What if I said shipping Jily is homophobic because Jegulus is right there and is lightyears less problematic than Jily, because getting married and having a baby completely ruined Lily as a badass female character, and despite it being canon you’re a bigot if you accept it?
Sounds fucking stupid, right? So stop saying that about Remadora and Tonks.
“Nice one, partner”, the pink haired woman patted the tired looking man on the back after he had successully stunned Romulus Adrian. A member of Greyback’s pack who had snuck off to do damage on his own for his pack leader. After a week long search for him the two Aurors had to undergo, they found him in a shabby shack near Knockturn Alley. There the female had been put in a headlock by the offender only to have her partner save her. Remus Lupin smirked slightly: “Oh as if you couldn’t have gotten out of this by yourself, Nymphadora.”
He put an unusual emphasis on her name, as his smirk grew. “Well, Mister Werewolf McWerewolf I couldn’t keep you from displaying your Gryffindor chivalry now, could I? And besides, I thought it to be a nice nod to ancient history to let Romulus and Remus fight each other!”, she winked at him, bending down to pick the now useless wand of Romulus Adrian up, before throwing it to the unsuspecting Remus. “Ms. Tonks, I’d suspect you haven’t been listening to our beloved Professor Binns enough in retrospect on how this fight ends, or what do you think of the amazing city called Reme?”, he playfully scolded his partner, after he had struggled to catch the wand. Though it seemed that a shadow had appeared over his features. This hadn’t gone unnoticed by the woman, who observed him closely. Her suspicions confirmed. “Why Professor Lupin, now that would have been a fitting name. But just so you know you don’t have to look like a lost puppy, whenever I bring up your name, only because you tend to be one every month! Those teary puppy eyes have always been my weakness.” At this the man’s eyes widened. Hastily, he kneeled besides the stunned body in order to secure anything suspicious. His heart seemed to speed twice as fast as usual and he couldn’t help feeling nauseous. For a while his partner observed this. Then she crouched next to him. Without noticing it her hair had adopted a mouse brown colour and her eyes had changed into honey-coloured ones, similiar to the ones she was now staring into. “Lupin. Remus. Calm down, please.”, she softly stroked his cheeks that were flushed from his obvious agitation. “We’ve been working together for a week now. I’d think you would know me a bit better than to assume I’d go running away from you, as if you were some kind of monster.” As the man only bashfully looked down at this particular word, she tried to lighten his mood: “Now come on your name is literally Werewolf McWerewolf! Seriously, and trust me I know all about bad naming!” At this he looked up. Indeed, everybody that came in contact with this bubbly young woman was aware of how much she despised her name. Still, one question burned on the tip of his tongue. “But how did you know?”, he blurted out anxiously. Nymphadora Tonks, who had been rummaging about in her little bag in the awkward little silence, looked up at this with an expression that screamed ‘seriously?’, before she produced a small chocolate bar out of her bag, only to present it to her partner: “Here. Eat up. It always helps me calm down. But you need it more right now.” She paused until Remus took the bar gratefully, after uttering a thank you to her, his expression still showing his anxiousness. “Now as for the fact that you turn once a month. You know it had been in the Daily Prophet because of that tosser Snape. And I can read, you know? But this doesn’t change anything. I also knew who I was going to be with, when I signed up for this mission with you. And Remus, I am glad that it was you I chose.” Throughout her whole speech Remus had nibbled on his chocolate bar with averted eyes. Only now, that he met her gaze again, Tonks noticed how they glimmered wet with tears. “I am glad, too.” He smiled despite his tears, which led Tonks to believe that maybe they weren’t because of sadness anymore. “I hope you’ll still be my partner for the next missions.” And almost as an afterthought he looked at her intensely, almost studying her whole face in this moment of silence. “ And Tonks, … thank you”
Why does Tonks’s character apparently get ruined when she becomes a mother but Dad!Remus is so glorified in the fandom?
And what’s best, Tonks is also reduced to a surrogate in the fandom yet somehow it’s getting married and having a child that ruins her character?
Tonks as a mother is so underappreciated (when she was pregnant during a war and then went to a battle days later after giving birth to try and help to make a better world for him) but she’s so hated for it? Why do people have so much hate for “badass” women who get married and have children as if those women can’t be badass? A woman can be a badass no matter if she’s married or not, has children or not, aka just always. Her character didn’t get “ruined” or “reduced to a housewife”. You’re just dumb
Just going through my feed and I realized something…if we got so excited about a single photo,I’m scared what would happen if the scene where Lupin asks Harry to be the Godfather gets published.
I mean, in the script it says Lupin staring at Tonks affectionately and my god does it look like it
Omg we need this scene on YouTube and a script published please!
“Remus felt justified in remaining exactly where he was, keeping his feelings to himself but secretly rejoicing every time somebody paired him with Tonks on some overnight mission.” Remus Lupin Bio (Pottermore)
Okay but imagining Remus having a mental celebration party with himself everytime he gets to do anything with Tonks brings me great joy. Honestly this man was head over heels for Tonks and I love him for that
It’s so sweet, that’s why I don’t get the argument about Remus not loving Tonks because every action he does is because he loves her. He rejects her feelings because he thinks she deserves better and he worries about making her an outcast by associating with him and putting her in danger whilst a werewolf.
He leaves her when she’s pregnant with Teddy because of those insecurities surrounding his lycanthropy, he worries his child will be like him an outcast and even if the child didn’t inherit his condition, they would be ashamed of a father like him. It’s never about oh I should never have married her because I didn’t love her.
Besides when Teddy is born, he’s so happy and proud. I mean he used all sorts of protective charms to keep Tonks and Teddy safe, he wouldn’t do that if he didn’t love her. I’m very much a believer that if Remus and Tonks did reunite with one another before their deaths, what happened in the deleted scene would be canon. That’s where the writers got their relationship right, even if they did delete it…
Pairings:Sirius Black x reader, Remus Lupin x reader’s brother, Sirius Black (post-Azkaban) x reader, Sirius Black x Slytherin!reader
Word Count: 2,663
Warnings: Torture, injury,
A/N: Ahh!!! Time to get excited I am finallyfinishing this damn story. I’m guessing there will be around 5-10 more chapters to tie up loose ends, unless I get a stroke of genius and continue the story lol. Thank you so much to everyone who still reads my stories and an extra thank you to everyone asking how I’ve been and taking time out of their day to think ab me, like UGH so sweet!!! Anywaysss lemme know what you guys think or if there’s anything you’d like to see/are confused about!
