Yesteryear

Yeosang's Studies

San had to leave at the break of dawn when the skies bathed in the shy blush of morning. The weather was clear today and the air extra crisp when Wooyoung opened the windows to let fresh air in. San strapped his clothes back to his body and slung his sword around his hips. His lips had settled into the adorable pout he did when he was focused on something and Wooyoung watched it endearedly from his place on the bed. He had wrapped into the blanket to shield his naked body from the chilly morning breeze. His feet dangled over the side of the bed and cooled rapidly, but the rest of him was cosily warm.

As soon as San finished getting dressed, he came over to the bed again. His eyes dropped to the V of Wooyoung's chest that the blanket exposed on full purpose, and a smile tugged on his lips. When he bent to kiss Wooyoung, Wooyoung relished in their lazy morning make out.

San pulled back with a tap of his finger on Wooyoung's birth mark. When some chicken caused a ruckus outside, his eyes found the wide-open window.

"Florence, 1490. At the town square," he recalled the information that Wooyoung had delivered to him on when to meet again last night. Wooyoung nodded along. His hair was a mess atop his head and he felt it, but neither of them minded.

"I can't tell you whether it will be morning or evening." An apology laced Wooyoung's voice, but San's smile told him it was alright.

"I will wait for you all day, then. Let's see each other there."

"I will look forward to it," Wooyoung said.

They parted with lingering gazes. Soon, San swung his legs over the windowsill and jumped off with his billowing cape. Wooyoung remained alone in the room while the thief snuck away in the secrecy of the morning shadows.

Wooyoung wished him a pleasant journey and a bloodless time until they would see again.

For a while, Wooyoung lingered in the room. The memories it carried were still fresh, so he basked in them. Even after he had closed the window when he shivered too badly, the scent of him and San still hung in the room like a dense cloud.

Wooyoung took all the time in the world to collect his things and get dressed. Only after he had washed his face and body and carded his hands through his hair a million times to put them into some shape, he left the inn. He ate a quick meal downstairs and said his goodbyes to the inn owner.

Once Yeosang had finished his tales, Wooyoung would have no more reason to stay. Time passed faster if he spent it back in the future. If Yeosang wasn't too hangover, Wooyoung would probably get home by the evening.

His stroll over to Yeosang's house was slow. He drew out the time it would take for Ada and Yeosang to wake and sort out their morning struggles. The sleepy town of Nottingham was busy today, and there was a lot to see. When Wooyoung halted at a fruit vendor that had set up her tent extra early to buy some apples for him and Yeosang to share, he inquired about the early buzz.

"The Sheriff of Nottingham will return today. He was at the royal court these past few days, but the news of our ambush had him come home early. Since everybody wants to explain their losses, they try to appeal to him hoping to get their property back. He takes most of it as payment for chasing the robbers down, but sometimes he shows mercy."

Wooyoung had bagged his apples and glanced at the sheriff's residency. So he hadn't been there during the attack at least. That gave him an excuse for his inactivity. Would the ambush have gone differently if he had? Wooyoung was still spooked from getting discovered in that closet.

"He hunts Hood?"

The old woman nodded hastily. Her eyes shone with pride as she counted the money Wooyoung handed to her.