Woo...needed an hour break to rest my brain. Dude, last chapter was HARD to write...ah, well. Here's to the next one! (Did you know another word for "dude" is asphalt cowboy? That's so weird...what is an asphalt cowboy, anyway?) Oh, I don't own Harry Potter. =) Oh, and for last chapter, I felt like giving a bit of a tribute to Peter in his little speech...give a better understanding of him. I mean, yeah, I know he betrayed the Potters and ruined Harry's life and helped Voldemort come back (which leads to Sirius' death, too, and his lack of freedom), and sent Padfoot to Azkaban for twelve years...and ruined his life as well and destroyed Harry's last chance at leaving the Dursley's forever...but, that's besides the point! Okay, so maybe I'm the only one, but I pity the sniveling guy...I really do, even after all he did, so I felt like giving him a different look and understanding...plus, I got in a car accident (parking the car people...that rail thing just jumped out in front of me, and I don't even have my license yet). So, all's good!
##
Ch. 15: The Morning After...
##
The wind bit through the air like a knife, cold and cruel. Though the morning haze had lifted a little early, grey clouds hung low in the air. The sun was having a bitter time breaking through the clouds, nearly black with a promise of snow later on.
Remus shivered in the bitter wind, his teeth chattering as he clutched a bit more at whatever soft, warm thing he held in his arms. It smelled wonderful to him, a mixture of forest leaves, dirt, and something else. He grinned and slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was a bit blurry at first, but slowly came into focus.
At least the world isn't spinning around.
Laughing softly to himself, he moved his head so he could stare down at what he held in his arms. Heart exploding with happiness, he saw Aya sleeping peacefully in his arms, her back against his chest. She feels so soft and delicate. He felt happy, and, for the first time in his life, wanted to relive the full moon again, just once more.
That feeling of freedom, running beside her, going where they wished, howling at the moon together...it had been so...wonderful, in a way words couldn't express. For the first time, he had enjoyed being a wolf.
With his friends, it was different. He was still, in an odd sense, Remus; he was still the quiet boy as before, just in a wolf's body.
Alone, he was a monster, a beast that needed to kill...kill...kill.
But, with her, it was an experience beyond all earthly desires. He wasn't a raging lunatic monster, but he wasn't himself, either. In that night, he had forgotten who he was and had enjoyed it. The drive to kill needlessly was gone, and the human shame of his existence had disappeared. Under that full moon, he had become a creature of Nature. He hunted, yes, but not for pleasure; he hunted for survival, and for her.
Running with her, he felt more the wolf than he had ever felt. A protective, mature air had settled around him, and he wouldn't let anything touch her. They had remembered each other through emotions. And that had made it all the more worthwhile.
With his friends, he was reckless. Alone, he was murderous. But with her, he was in a place he knew he belonged to.
Sighing, he kissed the top of her head, then stretched the usual ache out of his body, moving away for a moment. Yawning, his eyes traced down her back to come to gaze horribly at the three, awful slash marks across her back. Here, he knew, were the scars she had told him about, the ones where she had clawed at herself to get out of that tree. There were other marks, too, but smaller than the three scars.
Seeing them, he snarled, then put his hand quickly over his mouth. Even after a full moon, you still hang on a little to the wolf, huh?
His left arm was under her; using his free arm, he traced his finger along her back. She shuddered and mumbled something in her sleep. He bent to kiss her when he suddenly came crashing into reality.
They were in the forest.
His heart quickened its pace.
They were alone.
His eyes widened.
And they were totally, completely naked.
The "downstairs" region of his nether parts wasn't helping in his present situation. Blushing with embarrassment, he edged his lower torso away from her, bare skin scraping a little painfully against a tree root. Damn you, puberty.
He looked around desperately. Got to get away...got to find my clothes...please don't wake up, Aya...oh, please, don't wake up. He was desperate. Wait, I recognize that tree...my clothes! Under the leaves! Yes, this is working for me!
He made to get up, when something pulled at his elbow. Looking down, he nearly cried as he remembered that his arm was still caught underneath her.
If I move it, she'll probably wake up. DAMNIT!
"Oooookay, oooookay, take it easy, Remus, you can do it," he whispered to himself, breathing deeply. "Come on, buddy, just relax down there, would you? You're not helping."
Carefully, gingerly, he began to work his way out from under her arm.
"Mm..." Aya whispered, rolling over to face him, still asleep.
And she's...naked...ohhhhh, no.
Perspiration broke out on his forehead as he stared down at her. Don't stare, you idiot! Focus! Tongue between his teeth, he tried in vain to look anywhere but...
