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I observed as my friend thrashed and strained against his chains, sweat started to bead upon his brow. I had just begun searching for building stone when he started to retaliate verbally.
“Unfetter me Montresor! I do not find this jest humorous!” My friend screeched harmoniously with the frantic jingling of the bells atop his head.
I cocked my head sidelong; Fortunato’s voice had so quickly lost its drunken quality. Fascinating, brilliant even; the nature of my dear Fortunato. His eyes lit aflame, instantly burning away that film that I’d laid so carefully with alcohol. I’d seen him carry those flames many a time prior, however he carried much joy in those instances.
These flames were anything but joyous.
This was raw, sobering rage the likes of which I’d never laid eyes on before. Admittedly, he was a pulchritudinous sight, my Fortunato. Even in such foolish attire, now with fury contorting his features, he still managed to falter my breathing, tearing the very air from my lungs.
“Montresor...?” My friend sounded less enraged now, more perturbed than anything really. This was what finally pried me from my trance. I finally processed that I have not only been failing to further my plan in revenge, but that I’d simply been gawking at him like some sort of clodpate.
“Yes Fortunato?” My voice trembled, nonetheless, I attempted to retain my composure.
“This is a jest…yes?” His voice; so vulnerable, beautiful. I felt my stomach twist in that odd, fluttering sort of way. My throat constricted at the sight, a million wounds, healed instantaneously in just a few short words. All of the walls of hatred I’d built between us crumbled at my feet. My pulse accelerated to the speed of a hummingbird’s wings.
It was not a conscious effort, but rather I found myself stepping towards my friend, if friend were even the correct term at this moment. As I approached, Fortunato seemed to shrink under my form. I couldn’t help myself from thinking he appeared bonny like this, despite the alarmed glint in his eye.
I removed my mask, tossing it carelessly onto the floor of the catacombs. I leaned in closer to him as I placed a hand against the wall behind him to steady myself. My lovely Fortunato was now visibly trembling; I grinned affectionately at this. I could feel his uneven exhales on my lips before I finally closed the gap between us.
He went ridged at first, and I could have sworn his breathing had come to a stop. I reached up to thread my fingers through his hair to soothe him, knocking that ridiculous hat off his head in the process. I felt him sigh against my lips as he went lax, well, as lax as one can be with one’s hands chained above one’s head. He had at last started to reciprocate the kiss; I combed through his hair encouragingly.
Though my Fortunato seemed to enjoy this, I couldn’t help but think about Lady Fortunato. I wanted to feel sympathy for her, but at this moment it was impossible to bring myself to care.
I felt him begin to pull away, and I had to suppress the urge to follow his movements, to keep this contact, but I knew it would be cruel to deprive him of oxygen for so long. Though I still kept it so we were no more than a mere few inches apart. I could once more feel his breathing against my skin; it seemed to have steadied compared to its erraticism only a few minutes prior.
“For the love of God Montresor…” he breathed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He looked exponentially more handsome with a smile.
Though I predicted that this tryst of ours wouldn’t last, I savored every moment of it.
- 10 years later -
I shivered, whether it was because of the draft creeping through the window or Fortunato’s breathing on my neck I was unsure.
A sleepless night of this nature was anything but unfamiliar to me, I had become something of an insomniac over the years. When Fortunato and I had purchased a house together, I had predicted that I’d feel calm enough to sleep at an appropriate time, I couldn’t have been more incorrect. Every night that I remembered how I’d once tried to kill my love was a night wasted, lying awake and staring at the ceiling.
I feel Fortunato shift slightly in my arms, his hair brushed up against my chin. I was so unbelievably lucky to have been blessed like this. I’d endure thousands more sleepless nights if it meant I could keep my lover. I absently traced shapes on his back, hoping sweet unconsciousness would take me soon. Though, being awake with Fortunato in my arms wasn’t the worst outcome.