the_debt_of_time

Beneath her, Remus let out a satisfied sigh. "Haven't had a chance to do much
shopping. I'll have to stop by Diagon Alley sometime before Christmas. That is," he offered
with a chuckle, "unless you just want your present to be a repeat of today."
She tried to control the shiver that went through her. The tone of voice and
confidence he used when privately flirting made her muscles clench and her nerves ignite
like fireworks. Aside from running for her life during the war, she had never been one to
regularly exercise, but Remus was doing wonders for her now when it came to working up
a sweat.
"I hardly think I can open this in front of my parents and brother on Christmas
morning."
"Do you want something... boyfriendish? We haven't told anyone. I don't want
your parents to think poorly of me if I'm inconsiderate enough to buy you something
ridiculous like sweets."
Mia shrugged, digging into a particularly rough knot that caused him to hiss and
then groan as it released. "You're not my boyfriend. You're under no obligation to do
anything of the sort. Just because we didn't take out a page in the Prophet announcing our
'torrid breakup' doesn't mean we're hiding our sudden lack of relationship."
He rolled over and looked up at her. Despite their abundant lack of clothing, he
kept his gaze on her face. "Aren't we?"
She frowned, awkwardly picking at her thumbnail until he took her hands to still
them from fidgeting. "Not exactly. I mean, we're not correcting people when they assume
we're still together, but―"
"I think you're scared," Remus said. "You're worried that if we start telling people
that we're not together that they'll―"
"Find out we're still shagging and think I'm some scarlet woman?" she asked with a
mocking tone.
Remus chuckled, kissing her fingers. "No. I think you're afraid that once Sirius
knows we're not together, he'll be forced to make a decision about you, and no matter what
choice he makes, it terrifies you."
She glared down at him as though the accusation of her being afraid was the lowest
thing he could ever say to her. "I'm a Gryffindor."