Title: Truth
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Remus/Marlene
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 513
Summary: Remus is given a chance.

Notes:

100 Word Prompt Collection Challenge: 9. Strong

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: September Event: Back To School Teamwork Event - 56. (location) Quidditch Pitch / 31. (object) Striped Scarf

Year Long Scavenger Hunt Challenge and Competition: D11. Write about a wild dream

Remus stared at her as she sat on the bleachers next to the Quidditch Pitch. Her red and white striped scarf was around her neck, warding off the cool air.

He swallowed nervously. Marlene always seemed so strong, so impenetrable, but right then, something seemed to be bothering her. It felt like she needed comfort instead of being the one to give comfort.

Although Remus liked to believe he was a good friend, he wasn't the one who usually offered the comfort, but for Marlene, he would step out of his comfort zone.

He walked up the bleachers and smiled when she looked at him.

Her eyes seemed to clear. "Remus," she breathed huskily.

Her voice sent shivers up and down his spine. Only Marlene could do that to him. "Hey."

He sat down next to her, and they were silent for a moment. She rested her head on his shoulder, and Remus took comfort in her mere touch. Finally, Remus decided it was time to talk. "Your mind seems millions of miles away."

She looked at him. "I'm not upset, so you can relax your pretty head. I'm just confused about this dream I had."

Remus raised his eyebrows, leaning slightly closer. "Dream? Was it a good dream?"

She smiled and leaned even closer, their noses brushing. "It was odd. And a little wild."

Remus flushed at the way Marlene licked her bottom lip. "Wild? How?" he gasped, aching to kiss her but denying himself the ultimate pleasure.

"Well, there was me and an animal. I think a wolf. He was running through the forest, and I was riding his back. I wasn't scared or anything. In fact, I seemed to be enjoying myself as I held onto his fur. What do you think it means?"

Remus backed away, physically and a little bit emotionally as well. Remus thought he knew what it meant even if he didn't want to believe it. Somewhere, deep inside Marlene, she knew what Remus was, and her dreams were trying to tell her what her subconscious had already figured out.

If Marlene did realize what the dream meant, what would that mean for the two of them? Would Marlene-and-Remus because Marlene and Remus? Two separate entities never to be paired together again?

He needed to try to stop Marlene from figuring out the truth.

"I'm not sure."

Marlene's eyes looked sad. "Really? Too bad." She abruptly stood up.

Remus stared at her with wide eyes. "Why is it too bad?" he asked, not moving to stand up.

"Because I was hoping you would finally trust me enough to tell me the truth, but I'm starting to realize that's never going to happen. And I have to ask myself this. How can I love someone and date someone that doesn't trust me with his biggest secret?" She looked down at her feet for a moment before she met his eyes again. "The answer is simple: I can't."

And Remus watched his biggest fear become a reality. He watched Marlene walked away from him, and his heart shattered.