Sleep did not find Agron that night, though he had been drained of all strength by the days events and the tumult of feelings that had resulted from them.

Nasir had not come to their bed. In truth, Agron had not expected him to, was not even certain what he should have done if he had, but some part of him had hoped that Nasir would at least seek the comfort of his presence even if not his arms. Their bed felt empty absent Nasir's warmth, Agron felt empty too. It was a vast, heavy, ever darkening, ever widening emptiness that threatened to swallow him whole.

He could not stand it. Could not stand to be in this bed, or even within these walls knowing that his lover was so close and yet so far removed from his reach. In the early hours, just as the sun began to hint of its rising, he took up his sword and went out into the forest to hunt… to kill.

Any prey evaded him. No deer, no bird, no rabbit showed itself to him. His enraged stomps, mumbled curses and stifled sobs had served as warning to any creature within distance that they were hunted and sent them scurrying for cover. He had returned to camp empty handed and no less troubled than when he had set out. Activity had not provided respite from thoughts of Nasir even for a brief time.

Wearily, he trudged back to his bed.

A small glimmer of hope warmed his heart when he caught sight of Nasir but that hope quickly passed and the warmth turned to cold when he saw that in Nasir's hands were his few meagre belongings.

"Nasir." He said softly, so as not to startle the smaller man.

Nasir was startled anyway.

"Agron." He responded surprised, almost dropping what he held as he looked up.

There was still so much pain in those beautiful dark eyes and even though Nasir averted his gaze almost instantly, the memory of it had already etched itself into Agron's consciousness and he knew they would both be haunted for some time… maybe for the rest of their time.

"You are leaving me." It was not a question.

"Naevia told me she had seen you headed into the forest. I had hoped to be gone before you returned."

Agron felt a tightening in his chest.

"You were not even going to tell me? You would have let me return to find you gone without even a goodbye?"

Nasir bit at his lip.

"You would have begged me to stay."

"Yes." Agron saw no point in a lie. Nasir knew him too well to believe otherwise.

"But I cannot. It is better that I go."

Agron wanted to scream that it was not better, that it could never be better, not for him, but he held his tongue. Nasir did not need that. Instead he said simply.

"If you think that it is better for you, then that is all that matters."

They stood in silence for a long time. Agron could not take his eyes off the younger man, knowing that the moment he did, he would be lost to him. Nasir's head remained low, eyes to the ground as far from Agron's as was possible, afraid that if he looked up he would be unable to make himself leave and Agron would be forever trapped in his misery with him. That was not what he wanted, for either of them.

Finally Agron could bear the silence no longer, he tossed his sword to the bed and took a step closer to Nasir. He regretted it instantly for no sooner than the step was taken, Nasir had taken one back and the distance between them remained.

"I beg you Nasir, reconsider… please."Nasir just shook his head.

"Do not make this more difficult for us both than it already is." He pleaded softly, a tremor in his voice that spoke clearly of his distress. Agron could not stand to hear it again.

"Apologies. I did not mean to cause further anguish." He stepped to one side, allowing space for Nasir to take his leave, every muscle in his body taut, resisting every urge he had to reach out and steal one last touch as he hurried past. "It is only that I… I will miss you. My heart will miss you."

Nasir paused at the entrance to the small room, the hand which did not carry his belongings rested upon the wall, supporting him as he fought to keep his emotions from overwhelming him.

"As mine will miss you." He said quietly, without a backwards glance.

And then, he was gone.

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