Story Title: Words Restrained
Chapter: 7/11
Chapter Summary: What must be known…
A/N: I'll always be proud of this chapter. It's really a bringing what I see in my mind to the page. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 7: Warrior's Balance

Nasir turned attention from Gannicus to look upon Qilin, his eyes absent emotion as only one of his former position could accomplish and the slaver's eyes fell away as though understanding accusation within silent action. He stood for cause of why Nasir was capable of such expression.

Once the man's eyes turned from him, the Syrian walked to where weapons were stored and found a gladius graecus as he drew his own gladius from sheath. If he could comfortably carry the short sword he would at all times yet it was of great discomfort to wear both swords and the short one was not made to be used alone, usually paired with spear. Combination of the two weapons worked well for how swiftly he could move, yet he knew he was not of skill enough to rely upon it in battle as Spartacus and Gannicus did. He only used it in practice as he did now.

He inhaled deeply to take measure of state of his body. He was recovering well, cuts of whip were of minor irritation and bruising across his entire body made him stiff yet would loosen once he began to move in combat. Squeezing grip of his right hand as tightly as he was able revealed how cuts upon hand would not weaken blows once within motion of battle.

Turning focus back to Qilin, he watched the man hesitate in making approach to begin match.

Making realization that Qilin already held suspicion that Nasir held ulterior motive, the Syrian made decision that no risk stood to be had in confirming intent to the slaver. He spoke in language of his land, "Debt is owed and you will fucking balance scale." Qilin's eyes widened in understanding and he turned gaze toward Gannicus and made unspoken words whispered of intent to withdraw from match. "Fight or take leave now as the fucking coward you stand."

"I stand no coward and match is not required to prove such," Qilin responded in Aramaic, his words bringing to mind manner in which Nasir broke words of Germania's language: correct yet clumsy. "What debt do you hold belief I owe?"

Nasir? Gannicus' unspoken words came at the same moment and the Syrian shook his head slightly to keep his mind from distraction by the Celt. This was of great importance to him and he would not be denied satisfaction.

Had gladiators before him not acted in similar manner when vengeance stood within grasp?

"The one for my life and all those collected coin for by you and your kin. Do not mistake my telling you of Spartacus' location for forgiveness of revelation that you held recognition of me when I was taken and sold."

"And so you will take my life?"

"If that is what is required to know balance."

Qilin's eyes watched him for a short moment before he nodded acceptance that he would not convince the Syrian to dismiss thought of conflict. Perhaps he held understanding that his actions deserved recompense.

The slaver reached to his back and pulled his sword within sheath from his back and held it in his right hand. Nasir was confused by the man's seeming continued refusal to fight when Qilin stepped closer and his posture changed to hold readiness for assault by the Syrian. Keeping the sheath grasped in one hand, he took hold of the long hilt with his other and drew the sword and then awaited Nasir to strike first.

Nasir was unaccustomed to an opponent being unwilling to move first. Those he normally faced were either gladiators – who saw no value in leaving first strike to others as it held risk of giving advantage to opponent – or those newer to blade who held belief there stood need to prove value with show of aggression. His style of fighting was reactive and so initiative whilst sparring was not his nature, yet his emotions allowed him to move with haste to begin fight.

Using the longer reach of the gladius, Nasir swung in a cross strike aimed for Qilin's torso, holding expectation of the deflecting strike though it came from the sheath instead of blade, sound of metal striking metal echoing between them to give explanation of purpose of the thing other than carrying of weapon. He followed motion of defense and turned into where the gladius was guided, bringing the short sword around in a wide swing following the same path as the gladius had. Noticing second strike at once, Qilin lifted his own sword up and deflected Nasir in an upward path so as to disrupt his momentum. Once safe from attack, Qilin's sheath was pushed into Nasir's stomach in harsh strike unexpected, blow laying across length of scarred skin as though to call forth memory of pain once before inflicted there. The Syrian's breath was disrupted and he stumbled away a few steps.

He took a deep breath as Qilin paused a moment, apparently intent on not taking the match beyond what was needed. Recovering with haste so as to not allow the man opportunity to withdraw, Nasir closed distance between them with quick steps, dropping his shoulder as he brought his hand gripping the gladius graecus across to the opposite side so both weapons were beside one another. Qilin reacted upon instinct, dropping the sheath down low between them in defensive posture while his sword was held out before him. Nasir used the concealing position to turn his grip upon the short sword so he held it in reverse of normal.

