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#sorry ora i didn’t mean to cause you any anxiety—
spoileralertitsme · 4 years
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Sneak Peak of Chapter 30
Blissful darkness. Then blinding light.
Barbara winced, burying her face in her arms to hide from the glaring fluorescents. Her eyes ached, and her muscles shivered as she pulled herself into an upright fetal position. Knees pressed to her forehead, she gasped shallow breaths into her lungs.
Three hours of sleep.
It was less than the night before, but definitely more than the night before that.
They loved keeping her on her toes—alternating between peaceful, uninterrupted nights, and flipping the lights on or blaring alarms every thirty minutes or so during others. Just one more way to keep her weak, make her vulnerable, get inside her head.
Barbara hunched her shoulders. A whimper leaked through her pursed lips.
Then, when she felt a little more ready to face the light, she tipped her head up and pressed the back of her skull against the cold concrete wall of her cell. The sensation was almost more painful than the glaring brightness behind her eyelids.
Don’t know how much longer…how long I can…
Barbara swallowed dryly, tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth.  
Okay…okay…focus…fine…my name is Barb—my name—Barbara—I am twenty-four years old and five-foot-eight-inches…I am the Batgi—no, I’m Ora—Batman? Batwoman…it…has been roughly three and a half weeks…that long…the date is…the date—
She stumbled over that step. In this place, in this little dungeon underneath Harbor House, time didn’t seem real. Without any hint of natural light, and without the slightest glimpse at a clockface, Barbara had no way of knowing what time or even day it was.
And yet…
There was a familiar ache in her chest. Her nerves sang with panic, and she could feel goosebumps pricking at her skin (though that might have been the work of the chilly temperature in her little stone box).  The wave of anxiety was drifting just below the surface—a riptide ready to tear her away from the safe shores of her own sanity if she chose to venture in too close.
So. Barbara knew the date; she could feel it in her bones.
But she steered her thoughts towards a more pressing concern.
She wet her lips with a papery tongue, and spoke with a rusty voice.
“Come to gloat?”
At first, there was no reply. The Talon crouched in the corner watched her through the honey-colored lenses and blinked lazily. He seemed settled—could be that he’d been watching her for hours, now. Waiting. And the fact that she’d only just now noticed him was another barb in Barbara’s already prickly predicament. Bruce would’ve had her head for being so blind. So unguarded. So…off her game.
Barbara’s fingers curled into fists, settled in her lap. No other part of her would move.
Eventually, the Talon decided that their little staring contest had gotten old, and said, “No. Quite the opposite, B-girl. I’m here to warn you.”
“Don’t you %*&$>^& call me that, Cal.” Her voice was drained of all its venom, so the warning fell flat. Barbara’s head lolled, sliding down the wall to land on her shoulder. The bare skin against her cheek offered a small scrap of grounding. “And—warn me ‘bout what? That a bird cult’s gonna stuff me in a box and make me run rat races every day until I die and die and die and die…”
A deranged giggle burst out of her, and she pressed the back of her fist to her lips.
Cal’s eyes twitched a little wider behind his mask. “I see the anesthetic is still lingering in your system.”
She only wished she could blame the outburst on the anesthetic. But she’d been dosed and drugged too many times before—enough to know that her rising hysteria had nothing to do with the amount of narcotics in her system.
“How long’ve you been sitting there, anyway?” Barbara demanded, letting her hand fall back down. She watched the Talon through lidded eyes. Clicked her tongue. “Watching people while they sleep. That’s a whole new level of creep, even for you.”
“I have been waiting for you to wake. The procedure went well, although Gordon accidentally overdosed you.” His clawed fingers drummed anxiously against his knee. “You lost two days. We feared you might not make it.”
“So?” she snorted. Smiled into her shoulder. “You know something, Cal…sometimes I wish I wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t…” His eyes narrowed. “I would not let that happen. You are far too valuable to our cause. You must live to fulfill your Grandmaster’s wishes.”
“%*&< you,” Barbara retorted, curling in on herself just a little tighter.
“I suppose I deserve that.”
One of her eyebrows quirked up as she dared a glance at the Talon. He reached up slowly, and slid the mask off his head with one fluid stroke. As he brushed his shaggy mane out of his eyes, Cal let out a shaky sigh.
“No matter,” he continued. He met her eyes and frowned deeply. “Onto more pressing concerns—you must abandon your delusion, Barbara.”
She huffed, digging her fingernails into her skin. “Oh, I’m the deluded one? Are you serious?”
