🏳️🌈
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Dada had been walking for almost two hours when the land ahead finally changed.
His steps slowed the moment his eyes fell on the village.
Aworan.
Or what was left of it.
The village had truly been leveled. Not a single house stood whole. Charred wood lay scattered everywhere, blackened stones sinking into the earth like forgotten bones. The ground itself looked wounded, cracked and dry, as though it still carried the pain of what had happened there.
Dada took another step forward, then another, his boots crunching softly against ash and debris. The further he walked in, the stranger everything felt. Nothing looked familiar. And yet... something tugged at his chest.
The grasses that had grown back were few and thin, their color dull and unnatural, as if the land itself was sick. The air felt heavy-thick, stale, and wrong. A sudden chill crawled up his spine, even though the sun was still high above him. It was gloomy here, like the place had never truly healed, like it remembered everything.
He raised a hand to his face, covering his nose.
The smell lingered-old smoke, damp earth, something bitter underneath it all. It was suffocating. With how the village felt, anyone would think the tragedy had happened just yesterday, not fifteen years ago.
His heart tightened.
He wandered deeper into the ruins, his eyes scanning the ground, broken walls, burnt beams. His feet pressed down on something solid.
He stopped.
Slowly, he bent down and brushed the ash away.
His breath caught.
His lips parted slightly as a sharp gasp escaped him.
In his hands lay a small wooden bird.
The memories crashed into him all at once.
His father- sitting under the shade of a tree, carefully carving the wood, smiling softly as he worked.
For you, his father had said. So you'll always remember home.
Dada's hands trembled.
He remembered holding onto it tightly. He remembered crying, calling out for his parents, his fingers clutching the little bird as though it could protect him.
His chest hurt.
Slowly, gently, he wiped the dust away. The bird was still whole- no cracks, no broken edges- but its bright color had faded into something dull and lifeless, just like the village around him.
He straightened slowly, his eyes sweeping over the land once more.
Nothing.
Nothing was left.
Fifteen years.
What really happened here?
From what he remembered, the village hadn't been burned yet. Not that day. Not then.
His fingers curled tightly around the wooden bird.
"What happened...?" he whispered into the empty air. "What truly happened here?"
The silence gave him no answer.
>
>
The door to Adrian's room opened quietly.
Without turning his head, he already knew who it was.
William.
Adrian had no patience for whatever unnecessary nonsense the man was about to pull this time. Closing his eyes, he decided to pretend he was asleep.
"Are you asleep?" William asked, his voice light as he walked closer.
No response.
William stopped beside the bed.
"Are you really sleeping?" he asked again, leaning closer.
His face was so close now.
William studied him shamelessly. Adrian looked even more beautiful when he slept. His lashes rested gently against his skin-long and soft. His lips were slightly parted, pink and perfectly shaped. His skin glowed faintly in the sunlight, smooth and warm.
William smiled to himself.
Adrian, despite his closed eyes, could feel it-the weight of someone's gaze boring into his face. It made his skin prickle. Uncomfortable, he cleared his throat softly and turned over, showing his back to William.
He stayed still, waiting.
No footsteps followed.
"Aren't you tired of sleeping?" William's voice came again.
Adrian didn't move.
"That's enough," William said firmly. "I know you're not asleep. Quit the act."
Adrian opened his eyes and cursed silently.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly, not bothering to sit up.
"Get up," William replied. "We're going out.
Adrian turned to him, one brow lifting slowly.
"Aren't you tired of sleeping all day?" William continued, poking his head slightly closer. "Doesn't your head hurt from sleeping too much?"
Adrian shoved his hand away.
"It's none of your business," he said flatly. "Get out. I want proper rest."
He turned back toward the bed-only to feel a hand grip him and pull him upright.
"Temì- mine" William said with a grin, "aside from being beautiful and rude, I've discovered you're also lazy."
"Lazy?" Adrian snapped, more offended by being forced up than by the word itself.
"Yes," William said easily. "All you do is eat and sleep. Doesn't that get boring?"
"Not at all," Adrian replied proudly.
William sighed inwardly. What a spoiled princess.
"I'm going out," he said aloud. "Come with me. Let's take a walk around town."
"Not interested."
Adrian moved to lie back down-but suddenly William's hands rested on his waist.
Adrian froze.
William leaned closer, his voice dropping into a soft whisper. "I won't take no for an answer. You're coming with me. Besides..." he smirked, "...I want to show you off. I want everyone to know I have a goddess by my side."
Adrian scoffed inwardly. Here he goes again.
"Can you talk like a normal person for once?" he asked stiffly.
William smiled. "If you want me to ignore how beautiful you are, that's impossible."
He released Adrian's waist but grabbed his wrist instead.
"Come on," he said, tugging him along. "Sleeping all day will rot your brain."
Adrian sighed deeply as he was dragged out of the room.
This man didn't just invade his privacy-he forced him into things he didn't want to do.
I must be the unluckiest person alive, Adrian thought bitterly.
\
\
\.
The sun hung high in the sky, bright and generous, pouring warmth over the village square. A cool breeze brushed against their skin.
Flowers bloomed along the road while Laughter and chatter filled the air. Banners of red, yellow, and indigo fluttered from wooden poles, snapping cheerfully in the breeze like they were alive and laughing along with the people below.
Music spilled into the air-drums beating in steady rhythms, flutes singing sharp, playful notes. The sound didn't stay in one place; it danced, weaving between stalls and slipping into every corner of the square. Vendors called out to passersby, their voices blending into a happy chaos as the scent of roasted corn, sweet pastries, and spiced meat drifted through the crowd.
Children ruled the ground. They ran barefoot across the dust, chasing one another in wild circles, their laughter ringing louder than the drums. A boy nearly collided with a girl clutching a painted wooden toy, and instead of crying, they burst into giggles and sprinted off again.
Adrian actually smiled at this
Nearby, a group of smaller children crouched in the dirt, drawing crooked symbols and suns with sticks, their tongues sticking out in fierce concentration.
Adults moved more slowly, smiling as they watched. Some swayed gently to the music, others clapped along, while elders sat beneath the shade of a wide tree, nodding to the rhythm as if the festival itself lived in their bones.
Every greeting was warm-hands clasped, shoulders bumped, laughter shared without reason.
The air felt lighter, filled with joy that didn't ask permission to exist. It was the kind of day that made memories without trying-the kind that lingered long after the music faded and the banners were taken down.
Adrian couldn't be more glad that he listened to Idowu and William to stay behind for the festival.
"Isn't this better than lying in bed all day?" William asked cheerfully. Happiness written all over his face. He was sure happy to be witnessing the festival.
Adrian glanced at him but said nothing.
Still... he agreed.
It was nice.
They walked slowly, their arms brushing now and then. For a moment, there was silence.
Then William suddenly stopped.
"Ah-ogede!- banana!" he exclaimed. "Let's buy some."
"I'm not-" Adrian began, but it was too late.
William had already dragged him toward the seller.
"How much?" William asked the seller eagerly.
Then he turned. "Temì, how many do you want?"
Adrian didn't answer.
His gaze was fixed down the street.
William followed it.
A group of men were causing chaos-grabbing food from women, shouting, hitting those who resisted.
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"How could they..." he muttered angrily, already moving toward them.
William followed instantly- but then paused.
A thought crossed his mind.
He smirked.
Instead of stepping in directly, he climbed onto a rock by the roadside and shouted loudly-
"How shameful!!"
The men froze, all eyes snapping toward him.
Adrian stared, confused.
What is he doing?
( Drop your comments 🏳️🌈🥰)