible woman to doubt, even for a second his feelings for her. "Love you? Yes, I do. Tonks I can't promise you we'll have a happily ever after, you really do know what I am, and how being with me will impact on every area of your life, but if you'll have me, I want us to try. I want us to try and be happy."

Tonks was in his lap before the last word was fully spoken. "Oh Remus! We will be happy. We already are, just being around you makes me happy Remus. I love you."

With Casandra's words ringing in his ears, Remus leaned in and kissed Tonks passionately. Breaking away only when the pair were gasping for air. Remus was determined not only to love Tonks fiercely but allow her to love him in return. He couldn't give her all that she deserved, but he could at the very least, give her his heart.

FIN.

AN - So that's it. Hope you enjoyed this! Once Blue Moon is finished, I'll be back with some more R/Ts romances. These two are just my absolute fave to write! Please do leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of this little ficlet... they mean a lot! :) Stay Safe.