Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 25: "Shadows in the Sunlight

The village stirred to life beneath the golden morning light. A soft breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and distant cooking fires, rustling through the trees that lined the narrow dirt path. The rooftops gleamed under the sun's gentle warmth, casting long, dappled shadows across the ground. Billy and Jay walked side by side, their steps unhurried, moving through the familiar rhythm of the waking village.

But Billy barely noticed any of it.

Not when his mind kept drifting back.

Not when the weight of that look still clung to him.

He had seen Artur annoyed before. He had seen him grumble, roll his eyes, and even snap when things didn't go his way. "But this... This was different. It clung to him like the weight of damp clothes, heavy and unshakable."

And for some reason, it made Billy's stomach feel tight.

"Hey."

Jay's voice pulled him back. Billy blinked, realizing he had been staring at the ground for too long.

Jay tilted his head, smirking. "Where'd you go just now?"

Billy shook his head, but the motion was slower this time. His fingers curled slightly at his sides before he forced them to relax.

"Nowhere," he said, trying to make it sound easy. "Just thinking."

"Thinking, huh?" Jay nudged him lightly with his shoulder. "I didn't take you for the brooding type."

Billy scoffed. "I don't brood."

Jay chuckled. "Sure, whatever you say."

They continued walking, and soon, the tension eased. Jay had that effect—his presence was easy, his energy light. It wasn't long before Billy found himself laughing at some ridiculous story Jay was telling about a childhood prank gone wrong.

And for a while, he let himself relax.

But someone didn't.

From across the distance, out of sight but not out of reach—Artur watched.

And with every sound of Billy's laughter, something inside him twisted tighter.

The shovel he had been gripping? His fingers clenched around it.

The tension in his shoulders? It refused to ease.

And that restless feeling in his heart.

Billy and Jay walked side by side, their steps unhurried as they made their way deeper into the heart of the village. The sun hung high, casting long shadows over the uneven stone pathways. The air smelled faintly of baking bread and fresh-cut hay, a comforting mix of the familiar and the unknown.

Jay gestured ahead with a casual wave. "That old well over there? It's been here longer than anyone can remember."

Billy followed his gaze to a circular stone structure nestled between two houses. Moss clung to the edges, creeping over the worn surface like nature reclaiming its own. A wooden bucket sat beside it, its rope frayed from years of use.

Jay grinned. "There's a story that says if you whisper a wish into the well at midnight, the village spirits might just grant it."

Billy raised a brow. "And you believe that?"

Jay shrugged, leaning against the well with a smirk. "Not really. But when I was a kid, I used to sneak out and try it anyway."

Billy chuckled, shaking his head. "Did it ever work?"

"Once," Jay said, grinning wider. "I wished for an extra serving of festival sweets, and the next day, my grandma gave me two."

Billy huffed a laugh. "Sounds more like your grandma granting wishes than any spirits."

Jay pushed off the well, motioning for Billy to follow. "Come on, there's more to see."

They wandered further until the narrow paths opened into a bustling market square. Stalls lined the area, their colorful awnings fluttering in the gentle breeze. The scent of roasting meat and sweet pastries filled the air, mingling with the sound of vendors calling out their goods.

Jay pointed to a stall where an elderly woman was carefully stacking golden-brown pastries onto a tray. "That's Mrs. Elna. She makes the best honey cakes for the festival. People come early just to get a batch before they sell out."

Billy watched as a child tugged at his mother's sleeve, pointing excitedly at the tray of sweets. The mother laughed, handing over a few coins before the child eagerly took a warm pastry, biting into it with a delighted hum.

Billy smiled. "Looks like you're not the only one who thinks so."

Jay nudged him lightly. "You'll try one later. Trust me, you won't regret it."

They continued walking, weaving through the square until Jay led them toward a small dirt path lined with tall grass. The air felt different here—quieter, more open.

Jay motioned ahead. "This is the shortcut to the fields. Not many outsiders know about it."

Billy glanced around, taking in the way the path curved gently between the swaying grass, the golden tips brushing against his hands as he walked. The land stretched wide beyond, opening into rolling fields that shimmered under the midday sun. The golden stalks of grain rustled in the breeze, their soft whispering the only sound breaking the quiet. A distant tree line marked the edge of the village, standing tall like silent watchers over the fields.

Billy let out a slow breath, feeling the vastness of the place settle into him. It was different from the lively market or the winding village paths—quieter, almost untouched.

