Yesteryear

An Escape

Wooyoung hadn't found a squirrel or rabbit. He also hadn't searched as much as he could have, but his spirit was as weak as his knees and he doubted he could have won, even if he found one. He had apologised to San about it since he knew the other man was hungry since the winter solstice ceremony. San had waved it off as they had warmed their bodies with the water. Some herbs on the ceiling still had some flavour to them and Wooyoung sprinkled in some lavender and mint to give their tea an aroma. They sat together on the bed and sipped it until Wooyoung was confident to take off his coat. For the first time since he wore the white ceremonial tunic, he wasn't freezing.

In the quiet solitude of the hut and far away from any trouble caused by Vikings, Wooyoung relaxed. The nightmarish images of murdered children and blood-splattered Vikings were locked away in the depths of his mind, where he didn't have to accept them as a reality. He promised himself that he wouldn't have to return to anything similar ever again and that the world he lived in was far less threatening.

Yet, he knew he would remain jumpy and traumatised until he could actually leave this place and this version of San that reminded him so much of the night in the village.

Wooyoung emptied his bowl and put another piece of wood on their fire. Its warmth filled the entire hut cosily, but the thin slits between the logs forming the walls let in enough fresh air they didn't have to cool it down regularly.

When he sat back down next to San, he glanced at the man's leg. He had pulled it up so it could lie on the bed comfortably, but his features showed no pain.

San caught Wooyoung's gaze.

"Maybe you should leave. You look very shaken."

When Wooyoung cleared his throat, San reached out to brush an untamed strand of Wooyoung's hair behind his ear. He smiled, endeared at the blush that spread on Wooyoung's cheeks.

"I also don't feel so good. But I don't want to leave you behind."

San set his bowl down after emptying it, as well. The clack of it meeting the ground got drowned out by the howling of the wind.

"I told you, I will be fine. Just as much as you want to see me safe, I want you to return to your place to feel comfortable and secure. A lot happened to you since you came here. And as someone not belonging here, it must have been jarring."

Wooyoung nodded weakly. His hands found the leg warmers that San had given him he still wore. He pulled his boots and the fur clothes off to leave them for San. He would need them more than Wooyoung.

While Wooyoung moved to set them down on the pile of the man's wolf's coat and the knife, San's eyes trailed down his legs. His hand followed right after, marvelling at how smooth and hairless Wooyoung's body was. When Wooyoung shivered at the touch, San smirked.

"It's far tamer where I come from, yes. I never got spooked so bad." Wooyoung leaned into him when San wrapped an arm around his shoulders. The kiss the Viking pressed to his cheek had his hunched back to relax so he could sag into San's side.

"That's what I'm saying. Your eyes reveal it all. You don't need to pretend to be strong since this is not your world." When San pulled him down with him to lie next to each other, Wooyoung melted into his embrace without hesitation. Mindful of San's leg, they adjusted their positions. Pressed up against San's side, Wooyoung put his head on San's shoulder. The man's fingers trailed through his hair. Wooyoung didn't mind how hot San's skin against his was. Despite the heat in the room, he still shivered at the memories San woke.

"I thank you for your help and for telling me who you are. And while I despise the price it cost and that we have to part so soon, I can now wait for the future with fresh energy. If what you said is true, we will also meet again," San said. His voice vibrated in his chest. Wooyoung felt their heartbeats match since they were so close.