In Every Universe

Flashback: 1829

Note: As this is an AU, please note that this is not historically accurate

Tomorrow, they were to hang from the gallows.

The palace wanted them to be grateful for the emperor's mercy - that instead of them spending their last few hours in the depths of some dungeon, they have been allowed to be imprisoned in the comfort of their own home.

Bright would have laughed at how preposterous this was if he wasn't so angry.

His love smiled at him from their bed, eyes still filled with love even as a black eye bloomed on his fair skin and lines of blood seeped through his white robe. "Come to bed," he tells Bright. "Sit with me."

The anger flared stronger. Bright wonders how could so many worlds exist where love is repaid with cruelty? How could creatures claiming to have sentient minds outlaw unions so pure and natural?

"We need to escape. I need to plan," Bright responds gruffly.

Metawin sighs. "My love, three hundred guards surround us. And even if we manage to somehow defeat each and every one, a hundred more wait at the palace gates.
If by some miracle we slip past them - where would we go?"

"Are you asking me to give up? To let them get away with hurting you?"

"My love, I am asking you to be with me until the very end."

"I don't want it to end," Bright says defiantly. But already he is walking towards Metawin.

He sinks in the his arms, gently kissing his beloved's wounds.

"We are endless. You will find me again won't you? In our next life?"

Bright moves his lips against Metawin's alabaster neck, he memorizes the trail of veins and the constellation of moles.

"I will find you," he promises against those petal pink lips.

"Find me. Make me remember," Metawin whispers as he returns the kiss.

"In the next life, I will change our fates. No more suffering. No more misery."

"My love, you are worth whatever the world throws at us. You were worth it before, you will be worth it every time since."

"You deserve happiness. I will get you happiness."

"But all I want is you."

Bright is very gentle as he removes the silk wrapped around Metawin body. Gentler still when his tongue traces the path between each bruise. Tonight, there will be no pain. They will leave this lifetime feeling nothing but bliss.

"You have me. You will always have me," Bright says like a vow as he reveled in the music of Metawin's soft moans.

They made love over and over - soft and tame and tender.

They'd fall asleep then wake up with a kiss or a caress and once again they would let themselves become one.

When the sun threatened to break through the horizon, they knew time has caught up. Time was their grim reaper. And they had to heed his call before the guards violently lead them to the public square.

Metawin takes a small packet of seeds from his satchel. Bright grinds them on the floor then scoops the fine red dust on his fingers.

Metawin sucks on Bright's fingers. Bright gasps. "My love there is no time," he pleads.

Metawin kisses him hungrily. The powder mixing with their saliva, intertwining with their tongues, slipping down their throats.

It was sweet and intoxicating. Like sugared cinnamon. Or mulled wine.

Bright made sure to taste it in every crevice of Metawin's equally ravenous mouth.

"Find me," Metawin demands as his fingers intertwine with Bright's, as his vision begins to blur. His lover nods, kissing him still.

This is how the guards find them a few moments later.

Mouth on mouth, heart on heart. No longer alive.

But free.