iii. swallowed by the tide, we wear smiles just as deep and sunken beneath.
He follows the curve of her pale lips shape into words: "Promise me," she whispers in feeble forced tones. "We'll be together."
Together, the word echoes like a curse in the dark of the night. He almost laughs in a manner that can be likened to a sob.
To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better.
Born alone in the world and separate of its confines, they tread the earth with invisible tethers on their ankles in a bond that can never be broken. Circumstance dictates them to be in a union—inevitably consummated in each life cycle with the loveliest loveless lies.
Love is their delusion.
For worse.
"Together," he repeats but he doesn't want this. So does she. He keeps up to their pretenses. "Always."
Too weak to oppose their fate, too worn to separate, they surrender to destiny with their hands wrung onto each other's necks.
In a tired, tired voice, she asks, "Forever?"
In a tired, tired smile, he tells her, "Forever."
Until death do us part.