They were too close to Dema to safely camp for the night, so they had to walk Trench's terrain under the cold night sky. After seeing Clancy shiver in his Dema issued clothes, the Bandito's all pitched in and gave a few extra layers of protection from the shivering temperatures.
Some way into the walk, Clancy started limping ever so slightly, his face scrunched in pain. He never made a peep, minus some small grunts of traveling farther than he'd probably ever before. Torch watched worriedly, but said nothing.
Suddenly, he tripped and fell, crying out in pain as red traveled up and painted his white socks. The Bandito's rushed to his aid, and after seeing Clancy's blister-ridden and bloody feet, treated and dressed the wounds.
After walking as far as they could, the group pitched their tents and ate dinner. It wasn't anything special, some broth and vegetables that could store easily, but Clancy ate it like it was the best thing he'd ever tasted. Torch had long forgotten the bland food provided by Dema, so to see someone so readily downing simple food made him appreciate each sip all the more.
They retreated to their tents, Clancy following behind Torch, after sheepishly requesting they share despite having extras. Torch couldn't say no when Clancy looked at him like he was pleading for protection.
So he did, Torch barely got a wink of asleep, despite the tiredness taking over his body throughout the night he barely closed his eyes at all, determined to protect Clancy from anything that could hurt him. He'd never tell him that, though.
He wakes early the next day, the sun still asleep under the earth. His eyelids heavy as he drifts into consciousness. He exhales roughly, staring at the top of the tent, unmoving.
Turning his head over to the side, his eyes drifted towards Clancy. He's fast asleep, soft breathing entering and escaping his lungs. He looks so peaceful lying there. His frame is curled up, his body held tight as much as he could, protecting himself from the cold or worse.
Even in sleep his body is protective of itself.
But, despite falling asleep tense and stiff, throughout the night he had slowly relaxed, opening up to the comfort of the man besides him.
The covers shifted as Clancy's eyes flutter open.
Everything is blurry as he blinks his eyes open. His mouth is dry and sticky. As his eyes adjust, Clancy sees Torchbearer already awake.
He sits up, body already tense. He can’t anything from the night which is unusual. In Dema he would wake up in the middle of the night. Alarms, sirens or bishops coming into his room to wake him. If not that, he would wake up himself at the tiniest sound, scared of an attack.
This is new. He doesn’t feel tired. The tent is warm, he isn’t even freezing as he does often in the mornings.
“Hello,” he says to Torch. His voice sounds raspy and his throat is dry and itchy.
He can’t quite believe that Torch had stayed the entire night with him. Maybe that’s the reason he slept so well.
He wants to lay back down, snuggle into the warm blanket and stay in the tent forever. He can’t see the outside world, only hear occasional leave rustling and wind blowing. Still, he feels safe and comfortable with Torch here.
Torch can't help but smile as he sees the sleepy Clancy rouse to consciousness; eyes bleary, hair tousled, that little inkling of facial hair from the night's growth. Despite the discombobulation of his body, he looks rested, as peaceful as he could be given the situation. Clancy's muscles return to that ever-present state of tension as he becomes more aware of his surroundings, but he almost looks like he's fighting the fear present in his body, instead of giving in.
"Hey there," Torch said, voice soft and rough but not for the same reason Clancy's was. "Did you sleep well?" Torch asked, head slightly tilted like a dog's, waiting for their owner's orders.
Clancy yawns, everything is warm. He isn’t used to this. The smile on his face doesn’t leave.
“Good. It was so quiet… Why… was there no alarm? Were we not attacked at night?”
He had expected something, some wild animals or the evil the bishops had always warned him about.
The outside is dangerous. They constantly attack the city. That’s why there were so many alarms throughout the night, that’s why he was woken up in the middle of the night.
Clancy lays the blanket over his shoulder and sits beside Torchbearer. The blanket is heavy and grounding, warm and soft and smells so familiar and comforting. The slight tremor in his hands is back as he thinks about the nights in Dema.
Torch's eyes pinch upwards for a second at Clancy's confusion, heart hurting to hear how restless nights in Dema are, before quickly masking it with a small smile and gentle gaze. At least he slept well.
"Nah, there's usually not much to hurt us this far from the city," he replies, tone calm and casual. He readjusts his position, sitting up more comfortably now on one elbow, facing Clancy, "Well, except for some bears or something, but they aren't around here, and they usually only come for food."
He watches as Clancy scoots besides him, readjusting the blanket to cover his shoulders with a slight tremor in his grip. Before he can think too much about it, Torch's hand covers Clancy's cold one, still gripping the blanket at his shoulder.
The natural warmth in his body ebbs and flows out of him, spreading through his fingertips and out to the freezing hand he's holding. The stark contrast of their natural temperatures elicits a small gasp from Clancy, eyes locking onto Torch's steady gaze.
"There's nothing out here that can hurt you, Clancy. I'll make sure of it."
His voice confident and unwavering, he squeezes the hand in his, a small demonstration of his strength and passion as he holds Clancy's gaze for what seems like an eternity.
The first lie of many.
He lets his hand drop to the ground and looks anywhere but Clancy's face.
How can you save someone you've already lost?
Clancy’s body momentarily relaxes. Like he is setting in, coming back to a place he had been ripped away from and found back to.
Brave now, excited to go see the outside, Clancy gives Torch a quick smile before stepping out of the tent with the blanket still over his shoulders.
It’s still chilly out, the sun is only rising. Peaking behind the mountains, creeping up with colours Clancy had never seen before.
He freezes. Not in fear but something… happy. In awe, he stands there, mouth agape as he sees the sun’s first red rays slowly replace the dark blue of the night.
The sky is so large and all consuming, he looks up and sees the remnants of the stars that had light their way at night. He can’t quite believe just how vast this terrain was in front of him as he spins around, head tilted up.
Clancy shifts outside, and Torch follows shortly after. Clad in his pants and nothing else, the freezing temperature makes goosebumps rise on his freckled skin as he shivers slightly from the morning breeze. He stays back, simply watching with the same awe Clancy has for the surroundings of a land Torch has become used to. His arms cross over each other in an effort to keep some body warmth as he stands at the flaps of the tent.
Clancy turns around, consumed by the beauty of it all, when his gaze lands on Torch.
Torch simply smiles softly, stepping forward, looking to the nature surrounding them, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Trench, the wild and green continent has become a home to Torch, it's unpredictable nature the only constant in his hectic life.
Trench has become his Home.
He hopes it will be Clancy's one day too.
Clancy nods as he meets Torch’s gaze. He notices his slight shiver and steps towards him, opening his arms to embrace him tightly. Clancy is warm, the thick blanket covers them both and he nuzzles into Torch‘s shoulder.
They stand beside each other, under the blanket, sharing their body heat.
The other two banditos watch from their tent a few meters away. The scene tugs at their heartstrings. Torch who had been so lost at the loss of Clancy, finally reunited with his love.
Still, a bitter taste lies on their tongues. Could this Clancy, soft and sweet, weak and frail, break this vicious cycle that tortured all of Trench and Dema? Could he bring peace to this continent once and for all?
“When do you think will he tell him?” One of them whispers to the other.