Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 59: Built Between Heartbeats

The late afternoon settled over the village like a warm breath, softening the air with golden light. Beyond the fields, the sky blushed with the first hints of sunset, and a slow, steady breeze danced through the trees, carrying with it the faint sound of laughter and distant conversations.

Artur and Billy stepped outside, the wooden floor of the porch creaking softly beneath their feet. Neither said much at first. They simply stood there, side by side, soaking in the peace that wrapped around them like an old, familiar blanket.

Billy, with an easy smile, let his head fall against Artur's shoulder, nestling there as if he belonged. His hand brushed lightly against Artur's, their fingers tangling without thought.

For a long moment, they said nothing — and in that silence, everything was said.

Artur tilted his head slightly, his voice low and warm. "You know... when I was younger," he began, eyes watching the horizon, "I used to think... maybe someday, I'd build a little place of my own. Right over there." He pointed toward a small rise just beyond the garden, where the land gently rolled up toward the sky.

Billy shifted a little to see where he was pointing, then looked back at him, smiling softly. "A little house?"

"Yeah," Artur chuckled under his breath, a little self-conscious. "Something simple. A place where it's always warm. Always home."

Billy's fingers squeezed his gently. "Sounds perfect," he murmured. "I'll help you build it... but only if you promise to let me design a huge kitchen."

Artur laughed — a real, genuine laugh that rumbled from deep in his chest. He turned slightly, brushing his nose against Billy's hair. "Why? So you can cook for me every day?"

Billy grinned against his shoulder. "No. So you can learn how not to burn water, frowny bear."

Artur pulled back just enough to catch his face, pretending to glare at him — but the fondness in his eyes betrayed him. "Careful," he warned playfully. "I might just trap you there forever."

Billy leaned in closer, eyes closing for a beat."Good,"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

They stayed like that for a while longer, the breeze tugging at their clothes, the sky growing deeper shades of orange and pink. Time seemed to slow down around them, the rest of the world fading into the background.

Billy lifted his face, brushing a soft kiss against Artur's jawline. Artur closed his eyes at the touch, his hand sliding up to cup the back of Billy's head gently.

The world spun gently on, and they spun with it — anchored to each other, steady in a world that never stopped moving.

As the air cooled slightly and the first stars blinked into existence overhead, Artur finally spoke, voice tender. "Come on, love. Let's head back inside."

Billy nodded, but before they moved, he stole one last kiss — slow and lingering, a silent promise of everything yet to come.

And then, hand in hand, they stepped back inside the little house that already felt like home.

Billy kicked the door shut with the heel of his foot without letting go of Artur's hand.

Artur glanced down at their still-clasped fingers, then back up at Billy with a small, teasing smile. "You planning to keep me prisoner like this all night?" he asked, voice soft with affection.

Billy grinned, mischievous. "Maybe." He tugged him toward the couch, their steps slow and lazy like they had all the time in the world.

Billy didn't let go of Artur's hand. Instead, he gave it a tug, eyes sparkling with something mischievous. "Come here," Billy said with a mischievous glint.

Artur chuckled, allowing himself to be pulled in. "You're not gonna let me sit properly, are you?"

"Nope," Billy grinned. Without warning, he grabbed Artur by the waist and guided him down — right onto his lap, making Artur stumble a little with a grunt of surprise.

"Oi!" Artur protested, half laughing as he ended up straddling Billy's legs awkwardly. "What are you doing, you lunatic?"

"Making myself comfortable," Billy said, wrapping his arms around Artur's back with a satisfied hum. "You're warmer than any blanket."

Artur gave a dry laugh but didn't move away. His hands naturally settled on Billy's shoulders, fingers curling lightly into his shirt. "You're unbelievable," he muttered, though there was a tiny smile tugging at his mouth.

"You love it," Billy shot back, smirking up at him.

Artur tilted his head in mock thought. "Hmm. Let me think... yeah, maybe a little," he said, his voice teasing.

Billy pretended to pout, sticking out his bottom lip. "Only a little? After all this effort to warm your cold heart?"

Artur leaned down, bumping their foreheads together gently. "You're an idiot," he whispered fondly. "My idiot."

Billy grinned wide. "That's better your idiot."

They stayed like that for a while, the quiet between them filled with soft breaths and the occasional nudge or squeeze. Billy's hands wandered lightly over Artur's back, tracing lazy circles through the fabric of his shirt, while Artur combed his fingers through Billy's hair in return.

"You're heavy," Billy finally teased, shifting under him a little.

Artur snorted. "You're the one who dragged me here. Suffer the consequences."

Billy tightened his arms playfully around Artur's waist. "Fine. I'll carry you forever if I have to."

