This was happening. The earth shook, trees groaned and the screams of the people echoed in Jason's ears. He always had known what would eventually happen to Atlantis, but it scared him. The worst part was leaving Pythagoras. The mathematician was adamant he was staying. Jason had begged, pleaded, but the blonde was stubborn. He would not be going.

Now, he looked desperately at him. There was still time. "Please," Jason whispered. "Come with me."

Pythagoras shook his head. "I can't." His voice shook. "I cannot leave my city. Please understand."

Jason swallowed. "I have to go back. The Oracle-"

"I know. I know what you must do, but I know what I must do. Don't make this any harder."

"If I leave you here, you will die."

"It had to happen." Pythagoras told him, walking over to him and holding his wrist. "Jason, I have never met anyone so bold, so dangerous and so wonderful as you. I'm so happy to have met you."

These words broke Jason. He threw his arms around Pythagoras' frame and held onto him, entangling his fingers in his golden hair. Pythagoras hung onto him. Jason could feel him trembling and drew back.

"You are afraid."

"And you are not?" The mathematician retorted.

Jason didn't know how to answer. He wanted to force Pythagoras to come back with him. To take him back to London, to care for him, to love him, to teach him of his city, like Pythagoras had done for him.

"Jason? It is nearly time."

"Will you walk with me?"

Pythagoras slid his fingers through the older man's. "Of course."

They walked, hand-in-hand to where the Oracle had directed him to go to return. Jason kept glancing at the younger male's. trying to see if he could read his expression. Sometimes, Pythagoras looked back at him too, and gave him little encouraging smiles. It seemed odd that Jason was more anxious than Pythagoras. Maybe he was hiding how he truly felt, Jason did not know. All he knew was, he wasn't sure there was any living without him.
All too soon, the hot golden sand was burning in their sandals and they were looking at the crashing, dark green sea and they had arrived at the submarine. When the sorceress Conocedora had salvaged Jason's father's sea-vehicle back up from the ocean's depths, Pythagoras had been fascinated, even besotted with it. Now, as he looked at it, he despised the machine that would soon be taking his beloved.

He felt Jason's lips probing his cheek and turned his head so their lips could meet. He ran his fingers through his dark hair, tugging on it slightly, knowing the action drove Jason wild. He wondered if Jason would remember him when he went back to the city of London. He pressured his fingers on his lover's scalp, looking at the submarine. He loved Atlantis. It was his home, the only place he knew, but was it insanity to stay behind and die when he could live and be with the one he loved?

"Pythagoras, I have to go. The fifth hour is nearly upon us."

"Jason..." He could feel Jason's large tender eyes looking at him. He didn't know how to say it. He felt like a traitor, just thinking of it.

"You do want to come, don't you?" Jason murmured, holding both of Pythagoras' hands tightly.

Pythagoras nodded. " However, I am afraid."

"Why?"

"What if you stop wanting me?"

Jason cupped Pythagoras' face, looking into the sapphire blue eyes he loved so much. "I will never stop loving you. That is a promise."

Pythagoras curled his hands around Jason's thumbs and smiled up at him. "I love you."

Jason beamed and kissed him one more time. Breaking the kiss, he moved to the submarine and opened a door. "After you."

Yeah, I know there's a colossal chance that Atlantis will end as a even more colossal tragedy that we will all spend the rest of the year crying about, but there are so many sad endings! I hope it was enjoyed and there are more chapters to come! Conocedora is a name I found. 'Conocedor' is Greek, meaning 'knowledgeable'. EmeraldhasbeenCumberbatched, this entire thing is for you!

Love from Shania. xx