ᝰ roadtrip, autumn leaves and you .ᐟ ꩜
summary: you're an artist travelling to a village that's hidden within a forest somewhere in the countryside to paint a certain flower that could be found there only. along the way, you came across a certain someone from your past.
━━ ✦ pairing(s): remus lupin x evans!reader
━━ ✦ au where everyone is alive and happy
⟢ chapters: 1, 2 (upcoming)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: bcz my fave season of the year is coming, heres a remus story for you. if u aren't ginger do pretend so bcz its a evans reader 😭😭
AUTUMN ARRIVED WITH A FLOURISH. The trees that were once painted in the finest of green shades were now adorned in a symphony of russet and amber, their leaves gently fluttering to the ground like confetti at a celebration of the changing seasons. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, creating dappled patterns of warmth on the car's dashboard. The autumn's embrace grew even more enchanting as the month of welcoming it is almost passing, ready to welcome the month of October.
Everything around you seemed to remind yourself of a person you had spent your entire life with. A certain fiery red head twin with the name of Lily Evans, now Potter.
Your hair flows with the wind like a flower that wasn't tucked within your headscarf, you're wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes against the sunlight. The music blasted against the winding road playing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" from the radio and falling leaves that made their way into your roof-free convertible. The air that flowed through you carried the crisp fragrance of fallen leaves, mingling with the distant scent of wood smoke from cottages nestled amidst rolling hills reminding you of a certain scarred Gryffindor.
The nostalgia of this season always took you back to your days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Memories of walking through the corridors with your friends, casting spells in the courtyard, and attending classes flooded your mind.
As you drove down the scenic, tree-lined road of 1985, You couldn't help but smile at the thought of everything. The adventures were etched in your heart, and even now, you could almost hear the mischievous laughter and witty banter that echoed through the pages of your memories.
Years had passed since you crossed paths with most of the people from your past, except for the Potter couple. The memories of that time had become distant, with only the Potter duo consistently present in your life. The last gathering you attended was Lily and James' wedding, where you stood as Maid of Honor. And the latest encounter you had with them was last July, when you popped by to deliver a birthday gift to your nephew, Harry, the birthday boy.
When you arrived to drop off Harry's present, your twin had already been waiting at their front porch. "You're not planning to stay?" Lily inquired, a slight frown creasing her features. She knew well that her younger twin sister wouldn't be partaking in the celebration for Harry's fifth birthday, unlike the others who were yet to arrive.
You chuckled softly as you scooped up the giggling 5-year-old Harry into your arms, playfully tickling his neck. "Sorry, dear sister, but I've got an artwork I need to finish before the looming deadline next week," You replied with a mischievous wink. "I promise, I'll make it up to Harry next year."
Lily shot her a skeptical look, her eyes narrowing. She wasn't convinced by the younger's nonchalant demeanor. "You've been saying that for the past four years, Y/N," she pointed out, her tone wary. "Don't tell me you're still clinging on to the past about Remus?"
Lily's suspicions hit closer to home than you were willing to admit, but for now, you played it off with a playful smile choosing to ignore what she said. "Well, Lilykins, I would've been hanging out with Harry today if you didn't deny my request to take him with me for a road trip."
"I can't leave Harry with you for the entire day," you gasped, taken aback by your twin's lack of faith in you. "You spoil him way too often, and don't get me started on how you're purposefully ignoring Remus!" Lily yelled, her index finger accusingly pointed at you, to which you responded with a dismissive scoff.
"Auntie Y/N, why are you not talking to Uncle Moony?" Harry inquired with a sweet voice, making you turn your grumpy noise into a nice smile 'cause it made you feel better. "Did you both have a fight?"
"Who's fighting who?" James emerged from the house and encountered a duo of redheaded twins. Lily, pointing an accusing finger at the you who's hip holding Harry, turned her attention to him and handed over your neatly wrapped gift for Harry. "Well, hello there, sister-in-law."