Jay walked ahead, kicking a loose pebble along the path. "This is the spot where we used to race as kids."

Billy tilted his head. "Race?"

"Yeah," Jay said, his grin widening as he turned back. "We'd start from the other side of the hill, and the first one to reach the old fence at the end of the path won."

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Billy glanced at the stretch of open land before them. "And let me guess—you always won?"

Jay laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Not always. Artur used to win, actually. He was faster than all of us."

Billy blinked, surprised. "Artur?"

Jay nodded. "He doesn't seem like the type now, does he? But back then, he was different. More... carefree."

Billy fell silent at that. He tried to picture it—Artur laughing, running through these fields with the same ease Jay carried now. But the Artur he knew wasn't like that. He was sharp-edged, steady, always holding something back.

Jay's voice pulled him back. "You ever race before?"

Billy hesitated, the question stirring something just out of reach. A flicker of movement, a sound, maybe even a feeling—but before he could grasp it, it slipped away.

"I don't know," he admitted finally. "Maybe."

Jay didn't push, just nudged his arm playfully. "Well, if you ever feel like testing your speed, this is the place."

Billy smirked. "And if I beat you?"

Jay grinned. "Then I'll buy you as many festival sweets as you can eat."

Billy chuckled, shaking his head. "Tempting."

They kept walking, the path curving gently as the fields stretched endlessly before them.

The midday sun bore down on the fields, and Artur wiped the back of his hand across his forehead, barely noticing the sweat clinging to his skin. The tools felt heavier in his grip today, the work dragging longer than it should.

He was distracted.

Mr. Dand, standing a few feet away, noticed. He leaned against the wooden frame of the half-built structure, watching his son with quiet scrutiny. Artur had always been dependable, steady—but today, something was off. His movements were sluggish, his focus elsewhere.

Mr. Dand didn't push, but he saw it clearly. Artur didn't want to be here.

After a long pause, he let out a sigh and gestured toward the road. "Go on."

Artur, who had just been readjusting his grip on the hammer, froze. "What?"

Mr. Dand arched a brow. "Whatever's got your mind tangled up today, it's not this work. No use forcing yourself."

Artur clenched his jaw, hesitating. He wasn't about to admit what was bothering him—not out loud. But the tightness in his chest had been growing all morning, and now, with the chance to leave, his feet itched to move.

"...I'll be back," he muttered.

Mr. Dand huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as Artur strode off without looking back.

Artur made his way through the village, scanning the streets, his sharp eyes flickering over every passing face. His pace was brisk, restless, like he was chasing something he couldn't quite name.

Artur stopped near the marketplace, his gaze sharp as it swept over the crowd. His voice came out tighter than he intended. "Jay and Billy—where?"

An older man glanced up, rubbing his chin. "Ah... they passed through earlier. Took the road to the fields, I think."

The fields.

Artur's pulse jumped. Without another word, he turned on his heel. His feet moved before his thoughts could catch up.

Artur nodded, barely thanking him before setting off again.

"A restless energy surged beneath his skin, each step quicker, sharper—like he was chasing something just out of reach."

The fields.

It had been years since he'd last gone there, but he knew the place well. The image of Billy standing there with Jay—it didn't sit right.

He moved faster.

"The wind met him first—warm, steady, a quiet murmur through the tall grass. But something felt off. His chest tightened before his mind could name why."

No voices. No laughter.

Just the empty stretch of golden fields.

They were gone.

Artur stood still, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

Gone.

His eyes swept the empty field, searching for any sign of them, but the land stretched wide and undisturbed. The breeze carried the distant sound of the village behind him, but here, it was silent. Just him, the open sky, and the nagging feeling crawling beneath his skin.

His hands curled into fists.

How long had they been here? What had they been talking about?

His jaw tightened, a dull ache settling at the back of his teeth. He could still hear it—the echo of Billy's laughter, light and unguarded, slipping through the wind like it belonged there. Not with him. Not with Jay. His grip tightened at his sides.

Artur exhaled sharply and turned on his heel, heading back toward the village with quick, purposeful strides.

He needed to find them.

The village roads were busier now, midday routines filling the streets with movement. Artur passed familiar faces, voices blending into a hum of background noise. He barely noticed.

Then, he heard it.

Laughter.

It was faint, but distinct, weaving through the air from somewhere nearby.

Billy.

Artur's steps slowed, his head turning instinctively toward the sound.

And there they were.

