Remus lay awake in bed just staring at the ceiling. It wasn't a particularly interesting ceiling but it wasn't like he could do much at the moment. Well, he could but he didn't want to. Big difference. Remus was used to doing things he didn't want to do but that wasn't going to happen this time. He was actually going to give in and not do the opposite.

It wasn't like there was anything pressing to do right now. There would be, eventually, but at the moment everyone was still reeling from... well, recent events had just been hard, okay? For everyone. No one really knows what they were doing or what they were supposed to even think about doing, least of all him.

Well, that was a lie. Somewhat. Maybe. He looked down at his chest where Dora was sleeping peacefully, her hair splayed out around her in her loose curls. This was definitely not something he was unsure about. In fact, he was very, very sure about this. Nothing had felt so right. He had missed this. A lot.

Would it be cheesy to say that this didn't feel like the continuation of their previous relationship but something new? Something more... real? Yes, it was all tentative and unsure (what wasn't these days?) but it was very much real. It felt like that to him anyway and from her explosion in the Hospital Wing, Remus suspected she felt the same way. He hoped she did or this morning was going to be really awkward.

No. No more negativity. There was enough of that and it had no place here. It had no place where there was bright pink hair and smirking lips and clunking boots. Because this was pure (well, maybe not so pure) and good and bright and... and... he needed this. They both did. And they both wanted it now.

Everything had happened so fast over the past few days or so that this was the first time that he could catch his breath and reflect. And there were a lot of things to reflect on. The woman currently in his arms contributing to many of those. Not that that was a bad thing. No, it was a good thing. A very good thing. She was a good thing... person. She was a good person. The only bit of light for him. Okay, that really was unbearably cheesy and he wasn't going to even think that again.

But back onto the reflecting on the beautiful woman in his arms. The woman who wanted him back. Who actually took him back. She, she loved him. His breath still hitched in his throat when he thought that. She loved him. Nymphadora Tonks loved him. And he loved her.

He loved her. That thought, that feeling, still shocked him. He could admit that to himself now. He, Remus Lupin, loved Nymphadora Tonks. It was really that simple. And perfect. Yes, they had just got back together, somewhat fixing a year of complete stupidity on his part. And he was going to have to keep on fixing it. It wasn't like a few kisses and declaration would fix all the hurt that the past year had caused. What he had caused. No! He had promised not to do that anymore. No more blaming himself to the point of self-loathing. No more destructive thoughts. It was extremely evident that they did no good whatsoever and he wanted to do good. A lot of good. And he wanted to do good by her. And fox things. Don't forget about fixing things. He would apologise every day for the rest of his life if he had to. Because he didn't think he was ever going to forgive himself.

But it wasn't his forgiveness that mattered, was it? It was hers as Dora had so cleverly pointed out when he had told her his thoughts. She was the one who had to forgive him after all his stupidity and she already had. Which was nothing less that amazing and something he still couldn't get his head around.

He was doing better though and didn't argue with her. Out loud anyway. He still struggled with his thoughts. But that was to be expected, you couldn't make up for years of self-deprecating and self-loathing behaviour with a passionate statement of love. Sure, it the stories you could but not real life. Real life had trauma and depth of experiences that you couldn't just ignore. Ni, it had to be dealt with. Something he wasn't particularly good at but he was going to try.

Actually, he wanted to more than try, he wanted to succeed. Because this thing between him and Dora, he wanted this to work.

This felt different. This felt new. It was going to work this time. It was. He was going to pay more attention. Be a better team player. He could do this. They could do this. They were a they. A pair. A partnership. In it together and all that.

And, you know what? That felt pretty good. They made each other better. It was going to be better. Okay, Remus really needed his coffee, his thoughts were starting to go round in circles. Even if they were very nice thoughts. But how was he supposed to get out of bed? Dora had a pretty good hold of him and he really didn't want to disturb her. She needed her sleep and he would really like to stay unhexed.

"I can hear your thoughts," a sleep-filled voice suddenly said.

Remus looked down to see Dora's (he could call her Dora again!) blue-grey eyes staring back at him.

"Good morning," he greeted cheerfully, making her groan and bury her head into his chest.

Which was a-okay with him. Especially since he could strategically place his arm over her back so she could snuggle with him further. Neither of them were arguing about that

"Too early," she complained, voice muffled against his chest.

"It's half past ten."

"Exactly. Too early. Turn the volume down on your thoughts."

"And what exactly are my thoughts saying?" he asked in amusement.

"That I'm amazing and you're not going to be an idiot."

It was such a matter-of-fact tone yet so threatening at the same time. Oh, how he had missed her.

"Not completely right," he replied with a grin.

Just because he loved her did not mean she had to win. Even if she was practically right.

Dora tilted her head up so that she was looking at him properly and narrowed her eyes at him, the effect somewhat ruined by a yawn surprising her.

"Also, that you weren't going to be an idiot anymore. And you wanted coffee."

Remus raised his eyebrows in mild surprise.

"What are you, a Legilimens?" he asked only half-seriously.

How else could she so accurately sum up what he had been thinking? That comment did get her to laugh however.

"Not exactly. I just know you."

"That you do," he agreed. "Extremely well."

"I was right, wasn't I?"

He rewarded that comment with a kiss. Then a thought struck him.

"Wait, what do you mean you're not exactly a Legilimens?"