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He had lived long enough amongst people. Kept under the ceiling of rocks and darkness, life underneath the surface of Belobog is far from proper. One should not expect prosperity when the people here are outcasted from the world above. Black markets and illegal trades are actually a thing here. As for Sampo, he resorts to his current business as his way to survive.
Everything comes with a cost somehow. It’s best to say the outcome wasn't to his client’s satisfaction. He received many nicknames from his work, most of them aren’t suitable to the ear.
A con-man.
Unmoral bastard.
That blue haired criminal.
A scammer.
A villain.
Humans can be intriguing. The moment someone makes a mistake, they’re bound to that sin for the rest of their life. As for Sampo, his sins might be to the point it’s unbearable. It would be a waste of time to count one by one — it would be endless.
It’s not like Sampo wanted to live in such shady business. He has to and coincidentally he’s up for the game. He has the power to take part in the role. Life is a game with him being a piece of it. Games shouldn’t be taken in such a pensive state — or to what contrary he believes.
Sampo contemplates in his small mind while staring at the slumbering child in his lap. He might have not foreseen the possibility of building a family. There’s Gepard, the man who threatened to take him to custody. It’s funny to see him roaming around the living room with kids' toys in his hands. Who would have thought the very distinguished Gepard Landau would make a lovely wife and mother.
And then there’s Lina, his child. She’s such an innocent child who doesn’t deserve the sneer of people around her. It’s not her fault she was born from a father named Sampo Koski. It’s also not her fault to have the most amazing green eyes no people in Belobog have. She deserved better. People should have looked at her as a Landau, not a Koski.
“Sampo, let me put Lina to bed.” Gepard approached him which stunted him from staring to nothingness.
“U-uh let me do it for you! You can put away those toys first.”
“Oh, alright. Are you sure?”
“Relax. I’m her father after all.”
Father. It sounds oddly wrong to call himself a father. He’s not a good father. A good father shouldn’t appear out of thin air after weeks working for his dirty money.
Oh, but how time has changed so fast. It feels like yesterday he carried a tiny bundle of baby in his hands. Now, he needs more effort to carry Lina back to bed. After what seems an excruciating 3 minutes walk upstairs, he managed to tuck Lina back to bed. The girl shifted slightly after Sampo left a kiss on her forehead. Kids, they grew up too fast.
Life could offer her a different scenario. In another world, perhaps Gepard married someone else — a beautiful lady or a handsome man from an aristocratic family. The possibilities are high since Gepard comes from a well off bloodline with a fascinating history. Lina might have lived as a normal child with a good education, good social life, and a promising future. Life could offer her a much better one.
He left for his own chamber where the figure of Gepard loomed underneath the moonlight. There’s an invisible magnet surrounding him. He’s such a sweetheart with all kinds of traits of a nobleman; chivalrous, proper, down to earth. No wonder everyone gets head over heels over him. Gepard is the true epitome of prince charming in a fairy tale.
Gepard looks different without his heavy armor. He’s wearing a more delicate and soft fabric sleeping outfit. His stern looks softened as he flipped through the fresh folded clothes. It’s a sight exclusively for Sampo. Is it selfish to have him for himself?
“You’ve scared me!” Gepard squeaked when the blue haired wrapped his arms around him.
Scared.
The fear everyone shows around him. Fear of getting under the hands of a criminal.
“Sampo?”
“Huh?”
“Is something wrong?” He’s now staring eye to eye with his lover. There’s a hint of worry; no one has ever shown such emotions to him. Is it because of pity?
Sampo shook his head. “Nothing.”
“I don’t like it when you hide something from me.”
Ah, it seems his ability to deceive people has receded. It’s a pity; it’s one of his highly required skills for his career. He should be careful.
Gepard reached his hand out to cup Sampo’s face. He leans in. His hands are more on the rougher side from years working with the Silvermane Guards. It’s warm, despite roaming around deathly blizzards. It feels like a dash of comfort; Sampo can’t seem to pull away.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“You want to hear about it?”
“Of course I want to.” Gepard flashed a tender smile. He takes Sampo to sit on the edge of their bed. “I’m not good at giving someone advice, as you know. However, I’m more than willing to hear your thoughts. Please … tell me what’s weighing your mind.”
You don’t deserve me .
“Geppie.”
“Yes?”
“How do you see yourself if you were born again in a different life?”
It takes Gepard aback by such a random question. Nevertheless, it’s Sampo he’s dealing with. From the looks of it, there’s something forced to his small smile. It only makes Gepard more anxious.
“That’s difficult to imagine. Hmm … I want to live in the countryside inside a humble cottage.”
“Do you want to plant your flowers there?”
“Yes! I’ll have my own field of flowers that blooms on a weather far different from Belobog’s current freezing state. From the books I read, there was this season called spring and summer. The land will be filled with greeneries and warm sunlight. Doesn’t it sound lovely?”
Sampo chuckles to see the glimmer in his eyes. “Yes, it is indeed. I bet you want to take Serval and Lynx to stay at the cottage together.”
“Ah, most likely not. Serval and Lynxy might be running on careers that involves academic and research.”
“So you want to live alone?”
Gepard shook his head. “No. I want to take you there as well.”
Sampo points a finger at himself. “Me?”
“Yes. You said it yourself, you want to live a more peaceful life. I … I’d like to imagine you work in the fields and tend our flowers. We spend most of our time outside and end our evening with a cup of tea. I imagine Lina running around with her pet dog on the fields while we sat on the porch, lounging together.” Gepard stops himself and a blush starts to appear on his cheeks. “Does that sound weird?”
A laugh escapes from Sampo’s mouth. It’s a genuine one.
“Everything sounds wonderful, except me working in the fields.”
“Well, you look like you have the potential to be a rancher.” The blonde man giggles. It is a heavenly sound, he wants to hear it more often.
“I’m glad you still want me in another life.”
That sentence sparks something inside Gepard’s chest. It’s pain; a sad feeling from acknowledging the solemn voice of Sampo. Gepard doesn’t like when someone dear to him experiences pain, whether it’s physical or not. He pulls his husband for a hug. His embrace is tight, close, and warm.
“I still don’t know what’s going on with you, but —“ Gepard’s voice quivers. He might look shameful on the verge of sobbing. He clumsily left a kiss on Sampo’s neck. “I love you. Thank you for being my husband and my … everything. Please don’t be upset.”
Realization hits him — among the sea of hatred, there’s kindness. Sampo has been blinded by his inner demons to even notice a savior is already standing right in front of him. There might be a reason why he landed in Belobog as a merchant wanted by the Silvermane Guards. Life is such a comical ride; one has no idea what they’re going to encounter.
Sampo returned the embrace. He chuckles as he cradles the blonde man who’s trembling. He’s probably using all of his strength to hold his tears.
“Thank you for everything. I must say, it should be me who needs comforting. Look how the tables had turned.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey, no worries! Come on, we should just cuddle for tonight. How does that sound?”
“Hmm okey.”
Oh Aeons above, I would love to have this life again when I had the chance to be reborn.