Death had left her already fair skin as pale as a winter's newly fallen snow, leaving an almost blue tint. Her eyes, which had once revealed the depths of her soul, were now closed to the world of the living.
Juliet.
What Romeo would sacrifice to see her alive and well again. What he would do to see her smile, hear her sweet laugh, or lay a hand on her cheek. Suddenly Romeo was overcome with his grief and fell to his knees in front of her tomb. All he had left of his one love was the few memories of them together. He needed these memories. If he were to go through with this plan, these few memories would give him courage to join Juliet.
Romeo tried to remember everything he'd done with Juliet, but as soon as one memory came, it rapidly faded away before becoming another. Memories came and went in such a way until there was only the night they met at Juliet's balcony. He rested his head against the edge of the cool stone and just relived that night.
"Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow, that tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-"
"O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circle orb, lest that thy love prove likewise variable."
The corners of Romeo's lips twitched as he remembered how exasperated his angel had looked and how confused he himself had felt. Soon, though, that precious memory was replaced by yet another.
"If that thy bent of love be honorable, thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow, by one that I'll procure to come to thee, where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; and all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world." At that moment he would have done anything to be with Juliet, and so he had readily agreed to marry the perfect creature that lnow ay before him.
Then that, too, faded as his most recent memories flooded his mind. Tybalt killing Mercutio. Romeo killing Tybalt. Romeo being banished. More and more came until finally his body was physically shaking, and he had to tightly shut his eyes as he tried to stave off his tears.
O brightest and most heavenly of all the angels. Must have you left me with naught, but my lonely thoughts and wishful belief?
With a heavy heart he lifted his head and opened his eyes to gaze at his sweet. Slowly, he reached for her cheek and gently cradled it. Then he leaned down to lightly press their lips together in a chaste kiss, their last kiss, before he rocked back onto his heels. He never took his hand away. Awkwardly he managed to release the apothecary's drug from the confines of his clothes with his free hand and was able to uncork it. He pressed the vial to his lips and tipped it to allow the poison into his system. Once finished, he dropped it, ignoring the sound of shattering glass; he only continued to gaze at Juliet.
With his parting words already said, Romeo crawled into the casket and fitted himself against Juliet. With one last fading memory, Romeo let Death grip his heart with her iron fist and take him away to his wife and lover.
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet…"
