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Viago looks down at Emmrich as his elderly love suffers the illnesses of age. They’ve had this conversation too many times to count, only to eventually come to this very agreement.
“Vi, Dearest.” Emmrich’s voice cracks as his hand comes up to cup Viago’s cheek. “I know it’s hard.” He can see the fear in the older man’s eyes. “But all things must eventually come to an end.” What is this ache in his chest? He wants to crush it under his boot until none remains, but he doesn’t have the strength to do so.
“I know.” Words are hard to come by. Emmrich brushes a greying strand from Viago’s face. He shouldn’t have had to. It should have still been pinned back with the rest at the base of his skull. His Necromancer smiles at him, soft and loving. It’s almost too much for him.
Viago hides the forming tears in a long, love-filled kiss. It’s a desperate attempt to have even that little bit longer with the man who captured his heart those decades ago. Stupid. He knows better. Death comes for everyone. It comes for Emmrich now just like it will one day come for Viago himself.
He lets a little of his need slip into the following kiss. He needs to keep him just a little bit longer. He needs to make sure Emmrich knows exactly how much Viago cares about him. No. He can’t end this with just a hint of his feelings laid bare. If Viago has to say goodbye to the man he loves today, then he’s going to do it with his heart laid bare for Emmrich to see.
When Viago finally pulls back, Emmrich’s hazel eyes look at him, full of love and sadness. He smiles warmly, hiding the fear Viago knows plagues his heart. Hot tears sting his eyes as Viago reaches for the clear vial on the nightstand. He knows they agreed to this, but for once in his life, Viago doesn’t want to poison someone. He doesn’t even want to end a life right now. If he could give this man all of Viago’s remaining time on Thedas, he would.
“It’ll be alright, Dearest.” Emmrich takes Viago’s free hand weakly, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. If only Emmrich had been spared from the ravages of old age.
Looking between the vial and his love one more time, Viago steals one final kiss, guiding Emmrich’s fingers to run through his hair in the comforting way only he could ever manage. He stays like that as long as he can before having to pull away.
Emmrich nods at him. With a lump in his throat, Viago screws off the lid and brings it to Emmrich’s lips. Emmrich’s hand covers his own as he tilts the minuscule amount of highly potent, painless poison enough for his lover to lap up. He gets a warm, loving smile as Emmrich swallows.
It’s barely a minute before the older man goes limp and his heart stops beating. The vial falls to the floor, shattering. Tears fall freely down Viago’s cheeks. A cry rips from his throat. He’s all alone once more with a gaping wound in his heart.