Disclaimer: I don't own the title to this one either, which is also sampled from 'Smoke'.
Characters: Maxie-centric for Megan because I wrote you that Bravely Default thing but then I was like, Oh my God I forget if she's even played Bravely Default so! This is my backup drabble just in case. You wanted something sad, so hopefully this delivers!
Summary: You open your eyes and the world as you know it turns to dust. Companion to Life Floods In.
his lips turn to sand (and the whole of him cascades through my hands)
"I didn't expect this to happen." The gale buries your words, smothers them in the futility of what you're trying to say because it doesn't matter now, does it? It doesn't matter what you thought would happen. All that matters now is what has.
The child—you can't even remember his name; all you can remember about him is the determined downturn of his lips, the light of duty that's still blazing in his eyes despite the fact that he's failed, failed to live up to his reputation as hero, failed to save them all from your miscalculations—glares up at you with a silence that's more accusatory than a sentence could ever be. It's a wordless What did you think would happen?, but it seems senseless to try and explain twenty years' worth of ambition in words. It seems inane to convey just how those ambitions got twisted somewhere along the way, how they became stained, became sullied. It seems worthless to say that you only wanted what was best for everyone.
What did you think would happen?
For there to be enough land for everyone. For there to be no more overpopulation, no more famine. For there to be no more blood spilled over territorial rights. For there to be no more strife.
What did you think would happen?
The sandstorm lashes against your legs, your face. The sky screams itself raw above you.
What did you think would happen?
Through the storm, somehow, you think you can hear all the voices of the followers you've failed to lead, all the people you've failed to protect. You think you can imagine all the strangers you've killed through your childishness.
What did you expect to happen?
You open your eyes and the world as you know it turns to dust.