Let Me Live, Please! [BxB]

20: Search Party

It was nearing the end of dawn, Dainsleif once more checked the location of where they were headed. While he was reading he noticed a low ranking soldier walking towards his way.

"Is everything fine on your end?" Dainsleif asks.

"Greetings General Artimus!" the boy salutes.

"This one has been informed about the possible places sir Lainly might have been kept hostage." The young soldier gave an illustration of a map before retreating. Dainsleif received the map the young soldier gave. He gave it a quick look and immediately furrows his brows while clicking his tongue.

The young soldier flinches and leaves immediately, almost like a prey fleeing from a predator.

Five places?! And we have to check them one by one?!

Dainsleif almost flipped. He crushes the map in his hands and almost lashes out. But he knew better than to throw a tantrum. He remembered the day Heinly was kidnapped. It felt like he slipped off right under his arms. He felt pathetic for not knowing better and to protect Heinly.

I should've been faster.

He slams both hands on the wooden table, clenching his teeth trying to suppress his tears from coming out.

I don't want to lose you again.

"General! General sir!"

Dainsleif calms down, turning his face towards the same young soldier who just left a while ago holding a piece of paper.

"What is it?"

"Sir! They've found the exact location where sir Lainly would be!"

Blood rushes off Dainseif's heart. Hearing that news sparked a flame within him, and without thinking, he grabbed the piece of paper from the young soldier and moved quickly towards his horse.

"Wait! General Artimus, you can't! It's too dangerous!"

But his pleas turned vain, since Dainsleif had already run off as fast as he could.

Haru... Wait for me...

---

"I've been meaning to ask... Why are we heading out in the first place?"

Heinly asks as he stretches his limbs and catches up with Julius. Who had just received a message from one of his informants.

"The Higher Order is after us. They got news that you were still alive and sent men to get us both."

The news caused Heinly's heart to race. There was no way he could not worry about himself.

Julius notices Heinly's anxiety and tries to comfort him.

"Hey... Don't worry. I'm still here aren't I?"

Heinly nods and tries to calm down.

"Sorry, it's just that I've never expected to be in such a situation before."

"That's understandable. Here, wear this."

Julius gives Heinly a large brown cloak. Probably to hide himself from the enemies. Heinly doubts whether this cloak will make him unrecognisable since it's too large.

Will I be noticed with the size of this? "Isn't it too large?"

"You can use it as a disguise if you wish, but it's mainly a raincoat. Wear it, it's about to rain soon."

"Oh... Thanks..."

Rain... Heinly really likes the rain. He likes the way rain drops from the sky and into his skin. It felt nice, like a substitute for someone else's warmth. Moreover, he liked the way the raindrops made noises, enough to drown out any other disturbances.

Big dark clouds were forming in front of Heinly's eyes. He could also hear a soft thunder in the distance. He couldn't help but think about Dainsleif and their relationship. It felt like the more it progressed, the more things got dimmer, just like these darkening clouds.

He also couldn't help but feel insecure. What did Dain think about him as Hans stuck in Heinestus's body? If the person he loved was replaced by an unknown person, why would he need to continue the relationship?

All of it felt too suspicious, but Heinly obviously didn't care about that. Because everytime he is reminded of the way Dainsleif shows his feelings for him, it makes Heinly not want to let go.

Is it because he's desperate for someone else's love? Validation? Could be... But it felt different with Dainsleif. It felt genuine. He expected it to be more... Artificial. Like how someone is being used for convenience. But with Dainsleif... It felt too natural, like waves in the ocean. As if they were reunited after so many trials.

Who am I kidding, we just met a few weeks ago. It can't be that fast.

Thunder roared and rain poured down. It was heavy, but they had no choice but to continue.

There were no horses to help them speed up. And the raincoats could help them disguise themselves against unknown enemies. Good thing that the coat was thick enough to not get them wet.

"Heinly, stay low..."

"Eh?"

Through the pelting rain, Julius signalled Heinly to back down.

"Wh-whats wrong?"

Despite the loud storm, he whispered loud enough for Julius to hear him. However, tension was still evident despite the loudness.

"I hear hoofbeats... Someone's coming."