Work Text:
Owen leaned on the axe, his breathing unsteady. It had been a long day and the sun was only just setting. His muscles and joints ached as he exhaled and raised the axe again
.
Thump.
The block of wood he had set on the stump split cleanly in half.
He wheezed and coughed again. Owen wished the day would just go ahead and be over already. He was sick and he was tired.
Then again, when wasnt he?
He sighed and set another block on the stump.
Thump
.
The axe slipped, only breaking the wood halfway. Owen grumbled and bashed it into the ground until it split apart.
He picked up another block and set it down.
"Owen?"
Owens axe nearly fell from his hands in fright. He turned around, pulling his scarf over his nose on instinct. His face lit up at the sight of a pale, ginger haired man.
"Louis!" Owen exclaimed, stepping towards his lover.
Louis never visited Owen, the lumberjacks cabin was always hard to find in the woods. And Owen always tried his best to keep him away. He wasnt proud of his home
"Owen..." Louis didnt sound as excited to see Owen than Owen was to see him. He looked concerned and worried.
That was when Owen remembered the bandages. Before every visit to louis's he had wrapped his arms and neck in wool bandages. But with louis's surprise visit he hadn't had time to cover himself. His arms were covered in split skin, the wounds running deep into his flesh. Owen stepped back
"I- im sorry- I wasnt expecting you to- i didnt think you were-"
"Owen..." Louis stepped forward and cupped owens scarfcovered face with one hand. "Are you okay?"
"I... I'm fine" Owen mumbled, leaning away. He didnt want Louis sick. He didnt want anyone sick.
"Okay... okay..." Louis moved his hand up to tangle in Owens curly hair "You're so beautiful to me"
Louis always knew what to say.
"Come on, I'm lonely. Come back to mine?" Louis asked tugging on owens sleeve like a child asking for their mother.
"I... Louis, there's still-" Owen began to protest but he trailed off.
"I'd love to, please"
~~~~~