Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 37: “A Walk Through the Village –A Day Without Work”

37

The afternoon stretched lazily around them as they strolled through the village, the sun dipping just slightly toward the horizon. The air was crisp but warm, carrying the scent of earth and distant cooking fires.

Billy walked ahead slightly, his hands in his pockets, pretending to be uninterested. Artur, however, wasn't fooled. He smirked, watching Billy's every reaction, every glance.

"Still sulking?" Artur teased, nudging Billy's shoulder.

Billy scoffed. "I told you, I wasn't sulking."

"Right, right," Artur said, dragging out the words, clearly not convinced. "Then why were you pouting?"

Billy stopped walking and turned to face him. "I was not pouting!"

Artur grinned, stepping closer. "If you say so, jealousy boy."

Billy groaned, dramatically rolling his eyes. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," Artur shot back.

Billy sighed but didn't argue. Instead, he grabbed Artur's wrist and tugged him forward. "Come on, let's just walk."

Artur followed without resistance, his smirk lingering.

The village pulsed with its everyday rhythm—an old woman sitting by her doorstep weaving baskets, children running past with sticks and makeshift toys, a farmer leading his ox down the road.

Billy stole a glance at Artur. "So... you and her really used to play husband and wife?"

Artur chuckled. "Oh, so now you do want to talk about it?"

Billy huffed. "Just curious."

Artur shrugged. "Yeah, when we were kids. It was just pretend."

Billy hummed, looking ahead. "And now?"

Artur tilted his head. "Now what?"

Billy didn't answer right away. His fingers lightly traced the hem of his sleeve. "Do you... ever think about it? I mean, if things had gone differently, would you—"

"Not even for a second," Artur interrupted, firm but amused.

Billy looked at him. "That fast?"

Artur smiled. "Billy, I barely even remember what she looks like. It was just childhood stuff. You, on the other hand..."

Billy felt his stomach flip. "What?"

Artur gave him a lopsided grin. "You've got my full attention, jealousy boy."

Billy groaned again. "Stop calling me that!"

Artur laughed, then suddenly grabbed Billy's hand, interlacing their fingers as they continued walking.

Billy glanced down at their joined hands, then back up at Artur. "Ridiculous," he muttered, but didn't pull away.

Artur squeezed his hand lightly. "And you love it."

Billy sighed, shaking his head, but a smile tugged at his lips. Maybe, just maybe, Artur was right.

As they walked further into the village, Billy noticed a small shaded area near an old shop. A wooden bench sat beside a fruit stand, where an elderly woman arranged fresh apples and pears into neat piles.

Billy slowed his pace, glancing at the spot. "Let's sit for a bit," he said.

Artur followed his gaze and shrugged. "Alright."

They sat down, the air warm and laced with the sweet scent of fruit. Artur leaned back against the bench, stretching his legs out. Billy, on the other hand, sat upright, hands resting on his lap.

A moment of comfortable silence passed before Billy glanced at Artur. "You haven't mentioned work today."

Artur turned his head slightly, as if the question caught him off guard. "Huh?"

Billy tilted his head. "That's not like you. Normally, you'd be dragging me off to do something by now."

Artur smirked. "What, you miss working already?"

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Billy rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant." He kicked a small pebble ahead of them, pretending not to smile.

Artur let out a small chuckle. "I just figured we could take it easy today."

Billy narrowed his eyes at him. "You? Taking it easy?"

Artur exhaled, tilting his head back to look at the sky. "I don't know. Maybe I just wanted to spend time with you without worrying about anything else."

Billy blinked, the warmth of those words spreading before he could think. A strange hush filled his chest—half surprise, half something softer.

He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh."

Artur turned to him with a teasing grin. "What's with that face?"

Billy frowned. "What face?"

Artur leaned in slightly. "Like I just said something shocking."

Billy scoffed. "It is shocking. The Artur I know doesn't take breaks."

Artur laughed. "Guess you bring out a different side of me, huh?"

Billy stared at him for a moment before shaking his head with a small smile. "You're ridiculous."

"And you love it," Artur replied smoothly.

Billy groaned. "I really regret ever letting you say that."

Artur chuckled, leaning back against the bench again, their shoulders barely touching.

The village continued its slow rhythm around them—shopkeepers chatting, people passing by, children laughing in the distance. But in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them, sitting side by side, lost in their own world.

As they sat in their quiet bubble, a small voice piped up from nearby.

"Artur!"

Both Billy and Artur turned their heads to see a little boy, no older than six, running toward them with an excited grin. His round cheeks were flushed from the heat, his messy dark hair sticking out in different directions.

Artur smirked. "Hey, troublemaker."

The boy skidded to a stop in front of them, panting slightly. "I knew it was you! Mama said I could play outside for a little bit, and I saw you sitting here!"

Billy glanced between them, amused. Artur didn't seem the type to be friendly with kids, yet the little boy clearly adored him.

Artur leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "And what are you doing, running around alone?"

The boy puffed out his chest. "I'm not alone! Grandpa's right over there!" He pointed toward a man a few stalls away, watching them with a knowing smile.

"Uh-huh," Artur said, clearly unconvinced. "And does Grandpa know you just sprinted away from him?"

The boy giggled. "He doesn't mind."

Artur rolled his eyes, then ruffled the boy's hair. "What do you want, huh?"

The boy grinned mischievously. "Are you and Billy married?"

Billy choked on air. "What?!"

Artur burst into laughter while Billy gaped at the kid.

The little boy rocked on his heels, completely unbothered by Billy's reaction. "Mama said when two people like each other, they get married. But you both like each other, so does that mean you're married too?"

