For the Opposite Day Challenge (RemusTonks) and Ashleigh's Monthly Competition (RemusTonks)

For LauraToo, because she loves RemusTonks more than anyone else she knows :)

He was the last one. The only one left, all alone.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. He wass a bloody werewolf, for Merlin's sake! He hadn't exactly expected to survive past his early twenties, let alone well into his thirties. And the thought of him surviving his friends had never even entered his mind.

And here he was, the last of the Marauders. Peter – Peter had died the day he had whispered secrets into the Dark Lord's ear, as far as Remus was concerned. James and Lily – he had lost them nearly a lifetime ago, and their loss still stung him every day.

And Sirius.

Sirius, who he had been sure was lost with James and Lily. Sirius, who he had for so long believed to be a traitor.

Sirius, who he had found for a second time against all odds.

Sirius – even when he had been in Azkaban, Remus had had the certainty that he was still alive. And if were being honest with himself, a part of him had always doubted Sirius' guilt.

Sirius, the consummate survivor, was dead. And Remus was now the last of them left.

Remus stared at the wall in front of him with shock. He'd managed to accompany Tonks back from St Mungo's without showing how affected he was, but now that he was alone in his room, everything was finally sinking in.

Sirius-

A knock on the door broke him out of his thoughts. Before he could get up to open the door – or at least let the person on the other side know that he just wasn't in the mood to talk – the door opened, and a woman with bright pink hair stepped through it.

"Hello Remus," Tonks murmured, walking over to the bed and taking a seat beside him.

"Tonks, I'm not-" he began.

"I know you're probably not ready to talk about it yet," she interrupted, "Or ever, really. But- you need to. Sirius-" here she faltered, but continued on after a moment's silence, "Sirius told me you had a hobby of bottling up your feelings. And I don't think he'd forgive me if I let you do that right now."

For some reason, her words annoyed Remus deeply. Had it been any other time, Remus would have thought twice. Would have taken the time to feel bad before he said what he needed to.

But it wasn't any other time, and Sirius had just been killed.

"What do you know?" he hissed, turning to glare at the girl sitting by his side. "You're still wearing pink in your hair, for Merlin's sake! I've lost the only person who still loved me – I've just lost my brother, and you haven't lost anything. You barely knew him – HE WAS THE LAST ONE!" Remus screamed, "HE WAS THE LAST OF THEM. THEY'RE DEAD, NYMPHADORA, AND YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT!" he finished, panting by the end.

Tonks just sat there and let him rant. She knew that saying anything in her defence would be useless, while he was in that state, and it was only when he was done that she opened her mouth, moving closer and wrapping her arms around him to comfort him as she talked.

"I won't- I know you didn't mean any of that, so I won't say anything about it,' she began, "But Remus, Sirius wouldn't have wanted you – or anyone, for that matter – to mope over his death. He- He loved the laughter in life," she said, her voice breaking. "He would have wanted his life to be celebrated, not for people to destroy themselves over his death."

"He's gone," Remus said, tears finally falling, and his voice broken, "He's gone, and he's taken the last of the people who loved me with him, Tonks. How can I celebrate his life knowing that?"

"He wasn't the only one," she replied, fighting back her own sorrow to make her voice as soothing as possible. "You still have Molly, Arthur, their kids. From what I hear, you were almost universally loved by the Hogwarts students when you taught. And Albus, Minerva – all the Order members!" she exclaimed. "And Harry – Remus, Harry loves you so much. You're the only one he has left now, Remus, the only one who truly knew his family – the only part of his original family left. He's lost Sirius too. He's just lost his godfather as much as you've lost your brother, and you cannot forget that. And-" here she hesitated for a moment, before ploughing on regardless, "And I love you. I love you so much, Remus, and it kills me to see you doing this to yourself."

When asked later on, Remus wouldn't know what had prompted him to it. But Tonks was sitting there, right next to him, and before he knew it, his lips were on hers and it seemed like her warmth was the only thing that was keeping him alive.

It was Tonks who pulled back first, hand cradling his face as she moved away from him. "I love you," she reiterated in a gentle murmur, "I love you more than anyone else I ever have. But- not right now. Not at this moment. If, later, you still want to, then I'll be here," she said. "Right now- right now, you just need to heal."

Remus leaned towards her, pressing his forehead against hers, and took a deep breath.

Maybe he'd be able to survive this after all.

I haven't written this pairing in forever, and I'd be really grateful if you guys could drop off a review on your way out :)
I really hope you like it! :D