Written for the Marathon Competition (4 of 4 AU fics) zombie apocalypse
Remus has grown tired of being outnumbered all the time. He can only perform so many miracles, and he's certain that he's close to his last.
At least twenty undead, and only one Remus. He doesn't like his odds, especially since he's low on ammo. Even as they approach, his mind is racing, grasping for a plan. If he can take out enough, maybe he can outrun the rest. Truthfully, he doesn't like his odds, but it's the best plan that he has.
He raises his pistol, firing. The first bullet misses its mark, and he swears loudly. Supplies are dwindling fast, and he can't afford to waste any bullets.
The second sinks into the undead woman's skull. Remus wonders if he'll ever grow used to seeing brains splatter. He hopes not. It's a depressing thought that someone could become immune to such gore.
Another shot, and he's lucky again.
"Steady," he tells himself. "Steady."
He takes aim, and he hesitates. He knows this one. "Sirius," he whispers.
Sirius grabs his hand. "We have to leave, Remus. Now. They… Fuck. They got James," he says, and Remus can see the tears in his eyes. "The city means we're just walking meals."
"Where will we go?" Remus demands.
It's the only place he's ever really known. The thought of running… He tries again and again to convince himself that it will be over soon. That the military will take care of it.
"My uncle has a farmhouse a few towns over," Sirius answers.
Remus remembers it well. It was where Sirius had kissed him for the first time. He blushes at the thought.
"Grab whatever you can carry. Only what you need," Sirius instructs.
Remus steps back. Hesitation will get him killed. He knows this. He's seen it happen to other survivors they've met along the way. But he never could have guessed how great the temptation would be.
Sirius snarls at him, his mouth dripping with blood. He takes a sluggish step closer, and Remus can see the tattered remains of his chest, the gaping hole where those things had feasted.
They don't risk a fire. No one knows how intelligence the undead are, and they have no intention of finding out.
"It's going to be okay, Remus," Sirius says, and Remus has the feeling he's trying to convince himself as well.
Remus holds the pistol in trembling hands. "Don't make me do this!" he screams. "Please, don't make me."
But Sirius doesn't hear him. If he does, he doesn't care. He steps closer, a hand outstretched.
"Please…"
"Run! I'll hold them off!" Sirius yells.
Remus hesitates but Sirius pushes him.
"I'll find you, Remus. The farmhouse. I'll find you there."
Remus can almost appreciate the irony. Here he is at the farmhouse. And Sirius has found him, as promised.
He tightens his grip, taking a deep breath. It's the right thing to do. Sirius wouldn't want to live like this.
"I love you," Sirius says, pressing a quick kiss to Remus' lips. "Now go!"
Remus wants to stay. He's afraid, and the thought of carrying on without his boyfriend when the world is in chaos is agonizing. But he knows that he has no choice. "Until we meet again."
The gun fires, and Sirius drops. Remus wants to fall with him, to give up. But he can't. He can't let Sirius' sacrifice be in vain.
He fires another two rounds and sprints, narrowly dodging rotting fingers.
He has to survive. He doesn't want to anymore. But it's what Sirius would have wanted.