Artur was still laughing, clearly enjoying this way too much. Billy, on the other hand, could feel the heat creeping up his neck.

"We're not married," Billy muttered, crossing his arms.

The little boy squinted at them. "But you should be!"

Billy groaned. "You are way too young to be asking these kinds of questions."

Artur wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. "Maybe someday, huh?" He glanced sideways at Billy, smirking.

Billy shot him a look. "Don't encourage him."

Before the boy could press the topic further, another voice interrupted.

"There you are, you little rascal."

A young man, probably in his early twenties, approached them. He had a lean build, light brown hair pulled back in a loose tie, and sharp, playful eyes. He was dressed in simple but well-kept clothes, sleeves rolled up as if he had just finished some work.

"You ran off so fast I barely saw where you went," the young man said, placing a hand on the boy's head.

The boy grinned up at him. "I was talking to Artur and Billy!"

The young man finally looked at Billy and smiled. "Ah, so you're Billy. I've been hearing about you."

Billy raised an eyebrow. "You have?"

Artur scoffed. "Don't believe anything he says."

The young man smirked. "I make no promises."

Billy watched as the two exchanged playful insults, realizing quickly that this must be an old friend of Artur's.

"You going to introduce us?" Billy asked, glancing at Artur.

Artur rolled his eyes. "Billy, meet Ryan. Ryan, Billy."

Ryan nodded with a knowing smile. "It's nice to finally meet you. Artur talks about you a lot."

Billy blinked, then turned to Artur, who suddenly looked less smug.

"Oh, does he?" Billy asked slowly, a smirk forming.

Ryan laughed. "Oh, yeah. More than he realizes."

Artur groaned, rubbing his temples. "Great. Just what I need."

Billy nudged him playfully. "Don't be shy now."

Ryan chuckled. "I like you already, Billy."

The little boy tugged on Ryan's sleeve. "Can we go now?"

Ryan ruffled the boy's hair. "Yeah, yeah, let's go." He turned back to Artur and Billy. "I'll see you two around. Try not to get married without inviting me, alright?"

Billy groaned, and Artur just laughed again.

As Ryan and the boy walked away, Billy sighed. "I don't know if I should be embarrassed or—"

"Flattered," Artur cut in. "Definitely flattered."

Billy shook his head, but he couldn't help smiling.

Billy exhaled, shaking his head as he watched Ryan and the little boy disappear into the crowd. "You really know some interesting people."

Artur chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head. "What can I say? I'm a popular guy."

Billy rolled his eyes. "Oh, sure. The little kids want you married off, and your friends gossip about you. Very popular."

"Jealous again?" Artur teased.

"Of Ryan? No. The kid? Maybe."

Artur blinked. "Wait—what?"

Billy crossed his arms, tilting his head. "I mean, he got to ask all the big questions, got you laughing, and walked away satisfied. Meanwhile, I barely got an answer when I asked you about work today."

Artur smirked. "You're unbelievable."

Billy shrugged, his lips twitching. "I learn from the best."

Artur shook his head with a chuckle, then suddenly grabbed Billy's wrist, pulling him along.

Billy raised an eyebrow. "Where are we going?"

"Home," Artur said casually.

Billy arched an eyebrow. "Oh? So now you decide to go back?"

Artur grinned, not slowing down. "Yeah. Figured we should leave before more people start proposing marriage for us in the middle of the street."

Billy snorted. "That would be tragic."

They walked side by side through the streets, the village still buzzing with activity. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, and the air smelled of fresh bread, drying herbs, and the faintest hint of rain in the distance.

Billy glanced at Artur. "So, you really didn't have work today?"

Artur shrugged. "Not exactly. Just had a feeling I should spend the day differently."

Billy hummed. "A feeling, huh?"

Artur glanced at him, a small, unreadable smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah," Artur said quietly, their hands brushing again as they walked. "And I was right."

Billy didn't reply. But the silence between them felt whole.

Billy's heart skipped a beat, but he masked it with a teasing grin. "If you're trying to be smooth, I'll have you know it's working."

Artur laughed. "Good. I'd hate to waste my talent."

They finally reached the house, stepping onto the wooden porch.

Billy sighed dramatically. "Back to reality, huh?"

Artur leaned against the doorframe, watching him with an amused look. "What, did you expect us to elope instead?"

Billy smirked, stepping inside. "Give me a few more proposals and I might just consider it."

Artur laughed, shaking his head as he followed Billy in.

As they stepped inside, the familiar scent of home greeted them—woodsmoke, the lingering aroma of morning tea, and the faint scent of fresh herbs hanging near the window. The house was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards beneath their feet.

Billy stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Feels like we've been out all day."

Artur shut the door behind them. "You tired?"

Billy scoffed. "Not really. Just... full."

Artur quirked an eyebrow. "Full? You barely ate lunch."

Billy smirked. "Full of listening to all your childhood marriage arrangements."

Artur groaned, running a hand down his face. "You're not gonna let that go, are you?"

Billy tapped his chin, pretending to think. "Hmm. Maybe if you make me something nice to eat, I'll forget."

Artur crossed his arms, grinning. "Oh? So now I have to cook for you?"

Billy shrugged. "Well, since you're such a talented chef these days..."

Artur sighed dramatically. "Alright, fine. But if I cook, you're helping."

Billy held up his hands. "I take it back. I want something edible."

Artur flicked his forehead lightly. "Too late."

Billy laughed, rubbing the spot where Artur had tapped him. "Fine, fine. I'll help."