☁ Flatlands

@☁ Jessica "Well, I'm sure some of the crewmembers would love meeting the illustrious woman our ship is named after," Dongho answered her, nudging her cheek with the tip of his nose. "And... I would like nothing more than to share my quarters with the woman I love."
He smiled as she grabbed his hand, obediently following her outside and towards Arrow. He could feel his stomach churning with guilt. He hadn't realized how much he missed the horse. But as he saw the black steed standing in front of him, Jess pushing him closer, he had to bite back tears. "H-hey boy," he whispered, carefully inching closer to the horse, placing his hand at his muzzle. "I've missed you, boy." He inched a little closer, hugging the horse's neck before glancing back at Jess. "If we're ever back... Of course we'll need him. Just... I wish we could bring him, but I doubt the see is his thing."

@☠ Baekho “As long as you are there by my side I don’t care where I am, I just don’t want to be alone anymore,” Jessica whispered as she looked to him. Nodding to him, she got his hand and lead him out and over to the horse before gently pushing him too him. “Go ahead.” Jessica watched with a soft smile, seeming to give a content sigh. “And if we cant take him I am sure we can leave him with someone to watch him while we are out at sea…I don’t want to sell him because I am sure there are times we might need him if we are ever on land.”

@☁ Jessica |SH| Dongho froze up slightly, awkwardly clearing his throat. "Y-yes, my crew. I.... May have stolen a ship," he answered her, rubbing the back of his neck with a shy smile. "It was the only way I could escape and... People seemed to be in the same situation." He smiled fondly, hugging her a little tighter. "You sure you're ready for a life at sea?" he asked, wondering how it would be to have her there by his side. He had missed her sorely.

"Arrow...."
Dongho looked out the window, spotting the dark steed outside. "He... I don't know... I doubt he'd like it out on the waves," he admitted, pouting a little. He had missed the animal, but he didn't see much chance of ever getting him aboard the ship. "But yes... We should go out and see him. It's been long."

@☾ Baekho |SH| Jessica blushed a bit at this, kissing her back before looking to him. “Your crew? What are you talking about,” she asked him a little confused. Had he found himself a new home to be in, which made her a bit hopeful. “I want to go wherever you go but what about Arrow? Is he going to be coming with us” he asked looking to him. In the time that he was gone she had grown quite close to the animal and couldn’t imagine leaving him behind at all. “Please tell me we can take him…he kept me company while you were gone.”

She bit her lip and look out the window to the make shift home that had been put up for him. “How about we go and see him, I am sure he will be very happy to see you. Though he couldn’t voice it I know for sure that he has missed you just as much as I have if not more.”

@☁ Jessica |SH| Dongho hummed, smiling a little sadly, just happy that she was still alive and well. And the kiss she pressed to his lips was a welcome feeling. He hugged her slim body closer, letting one hand move up through her hair. "I have been waiting for the day to be able to hug you again every day," he whispered as he leaned back, smiling brightly before following her inside.

He sunk down on the bed, sighing as she sat down on his lap, nuzzling her face against his neck. "I'm good, Jess. I've just been missing you so much," he answered her, rubbing her back slowly. "You want to go with me?" Dongho asked and smiled. "And here I came home thinking I'd stay with you. Although I'm sure the crew wouldn't be happy with me staying around here forever, not even the ones who know about you." He pressed a light kiss to her lips again and smiled. "I love you, Angel~"

@☾ Baekho |SH| She held tightly to him as she kissed his cheek before pulling back to lean into his hand a little. “I have tired but I have been so worried about you…I might have lost a bit of weight without trying,” she said gently to him. Smiling weakly at him, she gave him a loving kiss; pressing their bodies together. After a few minutes she broke the kiss and pulled him in before closing the door. “Thank you for coming back Dongho…it really means so much to me you know that,” she whispered with a soft smile on her face.

Taking him over to the bed, she let him sit down before sitting on his lap and holding him close once more. Breathing out a little, she nuzzled his neck lightly before looking to him. “Are you okay? You didn’t get into trouble over there right? Are you going to stay here now or not,” she asked him. “I want to go wherever you are…I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

@☁ Jessica |SH| Dongho felt himself in a tight breath as he heard her voice, his eyes already welling up with tears. God, he had missed her. He stood there silent, the cold night air brushing over his collarbones and down his chest, only staying off his bare skin where a piece of bandage covered his ribs and around his midsection. His sleeveless coat hung loosely off his shoulder, blowing behind him in the wind when the door swung open.

