31_days | [30th September][Vampire Game] Exit Life

Title: Exit Life
Day/Theme: 30th September/"exeunt omnes"
Series: Vampire Game
Character/Pairing: Duzell, Ishtar
Rating: PG

Duzell wants to scream at her.

Ishtar is lying there face-down, her head resting on an outstretched arm. It was the way she slept; he spent enough nights awake beside her to know that. Her cheek is – just a little – cut, though there’s too much blood for that to be the source.

It’s probably the gaping wound in her stomach, but he’s not looking at that.

He wants to kick her over onto her back, wants her to open her eyes and smile at him like she used to, full of vibrant, sparkling life. Her smile had been a fantastic thing: sunny and affectionate when pointed at people she liked; the wistfulness that tinged it when she directed it at Darres; the mockery of a grin she had aimed at Lassen.

Don’t be ridiculous, Ishtar, he says to her in his head. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

Well, it isn’t. They should be on the peak of a mountain that no one could climb, destroying cities and each other as easily as they drew breath. It should end like it had ended before.

We were for each other, Phelios. Duzell kneels down and rolls Ishtar over; she is still warm to the touch. He takes her hands and places them in a clasped position over her chest. Why couldn’t you ever have seen that before it was too late?