“As the grave,” he retorted, sounded like he sincerely meant it. His glower darkened into something fierce. “You are holding onto the belief that someone will come for you. Your lover, siblings, butler, comrades—someone. But you are mistaken.”
Barbara looked up, letting her hand fall away from her face as she shot her former friend a death-glare. Deluded? To think that the best detectives and heroes the Earth had to offer would find a way to dig her out of this #$%%-hole? Please. The phrasing of the code message Slade had so cavalierly botched was the only proof she needed.
“I know my family, Cal. They’re already on their way.”
He watched her face carefully for a few seconds, and then, when he didn’t see a crack in her resolve, said, “Your faith in them is…admirable. But the Court has taken precautions. The Light has taken even more—”
“What the #$%% is the Light’s game, anyway? What do they want with—”
“Time is short, so shut your mouth,” Cal snarled. He leaned forward on his haunches, his already imposing posture heightened by the gargoyle-like slope of his shoulders, with the matching sneer to boot. “I know you think that our incorrect answer to the Gray Son’s coded message spells your salvation. But we are monitoring his activity, as well as the activity of your entire ‘family’—” He spat the word out like it was bitter on his tongue, and carried a regretful aftertaste. “—and by the time they pinpoint the location of our stronghold? By the time they muster the numbers to do battle with our forces? We will already have everything we need. We will have won, Barbara.”
Her eyes narrowed sharply as she growled, “Wanna bet?”
“You are hardly in a position to bet anything,” Calvin reminded her with an equally poisonous leer. “Which brings us back to my original business here—a warning.”
“A warning that I’d better kill you first when my family busts me out?” Tears pricked unexpectedly in her eyes as she spat, “Consider it done, old chum.”
The Talon continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “Take a good look at your surroundings, Barbara. You are sitting right in the belly of an impenetrable fortress. And you have been for almost a full month, now.”
Barbara didn’t need to inspect her cell too closely. She’d practically memorized the cracks in the stone and the spots of mildew in the corners these last few weeks. But she could still see Calvin’s point—she’d been here long enough to know every Talon and Courtier by name. She knew the sweep schedule for patrolling security, she’d nearly put every twist and turn in the Maze to vivid memory…#$%%, Barbara even knew the &*#% rhyme by heart, now.
Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time…
But the watching had been mutual. She only wished that she had the strength to do anything about it.
“Did you know that the average Talon is only able to hold out for three to four days during the first stages of the conversion process, Barbara?” Calvin straightened his spine and fixed her with a cold glare. “You’ve lasted longer than any of us. Far longer than any member of the Court would have expected.”
“Do I smell a compliment?” she muttered dryly.
“Hardly. As I said, time is short.”
Barbara raised her chin and pulled herself a little further up the wall. She could look at the Talon full-on, now, and let him feel the full wrath of her scowl. “Meaning that all I have to do is wait you out. Sooner or later, Cal, they will come back. That’s what families do.”
At that, silence soaked into the room. Her words hung in the air, ringing in both their ears. She could see the effect it had on her old friend, though it was subtle. A sudden crack in the stiff mask of his expression. The slightest twitch of his jaw, the small flinch at her tone. Barbara could feel her own jaw slacken at the sight; seeing just a glimpse—a sign—that there was still some shred of Calvin Rose’s soul underneath the monstrous exterior.
For a moment, the glassy sheen in his eyes seemed to clear. His mouth fell open.
“B-girl,” he whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t—”
But he stiffened, head cocking bird-like to the side as a small groan leaked past his lips. When he looked back up at her, the savage gleam in his gaze was back.
“Time is short,” he repeated meaningfully, “And so every day you hold onto this delusion—every day you drag your heels and continue to fight—is just another day they sink their claws deeper into you, Barbara. You stall nothing. The only thing you manage to do by fighting them is ensure that when you fall—and you will fall—you may not be able to pick up the broken pieces again.”
“This isn’t the first time I’ve been tortured, Cal.”
The Talon leaned forward, insistent. “You have to surrender, Barbara. Kneel at the Grandmaster’s feet and pledge your loyalty. Perhaps then, when they see that they’ve broken you, they can be persuaded to--”
Her fear ebbed a little bit, replaced by a growing twinge of distaste. Barbara could feel her lips curling into a grimace, the thought of bending to Vanaver a bracing reminder. She felt her spine straighten a little bit as her mind returned to her family.
They were coming.
She was sure of it.
