The thought of romance was distant to Remus, something he never thinks he'll be able to experience. Frankly, it is not something he particularly wants to experience, either.

The thought of someone being in love with him makes a lump form in his throat, and not the good flustered kind. It makes a deep, empty pit form in his stomach, a small nagging voice form in the back of his head.

If love is a beautiful thing, why does the thought of it burn his soul?

Falling in love is a terrifying idea to him. It would mean his heart, his mere being, would be in the hands of someone else.

Everyone around him seemed to crave romance, they seemed to be drawn to the affection. But he couldn't help but feel a small pang of distaste at the idea. He would take a good, meaningful platonic friendship over anything else, any day.

"Love is way too complicated," he grumbles, throwing a stone into the Black Lake. "And unnecessary."

He looks over his shoulder at his friend, and his chest tightens. They were looking at him in a way he could only describe as disappointment, they laughed at his statement but he could see the longing behind their eyes.

Oh. Oh no.

Did they have a crush on him? Romantically? He stares blankly at them for a moment as if something's clicked in his head. This is the worst thing he could've imagined. How does he let them know he's not interested in dating... without making it obvious he's just figured out they might like him.

He forces an easy smile onto his face, turning back to the lake and attempting to skip a stone across the water—which he fails to do. "You're a great friend," he says. "I couldn't imagine you as anything else, really."

Yikes, was that too harsh? Did he sound casual enough?