𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. ʀ. ʟᴜᴘɪɴ

twenty-six

"I cannot believe he tried to do all of that, what's even more brilliant was that it just took you punching him in the face to take him down," Remus griped out as he helped Evangeline pack her things up to go home for the summer. 

"I can't believe he thought he could take me."

"Always the confident one," Remus said, "are you sure you're okay?" he asked worriedly, placing his hands on her arms gently. 

"I'm fine, darling," she said quietly, kissing his forehead. 

"I love you."

She smiled and kissed his lips, "and I love you."

"I've actually been meaning to ask you something..."

"Oh?"

"Did you want to maybe spend the summer with me?"

She chuckled, "Remus, what are we, sixteen? I thought we'd be doing that without questions."

He snickered, "that's not what I meant. I thought maybe you could... move in with me? You can say no, of course, but I just thought it'd be a good idea. I like the idea of us living together."

She wrapped his arms around his neck, "that sounds like a lovely idea."

Evangeline spent one day in her home packing a few things to bring to Remus' cottage, feeling excitement bubbling in her stomach. Sure, they'd spent countless nights together, but living together was something entirely different. 

"Perhaps I should tell Dumbledore I don't need my own quarters for the next year," Evangeline said as she put clothes away into a drawer that Remus emptied for her. 

"That sounds like a lovely idea," he giddily said, sitting at the edge of the bed watching her. 

She turned to him, catching his kid-like smile. 

"What's with that look?"

"Nothing, I'm just really excited about this."

She walked to him, placing her hands on his shoulders, "if I knew you'd get this excited about us living together I would have suggested it a long time ago."

"When the moon is full, lock the bedroom door, will you?"

"Remus..."

"Please, I know you don't like it, but it's just to be safe."

"I hate doing that," she quietly said, "I hate hearing you scratching at the door and whimpering for me to let you in. There's no need for it."

"It's okay. Now that I'm home, Pads can keep me company."

She sighed, "so he can be with you on full moons but I can't?"

"He's an animagus, Evangeline. He can handle me should I turn violent."

"But you won't!" 

He ran a hand over his face with a sigh, "I don't want to fight about this, Evangeline."

"Neither do I, but you have got to realize that Wolfsbane is quite effective and it hasn't let you down, nor will it. I don't like you pushing me away because of this, Remus."

"I do it for your safety and because I love you. Please, Evangeline, I know you don't like it but you have to accept it if we're going to do this."

She let out a small huff, "fine."

He tugged her into his lap, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, "I do it because I care."

"I know. Doesn't make it any less frustrating."

"I'm sorry, darling. I really am."