Tonks tripped blearily through the living room, falling hard against the door despite the fact that she had cleared all potential stumbling blocks out of the way. Wand held at the ready she cracked the door a bit. She bit back her surprise at finding Remus Lupin standing outside the door.

She opened the door, rubbing her eyes and smiling at him. "What a pleasant surprise," she greeted him.

He looked her up and down. Hair a very average chestnut at the moment, overlarge t-shirt falling off one shoulder, soft cotton shorts that hugged her hips, purple nails and her wand held firmly in hand.

"Did I wake you?" he asked.

"Sorry." She bit down a yawn. "I'd been up 48 hours, just got home at noon. What time is it?"

"Eight in the evening," he said. "But I didn't mean to wake you." He turned to go.

"Come in," she said, opening the door more widely. "That's eight hours. I'll put some tea on." He paused and she shook her head. "You never come by. Curiosity will kill me if you don't get in here."

He gave her a rueful smile and came into the kitchen. When she stood on the balls of her bare feet to reach into the cupboard he pulled the tea down for her. "Thank you," she said, brushing his hand as she took it.

She carried the tea into the living room and sat down, motioning for him to do the same. She was pleasantly surprised when he sat on the couch next to her.

He hid a smile behind his tea cup when, on the first sip, her hair turned a bright and pleasant red.

She pulled one bare leg up and turned to look at Remus, the cup cradled in her hand. "That's better. Now what can I do for you?" He cleared his throat, looking around the room, everywhere but at her. Her eyebrows drew together. "Is something the matter?"

"No. Well…no. It's just, Dumbledore is sending me on a mission. I'll be gone for a while."

"Is it dangerous?"

"It may be. No more than being here, most likely," he said with a rueful smile.

"Is there something you need from the Ministry? It's not too late, I could go there now."

"No, just the opposite. There's just…something I wanted to do before I go."

She twittered a bit, putting down her cup and putting a hand to her head. "I'm sorry, it's sleep depredation. My head is going places…"

"Maybe you should go with it."

She gave him a wide eyed look. "Now I know I'm hallucinating."

He reached out took her hand. "That night, I told you you deserved to be made love to, and you said I should do it."

She swallowed. "I remember."

He kissed her knuckles. "The full moon is two weeks away. And in case something does happen to me…I don't want your only memory of me to be that."

"You're saying you want to…"

He looked her in the eyes his lips still on her hand. "Make love to you, if you would allow me."

She blinked at him. "But to do that don't you have to be…sort of…in love with me?"

He closed his eyes and looked away, nodding. "I'm afraid I am very much in love with you, Nymphadora Tonks." She looked at him, mouth open. "Well, if nothing else I've managed to render you speechless. I consider that an accomplishment at least."

"I don't…what do you say to that?"

"Well, ideally yes. Although no is always an option, and I would certainly understand it. You can send the old man on his way at any time."

"I…yes." She pounced on him and he laughed, rushing to set his cup down before it spilled everywhere. He found himself nose to nose with her, leaning away as she tried to kiss him and laughing as he pushed her back. "Patients, Tonks," he whispered to her, setting her firmly back on the couch. "We've done this. Tonight is something different." He stood and offered her a hand. "Shall we go to the bedroom?"

Giving him a curious, if eager, look she took his hand and followed him to her mussed bedroom.

She blushed when he entered; moving as if to clean up, but he drew her to him. "I don't care if your bed isn't made or you have a few clothes on the floor," he told her, running a hand down her cheek. "I love this room and the lopsided curtains and the," he glanced back at her bed and chuckled, "and the stuffed owl you sleep with."

She blushed deeper. He reached back to hit the light switch so he could see what color her hair was. A deep velvety red, nearly burgundy, bloomed from her head. Glancing up she blushed more and forced it to a violet. "What color do you like?"

He smiled down at her. "I'm very fond of the color you wore when we first met."

She shrugged. "What was that?"

"You don't remember?"

"I change it a lot."

"Pink. Light pink. And it was spikes but I will admit I like your hair a little longer. Something I can run my fingers through."

She grinned at him, hair turning the perfect shade of pink and falling to her shoulders. "Perfect," he said, running his fingers over her cheek and back into her hair. Then he leaned down to kiss her.

