Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 13: "A Moment’s Peace".

Morning Light

The soft glow of dawn filtered through the wooden slats of the window, casting a warm haze across the room. The air was still, quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves outside.

Artur stirred first. His eyelids fluttered open, his vision adjusting to the dim morning light.

His gaze naturally fell to Billy.

Curled beneath the blanket, Billy's breathing was slow and even, his face finally at peace. His fever had dropped—his skin wasn't as flushed, and the tension in his brows had eased.

Artur let out a quiet breath of relief.

But he didn't move.

Instead, his eyes lingered.

Billy's face, now free of exhaustion, looked softer in sleep. The delicate rise and fall of his chest, the strands of hair falling lazily over his forehead, the way his lips were slightly parted—it all held Artur still for a moment longer than necessary.

His gaze traced the curve of his nose, the faint shadows under his eyes.

Unconsciously, he chuckled under his breath.

Then—Billy stirred.

His lashes fluttered before his eyes slowly, sluggishly, began to open—not completely, just a drowsy squint.

Artur froze.

His heart stuttered, and before he could think, he shut his eyes, feigning sleep.

A pause.

Then—

A hoarse, amused voice.

"I saw that. Don't even try to fake it."

Artur's body stiffened.

Shit.

Reluctantly, he cracked one eye open, meeting Billy's groggy yet knowing stare. There was a lazy smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Artur felt heat creep up his neck. He cleared his throat, sitting up a little too quickly.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, steering the conversation away. "You were burning up yesterday."

Billy hummed, stretching slightly beneath the blanket. "Better, I think." Then he winced. "But my arm..."

Artur blinked, confused, before realization hit.

His body tensed.

He glanced down.

His weight had been resting against Billy's arm the entire night.

Panic shot through him.

He shot up so fast he nearly lost balance. "Shit—sorry—I—" His words tangled as he scrambled backward, his hands hovering awkwardly like he wasn't sure what to do with them.

Billy groaned, flexing his fingers. "I can't feel my arm."

"I— I just dozed off," Artur stammered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wasn't— I didn't mean to—"

Billy arched a brow, an amused glint in his tired eyes. "You didn't mean to what?"

Artur opened his mouth, then closed it. His throat bobbed.

Billy smirked.

Artur scowled, turning away. "Forget it. Just—stretch your arm."

Billy laughed, but it was soft, hoarse from sleep. "You're acting weird."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"Shut up."

Billy only chuckled again, flexing his fingers. The warmth of the morning sun stretched across the room, painting everything in a golden glow.

And for a moment, despite the teasing, despite the awkwardness—

It felt like the most natural thing in the world.

As they stepped out of the room, the comforting scent of freshly cooked food drifted through the air, wrapping the house in warmth. The gentle clatter of utensils echoed from the kitchen, where Mr. Dand stood over the stove, preparing breakfast.

He turned at the sound of their footsteps. His sharp but kind eyes scanned them briefly before a smile tugged at his lips.

"You're awake," he greeted, setting down a ladle. "How was your night?"

Billy stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "Good... just my arm—" He cast a sideways glance at Artur, lips twitching mischievously. "Artur didn't—"

Before he could finish, Artur swiftly stepped in, his voice firm. "Cut it out."

Billy chuckled, leaning slightly toward him. "What? You didn't even let me finish."

Artur scowled. "You were going to say something unnecessary."

Billy's eyes glinted with amusement. "I was just going to say you didn't let me sleep properly—"

Artur groaned. "See?" He turned to Mr. Dand, exasperated. "He fell down! I couldn't sleep properly either!"

Mr. Dand chuckled, shaking his head. "You two are always bickering like kids."

Billy smirked, plopping down onto a chair. "That's because Artur makes it too easy."

Artur shot him a look but chose not to engage further. Instead, he reached for the teapot, but before he could pour, Billy straightened up.

"Let me help with breakfast," he offered, already moving toward the kitchen.

Mr. Dand glanced at him with mild surprise. "Oh? Alright then—"

But before he could finish, Artur's voice cut in, firm and final.

"No."

Billy paused, turning toward him. "What do you mean, 'no'?"

"You can't."

Billy narrowed his eyes. "Of course I can."

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Mr. Dand hummed, amused by the exchange. "He's been helping me here and there," he added.

Billy nodded in satisfaction. "See? Even Mr. Dand agrees."

But Artur wasn't backing down. His expression turned serious, and his voice dropped a notch.

