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You weren’t making it out of this. You had to accept that. Had to remain one with the fact that your blood was leaking out of your wounds too fast. That you can’t move without making things worse.
You know it the second Sylus lays his eyes on you. The way his jaw tightens and brow pinches together. He kneels in front of you, in a growing puddle of red. When he finally meets your eyes, he must recognize the realization in them. You’re dimly aware of Luke and Kieran shouting for help as they run through the building. It would never get here in time.
“I warned you about rushing in, kitten,” he chastises. It holds no venom. You shiver and he takes off his jacket to cover you. It does nothing to stave off the cold.
You huff. “I had to protect her,” you say. “I had to save her, for you.”
The her in question hesitates at the doorway. All her Hunter training flees from her mind. She would have been where you sat now, had you not jumped in to save her like you did. She owed you her life. You wouldn’t have time to cash in on it.
Sylus sighs. “I know.”
You reach a hand out for his cheek. He meets you halfway, not allowing you to strain yourself. Your soft touch leaves blood behind. His sharp cheeks and pale skin, tainted with your ichor. “You were never mine.”
Your eyes are glossy as you look from your rouge fingerprints to his eyes. Wet with unshed tears. Death is inevitable. You don’t want to meet it sobbing.
You smile. It’s shaky, and it sends a dagger straight through his heart. “But I have you right now… right?”
He holds your hand, pressing it firmly against his cheek. Your fingers are growing cold. Your skin is losing its color. Your cheeks don’t flush for him like they used to. “You have me.”
His other hand holds your cheek, tilting your head down as he leans forward. A kiss, lingering and carrying the weight of your life, presses to your forehead. He pulls away and stares you directly in the eye. He can’t bear to look at your wounds again.
Your body shudders. Your eyes nearly close. His hand on your face shakes you slightly, urging you to stay awake. “You… You don’t have to say it back…” you start. Your breaths are ragged and slow. You wince, but you keep your eyes locked on him. Warm tears fall down your cheeks as you blink away the black spots encroaching on your vision. “I love you… I… I always have…”
He can’t. The words stick to the back of his throat like molasses. Instead, he forces a cocky grin. “Let’s go on a trip,” he says. “Just name the place. We can go anywhere you want.”
You wheeze something that should have been a bright, bubbly laugh. “Really…?”
He nods. “We’ll take my jet. And we’ll see all the sights.”
“Even the… tourist traps…?”
“We’ll see those first.”
You smile. Your energy is waning. The candle of your life burns low, the flame flickering trying to stay above the melted wax. “I like… the sound of… that…”
He leans in close, clinging to every last word. Your hand is only on his cheek because he keeps it there. You don’t have the strength to hold it there yourself. “And we’ll go to every shop that catches your eye. I’ll buy you anything you want.” He corrects himself, “Everything you want.”
You nod faintly. Your lips move, but no sound comes out. He presses his forehead to yours.
“You have me,” he whispers.
You smile. Your eyes flutter shut. He feels your last breath on his face. The smile doesn’t fully fade. The corners of your mouth stubbornly refuse to fall. A cold tear brushes his thumb.