Wulfric seemingly finished his work earlier that he thought he would. The fleeting light of the beautiful sunset from his window dimly shines his entire room, he almost forgotten the promise that he sort of made with his boss, sighing he went ahead and decided to continue the rest of his work for tomorrow, the wants and needs of his boss comes first, though he doesn't know how long he could adhere to them.
As soon as he gets downstairs ready to go, Zeke came in from the door his whole body full of soil dirt. He saw Wulfric on the hallway looking at him. Wulfric cleared his dry throat, wanting to get Zeke's attention.
"Hang on, I'll just get cleaned up real fast," Zeke said while removing his dirty boots and rushing upstairs.
"Ok."
A few moments later, as Wulfric stood by the stairs waiting he could hear footsteps coming down from the steps.
"Ready! Let's go Wulfric."
Wulfric nodded then proceeded to escort his boss to the town. Thankfully, the others are either busy from their work or are still out, he wouldn't want them to thinking that he's hogging the boss for himself, especially Dirk.
The stroll in town went by smoothly, by the time they both arrived there the night has already begun. Since, it's been busy this past week in the guild it's no surprise that the same goes for the town. Few stalls stood in the middle of the plaza, selling various stuff.
"Good thing you didn't forget to wear a disguise boss, with how crowded it is right now people will go crazy once they knew you left the farm," Wulfric said, "I didn't know it was the only place for you to not get flocked by people."
"Same here, I actually never thought I would ever be this popular my whole life," Zeke replied, "I have to say though, the nightlife here is gorgeous."
"Yeah, but it's usually pretty calm in here. I guess we might've caused this festive mood," Wulfric added.
"I agree, and I feel pretty good seeing people happy with my work, for once in my life," Zeke said somewhat with a hint of wistfulness and regret.
Wulfric noticed this, he glanced at his boss eager to inquire a bit further but decided to let it go for now.
"Well, now that we roamed almost the whole entire plaza, did you wanna stop by the park for a minute boss? The buzzing of people are nice but I prefer a calmer night atmosphere—um if you don't mind that is."
He gulped awkwardly after that, clearly using all of his confidence at asking Zeke out.
Zeke blinked a few times, absorbing what he just said. Seeing Zeke's expression he opened his mouth to immediately take back all of what he just said, "I—it's alright if you don't want to, I absolutely understand. I—"
"It's okay Wulfy, let's go," Zeke gave him a reassuring smile further stopping him from saying anything else, "I did invite you to this, so I really appreciate the initiative."
He sighed lightly as he recomposes himself, trying to control the situation that he himself started. "May I hold your hand as we walk?"
Zeke nodded, his eyes crinkling from the sweet gesture, he fully appreciate this side of Wulfric. Zeke clasped his hands onto his furred ones, his slender fingers interlocking with his, the earlier flustered Wulfric seems to be gone.
The both of them then started to walking towards the said park, with Wulfric leading him to it.
The night is still young as you hear the tap of his, and Wulfric's footsteps on the stone cold cobblestone, the tapping sound one after the other. They walked leisurely as the both of them still have time to kill, the relaxed pace allowed Zeke to scan his surroundings a bit clearly, appreciating the calm evening air and the joyous laughter of people that can be heard from the pub across the square.
As his eyes wander about, he finally see a park just on the side of the road, he must have missed it earlier because of Wulfric's fast strides while walking.
The park was quiet and tranquility of the night adds to the magical charm of the place, the lampposts dimly lights the whole place up enough for Zeke to see everything. They both see a bench then goes to it to sit, both of their hands still intertwined.
Wulfric looked at their joined hands then looked at Zeke's eyes with his red ones but looked away immediately, flushing at what he just did. Zeke noticed that he didn't withdraw his hand but instead snuggly tightened it up a little more.
Zeke glanced at his vacant, broad shoulder wanting to rest his head on it, so he moved a little bit closer to him and rested his head onto his shoulder, watching the stillness and peace of the surroundings, only the noises of cicadas can be heard.
The both of them stayed still like that for a long time that Zeke almost fell asleep. "Boss, I wanna talk about something."
Hearing this Zeke gingerly lifted up his head.