“Always were such a gossip,” Sirius teased, his figure slowly coming from the shadows, his wand out and poised. “I think you have me confused with Cissy, always had trouble keeping those pretty lips closed,” Bellatrix returned, turning her attention towards Sirius. “Yes, well, the pretty ones are always easier to remember,” Sirius said, slowly advancing. He didn’t dare look at you; the last thing Bellatrix needed to know was that not only were you Remus’ sister, but she could hurt Sirius just as deeply through you–almost a sort of two-for-one. It was a good thing he didn’t, for you were still seated, cradling your throbbing ankle. “Just as shallow as always, I see,” she sneered, “It seems as though your time in Azkaban taught you nothing, cousin.” “Back on the Dark Side, all loud and proud, and your precious Lord hasn’t even fully risen to power yet; seems as though you learned just as much as I did,” he threw back. Her face contorted in rage, and her words came out like a growl. “He broke me out of Azkaban! He saved me! How can he not be what he once was, yet touch Azkaban–no, break Azkaban? No one has escaped from Azkaban, the precious prison where you filthy Muggle-lovers love to throw true witches and wizards like me!” she shrieked madly. “First of all,Iescaped from Azkaban, all by myself, no Dark Lord pulling the strings with the dementors in league,” Sirius sneered. You held your breath as he spoke to her so brazenly. “And Good Godric, you are just as deluded as ever. He’s the one who put you there! You wouldn’t have even ended up in that godforsaken place had it not been for him! Neither of us would’ve been! Can’t you see that? You are only as important to him as what you can do for him. You are nothing to him. Can’t you see that?” And then, the cave was filled with bright green light. All noise ceased as the blood swam in your ears. A silent but surely blood-curdling scream to everyone else ripped from your throat, Sirius’ name leaving your lips as the pitch-black replaced the deadly green. You pulled yourself up against the bars, pain seeping into your screams as you did so, but you had to see he was okay; he had to be okay. The silence stretched on, Bellatrix’s enraged, heavy breathing filling the quiet. The feeling was seeping from your limbs, your knees on the verge of collapse, chest beginning to heave with angry, suffocated sobs.
“Oh, hit a soft spot, did I? Getting a bit touchy,” Sirius laughed suddenly. With a spring, he jumped back up, his hair bouncing with him. The feeling returned to your body like a tidal wave, and your knees finally gave out, but with relief. She hadn’t gotten him; he was still here and somehow going to save all of you. From your spot on the ground, you could’ve sworn you saw a flash of a shoe visible from the light of the mouth of the cave, but a second later, it was gone. “How dareyou speak of him like you know him! Like you understand him?! You know nothing!” she yelled, her voice rebounding off the walls of the tiny cave. “This is nothing like the last time. That was nothing but a blip in my Master’s grand plan. Your preciousfriends, ickle Jamesy and Lily with itty, bitty, baby Potter. All of them, they all meant nothing. Their deaths meant nothing. In fact, I’m told it was amusing for my Master to chase James as he fruitlessly searched out his wand, almost as amusing as Lily throwing herself in front of my Master’s wand, as if it would do anything at all. Stupid, stupidgirl–but really, what did we expect from a filthylittle Mudblood.” And then, Sirius lost it. Flashes of every color burst from the tip of his wand spells flying left and right. Using your good foot, you pushed off of the ground and flew to the corner, covering Alastor and Circe, the latter balled in his lap, doing your best to shield them. “You don’t get to say their names! To talk about them!” he shrieked madly, looking more and more like his cousin as he did so. “I’ll kill every last one of you!” “I wish I was there! I wish I would’ve gotten to see my Master leech the very last drop of light from James’ eyes!” she shrieked, cackling as she threw her own defensive spells. Amazingly, the two hadn’t been hit yet, still throwing curses with as much gusto as before. Idly, you wondered what had happened to her henchmen–shouldn’t this be the exact situation they were here for? Squinting in the darkness, you found them all strangely slumped over, dead to the situation around them.
Concerned for Remus, you next looked for him. Confused, you saw him working his way to a standing position, grimacing in pain as he did so. How was he standing on his own? Then, a second later, you saw a freckled arm appear from nowhere, and a second after that, Remus had been swallowed by the darkness. “What the hell?” you whispered, furrowing your brows in confusion. “What is happening?” Alastor whispered, a crazed look on his face now that Circe couldn’t see him. “It’s alright. You guys are going to be okay,” you reassured them. “That’s Sirius Black,” he whispered, terrified. “Like hell we’re going to be okay.” “The Daily Prophet’s propaganda machine never ceases to amaze,” you whispered, mostly to yourself. “He’s here to rescueus. He’s not bad, not evil, and certainly not a sodding Death Eater. It’s all a lie.” “And why would I believe that?” he frantically whispered back, spells still pinging off the walls. “If he’s a Death Eater, then why the hell is he trying to kill Bellatrix in their own cave?” you hissed, trying to remain patient. “You’ve just got to trust me on this. Okay?” He gave you a look but nodded slowly after a minute. “Alright,” he said, encircling Circe tighter. “I’ve got to get out and help him, please tell me you have something to pick a lock with?” you whispered. “There’s a rusty nail under that bench, in the hole in the rock. I never knew how to use it,” he said, nodding to the opposite corner of the cell. Feeling incredibly thankful for your Muggle cousins your mother called ‘bad influences,’ you pressed a chaste kiss to his forehead. “We’re going to make it out of this, okay? Almost there,” you said, gripping his face seriously. He merely looked at you with the same expression as always.
Crawling over to the bench, you dug the nail from the hole with your fingers, shaking as you turned to the bars to poke your arm through the bars. Putting all your weight on your left foot, you fumbled about for a bit as your hands searched for the lock. Finally finding the lock, you pushed the nail in and quickly got to work trying to pick the lock. Twisting your wrist to try a new angle, you cursed loudly when you dropped the pin. “No!” you all but screamed, trying your damnedest to get the pin and help Sirius. “Alohomora,” you suddenly heard a young girl’s voice whisper. With a click, the lock opened, and the door swung open. Confused but grateful for the assistance, you figured your best bet was to crawl and keep in the darkness. Heart pounding in your ears, you trusted Sirius not to hit you by accident as you got closer. Finally, when you were within arm’s reach, you took a deep breath and went for it. Reaching out, you wrapped both arms around Bellatrix and held tightly as she screeched in shock and thrashed madly in your arms. Pushing off with your good foot, you took her to the floor. Through her thrashing, you managed to get your hand wrapped around hers and pried her fingers from her death grip on her wand. The tell-tale light clatter of wood on stone gave you a new rush of energy. “What? Who?” she shrieked, trying her best to turn and see who had her. “Leave! Him! Alone!” you yelled, holding tighter as she thrashed. “It’s over, Bellatrix,” Sirius suddenly huffed. Just as shocked as she was, you turned your neck and saw Sirius, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Remus, and Tonks all standing with their wands pointed directly at the two of you. You were pleased to find Hermione gripped Bellatrix’s wand in her hand. “The filthy Mudblood darehold my wand?!” and the thrashing started once more. Ignoring the pain, you hooked your leg around her hip, turning to smother her. “Shut up!” you roared, bringing your fists down on her. “Y/N?” Sirius said, his voice laden with surprise. “Somebody get the bloody attack dog already!” she shrieked from under you. You felt a strong arm wrap around your torso and lift you from Bellatrix with ease, all the while thrashing to get back to her. “We’re leaving,” Remus heaved, his chest stained with blood. “And we’re taking them with us,” you said, pointing to Alastor and Circe, who were just now crawling timidly from the cell. “It won’t matter,” she said, grinning a mad smile as her teeth were red with blood. “We’re going to win.” “No you won’t,” Harry spat, looking angry. At his anger, Bellatrix let out another cackling laugh. “Silencio!” you shouted, snatching Sirius’ wand from his hand. Sirius looked at you, highly offended, and you placed the wand back in his still outstretched palm. “I was tired of hearing the bloody twit squawk.” “I second that. In fact,” Hermione added, “PetrificusTotalus.” And with that, Hermione used Bellatrix’s own wand to bewitch her into stillness, her face frozen in an angry shriek.