"You had a fever yesterday," he muttered, arms crossing over his chest. "Even now, your body still feels a little warm."

Billy blinked. His amusement faltered slightly.

Mr. Dand frowned. "Oh?" He placed a hand on Billy's forehead, then clicked his tongue. "He's right. You should be resting, not running around."

Billy exhaled, his teasing spirit dimming just a little. "I'm fine..."

"No arguments," Mr. Dand said, firm but not unkind. "Sit down quietly. The food's almost ready."

Billy hesitated for a moment but eventually plopped back down onto the chair.

Artur, still watching him closely, let out a small sigh. Then, turning toward the counter, he grabbed a mug.

"I'll make you some tea," he muttered.

Billy tilted his head, watching him with a small smirk. "Oh? Since when do you offer to make tea for people?"

Artur shot him a glance. "Since a certain someone doesn't know how to take care of himself."

Billy chuckled, resting his chin on his palm. The warmth of the morning, the scent of breakfast, and Artur's gruff but quiet care—it made the house feel even cozier than before.

And as he sat there, waiting, a small part of him...

Didn't mind being taken care of.

The kitchen filled with the savory aroma of freshly cooked noodles as Mr. Dand placed the steaming pot on the table. Billy's eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face.

"Wow, noodles! They look mouth-watering," he exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Artur smirked, settling into his chair. "Then eat a lot and recover," he quipped, nudging Billy's shoulder playfully.

As they began serving themselves, the clinking of utensils mingled with light-hearted conversation. Billy twirled a generous portion of noodles onto his fork, eyeing Artur mischievously.

"You know," Billy began, a teasing lilt in his voice, "if your carpentry skills were as good as your cooking, we wouldn't need to fix that room."

Artur raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Oh, and I suppose your idea of fixing things is talking them into submission?"

Billy chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Hey, words are powerful. Maybe I can charm the roof back into place."

Mr. Dand chuckled, shaking his head at their banter. "You two are always at it. Makes the house feel lively."

Billy grinned, pointing his fork at Artur. "Just keeping him on his toes, Mr. Dand."

Artur rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "More like trying to distract me so you can steal the last of the noodles."

Billy gasped in mock horror. "Me? Steal food? I would never!"

They continued their meal, laughter and jests bouncing between them, the warmth of friendship filling the room.

After a few moments, Mr. Dand wiped his hands on a towel and glanced toward the hallway. "We'll need to fix that room after breakfast."

After finishing their breakfast, the trio gathered in the living room to discuss the necessary repairs to Billy's room. The recent storm had caused significant damage, leading to a leaking ceiling that required immediate attention.

Assessing the Damage

Artur led the way to Billy's room, with Mr. Dand and Billy following closely. The ceiling showed visible signs of water damage—stains, sagging drywall, and peeling paint. A small puddle had formed on the floor beneath the affected area.

"We need to address this before it leads to mold or further structural issues," Artur remarked, his brow furrowed in concern.

Planning the Repair

Mr. Dand nodded in agreement. "First, we'll need to remove the damaged section of the ceiling to assess the extent of the water intrusion. Once we know how bad it is, we can replace the affected drywall and ensure the area is properly sealed to prevent future leaks."

Billy glanced between them, a determined look on his face. "I'm ready to help with whatever's needed."

Gathering Supplies

Artur listed the necessary materials:

Drywall sheets

Joint compound

Drywall screws

Primer and paint

Protective gear (masks, gloves)

"We have most of these supplies in the shed," Artur noted. "However, we're short on nails and joint compound. I'll need to make a trip to the market to get them."

Before Artur headed out, they decided to implement a temporary fix to prevent further water damage in case of another storm. Using waterproof tape, they sealed the visible cracks in the ceiling. Buckets were placed beneath the damaged area to catch any potential drips. These measures would hold until they could complete the full repair.

Artur grabbed his jacket and turned to Billy. "I'll be back soon with the supplies. In the meantime, you and Dad can start clearing the area and setting up the ladders."

Billy nodded, eager to contribute. "Got it. We'll be ready when you return."

As Artur left for the market, Billy and Mr. Dand moved the furniture away from the damaged area and covered it with protective sheets. They set up ladders and ensured all necessary tools were within reach. By the time Artur returned, they were fully prepared to begin the repair process.