And there she was. She looked tired and a little thinner than Dongho had remembered, but it was her, alive. He placed his hand atop of hers on his cheek, smiling through his tears. And as she threw herself into his arms, he caught and swung her around, laughing as he hugged her tightly. "I've missed you so much too, Angel," he whispered as he slowly lowered her back to the ground. "There hasn't been a day where I haven't been thinking about you. Have you been eating well?" Dongho cupped her cheeks, worried brown eyes scanning her face.

@☾ Baekho |SH| Jessica had lost track of how long he had been gone, of how long since it had been since she had a decent night of sleep. Though she did her best to take care of herself and Arrow, she still found herself losing weight little by little. On top of that she started to wonder if she should just leave and go in search of him once more. Though she still tried to sleep but because being the light sleeper she was, she tended to wake at the smallest of sounds.

Rolling over on the bed, she gave a small yawn before she sat up and looked around. “Coming…just give me a second,” she called out in a tired voice. Going over, she slowly pulled open the door before she froze and her eyes went wide at this point. Beginning to tear up, she slowly reached out and touched his cheek. “This isn’t a dream again is it…its really you,” she asked as she began to cry. Before he could answer, she quickly threw herself onto him and hugged him tight, crying against his shoulder. “I didn’t know if I would ever see you again Dongho! I missed you so much!”

@☁ Jessica |SH| The track back through the desert had been a lot harder than Dongho had remembered it was the last time through. But he kept on going, knowing that this was the most important trip he had ever made. His heart was pumping faster as he spurred the lent horse into moving faster, wanting to reach his goal before sunrise.

-

Dongho could see the vague hint of sunlight over the horizon as the horse galloped onto more familiar ground. The landscape around him had gradually changed from desert to rolling hills of healthy grass. He spurred the horse into a final quick gallop, spotting the house he had longed for so long in the distance.

He practically hit the ground running as he slid out of the horse's saddle, not caring to tie it up. If the horse ran, it ran, he didn't care. He was here again. That was what mattered. With his heart hammering so hard in his chest that he could hear it himself, Dongho raised his hand and knocked on the door, wondering if anything had changed on Jessica's end.

@☁ Jessica Baekho didn't stop running until he felt his knees give in. He had left the grasslands behind ages ago and when he fell he was met by the cold sand of the dessert. Tears were still slowly trailing down his cheek before the world around him seemed to disappear and he slumped over passed out.

The morning after when Baekho came too, he turned back to look where he had come from. He couldn't even see the city from here, not even as a splotch on the horizon. He wanted to go back, already missed Jessica and everything about her. His stomach grumbled for her food, his lips longing for hers. His heart barely seemed to be beating in his chest as he began walking again, knowing this would be the worst trek in his lifetime.

As night rolled around again, Baekho could finally see the Oceanside Kingdom at the horizon. With a little hope left in his body he began moving faster, practically stumbling through the gates. The place was as familiar to him as any other in their land and he knew just where to go. He used backalleys to stay out of sight, quickly finding the small coop with messenger pidgins. He grabbed the parchment and pen that was present and jutted down a small note before fastening it to a bird, hoping it would reach her:

"My dearest Angel,
I'm sorry that I had to run. I just didn't want to cause you any trouble.
As much as I know I saved you from harm at the hands of the guards, I know I have cause you harm myself by leaving.
I don't know what I'll do anymore. I can't go back to the nomads... I'm afraid I can't return to you yet. But I will never forget you. I will keep my promise and I will be back. I'll be there one day and I'll save you from the slavery.
I love you, my Angel...
I love you....
- Your faithful, Dongho"

@☾ Baekho Just listening to him, she could feel that her heart was already breaking at this point. At the small kisses and his words, her eyes were already tearing up before she breathed out. “I love you to…I do so much,” she whispered as she went out and watched him go. Breathing out, she went back in and closed the door to her home and possibly her heart. She didn’t know when she would see him and that just broke her heart all that much more. Going over to the food she had, she just put it away for later and went to sit on the bed for a bit.

But knowing guards would be coming, she had to busy herself so she got up and cleaned up the house, making it look like she was the only person that lived there. When the knock came, she went over and opened it, not surprised at seeing the guards. She talked with them, answering their questions and saying that she lived their alone but worked in the castle kitchens. After they came in a searched, she let them out before going to fix up the house once more and beginning to making the bed of theirs, knowing that tonight she would sleep back in the castle.