“With her own wand,” you clucked, giving Hermione a small smile. “Excellent touch.” “I vote we leave,” Ron said, looking around anxiously. “I second that,” Remus said, laughing breathlessly. Tonks wrapped her arm around Remus’ waist and slowly led him from the cave. Hermione guided Alastor and Circe out into the snow, Harry and Ron following. Just as you turned to leave, Sirius spun you around and pulled you to him. “I’m so, so, sorry, Y/N,” Sirius said against your ear. “C-can’t, breathe,” you choked out. He loosened his grip, but didn’t let go. “I never meant any of what I said–” he started, but before he could finish, you reached up and grabbed hold of him, wrapping your legs around him.
“I’d kiss you, but I’m pretty sure I got sick back there,” you laughed with tears in your eyes. Joining you in laughter, Sirius held you tightly against him. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Godric. I was so worried about you and–” seeming to remember, he dropped you and whipped around. “Moony!” “Ow!” you yelped out, your ankle exploding in pain once more. “Are you alright?” Sirius said, spinning around to you once more and looking concerned. “Better than I was when I first arrived,” you joked–he didn’t laugh. “Just broke my ankle, is all.” “Oh, well, if that’s all then,” he rolled his eyes at you. Turning his back to you, he squatted slightly and held his arms out. “Go on, then.” Rolling your eyes but grinning, you hopped onto his back. As the two of you stepped out of the cave and into the cold night air, you saw Hermione speaking to Alastor and Circe. “I’m alright, honest. I can stand on my good foot, you go and see my brother,” you said as Sirius came to a halt. “Are you sure? I can have Ron take my place,” he asked you, turning to look at you. “Promise,” you smiled, pecking his cheek. Smiling back, he gingerly set you on your feet, looking concerned when you winced. “Are you alright?” Hermione asked them. Dropping to her knees, she enveloped Circe in a hug as she cried freely. Alastor didn’t answer; he still had the dead look in his eye, staring blankly into the distance, seemingly indifferent to the cold around him. You were about to walk over to him when you saw his eyes swim back into focus. “H-Harry Potter?” Alastor blinked, life slowly seeping back into him. “Yeah,” Harry half-smiled, walking up to him. “Are you okay? You’re bleeding.” “I’ve been bleeding for months,” he answered darkly. “But not anymore, thanks to you.” “Honestly, I barely did anything at all,” Harry answered honestly. “In fact, I wasn’t even supposed to be here.” “But you are,” Alastor said simply. With a rush of emotion, you realized Harry was the answer. Though he might not have been the formidable wizard his reputation held him up to be, you saw he was the equal to Voldemort; he was the life to Voldemort’s death, the good to his evil. He always had been. More importantly, though, the people believed him to be Voldemort’s equal, the only hope against him. As long as Harry lived, and as long as people saw him living, fighting against Voldemort, hope would live on. Looking away from Harry and Alastor, you noticed Ron approaching you, shrugging out of his coat. “Here, you’ll freeze,” he said, holding the dark-blue fabric out to you. “Oh, no, I’m alright,” you lied, a cold shiver betraying you as the wind picked up. “I’m not taking it back,” he said stubbornly. “Besides, if you get this one all bloodied up, maybe Mum will buy me one of my own finally.” “Alright, thanks, Ron,” you said after a moment, smiling and taking the heavy fabric from him.
Pulling on the still slightly-warm fabric, the forest around you was suddenly filled with the yells of Sirius. “What? So, you just figured you go on and take him on yourself, did you? Aren’t you supposed to be the bloody smart one? I mean, exactly whatis the point of the mirrors if you don’t even alert me to at least let me know what you’re walking into? You could’ve died, you stubborn, detrimentally independent, crazy bastard! And then what? Just gonna leave me then too?” “No, of course–” Remus started, looking both pained and guilty. “No, I’m still bloody talking,” Sirius cut him off, looking fierce. “Don’t you ever do that to me again, Remus or I swear on James’ grave it’ll be me who finishes the job. In fact, if they hadn’t already done you in so well, I’d take you to the floor right now for putting me–us, through this. Matter of fact, where are the miserable sods? I’ve got some things to work out just now.” Tearing off once more towards the caves, Harry and Ron followed him dutifully while Tonks stood with Remus, grabbing his face and wiping the grime from it, the tears in her eyes freely falling.
“Oh, darling,” she said softly, pulling his tall frame down to her. After a moment, you saw Remus’ shoulders shake slightly, and looked away from the tender scene. “Guys, they really need a doctor, as does Y/N and Remus. We need to go,” Hermione fretted, using a cloth to sop up some of the blood on Alastor’s face. “I’ll go on and take Remus to Hogwarts, Madam Pomfrey will know where to start. The rest of you can meet us, yeah?” Tonks suggested. “Here, take Alastor too, I’ll bring Circe. I don’t think I’m strong enough to apparate with both just yet,” you said. “I forget they aren’t old enough yet,” Tonks sighed, gesturing for Alastor to join her. “Go on, Alastor, Circe, and I will be right behind you,” you assured him. “Alright,” he said, his voice dead again. With a pop, Remus, Tonks, and Alastor disappeared from view, leaving you, Hermione, Harry, Ron, Circe and Sirius in the cold.
Nymphadora Tonks visits the National gallery every Thursday. Remus Lupin happens to notice. Non magic au.
“ every artist needs a muse Remus. It’s like… the law “
A/N- this came to me after my growing obsession with moonknight and how much Steven reminds me of Remus. Also I am in fact not an art student, nor do I have any extensive knowledge of art. Of history for that matter unless you want me to dig out my GCSEs lmao. B grades in both tho ty . This might actually be my favourite thing I’ve ever written??? Enjoy!
Warnings: mentions of religious imagery. Some swearing. Non descriptive/explicit implied smut
Word count: 7.7k
Read below the cut or on AO3 if you prefer. Feedback is always welcome.
Remus loved his job quite frankly. He’d started working there 2 years ago when he’d decided that putting his extensive historical knowledge to some use would be a good idea. He was mostly stuck in the gift shop, but on Mondays and Thursdays he was a tour guide, that was the bit he loved the most.
