Inhale.

Warmth expanded in their chest, taking in that sweet breath of relief, silence filled the room as eyes darted here and there, everyone reaffirming there were no casualties among them. 

Doubtful in victory, questioning if any of this was real. Was it really over?

 

It wasn’t…there was one last thing but they wanted to take it all in, they wanted to be greedy for those few seconds more. 

So not yet.

 It was time for everyone to take a breath. 

Exhale.

He already knew, but of course he did, he knew everything, but they made sure he was disposed of.

It hurt not having him here at this moment, but they couldn’t risk it.

There was no stopping this.

By the time he would actually manage to escape it would be too late.

Inhale. 

Stelarius glanced over to Echo fidgeting beside them, stretching out their calloused tan hand feeling their face scrunched together, lips tugging at the corners, their vision misting as they caressed their pale cheek.

Which they lovingly leaned into, happy that they weren’t evil, that they were allowed to live.

As much as it ached not giving everyone a proper goodbye now, it was too risky. 

If they alluded even the slightest to a farewell it would only tip everyone off that something was up. 

And for this to work that can’t happen.

Exhale. 

“So warm” Echo mewled, pressing a tiny hand to their face in turn, a giggle escaping, unable to hide the sheer bliss as they leaned into their touch as well. 

Each of them stealing this moment, this touch, one of which unaware of the depth.

“I love you”  they hummed tracing their fingers behind Echo's neck tugging their foreheads together squeezing so close their noses kissed. 

“Not as much as I love you” they teased, snickering as Stellarius leaned forward threatening to take a nip from their button nose with a soft chomp.

Only to then cut that mirth to be cut as pushing them toward the others, introducing the best friend everyone’s never met but always had.

Echo looked back for a moment, sad to separate but just as eager to finally meet their family in person.

Inhale. 

Without anyone the wiser, crept backwards up to the platform. One step at a time watching with great relief and joy to see Echo embraced so quick and easily. 

Their foot fell signaling to stop, left to dangle, finally reaching the cliff’s edge.

Odd how perfectly timed it was when their foot touched something solid, a bubble burst from within.

Holding a hand to their mouth containing the sound as blood hacked between their fingers.

Exhale.

But they couldn’t look away. Needing to see their family one last time, needing happy faces to be the last thing they see. 

Another pop from beneath their flesh and sound drifted further away. Everything was drifting as warmth leaked out of them.

It was a simple blessing that it didn’t hurt, they expected to be in agonizing pain but this felt right. 

Inhale.

The entrance swung open and screaming filled the air. Not that they even heard a sound; simply assuming it was with how the room vibrated as Draven raced toward them. 

And despite how angry they should have been for their plans beginning to unravel sooner than was expected, it didn’t matter anyways it was too late to stop it.

It’s begun.

Their eyes met and Stelarius couldn’t help but give a red toothed smile, happy to get to see those vibrant eyes one last time.

Another pop

The last thread was cut, and they fell.

Exhale.