A/N: Asma knows that Pride would retrieve the dagger and she would soon forget about him. She is reflecting on their two years together, about the impact he had on her life and of course, about her feelings for him and the future ahead of him. It's a tender piece and a way for me to once again be in Asma's shoes. Come full circle. All usual disclaimer
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She told him a few weeks ago that Khrön told her where the Dagger of Fate was and who was guarding it. Leviathan was a formidable adversary and she was wondering if Pride would be strong enough to take the dagger from him. Of course, he had disappeared for weeks now and she hadn't seen him, which made her worry about the Sin. Did he go and fight against Leviathan? Was he killed? She knew little to nothing about his business in the Underworld. He kept her oblivious for reasons only known to him and it was eating Asma up. She both felt grateful not to know and upset that she didn't know because alone in the safe house, there was nothing she could do to help her beloved. Painting did soothe her and she had decided that since they both were aware that it was their last ride together before Pride altered her memories of him forever, then she should at least leave him one last present. Her skills had improved within the two years she spent as his « captive ». Two years spent sketching and painting them together, of painting his features she now had ingrained within her mind. She painted her mood, she painted her fears, she painted her needs and desires but this time, she wanted to give her king something to remember her. A royal portrait.
He was a king, after all, the king of the Underworld, a place she never went to and didn't wish to visit. It was a place filled with Darkness, a place where she had no reason to be because her heart was golden, kind and good. However, he had to be represented as a king, triumphant, powerful and handsome, so she went to work. She painted like she never did before. It felt strange for the mortal, to tell herself that in a matter of weeks now she would not remember Pride. That everything would feel as if she'd just woke up from a long nightmare. Things changed drastically for her. At first, she was worried, scared and disgusted by this reality she didn't know. She was upset and thought her journey would end with her death because Pride came off as extremely dark and negative. Yet at the same time, he did protect her, ensured her safety for the two years spent together. Yes, it was tiresome and upsetting at times because he often left her on her own. Yes, it was complicated because she grew feelings for him and her behavior changed. She found herself to be jealous, possessive, dramatic and loud which weren't her natural traits of personality. She found herself to be more dependent on the sin, to the point of not being able to be on her own for too long. She needed him like one would need oxygen and this wasn't healthy.
They weren't healthy together and slowly but surely it did destroy her psyché. « Perks » of living with a SIN, it corrupted her mind, left her vulnerable to other sins attacks, hence how and why Envy started to work on her so she would go and commit suicide, therefore forcing Elpis into another cycle of reincarnation and having Pride forgetting about her. Her mind was so corrupted that she was even willing to go toe to toe with any goddess of sin who wanted to get Pride for themselves or kill him. She wanted to fight his fight, she needed to fight his fight and be of use to him. Pride made humans worship him, so she did. He tried his best not to influence her but they had sex and he cared way too much for his taste. He influenced her so much that Asma couldn't help but think of him as her everything. She worshipped him, when they had sex, when they didn't have it and when he took her outside. She thought the world of him and still did despite Envy's influence ceasing to affect her mind. Telling Pride about him and about Leviathan successfully removed any suicidal thought from her and she returned to being her more collected self. A more reasonable version of her.
He promised that once their adventure was over, he would make sure she would have a happy life. That, in itself, was more than she would have thought she would get. He cared about her, to the point of wanting to give her a second chance and a better life. She remembered when Pride told her he cared for her, how turned on she ended up to be, how happy she was that he did. Of course, he deserved a present that would do him justice. A painting that would blow his mind forever, one last token of her affection and the way she perceived him. He was her king. He was the best there was and he kept his part of the promise to set his former beloved free. She painted him in all of his glory, with a purple aura ad a dark serious atmosphere around him and his throne. She painted him with his intense blue eyes and a sitting position that commanded respect and admiration. It would take her until he retrieved that dagger and brought it to her. It would take long enough for her to present him a glorious gift that fitted his glory. One last gift.. one last proof that this moment between the two of them existed.
She heard some noise in the living room and knew by heart Pride's routine. He would go the bar and fetch himself a glass of bourbon. He removed his vest and sit on his favorite chair and think the day through. He might brood or be in a good mood for all she knew. Cautiously, after she had washed her hands, Asma came closer and sat on his lap. Her hands gently stroked his chest and she leaned her head against his torso. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug. She often fell asleep on him this way and Pride never minded her soft and warm presence. She did smell of paint so he knew she had been painting lately, which made him smile because that was more the Asma he knew. Who would have thought? Two years only had passed and he grew attached to this little human, to the point of being willing to spare her life. Was it because she looked like Elpis? He still couldn't tell, he still was between a rock and a wall but he was grateful that they came up with this solution for both of them. He would set her free, allow her to have a normal happy life and he would move on with Elpis. Granted, she was the same as Asma which would make it easier to care about her. Two years and it would be over and the idea of it felt strange to both of them. They got used to one another and he could feel Asma was reluctant to let him go but didn't resist out loud. It had to be done. It had to happen so she would let it happen.
« How was your day ? » he asked, his lips brushing over her forehead as she nuzzled his neck with her nose.
« Fruitful. I cannot wait to show you my latest work. I think you will like it. How... how have you been? » She asked, a little wary of the answer he would give her.
« Fear not, Asma. I come back with good news. I have found a way to destroy Leviathan and ensure I would not be unmade or potentially killed. I am going to bring the dagger to you and keep my promise to you and to Elpis. »
« Already.... I can't believe it's going to be over soon. » She said in a breaking voice. « I don't want to let you go. »
« I know. You need to Asma. You need to be able to lead a normal life, a happy one. »
« I still don't think I could be happy without you. I still love you. » She bit back a sob and rubbed her nose against his shoulder. « we will do it...we have to. Just, please, don't die. »
« I won't die. I promise. »
He said, pecking her lips to distract her from her sad mood. He knew he had to ensure the last days they spent together were the best they ever had. He let his hand rub her back and gently kissed her neck, effectively distracting Asma from her worries. She didn't want him to die while taking the dagger from Leviathan and didn't want to forget about him but they didn't have the choice. It had to happen.
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