Written For

The Ultimate Challenge- pairing Wolfstar

Gringotts Prompt Bank

A-Z AU: post-apocalyptic!AU

Charmed: (word) safe, (word) tomorrow, (word) fire

All Colors: red

Genre Specific: pain

Once Upon a Time Quotes: "It's going to be okay."/"We are so far from okay."

Feelings and Emotions: hopeful

"You know you don't need to watch the news, love," Sirius says, ruffling Remus' hair. "It's too depressing."

"The death toll in New York City is still rising," the reporter says grimly. "And new reports have confirmed that a second nuclear bomb has gone off in San Diego."

"That's the third country this week," Remus says. "France is underwater. Egypt is just a great fucking hole in the desert. Now the United States."

"Remus-"

"What's going on, Sirius?"

…

"Can you hear me? Hey! Hey!"

Someone slaps him several times gently.

"We've got a survivor!"

Remus opens his eyes, but only for a moment. Darkness consumes him again.

…

"A third bomb has been detonated in Chicago."

Remus closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as the reporter's voice drifts from the television.

"No reports yet on- This just in! Civil war is breaking out in Switzerland."

He opens his eyes, looking desperately at his boyfriend.

"We're going to be okay," Sirius whispers, and Remus wishes he didn't notice how hollow the words sound.

"We are far from okay."

…

Remus cries out as pain burns through his body when he tries to sit up.

"Careful!" a young woman, maybe his age, warns. "It's a miracle you didn't bleed out. You were in pretty bad shape when we found you under the rubble."

"Wh-?"

"What's your name?"

"Remus."

"I'm Marlene."

"Sirius. There should have been another man with me," Remus says.

"I'm sorry. You were alone."

…

They had known it would be just a matter of time before the chaos reached Britain. They had spent their days, preparing for the worst. They would watch the news together, each day bringing darker news.

A virus had wiped out half of Japan. A bomb had taken Brazil off the map.

Then one day, the news had just stopped.

…

"Remus, please! You aren't well! You need to rest!"

"You didn't even find a body?" Remus demands, ignoring the pain in his side.

"No. Please, you need medical attention. Poppy will stitch you up, then-"

"My boyfriend is still out there!" Remus snaps. "He has to be! He must have gone for help!"

"If that's the case, he's as good as dead. London is gone."

But Remus can barely hear her.

…

They watch from the window, horrified. The city glows red and orange as fire engulfs every inch of it, swiftly gaining more ground.

"We have to run," Sirius insists. "It hasn't reached us yet. There's still a chance we can get out of here in time."

"And then what, Sirius?" Remus demands. "The world is going to hell! Who's to say that we won't be running into something worse?"

Sirius sighs. The hopeful glint has faded from his eyes. "There's no hope, is there?"

"I don't think so."

Sirius takes his hand. "Then we go out together."

…

A tall man with dark skin blocks Remus' path. "You should be resting," he says, his voice deep and melodic.

Marlene catches up, out of breath. "Kingsley! Can you please talk some sense into him?" she groans. "He's determined he's going to go out there and find his boyfriend."

Kingsley stares at Remus for a moment, a light in his eyes. "Your boyfriend is out there?"

"Yes," Remus says. "And I will never be able to forgive myself if I don't do everything I possibly can to make sure he's safe!"

"Marlene, fetch Poppy."

Remus can't tell if she looks relieved or disappointed to be done with him. Marlene gives Kingsley a salute before stalking off.

"I couldn't save my wife," Kingsley says. "I was at the office when everything happened. By the time I reached her pub… Nothing was left. Rosmerta was gone."

"I'm sorry."

"You're sure that your boyfriend is out there?"

"He has to be."

"Let us stitch up your side. Rest for the night, then tomorrow, we'll give you provisions to last three days. I'm sorry we can't do more, but we have people to look out for."

Remus clasps his hand firmly. "Thank you."

…

"What's this?" Sirius asks, looking at the wet rag.

"It's typically the smoke inhalation that kills you, not the fire itself," Remus explains. "Maybe we have a chance."

"Once the house collapses, I'm pretty sure the pile of wood and metal will be what kills us," he says dryly before pulling something out of his pocket.

Remus' eyes widen in confusion at the bottle of pills. "Sirius?"

"It'll knock us out in minutes," Sirius assures him, shaking two pills into Remus' hand. "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not be awake when it happens."

Remus tosses them into his mouth, chewing them up before swallowing the chalky residue. Sirius follows suit before guiding him to a little corner. They rest there, draping the rags over their faces before holding hands.

…

"Keep an eye on that," Poppy says sharply. "There's no telling what's in the air now. I put antibiotics in the bag. At the first sign of infection, take them."

"I will."

Marlene places a hand on his shoulder. "When you find him, bring him back. You will always be welcome with the Phoenix," she assures him.

Remus smiles before turning his attention to the door. He wraps a bandana around his face to cover his nose and mouth.

"Good luck," Marlene calls as he steps forward.