Kaia Renkin: I'm so glad you like it! And I can see Remus being on the bottom, haha :)
lilyflower101: I know, right? ;)
Harry didn't fall asleep for a long time. He lay awake with his thoughts and the company of Ron's snoring. Would Lupin really stick to their deal? Harry wished Lupin would give himself some more credit. He was an amazing person. And Harry told him that he didn't care Lupin was a werewolf. He loved that man unconditionally.
Morning came with a loud shriek - it took Harry a moment to realize Fred and George had just dumped a bucket of cold water on Ron. And in the middle of winter...Yikes. Harry was glad it wasn't him.
"I'm gonna bloody strangle you!" Fred and George laughed and high-fived as Ron stumbled out of bed. Grinning, Harry followed the brothers out into the hall, where Lupin was standing.
Harry blushed, nervous all of a sudden. "Good morning."
"You too, Harry," Lupin said with a cheerful smile, as he glanced down the hall where Ron was currently chasing the twins down the stairs. They were alone in the hall then, just Harry and Lupin. Harry's heart pounded. "Sleep well?"
"Never better," Harry answered honestly. "Remus, I still want to be with you." He walked up to Lupin and took both of his hands in his own. The older man looked startled at their sudden close proximity, but then smiled. "My feelings haven't changed since yesterday and they won't change tomorrow. I love you."
This time, it was Lupin who kissed him. Harry's heart swelled with happiness and love and he pressed against the other man, kissing back and wrapping his arms around Lupin's neck. "Come in here," Lupin gasped between kisses, pulling Harry into his bedroom. Harry was somewhat aware of the bedroom door shutting and locking, and this definitely didn't help with his nervousness. Lupin's arms wrapped around his waist and he tugged Harry closer, their kiss growing more passionate.
They didn't stop kissing for a long time. Reluctantly pulling away, Lupin said, "Everyone will wonder where we are."
"You're right," Harry sighed, though he could've stood there kissing Lupin all day. "What do you want to tell them? Anything?"
Lupin considered. "Maybe we should...It'll get out eventually, if we're serious about us."
"I know." Harry squeezed his hand, and Lupin smiled. "I've always been serious about you, Remus."
Lupin blushed and kissed Harry softly, then pulled him into a warm hug. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" he asked.
Harry smiled. "A lot of things," he answered. "You're amazing."
Lupin pulled back, a smile on his face as well. "I love you, Harry." He pressed another kiss to Harry's mouth.
They walked downstairs together, where everyone was eating breakfast and Ron was glaring at the twins. Harry sat down beside Lupin, lacing their fingers together. "Where've you been?" Ron asked. He turned his glare to Harry. "Thanks for your help getting away from those two this morning, Harry."
"What? It's not my fault!" Fred and George laughed. Lupin looked like he was trying to keep a straight face.
"Yes, it's hilarious," Harry groaned. He felt Lupin give his fingers a slight squeeze and then said, "Oh. Remus and I have something to share with everyone." He looked at Lupin to determine who would be breaking the news.
Lupin cleared his throat. "Harry and I are in love," he announced. "We are a couple now."
There were loud gasps from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The only people who'd known were Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, so everyone was pretty surprised. "But - but he used to be your professor!" Mrs. Weasley gasped.
"Exactly," Harry pointed out. "Used to be. Meaning not anymore. So it's not against the law."
"You're underage, both in the wizarding world and the Muggle world," Mr. Weasley added.
"So we'll keep it quiet until I turn eighteen," Harry suggested, recalling his and Lupin's earlier discussion about telling people. Who did that apply to? They hadn't discussed that much.
"What about the long distance?" Ginny pointed out.
"Huh?" asked Harry.
"We're just here for the holidays," she elaborated. "Remus isn't a teacher anymore. You'll have to go back to school in a week."
Harry's heart sank. That was one obstacle they both had completely overlooked. The broken-hearted look on Lupin's face mirrored Harry's emotions. He realized they had been so focused on "if we were a couple" more than "when we actually become a couple". "What are we going to do?!" Tears filled Harry's eyes.
"Don't worry, Harry," said Lupin reassuringly. "We'll figure something out." His voice was gentle and he barely noticed everyone's curious eyes on them as Lupin gently wiped away Harry's tears and pulled him close.
They ate in silence for the rest of the meal, Harry and Lupin's new obstacle seeming palpable in the air around them. Harry prayed, after all they'd been through to get to this point, that everything could work out between them.
"Why don't we go take a walk," Lupin said after they'd finished eating.
After dressing in their winter clothes, Harry followed him outside, the snow crunching under his shoes. He watched his breath in the air, the silence hanging over them like at the breakfast table. "What's going to happen now?"
"I don't know," Lupin answered honestly.
"I want to be with you so badly," Harry insisted. "More than anything in the world."
Lupin looked over at him in surprise. "Anything?"
Harry thought for a moment, realizing he'd meant his words. "Yes."
Lupin's smile warmed Harry despite the cold. "We'll think of something," he replied, tugging Harry towards him, close to him. "I want to be with you, too."
This time, he didn't care who might be watching as their lips brushed. Harry wrapped his arms around Lupin's waist, pulling him even closer, Lupin's lips soft and warm against Harry's. The kiss was slow and gentle, unlike their earlier make out session. Harry had a feeling, a good feeling, that their love was strong enough to be able to face whatever was to come.
AN: Thanks for reading! Hope you liked it - review please? :) they do motivate me to update more