Swan Boyfriend: Hansal Part Two (special preview)

“Maybe the risk is worth it,” he chuckles. “Who knows what will happen or what I will find there?”

I swallow back a nervous lump in my throat. “Well, who am I to tell you how to live your life?” I slip my hand over his and slowly curl my fingers around his. “Whatever you want to do, just do it.”

Hansal chuckles. “Fine. Maybe I will, then.”

After I say goodbye to Edgar and fly off, I have a quick job with Robin. I have to pick up some artifact and deliver it to him. The trip takes a few days, but all the while, I catch myself thinking what Hansal could be up to. Beautiful, tall Hansal with his soft white hair and gorgeous smile. I get nervous thinking about him, wondering if someone can tell and is chuckling over it. 

After the delivery is done, it has been a while since I last saw Hansal. Perhaps it’s been too long now. I consider going to the lake, but then I grow nervous and wonder what I would do if he wasn’t there. He said he would go, but if he was intending for us to meet there and I just never showed, he could have gotten impatient and stopped. I don’t think I could take that if I couldn’t find him there.

It does me no good to keep up this inane way of thinking, so, for the best, I decide to go back to the pond, even if just to look at swans that aren’t Hansal. I take my usual perch and settle in. I look over the pond, seeing there aren’t many swans there. I sigh, realizing I may be right after all, when I hear the peeping of Cygnets. I look aside, seeing two, small and gray fluffy girls splash into the water, hurriedly swimming away as a large swan chases them.

Hansal floats into the waters behind Rinette and Wibke then easily swims around them and catches them. The girls peep and fuss as Hansal plucks them from the water and onto his back, laughing in his victory. He glances up and, for a moment, we see one another.

I fly down, coming to perch on a stone at the water’s edge. Hansal swims up and we’re both silent for a long pause.

“It’s about time you showed up,” Hansal teases. 

“Yeah,” I murmur. “I had a job and-”

Hansal shakes his head. “I only just got here today myself,” he laughs. “The first few days, my sisters had the girls, and they insisted on coming with me, so I had to wait.”

I sigh with relief. “Oh, good.”

Hansal laughs “What? Think I would grow impatient waiting on you?” 

I fidget and ruffle my feathers up. “What did you think?” I scoff. “Weren’t you worried the same thing would happen?”

Hansal chuckles. “Not really. I just kept reminding myself of how you would look at me.”

My feathers bristle up and I glance at him. “You’re not playing games here, are you?”

Hansal eases up out of the water, taking human form as I shift as well. Behind him, Rinatte and Wibke are swimming out excitedly.

“If I was playing, you would know,” Hansal grins. “Tonight,” he whispers, “if you’re so inclined, meet me here at the pond. There is something I would like to show you.”

My heart hammers fast and I swallow the lump in my throat down. “Ok,” I whisper, breathless and excited.

Hansal smiles then places a soft kiss on my cheek. “Once I get the girls down for bedtime, I’ll be able to come down. Hopefully they’ll behave for me tonight.”

I can’t quite catch a good enough breath, but I let out a laugh. “You only just cursed yourself there,” I tease. “They’re going to be absolute hell for you tonight.”

“Perhaps,” Hansal smirks. “But I think it will be worth it in the end.”