Artur shook his head, amusement flashing in his eyes. "Big talk from someone who whines when he has to lift a basket of apples."

Billy gasped dramatically. "That's slander. And besides," he added, tapping Artur's side with his fingers, "you're worth the weight."

Artur's ears went a little pink at that, though he tried to play it off by leaning back slightly. "Careful, if you keep saying things like that, I might not want to move at all."

"Good," Billy said smugly, tightening his grip again like a human trap. "Stay right here."

Artur gave a slow, fake sigh. "I guess I have no choice," he said, draping his arms lazily around Billy's shoulders. "Trapped by a madman."

Billy grinned against his shoulder, feeling Artur's heartbeat steady and strong through the thin layers of clothes.

The lantern light painted them in gold and shadow, the world outside fading into nothing as they held each other, the evening spinning slowly around them.

And neither of them would have traded that moment for anything.

Billy shifted a little underneath Artur, resting his chin against Artur's chest with a soft, content hum. "You know," he murmured, tracing slow little patterns against Artur's back, "I could get used to this."

Artur tilted his head down slightly, looking at him through half-lidded eyes. "You already have," he said with a small, sleepy smile. "You're clingier than a barn cat."

Billy laughed under his breath, the sound vibrating against Artur's body. "Only because you're warm. And soft. And grumpy," he teased, poking Artur lightly in the side.

Artur caught his wrist lazily, holding it captive against his chest. "Keep talking," he murmured, "see what happens."

Billy smirked. "Is that a threat or a promise?"

Artur didn't answer—he just leaned his forehead against Billy's, closing his eyes for a moment as if savoring the closeness, the quiet, the steady rhythm of their breathing mingling in the stillness of the room.

Billy's smile softened, brushing his thumb gently over Artur's collarbone, feeling the heat of his skin beneath the fabric. He whispered, almost shyly, "I really like you like this... when you're all mine."

Artur's lips twitched into something tender, something only reserved for Billy. "I'm always yours," he said simply.

Billy opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say anything, Artur let out a wide, lazy yawn against his forehead.

Billy blinked, then grinned up at him. "Am I boring you already?"

Artur chuckled hoarsely. "Not you. Just the day," he murmured, voice low and warm with sleepiness. "It's been a long one."

Billy squeezed him gently. "Yeah... I guess it's getting late."

Artur nuzzled his nose lightly against Billy's hair, reluctant to move but knowing they couldn't stay tangled up on the couch forever. "Five more minutes," he muttered, not even trying to hide how comfortable he was.

Billy chuckled again, tightening his arms around him. "Five minutes," he agreed, voice a soft promise. "And then bed."

Neither of them moved — not yet. They just stayed there, breathing each other in, letting the night slowly wrap around them like a second blanket.

Five minutes stretched into ten, maybe more — neither of them keeping track, neither of them caring. The world outside their little cocoon faded away until it was just Billy and Artur, heartbeats slow, breathing steady.

Finally, Billy shifted under him, pressing a kiss to Artur's temple. "Come on, sleepyhead," he whispered, his voice low and fond. "Let's go to bed."

Artur grumbled a little under his breath but allowed Billy to help him stand. Their hands found each other easily, fingers tangling together as they made their way toward the bedroom with slow, dragging steps.

Inside the room, the familiar scent of wood and fresh sheets welcomed them. Billy didn't bother turning on the light — the silver glow of the moon through the window was enough.

Artur kicked off his shoes clumsily while Billy pulled back the covers, then without another word, they both slipped under the sheets, the bed dipping gently with their weight.

Billy turned onto his side immediately, reaching for Artur without hesitation. Artur, still heavy with sleep, let himself be pulled in, his face finding the crook of Billy's neck.

Billy ran a slow hand down Artur's back, feeling every breath, every soft exhale against his skin. He tucked Artur even closer, chest to chest, legs tangling loosely under the covers.

Artur's voice was a low, sleepy mumble against his throat. "Warm..." he said, almost like a child, making Billy's heart clench in the sweetest way.

Billy smiled into the darkness, pressing a soft kiss to Artur's hair. "That's what I'm here for," he whispered.

Their bodies molded together effortlessly, no space left between them. Billy kept stroking Artur's back in lazy, soothing motions, feeling him gradually relax, his breathing evening out into the beginnings of sleep.

Billy closed his eyes too, letting the comfort, the quiet, and the sheer rightness of the moment wash over him. There was nothing else he needed — nothing else he wanted — except this.

And in that soft, timeless silence, with Artur safe in his arms, Billy finally let himself drift off too, their dreams woven together in the dark.

As they drifted toward the bedroom, a faint breeze from the window stirred the corner of a note Billy had left earlier — the list for tomorrow's market run, forgotten. But for now, the world could wait.