Paradise

There had been few roles the two women hadn’t filled for each other over the years, their tenuous and long relationship seemingly never ending in its sorrow and joy alike. Having seen each other in all different lights, all different angles. 

Seen each other stripped bare, closed off, fighting, laughing, weeping, loving. There was truly nothing left unexplored for them, and what was left at the end of it all was a mind numbing monotony of a peaceful existence together; previously thought impossible. 

Though there was no way to argue it as it was, they lay in bed together in the dull hours of the morning. Narrowly avoiding death, then a prison sentence, viewed as a menace to society, being left to drift off on something more akin to a life-raft than a bed. 

Nothing outside the bounds of the room truly mattered anymore, neither of their opinions truly valued by society at large. With or without them; the world was infuriatingly beautiful, and they had no ability nor right to change it.

It was almost infuriating, how simple it all was.

Why had she waited for her?

“I don’t see why you insist on following me.”

It was disgusting, the bitter taste in her mouth.

“Why do you continue to waste my time?”

Sick, the taste of bile overwhelming her.

What difference did it make? 20; 25; 30; 40. Here they sat, their bodies nearing the end of their primes. Were they to decay together? She didn’t know, she didn’t hate the idea. They’ve been together so long it wouldn’t make any difference.

The back of her scalp, the nape of her neck, the scent of the sea, the blue in her eyes, the discoloration on her back, the back of her knee, the crook of her elbow, her spine, her ribs, her skin, her bones.

She could feel her when she closed her eyes, she could smell her when she was cities away, her hair had sunk into her, she was sure when she died they’d find hair a brilliant brown behind her eyes. Absorbed into her skull. Her brain, contaminated.

Contaminated.

Gripping her skin, pulling it as taut as it will go, spitting venom in her face. 

Unphased.

God was cruel in his games, when she was young she didn’t entertain beliefs such as soulmates. But unfortunately. She found hers.

Kissing her. Losing herself within her. 

She hoped they would be buried together.