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“So that's it? You're just going to leave?” There was something in the flex of Riley's hand on the doorframe. A restraint that betrayed the turmoil of the maelstrom brewing in his chest as he met Gladius’ unwavering stare.
“I mean the boss gave the order…” But the words were cut off by the low growl of the Qunari as he stalked forward, stopping just a hairsbreadth from the shorter man as he loomed above him.
“I know what Ashur said,” he replied with a deep rumble. A trembling hand reached up– tentative... terrified. Before Riley let it fall back to his side as he let out a shaky breath. “But you were just going to leave… leave me without saying a word?”
There was a fragile shift in the air as the two men stared across the abyss of grief at each other. All the things spoken and not passing in a few fleeting heartbeats before a slight smile tugged at the corner of Gladius’ mouth. “Hey big guy, it's not forever,” he reassured as he bumped Riley's shoulder. As if he wasn't being sent away on a mission down south. As if all of this wasn't his best friend's fault.
“I… I should have been there,” the Qunari finally breathed out as he closed his eyes against the shattering ache clawing its way up his throat. “I could have–”
“Hey none of that now,” shushed Gladius in a soft voice, gentler than he had ever been before as he subtly brushed against the larger man. “It happened and it's over. You're still my best friend and that will never change. I just… have to go deal with this for a while. Then I'll be back and we'll be giving them hell once more.”
Some part of Riley knew he was right, knew this was rational.
But that aching space between his ribs? That part was harder to reconcile his grief as Gladius stepped out of the room and disappeared.