Odyssey fic: 100 breaths.
100 breaths
Hesta bursts through, shouting at the top of her voice as she sprints
"ROME! ROME!"
Gaius stays with her "Breath slowly"
Ridea smiles at the man she has just swapped herself for. It is already getting harder.
"Remember what you promised me"
90 breaths
Decima is there
"What do you need?"
"The ducks. If there's time. And a good funeral."
Decima runs off.
70 breaths
Cassius is there, and she hugs him
"Sorry I ever doubted you brother"
50 breaths
Rome has mustered quickly. The square is forming around her, she can sense it, but her awareness is slipping along with her breath.
Suddenly she is enfolded, Marcus's arms round her, cradling her as she weakens, Tullia's arms also go round her.
"I love you don't go. I love you don't go. I love you don't go."
She returns their embraces as best she can.
"I love you both, but it's time."
She hears Hesta explain briefly, and senses Tullia's explosion of anger and pain rather than actually hearing it.
30 breaths
So weak.
She sags against Marcus, but he supports her, and she knows he will do so right to the end.
"Tell the others I love them"
"I will."
20 breaths
She hears mention of coin and Tullia's emphatic response
"I have the coin for her"
Tullia fumbles in her pouch but instead throws the money down on the ground and starts to cry again.
Ridea whispers to Marcus
"Look after her, don't let her do anything stupid"
He smiles and nods "Don't worry"
She sags a little more in her friend's arms, she is sitting now only because of his strength for she has none of her own.
She hears someone saying "She's struggling to breathe now"
She feels another figure behind her, and hears a half sob that sounds like it came from Tiberia.
10 breaths
So very tired. Must be time to sleep now.
She hears Phelix
"Any word for Liliana?"
She smiles at her friend's husband, who puts up with Lil's temper so well
"Look after each..."
Darkness falls.
No more breaths
She stands before Tiberinus once more.
"So, here we are again. Tell me of your life."