Ode to Remedy

Act XII

Markus felt his own face become pale. In Val's extended hand were the small, white pills that he had somehow removed from the bottle.

Markus's voice dropped to a whisper. "W-what?"
"Did I stutter?" Valentine responded.

"Have you gone mad?" Markus hissed, taking a step closer to Valentine, "That would mean suicide!"

Val took a step back as he approached, his eyes narrowing. "Do I have to repeat myself for you?"

"Valentine, stop it." Markus snapped. "You're being delusional."

"I'm delusional?" He pushed, raising his voice slightly. "Do I have to remind you of what you just told me?"

Markus's heart faltered. He had never seen Valentine behave this way; it feared him like nothing before.

"You know I believe in a future for us, Val, you know we can simply resolve our differences-"

"Markus!" Valentine shouted, catching him off-guard. "If you have ever loved me, please, just prove it. I can't go on being manipulated by you if you don't want to tell me something, or believing in your dismissive words over and over again. I-I just can't, it's not only unhealthy for me, but you. I don't even know whether to believe what you just told me was truthful or not!"

"I can prove it in so many more ways," Markus fretted, "I promise you, just not this, please, just not this."

"This is the only way." Valentine said, his voice stern, but slightly terror-stricken at the same time.
Markus's gaze lowered.

Would Valentine forgive him if he refused? Would his life even be worth living if Valentine carried out his attempt by himself? He wouldn't always be under Markus's surveillance, especially if he broke up with Markus and moved out. He had to make sure Valentine was and would remain safe, even if Valentine didn't love him anymore. Markus always would love him. This was the only way to save him. At least they'd be together, right? Would telling himself that make it seem better?

And this was all because of Markus.

"O-okay." He spoke at last, extending his shaky hand.

Valentine looked at him. "Really?"

Markus delayed, before nodding his head in response. Tears began trickling down Valentine's face, but a smile curled at his lips. Perhaps the last smile Markus would ever see? He was grateful that it was Val's, at least.

"Oh, Markus," Valentine breathed, throwing his arms around his lover's neck and burying his wet face into his chest.

Markus wrapped his arms around him in return and pressed his nose into his neck, warm teardrops dripped onto the hardwood floor with quiet 'plts'.

"Are you scared?" He asked, not removing his face.

He had to construct a plan, and quickly.

"Extremely." Valentine whispered, his voice barely audible.

Markus didn't respond, he only stared at the floor. He longed to have Val in his arms for the rest of their days; he didn't want to have to let go. Perhaps that wasn't too far-fetched after all.
Alas, Val pulled away from him after what felt like forever, and began distributing the pills into two portions. Markus's heart began to pound in his chest, as if it were trying to escape his body before it consumed the intoxications. Markus tore his eyes away from the movement of Val's working hands, but instead watched his face. Not once did he ask Markus 'do you really want to do this?', or confirmed his certainty in anyway for that matter as Val would usually do. Markus didn't even know how to confirm his own certainty. Did he want to do this?