Life after the weekend got immensely easier. As soon as Alexander had left the ground Søren's shoulders relaxed, his lips tugged upwards and his hands itched to train and get better. Much quicker than he'd have thought he found back into his daily routine and it was a relieving feeling being able to tell his sponsors that he could show some achievements again.

The months were gone in a flash and as nature started to bloom again Søren found himself back in a narrow airplane seat, watching how the fjords passed by under him and they got closer and closer to rocks and wood, a long concrete lane and with a hard thud he was back in Norway. He felt like a boy again at Christmas Eve, waiting through the much too long dinner before he was allowed to open up his presents. The people in front of him were so excruciatingly slow. The Airport was small but for Søren it seemed like it took hours to pass the duty-free shop, get to the right luggage terminal and another eternity until his suitcase emerged. He tried hard to not jog through the customs or he'd be held back for some checks.

And finally. Finally, he saw those piercing blue eyes in the crowd. Two metres in front of Sigurd he let go of everything and pulled him into an embrace. He still smelled of horses, forest and leather. He chuckled against Søren's neck and mumbled something about him being like a puppy, but Søren didn't care. Sigurd was here and hugged him back. They only separated to kiss and only then they let each other go. Søren bent down to grab his suitcase, got up again and interlaced his fingers with Sigurd's.

All the way to the car he was grinning, telling Sigurd about what he had to tell him about later and asked whether or not the others were doing well, and if he'd had enough coffee or if they should get some first for him before they'd drive again. A mysterious smile played around Sigurd's lips as he declined and so Søren didn't ask again.

Back in the car they drove for fifteen minutes and they were simply chatting about how the horses were, what guests were currently at the barn. But then Sigurd drove off the highway in the direction of the city centre of Bergen.
"Where are we going?" Søren asked and looked outside the window.
"Can't you read?"
"I know we're in Bergen but…" He turned around again to look at his boyfriend. "Why?"
Sigurd shrugged and steered the car through the streets.
"Maybe I wanted to have you a bit for my own before the others besiege you and we'll be occupied with horses and guests again." Sigurd looked at Søren with a wicked little smirk. "There's barely any privacy in the Norwegian Mountains nowadays."

Søren's face lit up and he felt how he was getting giddy again. They would surely have had some moments alone at the barn. In between training sessions, in between lessons, in between tours. They would be able to ride out alone in the evenings, have the living room for them late at night. But it was never more than a few hours. And when they were in the house chances were high, Hákon was too.

Sigurd pulled up in front of a large house a few walk minutes from the centre of Bergen. There were pots with some spring flowers put up in front of the large double door and a golden sign with a fancy font told Søren this was hotel "Huldra". The time he took to marvel at the building Sigurd had already taken out his suitcase and a small bag for himself.

Søren followed him inside and let him speak to the receptionist behind a sturdy looking wooden desk. When Sigurd said his name, the receptionist took a second to look at him with big eyes before she shuffled back to the paper work. Søren sent a questioning glance to Sigurd but he only waved it off. After that he only listened when she explained some important details such as when the front doors were locked, where they would find what and where their room was.

The house did not have an elevator but in return everything was held in a rustic style with a lot of wood and stone, warm yellow light and paintings of Norwegian landscapes. Søren could swear he saw a Troll in one of them but due to Sigurd's quick climbing he didn't have the time to get a better look at them.

Their room was held in the same style. Wooden walls, one large window overlooking the street and the roof tops of the surrounding houses. The large bed in the middle was draped in white sheets but Søren almost laughed when he saw that here too the beds had fur of sheep and reindeer on them. The bathroom was all stone and glass and Søren knew why Sigurd had chosen this modern yet rustic hotel.

"Change, we'll go out," Sigurd demanded and opened his own bag.
"Aye," he simply said but threw himself on the bed and nuzzled the warm fur. He only heard an exasperated sigh before a hand traveled up his back and sent shivers down his spine. Something warm leaned down on him and he felt Sigurd's lips brush against his ear.
"If you don't get up and change now I will continue the teasing without any reward for you."
Søren groaned and shook his head.
"No fair," he whined extra theatrically in an attempt to get his blood stop flowing downwards. Sigurd's warm chuckle was almost too much but the hand disappeared from his neck and Sigurd was back to getting his shirt and black pants out.

Søren turned around to sit up and followed the good example his boyfriend was. Out of courtesy he didn't look at how Sigurd undressed and left it to his imagination to fill in the gaps. Instead he went to the bathroom to freshen up.

