Prompt: 5 times Tonks says I love you without saying it and the one time she does. T.

With tea, October

Tonks finished her cup of tea. It was kindly brewed by Remus, who used a posh loose leaf blend he claimed he found in Grimmauld Place's kitchen. He sat by the fire after they'd finished their mission reports, half-asleep, his own cup still steaming. She observed he didn't use the good tea for himself, declaring he wasn't picky. Curious over what he was having instead, she took his cup in her hand and didn't notice the tag that read Tesco. She took a watery, bitter sip and almost gagged.

"How can he drink this shit?" she muttered, but then she saw the patches in his cloak. She wondered if her posh tea came out of his pocket and his store brand, bargain-priced tea was all he could afford with what was left.

The next day she got two hundred bags of Yorkshire Gold and told him her parents accidentally bought too much. He looked skeptical, but after he'd enjoyed two decent cups, his eyes glazed over. They burned with what she thought was affection.

With socks, December

The crochet hook in Tonks's hand never learned to behave properly. Whether magicked or left alone, her hands couldn't keep the stitches even or spaced nicely. What began as a homemade gift of a matching set of a hat, scarf, mittens ended in two chunky, mismatched socks. One had too much crimson and the other too much gold, but as long as Remus didn't mind the inconsistencies, he'd have a new pair of thick, woolen socks for Christmas.

"You didn't have to get me anything," he said, frowning at the lumpy package.

"I didn't. I made it!"

Remus unwrapped the whimsical penguin wrapping paper and stared at the two misshapen socks.

"You made these for me?"

"I know they're not perfect, not like what Molly can do," Tonks said quickly, "and it was going to be a hat, scarf, and mittens, but you can see it didn't work out." She felt the warmth creep up her cheeks as Remus grazed his fingers over the irregular loops.

"They're lovely," Remus murmured, peering down at her. "Thank you, Tonks."

He leaned closer, his lips parted slightly, and just when she thought he might kiss her, he turned away.

With healing, February

Sirius was in a foul mood the day after February's full moon. It had something to do with Snape and Harry, and with Remus upstairs, healing, Tonks left Sirius to his drink and meandered up to the third floor.

Remus's door was ajar. Tonks walked up to the frame and knocked lightly, announcing herself. As interested as she was in seeing Remus, undressed, she held her nosiness back.

"Padfoot?" Remus croaked.

"No, it's me, Tonks . . . Sirius is having a drink or five. I wanted to see how you were. I know the full moon was last night."

Seconds passed, which felt like minutes. Remus finally gave her a hoarse reply. "I'm all right."

"Do you need anything? I can help." Tonks peeked into his bedroom through the narrow gap in the door. Remus was shirtless and a pile of bloodied rags sat next to his bed. He sat, rubbing the back of his neck, and looked at the empty bottles on his desk. "Do you need potions? I'll get or brew them," Tonks offered. She could see him wince as he reached for a shirt and pull it over his head.

"I don't need anything."

Tonks lowered her gaze, stung.

"On second thought," said Remus, "I could use Pain Relief, if—if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all!"

Tonks brightened and promised she'd be back shortly. She clunked down to the kitchen, got the cauldron going, and brewed the potion in ten minutes, happy that all the ingredients were already prepared. Clean, dry bandages were hung on a line in front of the fire. While the potion finished boiling, she took the bandages, folded them, and tucked them in her pocket to bring up to him.

When she returned to his room, the door was open and the pile of bloodied rags were nowhere in sight. He'd tidied while she was away, and had even made his bed.

"I brought more of these," Tonks announced, setting the stack of bandages on his bed. She noticed a dark, burgundy stain seeping through his grey trousers, and frowned. "You're bleeding."

"I am?" Remus looked down and groaned. "I can take care—"

Tonks didn't want to hear it. She rolled up his trouser leg, exposing a deep gash along the back of his calf.

"Accio Dittany!" The jar flew into her hand, and she applied the sticky paste carefully. She wrapped a bandage around the wound, charmed it to stay, and rolled his trouser back down. Smiling sheepishly, she said, "You'll have to Scourgify the trousers yourself. I'm rubbish at cleaning spells."

Remus's gaze on her lingered. She was crouched by his knee, staring up at him, realizing that her hands were still on his body. She didn't want to let go, and it seemed he didn't either, but then she heard Sirius on the stairs. She stood, not failing to see the flash of disappointment on Remus's face.

With a compliment, March

Tonks found it hard not to stare at Remus all through the early Order meeting. Molly knitted him a handsome, properly-fitting jumper for his birthday. He looked dashing in pale green, and healthier too, with something newer and better fitting.

It took all her self-control not to tear that jumper off him and take him back to her flat. He would never agree to something so bold, but she could dream.

The meeting was adjourned and Tonks made a beeline for Remus. He was luckily unoccupied, and gave her a shy smile when she came to sit next to him.

"That color looks good on you," she blurted, loud enough that Molly overheard and grinned.

"Remus has a little green in his eyes, have you noticed?" Molly placed a hand on Remus's shoulder, winking at Tonks.

Tonks felt heat creeping up her face. She looked Remus in the eye, well aware he had a captivating blend of green and gold in his brown eyes. On a first look, they were always brown, but as she got to know his irises better, she noticed flecks of gold and sage green.

"I have," Tonks replied softly. The tips of Remus's ears turned pink. "His eyes are two of a kind, perfectly suited for him."

Remus couldn't form a response, but a pleased smile crept up on his face. Tonks felt his gaze on her for the rest of the evening.

With walking, April

The first Sunday in April dawned with a brilliant, glowing sun. Tonks walked with a spring in her step, delighted to see the sun after so many months of grey sky. She'd see her parents for dinner, but first, she had to make a planned stop at headquarters.

Remus and Sirius were exactly where she expected them to be; Sirius was asleep, curled up as Padfoot next to Buckbeak, and Remus was already up, stirring sugar into his tea. He smiled as soon as she walked into the front parlor.

"I wasn't expecting you till tomorrow," he said, his golden brown eyes light and playful.

"I got the report done early!" She took out a scroll, a summary of the activities observed at the Yaxleys' estate, and handed it to him. "Hestia and Emmeline wanted an early start on their hike so I volunteered to finish it."

"You? Voluntarily doing paperwork?" He arched his brow as he took a sip of his tea. She loved the relaxed way in which he teased her, effortless and charming.

"Miracles happen every now and then." Tonks beamed at him and sidled up to the settee he occupied. Their legs touched; Remus almost pulled away, but Tonks tugged gently on his jumper sleeve. "It's beautiful out. Want to go for a walk with me?"

Remus coughed on his next sip. "Do you need to go somewhere?"

Tonks shook her head. "No . . . just thought that it's a nice day out and you're good company." Remus blinked at her and set his teacup down. "C'mon, Lupin, there's always time for work later. Sirius is asleep and it's sunny."

Remus's mouth twitched upwards. Tonks stood, held out her hand, and walked out of the house with his fingers intertwined with hers.

With a letter, June

R—

Please don't go. I love you.

-T.

With a declaration, a year later

The tiny scrap of parchment declaring her love was still in his possession a year later. It was worn but clean, kept safe in the unworn woolen socks she made him for Christmas.

"You kept it," Tonks said, recognizing her handwriting.

"I did." Remus tucked the letter back into a sock, being folded into itself in a pattern Tonks could see was well-practiced.

She tried one more time to win him over.

"I still love you, Remus. I always will." Her hands came up to hold him, but his sorrowful gaze led them to fall at her sides, limp and useless.

Then his lips found hers, and forgiveness followed.