Snarling, he squeezed his eyes shut and wormed his arm out from under her. As he pulled it free, he winced, squinting down at her, eyes widening very quickly. She remained completely still.
Don't look! Get some clothes, stupid!
His legs moved reluctantly as he stood and sprinted towards the tree, almost tripping.
Please don't wake up, Aya...please don't wake up...
Getting down on his knees, he threw the leaves covering his clothes about, grabbing his pants and underwear. After the necessary...calming down for "downstairs"...he managed to slip his underwear and pants on without trouble. Breathing easy again, he leaned down to pick his shirt and jacket up in a bundle. Slowly, he turned back to her, thankful that she still slept.
Now, what? I can't just...leave her here...like I would! And I can't just...let her lie there without her clothes.
"Don't you start up again, down there!" he hissed, slamming his fist into his palm. This is what sucks about being a guy.
He stared down at the shirt and jacket he held. This'll have to do for her until she wakes up, I guess. I could just wake...no, but that would be embarrassing for her...and I won't just leave her here to be frightened. No, I'll just cover her up nicely and...wait...and DON'T STARE!
Softly, he moved over to her. As he stood over her, he couldn't help but look, his heart pounding. Beautiful, he thought. Remembering to be a gentleman, he unzipped his jacket and laid it over her lower torso, then placed his shirt over her upper...half...
"Don't you dare down there," he hissed again, then sat hugging his knees, trying to stare ahead.
Okay, I'll just...sit here...and wait.
He drummed his fingers on his knee, biting at his lower lip as he tapped his foot. Slowly, his eyes moved back to her, and his stomach fluttered as he saw her slowly start to waken.
"Mm...Remus?" she whispered, opening one eye to stare up at him.
Blushing, he replied, "Er...good...good morning, Aya!"
She made to get up. Panicking, he pushed her back, saying, "No, no, no, don't get up! Um...it's...it's so...cold, you know, and you must be sore and everything, so just...go ahead and lie there and...uh..."
"What're you..." Her eyes widened as she saw his jeans. She then felt the jacket and shirt against her. "Oh...oh...umm..."
Face red, she clutched at the jacket and shirt around her, effectively sitting up so as not to reveal anything unnecessarily. He...saw...
"Um...wow, this is awkward," Remus said quietly, putting his hands together.
"I don't think we thought this far," she said quietly. "Um...can I...can I wear your shirt? It's pretty long."
"What? Oh, yeah, yeah, of course!" he cried, waving his arms.
Blushing, she said, "Er...could...could you...turn around, first?"
"Oh...right. Sorry!" he mumbled, putting his hands over his eyes and turning around. She would've laughed if she weren't so embarrassed at the moment. The shirt nearly covered everything, but it certainly wasn't something any self-respecting person would wear in public. She then placed his jacket over her lower torso, stretching it as much as possible.
"Um...okay...you...you can turn around, now," she said softly.
"Okay," he replied, turning apprehensively. "Um...what do we do now?"
"I need to find my clothes," she said, blushing madly as she stared at the floor.
"Yeah. Where did you put them?"
"Um," she said, narrowing her eyes. "By a pond." She looked around. "Is this where you..."
"Yeah, I put my clothes over by that tree over there last night," he said.
"Okay...I think I moved to the right after I changed, so, that would be to the left. Um...if you turn around, I'll go get them."
"No! I'll do it," he said, waving her off as she tried to protest. "To the left by a pond, am I right?"
She nodded. "Under some leaves."
"Okay. Wait here, I'll be right back."
She watched him go running off through the trees, leaves and stray twigs crunching under his bare feet. As soon as he was out of sight, she slammed her face in her hands and cried, "Oh, my God! Shit!"
He must've...seen everything!
"Dammit!" she yelled again. Sitting there by herself, half-naked in a forest waiting for a guy to bring her clothes didn't improve her mood. And last night had been so wonderful, too.
"Okay, here you go!" Remus called as he came back rather loudly, carrying her jeans, shirt, and, much to her embarrassment, her undergarments. Either he didn't notice the last part, or, being a gentleman, refused to notice, she decided not to figure out at the moment and instead took her clothes back with a grateful, but highly humiliated air.
For a while, he stood there, his hands lying helplessly at his sides as he stared rather dumbly at her. An eyebrow raised, she said rather quietly, "Um...Remus?"
"Hm?"
"I...I need you to turn around again."
"Oh...oh! Right!"
Face crimson, he turned around quickly and moved behind the tree, leaning against it heavily. That didn't go as well as I had thought.
##
"Here," Aya said, coming round the tree as she handed Remus his shirt and jacket, properly clothed.
"Keep the jacket," he said. "It's really cold."
