Haru and the handsome man ate their fish soup silently. After eating it, Haru took the 2 vacate bowls and put them in a bucket full of water.
"Excuse me, Mister, what is your name?" Haru asked, feeling a bit embarrassed that he still haven't asked for the other man's name.
The man looked up from his hand. "My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Ambroise."
"Ambroise," Haru said in a whisper. For some reason, he had somewhere heard this name but he can't remember where. Was it mentioned in the novel or the boy's memories?
"And what is your name, little one?" Ambroise asked.
Haru turned his attention to Ambroise and gave him a big cheery grin. "I am Haru! It's nice to meet you."
"Haru," Ambroise said, "it's a strange name."
Haru hummed thoughtfully. This world had only one common language, Oiseau, meaning bird. In this world, every empire or Kingdom Is named after birds. The empire he was in was named, Aigle, meaning eagle. There wasn't any explanation of why the people of this world gave so much special attention to birds.
"It means Spring. My mom gave me the name, 'Sunday', but I didn't like it much so I changed it to Haru," Haru responded.
"She gave you the name, 'Sunday'? Ambroise said vehemently.
"I was born on Sunday so she decided to give me this name."
In the boy's memories, he had searched for the boy's name. He had been horrified to find that the boy's name was Sunday. How could a mother give such a thoughtless name to their child?
The man's smile face becomes stained. Seeing how the man was so upset for him, Haru felt quite moved.
"Anyway, you should sleep. You will heal faster if you rest," Haru instructed firmly and under his watchful eyes, the man laid down complying with his demand. "Now I will cut fruits and vegetables for tonight's dinner."
Haru took a tie he made out of strong roots and made a messy bun.
He hummed a song under his breath as he cut the fruits and vegetables he had found in the forest.
"So why were those men trying to kill you?"
Haru asked before realizing it was a personal question.
"No! I mean you don't need to tell me. I am sorry for asking a personal question."
"You apologize a lot," Ambroise remarked looking at the hut ceiling, "It's good to always be on guard. You have every right to know why I was injured and if I would bring you trouble for saving me."
Haru blinked in surprise. "It's fine if you bring me trouble," Haru said looking at him straightforwardly, "there's no way I am leaving an injured man to die."
"You are kind," Ambroise said giving him a small smile. Haru blushed at the praise, ducking his head down.
"I am an influential figure in the empire and have enemies who want my position. I had always been vigilant but this time, the one who betrayed me was someone very close to me."
Haru felt sorry for the man. He could tell from how sad the man's eyes looked that he had been hurt greatly by this betrayal.
"I am sorry," he said softly, putting down the vegetable and moving close to the man. Ambrose looked at him confused as Haru came close.
"Can I hug you? I think we both need this very much right now," Haru asked looking at him with a hopeful gaze. He truly missed human contact and when the man would go on his way, he would be alone once again in this forest. He selfishly wanted to take advantage of this situation so that he could remember what a hug felt like.
Ambrose stiffened in surprise before he slowly nodded his head. He held out his hands and Haru immediately climbed on the bed and carefully hugged the older man.
They stayed in the hug for some time before Haru reluctantly started pulling away but to his surprise, the arms around him tightened.
"Stay for some more time," Ambroise whispered.
Haru was more than happy to comply with the request and went pliant in the strong muscled arms.
Ambroise patted his silver silky hair fondly. He looked at the boy in his arms with an unreadable expression.
They finally separated when Haru remembered he still had not cut the vegetables and fruits.
Haru returned to the kitchen area and started cutting the vegetables while Ambroise had fallen asleep from fatigue.
Haru had acquired some spices from the bag and decided to make a good dinner. He used all types of vegetables and fruits he had found so that the man can heal faster by eating good and warm food.
"Dinner is ready. I should wake up Mr. Ambroise," Haru said looking at the peaceful face of the man. He looked breathtaking in sleep.
'Good-looking guys always manage to look good in sleep too,' Haru thought a bit resentfully.
"Mr. Ambroise, the dinner is ready. Please wake up," Haru said softly and touched the man's shoulder.
Haru gasped loudly when Ambroise stood up suddenly and skillfully put his hand against his neck in a threatening manner with a pant.
"Mr. Ambroise!"
Ambroise snapped out of his panic when Haru yelled loudly. He immediately let go of the boy looking at him with wide eyes.
"I truly apologize for such an occurrence," Ambroise bowed, panting loudly as his wound ached from such sudden moments and sweats formed on his face. "I understand that you would not keep me here after such an incident. I will immediately go-"
"Mr. Ambroise! Please sit down! Your wound is bleeding heavily," Haru cut off the man, panicking as he immediately searches for another cloth and medicine to treat the wound.
Ambrose stood stupefied and Haru seeing the man not moving, immediately pushed the man down on the bed.
"Please lay down, I will treat the wound," Haru announced as Ambroise laid down on the bed, still staring at him.
Haru immediately got to work and unfasten the vest which was now stained with blood.
"Please endure. It will hurt," Haru warned before starting to treat the wound.
Ambroise stared at him with confusion. "Why are you treating me?"
Haru looked at Ambroise perplexed. "Because you are hurting," he simply answered.
Ambroise stared at him for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. "You are kind, Haru. Too kind for this world."
Haru blushed hearing the compliment. "You shouldn't say that! It's embarrassing."
Ambroise just stared at him with a kind small smile. "But it's true."
Haru laughed awkwardly and treated the wound.
"We should eat dinner," Haru said after bandaging the wound.
"Yes."
The two finished the dinner, with Ambroise awkwardly complimenting him. Haru learned that Mr. Ambroise was a man who doesn't speak much but was also kind. He felt that right now, Mr. Ambroise was showing a very rare side of his that he hasn't shown to many.
"I will sleep on the flood, Mr. Ambroise. You are still hurt and the floor is hard. Your injury would certainly hurt if you sleep on the floor. I had been sleeping on the floor and I had been fine."
Ambroise shook his head. "I can't let such a young child sleep on such a hard floor. How about you sleep with me?"
Haru was surprised at the suggestion. His eyes narrowed and looked at him with suspicion. "You are not a pedophile, are you?"
"No!" Ambroise shouted.
He looked disturbed at being called a pedophile.
'Must be the first time someone has excused him to be a pedophile,' Haru mused.
"Alright then. Let's go to sleep then."
Haru lay on the bed and fall asleep quickly, exhausted from today's work while also feeling safe and protected for the first time since he had arrived in this world.