To have loved. (1/1)

Tao watches Kris lie on his back, staring straight into the stars, his eyes gleaming with what little light available. Tao forces himself to remember this sight, to sear this straight into his memory so he would never, ever forget. Kris was beautiful. Tao sighs, not taking his eyes off Kris as he worries his lips, worrying and worrying. In this desert, Kris and him were merely in a bubble of peace, kept away from the world so beautifully- but it was all going to end, and he knows, deep into his aching bones and soul that it would be the end. The end of everything. "Kris," Tao starts, tentatively, quietly, breaking the comfortable silence beneath the crackling fire. "Kris, don't lie to me, but who are you?" Kris stiffens, and pretends to have not heard the question. Tao watches Kris shift uncomfortably under his gaze as he repeats the question, slightly louder now. Kris finally turns to him, propping his head on his arm lazily as he gazes at Tao and Tao feels his heart start to pound uncomfortably as he met Kris's gaze. 'I am who I am," Kris finally replies and Tao groans. "That's so... overused and too romantic for you," Tao growls, eyes slanting dangerously, promising to strangle the answer out of Kris. Kris only smirks, and throws his head back to laugh and Tao's threatening look. "Hey, ask me no questions and I'll tell no lies, alright," Kris tries to pacify Tao but Tao only grits his teeth, frowning at Kris. "I don't want lies, I want answers, Kris. You don't get to waltz here and just- leave me hanging," Tao hisses, as he barely bites down on the words that threaten to slip out and bomb the whole relationship out of proportion. Kris smiles, anyway, because he heard it- Tao begging him not to leave him- and he couldn't not do that. "You'll live," Kris mutters, his hand smoothing down Tao's hair gently. Tao sighs, slowly and whispers back, voice trembling just so slightly, "You wouldn't know that," and Kris regrets that he ever turned up in Tao's life, because Tao's voice would never ever sound so vulnerable again. Had never, and will never ever again. Tao was a killer, and learnt never ever to lose his heart like that. "I'd meet you under the stars, if you'll live." Kris whispers, silently, wishing he had never taught Tao how to have loved.