"Oh...okay," she replied, holding it tightly against her chest.
"Aya, you have to put it on first."
"What...oh! Of course," she said, putting it on automatically.
They stood in an embarrassed silence. Then, beginning softly at first, they laughed until their sides nearly burst. Remus slapped his palm against the tree. Tears of mirth streamed down Aya's face.
"That was so humiliating!" Aya giggled, sitting down.
"Yeah, I know, but do you know how long it took me to realize we were naked?" he replied with a laugh.
"What were we doing anyway?" she asked, finally quieting down.
"Um...just...I was just...holding you, is all."
"Oh."
There was a long silence.
"So...um...it worked," Remus said slowly, drumming his fingers together as he sat back against the tree.
"Yeah...it did," Aya replied quietly, staring ahead of her.
"Yup."
"Uh-huh."
"You...want to do it again?" he asked, looking at her. She nodded. "Really?! Okay! Yeah, we could do this all the time, you know?"
"Yeah...we could," she replied. "But what about...the clothes thing?"
"Oh...we...might...just have to...get used to it, I think."
They blushed.
"I guess so," she replied.
He stood, slipping his shirt on and stretching. Turning to her, he helped her up, then, still holding her hand, said, "Let's get back to school."
She agreed, yawning. "We ran a lot last night. I'm so tired."
"Me, too."
For a while, they stood there, gazing at each other. A bird cried in the distance, and the wind picked up again, as bitter as before. The sun gave up trying to break through the grey clouds, and something howled in the distance. Before he knew what he was doing, Remus wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. She leaned back against the tree and giggled.
##
"Look, Prongs, they're still alive. Amazing isn't it?"
"Oh, shut up, Sirius," Lily hissed, kicking him as she stood. "Did you guys have fun?"
Remus and Aya blushed.
"Oh, yes, prancing about in a forest is a ton of fun, wouldn't you agree, Prongs?" Sirius said with a growl as he slammed his pawn down on the chess table.
"Holy shit, Padfoot...you...you beat me!" James cried, leaning back in shock.
"Who bloody cares?" Sirius retorted, sending the pieces clattering to the ground with a flick of his fist. Without even looking at Remus, he pushed past him and made his way hurriedly through the portrait hole.
Remus made to go after him when James, standing, said, "Let him cool off."
"What does he have to cool off about, anyway?" Remus retorted, narrowing his eyes. "He should be lucky he even has a choice. I don't understand why he's so upset, anyway! Let him be a jerk!"
"Remus, stop it," Aya said, squeezing his hand.
"Just let him cool off, alright, Moony? That's all I'm asking, okay?" James replied as he gathered his chess pieces together. "But it's not like I'm not upset, okay? Congratulations! I'm sooooo god damn happy for you!"
He followed Sirius out the portrait hole.
$%$
Please review, guys! I love you all!
##
Ch. 15: The Morning After...
##
The wind bit through the air like a knife, cold and cruel. Though the morning haze had lifted a little early, grey clouds hung low in the air. The sun was having a bitter time breaking through the clouds, nearly black with a promise of snow later on.
Remus shivered in the bitter wind, his teeth chattering as he clutched a bit more at whatever soft, warm thing he held in his arms. It smelled wonderful to him, a mixture of forest leaves, dirt, and something else. He grinned and slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was a bit blurry at first, but slowly came into focus.
At least the world isn't spinning around.
Laughing softly to himself, he moved his head so he could stare down at what he held in his arms. Heart exploding with happiness, he saw Aya sleeping peacefully in his arms, her back against his chest. She feels so soft and delicate. He felt happy, and, for the first time in his life, wanted to relive the full moon again, just once more.
That feeling of freedom, running beside her, going where they wished, howling at the moon together...it had been so...wonderful, in a way words couldn't express. For the first time, he had enjoyed being a wolf.
With his friends, it was different. He was still, in an odd sense, Remus; he was still the quiet boy as before, just in a wolf's body.
Alone, he was a monster, a beast that needed to kill...kill...kill.
But, with her, it was an experience beyond all earthly desires. He wasn't a raging lunatic monster, but he wasn't himself, either. In that night, he had forgotten who he was and had enjoyed it. The drive to kill needlessly was gone, and the human shame of his existence had disappeared. Under that full moon, he had become a creature of Nature. He hunted, yes, but not for pleasure; he hunted for survival, and for her.
Running with her, he felt more the wolf than he had ever felt. A protective, mature air had settled around him, and he wouldn't let anything touch her. They had remembered each other through emotions. And that had made it all the more worthwhile.
With his friends, he was reckless. Alone, he was murderous. But with her, he was in a place he knew he belonged to.
