keeper of the lost cities one-shot collection

His final breath

Sophie screamed.

Her eyes blurred with tears as her entire body shook so hard it made her collaspe onto the ground, hard sobs shaking her even harder. 

She could tell her friends were watching, concerned and sad for her. 

But she didn't care.

"Hey!" A soft, strained voice said.

Her tear blurred eyes focused on the figure lying there, blood soaking his shirt.

He was dying.

Keefe  was dying.

"I love you," she choked out as she scrambled over to him, clutching his face in her hands. 

"Sophie," he whispered, pulling her down into him.

The sobs came back. Keefe held her tighter. 

 She clung to him. 

Letting his warmth soak in. 

Her heart wasn't ready to pull away. 

She wanted to be close to him for his last breath.

"I love you," she whispered again, into his ear this time.

Then she kissed him.

It was the last real moment they would have together - why not have a little good before the world desolved into tears. 

She wanted to be breathless with him. Feel the pain with him.

But mostly, she wanted to never have to feel anything ever again.

How would she live without Keefe?

With the memory of him dying in her arms?

She wished she could pause time, pause death, and have him for a little longer before he left.

But that wasn't possible.

She could feel his heart slowing.

His breaths more shallow.

"Please..." he said breathlessly when her tears spilled over. "Sophie, I love you... don't cry." She traced a thumb over his cheek.

"It's hard not to," she whispered, holding him as closely and as tightly as she could without hurting him.

His eyes drooped and his head got heavier in her hand.

She let out a soft sob as his eyes finally closed. "I love you, So much." She whispered urgently. 

"I love you more." Were his last words. 

Keefe was gone.