tunic

Remus sighed. Ever since his and Tonks's big fallout last month, life was a lot more dull. He remembered that night clear as crystal - she had come over to his house, and they were chatting comfortably. Then Tonks had (tactlessly, supposed Remus) dropped the big question:

"Hey," she had said softly. "I was... thinking about what Molly said. Is it true?"

Remus had caught his breath. "About - us?"

Tonks had nodded; almost imperceptibly, but Remus could see it. "I mean..." he began, wondering how to frame this. He looked into her eyes. "Yes, it was true. Yes, I like you."

That was the moment when Tonks's eyes lit up, and she beamed for the first time in quite a few days. It broke the werewolf's heart, knowing that he couldn't provide more happiness to her. "You..." she said, also apparently lost for words. "I- I like you too, Remus."

And that was when he made the mistake of kissing her. It was a short, sweet kiss, but he regretted it the moment they broke apart. Because he wouldn't - couldn't - put her life in danger by loving her. He had convinced himself of this multiple times; he was too old, too poor, too dangerous. Tonks seemed to realise this, as she said, "You're not thinking about that again, are you? Because I've told you a billion times, I don't care. Get over this ridiculous fear of yours, because it won't do you any good."

And then Remus had lost his temper. He had gotten angry at the one person he cared about most. "You don't get it, Nymphadora," he had said. "It's not a 'ridiculous fear'. Do you know what people think of my kind?" She wanted to say something, but he silenced her with a look. "I- I don't want to hurt you. I know it may seem to you that there's nothing too worry about, but you're too young. You wouldn't understa-"

"I'm too young? I'M too young?" Tonks had gotten up too, and wasn't going to back down. "I've been through almost as much as you, and you know that. Who hexed away Lucius Malfoy and his cronies? I know what's going on, and I've considered it."

"If you had considered it enough, then you wouldn't be standing in front of me anymore!"

Tonks hadn't said anything after that. She had given him one last look, her eyes glistening with tears, and had left the room. Leaving Remus feeling hollow and broken from the inside.

It had been a whole month, and Remus and Tonks still hadn't talked about it - the most they did was a few terse conversations per day. To calm himself down, and perhaps have a little time to think about it, Remus walked into the Wizarding restaurant Seven Sickles.

Tonks knew she should've given him another chance. That he was still angry about people turning against all werewolves. But she couldn't bear it. The whole week after the fallout, she had morphed away all her emotions so as to not show Remus. Then he would feel bad and be all self-deprecating again.

The whole Order believed that she was on a top-secret mission. Only Alastor Moody knew that she was working as a waitress in a restaurant, trying to get her mind off a certain amber-eyed boy. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the Seven Sickles, telling herself that she would be fine.

Tonks made her way into the back of the restaurant, with her notebook at the ready. There were several people who hadn't ordered yet. Deciding to start on the back, she approached the man next to the window. "How may I help you?" she asked.

Remus looked up. A waitress had approached him, waiting with a notepad. Her hair was a slightly wavy black, and she was wearing -

"This is the tunic you wore a month ago," he blurted without thinking.

"Sorry?" She said, her expression confused. And then her eyes widened. "Remus?!"

He didn't reply for a while. He hadn't planned to meet Tonks on such short notice. How could he apologize now?

Tonks seemed to understand. "Alright," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "I-if you don't want me to wait on you, I can get another waitress. It's fine." And then she walked away, streaks of purple appearing in her hair. Remus relaxed, his heart still racing. The Moony side in him told him that it was good that she left, now all you have to do is not step in this restaurant and start formulating an apology. But the Padfoot side in him told him to chase after her you weirdo!

For once, Padfoot was right.

Remus forgot what was correct and what was blatantly wrong - it was like the inner Sirius in him was urging him to follow her, wherever she went. He hurried in the direction she had gone, looking in every room.

At last he found Tonks in a small cupboard, her hair a mix of blue and purple, staring blankly at nowhere in particular. When she saw Remus, she jumped. "Woah," she said, giving a shaky laugh. "I didn't see you there. What's up? Anything wrong?"

"About what I said that day-"

Tonks shook her head. "It's fine," she said. "It was a mistake, I know. People overreact sometimes."

"We both know you don't mean that," said Remus gently. He closed the door behind him and sat down on a chair. "Tonks. I was dumb, stupid and crazy to yell at you like that. You were the highlight of my life, and I probably shouldn't have gotten angry." He paused. "I'm sorry."

There was a slightly awkward silence. "It's not your fault," said Tonks, her eyes glistening again. "Anyone would've freaked out. And I totally get it if you don't want to be together, but we can at least be friends-"

Remus silenced her by placing his finger on her lips. "This whole month was horrible, you know. Especially the full moon. I can't imagine spending my whole life without you. And I know that sounds like it's come out of a movie, but it's true."

Tonks smiled for the first time that day. "Alright then," and she somehow managed to smirk through her tears. "I'll expect a grand, luxurious date with expensive abroad food. Think you're up to it?"

Remus knew her well enough to tell she was joking. "Afraid not," he smirked back. "Will chocolate do?"

Needless to say, the answer was yes.

a/n: okay that was fun. review please!