for a long moment , the words don't seem to register . she stares at him , her features schooled into neutrality , her gaze sharp and unwavering as those three simple words settle between them ---- the weight of thousands of years against every syllable ; the weight of love , of loss / the weight of death , of resurrection . all laden on his tongue , spoken so simply , and so swiftly , as though she had not harbored that same thing inside of her for centuries ---- as if it had not turned her into an atlas of guilt and grief , as though she had not screamed until her throat was raw , had not bled for him , had not died for him every night , and risen again in the morning ---- in search of him , in hope of him .
but slowly , it's shattered ; a crack carefully splitting through stained glass , a thread slowly unraveling a tapestry . it stars in the fall of her mouth , the audible catch of her breath , the subtle widening of her eyes ---- and she crumbles before him , like the ruins of rome . and for so long she cannot speak , cannot dredge from the sea the words that she had mulled over a million times in her mind . the reunion that had flowered in her imagination , the soft pull of fantasy that had kept her alive all these years ; so suddenly , it's ripped out from under her , every word and every breath stolen . as her hands clasp tightly in her lap , her body rigid and unmoving , her wide eyes watching the frantic flutter of his hand ---- the emotions that rise and crest in him like tidal waves / the tempest of remembrance that threatens to overtake , to drown him in the unknowing , in the realization
and finally , a tear slips down her cheek , and it seems to break whatever spell held her . a breathy laugh cracks the stone of her lungs , and she blinks wildly , fighting back the salt - water that clings to her lashes / her face morphing into surprise , into the loving and delighted shock of having him back ❝ you remember ? ❞ her voice trembles , her body pitching forward slowly , as if drawn to him like gravity ---- the gold of her eyes writhing and glowing with hope , with devotion , with the same love she had looked at him with that night beneath the watchful eye of the full moon . the corners of her mouth slowly curl , and an attentive hand flutters to her throat , another faint laugh spilling like summer air from her lungs , nimble fingers pulling out the chain hidden carefully by her clothes ❝ i am never without them . you gave me this when ---- ❞ she halts , swallowing thickly , forcing back the creeping dread / the gruesome memory of blood and death ❝ you gave it to me , so i could remember you . i think perhaps now you should have kept it yourself , seeing how poor your memory of me has become ❞
a feeble attempt of a joke , her mouth wavering , struggling to hold the smile beneath the weight that seems to threaten to crush her . her lungs concaving , her body shaking ---- atlas , his fingers slipping . her elbows fall to her knees , her fingers worrying together , twisting nervously as they had always done . her lips pressed into a small smile , nodding softly ❝ it was all real , everything you saw ---- it happened . it was our wedding night ❞
a ghost of laughter falls from her lips , her head bowing slightly , as though lost in silent prayer ; and when her head rises again , tears glimmer in her eyes , disbelief caught against her cheek ( you're here , and you're real , and you remember me / the dream of thousands of years , suddenly made reality before me ) ❝ and do you remember ---- when they threw you into the sea ? they said you had to prove your devotion , and swim back to me ❞ the boat rocks , and she laughs again , the sound soft and filled with joy as her fingertips brush against his
❝ i waited so long for you ❞
![EPITHETS OF GOD [ . . . ]](https://64.media.tumblr.com/29e33913bed633565f34f69a15590e31/b136b15bca274ba9-a2/s250x400/806bc80769a6daf9b939caf5bf4848159fa15d88.png)