Remus loved his job quite frankly. He’d started working there 2 years ago when he’d decided that putting his extensive historical knowledge to some use would be a good idea. He was mostly stuck in the gift shop, but on Mondays and Thursdays he was a tour guide, that was the bit he loved the most.
Remus loved his job quite frankly. He’d started working there 2 years ago when he’d decided that putting his extensive historical knowledge to some use would be a good idea. He was mostly stuck in the gift shop, but on Mondays and Thursdays he was a tour guide, that was the bit he loved the most.
It paid decently and wasn’t too far from his flat, a bus ride was all, and he got to wander around the exhibits on his lunch break even when he wasn’t touring. He was quite content.
But there was another reason he enjoyed his job. And Thursdays for that matter. Because Thursdays was when Nymphadora visited the museum. Every Thursday without fail for the past 2 years.
They’d grown quite close since she’d first appeared, often seeing each other outside of her museum visits too. But he did enjoy when she was there, nothing gave him more joy that watching her get lost on some tangent about one of the exhibits, watching her explain what the delicate lines of some of the artwork meant to her.
He knew the historical references, she knew the artistic ones.
She was studying art at uni. Well, had finished her course just last month actually and was now trying to make some kind of name for herself by selling her art online. She was unbelievably talented. Remus couldn’t fathom how she managed to create such beautiful pieces of work with just a pencil or some ink. He didn’t have any skills himself, he was almost jealous.
He’d managed to convince the museum owners to get some of her postcards in the gift shop, but it didn’t make her the kind of money she wanted.
His flat was littered with her work. She’d refused to let him buy from her at first, gifting her work to him but eventually she let up. Or just grew tired of having to give him back his money.
He reached the museum a few Minutes late after the bus was held up by a car accident in Mayfair. But there was no one there to scold him for it. So he dropped his bag in the staff room and made a run for his first tour, only just making it in time. It was only a small group, Thursdays were never particularly busy which is why Remus was convinced he’d been given that day to tour. Another kick from Severus. But he didn’t mind.
There was a new exhibit touring at the gallery and he’d spent weeks reading every possible book on the subject and took great joy in letting it all out. The group wasn’t particularly chatty so it didn’t last as long as some of his other tours but he didn’t mind much. Tourists liked to visit just to say they had, not because they had any real interest in what was on display.
School trips where what he hated the most. His and children had never particularly gelled well, but them in a museum was just a nightmare he liked to avoid. He’d lost track of the times he’d had to swoop in to stop some bored 10 year old trying to stick bubblegum to a priceless relic, or snatch a cap from a group of boys who wanted to try and land it on the head of one of the dinosaur skeletons in the fossil exhibit.
Neither adult or child tend to listen to him but he still gave all his knowledge anyway, usually catching the attention of one of two in group who generally wanted to learn.
He had hoped Nymphadora would’ve been at the museum in time for his first tour, she’d taken his tours so many times he probably knew his script word for word. But she always looked at him and listened to every word, soaking in every ounce of information he had to give. It was one of the reasons he liked her so much. She was hungry for knowledge all the time, and he had plenty of it to give.
After his tour ended he was in the gift shop for a few hours before his next one in the afternoon. He almost smashed his head against the wall when he saw he had a school class signed up for it. Today clearly was not his day.
It was 1 when Nymphadora turned up, strolling into the gift shop with a bright smile. Her hair was a little brighter than normal and he wondered if she’d dyed it again recently.
There was another thing he liked about her. She wasn’t afraid to stand out. He admired it. He could’ve practically camouflaged himself into the walls some days with how plainly he dressed. He liked to remain under the radar, sometimes feeling bolder and wearing a shirt with a slightly funky pattern under his jacket- sometimes. But he remained very…. Beige. Nymphadora was the opposite. Constantly bright, wacky prints and ripped tights, a nose piercing and bright pink hair.
He did often wonder why she liked spending so much time with him.
“ well good morning my favourite gift shop-ist. What is it we have today? ” she waltzed over to the counter and leant over to pluck one of the plastic Venus De Milos out of the basket, raising an eyebrow “ wonderful. Practically carved by the gods. I’ll take 4 ” she gave him her usual goofy grin and dropped it back again, leaning her hip against the counter “ you alright? ”
“ I’m wondeful. I’m here. Need I say more? ” she snorted a laugh at that, folding her arms over her chest.
“ yeah. Really living the dream aren’t you” she spun the turning stand on the counter that held postcards and bookmarks, eyeing up how many of hers had sold. She plucked one out and observed it for a moment and he knew she was scrutinising her own work. She always did.
“ that’s my favourite ” he said as he grabbed another basket of trinkets to price up “ it sells the best too. I like the colours ” a smile pulled at her lips and she put it back.
“ you like all my work ” he shrugged and placed his pricing gun down.
“ is that a bad thing? ” she looked up at him and narrowed her eyes slightly, tilting her head as if surveying him for a moment.
“ maybe. You’re allowed to see the bad in people. In things. I focus on the beautiful but the ugly can be just as interesting ”
“ like me then? ” he said as almost a joke, avoiding her eyes and looking down at the Pyramid paperweights in the basket.
“ you are far from ugly. Don’t get me started ” he would agree to disagree. He knew he wasnt exactly atrocious to look at, but he wasn’t exactly model material. He had been attacked by a dog as a child, a large scar across his face a permanent reminder. She called him interesting, a face that held a story. He didn’t believe her. Quite certain she was just trying to be polite.
Her on the other hand? He thought she truly were carved by the gods. He’d never laid eyes on a woman more beautiful in his entire life. Her wide eyes and her crazy hair, her slightly odd sense of style and her beaming smile. And her personality was just as beautiful as her face.
He’d realised he’d fallen in love with about a year ago. They’d been on one of their many walks of the museum and in a conversation about Isis and Osiris, they had gotten onto the topic of their own love life’s. He’d spiked with jealousy when she’d mentioned her on off ex boyfriend, pondering over the reason as to why for the rest of the day. And then he’d realised.
He’d convinced Severus to put him on back inventory for the next two weeks after that, not wanting to have to face her again. Convinced she could tell he had feeling soft her as if it written on his forehead.
“ got a tour this afternoon? ” she asked after they had fallen into a few moments of silence.
“ at 2 ” she nodded “ school group ”
“ fuck good luck with that one.. I want to check out the new Grecian exhibit, it’s here for a limited time right? ”
“ until the end of July ” he confirmed, picking up another box of miniature statues to start scanning. He didn’t even know what they were supposed to be a replica of.
“ I need something new to look at, I think I’ve drawn just about every other exhibit in this place. Twice over. Know anything about Grecian artwork? ” she asked whilst flicking through a leaflet promoting the new exhibit.
“ not particularly. Small pieces maybe. Though I have read just about every book available on it. You know my favourite is renaissance ” that has been one of the first things they had bonded over actually. He had been wondering the museum on his break and come across her recreating one of the scenes depicted on a wonderfully preserved vase. She’d noticed his staff badge and asked him for some information on the piece.
