For the Caesar's Palace Monthly One-shot challenge. Prompt: 'You see her every time you close your eyes; Maybe one day you'll understand why; Everything you touch always dies.' I focused on the first two lines.
(My Darling)
When we were young, we used to run on the beaches of District Four until we could run no more and you used to smile so widely I thought we would never be sad.
(Except when we had to go home)
His hardened lips twist as he thinks of what the man in front of him did to his life. The thief. He stole her.
(He stole her away, and she went)
She left in the dead of night, when the only people around were drunk and would not see her.
(Or would they?)
When we were older – though still much younger than we are now – we would sit on the roof of our penthouse, hand in hand, and you would tell me all your problems and I would make them go away with a flourish.
(And maybe some money)
The man before him is no more than a penniless fisherman. He has no idea why she would choose this man over him.
(But she did)
She left with no more than the clothes she stood in and a tiny bit of food; she didn't need any more.
(And he had fish, after all)
When we were older than that, I gave you the world, laid out on an ornate silver tray and sprinkled with sugar. I told you we could have it all.
(Though I didn't mention the price)
He lowers his head slightly and watches as the guards take the kicking, screaming fisherman away.
(Well, he tries to ignore the screaming)
She left just after they got back from District Four. She went back to the sea; it was calling her.
(So was he)
When the days had gone oh-too-fast, I lost you and I felt as though the world came crashing down around my ankles. I had the world; I had it all.
But I didn't have you.
(Why did you go?)
The next day, he leads this thief to the gallows. It is a large occasion for a criminal such as this – too large, some would say – but the pain this man has caused him is too great. He has to go.
(So maybe she will come back)
She found him in District Four and vowed to never go back.
(Never, ever)
And now I want you back. Now I want your sparkling eyes to look at me with that love and your golden-brown hair to hit the pillows just-so in my house and your elegant fingers to interlace with mine and make me feel warm inside again.
(It's so cold here without you)
"Any last words?" he mutters, as always. They never normally reply.
"Yes." This one is unusual. "I want to tell you that you will see us every time you close your eyes, Snow, but she will always be mine."
Snow removes the floor from under the fisherman's feet, his teeth gritted and his eyes hard.
(His eyes never soften again)
She left forever that day.
And nothing would ever bring her back.
(Despite her father's best efforts)
You will always be in my heart – my beautiful daughter.