#coomc

Remus: *an internal battle plays furiously across his features*

Lyall: *grimaces, trying to swallow the ridiculous amount of food in his mouth*

Hope: *smiles warmly as she begins gathering the dishes, squeezing Remus’ shoulder in passing* 

Remus: *misses the warning look between Hope and Lyall, his focus otherwise engaged* ... Da.

Remus: ... I guess. 

Lyall: *tries desperately to avoid Hope’s burning gaze*  

Hope: *mutters terrible things under her breath* 

Lyall: *pushes on with barely contained panic* 

Remus: *blushes furiously, throwing his mother a desperate look*

Hope: *looks pointedly away, struggling not to laugh* 

Lyall: *catches Hope’s shaking shoulders in the corner of his eye, and suddenly becomes far more at ease, a mischievous look spreading across his face*

Lyall: *ponders* Thought Potter was into that red-head though?

Lyall: Decent bloke, bookish… seems your type.

Hope: *trying to keep it together in the corner, shaking with suppressed laughter*

Lyall: *grins, looking far more at ease* Oh go on then, you can’t tell me you like someone and expect me not to ask.

Remus: *weakly shakes his head, his voice faint* No, you’re not. 

Lyall: *reaches out earnestly, hating how timid Remus sounds* 

Remus: *gaze drops as he bites his lip nervously* He doesn’t know. 

Lyall: *shrugs* Do you know that for sure?

Lyall: *cautiously* I’m not saying that the person you like won’t have a type, and that you might not be it… can’t promise that. 

Hope: *replaces the book with her own hands, gently squeezing Remus’ fingers and smiling encouragingly*

Remus: *shrugs weakly, looking small* Turns out this week is the only week everyone can… 

Remus: And James has been getting on really well with Lily lately. He’s been dying to see her, and I just… 

Hope: *heart breaks a little at the look on his face* 

Remus: *squirms, thoroughly embarrassed* You don’t have to-

Remus: *sighs as he gives in and rests his head against her* Merlin, Mum.

Remus: *the blood slowly returns to his face as he takes in Hope’s teasing smile and easy demeanor* 

Hope: A bunch of hormonal teenagers sleeping together in a tent without adult supervision… 

Hope: *sighs, nudging him with her elbow* 

Remus: *a shy look spreads across his face* But I was still trying to figure out how I felt about– *hesitates, unsure how to finish his sentence*

*a dead silence falls between them, the names hanging in the air*

Hope: *snaps her mouth closed, quickly trying to compose herself*

Remus: *frantic, looking dangerously close to tears* 

Hope: *shakes her head, clearing away her scattered thoughts* 

Hope: Don’t be ridiculous. 

Hope: *ponders for a moment, remembering all the times her son mentioned the dark-haired boy*

Remus: *looks like he’d like the floor to swallow him* Bloody hell, mum–

Hope: *grin broadens* Language, Remus. 

Remus: *blushes all the way to the tips of his ears*

Remus: *falls silent, the corners of his eyes burning* 

Hope: *settles back, satisfied that she’s been heard* 

~*~

Lyall: *enters the house, looking worn* 

Lyall: *gasps as he’s suddenly yanked into his bedroom, the door slamming shut behind him*

*silence stretches between them as Hope searches for the right words* 

Hope: *casts him an accusatory look* 

Hope: *grips him by the arms as he sways* 

Lyall: *the longer he thinks about it, the more faint he looks* 

Hope: *speaks slowly, enunciating each word* 

Lyall: *gapes like a goldfish, arms flailing as he gestures at the door*

Lyall: *frustration building into a frenzy, his voice rising in volume* 

Hope: *closes her eyes, trying to calm herself*

Lyall: *tucks his arms firmly against his chest and clenches his teeth, hyper aware of the lack of cigarettes in his pocket as his stress mounts*

Hope: He needs stability. He needs support. 

Hope: *smiles tentatively, cupping his face in her hand* 

Lyall: *sighs and waves her off*

Lyall: *waits as Hope leaves the room, the door snapping shut behind her*