He’d gone off on quite the tangent, dumping every ounce of information he had and being unable to stop. She had told him some months later, when they had grown closer, that she loved when he did it. When he got so unbelievably engrossed in his knowledge that he could do nothing but blurt out everything. Eyes wide in amazement and awe and excitement, greedy for knowledge and to share it.
She’d also told him that it was thanks to him and his never ending stream of information on renaissance art and it’s history that’d she aced that segment of her course. He didn’t like to take the credit for that though.
“ well why don’t you and me go have a little look around it when you’re done? I’m sure between us we’ll figure it out ” they had done more laps of the museum than he could count, hours and hours of talking and observing and simple basking in the comfortable silence as they took in whatever exhibition was currently touring there. It usually ended in coffee at his place or hers, or on the warmer days a stroll around the park discussing whatever it it was that came to mind.
“ of course. Severus isn’t here… and I’m sure the cleaners won’t mind us strolling whilst they mop. Or. You could join the tour at 2? ”
“ you know I prefer our private tours ” she said and beamed a smile “ I’m going to sit in the fossil room I want to improve my bone texture. Cant get it quite right. I’ll be back here at close… 4? ” she gave him a nod and and he returned it “ right. See you at 4 ” he watched her stroll back towards the entrance of the gift shop, pulling her tote bag back onto her shoulder as it slipped.
“ Don’t be having a look without me! ” she warned with a mock look of sternness as she headed for the exit, an accusing finger pointing at him.
“ Cross my heart ” he said and draw a small cross over his chest, certain he could feel in hammering underneath his shirt as he did.
He was still smiling like an idiot as she left, practically gazing at the door she walked through. He was so pathetic. So pathetic. He really needed to get over himself. One of the other tour guides at the museum had been trying to set him up with a woman on the exhibition organisation team for weeks now. Maybe he should suck it up and ask him to set them up. Maybe that’d help him get over his infatuation. Maybe.
“ alright folks! That’s the end of our tour for today, I hope you had a wonderful time. Please feel free to browse the gift shop or visit our donations desk. All donations are greatly appreciated and go straight towards helping us maintain our wonderful exhibits. Enjoy the rest of your day! ” speak of the devil.
James dismissed his tour and headed straight for Remus. James’ tour looked about as enthusiastic as his own tour, not really hanging around for long.
“ alright mate ” James greeted, spinning the stand around on the counter a little faster than Remus liked. He was surprised it didn’t fall over.
“ alright ”
“ your mates in the gallery ” he said with a knowing smile, thinking that was clearly a wonderful conversation starter “ the funky one with the pink hair ”
“ Nymphadora ” he corrected.
“ that’s the one ” James crossed his arms over his chest and leant against the counter “ still fawning over her then yeah?” Remus rolled his eyes and left the counter to tidy up the pile of plush camels that someone had knocked over.
“ I’m not fawning. She’s my friend ” James followed, poking at the plushies absentmindedly with a frown. They were quite ugly.
“ right. Right. Gonna let me set you up with Mary then? ” he rolled his eyes again and turned to face him.
“ no. I told you so many times now- ”
“ because you fancy old pinky out there? ” James seemed highly amused by the entire thing, seemingly a 12 year old boy trapped inside the body of a married man.
“ James- ”
“ proper fancies you too you know. I’ve seen you both on your little nerdy talks. Aww Re! Do you want me to ask her for you? I’ll be your wingman! ” Remus ran a hand over his face in exasperation ready to slam his head against the wall “ you’re blind mate if you don’t think she fancies the arse off of you. The way she was looking at you the other week when you were reeling off all that crap about architecture during the Roman Empire? ”
He had to admit he hadn’t particularly noticed. Too caught up in wanting to give her the knowledge she seemed to crave as much as he did. He did admit that there was some kind of… tension? Between them. Something he couldn’t pinpoint and something he wasn’t sure if he was the only one sensing it.
It was silly though. No way would a person like Nymphadora Tonks ever look at him in the same way he looked at her.
“ she is my friend. We have common interests. Like friends do ” Remus said after a moment causing James to shrug and he raised his hands in defence.
“ alright alright. Still think you should give it a crack. A little snog never hurt anyone did it ” Remus had thought about asking her out a million times but never been brave enough to do it, not ready to risk losing her as a friend if she said no and he got the complete wrong idea. He was happy to sit and stew on his feelings and stay her friend.
“ James- ”
“ just take my word for it. As someone in the outside looking in. Gagging for you mate really ” Remus’ cheeks flushed and he opened his mouth to protest further but childrens laughter filtered into the gift shop and Remus saw his escape.
“ oh mate sorry. My next tour is here ” he said with a mock look of disappointment as the school children loudly piled into the front entrance “ I’ll catch you later ” James still seemed thoroughly amused but waved as Remus headed for the tour group.
He wondered if he just went on the date it’d shut him up. Maybe if he told him how awful it had been then he’d find someone else to play match maker for.
“ good afternoon and welcome to the national gallery! ” Remus greeted his rowdy group and prayed the tour would be over quickly.
When they reached the fossil exhibit he spotted Nymphadora immediately, sat in the corner with her legs pulled up under her on the bench, sketchbook balancing on her knees as she looked intently at the display a few feet in front of her. He could watch her draw for hours, so obsessed with her look of complete concentration as she got lost in her work.
He let his group wonder around, hoping their teacher would stop them from destroying anything. But before he even reached her a group of kids was attempting to climb the fence blocking off an exhibit and he hurried over to stop them.
The teacher seemed quite interested in the exhibit that Nymphadora was drawing and he took the opportunity to reel off some information. He was quite certain he could feel eyes on him and a glance in Nymphadoras direction confirmed it. She was watching him intently, apparently not catching his look at her. Or maybe she had and simply didn’t care about being caught.
Maybe James was right. Maybe.
Or maybe not.
He finished up his tour and at 4 she appeared in the shop again, announcing her entrance by throwing a stuffed scarab at his head. The exact line of plush toys he had tried to complain to Severus about last week, noting their incredibly inaccurate colourings, but had been ignored. He didn’t know why anyone would want to own a stuffed neon orange scarab.
Some of the things in the shop were quite sweet. In fact one of the stuffed versions of the great sphinx of Giza was owned by Nymphadora herself, she’d brought it on her second interaction with him and they’d gotten into a lengthy discussion on the absolute marvel that the monument was.
“ oi. Dozy, you’re on another planet again ” Nymphadoras hand was waving in front of his face and he blinked a few times to snap out of his memories.
“ sorry. Long day ” she tilted her head to the side in the most endearing way and reached out for his hand, clasping it in hers.
“ wanna skip the exhibit? We can just look at it next week if you want to I don’t mind? “
“ of course not. Let’s go “ she smiled and linked her fingers with his. He tried not to notice how perfectly they seemed to fit together.
