Farewell Scene

Kre'oss awoke to a strange scene. The light in the Moghouse was very dim, being powered only by the small fire and dozens of tiny candles. In the center of the room was a large wooden tub, filled with steaming fragrant water, beside which stood a small table with tea and a light breakfast. Harold the moogle, thankfully, was nowhere to be found. Kohra heard Kre'oss stirring and met his confused expression with a smile. Kre'oss rose from the bed, putting on his dark glasses out of habit, despite the dim lighting, and looked back to Kohra. He was wondering how Kohra had managed to set all this up without waking him. It was clear the he was waiting for an explaination, as he remained silent.

Kohra spoke, a bit hesitantly. "I thought I'd see you off in style. A light breakfast while we relax in tub would be nice, don't you think?" He was not entirely sure Kre'oss would go along with this.

Kre'oss' face reddened, and he turned away, saying nothing, looking clearly embarrassed.

Kohra sat on the bed next to him, wrapping his arms around Kre'oss' shoulders. "Don't you trust me? I kept my promise to you last night. I just want to hold you." He said gently.

"Yes, I trust you but....I'll have to be naked." At this, he turned an even deeper shade of red.

Kohra chuckled softly. "Yes, people genrally get naked when they bathe. I'm sure you don't want to return home in sopping wet sheepskins." He said playfully.

Kre'oss said nothing, and continued to look down at his hands in his lap with determined concentration. He fiddled with the simple ring on his finger. Kohra took his hand, and laced their fingers together. "If you want, I'll close my eyes and you can get in first. There are lots of bubbles so I won't see a thing." He leaned forward, planting a gentle kiss on Kre'oss' lips.

"Ok." Kre'oss' voice was barely audible.

At this, Kohra made a big show of hiding his face in the pillows, while Kre'oss undressed and slipped into the tub. "Ok, I'm in." He signalled.

Kohra rolled over on his side, propped up on his elbow and gazed at Kre'oss with a gentle smile on his lips. Kre'oss turned red again, and his eyes flicked away. "What?"

"I love you." Said Kohra, sincerely. Kre'oss looked at Kohra again, holding his gaze steadily, and smiled slightly. Kohra removed his boots and pants as he approached the tub, slipping in behind Kre'oss. He ran his hands down Kre'oss' arms, entwined their fingers and crosed both their arms in front, hugging Kre'oss tenderly. "I'll always love you, never forget that, when you feel alone." Kre'oss sighed, and pressed his back into Kohra's chest.

They spent the next hour lounging together in the tub, feeding each other bits of pastries, sipping tea and saying very little, simply enjoying being so near to one another. Finally the water was getting cold, and they were getting all pruney, so they got out. Kohra first, and then he handed a towel to Kre'oss, politely turning his back. Not that it much mattered, since the bubbles were almost gone, and Kre'oss had not seemed to notice.

They dressed in silence, and finally when Kre'oss had everything, they made their way out towards the Maw in East Ronfaure.

Upon reaching it, they turned to each other, tears glistening in Kohra's eyes. Kre'oss was very subdued. "I don't want you to go." Kohra whispered, as if speaking normally would shatter something. "Or I wish I could come with you." He shook his head.

"We both know that cannot happen. And you must promise not to come looking for me."

Kohra nodded, unable to speak. Kre'oss leaned forward, kissing Kohra hestitantly, and Kohra crushed him to him, holding tightly as if afraid to let go. "Do not forget me. Through all these years, though the burden may be great. I would take your place if I could." He whispered fiercely, tears openly falling from his eyes.

"I know you would, and it comforts me. I could never forget you Kohra." Kre'oss gently pushed Kohra back, then turned and disappeared into the Maw.