“I want you to listen carefully, Rose,” Barbara said softly, slowly, iron lacing her words and bracing them up. As she leaned forward, her grimace turned to a sneer. “I don’t care how long it takes. I don’t even care how much of me goes down the drain. If my family finds me, and all that’s left is a brainless, catatonic zombie, so #*&!$^% be it. But I will never get down on my knees and beg like a dog for Vanaver, do you understand?”
His eyes flashed dangerously, the golden irises glowing for a moment before the surge subsided. He sighed heavily, and let his bangs fall back over his face as he bowed his head.
“I strongly suggest,” he growled, “That you learn to beg, sit, and roll over. That is my warning. I took the time out of my rounds, disrupted the security feed, and came to give it to you before your morning trials, because I…”
His throat bobbed, like he was trying to swallow a brick.
And when the Talon looked up, his gaze was mournful. That crack in composure was back, and it allowed a few trickles of the real Calvin Rose to stream through one last time.
“I care for you, little sister,” he growled, eyes squeezing shut as he clenched his jaw. The words seemed almost agonizing. His clawed fingers dug into the stone beneath him, seeking purchase. “I am…I…am…terrified for you.”
Barbara sat up straight as a pained wheeze leaked past Cal’s lips. A whimper followed quickly behind.
She reached out, fingers grasping at his wrist. “…Cal?”
Panting, he gasped, “I love you.”
Like a blade had pierced through his chest, he let out a sharp cry. His body slumped forward, hands slapping against the ground to steady himself, and one quick gasp seemed to re-inflate his lungs.
“Cal!”
His head shot up, hair flying away from his eyes, and Barbara could see them glowing a cold, quiet gold. The black veins swimming beneath his pale skin seemed darker, one bulging in his neck and forehead as he clenched his jaw impossibly tight and swallowed.
“Remove your hand or I will cut it off.”
The ice in his tone washed over her, and Barbara shrunk back, eyes wide. The ridges of her spine clicked against the wall as she pressed herself back, cowering away from the Talon as he rose to his feet, claws fully extended and his eyes threatening murder.
“I have given you your chance,” he said dully. “And you have chosen not to take it. But you may mark my words that by the end of this day, that choice will be taken from you along with everything else. Enjoy your trials, Barbara.”
He turned to leave her, and Barbara sat up, glowering. “Calvin—”
“You will address me as Talon Rose.” His head pivoted, metallic eyes flashing over his shoulder. “’Calvin’ is dead, and if you forget that fact again, I will tear out your tongue.”
Barbara’s mouth clamped shut.
“Farewell,” Talon Rose snapped as the door slid open for him. He stepped out deftly, and the stone panel rumbled and clicked back into place, leaving Barbara in solitude.
She let out a staggered breath. 
Then, a panel mounted on the opposite wall blinked to life, showing a flashing set of digits, counting down, down, down. One quick glance at the screen told her she had two minutes.
Barbara braced a hand against the wall as she dragged herself into an upright position. Straightened. Stretched. Rolled out her shoulders and her neck and glared at the grout between the stones on the floor. Every single movement made her nerves wail, but she knew better than to stay seated, by now.
So, with a weary sigh, she threw herself into the process of stretching. The familiar burn of her muscles as they slowly warmed was a steadying reminder—this was just another training exercise. Just another run. Just another spar set. Nothing to worry about.
She pulled one arm across her chest, holding it tight with her other elbow. The numbers on the screen ticked to ten, nine, eight…
Okay, guys, she thought, Whenever you’re ready to move, I’ll be…
Barbara’s eyes fixed on the screen as it hit zero, and the wall rumbled away, revealing a starkly white corridor beyond.
Her throat bobbed.
Here.
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nessadoodlin · 7 years
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The Space Between Us
Fandom: PokeSpe/Pokemon Adventures
Pairing: RubyxSapphire (aka franticshipping/RuSa)
Word Count: 2809
Summary: What would have happened if Rayquaza hadn’t brought Ruby and Sapphire back home to Earth at the end of ORAS? (UA, Sapphire’s POV)
Notes: Hello everyone! So I hadn’t written a fic in years, and I just got this idea randomly one night, so I thought, “hey, why not try and write it out and see what happens?” Yeah, I’m not sorry for the angst again. 