When he returned he remembered the question that had lingered on his tongue.
"Why did the receptionist look at you like that?" he asked eventually.
"My family is still known around here." Sigurd said casually and buttoned up his blue shirt.
"That much?"
"Apparently. Father is often in the local papers and they have that odd tendency to mention Hákon and me as well if he is a candidate for anything or needs any presentation. As if being a father is some sort of accomplishment." Sigurd sneered, readjusted his golden pin in his hair and then leaned against the wall.
"Don't they know you don't speak with him anymore?"
"They did. The reporters eventually figured out that Hákon and I were having the barn far away from our father. We weren't some expected business people, nor politically active nor some studious doctors or lawyers. But my father…" Sigurd shrugged with his shoulders. "He used the opportunity that we didn't want to talk with the reporters. Used our nature loving to say he was nature loving and oh so supportive of us for letting us be whatever we want. Got him into a higher position in politics."
"How nice for him."
"It got us our peace and no one is interested in us anymore." Sigurd put the room key, wallet and phone in his jacket pocket and showed Søren out when he was done as well. "Just how we and he wanted it to be."

Sigurd led Søren down the streets of Bergen. The sun was already setting but the city still was full of life, vibrating as everybody felt in their bones how spring was coming. Joggers and couples alike were outside, small groups of friends finished up their shopping for clothes, some tourists still lingered around, photographing this and that. Students sat in cafés and were still studying or discussing or simply enjoying their evening.

Eventually Sigurd walked into a restaurant which looked cosy and romantic and Søren had to think back at their first date back here in the Pizzeria. It was a similar atmosphere with fairy lights and lanterns inside the restaurant giving the illusion of sitting in a pavilion in some garden. But with a severe lack of retro design and much more plastic plants placed at the wall, around tables and ranked around the bar.

"You simply can't do without some nature, eh?" Søren smirked as they were placed in their own small corner.
"It's fake for the most part though," Sigurd said. "A weak substitute for their garden but alas it's too early for that."
"It's nice here," Søren reassured and smiled fondly. He had a feeling that he would smile this way a lot this night.
"I would have brought you here the first time. But it may have been a tad too romantic in case that…"
"I wouldn't have been interested in you?"
"Yes."
"So worst case you would have had a good excuse that it wasn't a date, that you didn't chose it as it was just casually cosy. May have even changed since the last time you were there."
"I'm a cautious man." Sigurd said it with a voice that made Søren almost thoughts worked on two planes. On one he chuckled, nodded and looked at the menu the waiter brought them. On the other he made the deduction that Sigurd didn't only say it because he wanted to bring up his bad experiences. He hinted at more. For sure.

They ordered and when their drinks were served Sigurd casually placed his hand on the table for Søren to reach out to and gently hold. Which he did of course. Søren told Sigurd about the upcoming events, how he needed to place well in this and that competition to gain points. He was without a nation's team so he had to earn his place as an individual for the Olympics. And there were more than enough European riders for the competition to be tough. Sigurd told him about some eccentric guests, his own events: Clinics, lessons, training and riding tours.

Their meal arrived and they had to let go of each other. Sigurd brushed with his middle and index finger over Søren's palm and fingers before retreating completely. Søren still felt a soft tingle in his hand as he focused on his dinner.

After they had tasted and commented on their meal they picked up conversation again, but Sigurd seemed to be distant. Søren could see it behind Sigurd's eyes. That was, until Sigurd suddenly said:
"I can't stop thinking about that Christmas event we were at which Tormund was."
Søren tilted his head slightly and nodded. Sigurd was here again with his mind.
"Yes, what about it?"
"It was a lot of fun, jumping like that. All the excitement, the height and the feeling of flying. Really flying. Not metaphorical like when you tölt or the small glimpses of it from my small obstacles at home."
"Yeah, that was pretty cool what we did there."
"I love my Fjords but big jumpers they are not." Sigurd smiled fondly but it faded much too quick. It created an awkward second in which neither said a word. Some people laughed in another corner of the restaurant. A piano was playing quietly through some hidden speakers and it had turned out that the flowers on their table were real and smelled amazing.

"You could buy a new horse to jump these heights?" Søren asked suddenly excited at his brilliant but obvious idea. Maybe he could invite Sigurd to his place. A lot of amazing horses all around the region and he, Sigurd and Edvard could spend some quality time together again… He was so deep in his fantasy of the possibilities that he almost missed what Sigurd said under his breath.
"Wasted potential."
"What?"
"It's not that important for me, as long as I don't participate in competitions anymore. And I swore to myself to never do that again."
"Which is totally understandable. But just think about it. You could surely get one of the mistreated horses which lets no one ride it anymore for little money, cure it with your mountain wizard magic and then jump as high as you want to."
That let Sigurd shake his head chuckling, and they returned to other topics.