“ good. Was hoping you wouldn’t bail on me, been wanting to spend time with you all day “ he walked with her out of the gift shop, flicking off the lights and they walked through the museum to the Grecian art exhibition.
“ you have? “ he asked after a few moments.
“ I have “ she squeezed his hand softly as she said it “ I like spending time with you. You know that “ they rounded the Roman Empire exhibition and then she spoke again “ how was your last tour? I know you don’t like the school groups…. Teacher seemed into it though “ he was certain that he heard a hint of something harsher in her tone… jealousy? Maybe he was hearing things.
“ I like to share my knowledge where I can. Children aren’t usually too interested. She was “ she hummed in response and was quite for a few more moments.
“ you look cute when you get into your ‘professor Lupin’ mode. Your face gets all bright, you get these little puppy eyes…She was totally into it. Think she liked you Re “ Remus stopped walking and raised an eyebrow at her. Where was she going with this? Why was that tone still lacing into her words.
“ Dora. What are you talking about? “ she dropped his hand and sighed, folding her arms over her chest.
“ nothing. I’m just saying… you don’t notice things. I bet you didn’t even notice she was totally into you? Did you? No. You don’t notice things… even when they’re very clearly right. In front. Of. Your face “ he felt like she was angry almost, something was poking under the surface of her words that he couldn’t quite see. He didn’t really know what he was supposed to say to her. She sighed and reached out for his hand again “ c’mon I wanna see the exhibition “
He took her hand again and let her lead him through Into the hall holding the Grecian art. She lightened up immediately, pulling him around the paintings and the statues like a kid in a sweet shop. He tried not to think about her odd conversation from before and let himself get lost in her joy, letting her excitement brush off onto him.
“ you see this? It’s so incredible ” she sighed almost dreamily, in awe of the statue before her “ it looks almost transparent, so soft and gentle. You’d never guess it was marble. You expect it to move under your touch. It’s magnificent ” she hovered a hand over the smooth stone as she spoke, tracing lines in the air to show him what she meant.
Her eyes were practically glowing in adoration of the art before her “ you know-” she continued “ they took such pride in their art. They were created so perfectly that people would worship them. Don’t you think it’s just. Mental. The detail and the time. All of this beauty from a chunk of marble. Fucking amazing ” she gushed, rounding a cabinet displaying some smaller pieces “ the Greeks glorified humans and the human body as the most important thing in the entire universe. They appreciated every inch of themselves as beautiful and took pride in showing it off in all its beauty ”
“ much like yourself ” Remus noted, Nymphadoras own love for finding the beauty in absolutely everything clearly showing it’s roots. She shrugged and turned to look at him with a beaming smile on her face.
“ yeah maybe ” she rounded another cabinet, walking quickly as if she was worried the relics might vanish “ look at this look here ” she said pointing into the cabinet “ I mean I could never… I like it though. I love people. I love humans. And they show them so perfectly. We all deserve to be worshipped ” she stood and read some of the boards beside the work, reading the details and the information.
“ you think so? ”
“ I do. People search for gods for guidance, gods are so prominent in the history of art across the entire world. But I always wondered, why worship a god when humans are so perfectly there. The Greeks had it down. Worship the humans as we deserve and treat your people like gods. Draw them like angels and sculpt their features into bronze and marble. Hang their likeness in a gallery for all to see. Maybe the art itself is the true god, hmm?”
He marvelled at the way her brain worked. The way she had such an intense and deep appreciation to art and it’s many forms.
But He was barely looking at the art. The relics. The sculptures. In that entire museum the only thing he wanted to look at was her. No gilded piece of art even came close to her. No statue of a goddess was worth worshipping to him, when she was right there. He would drop to his knee and pray to her like a god if he could, reveal every sin and every wish if it meant he’d be able to live under her gaze.
He was a goner. Truly. He might as well have torn his heart from his chest and presented it to her, it belonged to her anyway. Capture the image in oil and pastel and hang it amongst the others in the gallery.
His love for her was overwhelming.
“ Remus? You there? ” Nymphadoras hand waved in front of his face and he felt his cheeks burn.
“ yes. Sorry. Long day ” she smiled and nudged him
“ s'okay. Talking your ear off. C'mon i think they wanna close up anyway ” he wanted to rush an apology and tell her they should stay a little longer, but the cleaning crew had already been kind enough to let them stay past closing. So he murmured an agreement and he gestured for her to lead the way, a gentle hand at her back.
“ thank you ” he said as they passed by a cleaner waiting with a mop bucket and she gave him a gentle smile before heading into the exhibit. Thankfully it wasn’t raining when they stepped out of the museum but it was pretty chilly still, still half light out thanks to the winter nights having eased into spring ones.
“ it’s bloody Baltic ” she huffed and wrapped her jacket tighter around her. She always complained she was cold “ wanna come to mine? Coffee? Orrr a little something stronger? Huh? ” she nudged his arm with her elbow and wiggled her eyebrows. He chuckled and nodded.
“ coffee sounds amazing. Wake me up ” she scrunched her nose and linked her arm with his.
“ nice. Uber or tube? ”
“ tube. I know you love the tube ” he didn’t understand it at all. Maybe it was the fact she’d come from a wealthier family, never really having had to use public transport until she went to uni. They headed for charring cross with their arms still linked, her walking obscenely close to him. He was always warm and she was always trying to steal his body warmth when she could.
The tube was pretty busy, the rush hour in full swing. She stood close to him as the train grew fuller, a tight grip on his jacket as she was unable to keep herself steady in any other way. Her head only reached his shoulders and felt quite inclined to protect her, a hand on the pole and the other on her shoulder.
“ what was all of that about that teacher “ he asked quietly as they came to a stop, people filing out onto the platform. She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
“ what? “
“ back at the museum. You were being… odd “ she shrugged and dropped his gaze.
“ not important. Was just sharing my observations… open those little puppy eyes of yours a little wider and see what’s right in front of you. You might be surprised “ he didn’t want to press any further so they remained quiet for the rest of the trip.
The journey was relatively short and they were at the door of Nymphadoras flat in no time.
Her flat was as messy as the last time he’d been there, an organised chaos she’d called it. The type of mess that Remus wouldn’t be able to find anything, but Nymphadora knew where everything was down to that last paint brush. You could ask her for something from three years ago and she’d be able to pluck it out of a pile immediately. He kind of liked it though. His own flat was an absolute shambles, piles and piles of books everywhere, random notes and leaflets tacked to his walls and his fridge. Just a little more organised than hers.
She went around flicking on lamps and strings of fairy lights, she still hadn’t replaced the bulb of the main light in the flat clearly. He mentally noted to change it for her next time he visited.
“ coffee then yeah? ” he gave her a smile in answer and she wandered over to the kitchenette and flicked on the kettle and grabbed two mugs. He placed his jacket over the back of the sofa and wandered over to the stacks of canvas leant against the walls and the piece currently on her easel.
