A/N: I won't be updating for a few days... out of town on urgent ministry business.
but seriously. I hope this tides you over.
disclaimer: i own nuthin.
In the morning, he watched her sleep. He found it was easier to think on her when she wasn't awake, looking back at him with those big, hopeful eyes.
He had only meant to check on her. Nevertheless, when he'd peeked in the door and saw her lying on the bed in a sprawl of slender limbs, black lace and pale skin, he was frozen to the spot.
Spending the night on her sofa, he'd been all too aware of the scant space that separated them. Sleep had not come easily, and waking had come too soon. Disjointed dreams of chasing, and being chased left him feeling exhausted.
It had been easier for him to stay here for the night than to go back to the Burrow, despite the invitation from Molly to stay. Besides, he suspected that when Tonks woke, she wouldn't be feeling all that well.
When he was finally able to tear his gaze away –she's nearly naked you arse—he went to the kitchen to make some tea.
Tea brewed and carefully doctored, he padded back to her bedroom. The room was cheerful and bright, much like she was normally.
She was just beginning to wake, whimpering.
"Oh, bloody, fucking hell." She whispered.
"Nymphadora?" He called softly.
"Go away and let me die in peace." She moaned, rolling onto her stomach and pulling a pillow over her head.
He knelt beside her bed. "Dora, I brought you tea." His voice was gentle and friendly, but his eyes had just found the delicate fairy tattooed just below the edge of lace – don't look at that, you fool.
"Don't want tea." Her muffled voice said.
"You want this tea, trust me." He replied, resolutely staring at the pillow her voice came from.
She lifted the edge of the pillow and peered at him blearily. "I do? Is it poisoned?" The was an edge of hope.
He smiled indulgently. "No, this is better. Lupin's patented hangover cure."
She flipped the pillow off her had a gingerly sat up. "You have a patented cure?"
"One would have to with James and Sirius as best mates."
She eyed the cup he offered. "Guess it couldn't get worse."
"Ta ever so for the confidence." He said wryly, handing over the cup.
She sniffed it delicately, then took a sip. "Ugh."
"Trust me, it's worth it."
Pinching her nose, she downed the brew, handed the cup back and collapsed back on the bed.
"Disgusting." She commented. She lay still for a moment and then opened her eyes.
"Well?"
She yawned, and stretched, her limbs sliding sinuously over tangled sheets. Remus closed his eyes, and then covered them with his hand.
"Oh, much better." She sighed.
He heard her move around some more and then her voice asked, "Remus? Why are you covering your eyes?"
"Thought you might like some privacy." He replied, cursing inwardly as he felt his cheeks heat.
Her laughter was intoxicating. "You're embarrassed that I'm in me knickers?"
He chose not to respond. Really, how could he respond to that?
"You do know that these cover more than my bathing suit, right?"
He didn't know that, and now he cursed the knowledge, and the mental images that came with it.
She sighed, and he heard more rustling. "Right. I'm covered now; you can open your eyes."
He let his hand drop slowly. She was covered, after a fashion. "Is that my shirt?" He asked.
She blushed this time. "Whoops."
"You nicked my shirt?"
"I didn't steal it. Borrowed it."
"Ah. And there's a difference?" He asked, smiling a little.
She folded her arms over her chest. "Course there is. I might give it back."
"I'll wait with breathless anticipation."
She made a face. "Funny."
For several minutes, they stood in awkward silence, studying each other.
He was far more casual than she'd ever seen him before. His shirt was rumpled and untucked, and his feet were bare. It made him all the more appealing.
She bit her lip. "Did I... um, say anything horrible last night?"
"You don't remember?"
"Not exactly, no."
He seemed to consider. "You didn't say anything horrible. Not really." He paused. "Why were you..."
"Getting pissed?" She offered. "Had a shit day. Scrimgouer was making a pest of himself and that Umbridge woman was making noise. On top of everything else, it seemed like the thing to do."
He nodded. "Well. If you're feeling better, I should probably go."
No, don't go, she thought. Stay so I can step on those sexy bare feet of yours and peel that shirt off... "Yeah. Probably. I've got to work."
He tucked his hands in his pants pockets. "And I... well, don't. But I should at least let Molly know we're both alive so she doesn't send out a search party."
"Ok."
"So, good morning then, Tonks."
Was it her imagination, or did he seem reluctant to leave? "Thanks for the tea."
"My pleasure." He said.
"I'll see you around." She said.
He opened his mouth, as if he was going to say something else; then he shut it and simply nodded to her. He turned and left her bedroom. She heard him gather up his things and then the woosh of the floo.