-1Title: All We Need is a Reckoning
Rating: G
Drabble Challenge #5 Prompt: Reckoning
Summary: One last kiss before the end.
Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to C.S. Lewis.
Author's Note: Finally I've written something angst for this pairing. I'm five seconds away from bursting into tears because I can't stop thinking about that tragically beautiful ending scene but at least it's not fluff. Sorry it's not that long but I hope you enjoy it all the same! Unbeta'd. Written in response to the Weekly Drabble Challenge #5 at susancaspian.

She never thought it would end like this. This tragically beautiful and painful.

His lips are warm and smooth against hers as they stand on the platform and she can feel her heart is breaking. Hers is a kiss goodbye; sweet and bitter and full of every unspoken vow she won't get the chance to say. His is a plea, don't leave echoing through his mind and begging to be said.

The burning in her lungs screams for air and Susan pulls away. His hand is warm in hers and she knows her resolve can't, won't hold much longer. Caspian's arms find their way around her waist, everywhere they touch leaving sparks trailing across her skin underneath the dress and threatening to burn her from the inside out.

"Don't go," he whispers into her hair. Susan bites her lip to stop the tears from coming and pushes her face deeper into his neck, trying to imprint this into her memory. It has been years since she's felt this and she knows it'll be many more before she'll feel anything like this again. The words clump in her throat and Susan shakes her head, knowing that if she says anything she won't be able to leave.

She pulls away and turns, fingertips trailing from his hand and tingling from his touch as her hand falls from his. She meets Aslan's eyes and can't help but think that after all she has done for him and this country that her reward is nothing more than blood-stained hands and a broken heart.

She takes her place at her brother's side and takes one last look at the land and the people she has come to love. The pain in her chest grows as she looks back at Caspian, his brown eyes begging her to stay and causing her knees to buckle. Peter smiles down at her and slips his hand into hers. She grips it until her knuckles are white from the tension and prays that he won't let go for this is a battle she knows she cannot win alone.

Caspian's gaze watches her every movement as she turns and follows Peter into the tree. Edmund's disappointed glare and Lucy's pity scorch her back and she holds her head up high, neither ashamed regretful of her actions. She is a Queen of Narnia, always has and always will be, and queens never have regrets.

There is a gush of cold air and her dress fades back into the worn skirt and blouse of her school uniform as the subway train rushes by but all Susan feels is Peter's hand in hers and the dying sparks across her lips.