Qilin did not await Nasir this time and closed the last distance between them as he thrust the tip of his sword toward Nasir's shoulder which the Syrian dropped down to his knee to avoid. Standing with haste, he swung up with the gladius and struck the sheath from blocking him and then aimed the blade of his short sword to Qilin's stomach. The slaver reacted with greater speed than Nasir would have thought possible and blocked the attack with his sword, Nasir's blade making contact with the ring of metal separating blade from hilt. Taking advantage of position of his blade yet between them, he pressed his weight forward so as to yet guide his weapon into Qilin's body.

Nasir, you go too far with match. I will send for Spartacus if you continue in this manner. Gannicus' unspoken words and brief pain of hearing them distracted him – likely to have purposefully done so – and his aim was deterred as Qilin's sword lost position and Nasir fell forward, his blade cutting slightly into the skin at the slaver's side. Following momentum of the grazing cut, Nasir tucked his weapons to the side of his body and rolled away from his opponent to stand again at ready.

Cheers sounded from those watching exchange as one familiar to them drew first blood.

Qilin looked down to the small stain of blood now appearing through the cloak he wore about his torso then returned gaze to the Syrian. Nasir could see how frustration was growing within the man as he also readied to continue fight.

Returning his grip on the gladius graecus to hold it correctly he again attacked Qilin, intent on bringing match to completion. As they again crossed blades, Nasir considered the unexpected challenge Qilin was presenting. He had not thought the slaver would hold great deal of skill with weapon he carried yet his boasts were being proven with each strike blocked and countered.

Yet his own limits were swiftly approaching as he was moving beyond the small measure of recovery he had managed from his mistreatment by Scrofa. His strikes bore less strength and his limbs were beginning to shake from effort when he would take pause for but a moment. Qilin must have realized his state as the man's attacks were increasing in speed and strength to take advantage of growing weakness. Knowing that he would not hold success if this continued for much longer, Nasir moved in toward Qilin. Taking advantage of the slaver's awareness of his weakened state, Nasir lowered his guard to make it appear as though mistake was being made in his technique and Qilin's response was as anticipated.

The slaver swung across at level of Nasir's shoulder with the sheath, holding intent to lay strike strong enough to disrupt further attack. Nasir dropped down to his knee once more, bringing the flat of his gladius against the back of Qilin's knee to knock his feet from under him and bring his body to the ground. Qilin's breath escaped him in pained grunt as his body made impact with the ground with great force. Dropping the short sword and placing both hands upon the gladius, he moved to claim balance.

"Nasir!" Spartacus' voice calling his name gained the Syrian's attention and he turned toward the temple where the Thracian stood with Gannicus, Crixus, and Agron. The four men were watching him, their expressions communicating their confusion at his obvious intent to send Qilin to the afterlife. "Match is finished." The man's voice was patient as it always was when he spoke with the Syrian though Nasir knew desire was held to give command to discard weapon.

"Break words with me and dispute will find solution," Agron said, the man obvious in his difficulty of accepting how heartless Nasir's manner was. The Syrian was not one to give in to rage and take life absent cause.

Nasir turned his gaze to the man laying before him, sword dropped from grasp when he fell to the ground and watching him with concern over his life being forfeit now.

This man deserved death for all the lives he had collected coin for through years and Nasir felt that he had earned right to deliver death as he had been among ones to be sold. Qilin had claimed memory of Nasir so that meant he had likely been involved with the Syrian's first training in how to complete tasks of slave to master's greatest approval. He spoke language and so would have been used to make sense in those early days before Nasir learned common tongue. As the Syrian's memory of those days was not clear, he could not claim any of this with certainty of accuracy yet it was of high likelihood to be truth.

If it were not for this fucking man and his kin, Nasir would not have been taken from his land. He would yet be with his brother – a man he could not even recall appearance nor name of now – and he would have grown as Nasir. Tiberius would never have been thrust upon him. He would not have been forced to serve as body slave to Roman master, taking upon his young shoulders responsibility beyond what any person should be made to endure.

Path of his life was determined by this man and those of his likeness. He did not deserve to be spared.

Letting out a cry of fury, Nasir's eyes closed as he raised his gladius once more and stabbed it down toward Qilin with murderous intent.

Nasir's breath came in short gasps as his body echoed with strain of fight. He focused upon slowing his breath and rapid beating of his heart, which was only made of ease to notice in the silence which surrounded him.

