Ad Infinitum (Remus Lupin X Reader)

XLII • Histrio

XLII • Histrio • Actor

I watched through drooping eyelids as Remus returned from the bathroom and dropped onto the bed, sliding his fingers up my calves as he kneeled by my feet.

"Are you going back to sleep?" he asked quietly.

"Maybe," I mumbled in response. "I'm tired."

"We have to be up in thirty minutes," he said.

I whined and buried my face in his pillows, relishing in the feeling of the warm, soft covers against my face. The bed shifted as he moved to rest beside me.

"Want the morning off?" he asked.

"No, I just have to wake up," I said.

"I can wake you up, love," he said, dipping his head to press a kiss on my collarbone.

I immediately felt more alert, catching his eyes. "Huh?" A smile grew on his face and he dragged his nose up my neck.

"I can wake you up," he repeated, peppering kisses along my jawline, his hand resting on my neck.

"Okay."

"Come on," he said and stood up, holding his hands out to me. I frowned and let him help me to my feet. "I have to shower."

"Should I go back to my room?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.

"No, I want you to come with me," he said. My heart lurched in my chest at his words. "Are you coming?"

"Uh, yeah," I said, following after him dumbly when he pushed into the bathroom, watching as he pulled his shirt over his head. Heat came in waves in my skull, coloring my cheeks and making my knees tremble.

I watched as Remus turned on the shower, his back to me. He adjusted the water and pulled off his pants before turning to me. I looked away from him.

"Are you showering fully dressed?" he asked, and I could hear the teasing smile pulling at his lips.

"Oh, well, no, I don't think so," I stammered, grasping the hem of my shirt to take it off, but faltering shyly.

"You don't have to," he said, reaching to brush his thumb over my cheek. "It's up to you. If you're not comfortable, I can shower alone. It won't hurt my feelings; I just want you to be comfortable."

"No, I want to," I said and pulled my shirt off, shrinking a bit under his gaze.

"You're beautiful," he said and kissed the corner of my mouth. "Take your time."

Remus stripped off his underwear and stepped into the shower, leaving the door cracked open behind him. I clumsily pulled my clothes off and left them in a pile on the floor, taking a deep breath before I opened the shower door. My breath hitched in my throat at the sight of him rinsing his body wash away, and I tried to keep my eyes on his face.

Remus stepped back to make more room for me in the small shower, his eyes slowly traveling down my body. I shuffled on my feet nervously.

"Come here," he muttered, his hand resting on the side of my neck, just brushing the underside of my jaw. "Can I wash your hair for you?"

"Uh, sure," I said. He pressed a kiss on my forehead and gently turned me around, running his fingers through my hair as it got wet. He lathered shampoo on his hands and rubbed it into my scalp, drawing the suds down to the ends of my hair. I let my eyes fall shut and swayed on my feet, exhaling deeply. The scent of the shampoo he kept in his shower for me filled the shower.

"I love your hair," he said as he began to rinse the soap from my hair.

I hummed in response, my eyes still shut. I heard the conditioner bottle click open and felt his hands massaging my scalp again. Between his gentle touch and the comforting steam of the shower, I felt completely relaxed.