What it Means to Live
Pairing: Nitocris x Schera
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate series or any of its characters.
Scheherazade. A beautiful, beautiful Persian storyteller who fears death. Nitocris is a mighty pharaoh who brings death to the world. Put them together…they help each other out. Mostly Nitocris is the one who does all the helping. Ever since that day during the Summer Death Race, Nitocris promised Schera that she will create a talisman to prevent her from dying. This made the Persian very happy and accepted the invitation. Since then, they became good friends and with Ritsuka-chan's support, they won the race.
The two are inseparable. Whenever Ritsuka-chan wants to bring Schera to battle for farming, Nitocris always insists on going with her. They share the same room in Chaldea, which has them able to sleep together every night. They are always by each other's side. Nothing can separate them.
Nothing except…death. That's the one thing that stops Schera from thinking they would be together forever. She never wants to die nor wants anybody else to suffer the same fate. Whatever that may be. But on the other hand, Schera has lived through many situations, mostly from fights. With Nito's help, she was able to overcome many obstacles. However, she still fears death. And that's what concerns Nito as well.
That night, Nitocris sits on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. She is waiting for Schera's return after Ritsuka-chan takes a lovely walk with her down in the long halls of Chaldea. It's been bothering her that Schera is getting worried over death still, but that is just what she is. Of course she would do that, but it still scares her. Nitocris does not want to lose her one and only partner. After what they have been through together…she does not want it to end so soon.
When the doors open, in comes Scheherazade and casually walks in after saying "Hi" to her. Schera proceeds to sit down next to Nitocris and there is silence within the room. Nitocris is thinking over and over what she should say what's been on her mind, rehearsing what she wants to say…every word. She wants to say it properly so that she won't scare Schera. But…how would Schera react if she tells her what's on her mind now? As a pharaoh, she should never back down from something like this.
"Schera?" Nitocris says, turning toward the Persian.
"Yes…?" Schera's very soft voice caresses Nito's regular and bunny ears, her longer ears twitching a little at the sweet sound.
"I…was wondering…" Nito fiddles with her fingers while looking down at the floor. "I know you still think about d-death..even though I promised you that I would create a talisman in order for you to avoid it at all costs. But…I worry what it might happen when something…t-terrible happens to you. And I would be unable to protect you…"
Schera looks at the small pharaoh as she has her head down, her long "bunny" ears hanging low. The storyteller then looks up at the ceiling.
"I do wonder myself…" Schera says. "I say to myself all the time, 'I don't want to die'. No one wants to die. That's why…that's why I do everything in my power to choose to live. People have a choice….Nito. I choose to live…and I am determined to live the best life I can without death trying to come over me. You know…" The Persian stands up and takes a few steps forward, still looking up at the ceiling. "That is…the sole purpose…of me trying to live. You have a purpose to live as well, Nito….as well as everyone else. What it means to live, you may ask? There are many ways. Many things in order to keep on living. It's up to you to make that choice. Everyone…has a choice…"
Nitocris just sits there, looking at Schera's back. She listens to every word.
"Someday…" Schera whispers. "Someday, I may actually die for real…but maybe I will die for a very good reason." She looks down at the floor. "Like maybe trying to protect you, Nito. I…actually wouldn't mind dying…if I were to save your life in return. I would be happy…that your life is spared…and I wouldn't…regret anything."
Nitocris shakes her head as tears start to fall from her eyes. Why would Schera say something like that? She would prefer dying by sacrificing herself…when Nitocris herself is the one who wants to protect her from dying? She does not want to think about that at all.
"Our hearts are…connected…" Schera continues. "I'm sure we would meet each other again in heaven…someday…"
"NO!" Nitocris plunges herself behind Schera, hugging her tightly. "Don't say that! Don't ever say that, you hear me!?"
"N-Nito…?" Schera looks back as she can feel wetness on her back. The small pharaoh is crying, her shoulders shaking and hiccuping can be heard.
"I don't want you to leave…!" Nitocris sobs. "I never, ever want you to leave! I promised to protect you from death…! I shall keep that promise no matter what! So it pains me to hear you say such things!"
"N-Nito…" The Persian slowly turns around to face Nitocris and the little pharaoh buries her face against her large chest.
"I remember…!" Nitocris continues. "I remember that day…the day I took revenge on those who wronged me and my brothers…I put death upon them! I killed them to avenge my brothers…! And then…I took my own life! I wanted to see them in heaven so that we could be together again…! But…then I thought…was it worth it? For me, yes, but on the other hand…there was so much to live for. And I threw it all away." She sniffles. "I never want you to do the same thing by throwing your life away just for the sake of saving me. I don't want to be alone again. I don't want the one I love so dearly be taken away by death…! Again…!" She buries her face in Schera's chest. "Never…! WAAAAAAAHHH!"
Nitocris lets out loud wails as heavy tears fall from her eyes. All Schera could do is hug her tenderly, stroking her purple hair.
"Shhhh…it's alright…" Schera whispers. "I apologize for worrying you so much. It's okay…I'm here. I will always be here. I will be here because you will help me live to the fullest. I have you to thank."
"Schera…!" Nitocris sobs, shaking her head roughly in the taller woman's chest. "I love you! I love you! I love you so much!"
"And I love you…" Schera whispers as she gently lifts Nito's head up to face her. Heavy tears still fall, but the Persian uses her wrapped finger to wipe them away. "Let our love help each other live. Let's live to the fullest together….okay?"
Nitocris nods and sniffles. "Y-yes…I will!" She immediately wraps her arms around the taller woman's neck and leans closer. "Scheherazade…~"
"Nitocris…"
They lean in and share a passionate, heartwarming kiss. Nothing will tear them apart…not even death. Both Nitocris and Scheherazade will help each other live, no matter what.