#tredecium

ii.

   she said it was a coincidence. s.h.i.e.l.d. picked her to be his liaison because she was the    best one for the job – not because of their history together. he wanted to believe it. he even    wanted to keep it honest and professional. but she was his match in every way. elated and    joyful, he was walking on air as he spun her around and kissed her. thoughtlessly, holding    her close as if he had any right to. 

   and that had been another mistake. 

iii.

   in the eyes of the public, all he did was make mistakes. standing up for his fellow heroes    had marked him as a pariah. but when he sees her on the rooftop, he can’t bring himself to    worry about the people who are after him. she kisses him over and over again until he forgets    everything he wanted to say to her – but she doesn’t forget why she agreed to meet with him. 

   the night ends too soon. 

iv. 

   he had seen the small dot of light before he felt the bullet pierce his skin. another came when    he hit the steps of the judicial building. people were screaming, swarming to get away while    others were frozen in place – staring as he blinked up toward the sky. he whispered for her    to make sure everyone got out of there safely. he couldn’t stand for more innocent lives to    be lost. 

   she held his hand and even though he was fading, he could feel the press of her lips against    his palm. 

           ‘ sharon… so pretty… you take my breath … ‘ 

v. 

   he had been reborn once only to be reborn again. he stared at the ceiling, the world spinning    as he came down from another nightmare. he couldn’t escape what he had seen in death.    every time he closed his eyes he was met with another terror. he tangled his arms around    her, fingers tracing the long scar across her belly. he kissed the back of her neck, not wanting    to wake her. 

   he had done what he promised he never would.