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Title: New Year's Day
 “It’s just bruised.” “The fuck it is, Remus,” Tonks replies. “You’re limping, and you look a mess.” He clears his throat with an irritated cough and settles into the lumpy old sofa in the centre of their shared flat. It’s the morning after a full moon and Remus has just returned home from a night with Fenrir’s pack. “No, no, bed,” Tonks insists. “Stop it,” he says. “You know how this goes.” “Yes, I do, and I’m clever enough to see you’ve got a cold now and you’ve hurt your leg, so do as I say and get to bed.” He doesn’t reply, but instead turns his head to the side and sneezes into his elbow. Hehh’txxt! “What did I tell you?” Tonks exclaims, triumphant. “And even if you hadn’t sneezed, I can tell. Your color’s off.” “What color is paler than pale?” Remus asks wearily. “I’d say cherry-nose red is a different hue altogether,” Tonks replies. “I didn’t say I wasn’t sick,” Remus admits between sniffles. He digs into his pocket for a handkerchief and blows his nose congestedly. Tonks’ expression softens and she sits at his side. “Love,” she says. “I know you don’t want a pity party. I’m not offering one. Just let me get you a cup of tea and you can have a nap. That’s all I’m asking.” “Fine,” he concedes, standing awkwardly as he attempts to keep his weight off the injured leg. Tonks catches him under the arm and lets him lean on her, starting the slow hobble to the bedroom. He stops midway, eyes fluttering. Hehhh’tsxxt! He sneezes uncovered, unable to hold it back, practically into Tonks’ shoulder. “I’m sorry,” he says, embarrassed. “Merlin, I’m sorry. And on New Year’s Day, of all days. I hope you at least went and did something fun last night without me.” “It’s fine,” she says. “You couldn’t help it. And I stayed here. I hoped you’d come home today and I wanted to be up early to meet you.” She helps him into bed and pulls up the covers. He looks up at her through heavily-lidded eyes. “You’re lovely, you know that?” he says. “And you’re exhausted,” she replies, brushing a stray hair from his brow. “Forget the tea. Get some sleep.” She crawls onto the bed at his side, curling herself against his slight frame. He’s been staying with Fenrir’s pack more frequently and it seems to be a greater strain every time. He’s been sick twice this winter already and Tonks is worried. Remus is asleep almost instantly, snoring loudly through his congestion. Tonks pulls another blanket over him and cuddles next to him for a long while, fingers twined in his grey hair. He wakes later with a snort and sits up quickly, sputtering. He can’t breathe through his reddened nose and he groans audibly, trying to blow out some of the congestion into a handkerchief. Tonks sits up and puts a hand reassuringly on his back, supporting him as he strains to clear his sinuses. “Oh, love,” Tonks murmurs. “You sound awful. Wait here and I’ll fetch something to help.” She slides out of bed and goes to the kitchen, filling a bowl with water and performing a heating spell, causing the basin to fill with a thick steam. Towel and bowl in hand, she returns to Remus and sets to bowl carefully on his lap. “Lean forward,” she instructs as she drapes the towel over his head. He leans over and lets the steam loosen his blocked nose. He begins to sniffle audibly and she passes him a fresh hankie. “Get it out,” she says, stroking his back. “Do you know how helpless you feel if you have a full cup of coffee in your hand and you start to sneeze?” Remus says as he tips his head back up, pushing off the towel. “This is a little bit like th-” His breath hitches as Tonks moves quickly to get the bowl off his lap. He pitches forward with a heavy sneeze. Hurhhh’tchxxt! “I guess it helped a little,” Tonks says with a laugh as she hands over another handkerchief and Remus blows his nose with greater ease. “I don’t suspect this is how you imagined the first hours of 1997 would pass,” Remus remarks as he slumps back into the pillows. Tonks sits at his side, tucking her head against his chest. “I imagined I’d spend it with you,” she says. “I didn’t care where or how. This is perfect.” A smile flickers across his face briefly. “Happy New Year, love,” he says. “Happy New Year, Remus.” |
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