Seeing he got his full attention, he started, "first of all, thank you boss for bearing with me, I know I'm not the easiest person to put up with and understand. I am stubborn to a fault and I have a set of principles and beliefs I strongly want to uphold but here you are still sticking with me, and that goes for everyone too."
"It's just, this thing that we have going, whatever it is, I wanna enjoy it, take it slow," he looks at Zeke straight in the eyes, his own softening up as they assess his face, "I wanna give the others a fair fight as well."
Zeke nodded, not finding anything wrong about his sentiment, Wulfric relaxes at his reaction.
"Sorry boss, It's just—I don't want to live a lie again." he said, voice so low that it's almost a whisper. He's withholding something important but Zeke didn't push it as he saw an expression of a deep, old hurt that flashes across his usual stern face.
Seeing this Zeke softly touched his shoulder to reassure him, and as he did so he almost jerked away from his touch thought he still managed to accept Zeke's comfort.
"Thank you boss," he smiled at Zeke wanly, then proceeded to hold his hands once again letting him know that you're here, you're really here with him.
Zeke gingerly brought up his other hand to his furred neck, seeing what your about to do the automatic response of his body is to move away but he tried to firmly set himself in place and to accept Zeke's calm advances.
Zeke paused for a bit looking at his wary expression before scratching his neck with utmost care and respect. Realizing Zeke's clean intentions he finally gave in to the pleasure of his touch, somewhat activating his natural instincts of being a canine race.
Zeke did this until he heard him low growling at the feeling of his tender touch and they both enjoy the warmth that they both shared.
Wulfric exhaled deeply then snuggly moved over to Zeke's side a little more. They both enjoy the companionable silence until the time to return is at hand.
When they arrive at their home the comforting smell of home cooked food already permeates the air, Zeke and Wulfric followed the smell to the kitchen and saw that Magnus is already halfway done preparing the food. They both helped him set up the table, putting glasses and utensils where they supposed to go.
Not long after they arrived, Dirk is done with his task as well and hurriedly situated himself at one of the chairs already excited to dig in.
Zeke was about to suggest waiting for the other two but Magnus informed him that they had already eaten outside so they could start eating already. The meal is fantastic as usual, whenever Magnus is on kitchen duty, the dishes are always something to look forward to, even if the only main ingredient is potato.
After the meal, Magnus and Dirk excused themselves and went to bed already to start early for tomorrow, Wulfric, while reluctant excused himself as well because of the paperwork that still needs to be done in his office, promising to sleep as early as he possibly can.
Having nothing else to do for the day, Zeke went up to his room as well in order to get an early shut eye, laying down in his bed thinking about all the unbelievable stuff that he did today. Thinking about how everyone, or at least people that he knew back home will not believe him when he tell them everything about this world.
Thinking about these stuff he didn't realize how tired he was actually are and without knowing it he fell into a deep slumber.
~Wulfric's Room~
"Hah...," Wulfric sighed in an attempt to reduce some of the stress he's going through, "why did I tell him?"
He's not usually the type to share his own personal problems, but with him, it's different, like he can actually help solve those problems, his angelic voice soothing the pain that festers in his heart. But…. not yet, Wulfric must be sure before he opens his heart again.
He usually writes and writes, not noticing how late it has become, things that he needed to do, just to keep him from thinking about the past every night.
But, tonight feels different, like somehow that elusive kiss of sleep has come to him quite early, his bed calling out his name, telling him to rest his weary eyes for the day, and look forward to tomorrow's promise. And so, he give in.
A smirk has spread across his tired stricken face. "This is a change I somehow absolutely need, and I—," his eyes turned to look at the photograph that is situated on his desk and for the longest time he had the willpower to put it away.
"I—I'm sorry," he looked at it softly, his voice cracking at the emotions that he's currently experiencing, "for using you as an excuse, an excuse to not be happy and to linger in our time that has gone, but… who I am truly sorry about is myself."
He gripped his aching chest, feeling sad about his broken heart that has never recovered, and time didn't help. Then, he looked up, a tear escapes from his crimsoned eyes, "but, maybe it'll start to get better now.
A tiny, fragile smile finally shows on his trembling lips.