Once control was regained, he took in one last deep breath as his eyes opened and he looked to the ground before him.

Qilin's breath was coming in gasps as well as his light brown eyes were still upon the gladius which was imbedded deeply within the ground beside his head. Nasir's hands fell from grip of his weapon and his weight relaxed upon the leg supported upon the ground to allow him distance from the slaver. Qilin watched his motion, apparently suspicious of the Syrian's intent. Nasir knew he would have similar thoughts if he were to stand in Qilin's place. Nasir had not given any indication that he would not kill the man, not even to himself until strike adjusted path.

Presence of rebel leader and his desire for Nasir to not strike Qilin down had not been reason enough.

Agron's attempt to keep him from action had done naught to alter Nasir's mind.

Opportunity had been created to balance scales of his life and he had failed in the last moment and he could not voice reason as to what had changed within him in final moment before vengeance was claimed.

Nasir's eyes closed once more and he released heavy breath. He was supposed to be of greater talent than he was giving demonstration of. He did not hesitate to claim lives while in battle against Romans. He had accepted long ago that his life now included death and his role in the dealing of it. He had held no difficulty in doing so since the day he had run blade through guard about to kill Spartacus upon the night of his choice to join rebellion. It was only in darkest corners of his mind where he would feel some measure of regret for those he had sent to the afterlife and such feelings were rare and well concealed.

Yet now his mind was rife with regret for his actions and he could not gain understanding of why it was so.

Steps making approach from behind him gained his attention and he stood in single smooth motion, turning to see that Agron had begun to walk closer to him. His heart was likely to recognize how great Nasir's unease was and wished to offer aid as he always would, yet Nasir took single step away from the German to convey his refusal. Agron ceased walking at once in understanding though the tensing of his body revealed how great his desire was to ignore and make contact with the one he held to heart.

It was Gannicus who unsurprisingly broke words, "Regardless of loss, value with blade is proven. You appear to hold no need for instruction with gladius, Qilin."

Qilin rose to a seated position though remained upon the ground, likely in attempt to maintain distance from Nasir. "Gratitude for allowing opportunity to give demonstration. Understanding of skill held by those within rebellion was of value. It is of greatest honor to be among ones of such measure."

"One such as you holds no knowledge of honor," Nasir gave interruption after brief consideration of speaking in Aramaic yet thought was dismissed with haste as he knew now what he should do. If he could not claim the man's life, he would have his friends understand why he had made attempt.

"How can you speak so when he was one to give revelation of your capture?" Spartacus questioned.

"Capture only occurred by cause of him." Had he not given distraction to Nasir, he could have known soldiers were present and they would have not been overtaken. Qilin could have released them from chains and they could have succeeded in gaining freedom absent aid before reaching Scrofa's villa. He had acted as coward in taking path of least risk to self. "Those of his kind cannot know what it means to bear honor."

"Come to meaning Nasir and allow him opportunity to prove otherwise."

Nasir turned to look upon Qilin briefly – the man's eyes widening in understanding of Nasir's intent – before turning and walking nearer to rebel leaders, lowering his voice so that no rebels yet observing would hear as well. "The man stands as fucking slaver. He has sold lives numbering greater than that of rebellion."

Waiting only long enough to ensure he had been heard by those intended, Nasir walked past Spartacus, Crixus, and Gannicus and within shadow of the temple.

"See to Nasir and inform him we wish to break words," Spartacus gave command to Agron as the German watched the Syrian fall from sight. Turning toward his brother and nodding acceptance of instruction given, he felt relief at knowing he could follow. He held doubt that he would have been capable of doing so if command had differed. He had not recovered enough from days of knowing Nasir was in danger to act first as rebel leader. As he walked past Spartacus, he grasped the man's forearm in gratitude and received a small smile in return.

He moved with haste to ascend the steps then through familiar halls with destination of his and Nasir's quarters, knowing the Syrian would seek solitude in his rise of emotions. He had never favored making display of his emotions to any other besides Agron and his unusual behavior would not alter this about him.

