Notes: a translation of my own work. First published 21-4-2013 on AO3.

Experimenting a bit with tenses [and Laurent's feelings]. Feedback is love :)
If Laurent has always known, I can't wait for the Reveal! Well, I can't wait for it in any case. Title and lyrics are from Immortality (Celine Dion - Bee Gees).

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And I must follow on the road that lies ahead

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He's Damianos of Akielos, heart and memory tell you, as violent as a backhand.

The man you despaired of ever reaching, now defenceless in your hands. What consequence have the how, the why? Vengeance has come. You own Damianos of Akielos and you will carve your brother's name into his bones.

You smile because he has no idea of the place where he's turned up. Brute, coarse and stupid, he takes on life like a beast, believing in everything he sees. He's just muscles and violence.

But he has refused to fuck Nicaise.

He's Damianos of Akielos, simple and complex, an impertinent word always on his lips – the worst imitation of a humble hoplite. He really thinks you're blind.

But he hasn't lied to you once.

He's the Prince-killer, led at night to your rooms as accomplice and scapegoat of your death, but he's saved your life and left you with honour. And you spend hours before the Council to protect the both of you.

He's Damianos, headstrong, resourceful, capable of turning a mercenary pack into a little army. The slave good only for misunderstanding you and unnerving you and bailing you out of a mess, and giving you sound advice. The doorway to a world to rediscover. A mighty figure next to Halvik's fire, a kiss and many girls and confused jealousy.

Laughter in the darkness of a tent.

He's Damen, the only one worthy of being compared to Auguste. The man who looks at you and sees through the walls, destroying you mercilessly to rebuild you stronger.

Damen, who is no poet but loves with everything he is.

You, on a bed of white flowers.

He's Damen...

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Damen, Damen, Damen.

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Afterword: spoilers - now that the trilogy is complete, I can consider this a true inner monologue of Laurent's :D