AN: An angsty R/J (with motivation from a great fanfic titled Master of Illusion)
Ashes to Ashes
They find him, hands stained black, bleeding from a burn on his right arm, sifting violently through the ashes. The pile of soot is dark and stands starkly in the white gold sand that surrounds the quintet. Two birds circle over head, cawing loudly – their desperate cries the only sound breaking the silence.
He watches the material drift through his fingers, clutching at physical matter that refuses to comply to his wishes.
"You knew it would end this way."
The crouched blonde man appears not to hear the statement.
"Collect yourself, you are a king of the realm."
The man's shoulders relax suddenly as he fishes a singular scarlet star, charred on one side, from the small heap.
Clutching the insignificant trinket, he stands up and turns to face the four men. They say nothing, but each note the tear cutting through the hard plane of the man's sooty cheek. A swift breeze rises and sends the ashes scattering into the atmosphere.