Written For:

Gringotts Prompt Vault:

A-Z AU : Hunger Games!au

Color Prompts: Marigold

Jessica Jones Quote/Dialogue (below)

"I hate goodbyes. I've always just disappeared. But this goodbye- this one deserves a last, lingering look."

-Jessica Jones

"Marlene McKinnon," the Capitol official announces before pulling her painted marigold lips into a too broad smile as she sets the slip of paper aside. "Isn't this exciting?"

With a small giggle, her hand hovers over the vessel with all the boys' names. "Now, for the boys," she says, plunging her hand inside.

Remus moves a little closer to Sirius, taking his hand.

"You'll be fine," Sirius whispers. "Your name is hardly in there. You didn't have to borrow…"

He knows that this doesn't ease Remus' mind, but Remus still settles against him, his nervous eyes fixed upon the stage.

"Remus Lupin!"

Sirius feels his heart stop. He holds on to Remus' hand like maybe he can keep him there somehow, even with the officials marching his way in case he isn't cooperative.

Remus meets his gaze once again, his fear turning to panic as he is guided onto the stage.

Not Remus, with his medical condition that leaves him bedridden for days every month. Not Remus he has always dreamed of a life reading books, not one of war.

"Allow me to introduce this year's District Seven tributes. Marlene McKinnon and Remus-"

"I volunteer!" Sirius calls out.

"Don't be stupid," James whispers to him. "Reckless, sure. But never stupid."

Sirius ignores his best friend. What does stupidity mean when the one love more than anything is currently fated to die.

He pulls away from the crowd, closer to the stage. "I volunteer as tribute," he says.

.

"Was it worth it?" the tribute from District One- Bella, he thinks her name is- sneers as he hangs upside down from a tree in a trap. "Did you want glory? Is that why you volunteered?"

Sirius refuses to look at her. He refuses to look at the menacing spear in her hands. He keeps his eyes fixed pointedly on a spot behind her.

"Or was it him? You know, there's been a lot of talk about you and the boy you stepped in for. Lovers?" she circles him, trailing the spear tip down his side. "Not going to answer me?"

.

"Answer me."

Sirius shakes his head. "It was impulsive," he says dismissively.

Remus groans, rolling his eyes. "Impulsive is that time you jumped off the school roof just to stir things up. This is suicide. Do you have a death wish, Sirius?"

"You don't think I can win?" Sirius asks, and it hurts him more than he'll let on.

"I don't want to find out. You had no reason to volunteer."

"Of course I did. You're sick. They won't show mercy. I- I couldn't imagine having to watch you die!"

"So, now you make me watch you?"

Sirius closes his eyes, sighing deeply. He wished Remus hadn't come to see him before he leaves. Goodbyes aren't his style. He usually just disappears without a word because it's easier.

"Be safe," Sirius says. "Keep James and Peter out of trouble. Make sure Regulus doesn't do anything stupid."

"Sirius-"

"And please remember I love you," he says with a quick peck to Remus' lips. "More than my own life."

"I think you're proving that as we speak," Remus sighs. "I love you, too."

Sirius turns away but stops. He has to see Remus one more time. This may be his most painful goodbye, but Remus deserves more than a disappearance.

.

Sirius doesn't scream as the spear enters his stomach. He bites his lip until he can taste blood, but he doesn't make a sound.

"I had thought you'd be more fun than that," Bella says, a pout in her voice. "How disappointing."

She pulls the spear from his body, and he feels the blood rush, quickly staining his shirt.

Sirius closes his eyes. He wishes he could make it back to his love. But at least Remus is safe.

.

In District Seven, Remus lays in his bed, weak and aching. He closes his eyes as Sirius' cannon sounds.