(special thanks to these dorks for being my reviewers!! @disnerdpoketrainer @trimystic @blackspies12 @chocochan015 @brindillebon and there might have been a few more if I forgot you let me know I’m sorry but it’s late and I’m tired so I’m just gonna post this now hhhhhhhhh)
A brilliant show of falling meteorites flooded my vision as they descended towards Earth. The sight was so surreal, like a dream that I did not want to wake up from. The feeling was exhilarating, yet terrifying as the shards of space rock hurtled around us. Holding on tightly to Ruby’s hand, I softly gasped as I beheld the magnificent view before me. He was right, despite the danger this was definitely better than the meteor shower show we would have seen at Mossdeep.
After a few minutes, the remainder of the meteorites finally dove towards the Earth’s surface.The horizon cleared, and all that was left in sight was Ruby and myself. I turned towards him when I heard him mutter a soft “Wow” from the radio in my suit’s helmet.
“That was amazin’,” I mused back, unable to think of anything else to describe the spectacle.
Looking back at me, he remarked, “‘Amazing’ is an understatement. That was stunning.”
“‘Amazing’, ‘stunning’, same thing,” I retorted playfully. Ruby chuckled at that, and I followed with a small giggle of my own.
The moments after were silent, except for the sounds of our breathing, so I took that time to really take in our surroundings. Looking out, I can see the Earth, and the Moon if I turn my head a bit, but other than that, nothing. Absolutely nothing, save for the distant stars that speckled the dark blanket of the universe. In that moment, I had realized after all of the strife, battles, heartbreak and anxiety that had led up to this moment, after all of the fast paced action and decisions, it was all over and was now so... eerily quiet. The empty expanse of space suddenly consumed my being, and the frightful feeling of suddenly being entirely alone started to creep up my spine.
Impulsively, I gripped Ruby’s hand tighter. Noticing this, he turned towards me.
“Sapphire?” He tentatively began, “what’s wrong?”
I took a quick glance at him to meet his eyes, then turned back to the great expanse before answering, “Oh, nothing. It’s just… being out here like this, it kinda makes ya feel small, y’know? And there’s literally nothing out here except us... It’s a little scary if you think about it.”
Ruby then firmly gripped my hand and said, “Yeah, I guess with us being the only two people up here like this, it is really unnerving.” A few more seconds of silence passed before he stated. “Well, Sapphire, in that case, are you ready to go home?”
Taking one last glimpse at the Earth, I reply, “Yup, I’m ready to go home, Ruby.”
In unison, we both placed our opposing hands on the Link Cables attached to our suits, and waited to be teleported back to Earth.
However, after a few minutes, nothing happened. Alarmed, we both looked at each other in panic as we tried to put our hands over our Link Cables again. After a few more failed attempts, fear started to roll into my core and I began to tremble. I could feel Ruby shaking through his fingers in our joined hands, possibly feeling the same amount of terror that I must be feeling.
A few seconds later, Ruby called out into the radio, “Shoe Maker? Mr. Devon? Can anybody hear me?!”
We listened carefully for any sort of reply, but our cries for help were not heeded. My eyes darted around, searching for an answer as to why our calls were not being answered. I looked at Ruby’s suit, then back at mine, and realization struck me.
“R-Ruby…”
“What is it, Sapphire?’ he frantically replied.
“Our suits…” I muttered, gesturing to his chest.
Ruby looked down, and gasped in shock as he realized what I was referring to. The control panel on his chest, including the Link Cable, was smashed in. I looked down to my own panel, and I saw the destroyed Link Cable sitting there uselessly.
“They must have gotten damaged when that Pokemon from the meteor attacked us,” I mused, not being able to tear my eyes away from the carnage of my panel. My mind spun, trying to think of something, anything, that might be able to get us home. After thinking for a bit, I blurted out, “Wait, where’s Rayquaza?”
We both turned around, searching for the green serpentine-like Pokemon. As time passed, Ruby and I realized it seemed to have vanished, for it was nowhere to be found.
Ruby turned to me and stated, “Maybe since it figured it had finished its role in destroying the meteor and defeating that space Pokemon, it decided to go back…”
In disbelief, I exclaimed, “But didn’t we form a bond with it? What’s that all about then?!”
Ruby looked away from me as he said, “Maybe it was just up until it destroyed the meteor? I don’t know, Sapphire…”
Another pregnant silence fell between us. The pit of my stomach sank as I mumbled, “We’re alone out here then, with no way to get home…”
“There’s got to be something that we can do, there’s got to be a way!” Ruby cried, desperation laced in his voice. “Something…”
I try to think of something, but nothing comes to mind. I am cut out of my thoughts when I hear a sniffle from the radio, so I look over to Ruby. His bangs covered his eyes, and his fingers clutched onto mine.
