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"Can you...sing for me?"
Normally, it's a simple request. But being asked in a time where everything is already broken, it's complicated. Amongst the broken debris, was a crown prince, cradling a wounded knight in his arms. It was a dangerous fight, attempting to take the prince's life. But the trident struck the knight instead, fulfilling his duty to protect the heir to the throne.
The wound is too deep into the body. It's too late to bring him to a healer. Those topaz eyes are fluttering, trying to stay awake for a few more moments as if afraid if closing his eyes would end up not opening it back up again.
The prince is trembling, sobbing, trying not to completely break down, holding his savior in his arms. He believes it's his fault, his status caused this disaster. Causing this knight to bleed towards death. The once yellow cloak is getting soaked by red as time passes.
The knight's hand reached up to wipe the prince's tears away. "Don't cry, my Pepper. I don't want to see you cry like that." Lemon Zest replies softly, letting his tears fall down, skipping formalities and status recognition. To the both of them, they weren't the crown prince and the knight. None of it mattered. The only thing mattered was who they really are and their feelings towards one another.
Despite their status, they fell in love, something that is unexpected for them. No one objected this since this was kept in secret, didn't know the consequences of this relationship.
And now, no one will know.
"We could've ran away together... So that I can protect you with my life. So that you'll be safe." Crushed Pepper held the hand that was now cupping his cheek. It's slowly getting colder.
"You already saved me..."
"But you're dying..."
His beloved shook his head. "You... saved me by making me feel... I'm worth more than what role I was supposed to act. That I'm worth protecting. To be loved and taken care of. And that's enough for me. Your warmth is the reason why I have to protect you. You're the only one who made me feel I'm doing the right thing. Even though it'll end up to me dying. I... I want the one who cared about me the most... to be safe too... " He lets their hands interlock each other, holding each other tightly. "I'm glad you felt the same way... That you love me and would also risk your life for me. Though it makes it harder to say goodbye..."
"I don't want to say goodbye..."
Topaz eyes looked back at those ruby eyes. "Can you...sing for me?" Lemon Zest whispered.
Crushed Pepper knew what he meant. The song he listened to before falling asleep. He remembers his beloved has the prettiest singing voice, standing out whenever he was asked to sing in for a choir. And when their relationship got more intimate, he personally get lulled to sleep by that same beautiful voice.
He knows he can sing too, not up to par with his beloved's. But he wanted to fulfill that request. He took a deep breath before singing the first few lines.
While he was singing, the world around them became silent, only his sorrowful voice is the one audible. His beloved smiles softly while he leaned his head onto his chest. Topaz eyes slowly about to close.
He's losing him. He looked down to see his beloved finally closing his eyes, chest moving slightly, taking in final breaths. Tears flow out of ruby eyes once more, voice trying to continue on with the song.
It's harder now as he feels life slowly disappear from his arms. Every syllable seems like a stab to the heart now. He wanted to continue, to finish the song, cradling his beloved gently.
They stayed like that until Crushed Pepper felt the hand holding his cheek dropped down. He looked down and sees his beloved, seemingly in an eternal sleep, but in a gentle smile. He's gone. He held him tighter, more tears falling down his eyes.
"I'm sorry, my Zest..." He finally broke down, crying uncontrollably. "I... I couldn't do it... I can't...finish the song...for you... I'm sorry..."
The world seems to be still quiet with the unfinished song from a crown prince mourning the loss of his beloved knight. No one made a sound except for the sorrowful cries that made everyone pitying their tragic fate.
As if time has completely stopped.