He should've known, it was so obvious. Staring him right in the face, but he was too focused on the empire he had created to notice the woman who stood right out of arms reach.
Months he focused on numbing the pain by creating bloodshed and ruins. Maybe if he tore down enough buildings, split apart enough families you'd notice him again.
Of course his tactics worked but by the time you came to terms with a possible confrontation he went and ruined it all by doing what he did best; Destroying the land he walked on and any innocent life he encountered.
Even as you stood in the middle of the "celebratory" ball he hosted he couldn't focus long enough to catch glimpse, too busy pulling each hardened soldier to his side to make sure they were prepared for what was to come.
What a waste to spend all this time obliterating lives for your attention and now that he had it, he couldn't even look twice.
You always told him he was a workaholic, that's why it'd never work.. well that and the fact his temperament compared easily to a caged lion.
He took a deep breath scanning the expense of the flooded floor, each beam of dim light bounced off cuff links adorning his men's suits and diamonds lining their woman's necks. He would be lying if he said he was admiring what he had accomplished, his straying gaze was simply because of the familiar feeling of someone watching him.
With his line of work most grow to be paranoid but he didn't. He knew. Somewhere in that crowed a woman he burnt the world for was standing maybe even dancing. At least that's what he told himself in hopes that his actions had finally paid off.
Yet he didn't see you, he didn't hear a soft melody of your voice that was balm to his soul calming the demons that haunted him.
Just when he was ready to give up he caught the blurred whisper dash around the corner. He didn't blame you, he'd run too if he was in your shoes but he told you once he'd always find you.
Was that another lie? I mean technically you had to put yourself in his line of sight for him to know. You had to make the moves to push him into a sprint, making heavy steps echo through the foyer just coming short of the balcony doors.
The rings lining his fingers dug into his skin within his clenched hands. What was he to say now that you were standing there, in a dress that hugged every curve like the water molding to land, when was the last time he was allowed to trace the skin that had haunted him.
He'd gladly admit to the months he had spent tearing apart any person that even said your name, he'd tell you about everything he did and how he did it for you, but this time he wouldn't let you run from the monster you created.
"You're here." The man behind you breathed out the words so slowly, afraid if he made the wrong move you'd disappear again. Just like a ghost, it seemed as if you never existed. Yet here you were, beckoning him like a moth to a flame.
The breeze picked up your high end perfume making it mingle with the cologne you bought him as a gift. Of course he'd still wear it, anything to feel like you were still close.
Your silence ate at him, grating each nerve he forgot he had. "You shouldn't be out here alone. You could've came and found me." He continued. He watched as your shoulders tensed from his steps coming up behind you.
Your head tilted up to the sky, it's a wonder how the darkness can highlight each shining star that glimmered. Shouldn't the darkness be terrifying? Hiding all the monsters that lurked in the shadows.
"I'm not alone. I never am, am I?" You whispered, allowing the cooling fall air be the excuse for the goosebumps erupting along your skin.
"You ask that as if I know, Моя любовь." He mumbled, taking his time to allow his hands to trace up your exposed arms until he was brushing your hair to rest along your back.
Tears burned the brim of your eyes, irritation and conflict raging in your head. It's hard to hear a voice that used to calm you so much act as if he hadn't wiped out millions just out of spite. Of course you ran, of course you hid, and of course he did everything in his power to ensure you came back.
"Do you know how hard it was not knowing where you were, what you were doing, who you were with?" His words came out hoarse and strained as he traced the side of your neck with his mouth, taking a deep inhale in the process to allow your aroma to taint his senses.
The hesitant tilt of your head had a grunt of approval rattling his chest. He gripped your hips desperate to feel your body against his again despite the whitening of your knuckles curled around the rail.
"I missed you-" his words were cut off when you spun on your heel, the fire in your eyes burning a hole through him. God how he missed it, the one person who could crumble his world standing so proud and determined despite the monster you knew he could be.
"How's it feel to be on top of the world?" You gritted out, making him flinch. His movements were slow and deliberate as he caged you between his frame and the rail, bending at the waist so he could be eye level.
"It means nothing without you beside me watching it burn."