@☁ Jessica Baekho quickly pulled Jessica closer, his hands on her cheeks. "Look, I may not have long, so just nod if you understand," he began, talking as fast as he could without making himself impossible to understand. "A guard recognised me. He probably saw me when I snuck into town once. I might have knocked him out once," he went on to explain, his eyes on hers, his face filled with worry and a sinking feeling in his stomach. "I'm sure they're after me right now. They're going to get here. They'll ask if you have seen me, might even search the place. Tell them nothing, you understand? Tell them you don't know me, that you've never seen my face." He bit into his bottom lip as he looked at her, feeling a aching pain in his chest before he leaned in and kissed her.

"I need to pack away my old gear and hide Arrow. I can't risk taking him with me. I'd be too recognisable by horseback," Baekho mumbled hurriedly as he ran around the room, finding any- and everything that belonged to his old life among the nomads and slung it into a bag. Once it held everything he slung it over his shoulder and looked back up at Jessica. He knew there was little time, but he went up to her and grabbed her waist, hugging her tightly to him as he kissed her, letting it linger for a few seconds. As he broke away, he glanced up at him, his eyes filled with apologetic sorrow. "I'm so sorry, Jess... I... I love you..."
He could feel tears welling up in his eyes as he stepped back from her, eyes still on her as he walked back towards the door. "I love you...."
And then he ran out, before he could get her in trouble.

@☾ Baekho After he had left, something felt a little odd to her, and she couldn’t really place what it was. She went out and peeked out through the window and noticed guards walking by and talking. Their voices were too hushed for her to hear which made her wonder if there had been a trouble in the market Her mind went right away to Baekho and she couldn’t help but bite her lip. Finishing the food, she set it off to the side as she paced around the inside of her house. Maybe she was just anxious and was over thinking things but she wanted to be sure.

She hadn’t expected the door to burst open causing her to scream and sigh as she put a hand over her chest. “Don’t scare me like that,” she yelled, hitting his shoulder before quickly going to shut the door. As she turned around to tell him about the guards, she caught the sight in his eyes and could see the fear and worry in them. This only made her heart fill with worry, something was wrong, very very wrong. “Dongho…whats going…why do you look so scared,” she whispered, her voice wavering a bit.

@☁ Jessica Arrow seemed positively happy as Baekho came walking around the house with the saddle on his shoulder. He quickly slung it onto Arrow's back, fastening it before climbing up and giving the horse a light brush of the neck. "Hey, boy, ready to get some air?" he asked before giving the reins a light flick and making Arrow trot lightly towards town.

He had barely began looking around though when a horrible feeling started creeping on him. Baekho spun around, but outside of more people getting about to what they usually would, there was no one. He hummed to himself, feeling suspicious as he kept walking, trying to find a nice table that would suit the house. And then he heard it.
"NOMADE SPY! STOP HIM!"
His eyes jolted up, spotting a guard with a face that seemed somewhat familiar standing on a wall up above. Baekho bared his teeth and growled, cursing under his breath as he slung himself up in Arrow saddle, kicking the horse into full gallop between people and back towards where he had come from.

His heart was beating a hundred miles a second as he spotted the house in the distance. The guards couldn't be far behind. He swung of Arrow while still moving, rolling to absorb the hit and breaking out into a sprint immediately afterwards. He practically shouldered down the door, eyes filled with worry.
"Jess?!"

@☾ Baekho "Oh hush and just pick a nice table." She took out some coins and handed them over before smiling warmly at him. Turning back to the food, she began to finish it before gasping and laughing loudly. Jessica kissed him back before she stood straight once more. "I love you too you silly man and alright." Blowing him a kiss, she fixed her clothes before turning back to the food and humming happily. She was happy about how things were, she wondered if maybe she would ask him in a weeks time if they could possibly get a small pet.

@☁ Jessica "I'll take Arrow and go right away," Baekho whispered, hugging her tightly a final time before going to pick up his shirt. "That breakfast better be ready when I get back~" he joked, smiling at her and sticking his tongue out. He could feel his stomach grumble, but if it was Jessica's cooking he was fine with waiting for as long as needed. With two steps he crossed the room and grabbed her, turning her to him and dipping her tango style, placing a light kiss on her lips. "I love you~" he cooed, easing her back up again. "I'll be swift~"

@☾ Baekho Feeling the hug and kiss, she couldn't help but give a soft laugh. Smiling warmly as she turned to peck his cheek before going back to making their breakfast. "Are you ready to make our home even more homey," she asked him with an excited smile. Giggling a little, she put up the eggs and but of meat she cooked onto some plates. "You think you can pick us up a table in town while I work on making out bed after breakfast," she asked looking to him.