You couldn't help but roll your eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"Getting into another fight, Slythia?" James arched an eyebrow, wearing a mischievous grin as he playfully addressed you by the nickname he had given you based on your Hogwarts house.
"Well, Y/N here is still holding a torch for Remus," Lily remarked, gently coaxing Harry to let go of her embrace, but the little boy shook his head, clearly spoiled by his aunt's attention. "And aren't your arms getting tired from carrying Harry?"
"Seriously? A torch?" You asked Lily with her use of metaphors.
James burst into laughter at Lily's words about you and Remus being in the same sentence. "Really?"
"Of course not, it's been years since I last saw him and I have moved on." you replied, though your intention wasn't to be humorous, the married couple found it hilarious, sharing a laugh. "I'm serious!"
"No, you're not," James countered, grinning broadly. Damn, this joke never gets old.
Lily pointed out, "It's been years since you last saw him because you've been avoiding him," as she took Harry from her arms and set him down, causing the young boy to pout, prompting James to scoop him up instead.
Defending yourself, you retorted, "I do not!" However, when you looked around, you couldn't deny how tired your legs were becoming, so you straightened your back and glanced at your wristwatch. "Would you look at that, I'm running late. See you!"
Thinking back, are you still really — you shook your head about the thought and looked straight to the road. Not a chance. You let out a scoff, "Please — it's been years."
You look into the rear view mirror to take a look of yourself and back into the road but suddenly someone emerges from the trees and speeds towards the road. You immediately hit the breaks in shock causing your chest to hit the wheel with force narrowly avoiding a collision with the person. Your heart raced. "Bloody hell — ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED?" You pushed your sleek sunglasses up and walked out of your car where the person was crouching holding a baby sloth. "Sir, you need to look at me." Your voice mixed with irritation and concern.
When the man looked up at you with slight widened eyes your breath hitched. "Y/N?"
"Remus?" Your irritation turned into shock at seeing your ex here in this situation. "What are you doing here? Why did you — I could've hit you!"
"I was traveling, and I saw the sloth—" Remus stumbled on his words as he still can't process seeing you here of all people. "Wait — How — What are you doing here?"
"Wasn't I the one who's asking you that?" Your voice carried a mix of relief and concern.
Remus, still clutching a sloth in his arms, looked shaken but managed a weak smile. "I suppose you're right," he replied, his voice a tad shaky. He carefully placed the sloth on the grassy roadside.
You quickly parked your car, your concern growing. "Nevermind," you said, shaking off the earlier irritation. "Are you alright?" You extended a hand to help him up, realizing he must have sprained something during his heroic rescue of the sloth.
Remus winced as he tried to stand, clearly favoring one leg. "I think I might have sprained my ankle," he admitted, trying to put weight on it but wincing in pain.
With a concerned frown, you gently supported him and helped him stand, careful not to put too much pressure on his injured ankle. "Let's get you back to my car," you suggested. "There's a store not so far from here, I think I can temporarily take care of that."
And you carefully guided him back to your car, "You're a witch, Y/N." Remus reminded but you shook your head.
"I'm not a healer, Lupin, unless you know a healing spell for that." Suddenly, you felt like you were being hit by a stray rock. "Oh right. Ferula." You conjured the bandaging charm, wrapping them around his ankle.
Remus nodded, appreciative of your help. "Thank you," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "And thanks for not hitting that sloth. They're not exactly the fastest creatures."
"How could I not stop when you darted out from the forest, trying to take that hit instead?" You shook your head in disbelief at his recklessness. Despite your astonishment, you gently tucked him into the car seat and made sure he was securely fastened by the seat belt. You closed the door and walked to your side of the car and shut it too before starting your car again.
"I can do that, you know?" Remus stated about how you secured him with a seat belt.
You nodded. "I know." You gave him a quick glance, and started to maneuvering the wheel. "So, where are you off too?"
PS. if yall have other title ideas other than this, do tell bcz i suck with them