Nasir did not return to their bed that night. Instead Agron found himself following Nasir to his, tucked away in a corner shaded from any natural light or warmth. Hardly a comfortable place, nor with any real privacy but chosen simply because it was distant enough from the others that he would not disturb their dreams when the nightmares came as they had every night since Sedullus.

Sleep was a long time coming. They sat for many hours just talking on any insignificant topic that chanced to cross their minds. The fruit now replacing blossom on trees and bushes, the chirping of crickets in the dimming light of the evening, the moths that hovered above the glowing embers of a dying fire. It was but light relief from the heaviness of emotions confessed that day. Emotions which lingered still beneath the surface.

Agron was reluctant to close his eyes for fear that he should open them only to find himself alone in his bed once more, this fragile reunion nothing more than a dream. For Nasir the fear was very different. He knew the terror the night would bring and though he knew that Agron would be there to offer comfort he was still afraid. Afraid of the memories, still so vivid and real, afraid to let Agron see them lest it should be more painful than he had anticipated.

The weight of the day and of his fears, were heavy upon him though, and in spite of himself he found his eyes slipping shut.

"You should rest. It has been a most tiring day." Agron said softly, concern evident in his tone. Nasir shook his head.

"Dreams will only wake me before I am properly rested."

Agron sighed and reached out to sweep a lock of coal black hair from Nasir's eyes, slightly in awe still that Nasir trusted him enough accept even this innocent touch.

"Would that I could keep them from you. Alas, only the Gods themselves have that power, all I can do is chase them away when they do come. Would you allow me to do that for you?"

For the longest time Nasir could not find voice, he could only stare into Agron's blue eyes and marvel at the depth of hope he saw there. At last he nodded.

"Yes." He answered simply. "I would."

Agron smiled and Nasir permitted himself to be laid gently back on his bed. Agron did not join him, nor did Nasir ask him to, though it was what they both wanted. The distance between them, though it caused them both indescribable heartache, was necessary. It was the only way Agron knew to assure Nasir his motives were pure, that whatever may or may not happen between them was at his bidding only, not Agron's. Nasir understood this, and whilst the feeling of Agron's arms around him would not have been unwelcome, he was also grateful for the distance and all that it meant.

Unable to fight his exhaustion any longer, Nasir closed his eyes and waited for sleep to take him, while Agron sat with his back to the wall and assumed a silent vigil.

He was not certain how much time had passed, but it did not feel like much, when Agron noticed that Nasir was beginning to stir. The first signs were almost imperceptible, or would have been had Agron not been watching so closely. Nasir's head rolled a little to one side and his fists clenched, then he stilled, just briefly. When he stirred again it was more noticeable. He shivered, his entire body trembling lightly, his breathing becoming ragged. Agron crawled over to him and whispered his name.

"Nasir."

The smaller man whimpered softly.

"No… Please." Beads of sweat appeared on his brow, a single tear trickled from the corner of his eye, followed by another, and another, wetting the hair at his temple and he whimpered again. "D…don't." The helplessness that sounded in that whispered plea tore at Agron's very heart and again tears began to well in his own eyes.

"I am here Nasir." He said, reaching out to wipe away the other mans tear and soothe his brow. "You are but dreaming, it is not real, he cannot hurt you."

The tremors that wracked Nasir's body grew more and more violent. He kicked out with his feet, his hands flailed wildly as if to fight off his invisible attacker and all the time he sobbed and pleaded for an end.

"Just a dream." Agron assured him again but Nasir did not hear him, he just continued to thrash and beg. Agron desperately wanted to pull him into his arms and hold him tightly until the terror passed but he feared that in his current mindset, such an embrace might bring about more distress than comfort. Instead he did the only thing he could think of to do and lay down beside him, stroking his hair, wiping his tears and whispering over and over again that he was safe now, that he would protect him, that nothing would harm him ever again.

Still Nasir's nightmare held him captive, indeed it seemed to be growing worse and Agron was at a loss as to what more he could do for him beyond simply being at his side when it ended.

