A/N: In answer to the many questions, YES, I most definitely WILL be finishing this story. Unfortunately I find myself in the position af having considerably less time available to me in which I am able to write than I did when I began so it may take quite a while. Please be patient, and don't worry. I would never leave a story unfinished.

It was with some not inconsiderable trepidation that Agron returned to his bed that evening. And it was with some not inconsiderable relief that he found Nasir still absent, the moment he had both welcomed and feared, delayed.

Since Naevia had broken words that morning and offered advice against voiced concerns, his mind had been unable to rest. Same too the blood in his veins. She had spoken wisely of course, as was always the way when it came to the matter of Nasir and how best to aid in his healing.

He owed Nasir a confession, the truth of his feelings coupled with heartfelt apology. What the Syrian chose to do with such was his decision alone. Agron would not attempt to sway decision if it went against him no matter the pain it may cause. His heart concerned itself now, as it always had, with only that which was best for Nasir. That he already told himself he would be rejected, banished from both sight and heart, did not extinguish the tiny spark of hope that at least Nasir might not hate him.

Over and over he spoke unto himself the words he needed Nasir to hear, and prayed to the Gods he would forgive. Desperately afraid that even the smallest slip or stumble might ruin whatever small chance there might be of something good coming from this, he spoke them over and over until in his mind they sounded perfect. All that remained to do now was to await Nasir's return.

He waited what seemed like an eternity, until he had almost given up when a small voice at his back called his name.

"Agron."

"Nasir." He whispered in response as he turned towards the other man. The sight of him made Agron's heart beat a furious rhythm inside his chest, his blood to race through his veins and his mouth to run dry. His fingers twitched at his side, aching to reach out and touch yet he had never seemed so far from Agron's grasp as he did in this moment. "Nasir." He whispered again, his voice rough with emotion.

Nasir tilted his head to one side and gave him a curious look, one he could not read.

"Troubles weigh heavily on both our minds it would seem." His voice was as rough as Agron's own had been, still was. Agron could do little more than nod. "Then we should speak and see them to end, one way or another." Agron nodded again.

"Yes."

Nasir moved to sit beside him, crossed his ankles and brought both knees to his chest where he wrapped his arms around himself.

"I would know something of you, and you must promise no coddling. You must promise to speak only the truth, whatever it may be, even if it is something you think I will not want to hear. Can you do that?"

"If that is your wish. Yes."

Some moments passed before either man found voice again.

"Do you…" Nasir gave pause to take breath before continuing. "When you look upon me do you yet feel…" He captured his bottom lip between his teeth and worried at it gently. "Do you yet desire me?"

"I…" Agron's voice caught in his throat. He cleared it with a cough and opened his mouth once more but though he had promised Nasir the truth he could not bring himself to say the words aloud, such was the depth of his shame. "Can you not see?" He said, looking down at his feet, avoiding the other man's gaze.

"Alas there is much I do not see of late. Please Agron. The truth, as you promised."

A deep sigh and Agron looked up, eyes fluttering hesitantly before finally meeting the Syrian's gaze.

"I have never stopped desiring you Nasir, but there is no cause for you to fear action. I have not acted upon desire before now, nor will I. I would sooner see myself to the afterlife than ever hurt you, you have my word on that. I know that you can never…"

"I yet feel the same desire." Nasir interrupted, the colour rising in his cheeks.

Agron stared, brow furrowed.

"Forgive me. It seems wishful thinking causes my ears to deceive me."

"Your ears hear well enough."

"Then you…"

"I desire you still. I ache for you. That kiss, it…"

"Was one of gratitude, nothing more. Or so I believed." Agron interrupted.

"As did I when I gave it, but the touch of your lips against mine awoke a passion in me I had long thought dead, made me want more and when you made no response I feared that… I feared that you no longer saw me in such a way, that what had happened had ruined me that way in your eyes and that you would never again feel more for me than friendship. That is why I put distance between us."

"And I had feared my passion so strong as to render pointless any attempt to keep it hidden. Concerns would not allow the possibility that you could ever find pleasure in such again. I was certain you had withdrawn out of fear and I was shamed to be the cause. That is why I lay no attempt to close distance."

The gladiator looked down at his feet once more. Nasir did the same.

"I may never be as free as I once was. Sedullus is forever a part of me now but memory fades further to distance with each day that passes. No longer am I prisoner to it, nor would I be again and I will not grant him the satisfaction of robbing from me that which I cherish above all else. I would know again the touch of your lips to mine, the gentle caress of loving hands upon my skin. I would know again what it is to be truly alive"

Agron looked up, his eyes locking at once with Nasir's. Nasir smiled upon him shyly, reaching for his hand, touching fingertip to fingertip and kindling a flame, a slow burn. His gaze faltered. He found himself staring at the Syrians lips and licked at his own, now parchment dry before once again finding the other man's eyes.

"Nasir." He whispered, voice strained. "Would you… would you allow me the honour of a kiss? A simple kiss, nothing more."

Nasir nodded, his smile growing wider. There was laughter in his eyes and in this moment, he felt he was perhaps bolder than Agron.

"If you do not kiss me soon I fear I may be dragged into the afterlife still waiting."

A soft chuckle escaped the German's throat only to die beneath the weight of heavy breath. Slowly, Agron leant forward and brushed his lips lightly against Nasir's, pulling back to search the other man's face for a sign that yes, he wanted this or no, it was too much and he should stop. He saw only the former. Confidence bolstered he placed one hand against Nasir's cheek and leant forward to place upon him another kiss, steadier, more sure than the last.

Nasir moaned softly, eyes fluttering closed, just briefly. He leaned into the kiss, tilting his head a little to the side so that their noses would not bump together and began to move his lips slowly against Agron's own. This time it was the German who moaned. Deep and throaty, the sound vibrated throughout his whole body making Nasir's own body tremble in accord. He pulled back a little way, breaking the kiss to let out a small gasp and a whispered…

"Yes."

Recapturing Nasir's lips almost instantly, the Gladiator kissed him harder, his hand sliding from the other man's cheek to his shoulder where it settled, squeezing gently . He caught the other man's lower lip between his teeth and nipped gently at the warm, succulent flesh there, causing Nasir to let loose yet another pleasured gasp.

Encouraged by Nasir's response, Agron trailed his kisses lower, nibbling at the rough bristled jaw as he made his way downward, finally attaching his lips to the smooth skin where Nasir's neck curved gently into his shoulder, an act that in times past would always make Nasir weak with desire.

Nasir gasped again, the sound followed quickly by a fevered moan.

"Agron I…" He rasped, instinctively tipping his head back so that Agron may more easily lavish attention upon that spot.

"Hmmmm?" Agron asked, his worshipping of Nasir's sensitive skin never ceasing.

"Please, I… More, Agron. I allow more than a kiss. I beg it."

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