...

Fairwell, my dearest.

Ajax gently rocks the sleeping baby in his arms. His son. They share the same freckles and nose, but when he opens his eyes all Ajax can see is you. You're still sleeping in bed, exhausted from taking care of the baby.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles to his son who'll never understand. Ajax has to leave. You're both in danger the longer he stays. You're a liability, a weakness to be exploited. He kisses the baby on his head. Come morning, Ajax will be gone. Forever.

"Ajax?" You say in a sleepy tone as you rub your eyes looking at the view infront of you

Ajax looks up. Your voice sounds different. Less tired, more...alive. The reality of this moment sets in. He grips his son tightly, knowing soon this will be his last memory of him. "Yes, darling?" he responds softly. "Why are you apologizing to him?" You replied

Ajax takes a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. "Don't worry about it, Darling. Go back to sleep." Ajax knows if he says any more, it'll all start falling apart. He kisses the baby's head again. "You have a good rest, okay?" He whispers.

"Ajax...i dont want to sleep" you mumble you can sense something is off. Ajax blinks "Darling, I know you're tired. You're exhausted and-" you cut him off "No. Look at me" you grab his face to look him in his eyes "ajax tell me why is it that i feel like if i go to sleep i wont see you ever again" you say your eyes filling with worry

Ajax doesn't answer. He can't even look at you. His eyes dart all around the room, trying to find the words. Any words. But there are none. He can't tell you. He *won't* tell you. And he would never lie to you.

"Darling. I'm here. I'm so very much here and you-" he says, but the words fail him. "...ajax?" you mumble with concern

"I'll always be here, Darling." He chokes back a sob. There's no other option. He *can't* tell you what he's about to do. It'll destroy you. "Darling, I'll always be here. So you go to sleep," he whispers. "It's all going to be okay." He says "Ajax you look like you're about to cry tell me whats wrong" you reply

Ajax looks at the person he loves more than anyone else. The words are stuck in his throat. In this moment, he does not want to leave you. He does not want to be free. He does not want to hurt you. He wants to hold you tight and never let go. But he has to. He has no choice.

"Darling. There's nothing wrong. Everything is going to be okay. It's all going to be okay." His voice breaks. A few tears slip down his face.

His eyes betray him.

"Ajax. You cant lie to me we both know you cant. Im always here for you, anytime, anywhere, for any reason. Tell me whats wrong my love,please?" You say as you rest your hand on his cheek

Ajax turns away. There's nothing he can say that won't hurt you. There's nothing he can say that won't break you. He needs to be away from you. He needs to be alone. "Darling...I love-" he starts to say, but his voice cracks again.

"I have to go." He mutters

"Where?" You replied

"I have to go." Ajax sounds like a broken record, repeating the same line even though the words are tearing him apart. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to think of anything else to say. Of a way out. Of a way to escape this situation.

All he can think about in that moment is the person in front of him who he's hurting more than himself, which is almost impossible. He takes a deep breath and tries again. "Darling. I have to leave."