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“Phil…” Fit said, making the other man turn away from the soup and looked at him “Where is Ramon?”
“He walked into the forest” he said, sounding unbothered as he kept stirring the pot “He wanted to collect flowers, I think?”
Fit crossed his arms over his chest.
“You could get lost” he huffed and looked at the forest. It was old woods filled with roots and soft moss. They were away from any civilization, guess they didn’t want to deal with the charcoal piles, the fire hazard and smoke that came with it.
This was the first time Fit had taken this job, usually working as a mercenary for hire but now that he had a boy he could no longer risk his life like that. He needed to stay alive, for his child and a stable income. So when Phil had asked if he wanted to go to work on a charcoal clamp with him for some extra money, Fit agreed. Would be good for Ramon and get out a little as well.
“He will be fine” Phil responded, “The worst things are the bears” He smiled and Fit scowled.
“Don’t joke like that”
Suddenly one of the bushes rustled and out came Ramon. In his arms there were so many flowers he could barely hold them all. They were all different colours and size, everything from dandelions, red clover, cow parsley to lilacs. On top of his head, resting on his brown hair was a flower crown. Fit didn’t know much about the making of those but even he could tell it was expertly made.
Fit immediately walked over to his boy who only smiled in return and held up the flower towards him.
“I found these for you!” he said, sounding overjoyed. Any worry Fit had been feeling ran off him as he just let out a relieved sigh and bent down to accept them.
“They’re wonderful,” he said, looking down at all the flowers. All were in full bloom smelling wonderful. Some of these flowers he hadn’t even known grew in this area or had ever seen before. “Where did you find this?”
Ramon was silent, and started to shift his weight slightly from one foot to the other nervously making Fit lift his gaze from the plants and look at him “Ramon?”
“I…I went a bit too far in” which made Fit scowl, but quickly he continued “But the nice man helped me to get back here!”
Fit scowled slightly and he saw Phil do the same out of the corner of his eye, furrowing his brow in confusion. Fit gave the blond a look at which Phil just shrugged at.
“The nice man?”
“Yeah. He saw me trying to find my way back and asked if I needed help” he then reached his hand up and touched the flower crown. “He even did this for me! He was really nice!”
“Oh, well that’s good,” Fit said, giving his son a smile. “Just, please stay close to the charcoal clamp from now on. If you want to go somewhere, I’ll come with you” he didn’t admit it, but Phil’s comments about bears had put him on edge. Sure, Fit was unsure if he would win a fight against a bear if they ran into one, but he would make sure to give one hell of a fight.
Ramon didn’t seem too happy about that but did nod in the end.
“Okay”
“That’s my baby boy” he said and ruffled his hair with a smile before he watched Ramon leave to look at the fire and Fit turned to Phil again. “Are there more people around here?”
“Maybe hunters” he responded with another shrug “Or people just looking for firewood or foregering. It’s rare they go out here , but not out of the ordinary”
Fit just hummed as he mulled over the information.
“If I see someone I’ll have to thank them”
Fit sighed while lifting his boot to step over another fallen birch tree.
It felt like the forest was empty. He had been out here for several hours and had not caught sight of a single animal. No deer or even rabbit. The only creature letting him know this place was not completely devoid of life was the birds too small to be even considered eating, singing happily mocking him for his failure.
Phil had said hunting was hard here, that was why no one minded if they went out and tried, but still, it was annoying. He had wanted to bring some fresh meat back to camp and be able to make some kind of version of kolbulle.
He had brought some sandwiches with him for this hunt, but that was the last of the “good food” they had and he had emptied his waterskin about half an hour ago. Thankfully he could see the glimmering shine of light on water further away, making it sparkle like gold from between the trees.
He moved closer to it, getting to the edge of the tree line just to stop dead as he realized he was not alone by the water.
There by the edge looking out over the lake sat a man. Coal black hair surrounded his pretty face, the wind gently tugging at it, making it move and dance without tangling it. His clothes were spotless, like dirt and grime from the forest didn’t dare to touch them, respecting him and his beautiful clothes.
