Worth More Than a Sapphire

Chapter 4: A Surprise Guest

--- Author's Note: I'm so sorry for the gap, I lost track of time fast!! To make up for this, I'm posting a chapter today and continuing on the usual Saturday schedule. Thank you for being patient! ---

"Y-You!" you cried out, cradling the cup close to your body as if he would take it next.

"Me!" he replied cheerfully as he slid inside. "You know, these windows have locks. You should really make use of them." His feet hit the ground with a heavy plop, and he smiled at you. "Wouldn't want any horrible thieves coming in."

Your mouth twitched, wanting to speak, but you couldn't make any words come out.

"Shy?"

"Why are you-- I mean, I--" the panic slowly edged out of your voice, and you looked at him somberly. "I don't have anything you want."

He laughed. "Don't sell yourself short! I didn't come here to take anything. I have other hobbies, y'know." He ended his statement in a pout before snickering again. "Mind if I sit?"

Yes. "Um, no."

Against your better judgement, you shifted back to your tea, pouring in the water and sprinkling in some herbs. When you brought your eyes back to him, he wasn't even looking around. He just sat there, leaned back, eyes closed, like he owned the place. Cautiously, you cupped the top half of your drink to steady it, and joined him. You had never realized before that you only had one seat in the living area. Figures, you would realize this when you were stuck sitting next to someone like this in your own home.

The squeak of the sofa made him open an eye to peek at you. "You don't seem too happy."

"It's nothing personal," you said. "I've just been told not to do anything I'm doing right now."

"I know what you mean," he replied with a shake of his head. "If my buddies find out I'm here, they'd be so disappointed in me. We're both really sacrificing a lot to be here."

"Not... Really."

Lupin ignored your flat argument. "I'm surprised you haven't asked the usual questions."

"The usual?"

He spun his hands around like a windmill, indicating the clockwork conversations he was used to. "'How did you get here?' How do you know who I am? Why are you here?' Although, it did sound like you were about to butt in with that last one earlier."

You took a sip of your tea. It was bland and watery. You should've waited more. "But if you don't want to take anything, what would you gain from being here?"

"Some insight."

You cocked your head and furrowed your brows at him. "Huh?"

"You met someone recently, right? You have me to thank for it."

The color drained from your face. "Oh, you mean..."

His voice softened as he nodded again. "Mhmm. Originally, I planned on talking to you as soon as he left, but you seemed preoccupied."

The color came rushing back, a little too strongly. "Oh my God, how long were you out there?"

"Relax! I'm above Peeping Tom activities! Yeesh, have a little faith in me."

"I think that might be a bit hard for me."

"I was there when you guys showed up, I waited about 5 minutes or so, and just as I was about to knock, I saw you with an expression all-too-familiar."

He leaned onto you with his hand on his heart, letting out a dreamy sigh. "Amour."

You scrunched up your face in disgust, and he laughed again. "It'd be so rude to bother you while you were deep in thought, so I went ahead and got some early dinner. Do you know how nice some of the places around here are? "