Sighing, he kissed the top of her head, then stretched the usual ache out of his body, moving away for a moment. Yawning, his eyes traced down her back to come to gaze horribly at the three, awful slash marks across her back. Here, he knew, were the scars she had told him about, the ones where she had clawed at herself to get out of that tree. There were other marks, too, but smaller than the three scars.
Seeing them, he snarled, then put his hand quickly over his mouth. Even after a full moon, you still hang on a little to the wolf, huh?
His left arm was under her; using his free arm, he traced his finger along her back. She shuddered and mumbled something in her sleep. He bent to kiss her when he suddenly came crashing into reality.
They were in the forest.
His heart quickened its pace.
They were alone.
His eyes widened.
And they were totally, completely naked.
The "downstairs" region of his nether parts wasn't helping in his present situation. Blushing with embarrassment, he edged his lower torso away from her, bare skin scraping a little painfully against a tree root. Damn you, puberty.
He looked around desperately. Got to get away...got to find my clothes...please don't wake up, Aya...oh, please, don't wake up. He was desperate. Wait, I recognize that tree...my clothes! Under the leaves! Yes, this is working for me!
He made to get up, when something pulled at his elbow. Looking down, he nearly cried as he remembered that his arm was still caught underneath her.
If I move it, she'll probably wake up. DAMNIT!
"Oooookay, oooookay, take it easy, Remus, you can do it," he whispered to himself, breathing deeply. "Come on, buddy, just relax down there, would you? You're not helping."
Carefully, gingerly, he began to work his way out from under her arm.
"Mm..." Aya whispered, rolling over to face him, still asleep.
And she's...naked...ohhhhh, no.
Perspiration broke out on his forehead as he stared down at her. Don't stare, you idiot! Focus! Tongue between his teeth, he tried in vain to look anywhere but...
Snarling, he squeezed his eyes shut and wormed his arm out from under her. As he pulled it free, he winced, squinting down at her, eyes widening very quickly. She remained completely still.
Don't look! Get some clothes, stupid!
His legs moved reluctantly as he stood and sprinted towards the tree, almost tripping.
Please don't wake up, Aya...please don't wake up...
Getting down on his knees, he threw the leaves covering his clothes about, grabbing his pants and underwear. After the necessary...calming down for "downstairs"...he managed to slip his underwear and pants on without trouble. Breathing easy again, he leaned down to pick his shirt and jacket up in a bundle. Slowly, he turned back to her, thankful that she still slept.
Now, what? I can't just...leave her here...like I would! And I can't just...let her lie there without her clothes.
"Don't you start up again, down there!" he hissed, slamming his fist into his palm. This is what sucks about being a guy.
He stared down at the shirt and jacket he held. This'll have to do for her until she wakes up, I guess. I could just wake...no, but that would be embarrassing for her...and I won't just leave her here to be frightened. No, I'll just cover her up nicely and...wait...and DON'T STARE!
Softly, he moved over to her. As he stood over her, he couldn't help but look, his heart pounding. Beautiful, he thought. Remembering to be a gentleman, he unzipped his jacket and laid it over her lower torso, then placed his shirt over her upper...half...
"Don't you dare down there," he hissed again, then sat hugging his knees, trying to stare ahead.
Okay, I'll just...sit here...and wait.
He drummed his fingers on his knee, biting at his lower lip as he tapped his foot. Slowly, his eyes moved back to her, and his stomach fluttered as he saw her slowly start to waken.
"Mm...Remus?" she whispered, opening one eye to stare up at him.
Blushing, he replied, "Er...good...good morning, Aya!"
She made to get up. Panicking, he pushed her back, saying, "No, no, no, don't get up! Um...it's...it's so...cold, you know, and you must be sore and everything, so just...go ahead and lie there and...uh..."
"What're you..." Her eyes widened as she saw his jeans. She then felt the jacket and shirt against her. "Oh...oh...umm..."
Face red, she clutched at the jacket and shirt around her, effectively sitting up so as not to reveal anything unnecessarily. He...saw...
"Um...wow, this is awkward," Remus said quietly, putting his hands together.
"I don't think we thought this far," she said quietly. "Um...can I...can I wear your shirt? It's pretty long."
"What? Oh, yeah, yeah, of course!" he cried, waving his arms.
Blushing, she said, "Er...could...could you...turn around, first?"
"Oh...right. Sorry!" he mumbled, putting his hands over his eyes and turning around. She would've laughed if she weren't so embarrassed at the moment. The shirt nearly covered everything, but it certainly wasn't something any self-respecting person would wear in public. She then placed his jacket over her lower torso, stretching it as much as possible.
