Crimson Red

Lupus misericordiae

(Art by me. I gave up trying to draw his hat. It's the best I can do, ok?)
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(Y/n)'s feet were practically frozen, his eyes taking in what little Oliver's flame illuminated around them. They'd already gone through a few matches but the blonde assured him that he had plenty.

"It's been awhile since I had anyone to talk to."

The two were currently taking a short break, (Y/n) kneeling in the snow with his cloak wrapped snugly around him while Oliver leaned against a tree. It had been (Y/n)'s idea to start a conversation.

He didn't want things to be too akward between them.

"Really?"

"Not many people try to get into Ringberg anymore. The wood is barely decent enough for anything other than firewood and the game has gotten much too smart. Nobody was gonna fight to keep entering after getting told off once. On top of that, the guys I trade shifts with are pretty shy."

(Y/n) tilted his head.

"What about outside of work? Like... friends, or family?"

Oliver laughed.

"I haven't had friends since high school, and my family disappeared when I was six."

"Then... did you move here to get away from society?"

Yellow-green eyes filled with confusion.

"What? No. What made you think that?"

"Well, not many people actively choose to be here. I've especially never seen someone as well dressed as you around before."

"Ah. I see."

The blonde nodded in understanding.

"I don't live here, toots. My boss needs me to stick around until his little pet project is finished. He pays very handsomely for my service."

"And who is your boss, exactly? What's the project?"

"Classified. He'd have my head if I told you anything."

(Y/n) rolled his eyes.

"Of course..."

Oliver flicked the butt of his spent cigar into the untouched snow.

"What about you? Why do you need to see your grandma so badly?"

"I... don't want to talk about it."

There was a moment of silence then.

"Is it... family issues?"

(Y/n) didn't answer.

"..."

Oliver's nails picked at the rough bark behind him.

"You know... before they ran off, my parents were pretty neglectful. Our neighbor kept trying to take me in. She was a nice woman. Her husband wasn't bad, either."

(E/c) eyes remained fixed on the stretch of wilderness in front of them.

"I ended up going to a foster home when they left. She was... devastated as she watched those men drag me into a car I didn't want to be in."

"..."

The blonde looked away, pulling his hat down to hide his expression.

"Sometimes I wonder what happened to her; how her life turned out. If she... continued to miss me."

(Y/n) froze. Oliver's tone was so... somber.

"What I'm trying to say is... whatever your reason for visiting, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I can recognize people like me; people like you."

"How could you possibly..."

"Your bag says it all. I had one similar to it when I got sent away. Not many people would be traveling alone at night in the dead of winter with an overnight bag... especially in a town as small as this."

There was silence again. The taller had practically ripped an entire section of bark free. Crumpled pieces laid in the snow, cracked bits of brown standing out against the pure white crystals.

Oliver cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck with an akward chuckle.

"I know this break has already been pretty long, but do you mind if I go take a leak? I've been holding it for awhile now."

(Y/n) raised a brow at him.

"Why would I care about that? Just do what you have to do."

The blonde smiled, his eyes almost thankful.

"Thank you, toots. I'll be right back."