Last Breath

by Lynsy

Eponine's POV, very angsty songfic of sorts. Inspired by Evanescence's song, "My Last Breath". Even if you haven't heard it, it'll make sense here. Parts of the song will be inserted at various intervals. Please tell me what you think of it.

Disclaimer: Lyrics to "My Last Breath" produced and written by Evanescence. Les Miserables was written by Victor Hugo. I'm not making any money from this.

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Pain. Chaos and Pain.

Blood. Everywhere.

Gunfire, screaming?

The barricade.

"Ponine? God, Ponine! What's-- are you--"

Marius . . . ?

I read the worry and shock in his eyes. It's all I can do to breathe. . .

"M-Marius?" I croak.

"Shh-shh . . . I'm here . . ."

He cradles my fragile body, gently lowering me to the ground.

"I'm here. . ." he reassures me again.

How long have I waited for him to hold me close like this?

How long have I loved him?

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Hold on to me love, you know I can't stay long

All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid

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"I'm . . . fine," I whisper, my lungs rattling when I struggle to breathe.

"No, you're not . . . Ponine, I'll get a doctor--"

I hush him with my eyes.

"No."

He relaxes, his questioning eyes staring back into mine.

"I'm fine . . . here with you . . . " I murmur.

His wondrous orbs cloud over with concern for me.

"I'm not afraid . . . to die," I confess softly.

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Can you hear me? Can you feel me in your arms?

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He is distressed again. "Ponine, sweet Ponine, you won't die, you can't--"

I close my eyes and gasp with pain.

I can see him hurting too. "I won't let you," he says.

I smile, gently. But despite his will I'm still dying softly.

*********************

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself are all my thoughts of you

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He cradles me in arms I will never be held in. He stares at me with eyes that I will never lose myself in.

All my dreams come true for one perfect moment . . . that I will never know again. Irony cloaks my only bliss with death.

And he doesn't know that I'm already in heaven in his arms.

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Sweet raptured Light

It ends here tonight

*********************

From somewhere, I feel the light of heaven calling.

"Just hold me . . ." I ask, knowing he will.

He closes his eyes. I think he is fighting tears. He is in pain because I die.

But he doesn't know that I can't feel it anymore.

*********************

I know you hear me

I can taste it in your tears

*********************

His eyes spill with salty grief. He sobs, and I hurt for him.

My hand finds his warm, life-filled cheek. I wonder if I am cold.

I wipe away his unbidden tears. I know he will miss me.

*********************

Sweet raptured Light

It ends here tonight

*********************

I gather the breath I need to talk with him this last time.

"Marius . . . I won't really be gone . . . I will see you. I will watch you every day, and miss you."

He smiles through his grief.

"And soon you will join me . . . life is not long. . ."

*********************

Closing your eyes to disappear

You pray your dreams will leave you here

But still you wake and know the truth

No one's there

*********************

"When I'm gone . . . don't dwell on me."

He nods. "I will try to forget. . . but I will always remember in my dreams."

I understand. "I won't hurt then. And you . . . must live on, and celebrate living."

His eyes reflect his grief and understanding. "I will miss you."

"Kiss my forehead when I'm gone, and I will feel it."

He smiles.

*********************

Sweet raptured Light

It ends here tonight

*********************

I'm dying now.

"I love you," I whisper, with my last breath.

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Say goodnight

Don't be afraid

Calling me

Calling me as you fade to black

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All is said, all is done.

"You. . . love . . . " he struggles to understand.

But the sun in his eyes is clouding over. And as the storm breaks, I try to smile at him one last time.

And then it all fades into nothing.

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Please tell me what you think.

Thanks, Lynsy