Six Crimson Seeds (A VegasPete Persephone AU)

Chapter 47: I am Imprinted Upon Your Stars

    It was getting harder and harder for Vegas to catch his breath. The shadows looked even darker than usual as he stumbled through the Fields. The playground had vanished, as had Pete's house. Elysium was vanishing, room by room. Vegas knew it was nearly midnight, but there would be no crowd waiting for him that night. There wasn't time.

His feet felt heavy as he dragged them, trying to reach his destination before it was too late. When his legs gave out, he crawled the rest of the way. Finally, Vegas rolled onto his back under the pomegranate tree Pete had grown.

There was no wind in the Fields, but if Vegas closed his eyes, he could see the branches swaying under a sea of stars. He could almost hear it. He could hear-

"Vegas?"

Vegas laughed as a tear ran into his hair. Of course, his mind would conjure Pete in his final moments. It sounded so real, too. It was almost cruel. Or perhaps it was the last ounce of pity the Fields could offer him before his mark passed to its next victim.

"Vegas? Vegas!"

Warm, firm hands pressed into Vegas's chest, touched his face, and wrapped around the back of his neck. He let out another laugh as another tear slipped out of his closed eyes.

The Fields were cruel, it seemed.

"Vegas, please open your eyes."

Vegas expected to see only the tree, but the Fields heartlessly blessed him with a vision of his love. Pete looked wrong, though. He looked frantic as his hands scrambled to find purchase. He shifted until Vegas was under him, with Pete straddling him clumsily.

"Vegas, please. Don't leave me."

Vegas reached up to wipe the wetness from Pete's face. "Why are you crying?"

"Why did you do that to me?" Pete blubbered. "Why did you make me forget you? Why are you so mean?"

"I had to," Vegas said simply. He took a deep breath although it pained his chest. "I couldn't lose you. It was always supposed to be me."

"Bullshit!" Pete howled. "The prophecy said your curse can be broken. You just need a soul to take your place. So take mine. Take me instead!" Pete screamed up at the void above them.

Vegas frowned as he pressed a finger to silence Pete. Pete pushed him aside, though.

Reaching into his shirt, he pulled out his necklace.

"Your mom said these stones can hold a soul. So I'm giving you mine. Macau is waiting for you, Vegas."

Vegas was too weak to struggle as Pete slipped the necklace off and forced it around Vegas's neck instead. Vegas's eyes closed again as Pete leaned over to press their lips together. He went still as Pete said, "I love you, Vegas. I can't lose you. Take my soul instead. Take me. I love you."

Vegas didn't move as Pete burst into tears. He grabbed at Vegas, holding him close to his chest as he said, "No, no, no. Please. Please don't let me be too late. Vegas, please. Please come back to me. Please, no. I love you. Don't leave me."

Aboveground, a small baby cried out. Korn stood close by, smiling when he saw the skull-shaped mark on the infant's chest.

"We're losing the mother!" the doctor called.

"Then she is lost," Korn said. "I have what I have been waiting for."

Pete wept over Vegas, words no longer forming in his grief. He kissed his cold lips again, reaching into the depths of his heart as he whispered, "I love you."