As he thought this, something in Nasir changed. He stilled, his body going rigid and then his eyes flew open and he bolted upright with a strangled scream. At first he did not seem to know where he was. He could not swallow, he could not think, he could not even take in air. His eyes darted all around nervously, trying to make sense of his surroundings and only when his gaze fell upon Agron was he able to take a breath.

With a harsh sob, he fell into the other mans waiting arms, and wept until he was dry while Agron held him close, rocking him gently, rubbing his shoulders and placing chaste kisses against his hair.

"This is what you go through every night?" Agron asked when he was able to find his own voice without it breaking.

"It is usually worse." Worse? Agron could not imagine how it could possibly be worse but just the thought of it made him sick to his stomach. "Gratitude."

"For what?"

"For staying with me. I confess I feared you that when you saw how damaged I really was, that you would think me a lost cause and take flight. I could not fault you if you did."

Agron placed one finger beneath Nasir's chin and lifted his face, meeting his gaze and holding it firmly.

"Nasir. Nothing could ever make me leave your side. You are stuck with me until the afterlife claims one or both of us, and even then I make no promise that you will be free of me." He smiled softly and Nasir could not help but return that smile, one that was quickly overtaken by a yawn. "You still need to rest. Is there any chance of it?"

"I cannot say." Nasir said, shrugging his shoulders. "But your presences gives me strength to bear attempt."

The gladiator nodded.

"I will resume watch." He made to untangle himself from Nasir's arms and take his place against the wall once more but Nasir stopped him with a whispered…

"Stay… Please. I feel safer with your arms around me."

"Are you certain?"

In answer, Nasir lay down on his side, pulling Agron with him so they were chest to chest and buried his face in the curve of the other man's shoulder, murmuring sleepily.

"I am certain."

Feeling as though a great weight had been lifted from him, Agron settled back against the makeshift bed, pulling Nasir closer into his embrace and though he himself ignored the call of sleep in favour of keeping his guard lest more demons should need chasing away, Nasir slept untroubled for what remained of the night.

When sleep beckoned Nasir the next night, Agron once again sat against the wall and kept watch, unsure if his arms would be welcomed a second time. It was likely Nasir had sought to be held only because of the dream and he would not take for granted anything he had not heard from Nasir's own lips.

Again Nasir did not ask for Agron to join him, though the words had been there, ready to be spoken. To be wrapped in loving arms once more had felt so good and so right, but a small voice inside reminded him his fears about forcing his own needs before time and so he swallowed the request.

This night, when the dreams began to trouble Nasir again, Agron was ready. He was aware the signs now, watched intently, waited for them to show, and was at Nasir's side in a single heartbeat, before the tremors took hold. He did not hesitate this time to pull Nasir to him, to hold him, to see him through it safely.

It pained him to see Nasir still gripped by terror, but he reminded himself of the words spoken last night. It is usually worse. He could only hope that his arms would once more stave off the worst of it.

Still, it was hard to bear when Nasir began thrashing in his arms and begging for an end to his torment.

Agron gazed up at the heavens and appealed to the Gods themselves in an anguished roar…

"SHOW FUCKING MERCY! END THIS… PLEASE! HAS HE NOT FUCKING SUFFERED ENOUGH?"

As if the Gods had actually heard him and taken pity, Nasir's shuddering body slowly stilled in his arms, ragged, gasping breaths evened out and wretched pleas died on lips, to be replaced with a softly murmured…

"Agron."

Careful not to wake him now he was calm, Agron gently lay Nasir down and nestled his much larger body beside him, resting one hand upon his chest. He would not leave him alone again.

"Gratitude." The gladiator whispered, returning his gaze to the Heavens, before giving into sleep himself with Nasir's heart beating steadily beneath his palm.

On the third night, there was no question on either man's lips. No doubts about whether or not an embrace would be welcomed. Agron simply took to the bed and opened his arms for Nasir to find his place in them.

On the third night, sleep came easily to both of them and for Nasir that sleep was blissfully dreamless.

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