“Father is going to really be mad at me for making Mom sad, isn't he?” He let out a small, sad chuckle, but immediately after he clenched his teeth. I could tell he trying to be strong.
Feeling my own tears welling up, I look down as I choke out, “It’ll be hard for my dad to live on his own… he's never had to before….”
“And Emerald and everybody else….” Ruby added mournfully.
It became too much to bear that the both of us turned into sobbing messes. I pulled him towards me, and I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed, bringing us so close that our helmets bumped together. Ruby reciprocated with a tight grip around my suit around my waist. We just held each other desperately, clinging onto the other person with everything that we had. In this lonely, empty cosmos, we were all that we had left.
Even though our entire worlds were crashing, tumbling down into oblivion right before our eyes, in Ruby’s embrace I felt… safer. I felt as if our little bubble of space could freeze time, and we can stay like this, holding each other forever. Everything stood still for a moment, and an inkling of a thought of us being okay floated in the back of my mind. I found myself believing that as long as we stayed here together, something would present itself and everything would be fixed. I desperately hoped a solution would show itself.
Tightening his hold on me, Ruby sobbed, “I’m so sorry Sapphire, I promised that we would go back to Earth alive, yet…”
“No, don’t apologize Ruby, this isn’t yer fault… I followed ya here myself,” I murmured.
A few more sniffles between us passed before Ruby continued, “Heh, guess this really did turn out to be a self-sacrificing story, huh? Even though I said I would never give up my life for this…”
“Well, if it weren’t for us, everyone would’ve died, Ruby. And if we were gonna die anyways, might as well just be us, not the entire world.”
He hummed in response. Then, a tiny red light started to flash on one of the lights on our arms. A robotic voice cut in, repeating, “Oxygen levels low, oxygen levels low, oxygen levels low…”
Upon hearing that, time stopped. My heart plummeted as I looked into Ruby’s fear-filled eyes. In that moment, we both knew that our fates had been sealed in the message of the lights. Soon the warnings faded away, and we were suddenly thrown back again into harsh reality.
“Looks like we don’t have that much time left…”
Hearing that confirmation from him caused my voice to catch in my throat. I didn’t want to believe it. All that we’ve been through, all of our adventures, all of the time we shared was suddenly going to come to an end. I didn’t want to let all of that go. I wanted to go back home with Ruby, to Emerald, my dad, everyone. I didn’t want to die out here without seeing all of them again!
“Well, since it seems like we’re running out of time…” he started, “I should probably tell you this before it’s too late, Sapphire.”
His gaze pierced straight through me, looking sincerely yet desperately. His breath hitched, as if trying to find the right words to say. Then, after pausing, he says, “Before we… go, I want to tell you that I…,” he took a deep breath in, preparing himself for what he was about to say, “I like you, Sapphire.”
Before I had a chance to react, he shook his head, “W-wait, no. I love you, actually. I really, really do.”
Initially taken aback, my jaw drops. My face goes unbelievably red, but I shake it off. My intuition already kind of saw this coming a while ago. I look back into his eyes and reply, “I know, Ruby”.
Now his face takes on a red hue, and his eyes widen in shock. “You knew?! What do you mean? I’ve never said it to you before.”
The corner of my mouth raises a bit into a smile. “C’mon, the whole ‘I don’t wanna be separated you, so become Lore Keeper with me!’ speech you gave earlier? I kinda figured it out then, ya dork”.
Ruby averts his eyes away from me, clearly embarrassed. I let out a small chuckle, then I add, “But thank you for saying those words Ruby.” My face goes red again, as I consider my words, “A-and, I’ll confess to you again. I love you too, truly. If I were to die with someone, I’m glad I’m with you, until the very end.”
I bury my head into his chest, my cheeks against the rim of my helmet. He places his gloved hand on the top of my helmet, hugging me closer. “I’m glad I got to be with you too, Sapphire.”
Suddenly, another automated voice interrupted us. “Warning: five minutes worth of oxygen remaining.”
The world, or, the universe, is cruel I discovered. I had waited so long to be held by Ruby like this, to finally tell him my true feelings (again) and to live happily ever after. Sure, it’s finally happened, but… I won’t even be able to feel his touch anymore. I won’t be able to intertwine his hands in my own, to run my fingers through his hair, nor would he be able to run his through mine. I won’t be able to caress his cheeks, or lean my head on his chest to hear his heartbeat. Why did we have to confess right here and now, when I won’t even be able to reach him anymore? Why are we finally together now, when we won’t even have that much time left together anyways?
