Work Text:
By the time Hanbin’s done cleaning the spiral staircase, the sun has started to set. Sending the broom away, he makes his way to the top of the lighthouse. From up there, he can see the brilliant sea, waves of cerulean washing onto the sand. Hanbin nearly gets lost in the view, until he remembers he hasn’t finished his tasks for the day.
Tearing his gaze away, he descends the staircase once more. When he looks out the window, he spots a man just outside, wandering around. A traveler, probably.
Hanbin watches him for a moment, wondering if he’s lost. But instead of the usual expression of panic and fear he sees on other travelers’ faces, this man looks more focused. His eyebrows are pinched together and he’s looking in all directions, seemingly in search of something.
Not to mention, this man is incredibly cute, and it’s making Hanbin’s heart rate accelerate.
Before Hanbin can do something, the man looks over and makes eye contact with him. Hanbin freezes, embarrassed that he had just been caught staring. But instead of moving away, the man walks over to him.
Hanbin quickly opens the window. Up close, he can see how pretty the man’s features are; from his eyes to his nose to his lips. “Excuse me,” the man says. Wow, even his voice is pretty.
“Yes?” Hanbin squeaks, cringing at the way his voice breaks.
“Do you have any bacon?”
Hanbin blinks. That’s an oddly specific request. “Bacon?”
“Yes, bacon.”
Frowning, Hanbin shakes his head. “I’m sorry, we don’t have bacon here. Are you hungry? I made some sandwiches, I could give you one.”
“Oh, thank you very much for the offer, but I’m not hungry. The inn where I was staying at fed me very well already.” He smiles sheepishly. If he’s staying in an inn, then he must be from another area, Hanbin deduces.
“Then… why bacon?”
The man scratches his head. “I don’t know either. My friend went out on his own this morning and told me to meet him tonight. When I asked where, he said to look for the bacon.”
Biting his lip, Hanbin racks his brain for where there could possibly be bacon. Meat is rare here, bacon even more so. He himself has never tried it. “Perhaps… the market by the beach? The merchants bring some special items from time to time.”
“That might be it!” the man exclaims. “Could you tell me how to get there?”
“Of course!”
But just as Hanbin finishes giving the man directions, the world decides it has other plans, and rain pours from the sky. Hanbin throws the door open, beckoning the man inside.
“Do you… have a raincoat I could possibly borrow?” the man asks.
“I do, but it would be dangerous to go out while it’s raining so heavily. It’s very easy to slip on the rocks. Are you in a hurry to meet your friend?”
The man hums. “Not really. He didn’t specify a time, and he might be seeking shelter somewhere since he hates getting wet.”
“Then how about you stay here for a while too?” Hanbin tries not to let the hope in his voice seem too obvious. It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t only suggesting the man stay because he’s concerned about his safety.
“Is that alright?” the man asks. “I don’t want to bother you, especially if you have matters to attend to.”
“Don’t worry, you’re more than welcome here. I was almost done with my work anyway.” An idea springs to mind. “Actually, let me show you something. Are you afraid of heights?”
“No,” the man says, shaking his head.
“Alright, then come with me.” Hanbin shows the way to the staircase and starts walking up, the man following close behind him.
Before long, Hanbin’s at the top again. He turns to see the man’s face morph into one of wonder as he takes in the view. “This is beautiful,” he whispers, putting his hands on the glass.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Hanbin mumbles under his breath. The man doesn’t seem to hear him, too enraptured by the sights before him. “I can’t remember the last time I was up here with someone else,” Hanbin says, louder this time.
“Well, thank you for showing this to me,” the man says, a soft smile on his face. “Do you tend to this tower all on your own then?”
“Yes, I power it with my magic.”
The man’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s amazing. I can’t use magic.”
From there, they start sharing more about themselves. The man, whose name is Matthew, tells Hanbin about the places he had visited prior to coming here, and how he and his friend had managed to get by despite not being magic users.
Matthew’s smile is brighter than the light they’re standing next to. The more Hanbin learns about him, the more he aches to hold his hand and bring him closer.
Eventually, the rain stops and the sky clears up. A small pout forms on Matthew’s face when he notices. “I think I should get going now,” he says, turning to Hanbin. “It was really nice talking to you, Hanbin. I hope we can see each other again.”
Hanbin smiles. “Likewise. I’m glad fate brought us together through your search for bacon.” He leads the way back down the stairs.
When Hanbin opens the door, he’s greeted by the sight of another man standing outside.
Matthew gasps. “Ricky!”
Ricky looks surprised to see Matthew. “I didn’t think you’d be inside,” he says.
Matthew chuckles. “What a coincidence!”
“Coincidence?” Ricky echoes. “I told you to meet me here.”
“But what about the bacon?”
“What bacon?”
“Didn’t you tell me to look for the bacon?”
Ricky looks aghast. “I said to look for the beacon.”
Matthew pauses for a moment, then bursts out laughing. He turns to Hanbin once more, grinning. “It seems fate would’ve made us meet even without the bacon.”