The majority of her work was clearly taken from life, naked bodies in every size. Shape. Colour. But in such a beautifully sensual way. Nothing seedy or even erotic about them. It was compelling. There were a few landscape pieces, one he noted as Russel square, but it was mainly people.
“ I like people. Had I mentioned that? ” she said, slightly teasing, at his shoulder as he reached his fingers lightly over the outlines “ we constantly find things that we hate about ourselves, always comparing ourselves to each other and trying to improve parts of ourselves to match someone else. I don’t understand it. I see beauty in everything, everyone. Things that people find disgusting about themselves… I make them see it as beautiful. Every line, wrinkle, scar. Their nose that they find too pointy, their eyes too small, the stretch marks painting their skin. It’s beautiful. All of it. We are beautiful. Humans ”
He could listen to her talk for hours, marvel at every word that left her lips that was just as unreal as the art she created. She was fascinating. He took the mug of coffee from her hands and took a sip even though it was too hot, trying to seem clamer than he currently was. She was looking at him with those eyes again. The way she so often did. A way he was sure mirror the way he so often looked at her.
It was almost infuriating. He wanted to straight up ask her how she felt, confess his own feelings for her right there and then and be damned at whatever the results would be. But he held his tongue.
“ everyone needs to have the same outlook as you ” she shrugged and placed her hand on his arm. It felt like it was searing into his skin.
“ maybe. But I guess if we did I’d be out of a job. And I quite enjoy making people feel better about themselves ”
He flicked through some more of the canvases, pulling out one from the middle. His cheeks flushed a little and he caught her smirking at him from the corner of his eye.
“ you’re like a worrisome old duchess you. The slightest hint of sexuality and you flush like a bloody beetroot ” she teased lightly, nudging him with her shoulder. The Painting simply showed two bodies entwined no explicit details even on show. But his cheeks still warmed “ I told you I like people ” she said quietly “ and I like how people… like people. We’re quite simple, humans. Made happy by simple things. Like the touch of someone else. Our bodies are our most prized thing. They get us through life, they heal us when we aren’t well and they carry us around where we want to go. I think it’s quite beautiful that we have a desire to share them with others. Don’t you? ”
He couldn’t exactly form an answer, suddenly too occupied with the way she was looking at him again. As if she was saying it as a suggestion rather than just a statement. He simply nodded before turning to look at the work in progress set up on her easel, some attempt to escape the subject before he broke all self control and confessed his undying love for her right there and then. Kissed her like he’d wanted too for the last year “ ah gonna have to use my imagination to finish that one. Model went and fucking vommed everywhere half way through. Sickness bug apparently. That was a first for me, puke mid session ” she waved her hand at it as if she didn’t really care for the piece anymore, sipping her coffee before placing it on the coffee table.
“ what do you have in mind for finishing it?” He asked.
“ I don’t know. Maybe something… mythical. Give him wings or something. Are you familiar with Alexandre Cabanel? He has this stunning oil painting of an angel. Might try my spin on that. The way he’s positioned is similar ” she mused to herself more than him, he could practically see the cogs spinning in her brain as she thought it over.
She caught him watching her, her eyes holding his gaze. As if he were one of her drawings. As if she had taken a paint brush to his skin and brought him to life herself. Maybe she had. Brought him to life that was. Brought some much needed joy and friendship into his previously lonely and grey life. She had brightened it up.
“ you should pose for me one day ” she said after a few moments. His cheeks flushed at the thought.
“ I don’t think- I’m not sure I’d be a very good model ” he stumbled over his words, sipping at his coffee before placing it down on the window ledge amongst various paint tubes and pots.
“ oh you would ” she reached up to touch his face, her fingers lightly tracing his features. Across his eyebrow and along the bridge of his nose, following his cheek bones and across his lips “ you’d be perfect. Really ” he wondered if she could feel how hot his skin was beneath her touch and he turned his head a little, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“ I’m not to sure about that. You clearly have a taste for drawing beautiful people ” he sat himself down on her sofa, certain his legs had turned to jelly and were about to give way beneath him.
“ I think you’re beautiful ” she said immediately, almost too quickly “ I do. I think you’re beautiful. I think you’re pretty” she urged and tilted her head to the side a little, watching him “ I have no greater inspiration than you ” he didn’t know what to say to that. Didn’t know what to even think about as a response.
His conversation with James flashed briefly in his mind. Had he been right? Did Nymphadora truly like him as he liked her? Or was this all simply artistic talk. Maybe he just completely had the wrong end of the stick and he was over thinking everything too much. But then there was the entire situation with the teacher…
She started rummaging around things, placing brushes into pots and trays. Tidying but not really seeming to be making anything neater.
“ you truly would want to paint me? ” he asked, a little quieter than he’d planned it. But if she noticed the wobble in his voice she didn’t say anything about it.
“ I would ” she turned back to face him again, a more gentle look on her face “ every artist needs a muse Remus. It’s like… the law ” she said after another few moments, with a raised eyebrow and her hands on her hips, a paint brush between her fingers.
“ muses are usually women, are they not? ” he tried, some half ditched attempt to get her to change her mind even though he knew he wouldn’t be able to. The thought of being so vulnerable even to her was terrifying. The thought of miss reading her signals was even more so.
“ a person that gives artistic inspiration ” she said and started rummaging around in piles of notebooks for something “ it’s like. Someone that gets them creative justices flowing you know? And you- ” she plucked out the notebook she wanted and flipped a couple of pages “ serve as bloody brillant inspiration ” she held the book out to him and inclined her head at him to look at it.
He looked down at the pages and realised he was looking at himself “ turn the page ” he did as he was told and started flipping through the pages, rough sketches and more detailed drawings done with Ink and one that seemed like it was drawn with crayons Remus handed out to kids in the gift shop. It didn’t feel like him. She’d drawn him so wonderfully, captured even the finest details on his face. Various expressions, locations, some of simply just his hands. His eyes.
She sat down beside him as he traced his finger over the lines of one drawing, following the curve of the scar on the left side of his face. How had he never noticed her doing these? So blissfully unaware and enamoured by her simple presence that he hadn’t had even an inkling.
“ see ” she said softly “ my muse ” her hand reached over for his, her finger making gentle circles across his palm. She was sat so closed to him that their sides were pressed together “ Remus ” she said softly, her fingers now trailing up his arm.
“ Dora… I have to tell you something I- ”
“ shh. you don’t ” her voice was almost a whisper, so gentle it set the hairs in the back of his neck on end. Her fingers had reached his face, dancing along his jaw and turning his face to look at her.
“ Nymphadora ”
“ I already know ” her face was close to his, he could feel her breaths on his face.
“ you do? ” she nodded, her eyes meeting his. If he hadn’t been sitting down he was certain he’d have fallen. The way she looked at him… “ you never said anything ”
“ yeah well neither did you ” her thumb brushed over his bottom lip and he felt like melting into the sofa.