He didn't devour her as he had last time. Although she eagerly parted her lips he merely pressed his lips reverently to hers, tilting his head to get close without encountering her nose, but just as quickly he drew away. She had the irrational urge to stomp her foot and demand he kiss her properly as she knew very well he could but before she could do anything he returned his lips to hers. He lingered longer this time, hands cradling her head to hold her there. He started taking small sips, pressing his lips to hers and withdrawing with the lightest brush of tongue until she was breathless and flushed. He pulled back then to take her in, a tender smile on his lips. "Beautiful," he whispered into her ear, placing a kiss on the baby soft skin in front of her ear, then down to brush light kisses over her throat, the stubble of his chin and soft brush of his eyelashes lingering longer than his lips.
Her hands fisted in his robes as she swayed, starting to feel lightheaded from the sensation. He seemed to notice because suddenly he ducked and swung her legs out from under her, settling her solidly in his arms. She shrieked and nearly knocked him silly in the mad scramble to catch his neck.
He laughed at her frantic movements offering a soft, "Shhh," as he walked easily toward the bed. "I have you."
She nodded, getting lost for a moment in the intensity of his eyes. She couldn't look away as he bent to lay her achingly slowly on the bed. He planted another quick kiss on her lips before he whispered, "You seem to be a bit overdressed. Shall we do something about that?"
She nodded as he fingered the bottom of her shirt but added, "I could say the same of you. At least I'm down to one layer."
"Your wish is my command." Smiling he stood and slipped his robes off, discarding his tie and button down, leaving him in a thin white tank top. He kicked off his shoes and shed his socks before he settled himself over her on the bed. "Better?"
"Better," she agreed with a smile but her roving hands snagged the hem of his shirt and pulled it off. He chuckled as he ducked his head and pulled first one arm than the other from the item. "That's much better," she said, tossing it away.
He watched her with an indulgent smile as her fingers explored his chest. Her eyebrows rose as she felt hard muscle under her fingers. "Why do you hide all this under so many clothes? You're so fit."
"You don't have to sound so surprised," he chuckled, eyes suddenly studying his fingers as he ran them through her hair. "It makes the transformations easier if I stay in decent shape. I'm rather devoted to it."
"Well I'm certainly not going to complain," she giggled at him.
"Thank you," he acknowledged. "But I'd much rather get back to you." She nodded as he reached for her shirt, the lightest blush painting her cheeks as he drew the fabric up and over her head, her arms obediently raised to assist.
When the shirt was discarded she rested her fingertips on the corded muscled of his upper arms that supported his weight. She watched intently as his eyes took her in. "I can, you know, bigger if you-"
His eyes cut to hers and he looked suddenly severe as he said, "Don't you dare. This is all you?" She nodded and his face softened as he kissed her again. "You're perfect," he whispered to her and his hand tentatively explored her soft skin. His hand spread as his tongue met hers, skirting her breast, circling before his thumb brushed over the nipple with the barest touch. Still it was enough to leave the girl arching into his hand and hissing into his mouth.

He grinned at her and withdrew, kissing his way down her neck and over her breastbone, nuzzling his way under her breast before sweeping back up to envelope the sensitive nub in her mouth. She cried out as she arched into him again. "Fuck, Remus."

"Not yet," he whispered, rubbing his stubbled chin over her and she mewled at him. "I could get used to that sound," he said as he kissed his way lower, laving at her belly button and pausing over her stomach.

"Dora?"

"Hm?" she gasped.

"I think it's time to dispense with your pants." He ran his fingers under the elastic of the waistband. "May I?"

She giggled at him. "You think you need permission now?"

"A gentleman always asks."

She grinned at him. "Take off yours first," she said with a daring grin.

"So demanding," he said with an answering smile, disposing of his pants. She purred at the bulge in his boxers, foot reaching out to encounter it but he intercepted. "I'm not done with you yet."

He pulled her pants and underwear away in one, raising an eyebrow at the flash of pink hair.

She shrugged. "My hair's the color I turn it."

"Could you differentiate?"

"I suppose I could. It just takes more concentration. And I am having a little trouble concentrating at the moment for some STRANGE reason," she giggled, hooking her leg around him and pulling him close.

"Demanding minx," he said, taking her foot and kissing the toes. She drew in her breath as he leaned forward, kissing his way up her leg, tracing the other hand down the back of the opposite leg. He took his time on the back of her knee; an area she had never before realized was so sensitive, before continuing down. He paid special attention to the juncture of her legs and hips. "Remus," she sighed. "Please."

He placed one final kiss above the trail of pink hair before he spread her and leaned down to run his tongue delicately over her, wrenching a cry from her. "Remus," she moaned. He rewarded her by doing it again before bringing his fingers in to play so that he could watch her eyes roll back in her head. He rolled the pads of his fingers in smooth circles over her, watching her wind up slowly. He gave into the temptation dip his fingers into her, sighing at the soft, warm, very wet crevice that waited for him and chided himself as it took every ounce of self control to hold himself back. He continued to coax her higher, laying over her as her muscles corded. Her legs hugged his hips and her fingernails dug into his back while she folded her head into his shoulder, her teeth slipping over his throat.

He sighed, focusing on his fingers and her breathing until she slipped over the edge, seizing around him. He slipped a finger into her again so he could feel her muscles contract around him. He continued to move, dragging it out as her breathing evened.

She pulled her head back to look at him, eyelids drooping, stretching her slackened muscles. She ran a hand over his cheek. "Why did you do that?"

He kissed her lips briefly. "I wanted to see that. I wanted to make you feel that. With just my fingers no less."

She shook her head at him. "Do it again. Without your fingers this time."

He grinned. "I would love to," he whispered, sloughing off what remained between them and allowing their hips to meet. Letting her feel him. She reached up to kiss him, her hand guiding him into her. He sighed as he lowered himself achingly slowly and completely into her, stopping buried in her, staring at her.