When Saxa had entered the room the three leaders were speaking within, none had expected her to break words of Gannicus demanding Spartacus' aid in bringing match between Nasir and Qilin to pause. Confusion rose in all three gladiators as to cause of concern as it was Nasir involved in match, yet Saxa had hastily pressed them to action by revelation that the Syrian's intent was to spill blood. Spartacus and Agron had exchanged further expressions of confusion as they turned and followed the German woman to temple courtyard and struggled to believe it was truly the young Syrian they had come to know so well that they laid eyes upon then. He had never before appeared more as one trained by those of the arena and Agron realized absent pause that this was not a face of his heart he appreciated or approved of. The fire which usually burned in Nasir's gaze was absent and while his motions of battle were the same there was dark intent guiding every strike.

Gannicus had noticed their presence at once and moved closer to speak, "I made attempt to convince Nasir to calm his strikes, yet he paid me no heed. It is unlike him to ignore instruction while training."

"We have all made strike in such manner as to recognize intent," Crixus had given voice to identify what the other men saw now in Nasir: vengeance.

They had been unable to break further words when Nasir had created opportunity to knock Qilin upon back and had moved to strike final blow and Spartacus had given command before Agron could even consider what words to voice to calm his heart's wrath.

And now Agron was supposed to find fucking words to calm Nasir, a task he was unaccustomed to have necessary. If roles were reversed, Nasir would hold no difficulty in knowing how to quell Agron's fury. What words was he to say to be of aid to Nasir?

As he approached their quarters, he took in a deep breath in attempt to calm his mind before taking the final steps that separated him from sight of the Syrian. As he pushed aside cloth separating room from halls, he looked within to see his heart standing at the center of the small room with his hands clenched in his hair. Knowing that such grip must be causing pain, Agron stepped within room to stand near enough to Nasir to reach out and place his hands on the Syrian's wrists. The smaller man responded in manner he had not expected as he pulled his hands free and then pulled his arm back to deliver a strong punch toward Agron's face. The gladiator reacted to threat by shifting his weight back as fist swung across his line of vision then reached out to reclaim grip on the smaller hand.

"Nasir," he spoke to ensure knowledge that it was trusted beloved who held him from attacking again. The Syrian relaxed at his voice and looked up to meet green eyes but again pulled away and turned from Agron. The taller man sighed at being refused again; he had believed Nasir would allow him near once removed from view of others. The German sighed as he moved over to their pallet and sat upon its edge, running his hands over his face and through his hair. "What am I to do, Nasir?" Nasir's dark eyes turned to him once more at his query. "How am I to offer you aid when I know not what is needed."

"What gives cause to belief that I am in need of aid?" Nasir's voice was distant and controlled with care, a tone Agron held deep hatred of. It bore too much resemblance to how Nasir spoke while yet claiming Roman name to be his own.

"Taking up sword against Qilin stands fucking proof you are not as normal." Agron's calm tone was one he was capable of for Nasir alone and such was known by the Syrian. Nasir took in a deep breath as he crossed his arms over his chest. "We know you held intent of taking his life. Knowledge I seek is why you would desire so?"

"He is a slaver. His hands have seen as many to shackle as we have released."

"If his intentions oppose us why has he only acted toward our benefit since arrival? An arrival allowed by your words to occur." The German did not intend for such accusation to sound in his voice. He held no desire of his heart bearing thought of blame placed upon him.

"You would speak as though you hold faith in him."

"I wish to understand your actions." Agron took in a deep breath as he ran his hands through his hair in soothing manner. He had to remain calm or he would only aggravate the Syrian further as he was already of short temper. "Nasir, you are not of the sort to submit to anger and bloodlust as those of the sands. Spartacus places trust in you for choices made from thought; a thing which I rely upon as well. I only ask to know of your choice with Qilin."

Nasir watched the German for a few silent moments before he closed the distance between he and the pallet and sat down upon it at Agron's side. The Syrian leaned forward and rested his elbows on his legs as he ran his fingers through his shortened and loose hair which had fallen forward to conceal his face from sight. Agron found he did not prefer this length for that reason alone.

"He intended no harm toward us."

To any other – even other rebel leaders – such words would hold little meaning. Nasir had told Agron alone of how he had trained his talents to know of harmful intent and naught else unless sought. It was choice made by the Syrian in attempt to cease witnessing thoughts of his friends desired to be kept secret. Such focus of his ability allowed him greatest benefit as guard as well as reduced amount of pain experienced when subjected to thoughts of all about him. Communication of unspoken words between he and rebel leaders was the only other unspoken words he had learned to allow to reach him at all times. While some thoughts still reached him if his mind was absent focus, it was rarer occurrence now.

