Alexios Laskaris


The pain receptors have all shut off in his body, rendering him immobile and numb in Sadik's embrace. It amuses him, in a perverse way; even in the twilight of his life, they can still play at their banter, still tease each other lovingly.

Sadik then says the words that Alexios wants to hear so badly, the five words that he would never tire of hearing. "I love you, Alexios Laskaris."

Damn the man. Sadik always, always knew the right words to say.

Alexios has to scramble for the strength to respond. His eyelids are getting heavy, and he has to use all the strength he has left to keep his eyes open, not wanting to miss one last glimpse of Sadik's unmasked face. He can't stop gazing up at those olive eyes, and he is grateful for the fact that the emerald stare is focused with a burning intensity solely on him.

The tears trickle down both of their cheeks, nearly indiscernible from the bucketing rain as the sky continues to weep in despair.

"Yes, may heaven weep for us." Alexios whispers wistfully.

"May it grieve until the war has passed." Sadik replies solemnly.

"I'm sorry for destroying your mask… I know how much it meant to you." He apologizes feebly to the man holding him tightly in the sweetest, yet most heartbreaking of embraces. "And I love you too, Sadik Adnan. I always will."

Alexios starts to feel lightheaded, and the words pour out of him in a hazy torrent, much like the effects of a deep intoxication. His vision clouds and all he can see is Sadik. His liquor, his drug. His sin. His heart.

"S 'agapó̱ . Lypámai. S 'agapó̱ . Pánta tha, péra apó ti̱n katadíki̱, péra apó to thánato. Tha í̱thela na xanadó̱ kápoia méra, an o Theós eínai eleí̱mo̱n. Kápoia méra..." (I love you. I'm sorry. I love you. I always will, beyond damnation, beyond death. May I see you again someday, if God is merciful. Someday...) the gold-eyed soldier whispers to the other, raising his face. He knows that Sadik understands him. No words are spoken as Sadik captures his lips in one last, tragic kiss that tastes of blood, tears and farewell.

"S 'agapó̱. Tó̱ra kai gia ti̱n aio̱nióti̱ta..." (I love you, now and forever) He breathes against those lips before his thoughts fade away as the kiss wipes everything from his mind.

"S 'agapó̱…" (I love you) a voice echoes in his head, regretful and soothing the Byzantine's fears.

He remembers. He dreams. Of fond memories. Moonlight and sweet wine.

"Lypámai..." (I'm sorry)

Anger. Rage. Denial. Their shared sorrow. Their tears.

"S 'agapó̱ . Pánta tha," (I love you. I always will,)

Hopes. Dreams. Wishes. All of which are destined to go unfulfilled. Promises of eternity and the ashes of their passion.

"Péra apó ti̱n katadíki̱, péra apó to thánato" (Beyond damnation, beyond death.)

Defiance. Fate always had seemed determined to keep them apart.

"Tha í̱thela na xanadó̱ kápoia méra," (May I see you again someday)

He looks forward to that one day when he can see his beloved Ottoman again, and be unafraid, in a place where circumstances would not dare rip them apart.

"an o Theós eínai eleí̱mo̱n" (If God is merciful)

Maybe one day, this forbidden love they share can change with God's mercy. Or would they both be damned to hell?

"Kápoia méra..." (Someday…)

Yes, he believes that day would come, and Alexios would wait patiently for it.

He closes his eyes fully, the gold shine fast-extinguishing into nothing.

As the sky cries, as they both cry and as the Byzantine army is decimated a distance away from them, Alexios prepares to take his last breath.


A/N: O…okay… O_O That was by far the saddest. /sigh/ I updated two chapters at one time 'cause they're both so short. My next update (epilogue) will be on Wednesday, I guess. I… Oh gosh, Alexios. I can't. I just can't say anymore. Thanks to all of you who had actually bothered to stick it through. /goes to cry in the corner/