With all materials on hand, they commenced the repair:

1. Removing Damaged Drywall: Using a drywall saw, they carefully cut out the compromised section, revealing wet insulation that needed replacement.

2. Drying the Area: They used high-powered fans to thoroughly dry the exposed area, preventing mold growth.

3. Replacing Insulation: Once dry, they installed new insulation to maintain the room's temperature regulation.

4. Installing New Drywall: They measured and cut a new drywall sheet to fit the gap, securing it to the ceiling joists with drywall screws.

5. Applying Joint Compound: Artur skillfully applied joint compound over the seams and screw holes, ensuring a smooth surface.

6. Sanding and Painting: After the compound dried, they sanded the area to a seamless finish, primed it, and applied a fresh coat of paint, matching the rest of the ceiling.

The repair was meticulous, but their coordinated efforts led to a successful restoration of Billy's room. They ensured all materials were thoroughly dried and sealed, safeguarding against future leaks.

By addressing the water damage promptly and effectively, they not only restored the room's appearance but also ensured its structural integrity. Billy expressed his gratitude, appreciating the swift action and teamwork that led to the successful repair.

As the last of the repairs were done, Billy stepped back, taking in the sight of his room—restored and sturdy again. The ceiling no longer leaked, the walls were secured, and everything felt whole.

He turned to Artur and Mr. Dand, his expression softer than usual. A warm feeling welled up inside him—not just gratitude for the fixed room, but for them, for everything they'd done for him since he arrived.

Billy hesitated for a moment, then exhaled, his voice quieter than usual. "Thank you... both of you. Really."

Artur dusted his hands off, glancing at him with a small smirk. "It's just a room, Billy."

"No, it's more than that," Billy countered, meeting his gaze. "You didn't have to help me, but you did. I appreciate it."

Mr. Dand chuckled, patting Billy's shoulder. "That's what we do here. We look out for each other."

Billy pressed his lips together, nodding slightly. He wasn't great at expressing things like this, but he hoped they understood.

Artur tilted his head, giving him a look—one that wasn't teasing for once, but something steadier, something real. "You're welcome."

For a moment, they just stood there, the sound of the breeze outside filling the silence. And for the first time in a long while, Billy felt like he truly belonged.

As Mr. Dand dusted off his hands, he stretched his back slightly and glanced at them. "Well, I'm heading out now. Got some things to take care of."

Billy nodded, watching as Mr. Dand grabbed his hat and stepped toward the door.

"You two behave while I'm gone," he added with a smirk before walking out, leaving Billy and Artur alone.

The house fell into a comfortable quiet, the only sound being the faint creak of the wooden floor as Billy shifted his weight. He glanced around, suddenly hyper-aware of the fact that it was just the two of them now.

Artur exhaled, stretching his arms above his head. "Finally, some peace."

Billy smirked, crossing his arms. "Peace? You're saying I'm quiet?"

"Compared to Mr. Dand? Definitely."

Billy let out a small chuckle, shaking his head before walking toward the kitchen. His body still felt a little sore from the fever, but he was determined to shake it off.

Artur watched him for a moment before following. "What are you doing?"

"Getting some water. Unless you have a problem with that too?" Billy teased, glancing over his shoulder.

Artur rolled his eyes, leaning against the doorframe. "You're impossible."

Billy took a sip of water, then placed the cup down with a smirk. "So... what now? Since it's just us, should we do something? Or are you planning to sit there and pretend I don't exist?"

Artur scoffed. "Oh, trust me, if I could pretend you don't exist, I'd have done it by now."

Billy feigned offense, pressing a hand to his chest. "Wow. After all we've been through? The room repair, the fever, the sleepless night you spent worrying about me?"

Artur groaned, rubbing his face. "I should've let you burn up."

Billy laughed, shaking his head. Then he paused, tilting his head slightly. "Actually... I do have an idea."

Artur narrowed his eyes. "I don't like the sound of that."

Billy grinned, stepping closer. "Come on, trust me."

Artur sighed. "That's exactly why I'm worried."

A playful glint shone in Billy's eyes as he reached out, tugging Artur by the sleeve. "Just follow me."

Whatever was on Billy's mind, Artur had a feeling he was about to regret it. But despite himself, he followed anyway.

Artur sighed but let himself be dragged along. "You know, I'm starting to think letting you rest was a mistake."

Billy only smirked. "You're the one who took care of me, so technically, this is your fault."