They finished their meal eventually, Sigurd payed the bill and led Søren out and to the harbour of Bergen. They walked closely together, hands interlaced, shoulders bumping against each other and the wine elevated their chuckles and small laughter. They weren't the only ones still out, by far not the only couple taking a walk and admiring the yellow, blue, red and white lights being reflected in the black water. Small waves sploshed against the trunks of the boats and the rigging creaked barely audibly. From time to time they could hear muffled music of various genres.

"You want to get a drink?" Sigurd asked as they left the harbour again, their asses cold from sitting on a bench, kissing, watching people and just leaning on each other, Søren's arm around Sigurd's waist, Sigurd's hand on Søren's thigh. Søren looked at his boyfriend, at his golden halo hair as they passed a yellow sign and suddenly he had the truth on his lips. How could he be so stupid to keep Alexander a secret? Sigurd would find out sooner or later anyways.

"Søren?"
Søren stood still and he felt his heart beat, his blood pulsing and his chest tighten in uncertainty. What would happen if he told Sigurd? It wasn't that bad of a secret but Alexander now lived the life that was promised to Sigurd. He only wanted happiness for him and this truth certainly was not part of that.

"Søren, what's wrong?" Sigurd asked and squeezed his hand. Søren shook his head and smiled sheepishly.
"Nothing. I just had a flashback." He started to walk again and feigned sudden interest in the naked trees in the street.
"Was it a bad one?" Sigurd asked, concern lingering in his voice.
"No, not really, I guess," Søren said. "What were you asking before?"
"If you wanted to have a drink…" Sigurd repeated and the frown didn't leave his face. "Come on. I want to hear about that flash back at the bar."

Søren didn't have time to protest, as the bar was just a few metres up front and more of a pub anyways. Rock music was playing, the seats were low and comfortable, and the stools at the bar were cushioned as well. In a corner was a billiard table, people were talking and laughing loudly over the music. Sigurd ordered two beers and brought them to Søren who had found a place far in the back, near the toilets.

"So what's the deal?" Sigurd asked when they were settled in and have already tested the drink. Søren looked down and bit on his lower lip. Should he? Shouldn't he? What would Edvard say? What would Sigurd say once he found out? He didn't want to ruin this wonderful evening by mentioning a certain name.

"You know you can tell me everything," Sigurd said and leaned in closely to not miss a word.
"I know," Søren said. "But what if it won't affect you directly but still might make you angry or sad?"
Sigurd furrowed his brows and looked down at his glass as well. "Difficult."
"I know," Søren managed to chuckle before he sighed. "I don't want to ruin this evening, you know?"
"If you don't tell me now, you will ruin another evening."
Søren looked into those blue eyes crowned with blonde lashes. Deep down he knew he couldn't and shouldn't keep it a secret. He was different than Alexander. Sigurd didn't need protection.

"Alright," Søren sighed, took a deep swig from his beer and licked his lips. "I've met Alexander."
"Oh?" Sigurd tilted his head and his expression immediately was on guard.
"He switched over to show jumping and is now in the German National team. They visited for that horsemanship clinic I told you about."
Sigurd only nodded courtly.
"And I-" Søren groaned an lowered his head. He tousled his hair at the back of his head. "Edvard didn't know that I didn't know and I shook his hand an even thought he looked sympathetic and-"
"I know," Sigurd said dryly. "He has that effect on people."
"I managed to keep calm but he confronted me the last evening in the bathroom."
"And you hit him? Was he that person?"
"Yes," Søren said miserably. "I am so sorry I didn't tell you sooner but Edvard and I agreed that we shouldn't bring up old demons and-"
Sigurd interrupted him by laying his hands on Søren's cheeks, pulling his head up and kissing him.

"For hitting Alexander," he whispered before pinching him in his cheek. "For not being honest the first time." Søren was too stunned to say anything as Sigurd whispered: "For telling me now and being an absolute sweetheart." Sigurd pulled him into the second kiss. His hand traveled up to run through his messy hair. He tilted his head ever so slightly to deepen the kiss.

Søren eventually woke up from his stupor and placed his hand on Sigurd's neck, answering him with as much passion. A shiver travelled up his spine when Sigurd let his other hand travel down his chest, lower, lower, lower until it was on his hip crease. He didn't want to end the kiss by asking if Sigurd knew how much he turned him on until the realisation clicked in his head.

"I want you," Sigurd murmured with a hoarse voice Søren had barely ever heard on his lips, when they parted to catch some air.
"Are you sure, you're ready?" Søren asked, stroking with his thumb over Sigurd's nape, brushing over the short and soft hair.
"We'll have to try it out," Sigurd said with his darkened eyes set on him. Søren now sat on a chair of hot coals. He took Sigurd by the hands and pulled him up.
"Good we have all the time we want," Søren smirked and this time their hands weren't interlaced as they walked through the streets, but sneaked around a waist or placed on other sneaky places.