THE HARVESTER

                            AND ENTER THE FIELDS AFLAME HE DID,  not with the desire to alleviate its ruination, but to guarantee that every kingdom were engulfed as well; the promise of euphoria strengthening his resolve. the sting of claws did not deter him, on the contrary, any ichor spilled a mere offering and a testimony to his enteral devotion. they were forged in the fires of hell, created to annihilate the other, yet in the wake of their destruction only tangled sheets and bleeding hearts remained. he didn’t want her any other way, her vigor leaving him gasping for breath and begging for mercy on more than one occasion, only this time it was her turn.

                       ❛  I’LL DO MY BEST.  ❜   a promise offered as lips briefly connected, not wanting to embarrass her too much with his need to show affection, whether they were in public or not; fingers remained interlaced as their stroll through the marketplace continued, his curiosity peaked.   ❛  is that why we’re here, to purchase some herbs?  ❜   he appreciated the distraction more than she would ever know, the opportunity to surround himself with normalcy something he had taken for granted in the past, although nevermore. 

                      GAZE LINGERED AS IF HE WAS A MAN BEWITCHED,  her joy perhaps the most treasured things to ever have existed. every mannerism was studied and adored, all the while cultivating a smile. free time? no, none at all, the concept nearly lost on him and yet—   ❛  only for you.  ❜   hand reached out to catch the locks she had missed, refusing to let the opportunity to caress her cheekbone pass him by; it would seem the bribery in the form of flowers had worked wonders.

                       STEPS WERE TAKEN IN ORDER TO BLOCK HER PATH,  desperate to carry some of the burden placed upon lithe shoulders.   ❛  if i can’t have children with you i won’t have children at all.  ❜   although, in hindsight, that might’ve just placed even more weight upon her, which was not his intension; goal had been to reassure her, the growing number of concubines nothing but a formality. 

                        THE WARMTH OF HER HAND  was missed the moment she let go, causing him to rest his own comfortably behind his back instead; head was held high until she spoke of such personal matters, surely these things were better to discuss in private? he seemed to think so, the look given clearly revealing as much.   ❛  ferti— really? and what if the fault lies with me?  ❜   maybe they should take it as a sign, a sign that the gods thought it best they not reproduce; not that she wouldn’t make a wonderful mother, it was his own paternal instincts that he doubted.

                           THE PROMISE MADE LASHES FLUTTER,  teeth gently grazing his lower lip, focus flickering to hers.   ❛  i’d much rather wake up with you next to me,  ❜   weight was shifted, placing him on his side in order to face her completely; a scenario he had only dared to dream of. arms folded, all so that he could subtly pinch himself, wanting to make sure that this wasn’t just his imagination playing tricks.    ❛  and then we can make breakfast together.  ❜   his reasons for stopping by had been out of concern, worried sick about her safety ( a murderer was still running free ), but, at the very least, he could rest easy knowing she was safe; his last thought as lids grew too heavy and sleep finally claim— the overwhelming scent of rusted metal woke him up, the sheets drenched in blood and sunhye, poor, sweet sunhye, lifeless and slashed to pieces, the knife resting comfortably in his hand as it—  he jolted awake, heart racing and hyperventilating; a trembling hand reached out to caress her cheek, the warmth reassuring him to the point of tears, the sound of her breathing calming rattled nerves.

                      ❛  YOU HAVE NEVER  been weak in my eyes.  ❜   the final words spoken before he drowned himself in her affection, her sweet kisses mixed with pain was all too fitting for a wildfire such as herself. to contain her was a pointless endeavor, his choice to fuel the flame their inevitable downfall. their kisses deepened as he grew hungrier, the aftermath of their misery awakening a different beast within, a beast that craved the warmth of her embrace and the sting of teeth and nails. hands grabbed a hold of her rear as he hoisted her up, carrying her off to the alter known as their bed. 

                        THE WEIGHT OF HER CONFESSION  stole his breath away, the happiness she provided the only thing needed to keep him alive. lips connected in hopes to convey what words never could, his feelings for her transcending human comprehension.   ❛  i love you in ways you cannot imagine. no one has ever cared for me the way you do and i cannot until the day i get to call you my wife.  ❜   his future was carved in stone and his path clear, for a life without her would be no life at all. 

                       ATTENTION IS EARNED  due to the oddity that was her question, the ability to respond right away lost on him. features are studied in hopes to gain understanding yet mind still struggles to understand.   ❛  the same as always, i would imagine. i’ll be sure to mention your concern next time we meet.  ❜

                      A SIGH OF DEFEAT,  his fate already decided. the mercy of a blade would surely find him one day, either for treason or in the midst of battle, whichever happened sooner.   ❛  only cowards flee. my place is here, with you.  ❜   he had chosen this path and he alone should suffer the consequences, he understood that now.   ❛  i’ll leave you to your slumber.  ❜   better leave now than to have his precious wife wake up alone. 

                       NOT ONE TO RECIEVE FLOWERS,  the gesture would’ve made cheeks flush with color if able. although usually cursed with frigid exterior it was nothing but warmth and wonderment that greeted her. distance between them vanished as he leaned closer, a kiss placed at the corner of painted lips as thanks.   ❛  they’re almost as beautiful as you.  ❜   to witness him now was to witness the duality of death; one moment calm and peaceful, cruel and merciless the next.