@☁ Jessica Baekho slept like a baby the whole night through, not at all moving until the lovely smell of food started filling his nose. He yawned and blinked his eyes open, sitting up and stretching. Jessica was no longer by his side, but it didn't take long to find her standing there in the room, making breakfast by herself. He smiled and shifted out of the bed, quickly putting on pants before walking over and hugging her back, placing a light kiss on her shoulder. "Good morning, Beautiful~"

@☾ Baekho That night, it was one of the most peaceful sleeps she had ever had. So waking up in his arms, she turned around and lightly caressed his cheek. Jessica traced his features and smiled warmly. "I love you." Pecking his lips in his sleep, she slowly got out of his grip before stretching a bit. She went out to feed Arrow and give him water before going back in and beginning to make a breakfast for them. Today they were going to work on their home and make it better which made her all the more exited.

@☾ Baekho She couldn’t help but smile at this point, pecking his lips gently. “I am supposed to take care of the house. You are supposed to do the heavy lifting and protect and the fixes that our house needs,” she told him with a gentle smile. Kissing his cheek, she nuzzled his neck lightly before getting a cup and scooping up some water and dumping it over his head. At this she couldn’t help but give a soft laugh, loving the reaction she got from him.

{{don't get too excited, kids ;) this is not an M rated room ;))) }}

@☁ Jessica "Y-yah, I'm not going to do anything..." Baekho laughed, blushing a little as she removed the shirt. "N-not anything bad at least," he added with a sheepish smile, trying to mask the blush as he began taking off his pants. "Aigo, I feel you do everything around here in the house," he hummed, kicking the pants aside and stepping closer, hugging her body closer. "You sure you don't want help?"

@☾ Baekho She gave him a small look before pecking his lips and pulling back a bit. “I suppose for now that you have…but still…behave.” Jessica gently pulled herself free and removed the shirt and put it to the side before blushing a bit. “Hurry up and take off your clothes so we can clean up. I can clean our dirty clothes tomorrow but for now I want to do this then get started on dinner since I am very hungry,” she told him honestly.

@☁ Jessica Baekho hummed a little, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest. "I don't see why smelling like you is such a bad thing~" he whispered, smiling to himself. He didn't care who the scent was for. It smelled lovely and reminded him of her. That was more than enough for him. When she turned around his smile widened, happy to see her face.
"Have I not been behaving?" he asked innocently, trying his best at an innocent pout and puppy eyes.

@☾ Baekho “I am glad that you like how it smells though these are scents usually for females,” she said with a gentle laugh. “I probably should pick up some for you tomorrow so that way you don’t go smelling like a girl when we have to go into the market.” When it was ready, she gave a small nod before turning in his arms. “Now you.” She pointed a finger at him and gave a pretend glare. “Need to behave so we can get clean.”

@☁ Jessica "Well, I'm not gonna deny that. Food is good. But you are that great," he mumbled, nodding his head lightly as he hugged her still. The scent of the soap oils were starting to fill the air and Baekho's nose, making him let out a light breath of relaxation. "It smells wonderful~" he whispered, placing another kiss against her neck.

@☾ Baekho “You just like food, I am not that great,” she said with a light smile. Turning her head, she pecked his cheek before going back to the water. After dropping a few oils in it to make it smell nice, she stirred it a bit. “We should be ready to have a bathe in a few minutes then we can get dressed and I can get started on dinner. In which then you can make sure Arrow has enough food and water too.”

@☁ Jessica Baekho walked up behind her as she started heating the water, sneakily moving his hands arms underneath her shirt before hugging her tightly and nuzzling his face against her neck. "Anything you would want to make is fine by me," he whispered, placing feathery kisses along the soft skin of . "Anything you cook is the food of gods~" He hummed silently, making sure not to touch her inappropriately as they hugged.

@☾ Baekho Fixing them in line to what they would first to last, she turned just as she heard the door open. “Thank you.” She went over and pecked his cheek before taking the bucket from him. She put it over the fire she had going before filling up the bucket with some water. “This should only take a few minutes for it to heat up then we can have a nice warm bath together.” She blushed a little at this thought but couldn’t help but smile. “What should for I make to eat after all this? Anything you are craving?”

@☁ Jessica "Fine, fine~" Baekho laughed, giving her a last peck on the lips before reluctantly letting her go. "I'll be a good boy~" He watched her for a moment longer, smiling at how lucky he was before returning his attention to the bucket. There was work to do. He went over and picked it up, hauling it up as he started moving for the door. It wasn't too heavy, with most of the water already emptied, but he still had to be a little careful due to his rib. When he got out he walked a few paces down towards a nearby field, throwing out the remaining water over the plants. With an empty bucket in hand, Baekho headed back towards the house.