Strangeways, Here We Come
Blankets…
The couch was changing shape. Looking carefully at it, he could see where the cushions had slowly but surely begun to mould themselves to his body.
It was really no surprise; after all, he had been sleeping there ever since he had returned to Tonks, begging for forgiveness. Said forgiveness had not been fully granted, as of yet – not that he had expected it.
He understood her reluctance to readmit him into her life, as if they had never been apart – not when she was unsure he wouldn't just leave once more when the situation became dire. He knew he would never be able to tear himself away again – thinking back to the utter despair in her eyes, or watching her stomach grow every day only solidified that feeling – but he still had to prove that to her.
And so he slept on the couch.
He was uncertain whether his banishment to the proverbial doghouse was a test to see how much discomfort he could withstand, or if it was simply a bit of revenge on her part. It didn't really matter to him – he felt he deserved it.
The couch was too short for his lanky frame and the blanket he was using wasn't long enough to fully cover his feet, but he took it in stride. He wasn't going anywhere... except perhaps to request another pillow.
As he stood in the doorway of the bedroom they used to share (after respectfully knocking first), he noticed there were many more blankets on the bed than there used to be.
"It feels a lot colder at night without you there to keep me warm," Tonks murmured, almost reluctantly, as she handed him a pillow.
He took it from her carefully, gently brushing her fingers with his as he did so. Wanting nothing more than to offer himself to her for his body heat, he quelled the urge – pushing her would accomplish nothing.
Instead he quietly offered, "Would you like me to cast some extra-strength warming charms for you?"
He started casting them for her every night. Soon, they began to be accompanied by a chaste, albeit longing, goodnight kiss on the forehead. Those kisses then migrated down to the cheek, and finally to the lips.
And over time, the number of blankets on the bed began to dwindle.
Finally, one night she told him she no longer needed the warming charms. He felt a crushing disappointment for a fleeting moment, until he glanced over at the bed – the last thick quilt was removed, the sheets were freshly changed, and a pile of pillows was back on his side.
That night all they needed was their own body heat. Remus had never slept better, and that fact had nothing to do with not being on the couch.
Hmm, if it was a choice between a warming charm and Remus Lupin's body heat, I think I know which I'd choose! How about you?
Anyhoo, as usual, I hope you all enjoyed this latest update. I believe the next chapter will be the last one – yes, that's right, Strangeways is finally wrapping up! So until then...
Toodles,
- ish -