eunoia | r. lupin

Remus leaned against the bookshelf, a hopeful glint in his eyes. "How about we go stargazing tonight?" he suggested, his voice laced with excitement. Alena's gaze shot up from her book, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected invitation. "You mentioned you've never done it before, so I thought it might be fun," he added, his grin a mix of eagerness and uncertainty.

Alena turned her head, trying to mask the flutter of nerves that danced in her stomach.

"I'd really like that," she said, her words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself.

⪩⪨

Remus had meticulously orchestrated every detail. After hours of contemplation, he had settled on the deserted Quidditch pitch as the perfect venue for a night of stargazing. He had even enlisted Peter's help, politely requesting that he pilfer some snacks from the kitchen. For a full hour and thirty-seven minutes, he had agonized over his outfit, wanting everything to be just right. The mix of nerves and excitement bubbled within him.

As he hummed a soft tune, he sifted through the picnic basket, ensuring he hadn't forgotten anything essential. It was then that he became aware of Sirius entering the room. "So, are you going to tell her?" Sirius asked, casually leaning against the bedpost with a knowing smirk.

Remus jumped, caught off guard by Sirius's sudden presence. "Merlin's beard, Padfoot," he muttered, turning back to his preparations. "Tell who what?" he replied, feigning ignorance with a playful innocence.

"Come on," Sirius chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes. "It's painfully clear you've got a thing for her. I'm honestly shocked James hasn't caught on yet. But then again, he can be a bit thick-headed, can't he?"

Remus sighed, rolling his eyes as he meticulously folded the quilt and placed it gently atop the basket. "I don't have feelings for Alena," he insisted.

"You don't have to lie," Sirius shot back.

"I'm not lying," Remus replied firmly.

"You fancy her,"

"I don't,"

"You do,"

"I don't,"

"You do,"

"And what if I did?" Remus finally relented, pausing to let out a heavy sigh. "Would that really be such a terrible thing?" he mused, mostly to himself.

Sirius approached with a warm smile, his hand gently resting on Remus's shoulder. "Not at all," he replied with a casual shrug. "At least, not to me. You're a good person, Remus, and Alena is just as lovely. You two are perfect for each other. Just be careful, yeah?"

Remus chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "You really think Alena would hurt me?"

"No. But James will."

⪩⪨

Remus paced nervously, his wand flicking through the air like a conductor guiding an unseen orchestra. The picnic spread across the quilt was far from appealing, and he found himself rearranging the dishes every few moments, only to feel dissatisfied each time. A gnawing anxiety settled in his stomach; what if Alena didn't come?

"Sorry I'm late!" Alena's voice cut through the tension, breathless and bright. Remus turned, his heart racing as he took in her appearance. The carefully arranged food faded from his mind. Her hair danced in soft curls, framing her face, and she wore simple beige trousers paired with a cozy blue-patterned sweater. To him, she radiated perfection. "Wow, Remus," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she surveyed the spread. "Everything looks pretty."

So do you, Remus wanted to say, but the words caught in his throat. "I'm glad you think so," he replied, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "Come on, I don't want the food getting cold," he added, settling onto the quilt and patting the space beside him. Without hesitation, Alena joined him, her presence instantly warming the air around them.

Remus leaned back against the cool grass, his gaze drifting to the vast expanse of stars above. "So, which constellations can you name?" he inquired, watching as Alena took a hearty bite of her pumpkin pastie. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes darting to the heavens as she swallowed.

"There's Cygnus," she said, her finger tracing a path through the night sky. Remus followed her gesture, captivated. "And over there is Cepheus," she continued, her enthusiasm palpable. "Then there's Perseus, Lyra, Leo, and Sirius," she listed, her voice growing more animated with each name. Remus couldn't help but admire her, his heart fluttering as her face lit up with recognition.

"Remus?" Alena's voice broke through his reverie, pulling him back to the moment.

"Sorry, I was just..." He hesitated, searching for an excuse. Gently, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her skin. "It was distracting me," he admitted with a soft smile, and Alena responded with a shy grin, her cheeks tinged with color.

Alena tilted her head slightly, her curiosity evident. "Do you know which one is Sirius?" she inquired, her voice soft yet eager.

Remus let out a light chuckle. "Of course I do," he replied, gesturing toward the heavens. "It's the brightest star up there," he continued. "Sirius never misses a chance to brag about it."

Alena smiled faintly, her gaze drifting to the vast expanse above. "I can't say I blame him," she murmured, settling back into the cool grass beneath her. "Being a star would be wonderful, wouldn't it? So beautiful and untouchable. Stars aren't bound by anyone's will; they're free to do as they please. No one holds a grudge against them. They can do no wrong," she sighed wistfully.

Remus's attention remained fixed on her, captivated by the way her features lit up with her thoughts. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of wonder and contemplation, her brow slightly knitted. A gentle smile played on her lips as she lay there, arms stretched behind her head, lost in the dreamlike vastness of the night sky.

Alena sensed the weight of Remus' silence and turned to face him once more. This time, however, he didn't shy away or fabricate an excuse. Instead, he held her gaze, his eyes deep and unwavering. As he shifted to sit up straighter, Alena's expression morphed into a blend of curiosity and bewilderment. In that moment, Remus Lupin, for the first time, surrendered to the pull of his own desires, leaning in to capture her lips with his.

Alena's breath hitched, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. A rush of warmth flooded her cheeks as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling as if a thousand stars had ignited within her. It was a sensation unlike any she had experienced with Theodore. When Remus finally broke the kiss to catch his breath, Alena kept him close, resting her forehead against his, savoring the intimacy of the moment.

"Think I might like you, Lena," Remus murmured, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race.

"You think so?" Alena replied, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she drew him nearer, kissing him once again.

oh my god i love them stop it