A/N: This is sort of in a poetic style... A cross between poetry and prose. I was in an angsty mood. XP So, here's the next theme, in case you were having a good day.


Theme: Never Again

Never again.

Never again would those cobalt eyes dance with mirth.

Blaze with fury.

Narrow in skepticism.

Squint against a rare smile.

Never again.

Never again would that pale face light up with laughter.

Darken with rage.

Flush in embarrassment.

Never again.

Never again would that sandy hair be brushed from his forehead.

Mussed by the wind.

Dampened with afternoon rain.

Those eyes were forever closed. That face, forever still. The hero had fallen into eternal sleep. Only this time, unlike the fairytales, there would be no glorious awakening.

Never again, would the eyes open, the sharp words bark from his throat, coarse and cruel and full of concern and care for those he loved. His voice had been forever silenced by a cruel twist of Fate.

The corpse that lay stone stiff in the coffin before him was only a shell of its owner. An empty cage. A vacated cell. Leo supposed he should take some comfort in the knowledge that Elliot's spirit was now free. Liberated in Paradise. Never again to feel the weight and burden of this dimension, never again to be bound by wicked creatures or burdensome friends.

But he didn't.

Never again.

Never again would he find a friend like Elliot Nightray.

Never again would he meet a soul so bold.

So brazen.

So valiant.

So selfless.

So kind.

Never again would there be a human being like his late master.

A body in the prime of youth had been prematurely slain. Slain by the folly of Leo's own selfishness. Never again would he rise.

Never again.

Never again would Leo love* a friend so dearly.

Never again would he trust as he had trusted.

Never again would he let another suffer for his sake.

Never again… Never again would he care, would he let down the walls, would he love. For without his master and closest friend… What point was there in it? None of it would bring Elliot Nightray back.

Never again would he rise.

Never again would he live.

Never again would he laugh.

Never again would he love.

And so, neither would Leo.


*I use 'love' in the context of it's real definition. Love: n. an intense feeling of deep affection. Not romantic love or lust. Not anything of that kind. Pure love, as in a deep emotional commitment to someone. Like one would love a brother, sister, parent, close family member, or best friend.

In that context, I say that Leo loved Elliot very much, and vice versa. Again, I stress, I do not ship them romantically.

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think! :)

~Penelope