𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦

[ p r e s e n t ]

"Why are we doing this?" I ask.

But this time she doesn't answer. No eye-rolls or gestures. She barely clings to the body we're sharing as I carry her corpse to the bed of flowers.

"Please answer," I plead. She doesn't.

"Why are you doing this?" I rephrase.

I place her body down gently, blood from her injuries staining perfect gold petals and I keel against her. Just like in the pictures she drew, her eyes were closed, and warm light touched her skin. She was so beautiful.

I feel myself resonate with content as I reached for her. Even if it were only for a second, if I could hold her, I knew everything would be worth it in the end. The fight, the pain, the monsters we've endangered, it would all be worth it if I was with my best friend I loved so dear. I began to cradle her small frame in my large arms, and stroke her buttercup scented hair. Even though we were about to die, I felt safe. Her chest heaved.

"Because I love you, Asriel."

I stare at her speechlessly. I want to whisper back, tell her my real feelings. Like, "I've always loved you," or "I'm so sorry for everything." There's so much I want to say, but all I can do is smile, as our soul blasts into a million bits.