"Yet at first opportunity you make attempt to take his life?" Agron could not move beyond such action coming from his heart. He could not recall single time since meeting the Syrian where he was so intent upon causing death to another. Even attempt to kill Spartacus had been manner of manipulation to force the Thracian toward taking Nasir's life and was not guided by desire to send another to the afterlife. Nasir understood how a man could be taken with the lust for blood yet he did not give in to such emotions as they were wasted effort in his mind. This was subject spoken of often between them and belief of which the Syrian had clarified to Agron so that he held certain understanding and to have it so greatly opposed moments before was not a thing he could accept with any manner of ease.

Nasir sighed and Agron heard the irritation beneath the sound. He knew that if he did nothing to clarify his difficulty with understanding events his heart would remain reticent in speaking openly with him. The Syrian did not respond well to being made to feel the fool.

Reaching out toward Nasir, he placed his hand over the yet inflamed wrist and encouraged the hand to lower and the Syrian's dark eyes turned to face Agron. The gaze did not give revelation to Nasir's emotions and Agron's breath caught within chest at seeing how greatly the former slave was concealing himself.

"Why do you allow him to again bring Tiberius to your visage?"

Effect of Agron's words gave no delay in bringing response to Nasir's expression. The German knew that there was naught else he could have said to cause greater effect upon his heart and he held some measure of regret yet it had been honest. Nasir's eyes reflected his deep hatred of hearing his Roman name and for a brief moment Agron believed he would again make attempt to strike the gladiator though was relieved when the emotion passed with haste and all that remained was deep sadness and pain Agron had not witnessed within the Syrian in a long time.

"You have seen mark upon Qilin's arm?" Nasir's questioned, his eyes remaining fixed upon Agron.

"The one of likeness to weapon he carries?" the German questioned for clarity to which Nasir nodded assent.

"It is the mark of a family of slavers who are known through all of Rome to sell slaves of greatest quality. Business is only conducted with those of position and wealth." Nasir's eyes turned from Agron and looked to the ground at his feet though he did not cease speaking. "Such mark was upon the one who took me from Assyria and placed me under shackle of slavery. It was not Qilin who sold me, yet he would have been involved with my capture and training as he speaks Aramaic with enough skill to give instruction to a child who knows not when words should be mistrusted." The more words Nasir broke, the less anger there was within his voice and Agron recognized how he was again retreating from display of what the German now knew to be thoughts and memories bearing pain the Syrian held no knowledge of how to endure.

Agron was only able to remain calm and seated because of such tone from Nasir. He should have anticipated how anything that would have such effect upon the controlled Syrian would evoke similar emotions within him.

Now that Agron knew the cause of Nasir's anger toward Qilin, he was surprised that the man yet breathed. When faced once more with Trebius, Agron had been filled with such fury that he could not say what lengths he would have gone to in ensuring that the man who had given he and Duro over to slavery suffered before death. Knowing how Crixus had tortured him for knowledge of Naevia had only brought him small measure of comfort as it was not his hands which had inflicted pain.

Spartacus held no right to ask Nasir to stand with one who had seen him to life of pain and service. None among them held right to ask Nasir to spare Qilin.

So why did the man yet draw breath? Why had his life been spared from Nasir's deserved wrath?

"What stayed your hand?" Agron could not deny his curiosity in this.

Nasir's delay in answering was so great that Agron thought he refused to speak further upon the subject now that he had given explanation to why he had acted in such manner. It was only when the Syrian released another heavy breath that Agron realized that his heart was struggling with his own actions as much as Agron was in understanding them.

"Opportunity was presented as I intended and I could not balance fucking scale. I have sent men of greater value than he to the afterlife absent regret." Agron would never reveal to Nasir how he knew the young warrior to not be speaking complete truth in such claims: Agron knew Nasir to feel guilt for all the lives he now stood responsible for taking. It was not weakness but simply effects of the man's gentler nature. He did not allow it to delay his strikes in battle though, which brought Agron to hold further admiration toward the Syrian.

The gladiator sighed heavily at Nasir's continued frustration with what had occurred and massaged his face with his hand to relieve tension which had built within him. "You are not alone in failing to claim vengeance. Even Spartacus has known failure in task of balancing wrongs committed against him as you know." Ilithyia should have perished by their hands when they held opportunity yet she lived still to raise child of the man who had set them all upon path of rebellion.

