February 3rd WEB Anthology entry: A story about Askeladd and Bjorn （Current Parody）
He had spent the holiday at home in his apartment. But, having dozed off unnoticed, Björn was now snoring softly, his body slumped on the sofa.
He couldn't tell how long he'd slept, but the moment he awoke from his nap, he felt a slight chill and forced his eyelids open. Right before his eyes was the face of his flatmate, Askeladd, close up. At the same time, he noticed Askeladd's hand resting on his neck.
He addressed Askeladd, who seemed to be wearing a slightly anxious expression.
‘Nah, just wondering if you were still alive.’
‘...I haven't exactly been living a life that would kill me suddenly, you know.’
Askeladd's hand, which had been resting on his neck, withdrew. Watching its retreat, Björn sat up and turned his gaze, now filled with puzzlement, towards the man who was staring intently at him.
After a breath, Askeladd settled down beside Bjorn, leaning in close. Bjorn watched him, observing Askeladd's demeanour from this closer-than-usual position.
‘How far back do your old memories go?’
Askeladd leaned back against the sofa, positioning himself where a subtle warmth could be felt. His head rested slightly on Björn's shoulder as he asked the question. Björn realised that the “old” Askeladd referred to meant memories stretching back a thousand years.
A thousand years ago, both Björn and Askeladd had been comrades, Vikings engaged in raiding. He realised Askeladd was asking about those memories. So, frowning slightly at Askeladd's way of snuggling up so perfectly close, he let what he remembered slip from his lips.
‘Well... memories of meeting you, and fighting all sorts of battles...’
‘Hmm. So you don't remember the day you died...’
With his head resting on his shoulder, Askeladd looked up at him. His eyes, usually so composed, seemed unusually troubled today.
‘Well... I can't recall the moment I died...’
‘...Today, the third of February, is the day you died. ...Well, I died that day too...’
‘Eh? Seriously? We died on the battlefield? Together?’
‘I killed you. I killed you.’
Askeladd's words jolted me towards a distant memory I couldn't recall, and I turned my face towards him in surprise. Then Askeladd made a displeased expression, exhaled, and stared at his fingertips.
‘I still remember that sensation. A nasty one.’
Seeing Askeladd's face twist coldly as he spoke, Bjorn tried to recall a fragment of that distant memory. But he couldn't remember. So he felt the urge to ask why Askeladd had ended up killing him. Yet he hesitated to ask. Askeladd's expression still seemed to bear the pain of that wound, as if he still carried it within him.
‘...I'm sorry... for making you feel that way...’
‘It couldn't be helped. That was the way of that age... Had the roles been reversed, I'd have done the same as you. Back then, we could only survive through battle.’
A thousand years ago, in a world where violence was the norm. It was an age where survival was difficult without strength, without power. Recalling such memories, Björn noticed Askeladd pressing himself close once more and turned his gaze towards him.
‘So, why have you been clinging so tightly since earlier?’
‘I don't dislike it, but I'd like to know the reason.’
‘On the day you died, I remember the warmth of your cold body back then.’
Askeladd glared before sighing and explaining. From his words, Bjorn realised why Askeladd had been pressing close earlier.
‘...So you're checking if I'm still alive, then...’
‘Yes. Just for today, let me feel that warmth.’
Askeladd loosely wrapped his arm around Björn's body, embracing him. Seeing this, Björn seemed resigned. He gently drew him closer, letting Askeladd have his way, staying by his side.
Vinsaga Since Bjorn's tomorrow is also February 3rd in the anime version, I created this story.
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