The lake was plank, the light making it glimmer while birds sung in such a wonderful way he had never heard. Flowers were blooming filling the air with a sweet scent. It was such a pretty place, and still that other man was the most beautiful thing here.
He was so…beautiful and without realizing Fit had started to walk towards him just to step down on a twig. The soft crack under his boot seemed to be enough as the man snapped his head towards him, eyes wide and immediately he stood up and took a step back like he was considering turning around and taking off into the woods and vanishing.
“Wait, wait, wait” the man just stared at him but didn’t back away and Fit gave him a smile he hoped was comforting “Sorry didn’t mean to disturb or suprise you. I just want to refill my waterskin” he said and held it up to show it off.
The man looked at it and then his brow furrowed slightly, glancing at the lake and then back at him.
“There is a better stream about 5 minutes away that way” the man said, pointing towards the woods “This water is too still, might make you sick. The stream is always flowing, it's safer”.
“Ah, thank you” he said “I’m new to this area” he said, trying to strike up small talk.
“I’m aware you’re-” the stranger cleared his throat “I mean, I’m aware this area is pretty unexplored.”
“You’ve been here for a while, I guess?”
“You could say that” the man said with a mischievous look in his eyes that Fit couldn't help but adore and be confused at ”I’m Pac”
“I’m Fit” There was a moment of silence as Fit was unsure what else to say. What did you say to the most beautiful man you have ever seen? Something grand! Meaningful! Smooth!
“Would you like a sandwich?” SOMETHING THAT ISN'T THAT WHAT IN GOD'S NAME WAS THAT?!
Pac laughed, his eyes crinkled at the edges that were just too adorable.
“I would love a sandwich” He took a step forward before suddenly stopping, taking in the distance between them and then seemingly deciding this was as close as he wished to get “Mind throwing it?” he asked, holding out his hands.
He was cautious around him, a stranger in the forest, which was just common sense if Fit was honest. He was a bit disappointed at not getting a better look at his face and those brown eyes but he was not insulted. It was a fair precaution to stay at a distance for now.
He pulled off his backpack and started to look through it before he realized something.
“Was it you that helped Ramon?” he asked while not looking up from the bag.
“Ramon?”
“My boy” he explained, “He got lost and he said a man helped him”
“Oh yeah that was!” he said, as it was clear he remembered the boy “I saw him. So you’re his dad. He talked a lot about you.”
“Good things I hope” Fit said as he got out the sandwich and underhand threw it to Pac who caught it with ease. “Thank you so much for helping him” Fit smiled “He has never been this far out in the woods before”.
“Really?” Pac asked, sounding surprised while he imagened the sandwich.
“Yeah, we’re from the town.” Fit then went quiet for a second, “Have you ever been there”
Pac shook his head.
“No. I’m happy staying here” he said and took a bite of the sandwich.
Fit furrowed his brow.
“Doesn't it get lonely?” Pac shook his head.
“No, I have other friends out here” he mumbled while having food still in his mouth. He swallowed it down and then spoke again “And sometimes someone like you shows up” he ended his words with a smile that made Fit’s cheeks burn bright and left him at a loss of words.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that” That just made Pac laugh even louder.
Fit didn’t know how long he stayed there. It felt like they talked for hours and Fit fogot all about filling up his waterskin. The only thing that snapped him out of the moment was when the sky started to shine pink as dusk crept in and he realized he had to go back to Phil to take over.
“Will I see you here again?” he asked, as he prepared to go back towards the coal pile.
“Sure” he responded “I would love to see you again”
Fit just smiled in return and gave a quick wave and walked back to camp, but he was back the very next day. And the next, and the next, and Pac was always there to meet him.
“Fit, how do you do it” Phil asked, shaking his head. “How do you keep having such hunting luck?” he asked as he watched Fit walk back into camp with two rabbits strung from his belt.
“Guess I’m just better than you old man” he said, putting down the rabbits next to him before sitting down and looking at the charcoal pile. He had just gotten back from his daily talk with Pac, he had gone out before the sky had even been burning orange, seeing as Fit was going to watch the charcoal pile for the rest of the day and Phil was going to take the night watch this time.
