Aaron

[mooningremus]

Things had been pretty bad for Remus before the whole world went to shit, so in some ways it wasn't objectively worse. The worst part of all of it though was that his wand had snapped in half, and since Hogsmeade had burned to the ground he had no idea how to get a new one.

Small mercies, however, he'd found a place to chain himself up during the full moons. An abandoned house - there were many of those - not far from the city, where he was squatting as well (his house had basically fallen to pieces) and had concrete walls that weren't going anywhere no matter how hard the wolf yanked.

He assumed the howling and screaming could be heard from anyone outside, but it wasn't as if that would be the most unusual thing. And he figured that, chained up, he couldn't hurt anyone even if they stumbled upon him.

So just before moonrise he stripped out of his clothes, neatly folded them, and put a silver cuff connected to a chain coming fro the wall, around his ankle.

And eventually, the wolf was shrieking its displeasure as it threw itself around the room.

Comments

[quitollis]

"That's unfortunate," Aaron said. "Unfortunately, I know no other wizards, who might repair your wand," he said, always trying to be helpful.

"I know about magic, but I'm not a magician, or a wizard. I used to be an exorcist."

[mooningremus]

"Oh, I see. Well no wonder you weren't as alarmed as you might have been." Remus carefully folded the blanket. "I could try to wash this for you if you like."

[quitollis]

"No need, truly," Aaron said, struck by Remus' polite kindness. What cruelty such a gentle soul should become such a monster. "May I ask... how long have you... had this condition?"

[mooningremus]

"Since I was eleven," said Remus. "Ironically the same year I started wizard school. That was a big year." He set the blanket aside. "But I've been able to keep it from... hurting other people." Pause. "For the most part."

[quitollis]

Aaron nodded carefully. "Hence the chains," he said in understanding. Hence the scars too, probably.

[mooningremus]

"Hence the chains," Remus confirmed. "I'm afraid it's rather dangerous for the wolf to be loose. But this seems to work well enough. I don't typically get visitors."

[quitollis]

"I was out hunting. I thought someone was being attacked," Aaron explained.

[mooningremus]

"Well you weren't far off," Remus said, and smiled at him. "But it was kind that you wanted to help. And you did, thank you."

[quitollis]

"I try where I can," Aaron said. "Will you be alright?"

[mooningremus]

Remus looked down at his bandaged arm, and then nodded. "Yes. I heal more quickly than a human." Too bad the scars remained. "And ah, this place is essentially my home now. So... I will just rest for a few days. This is how it always goes."

[quitollis]

Aaron's first instinct was to invite him to stay at the church, but he imagined it could be dangerous for the rest of the people there, so he didn't.

"Well, I will leave you to it, then. Do you ever come to the city? Or is that...too dangerous?"

[mooningremus]

"I do when the full moon is not near," Remus said. "It's only the few days surrounding it that I try to... avoid people. Just a precaution. It was very nice meeting you, Aaron." He smiled at him, because he genuinely meant it. Aaron was kind, and Remus had been lacking in human contact. "Perhaps I will see you again." He hoped so.

[quitollis]

"Perhaps we will," Aaron replied as he left. He hoped so. Kindness was not common in the world anymore and Remus seemed a particularly kind man.

Now, Aaron was not unfamiliar with impure thoughts. They'd plagued him often in the past. But he had not had them in recent years. Part of him thought the apocalypse had cleansed his soul somehow. That it had served as punishment enough.

But now... he couldn't quite stop thinking of Remus. And not all thoughts were pure.

He wasn't sure why, but those beautiful Amber eyes kept coming back to him, in his dreams and even during his prayers. It dulled down a bit after two weeks, but he still wondered how Remus might ge doing.

It was three weeks later when he decided to see him, just to see how things were. Check up on him. Nothing more, of course.

He came armed as it was after dark and knocked.

[mooningremus]

It was days before the full moon, which meant that Remus was already starting to feel the effects. He'd managed to hunt a small deer earlier in the week, and he had a small fire going where he was cooking some of the meat. Though cooking it to a minimal degree. He was also running hot, and so he wasn't wearing a shirt and was slightly glistening with sweat when he opened the door.

He seemed relieved, but not exactly relaxed, when he saw who it was. Also surprised. "Oh, hello Aaron."

[quitollis]

"Hello," Aaron said, and couldn't help sound a bit sheepish. "I was wondering how you were doing," he said and chided himself for thinking Remus quite beautiful.

[mooningremus]

“Oh.” Remus smiled. “That’s very kind. Ah. Would you like to come in? I have some meat…”

God Aaron smelled good.

[quitollis]

"Oh, if it's not a bother," Aaron said snd smiled. "I won't pass on some meat. Deer? It's been a while since I had that."

[mooningremus]

“Yes,” Remus said, and closed the door behind Aaron. “We’re ah, nearing the full moon. I’ve been craving red meat.” Among other things.

[quitollis]

This was a bad idea, Aaron thought. By visiting, he was only reinforcing his memory of Remus, where he should forget him instead.

Well, perhaps he could prove his resolve. He could deal with the aftermath later.

"Smells good," he commented.

[mooningremus]

“It’s almost done cooking,” Remus said. “You’re right on time. Is medium rare all right?” Honestly more than he would have probably let it cook for himself.

[quitollis]

"Oh, however you're making it," Aaron said, politely. "I see your arm healed alright."

[mooningremus]

"Oh yes," said Remus, looking down at his arm as if he'd forgotten. He'd also forgotten he wasn't wearing a shirt. "Yes, I heal fairly quickly. Save the scars." He turned the meat quickly on the skillet over the fire, and then walked over and pulled his shirt off of where he'd hung it over a chair and pulled it on.

[quitollis]

Aaron didn't mind the scars. His own body was covered in them - it was why he always wore long sleeves. He knew how to look beyond them to a really nice body that he shouldn't be noticing as much as he did.

"Oh, don't on my account," he said, when Remus pulled on a shirt. "I mean...do what you like, but no need to cover up any scars on my account."

[mooningremus]

"Oh, I just thought it might be... rude," Remus said, chuckling self consciously. "I was just hot, I tend to run hot, too..."

He did keep the shirt on for now though, and moved back to the meat to turn it one more time. "It's really nice that you stopped by. I hoped I might see you again."

[quitollis]

"You did?" Aaron asked and smiled, entirely inappropriately. He sounded too eager. Really, what was he doing here?