“ we’ll- I- I- ”
“ I thought I’d made it ridiculously clear tonight. Maybe I didn’t “ now it did seem clear and he felt ridiculously stupid. She had been jealous. She did like him too.
“ maybe I’m just stupid “ she breathed a laugh and rolled her eyes.
“ Remus ” she moved even closer, her lips brushing his now “ you’re stalling ” maybe he was. Which was funny because he had wanted to kiss her for so long, and now he had the chance he was terrified. She waited a few more moments before seemingly growing impatient and it was happening. She kissed him.
He’d thought about kissing her for months, never brave enough to actually do it though. Never certain she felt the same way as he did. He was slightly clumsy with it, more than just a little out of practice and he did panic for a solid moment that maybe he was making an absolute shambles of the entire thing. But she was kissing him back with such fever that he guessed he must have been doing something right.
She pulled away first, her eyes searching his face to see if he was going to protest.
“ you okay? ”
“ never better ” he kissed her again, in some new found confidence with the knowledge that his year of pining hadn’t been pointless. She liked him just as much as he did her.
His hands were cautious as they slid up from her shoulders to cup her face, almost desperate to feel how soft her skin would feel under his fingertips. They parted for a brief moment, her breath on his lips sending a shiver up his spine, before she dived right back in again. She kissed him as though he were the last man to walk the earth, the last drop of water in a draught. And he let her drink him in, taking whatever she wanted from him for he was hers. Wholeheartedly. Completely.
That tension he’d been feeling for so long had never felt more strained, like an elastic pulled too far and just seconds away from snapping.
She pushed lightly at his chest, urging him backwards and he followed her lead. She propped herself over him, every point her body touched his burning even through his clothes. He felt her fingers working at the buttons of his shirt and she pulled away from him, holding herself up to run a hand down his chest.
“ work of art ” she whispered softly “ you are. You really are ” she placed her hand flat across his heart and he wondered if she could feel how fast it was hammering beneath her fingers “ carved to perfection like the gods ” he couldn’t take his eyes off her as she looked at him, it was the way he looked at her. James that son of a bitch, maybe he’d been right all along.
He didn’t know where his confidence came from, maybe it was her. Maybe it was her own desperation for him that pushed him to forget how scared he was.
“ Dora “ he breathed against her lips. She pulled away and looked down at him, her fingers pushing his curls away from his face
“ you okay? Wanna slow down? Sorry i can be a bit… over confident sometimes. Just. Just waited so long “ she seemed a little embarrassed and he cupped her face with his hand and gave her a warm smile. She’d never looked more beautiful to him as she did now.
“ I was actually checking if you were okay but… clearly you are “ she gave a small laugh before dropping her head down to his neck.
“ mhm never been better “ he was quite certain she kissed every inch of his neck, making her way back to his lips and kissing him until no air remained in his lungs.
It all happened in a blur, one second they were on the sofa and then they were on the floor. Her clothes were gone and he was determined to touch her inch of her and commit it to memory, worship her like the statues and gods she was so obsessed with.
He was certain nothing would ever come close to the sounds she made as he writhed beneath him, the way her skin felt so soft under his fingertips. He whispered every compliment and word of praise he could think of, ensuring she truly would feel like those gods. An ethereal made to be worshipped completely and wholly.
He framed her head between his arms as he rocked into her, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist. He tried to hold every change her face made to memory, the way she gasped his name into his ear and clawed at the skin on his back.
“ you’re so beautiful “ he whispered into her mouth as they kissed again, she simply whimpered his name in response and tried desperately to pull him closer to her.
She finished first. Her back arching off the floor and her fist clenching at his hair almost painfully. It triggered his own climax and his head dropped onto her chest as they lay in silence for a few minutes, their heavy breathing the only sound in her flat.
“ Remus “ she said softly once her breathing had returned to an almost normal level, her hands gently lifting his head to look at her. Strands of pink hair were sticking to her forehead, her lips were swollen from being practically abused with how much he had kissed her, her cheeks flushed pink.
He’d never laid eyes on anyone more beautiful in his entire life.
“ are you okay? “ she asked, her thumbs brushing over his cheeks gently.
“ never been better “ he quoted her from earlier and she smiled, pulling him down to kiss him again.
——————————-
Remus woke up to the sound of music playing quietly on the radio, the sunrise outside shining in through the window. He stretched his arm out to feel for Nymphadora, but his fingers only felt cool sheets. He opened his eyes to see she definitely wasn’t there. He sat up on his elbows and blinked the sleep from his eyes, glancing around the flat for her.
“ don’t you dare move Remus ” she was stood by her easel a paintbrush in one hand and mug in the other, dressed in only his button down shirt from yesterday “ I’m almost done ” he wasn’t woken up enough to comprehend what was happening, so followed instructions and let his head fall back down onto the pillow “ my god, effortlessly perfect. If I wasn’t so close to completing a masterpiece I’d fucking jump you right now ” he gave a small laugh and pulled the sheets higher up from where they’d pooled in his lap, the early morning chill catching him through the window.
“ you’re so bossy ” she simply shrugged and took a sip from her mug.
“ I know. Also don’t mind me borrowing do you? I was in a rush. It was there. Don’t worry. No paint on it ” she said, not looking at him as she tilted her head to observe her work.
“ suits you far better ” she glanced over at him with that, a smirk on her face.
“ you are not making this any easier for me “ she noted, her paintbrush moving against her canvas again.
“ won’t you come back to bed then? “ he said and patted the empty space beside him. She glanced at him over the top of her easel and he almost melted on the spot.
“ I’m working. Now be a good muse and stay still “ he raised his hand and gave her a mock salute before getting comfy again.
“ where has this confidence been all along huh? “ she asked, chewing on the end of her paintbrush as she seemed to observe her work again “ not that I am complaining. Not at all “ She sipped at ber coffee before glancing over at him again.
“ I’m not entirely sure “ he said truthfully and tried to understand it for himself. Maybe it was the lack of worrying about over stepping with her now, or maybe simply because he was just… happy. Either way he has always felt more comfortable around her than anyone else. Maybe it was a good thing.
She continued painting for a future half an hour before finally announcing she was done.
“ okay. C'mere. Take a look ” she tossed his underwear at him from where it was discarded on the floor from last night, which he tried his best to not look awkward putting on, before walking over to where she stood “ what do you think then my muse? ” she’d painted him asleep there in her bed. She must have been up for hours doing it.
“ Nymphadora it’s Incredible ” she smiled and shrugged, finishing the last of her coffee and placing the mug down.
“ I woke up at like 3 to pee. Came back and you were just lying there looking like that. Couldn’t help myself ” he’d never imagined he could look the way he did in the painting, was this how she saw him? She hadn’t lied when she said her paintings made her clients feel better about themselves.
“ I really don’t know what to say. You’re so unbelievably talented… Dora it’s beautiful truly “
“ yeah? Like it? “ she wrapped her arms around his waist and rose up on her tip toes to brush her lips against his “ told you you’re my greatest inspiration. My muse “