She met his eyes, reaching up to him. "Perfect," she sighed. "Like this is where you belong."

He nodded. "I love you, Dora."

She sighed. "I love you too Remus."

He moved, removing himself and pressing back in. "I love you." He buried his face in her neck, whispering it each time. He reached down between them, grinning against her when she cried out at the brush of his fingers.

"How-" she gasped out, "-how are you so fucking GOOD at that?"

"I like a well sated lover," he said, his brow knitting and his breath hitching. "And when you do THAT with your muscles." He gasped again. "That's just heaven. You're so amazing," he whispered to her, pressing her hair back and kissing her softly and sweetly as he continued his gentle rhythm. There was no frenzied clash of hips and gritted teeth. He would pull back and then press himself gently back into her, nestling firmly between her hips and pausing there for just a moment before he did it again. He carefully bore all of his weight on his arm and continued to move his fingers in that hypnotic way, all the while keeping his head close enough to kiss her lips, her neck, whispering how beautiful she was and how much he loved her and how good she felt.

She was vaguely aware that she wasn't helping matters as his fingers coupled with him moving inside her quickly wound her back up. Her movements were frenzied, her hips coming up to meet him eagerly, nonsensical sounds issuing from her mouth with increasing urgency.

She cried out his name as she topped the rise again, and he had to stop with himself buried in her as her muscles clenched around him. As much as he wanted to see her he had his eyes screwed tightly shut as the barrage of pleasure swept over him.

He stayed still as she came back down, waiting for her breathing to even.

Finally she opened her eyes and looked at him. "Why'd you stop? Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "Just waiting for you." He shifted again. "Does that feel like anything is wrong?"

She sighed at the feel. "No. Just fucking move would you?"

He laughed again and obliged. This time his movements weren't as smooth. She was so warm and wet and occasionally her muscles would spasm around him, eating away at his control. He needed both of his arms now to hold himself up but her moans seemed to indicate she didn't mind. He sped up, breathing fast, their slick bodies sliding on each other. Their kisses were a heated meeting of lips, her hands were everywhere on him, urging him on, her chocked whispers begging for more. He gave it to her, driving harder into her, pressing himself closer.

He was startled as she was when she suddenly bowed beneath him a third time, and completely unprepared for the way her body suddenly hugged his, milking his member, begging for more.

It sent him over the edge. He growled into her neck. His orgasm didn't seem to end, tiny shocks rolling through long after he thought he was done. He rolled away from her, afraid his arms would give out when lights started to flash behind his closed eyelids.

He lay there, gasping desperately for breath, completely spent. He felt like his heart was about to beat out of his chest. When he could finally talk he looked at her. "Are you going to feel bad if you give me a heart attack?"

"Me?" she repeated. "Seems like you were doing most of the giving."

He looked up at her, smiling at her sloppy grin. "I've never had an…experience like that."

"Glad to hear it," she said, crawling onto his chest. "Because I haven't either."

He picked up a tendril of bright blue hair and tickled her shoulder with it. "That's interesting."

She looked at it. "Huh. Didn't intend to do that."

"How about the orange and yellow?"

"What?" she asked.

"Well, the first time you," he cleared his throat, "your hair went orange. The second time it went half blue and I'm guessing on the last go you snuck some yellow in there."

"Really?" She sat up to try to catch her reflection I the mirror. "I usually can't even do two colors at once."

"No one ever told you you did that before?"

She grinned cheekily down at him. "Well there aren't many that get me there twice, let alone three times." Her hair turned pink again, which caught her eye and made her huff. "Yeah, now that I'm thinking about it…"

"Sorry," he said, opening his arms. "But maybe you can come back to me instead of going in search of a mirror."

She grinned as she flopped back on his chest with a contented sigh.

"So I have to ask," he said after a few moments of comfortable silence. "Which do you like better?"

"Hm?" she asked, her foggy brain not taking the meaning.

"The wolf or me."

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, let's not make it sound like I'm going around shagging dogs, could we please?"

He laughed. "Noted."

She considered. "Well, if we want to go at it from a numbers standpoint it would be 3-2 for tonight."

He chuckled. "And if we don't?"

She shrugged. "I like them both," she answered. "There's nothing wrong with hot passionate sex." She looked up at him and smiled. "And there's nothing wrong with slow lovemaking. Especially when it gets hot and passionate at the end."

"Variety is the spice of life?" he suggested.

"Exactly." She lay back down on his chest. "Will you be here in the morning?"

"I would love to but I can't. I'm supposed to leave tonight and I haven't even packed yet." He ran his hands through her hair. "I'll stay until you fall asleep."

She snorted. "So ten minutes?"

"I think I'll have to stay a little longer than that so I can indulge myself watching you."

"Just be careful, okay?"

"I'll do my best. Knowing I have this to come back to I'd be mad not to."

She smiled and went to sleep with the thought that when he came back they could embark on a real relationship.