The torch was dropped onto the dry straw surrounding the stake. She watched as the straw lit and began to spread towards her. She was scared. Of course she was scared. She was about to be burned to death. People stood watching, some with interest piqued, some horrified, others actually happy to see her go. She pitied them. Her eyes wandered, touching each and every face in the crowd before finally resting on him. He was restrained, but just barely. He struggled against those holding him back, eyes locked with hers.
France. The country she fought so hard for…and the man she loved. She dreaded the thought that she'd never see him again. Tears filled her eyes at his expression, but she gave him a small smile. Je t'aime, mon amour, she thought, wincing as the flames reached her and began burning her alive. She didn't dare look down, didn't dare break eye contact with Francis.
The pain increased as the flames rose higher, and she knew it was visible on her face now, but she still didn't look away from him. Au revoir, was her last thought as her vision began to cloud and her body went limp.
Francis saw as she lost consciousness from the overwhelming pain and stopped struggling against those holding him back. He slumped to the ground, eyes still on her as the flames engulfed her. Jeanne... She was gone. It was too late for him to do anything, even if he could get there and stop the fire. His entire body shook as he cried, a million memories running through his mind. His eyes finally closed as the tears spilled over onto his cheeks. Jeanne. His beloved Jeanne. He'd never see her again. He'd never see her smile or hear her laugh or feel her warmth as she hugged him. It was all gone.
He stayed like that until the crowd dispersed, until it was dark and the fire burned itself out. He was left by himself, and the ashes that had once been the woman he loved. He hauled himself to his feet and made his way over to the ashes, kneeling down by them and reaching out. His hand stopped just before touching them, hovering over the black dust. He couldn't bring himself to do it. He didn't notice he was crying again until the tears fell to the ground. His eyes closed again as images flooded his mind.
"Francis? Are you listening to me?"
He looked up, snapped back to reality. He blinked, his mind registering who stood over him. He smiled when he saw who it was. It was a small smile that was gone in a second, but she could do that to him, make him smile even when he was in a foul mood.
"Non, sorry. What were you saying?" Jeanne sat down next to him and reached out, cupping his cheek.
"You're worried. You shouldn't be. Everything will be fine." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his forehead. "I'm not going anywhere," she promised.
GAIZ. GAIZ. I MADE MYSELF CRY.
I've had so many FranceXJeanne feels, and most of them were like…really sad feels. So…this came out. I'M SO SORRY. *hands you all tissues* Next time I'll just cry my feels out by myself.
I listened to Sadness and Sorrow while writing this, I don't think it helped my mood.
Review and let me know what you thought!