"I am not Spartacus."

"No you are not. If my opinion were to be put to question, I would say you stand as better man than any of us for choices made." Nasir released a sound of derision at Agron's claim, which brought the German's irritation to rise. While it was not unusual for Nasir to dismiss compliments given him, he would at least allow opinion to be held by the one giving voice absent denial.

Agron was finished with allowing Nasir to continue to hold such degrading opinion of himself. He reached out with both hands and took firm hold of Nasir's face, forcing the Syrian's dark eyes to look upon him. The fury that rose in Nasir's expression was expected – he did not respond well to being commanded in his actions – yet it was of relief to see for all the control the Syrian had been exhibiting throughout their conversation.

"Release me, Agron," that Nasir voiced command told of how greatly touch was unwanted, however his desire was not heeded for the first time since they had come to know of one another.

"I will not, for you have need to hear my fucking words. I will no longer break words to have them ignored by the one to whom they should hold greatest importance, just as yours mean all to me." The Syrian appeared shocked by such words and Agron allowed a brief moment of silence to ensure Nasir's attention was upon him as he requested. "From the first night we exchanged words you have given proof that you are man of greatest value. Not for your skill with blade or numbers or even your gift, but for your honor and heart. You have risked your life for a woman you had never even laid eyes upon because you believed it to be correct path. Gift of hearing thoughts was offered to use of rebellion absent concern of suffering it causes you." Agron felt Nasir's jaw tense in preparation to speak, most likely to dispute that he suffered because of his ability but the German did not allow him opportunity to speak. "I have ceased to be led astray by your attempts to conceal pain you yet feel when bearing witness to unspoken words."

"Pain does not linger," Nasir spoke in hushed tone and Agron knew that his heart did not speak of only pain caused by unspoken words. The yet darkened skin around Nasir's eye and forehead were constant reminder to Agron of all the injuries the Syrian currently bore and ignored. He knew that pain did not hold sway over Nasir as it would many others.

"It lingers within me."

It was an admission of weakness and Agron was surprised that words had been voiced at all. His position within rebellion and place upon field of battle did not allow for weakness to be known by any, yet he could not imagine not revealing all he was to Nasir as he wished for Nasir to reveal all in return. He did not expect such revelation to be immediate, however he would make example of how he wished their relationship to be so that Nasir held understanding of what it was to be loved and hold love for another. Nasir appeared to understand importance of what had been told to him but remained silent so Agron continued speaking.

"I hold no care for what you may offer rebellion. All that holds meaning for me is that you find some measure of joy in life you have claimed for yourself with choices made. That you spared Qilin's life was choice made not yet understood and so failure may not be claimed. If understanding comes and you find naught but failure, you will move beyond it and become stronger for experience gained."

Agron saw within Nasir's gaze the desire to give dispute yet the Syrian restrained himself from doing so. He instead appeared to be searching for something within Agron's gaze and so the gladiator allowed him to look to his satisfaction absent interruption.

After many moments of silence, Nasir's hands reached up and took hold of Agron's wrists before following the path of his wrist to cover his hands yet grasping the Syrian's face. Instead of making attempt to break contact as he had every time for the entirety of their conversation, Nasir pressed Agron's hands more securely against his skin and closed his eyes as he moved closer to the German. Agron accepted the motion immediately by closing the slight distance between them and pressed his lips in brief kiss to Nasir's and then leaned down to touch lips and nose to Nasir's neck so that he knew naught but his heart's warmth.

Nasir's arms encircled Agron's waist, his forehead falling to Agron's shoulder and lips touched skin just above the German's scar in gentle caress and the two focused upon taking comfort from being within each other's grasp as they had been denied for so long. Brief touch had been managed during return trip from Lucania, yet Nasir had slept the entire journey and the following few days had been spent greatly absent each other's company as preparations were made to either strike against the mines or to move against Scrofa. Now that they were given reminder of how they had yearned for one another while apart and that they had not taken action to recover time absent each other's companionship.

As they stood now, not even Spartacus could have forced them apart and they held attention only for one another. Naught else was of importance.

A/N: The image of Nasir stabbing down at Qilin but missing instead of killing him was the actual first idea I had for this series. It was a way to explore how Nasir was shown in the series to not enjoy pointless violence while also finding someone who might push him to that point of wanting to kill them but not following through with it and why.
Still got quite a bit to go here. Thanks for reading and see you next time!