[Author’s note: This is where it refers to, and looks almost identical, to the chapter “Painting a Picture” from my Remus/Tonks fanfic, “Shaded With Patience”. It’s not really adventurous now, but then again… their whole relationship is an adventure, isn’t it?]
I grabbed a ragged cloth from the linen closet and a bottle of essence of dittany from the kitchen, for my forehead wounds. Back in the living room, I settled on the couch with Remus, laying the cloth on one knee and putting a few drops of the medicine onto it.
“Let me,” he insisted. Water formed behind his hazel eyes. He took the cloth and gingerly dabbed at my cuts. Then he set the cloth and bottle on the small table to the right of us. “I don’t get it. You should want to break it off with me, after what just happened.”
I gave him a big, goofy smirk. “Remus Lupin, it’s going to take more than that to get rid of me.”
“You’re impossible,” he joked lovingly.
I buried my head in his shoulder, which I’d done many times before. What can I say? I was so comfortable resting on him.
“Tonks, do you realize that it’s been two years since we met?”
I beamed at him for remembering. “How could I forget?” That first tender moment we’d shared as strangers had been something out of a fairytale.
Remus continued: “Even then, I knew you were going to be different from the other people in my life. All the time we spent getting to know each other proved it. Despite keeping my distance, I still loved you. And look at where we are now. ” He pushed away a strand of my hair. “I’m getting into my middle-age years. And let’s face it; I may be killed soon.”
Tears suddenly poured out of me. “Oh, please don’t talk like that!” I pleaded. Just the thought of losing Remus already was too horrible.
He wiped the tears off my face. “I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said softly. “But there’s a war being fought as we speak. What do you say we make up for lost time?”
I sat up immediately. “Remus… what are you asking?”
“Marry me, Nymphadora Tonks.”
-See, what did I tell you?
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
