He got to his house, and packed a bag as fast as he could. He shared his room with Trystan, who was soundly asleep.

Good thing he didn’t wake up while Dom was packing, since he’d rather do the explaining properly and not be caught in the moment of action.

Then, after his bag was ready, he took a long look at Trystan, before sighing and leaving for the kitchen.

He should make them a breakfast, as a thank-you and goodbye note.

Walking out of the house, and into the hen house they had in the backyard he gathered some eggs. 

He warmed up some bread, and fried the eggs by the fire. warming some water, he also made tea.

“What’s all this about?” He heard a sleepy voice calling beside him, completely taking him out of his trance, he blinked up.

“Rose, why are you awake? It’s still so early.” He tried sounding innocent, but it didn’t really work out.

“I could ask you the same thing,” She noted, now her sleepy presence wearing off and her eyes more observant.

Her eyes wandered, to the bag at his feet. “Are you... Leaving?” Her voice wavered.

Dom shifted uncomfortably. He shrugged, figuring he shouldn’t, and couldn’t lie to her.

“Not for forever.” He said, choosing his words carefully.

“I wanted us to have a nice family meal together beforehand,” He admitted, still watching the eggs so they won’t burn.

“I’ll help you.” Rose told him, although there was some kind of emotion in her voice he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

It certainly was not the response he was expecting of her to have.

“Sure.” Was all he managed to let out.

She stood right beside him, smearing some jam on each bread slice he prepared, and pouring tea into their tea-cups.

The sun was starting to show the first signs of morning, by the window, but Trystan and Margaret were still sleeping.

“They should be down any minute...” Dom suddenly started feeling the heaviness in the air between him and Rose, and tried saying something, hoping it would clear the air.

“You’re leaving with Kenna, aren’t you?” Rose snapped, her eyes finally meeting his.

“I...- Yes, but-” He and Rose had something special.

She wasn’t like the other girls he picked up from the tavern. He was gentle with her, and took his time.

But they never got into anything serious... And they both knew why.

Because of Kenna. Because of how Dom felt about Kenna.

“You’re always running after her, GOD.” Rose shook her head, “Unbelievable.”.

“Maybe you need to let her go just as much as I need to let you go.” Her words hurt, and he wasn’t sure why.

He always knew it’ll come down to making a choice between Rose and Kenna, but he never really needed, until now.

Maybe because they both knew who he was going to choose.

“Rose, Don’t say that.” He pleaded with her.

She still had a special place in his heart.... Just not as special as Kenna.

“Do you not realize she’s never going to choose you?” Rose asked, almost as if she was waiting for an answer. Her eyes weren’t piercing through him, they were wet, tearful, pleading with him. Even if her words didn’t match.

“Rose, it’s not about that. She’s raising an army. We think we can save our village, hell, the whole kingdom, maybe!” He tried reasoning with her.

“That’s nonsense.” She huffs out.

“Maybe. But I want to give it a try.” Dom slumps his shoulders.

Yes, maybe he didn’t have as much faith in Kenna’s crazy idea as Kenna had. But he was her bestfriend, and she needed someone to believe in her right now.

He needed- No. Wanted. He wanted to be that someone.

Rose stays silent for a long while. She raises her glass and sips from her tea.

“Do you really think she can do that?” She finally asks. Something’s missing from her eyes. A glistening she used to have.

He knows he’s the reason for that.

“If anyone can, it’s Kenna.” Dom determines. He’s nodding.

“Okay,” Rose is practically whispering right now.

She throws a glance behind her shoulder. “I’ll go wake them up. You need to tell them you’re not going to be home for a while.” She decides.

Maybe she just doesn’t want to see Dom right now.

“Rose, wait.” He stands up after her. She does as she’s said, but she doesn’t dare look at him.

“We’ll wake them up in a minute...” He promises, closing the distance between them as he walks over.

“But, I’m just going... To miss you.” He places a finger over her chin, lifting it and making her face him.

She gives him a weak smile.

His heart is heavy with the decision he’s making.

Yes, his heart belongs to Kenna, always has. But he can’t think that maybe Rose is right. Maybe Kenna will never love him.

And even if she did, never the way Rose did.

So he leans down, and kisses her.

He lets Rose lead the kiss. Allows her to set the tone for it.

She kisses him deeply, as if she’s wishing she could change his mind with that kiss, to make him stay.

She knows she can’t. But he kisses back, his hands find their way to her hair, messing it just a little.

When they break apart, Rose nods at him. She’s a bit more content with his decision. 

“Let’s wake them up, shall we?” He suggest.