around my bones {h.s. au}

fire never forgets

she asked 'you are in love what does love look like' to which i replied 'like everything i've ever lost come back to me.'

- nayyirah waheed

1507 A.D.

In this life, Lena walks through the streets with cruel names thrown her way. Nothing is new or surprising. If anything Lena wished the towns folk were more creative with their insults. Some of the girls were bothered by it, hiding themselves behind the stone walls of the villa. Not Lena. She walks with her chin jutted out in defiance. All sharp edges reflecting the golden light around her. Shoulders high and back straight. Dark eyes clear and daring anyone to approach her. Because while some may spit at her and pull their children from her, allowing rumors and gossip to fuel the hate in their hearts. The church may condemn her and say their god condemns her -but Lena is free.

Lena was made of fire and she would not be afraid.

A thousand years she had lived life after life in this world. Various cities and countries. Empires have risen and fallen. People have come and gone. Wars have last hundreds of years. And Lena has sat, watching everything play out around her over and over. Seen how the greed of men knew no limits. Been made acutely aware of what it meant to be a girl in this world.

Lena has lived with delicate cuffs around her wrists. Gold shimmering in the sunlight. Something pretty to hide the truth -Lena had belonged to someone. No matter how the world tried to paint it, there was nothing beautiful or good or kind about it. A thousand more years could pass and Lena would still remember the rough hands in her hair, how the dirt felt under her body as she was dragged over it, the foul breath against her cheek, the way she had watched the birds flying in the sky above her as it happened.

Marriages Lena had been forced into. Draped in the finest silks and jewels. Hidden away as if she were a prize never to be seen by the outside world.

Flames burning through her body because someone feared what they did not understand.

Never again would Lena allow her life to be anything but her own.

Little black birds fly through the blue sky above her. Their calls echoing throughout the city. Often, Lena comes to this place and watches them. Longing for the freedom to fly away. Soaring so high above the world they seem to touch the sun. But right before they get to close -they dive towards the blue waters of the sea.

In the distance, a bell tolls in the center of the city. As it does every morning the sun rises over Genoa. Casting shadows and golden light across the homes carved into the sides of the cliffs.

The winds pick up, blowing off the sea, rippling Lena's dark hair behind her. She tilts her head back, sun warming her face. And this is where he is. Time has made it easier for Lena to live her life without Harry at her side. Acceptance of their fate. Knowledge of how he will never know her for who she is. Lena is no longer the naive girl who braided yellow flowers in her hair. The world can be cruel. The world can take.

Lena creates everything she desires and longs for. Filling the ache in her chest. But still, he remains there. In the small cracks of her life. Early mornings as Lena watches the sun rise over the city and wishes he could be beside her. Nights where the stars burn bright. In the cold corners of her bed. When the storms churn the seas and the following day the waves are the exact color of his eyes in the morning light. Harry is there. In the moments where Lena forgets. Where she swears she can feel his hands in her own, his lips on her, her name in his mouth.

Opening her eyes, Lena stares out to the sea. Waiting until the sails appear on the horizon line. A thousand years separates them from the people they once were. Yet this life, seems familiar. The rocks tumbling into the sea. The wind roaring in the caves. The salt stinging Lena's cheeks as she sits by the water. The silhouette on the ships, looking to the shore to see if Lena waits for him there.