Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 32: "Under the Same Moonlight"

The path home was bathed in soft moonlight, the silvery glow casting long shadows along the trail. The air had cooled, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, yet there was a warmth between them—quiet but steady.

Billy walked at an easy pace, hands tucked into his pockets. Artur strolled beside him, his steps unhurried, like he wasn't quite ready to reach home just yet.

For a while, neither of them spoke. It wasn't silence exactly, just a quiet understanding that neither wanted to break too soon.

But, of course, Artur couldn't resist.

"You're more relaxed now," he said, his voice low and teasing as he stole a glance at Billy. "Let me guess—it's because no one else is watching?"

Billy let out a soft huff, shaking his head. "You just have to say something, don't you?"

Artur chuckled. "I like seeing you flustered."

Billy shot him a sideways glance, a pointed look, but the corner of his lips twitched—like he was holding back a smile.

They kept walking, the occasional crunch of leaves beneath their boots filling the air. Then, as if on impulse, Billy nudged Artur's arm with his elbow, a light, almost playful push.

Artur blinked.

Billy kept walking, gaze forward, like nothing had happened. But the tension in his jaw, the slight curl of his fingers—it was all there.

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at free𝑤ebnovel.com Only.

But the way his fingers curled slightly in his pockets, the way his ears barely tinged red under the moonlight—it was there.

Artur smirked. "Was that supposed to be cute?"

Billy groaned. "Oh, shut up."

Artur laughed, the sound low and genuine. And without thinking, he reached out—just a simple motion, brushing the back of his fingers lightly against Billy's hand before slipping his own back into his pocket.

Billy felt it.

He didn't react right away. But a moment later, as they walked, his hand drifted—just slightly—closer to Artur's.

Not touching.

Not quite.

But close enough.

They didn't talk after that.

There was no need to.

Just the steady rhythm of their steps, the rustle of the trees, and the weight of something new settling between them.

And when the familiar outline of the house finally came into view, Artur exhaled softly—almost disappointed.

Billy glanced up at him. "What?"

Artur shook his head, a lazy smirk curling at his lips. "Nothing. Just thinking."

Billy raised a brow. "Thinking what?"

Artur met his gaze, eyes glinting under the moonlight.

"...That maybe I don't want this walk to end just yet."

Billy's breath hitched.

For a moment, he just stood there, staring at Artur like he didn't know what to say. Then, quietly—softly—he murmured, "Me neither."

And neither of them moved.

Not yet.

Not quite.

Just standing there, in the quiet, letting the night linger a little longer.

The moment they stepped inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the cool night air. The soft glow of the lanterns flickered along the wooden walls, casting gentle shadows.

Billy glanced around. The house was quiet—too quiet. Mr. Dand had likely turned in for the night. The realization sent a small, unspoken awareness between them.

Artur kicked off his boots, stretching his arms above his head with a lazy smirk. "Well, look at that. We made it home."

Billy huffed, shaking his head as he shrugged out of his jacket. "That was the goal, wasn't it?"

Artur tilted his head, watching him. "Mm. Not sure. Kinda liked being out there with you."

Billy paused. Just for a second.

Then, without looking at Artur, he muttered, "You talk too much."

Artur chuckled, stepping closer. "And you don't talk enough."

Billy turned, a retort on his tongue—then froze. Artur was right there, close enough to feel the warmth between them shift.

He could see the way the lamplight softened the angles of Artur's face, the teasing curve of his lips, the heat lingering behind his gaze.

Billy felt it—that quiet pull, the shift from teasing into something that trembled just beneath the surface. Not quite spoken. Not yet.

His pulse kicked up.

And suddenly, every inch between them felt too loud—Artur's gaze, the heat in his breath, the fragile stillness before something inevitable.

So he did the only thing he could think of.

He turned away. "I—I should go to bed."

Artur chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "Sure, Billy."

Billy didn't wait for more teasing. He just mumbled a quick "Goodnight" and practically fled toward his room.

Artur watched him go, his smirk softening into something more thoughtful.

He didn't say it out loud.

But deep down, he knew—this was only the beginning.

The house was quiet, save for the faint creak of the wooden walls settling in the cool night air. Inside his room, Billy lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, arms folded behind his head.

He had changed into his nightclothes, the fabric soft against his skin, but sleep refused to come. His thoughts kept circling back—to the way Artur had looked at him, the way he had teased, the way he never seemed bothered by any of it.

Billy was bothered.

Not in a bad way.

Just... aware.

His stomach still fluttered at the memory of that walk back, the way their hands had hovered close, the warmth of Artur's touch when their fingers had barely brushed.

And that stupid smirk.

Billy groaned, rolling over and burying his face into his pillow. Why did he have to smile like that? So confident, so easygoing—like nothing had changed when everything had.

Because this wasn't just teasing anymore.

This was real.

Their first day of dating.

Billy felt his face warm at the thought. He had never expected this to be how their first date would go. A long day of work, quiet stolen moments, Artur throwing out casual lines like it was nothing.

And yet...

Billy exhaled, turning onto his back again, smiling.

It had been nice.

Meanwhile, in the next room, Artur was lying on his bed, hands tucked behind his head, staring up at the wooden ceiling with a lazy grin.

Billy had been adorable.

Shy. Trying so hard to act normal but failing miserably.

Artur smirked to himself. He had always imagined Billy would be flustered when they finally got together, but he never thought it would be this fun to watch. The way Billy had blushed at the word date—Artur chuckled under his breath, eyes glinting in the dim light of his room.

So that's all it takes, huh?

His mind replayed everything—the hesitant steps, the sideways glances, the way Billy had nudged him so casually but felt it afterward.

It was cute. Too cute.

And Artur liked it.

A lot.

He let out a deep sigh, grinning to himself.

This was only their first day of dating.

If Billy thought he had been teasing before...

Tomorrow was going to be even more fun.

With that thought, Artur finally closed his eyes, still smiling.

And in the next room, Billy was still very much awake, rolling over once again with a frustrated huff—because no matter how much he tried, he could still hear Artur's voice teasing him in his head.

Tomorrow was going to be a mess. And somehow, Billy already knew he'd love every second of it.