Lover's Flu
All these characters and their world belong to J.K.R.
Chapter 3
Most of the time we think we're sick, it's all in the mind. Thomas Wolfe
"Tonks, Tonks…Nympahdora…"
It was only a whisper, "Remus?" Her sleep fogged eyes turned to look at the man whose body had become her pillow. She rubbed her eyes, "What time is it?"
"I don't know, late," he replied gently lifting her upward, her conjoined arm crossed against her body.
She sighed, still sick with sleep, "Where are you taking me?"
"To bed."
Pressing her face against his shoulder she murmured, "Yes, take me to bed."
It was his turn for heart ache.
The next morning a dull, blue sun filled the window. Tonks's eyes fluttered opened, and she smiled as she watched little white and blue snowflakes dance in the swirling winter wind. Turning to her bed mate, with the delight of a child, "Remus, it's snowing!"
Remus muttered something incoherently and then rolled towards her. Tonks, now wide awake realized how silly Lupin looked partly covered by the duvet and still dressed in his waistcoat and trousers. Of course, she still had on her work clothes, black slacks and a pink turtleneck sweater. Her body, no longer heated and sweat covered ached for a bath and a morning …
"Oh no." Tonks felt an uneasy pressure in her abdomen.
Lupin nuzzled her shoulder, "Hmmm?"
"Remus, I have to wee."
Shaken awake by this new reality, he drew back suddenly, "What?" He asked again, rubbing his stubbled face.
"Time to get up, I've got to go to the loo."
"Alight." Somehow he managed to pull his tired bones out of the very warm bed and away from the sweet, Tonks scented sheets and follow his female lead.
After performing a warming spell on the bedroom, Tonks when inside the small attached bathroom, cracked the door and had Remus face the other way. After a good minute, "Well?" Remus asked.
"I just can't do this with your hand in here."
"No choice on that I'm afraid."
"Hold on." The sound of running water in the sink was then accompanied by a light tinkling and a flush. "Let me wash my hand."
A very satisfied Tonks emerged from the bathroom, a wide grin, "Your turn."
Unlike Tonks, Remus was a bit more relax; however, upon closing the door, he did jest, "No peeping."
Tonks rolled her eyes. After those necessities were taken care of, Tonks dropped the bombshell, "Remus, I need a bath."
"I'm not sure we'll both fit in the tub," he had meant it as a joke, but he immediately felt embarrassed as he said it.
Tonks was a bit shocked. Lupin hadn't been this carefree with her since the summer, maybe this flu was a gift in disguise. "Unfortunately, Remus, you're not invited," then smiling mischievously, "At least not this morning."
Remus flushed as Tonks turned away to fill the tub.
Then sitting on the edge of the porcelain, claw-foot, Remus asked, trying to sound a nonchalant as possible, "And what prey tell do you want me to do while your soaking up bubbles?"
"Well, certainly not sit there and watch."
"Tonks." Remus replied shaking his head.
"How 'bout a temporary blinding spell."
"Absolutely not. I'm already a werewolf, at least leave me some pleasure in life."
Nymphadora suspected that comment held more truth than Remus could ever admit. "Okay, we can handle it this way. Let's just put your tie around your eyes for a blindfold and then I'm going to apparate my clothes off my body."
Lupin gulped and hoped the sound wasn't audible. Immediately he began loosening his tie. "This is so wrong," he mumbled.
"Why? I trust you," Tonks shrugged as she began to help him unknot his badly worn navy tie.
"I know." He replied sullenly.
Tonks sighed and stopped his fidgeting free, hand, "Remus, do you want to talk about this?" Then she lifted their conjoined hands into view.
He looked at her deeply and she knew he wanted to talk about it. The unfortunate situation was that Remus Lupin was a man entirely in control except of course for that whole werewolf problem and (Tonks suspected) when it came to matters of the heart.
Lupin suddenly looked away, thinking, breathing hurried.
Tonks raised her free hand, and quickly stroked his chin, "Hey, we don't have to talk about it, but there's going to be questions today and I don't want to say the wrong thing." She smiled slightly, his blue eyes resting sympathetically on her. "I'm very good at saying the wrong thing at the right time."
Pale eyes, burning into her, "You don't give yourself enough credit, Nymphadora. You never do."
It was her turn to blush, "Maybe not."
Tugging on his tie, "Come on, help me get this damn thing on so I can't hear the sirens."
"Really, a siren? Am I that gorgeous."
"Well they are suppose to lead a man to their deaths, and Tonks, you'll certainly be the death of me."
With that sarcastic quip, she snapped the tie tightly around his head.
"Sit," she guided him to the edge of the tub. He heard multiple pops.
"Do you need any help? I'm excellent with a rubber duck."
Tonks laughed heartily and Remus received a flick of soapy water. "Remus Lupin, you've such a dirty mouth! You're lucky if I don't pull you in here and wash it out."
Lupin sighed, an easy smile spreading across his lips, "Okay."
Soon Tonks was out of the tub, completely dried, redressed and all without a peep from the man at her side.
"I suppose I should take advantage of a bath before the house is teeming with people." He said morosely as he flipped on the hot water knob and began refilling the tub.
"Why don't you just put in some bubbles, so I won't have to wear this silly thing," Tonks said, holding up his decrepit tie.
Lupin turned to her in silence.
"Come on Remus, waist down you'll be completely covered." She protested.
"This is ridiculous." Remus replied shaking his head.
"I'll wash your back."
Again, Remus-look-of-silence; Tonks just stared back, daring him to say yes.
Finally, against his better judgment, he replied quietly, "Is that a promise?"
Raising her left hand, her nose twitched and she stated, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
Lupin turned back to the tub and murmured, "Yes, I was afraid of that."
Author's Notes:
Author smiles and hopes readers are using their imaginations.