Near one of the smaller vendor stalls, Billy stood with Jay, a slight tilt to his head, eyes bright with amusement. Jay leaned in slightly, gesturing as he spoke, and whatever he said had Billy laughing again—relaxed, unguarded.

Something twisted deep in Artur's stomach.

It wasn't the first time he had seen Billy smile.

But something about it—right now, with Jay—felt different.

It wasn't just the laughter. It was the way Billy looked at him, like he was comfortable, at ease. Like Jay had effortlessly slipped into the space Artur had barely realized he had been guarding so fiercely.

Artur clenched his teeth.

He should walk away.

He knew that.

Instead, he took a step forward.

Artur's boots pressed against the uneven ground, the sound drowned out by the soft murmur of village chatter. He moved without thinking, each step drawn forward by something he couldn't name—something he didn't want to name.

Billy and Jay hadn't noticed him yet.

Jay was speaking again, his voice light, teasing. Billy shook his head at something, a half-smile lingering on his lips, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

The sight alone sent an unexplainable heat curling in Artur's chest.

He had seen Billy smile before. Had watched as his lips curved into something small and quiet when he was lost in thought. Had caught those fleeting moments when amusement flickered across his face.

But this—this was different.

It was open. Unrestrained.

Artur's steps slowed.

That smile—he had seen it before, but not like this. Not so freely given.

And Jay was the reason for it.

The realization coiled tight inside him, something unspoken twisting in his gut.

Artur stopped a few paces away, fingers curling at his sides. His posture was stiff, tense, but he didn't step back.

Billy's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Alright, alright, I get it—you won't let me live it down," Billy said, rolling his eyes playfully.

Jay grinned. "Not a chance."

Billy let out a small, exasperated laugh, shaking his head. The movement was easy, natural.

And Artur hated it.

His fingers twitched.

It wasn't just the way Billy was smiling. It was the way Jay was looking at him—like he belonged there beside him, like he was someone Billy could lean into without hesitation.

The realization sat heavy in Artur's chest, pressing against something he didn't know how to handle.

Then, as if sensing something, Billy turned.

His gaze met Artur's.

For a second, everything stilled.

Billy's expression shifted—just slightly, barely noticeable. Surprise flickered across his face, but there was something else too. A softness, a quiet recognition.

Artur swallowed, his throat dry.

He should say something.

Should close the space between them, reclaim the ground that suddenly felt like it was slipping away.

But before he could move, Jay followed Billy's gaze and spotted him.

"Oh," Jay said, his grin widening just a little. "Look who finally decided to join us."

Billy glanced between them, his amusement dimming just slightly at the way Artur stood—still tense, still unmoving.

Artur inhaled slowly, steadying himself.

Artur said nothing.

He simply stepped forward, closing the space between them, the weight in his chest pressing tighter with every second.

Billy's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he looked away, shifting his stance slightly.

Jay, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. If anything, he looked amused, as if he had been waiting for this.

The conversation picked up again, but Artur barely processed it.

His mind was elsewhere—caught in the tightening pull of something he couldn't name.

Something that had nothing to do with words.

The afternoon air was warm, the scent of dry earth and sunlit grass settling between them. Their conversation flowed easily—at least between Billy and Jay. Artur remained quiet, walking beside them, his presence solid but unreadable.

Jay was talking about something—another story from their childhood, something about a festival prank that had gone wrong. Billy chuckled, shaking his head.

"Seriously?" Billy said, amusement lacing his tone. "You actually climbed onto the festival stage just to steal a whole tray of sweets?"

Jay grinned, shrugging. "Not just me. Artur was in on it too."

Billy's brows lifted, glancing at Artur. "You?"

Artur didn't respond immediately. His gaze remained ahead, his expression impassive.

Jay, however, let out a laugh. "Oh, don't let him fool you. He might act all serious now, but back then, he was the mastermind."

Billy's eyes lingered on Artur for a second longer before shaking his head with a small smirk. "I can't imagine it."

Jay leaned in slightly, as if sharing some great secret. "Oh, he was wild back then. If you ever—"

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Billy frowned. "What?"

Jay tilted his head slightly. "You've got something—" He gestured toward Billy's hair, stepping closer. "Hold still."

Billy stilled as Jay reached up, his fingers lightly brushing against his hair, searching for whatever had caught his attention.

It was a small, natural moment. A casual, fleeting gesture.

But to Artur, it was anything but.