"Um...okay...you...you can turn around, now," she said softly.
"Okay," he replied, turning apprehensively. "Um...what do we do now?"
"I need to find my clothes," she said, blushing madly as she stared at the floor.
"Yeah. Where did you put them?"
"Um," she said, narrowing her eyes. "By a pond." She looked around. "Is this where you..."
"Yeah, I put my clothes over by that tree over there last night," he said.
"Okay...I think I moved to the right after I changed, so, that would be to the left. Um...if you turn around, I'll go get them."
"No! I'll do it," he said, waving her off as she tried to protest. "To the left by a pond, am I right?"
She nodded. "Under some leaves."
"Okay. Wait here, I'll be right back."
She watched him go running off through the trees, leaves and stray twigs crunching under his bare feet. As soon as he was out of sight, she slammed her face in her hands and cried, "Oh, my God! Shit!"
He must've...seen everything!
"Dammit!" she yelled again. Sitting there by herself, half-naked in a forest waiting for a guy to bring her clothes didn't improve her mood. And last night had been so wonderful, too.
"Okay, here you go!" Remus called as he came back rather loudly, carrying her jeans, shirt, and, much to her embarrassment, her undergarments. Either he didn't notice the last part, or, being a gentleman, refused to notice, she decided not to figure out at the moment and instead took her clothes back with a grateful, but highly humiliated air.
For a while, he stood there, his hands lying helplessly at his sides as he stared rather dumbly at her. An eyebrow raised, she said rather quietly, "Um...Remus?"
"Hm?"
"I...I need you to turn around again."
"Oh...oh! Right!"
Face crimson, he turned around quickly and moved behind the tree, leaning against it heavily. That didn't go as well as I had thought.
##
"Here," Aya said, coming round the tree as she handed Remus his shirt and jacket, properly clothed.
"Keep the jacket," he said. "It's really cold."
"Oh...okay," she replied, holding it tightly against her chest.
"Aya, you have to put it on first."
"What...oh! Of course," she said, putting it on automatically.
They stood in an embarrassed silence. Then, beginning softly at first, they laughed until their sides nearly burst. Remus slapped his palm against the tree. Tears of mirth streamed down Aya's face.
"That was so humiliating!" Aya giggled, sitting down.
"Yeah, I know, but do you know how long it took me to realize we were naked?" he replied with a laugh.
"What were we doing anyway?" she asked, finally quieting down.
"Um...just...I was just...holding you, is all."
"Oh."
There was a long silence.
"So...um...it worked," Remus said slowly, drumming his fingers together as he sat back against the tree.
"Yeah...it did," Aya replied quietly, staring ahead of her.
"Yup."
"Uh-huh."
"You...want to do it again?" he asked, looking at her. She nodded. "Really?! Okay! Yeah, we could do this all the time, you know?"
"Yeah...we could," she replied. "But what about...the clothes thing?"
"Oh...we...might...just have to...get used to it, I think."
They blushed.
"I guess so," she replied.
He stood, slipping his shirt on and stretching. Turning to her, he helped her up, then, still holding her hand, said, "Let's get back to school."
She agreed, yawning. "We ran a lot last night. I'm so tired."
"Me, too."
For a while, they stood there, gazing at each other. A bird cried in the distance, and the wind picked up again, as bitter as before. The sun gave up trying to break through the grey clouds, and something howled in the distance. Before he knew what he was doing, Remus wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. She leaned back against the tree and giggled.
##
"Look, Prongs, they're still alive. Amazing isn't it?"
"Oh, shut up, Sirius," Lily hissed, kicking him as she stood. "Did you guys have fun?"
Remus and Aya blushed.
"Oh, yes, prancing about in a forest is a ton of fun, wouldn't you agree, Prongs?" Sirius said with a growl as he slammed his pawn down on the chess table.
"Holy shit, Padfoot...you...you beat me!" James cried, leaning back in shock.
"Who bloody cares?" Sirius retorted, sending the pieces clattering to the ground with a flick of his fist. Without even looking at Remus, he pushed past him and made his way hurriedly through the portrait hole.
Remus made to go after him when James, standing, said, "Let him cool off."
"What does he have to cool off about, anyway?" Remus retorted, narrowing his eyes. "He should be lucky he even has a choice. I don't understand why he's so upset, anyway! Let him be a jerk!"
"Remus, stop it," Aya said, squeezing his hand.
"Just let him cool off, alright, Moony? That's all I'm asking, okay?" James replied as he gathered his chess pieces together. "But it's not like I'm not upset, okay? Congratulations! I'm sooooo god damn happy for you!"
He followed Sirius out the portrait hole.
$%$
Please review, guys! I love you all!