[This fic is strictly AU/Meta, not canon, or fanon, or actually happening. It is purely a 'what if' fic.]

They looked backward and said goodbye...she had become like they are
She had taken his hand...she had become like they are
Come on baby...don't fear the reaper
- Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear the Reaper

“We knew this could happen.”

“It’s too soon.”

“There’s nothing we can do to stop this. It’s our only chance. You heard the priest.”

“I don’t want to leave you yet.”

“Yes.” The sorrow in her voice was without any reproach to him. “Yes, you do. You’ve waited so long. Go to them. I’ll join you there in time.”

“You still believe…you still think they are there?” His voice was fading, his eyes staying on her face, as Hadrian uncoiled one last time from his body. The sands of the beach, their beach, shifted as the snake slithered across it, towards the ocean where he would find his own end in the sea.

“I know they are. Can’t you see them, Cassius? Just over there, beyond the fields and the vineyards.” The tears were flowing, unchecked, staining his white shirt. Stelios waited, a respectful distance away from them, having already said his goodbyes before the priest began the ritual. He would wait there, until the warrior had gone on to his reward, to help bury him and to protect his woman left behind. “Your children are there. Your parents. They are all there, waiting to see you again.”

“I thought it would be you…first.” Breathing was now an effort, as his body deteriorated internally, the ages stealing his strength.

“I’m glad, Mark. I’m glad. I know you’ll be okay, now.” Alexa had to physically steel herself to keep from sobbing, or screaming, as she watched him dying there in front of her eyes. “I love you, baby. I love you. Don’t worry, just go to them. I’ll be there, one day. We’ll all be together again.”

He smiled up at her, the sunlight in his eyes, the vision of her face and hair blurring and fading to white as his last breath shuddered and stilled. He was still smiling as she reached up with trembling fingers to close his eyes.

She laid her head upon his broad chest, and finally let go of the misery and the grief that she didn’t want him to see. Stelios looked away as she screamed out, sobbing and shaking over his body. The Spartan had nothing to say that would comfort her, because this beautiful death was long overdue.