He found her by the lake, staring out over the murky blue water with no emotion showing in her hazel eyes. Her expression was blank, and her arms were wrapped around her, shielding herself from the chill that accompanied the rising sun.
He had hurt her. Merlin, he could feel it, and it was killing him. He watched her for a moment, not wanting to approach her for fear of making things worse. But he had to do something… he had to try and explain. He held his breath and walked forward, taking a spot beside her, facing the lake.
She stiffened, but didn't look at him. She was clutching her wand so tight, her knuckles were white. "What do you want, Lupin?" She asked, her voice as cold as the air around them.
His heart sank. He had never heard her so angry before… but he supposed he deserved it. He had broken her heart, after all. He looked over at her, controlling the urge to take her in his arms and make all the pain disappear. "Tonks… I'm sorry."
"So am I." She snapped bitterly. She turned to go, but he grabbed her wrist, spinning her to face him.
He could feel her chest rise and fall in heavy breath as he stared down into her eyes. He couldn't let her walk away… he couldn't spend another moment of his life without her.
"Let go of me, Remus Lupin. Now." She demanded. He just pulled her closer.
"No," he started, his reserve gone. "Not until you listen to me." She didn't say anything, so he continued. "Like I said before… I'm poor, I'm a werewolf, and I'm too old for you."
She struggled to pull away, but he held firm. "I'm not finished yet." She stopped. "I am all of those things… and you deserve better than me. But, I love you. I love you more than anything in the world, and I would give my life to see you smile.
I can't promise you an easy, fairytale life Tonks. I can't even promise you I'll make it til the end of the war, with the way things are going. But I will promise to always love you, with all my heart, no matter what happens. That is, if you still want me."
Tears were spilling down her cheeks and, for a moment, he thought she was going to walk away. But then he noticed the smile that had crossed her perfect lips. She slipped her arms around his neck as she pulled his face to hers in a deep kiss.
He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her and spinning her around as they parted just enough to laugh happily. As they stared in to each others eyes, he knew that there would never be another be another moment he wouldn't hold her in his arms, content at last that he found love… even if it was a bit strange, and a lot complicated. It was love, and it was theirs. Always.