"It's over now"
He walked through a thicket, slumping through as he made his way to her. His robes were stained with blood both from his and the serpent. It must have been difficult; everything else that had transpired that night had been difficult. But it was over and the hope for that future which was now a reality became a force that drove him to walk.
It was all he could do to not succumb to satiate his exhaustion.
She had been expecting him to emerge from the shack since the news broke about the demise of the Dark Lord. She traversed the next few strides towards him, impatience pouring in waves. He was still a proud man, even after all that happened. Midst the debris of body and construct littering the path between them, her smile was unmistakable. It was a mix of relief and sorrow. And beneath all that, there was a smile for him, one waiting and reserved for his consumption. A single tear slid down her cheek as she clung to him.
He understood.
She broke down when she felt his body against hers. It was all too unreal but here it was, warmth radiating from it. She had longed for this and similarly, he did too. They held each other and wept for the morning that will soon be upon them.
The chill of the night couldn't dull the meeting between them. It was over now. They could be together now.
Until reptilian fangs came and took it all away.
And in that moment between sleep and wake, she found herself in tears. Beside her, a bottle of dreamless sleep potion remained sealed.
It was on these rare occasions of indulgence that the need to call on death became too strong.
But her heart continues to beat.
