#füllbitzer

His hand, sunken in the fur coat draped around his shoulder, feels numb. But it's not the cold that seeps underneath and slips inside his woollen tunic that makes him shiver.

No, it's the view of the ship coming towards their harbour.

When he had come up north, he didn't know what to expect. Back in the south, back home, he was a leader, quick and smart; his swiftness was viewed as a great asset, but here, they see his lean figure as unfit for war.

Their fighters are built differently.

The men that set sail are big, their strength both proven and visible beneath the layers of armour and leather. Watching them, it's easy to see that their violence is but a by-product of their physicality. Some of them are stupid, following each other into fights for the sake of bloodshed; others are looking to provide for their families.

And Sabitzer never expected to fall in love with such a brute, but fate had other plans.

Out on the sea, a cool breeze blows uneven waves that carry his lover's longship home. But the sight of it is what makes Sabitzer worry. A few oars and shields are missing, the dragon head is damaged, and ravens fly out to greet the men.

His men.

It had taken time, but this place and these people are his home now.

The horn of the Werder blows, announcing their arrival to the rest of the village. Another horn from the village’s guard echos the noise.

Sabitzer is the only one who was already waiting by the harbour.

Many drop what they're doing and walk towards their returning men.But unlike the other folks, Sabitzer takes off, sprinting to where the ship lays anchor, and the fighters start to bleed out of the ship.

It's a gruesome sight—blood and gore among grim faces—but an air of victory hangs around those who walk unassisted.

Füllkrug is one of those, and Sabitzer, for the first time since the Werder had set sail, finally feels relief.

His lover's face is covered in soot, with long streaks of sweat running deep lines into his handsome features. A cut on his forehead colours a few strands of his long hair crimson. But despite everything, a smile breaks the cover of Füllkrug’s beard and warms Sabitzer’s frozen body.

He's home.

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