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After finishing the task of guiding a Dusk Butterfly, Féileacán watched Cú, returned to the train with reluctant, flopped onto the floor and rolled around several times in exhaustion. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he sat upright, patted the pocket of his trousers, and became inexplicably excited.
Without hesitation, Féileacán closed his eyes and settled into a corner seat, attempting to ignore the mortal who was clearly waiting for an opportunity to strike up a conversation.
Unfortunately, he had forgotten one thing.
When it came to Féileacán, Cú could be stubbornly persistent in ways that defied all reason.
Even though Féileacán's entire demeanor radiated a clear “Don't bother me, mortal,” the man, perhaps having picked up both boundless energy and shameless persistence from the children he spent his days with, scooted right over anyway.
“Hey, Felly, did you know today is the Dragon Boat Festival?”
His question disappeared into silence.
Like a rice dumpling tossed into a river and swept away without a trace.
Or perhaps devoured by fish before it ever had a chance to surface again.
Still, Cú remained undeterred.
“You remember those five-colored threads I bought before? During today's cultural experience activity class, it took me forever to tie them onto all the kids. Saoirse dodged me at least three times, and getting Jeremy to stay quiet the entire time so evil spirits wouldn't sneak in was a challenge all by itself!”
“But still... this way, the kids should all have good luck and stay safe, right?”
Something about the slight dip in his voice at the end made Féileacán lift his lashes just a fraction, intending to check on the man's expression.
He regretted it immediately.
The moment Cú noticed the attention, he brightened.
In an instant, he squeezed into the seat beside him and excitedly pointed to a small green cloth pouch hanging from his waist alongside the familiar opal pendant.
Until now, Féileacán had assumed the pleasant herbal scent lingering around him came from a rare change of cologne.
Only at that moment did he realize the fragrance was coming from the pouch itself.
Cú stood up again and deliberately turned in front of him, swaying from side to side as though modeling the carefully crafted accessory.
Closing his eyes once more, Féileacán took a slow, subtle breath, quietly enjoying the rich scent of natural herbs, trying to calm his thoughts, without letting Cú notice.
Unfortunately, Cú showed no intention of letting the matter rest.
Still chattering away, he continued enthusiastically,
“If it weren't for the possibility of allergies, I honestly think the cuter fragrant sachet designs would've been better for the kids to carry around. But!”
He pointed at Féileacán triumphantly.
“I bought one for you too.”
His grin widened.
“And I even picked a color that matches your entire outfit. I'll give it to you as soon as we get back!”
“So why are you ignoring me, Felly~? Are you hungry, maybe? Do you want to try a rice dumpling? Ah, by the way, a rice dumpling is a traditional festival food made by wrapping rice and fillings in leaves and steaming them. Did you know that?”
No response.
“Felly~? You really don't want to try one? I ordered a whole bunch of different flavors!”
“No.”
“Aww, come ooon~ Just one bite!”
When it came to Cú, Féileacán often found himself utterly helpless.
There were moments when the man displayed an almost unreasonable persistence, brushing off rejection after rejection without the slightest sign of discouragement. It left Féileacán genuinely puzzled at times. How could someone so stubborn and resilient become completely unable to stand back up when his thoughts spiraled into darkness, when his chest felt tight with anxiety and his mind tangled itself into knots?
Meanwhile, the incessant buzzing beside him showed no sign of stopping.
As Cú continued his relentless campaign, Féileacán silently reminded himself:
Don't give in. Stop going soft on him.
Unfortunately, another thought followed immediately afterward.
This is probably the fastest way to get some peace and quiet.
With a quiet sigh, he finally replied in a cool, flat voice.
“If you'll be quiet afterward, I'll try it.”
“Really?! That's great! You won't regret it! Give me a second!”
Only then did Féileacán realize a problem.
They were still on the train and there was no refrigerator here. No possible way for Cú to retrieve any of the rice dumplings he had supposedly purchased.
Unfortunately, by the time the realization struck him, the “rice dumpling” was already prepared.
The broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted man had somehow managed to tie his own hands behind his back.
Féileacán had no idea when he had practiced. Nor did he understand how he had accomplished it.
One of the red cords, one of the five traditional festival colors, looped around his neck before winding across his chest and arms, binding him securely from shoulders to wrists.
For perhaps the first time in centuries, Féileacán wished his eyesight were worse. Just slightly, blurry enough that he wouldn't immediately notice every detail.
The way the ropes pulled taut across Cú's chest.
The subtle outline visible beneath his clothing where the cords pressed and shifted.
The way the bindings gathered and lifted elsewhere, creating a silhouette that was impossible to overlook.
Most distracting of all was the knot resting behind the man's neck. The friction had already left faint red marks across pale skin. The sight reminded Féileacán of the rice dumplings Cú had shown him in his mind not long ago.
Wrapped carefully.
Tied securely.
A shape that seemed as though the slightest tug would set it swaying.
Temptingly.
Dangerously.
“Felly~”
Cú smiled.
“Now you can try the ‘rice dumpling’~”