they

destroyed me
he whispered
take a look at me
i'm a fucking ruin

he was indeed

a fucking ruin

but there was something
in the way
he grabbed her arms

that made the danger in him
look
so safe

after all, rome was built on ruins

and was still breathtaking

i can ruin you, too
he said

and what good would that be?
she asked
sharply
(don't let your guard down she silently prayed)

well, we'll be together
he grinned

that was it.

before she knew what she was doing

she'd pushed
that scary hunger
in his eyes
to the back of her head

and found herself
nodding

okay