It was always so lovely talking to Pac, just hearing his voice was enough to make Fit get goosebumps, but the other man always kept his distance, never close enough to truly look in the eye, not close enough to touch, to hold.
Fit frowned and crossed his arms before looking at Phil.
“Are there other people around here?”
“Not often, why do you ask?”
“I see someone by the lake. Does the name Pac ring a bell?”
“Pac, Pac, Pac… Phil muttered the name like saying it was going to jog some non existent memory. In the end he shook his head “No, I haven’t” he then smirked. “You sure you’re not seeing things? Eaten the wrong plants?”
“I’m sure ,” Fit replied, not minding the jab.
“I have been there by the lake and never seen anyone.” Phil replied, putting another log on the campfire, getting ready to cook the rabbits. “Maybe he’s a troll”
“He’s too pretty for that” Phil turned his head and looked at him, lifting his brow slightly with a devilish smirk. Fit refused to meet his eyes, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing his blushing face head on.
”Maybe näcken? Does he play the violin?" he asked “He’s bewitched you, when is the wedding?”
“Oh shut it, I just met him” he said shaking his head “You’ve heard one too many camp stories”
“Just don’t be lured and drowned in some lake.” he replied with a laugh “Think how much work that would mean for me”
Fit just scowled and pulled Philza’s hat over his eyes with a huff.
“You could maybe start by doing the work at all old man” he muttered with a smirk before letting the topic go. Maybe Pac was just too shy to talk to Phil and that’s why he had not seen him.
Fit kept looking at Phil preparing the rabbits not hearing how it almost sounded like the forest itself was letting out a sigh of relief.
“Fitchi” Fit stirred from where he was sleeping in the kolarkojan, Ramon sleeping next to him snoring softly. He thought he had misheard. That it had been the wind outside but then heard it again “Fitchi. Fitchi. Wake up. The fire is going out” it was like a whisper in the wind that had somehow snuck inside and snuck right up into his ear.
Maybe it was his still half asleep mind but somehow he knew he should listen to it, and felt his heart sink inside his chest. He opened his eyes and sat up. He tried to listen if he could hear the voice again…It had sounded like Pac. But that would be absurd. It was in the middle of the night, and he had no reason to be here.
He had probably just been dreaming it, hearing the other man call to him softly in his sleep. However, it couldn't hurt to check on the charcoal pile…Just to make sure.
He stood up and walked outside and looked towards the charcoal pile and he felt his heart sink all the way down into his stomach as he looked at the way too small smoke cloud and realized the fire was about to go out. He didn’t bother to look for Phil, all he could see at the moment was his money slowly slipping away with that smoke.
He ran forward to the first pile and pulled away the cover for the air holes to let more air slip in, hoping it would be enough to save the fire. He looked around and that's when he saw Phil. Sleeping, his back resting against a tree,
“Phil!” he screamed, making the other man wake up with a start and look around catching Fit’s eyes who was glaring right at him.
“Help me with the others before the fire goes out!”
Phil immediately was on his feet and ran to the next one and soon enough they had been thankfully able to save them all from going out and Fit could let out another sigh of relief.
“That was close.” Phil said, wiping his brow “Sorry Fit, good catch”
Fit didn’t respond. Because even if he had woken up so did he know it was not he who had saved it. Somehow, he was not sure how Pac had woken him up. Saved them from this fumble.
He would have to ask Pac how he did it in the morning, or if he had truly just dream this all up.
He walked towards the lake. It was a bit later than normal as he had taken over Phil’s shift to let him sleep until now.Fit hoped Pac would still be around even if it was later in the evening. He really hoped so, he so dearly wanted to see him. He couldn’t help it, everytime he spoke with him he just could not stop smiling.
He got to the lake and looked out over the area and actually caught sight of Pac and he felt his heart leap inside his chest that he was still around however that joy slowly shifted to confusion.
His hair was wet, sticking to his face as he had clearly taken a dip into the water. He was in his pants but hadn’t had time to put his shirt back on, showing off his back…His back was hollow .
Instead of flesh or skin it looked like the bark of a hollowed tree, the sun not fully reaching inside but just enough to see the wood-like look and Fit just stared at it in silence before shocked words escaped his mouth.