The moment Jay's hand lifted toward Billy's face, something inside Artur snapped—quick and instinctive, like a tightly coiled spring breaking loose.

Before he even registered the movement, his hand shot out, fingers wrapping firmly around Jay's wrist.

The grip wasn't forceful, but it was firm. Unmistakable.

Jay blinked, surprised.

Billy's breath hitched slightly, his gaze darting toward Artur.

For a moment, silence fell between them.

The air between them grew heavier, thick with something unspoken.

Artur didn't say a word. He just stood there, his hand still wrapped around Jay's wrist, his jaw locked tight.

Jay's expression flickered—surprise, then something else. Amusement.

A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips as his gaze slid from Artur's grip to his face.

"Well, well..." Jay murmured, tilting his head slightly. "What's this?"

Billy swallowed, his gaze flickering between them.

Artur's fingers tightened for the briefest second before he exhaled sharply through his nose, releasing Jay's wrist as if burned.

Jay didn't move away immediately. He held Artur's gaze, the corners of his lips twitching like he was holding back a laugh.

Billy, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uh..." Billy cleared his throat, trying to cut through the thick tension lingering in the air. "Did you find it?"

Jay hummed, glancing at Billy before casually dusting his fingers through his hair one last time—this time without touching him. "Gone now."

Artur clenched his fists at his sides, his expression unreadable.

Jay merely chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly.

"Well," Jay said, voice laced with teasing, "this just got interesting."

The weight of the moment didn't pass as quickly as it should have. It lingered, stretching between them like an invisible thread pulled too tight.

Billy shifted his stance, glancing at Artur, then at Jay, who still wore that infuriatingly amused smirk.

Artur, on the other hand, was rigid—his expression controlled but his body betraying the tension coiling beneath the surface. His jaw was tight, his fingers curling and uncurling at his sides.

Billy exhaled softly, deciding to brush it off.

"Alright, then," he muttered, running a hand through his hair as if to make sure there really was nothing there. "Guess I should thank you."

Jay let out a low chuckle. "No problem. Though I gotta say..." He tilted his head, eyes glinting with mischief as he glanced at Artur. "Didn't think I'd get such a strong reaction from you, Artur."

Billy frowned slightly at the shift in Jay's tone. It wasn't just teasing—it was a deliberate prod.

Artur didn't take the bait. He simply turned on his heel and walked a few paces ahead, his steps heavier than before.

Billy watched him go, something stirring in his chest—something that made him want to reach out, to ask, but he hesitated.

Jay, however, had no such hesitation.

"Touchy, aren't we?" Jay mused, his voice lower now, meant only for Billy.

Billy glanced at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jay only smiled. "Nothing." But the way he said it made it clear—he knew exactly what he was doing.

Billy sighed, rubbing his temple. "You really like pushing buttons, don't you?"

Jay grinned. "Only when the reaction's worth it."

Billy shot him a look, but Jay only chuckled, falling back into step beside him.

Ahead of them, Artur kept walking, his pace steady, but Billy could tell—he wasn't just walking. He was putting distance between them.

And for some reason, that didn't sit right with him.

The rest of the walk back was quieter. The easy flow of conversation had thinned, replaced by something heavier. Jay still threw in a few comments here and there, but even he seemed to recognize the shift in atmosphere.

By the time they reached the heart of the village again, the tension hadn't faded. If anything, it had settled deeper, as if it had found a place to stay.

Artur finally stopped near a shaded corner, crossing his arms. "Are you done?" His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it.

Jay stretched his arms behind his head. "I could show him more, but I wouldn't want to take up too much of his time."

Billy sighed, rolling his shoulders. "It was a nice walk. Thanks for showing me around."

Jay winked. "Anytime."

Artur exhaled through his nose, his fingers digging into his arms. He didn't say a word, but his silence spoke volumes.

Billy glanced between them again, his chest tightening slightly at the way Artur wouldn't look at him.

Jay, of course, noticed.

"Well, I'll leave you two to... whatever this is." He flashed a lazy grin before turning away, his voice light but his eyes sharp. "See you around, Billy."

Billy watched as Jay strolled off, feeling an odd mix of relief and frustration.

The silence stretched between him and Artur.

Billy shifted his weight. "Artur, I—"

Artur turned away. "Let's go home."

Billy hesitated, but nodded.

As they walked side by side, the air between them felt different now.

He didn't know why, but he felt like something had changed. And he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.