Back in Lupin's room at 12 Grimauld Place, Remus kissed her face again and again, tears running down into his growing beard.
Satisfied at last at her health and safety, he felt an urgent need to repent.
"I killed him. I killed Greyback."
"I know, love, I know. You had to. There was no other way," she soothed, stroking his tense shoulders.
He swallowed hard. Becoming a murder did not sit well with him, even if the man he slaughtered was not only a monster, but the one who cursed him for life.
The only part that made it justifiable to him was that Greyback had threatened the life and honor of the woman he loved.
The woman he loved. He'd never told her, but some how she seemed to know.
He smiled despite his grief and kissed her.
He was amazed that when he did, she showed no trace of pity or repulsion to his touch, but quite the contrary.
She expressed felicity at his touch, his kiss.
He ran his fingers through her multicolored hair and deepened the kiss.
She moaned softly, deep in the back of her throat. With a subtle yet unmistakable movement of her body, he grew encouraged.
Hadn't she told him before how much she wanted him?
But he'd told her how he was too old, too poor, and too dangerous.
None of that seemed to matter now, as he had just saved her life and became a killer in doing so.
Was there anything he wouldn't do for her? Was there anything she wasn't worth? He would give her all he had, was it so wrong to accept her love in return?
This though confronted him as he lowered his head to kiss her neck. Lightly at first, waiting to gauge her reaction.
When she tilted her head to allow him greater access, he continued his gentle kissing and licking until he felt her start to shake next to him.
Locked in each other's arms on his bed, he stopped to look into her eyes.
They were dark with desire.
Noting his pause, she took one of his hands and placed it on top of her breast.
"It's ok," She whispered. "This," she indicated her beating heart, "belongs to you."
"Take it." She whispered pleadingly, holding him with her eyes.
He'd denied himself for so long, even after their confrontation in Hogwarts the night Albus died. He wanted better for her, but all she seemed to want was him. He could deny himself, but not his love.
His logic and excuses were melting away, she was dissolving them all with the simple, beautiful heat he felt between them.
They loved each other. Why should they be apart?
For the first time, he found himself with no answer, no defense. She was here in his bed, offering her soul.
He finally decided it wise to yield to the inevitable.
In response, he gave her breast a gentle squeeze and kissed her very softly.
"I love you, Nymphadora Tonks."
"I know," she chuckled lightly. "I love you too."
She leaned toward him to kiss him, and he met her, maneuvering until he was on top.
The pressure of his body on hers was wonderful.
Tongues entwined, they explored.
Piece by piece, their clothing lay strewn upon the floor.
Tonks gasped at the exquisite pleasure of his touch, his mouth. She'd spend many a night dreaming of this, yet never anticipated it being quite this wondrous.
Remus, for the first time in an age, felt true happiness. And they both for the first time, knew true love.
FIN
AN- could have gone father with the love scene, but I don't want to get kicked off. I do love a happy ending. Hope you liked it. Also, if you don't think Lupin is capable of murder, I suggest you reread PoA. I was inspired to write this because Greyback scares the crap out of me.
Please forgive me for paraphrasing a classic bit from Star Wars. (Leia says I love you, Han says I know.) I am a huge fan, if you didn't guess that from my other story title, Private Journal Strikes Back.
This is likely to be my last Tonks/Remus fic. Sorry. My ship has sunk.