“I-it really stinks…”
“What, Sapphire?”
“I-I mean,” I stuttered, “we won’t be able to feel each other while in these suits…” I gulped, “No matter how much I may want to, we won’t even be able to...”
“To what?”
I splurted, not being able to get the words out right out of sheer embarrassment, “Y-y-you know…”
“Well, what?” Ruby prodded.
“Urghh.. D-don’t make me say it!” I cry out, burying myself into his chest more.
“How do you expect me to know what you're saying if you don't say it? Just say it, Sapphire.”
“To kiss, ya idiot! For goodness sake!”
Heat rushes into my cheeks, and I look down away from his gaze.
“Oh…”
“This is why the universe is so cruel. I really want to kiss you, but I can't… And, we’ll never be able to.” I sniffle, and a tear begin to fall. I make no move to try and hide it, as I know I can't even touch my own face to wipe it away.
Looking down to me, Ruby softly mumbles, “I’d love to kiss you too, Sapphire. Especially to make those tears of yours go away.”
We held each other again, internally lamenting what we couldn't reach. We were so close, yet far from reach. A few minutes later, the dreaded voice returned. “2 minutes of oxygen remaining…”
“You know, Sapphire, we still can. That is, if you want to.” Ruby stated in a low voice.
I released myself from his chest and looked at him in confusion. What did he mean? There was no way we could, since we had helmets in the way. What could he be thinking that could get around that obstacle?
“Whaddya mean? There’s no way we could with our helmets.” I looked into his eyes, searching for an answer to his claim. “The only way we could is if we…” Staring longer into his eyes, I realized what he had meant.
Oh.
I see now.
The idea kinda scared me, I’m not going to lie. I was contemplating it, however. But, was Ruby absolutely certain about that?
“Ruby… are you sure?” I questioned.
“We’re gonna die anyways, so I thought I might as well spend my last moments with you. So yes, I’m sure about it if you are.” Ruby said softly.
He did have a point. We had a little less than 2 minutes of oxygen, and our situation is looking hopeless at this point. Plus, I would probably find myself regretting spending the next few minutes not doing it, which would then turn to never. So I contemplated it for a few seconds, and came to a decision.
“We’re going to need two hands for that,” I stated.
“Oh, just wrap one of your legs around mine. Then when we’re done we can change back to using our hands.” he answered.
Following his suggestion, I intertwined my legs with his, establishing a firm hold on each other so we don’t float away. Giving his eyes a quick glance, we released our hands for the first time since we’ve been thrown out into space. Letting go of his hand made me realize that we were really about to do this, and I became a little scared. However, knowing that I’ll at least get to feel Ruby one more time before departing put my anxious heart a little at ease. I raised both of my hands to my helmet, grasping the base of it.
“Hey Ruby?”
“Hmm?”
“... Just in case you won’t be able to hear me after this, I just want to say that I love you.”
“I love you too, Sapphire, now and always.”
With that, I  breathe in one more time, then exhale. I then released my helmet, and the last thing I hear is the pressurized hiss of the remainder of my oxygen dissipate.
Immediately, everything started to hurt. My eyes and mouth felt as if they were boiling, to a point where it was excruciating. My vision began to blur, but I reached my hands for Ruby, and as soon as I felt him I swiftly pulled him towards me. I crashed my lips onto his, trying to cherish every precious second. I felt him placing a hand behind my neck, so I in return cup both of his cheeks with my hands. I bring his face closer to mine, deepening our lip lock. Despite not being able to breathe, fading out of consciousness, and my heartbeat slowing, I didn’t want this moment to end. I wanted to be able to be able to kiss Ruby again after this, I wanted to be able to tell him that I love him again, to maybe go on a date, have a future together. But this kiss is the closest thing I would ever get to any of that.
Feeling weaker by the second, we slowly pull away from each other. I start to get blotchy vision, barely being able to see Ruby’s swollen face. I see him starting to lose consciousness too, trying desperately to hang on just a few seconds more. The pain has become numbing at this point, and I know that our time has almost come. Weakly lowering my swollen, numb hands to his neck, I try and hang onto this feeling for as long as I can.
However, I feel my mind slip back to unconsciousness.
“I’m happy… that we could be together ‘til the last moment…”
I feebly say against his neck, although I’m not sure if he, let alone anyone, could hear me. Then, I fade completely into the darkness.
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