(Author's note: All right, this is just a very angry Bishop one-shot, revolving around his betrayal at the end of the OC. I was feeling pretty angry some time ago, so I decided to vent it in the form of one heck of a bitter Bishop story. I hope you enjoy, because the whole point is I was angry! I hope that comes through)
Why?
How could you?
You step out of the shadows, your face cold and determined.
I try to ignore the hurt, ignore the pain shrieking inside my head.
What did I do?
I tried, Bishop, I tried.
But I was a fool. An utter and complete fool to think you any different than what you are.
You speak of debts, of not getting tied down. It's "not your style."
Yes, but I got tied down, didn't I?
I made one absolute, fatal mistake.
I fell in love with you.
I fell in love with your eyes, bright and vibrant. I fell in love with your smile, beautiful and scarce. I fell in love with your laugh, wonderful and rare.
I fell in love with you, so I gave you everything.
I gave you my heart, my soul. I bared myself to you, listening to what little bits of yourself you would offer me.
I held them close to my heart.
Perhaps, I had thought, with each piece, you could learn to bare yourself. Perhaps, I had thought, with each piece, you would open up to me.
Care for me as I cared for you.
Love me as I loved you.
But now, I see the truth.
I was deluded.
Now, I see you for what you truly are. I chipped past the hardened, frozen shield around your heart, only to find more ice, more darkness.
I gave you everything, and you threw it away.
I gave you my time, you ignored it. I gave you my heart, you tossed it aside.
You enjoyed being alone. Companionship, love, those were weaknesses.
Who cares? Who loves?
Only the weak care. Only the weak love.
And now, you stand before me, ready to strike me down.
Even now, I see uncertainty in your eyes. Uncertainty I always saw when I looked at you.
I remember the night we spent talking by the campfire, while everyone else was asleep.
You had held my hand. I cherished your touch.
You had kissed me. I cherished the taste of your lips.
You had touched me, made love to me. I cherished the feel of your body and the warmth of your skin.
But you had used me, hadn't you?
You took all that I had given you, and you threw it away.
Did you know that I loved you? Did you know that I cared for you?
Or did it not matter to you?
The only person that matters to you, Bishop, is you.
To save your life, you would sacrifice mine.
But I don't hate you. I don't hate you. I can't hate you.
I feel numb, Bishop.
I can't hate you, I can't love you. I can't feel anything. Not shock, not anger, not disbelief.
I'm just… numb.
Then the pain sets in, screaming like a banshee within my heart.
I gave you everything. I sacrificed myself for you. And you betrayed me.
You betrayed me. After everything I've given you, you betrayed me.
Did I matter to you? Apparently not.
I am forced to raise my blade against you. My love, my life, my everything.
This gives me no pleasure. All I can hear, all I can feel is my own agony, my own hurt, my own pain.
How could you, Bishop? How could you?
It is amazing how easily steel cuts through human flesh.
Will your blood give me my heart back, Bishop? Will your death give me my life back?
Or will it only cause me more pain?
Why do I torment myself?
My sword cuts through your armor like paper. Your life stains my hands, my body, my face.
Do you feel the chains lifting again, my love? Do you feel free? Do you finally feel at peace?
That's all I wanted, my love. I only wanted your happiness.
You look up at me. There is a light in your eyes I have never seen before.
As your life flows from you like a crimson river, I see happiness in your eyes. True happiness, the one thing I always wished for you.
The one thing I always tried to give you.
The one thing I never could.
But, like everything you do, it comes with a price.
You are finally happy, but I've lost you, my love.
Your eyes finally close, and with a great sigh, you relax. I feel tears roll their way over the blood on my cheeks. Your blood.
Why, Bishop?
Why?