“Huldrekall” he whispered “Skogman”
Pac snapped around at once eyes went wide having heard him despite Fit’s words being nothing more than whispers.
Pac looked at him, and terror was clear on his face as he took a step back in panic holding the shirt to his chest like a shield, like it was going to protect him. He was scared, so much was clear and it was like the whole forest felt it.
The wind picked up, making the trees shake and sway threatening to topple over. The waves on the lake started to get bigger, lapping at the shore’s and the birds in the area started to swarm, a black cloud of ravens filling the air over them cawing loudly.
Pac and Fit didn’t acknowledge any of it, instead they just stared at each other, before Pac’s eyes stuck to the bow that was slung over Fit’s shoulder and now it was Fit’s turn to panic.
“No, no wait, I hold you no ill will” he put down the bow at once, letting it fall to the ground amongst the blueberry bushes that had just started making its berries for the season.
Pac just kept staring at him and now Fit noticed the tail. It was similar to that of a cow, it was slowly moving back and forth like he was unsure. Pac must have hidden it tight to his body before, keeping his distance from Fit to make it even harder to spot.
Fit lifted his arm and shielded his eyes.
“Sorry for sneaking up on you again” he said and let out a nervous chuckle not sure what to say “I really need to stop doing that”,
He actually heard Pac laugh at that while there was the sound of fabric as Pac put his shirt back on.
The wind started to calm, the trees remained upright, and the water of the lake slowly went back to laying blank like the surface of a mirror. The cawing of ravens soon enough got replaced as song birds started to play once again.
There was a moment of silence before Fit heard light feet make their way towards him, each step coming closer and closer and his heart started to beat faster and faster before finally gentle fingers grabbed at his arm and pulled it down so he could see once again.
Fit suddenly was staring into the dark eyes Pac, and by the gods he was even prettier up close. How could anyone say these beings were cursed by god, that they were damned, something this beautiful had to be blessed.
“I’ve been hunted before” Pac said, “By Odin himself to humans.” he said, slowly, carefully, watching Fit’s face closely to read his reaction.
Fit scowled, anger flashing inside his heart at that idea. That someone would have ever hunted him, wanted him dead, it sickened him to his stomach.
“I would never hunt you” he said, his voice steady and determined “I may not be a smart man Pac but I know better than to attack the master of the forest I work and hunt in” Fit then moved his arm out of Pac’s grip just to reach up and grasp his hand in his instead. “ And I would never hunt someone as kind, and pretty like you”
As soon as the words escaped his mouth he turned bright red, kicking himself for saying corny stuff like that. What was he doing?!
Pac laughed, but his own cheeks turned just as red but his own hand clasped tighter around Fit’s. Holding him and Fit never wanted to let go.
“You’re not scared I’ll steal your soul?” he asked playfully, his tail going down to the ground and snaking its way around a flower and bringing it up to his free hand. It was nothing more than a bud between his fingers but as he held it it slowly blossomed out, opening and a wonderful smell filled the air.
Lily of the valley, a sweeter smell would never reach your nose but everything about the flower was poisonous, the leaves, its berries, if you put it in a vase the very water it stood in was said to poison your heart.
“Not scared, I will guide you into the forest and you’ll be lost forever” Pac asked. He seemed to be both joking and serious at the same time. Wondering if Fit would fear him, be scared and flee but all he did in return to the question was laugh.
“You helped up with the coal pile didn’t you? And you helped my son, the most important person in the world to me.” he said looking right into those brown eyes “You’ve been nothing but kind and helpful to me,” he then smiled “And you already stole my heart, do you need more?”.
Pac’s face went bright red and Fit saw how his tail started to flick back and forth like a happy dog. He smiled and leaned forward, putting the flower behind his ear.
“Then I will keep seeing you around, see you tomorrow” he whispered with a devilish look in his eye before placing a quick peck on his cheek and the next moment, before Fit could even comprehend what had happened Pac was gone, having vanished back into the woods. His home. His domain.
Leaving Fit standing there, looking into the forest while he still could feel the kiss on his blushing cheek.