Artur rolled his eyes but didn't pull away as Billy led him toward the front of the house. The rain from earlier had left the air cool, and the sky was still covered in soft gray clouds. Puddles dotted the ground, the earth still damp underfoot.

Billy stretched his arms above his head, breathing in deeply. "Fresh air. Exactly what I needed."

"You mean after ignoring me when I told you to go out earlier?" Artur reminded, crossing his arms.

Billy grinned. "That was then. This is now."

Artur huffed, shaking his head. "Alright, what's your 'great idea' then?"

Billy turned to him, resting his hands on his hips. "We're alone, right? Let's play a game."

Artur blinked, unimpressed. "A game? Are you a child?"

Billy ignored him. "Something simple—like... twenty questions."

Artur groaned immediately. "No."

"Why not?" Billy challenged, stepping closer. "You know a lot about me, but I barely know anything about you. Besides, I'm sick. Shouldn't you indulge me?"

"Your fever's gone, stop using that as an excuse."

Billy pressed a hand to his forehead dramatically. "I still feel weak, though. I might faint any second—"

Artur grabbed his wrist and pulled it down. "Fine," he muttered. "One round. That's it."

Billy grinned in victory. "I'll start then. First question—why do you hate answering personal questions so much?"

Artur narrowed his eyes. "That's not a real question."

"It is to me," Billy said, raising an eyebrow.

Artur exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Because it's annoying."

"That's not a real answer."

"It is to me," Artur mimicked flatly.

Billy burst out laughing. "Okay, fine. Next question—when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

Artur hesitated for a moment before glancing away. "A carpenter."

Billy's brows lifted slightly. "Really?"

Artur nodded. "I used to watch my father work with wood all the time. I wanted to build things too. But... life had other plans."

There was a softness to the way he said it—one Billy hadn't heard before. It wasn't sadness exactly, but something close.

Billy tilted his head. "Do you regret it?"

Artur gave him a small, sideways glance. "That's your third question."

Billy smirked. "Fine, your turn then."

Artur thought for a moment before asking, "What's the first memory you want to remember?"

Billy's smirk faded slightly. He glanced away, the humor in his expression dimming. He hadn't expected that.

He swallowed, his voice quieter when he finally answered. "I don't know. Maybe... my family. If I had one."

Artur didn't say anything right away. His gaze lingered on Billy for a moment longer before he finally nodded. "Fair enough."

A beat of silence passed between them, not uncomfortable, but thoughtful.

Then Billy let out a breath and suddenly grinned again. "Okay, next question—what's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?"

Artur groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this?"

Billy chuckled, nudging his shoulder. "Because you will. Now, spill."

And just like that, the air between them lightened again, the conversation shifting between playful banter and quiet honesty. For once, neither of them seemed in a rush to go anywhere.

Artur let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine." He shot Billy a warning look. "But if you laugh, I'm kicking you out."

Billy smirked, crossing his arms. "No promises. Go on."

Artur huffed, looking away as if debating whether to even say it. Finally, he muttered, "When I was thirteen, I tried to impress someone by climbing the tallest tree in the village."

Billy's brows lifted in amusement. "You? Trying to impress someone? That's new."

"Shut up and let me finish."

Billy held up his hands in surrender, though his grin didn't fade.

Artur sighed again. "So, I climbed to the very top, thinking I looked cool. But then a branch snapped, and I fell. Right into a pile of manure."

Billy froze for a second. Then he doubled over laughing.

Artur groaned, shoving his shoulder. "I told you not to laugh!"

"I—I'm sorry—" Billy gasped between laughs. "But—manure?! Oh, that's gold."

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Artur muttered, crossing his arms.

Billy wiped at his eyes, still chuckling. "Okay, okay. So what happened next?"

"What do you think? I had to walk all the way home smelling like a barn. And worst of all, the person I was trying to impress saw everything."

Billy grinned. "And? Did they still like you after that?"

Artur scoffed. "No. They avoided me for a week."

Billy let out another laugh. "Ouch. That's rough."

"Glad you find my suffering entertaining."

"Oh, I do," Billy teased, nudging him again. "I like seeing this side of you."

Artur frowned. "What side?"

"The not-so-serious side. The one that actually did stupid things as a kid."

Artur shook his head but didn't argue. He glanced at Billy, watching as the laughter still lingered in his eyes. There was something warm about it, something... nice.

Billy caught him staring and smirked. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

Artur quickly looked away. "No."

Billy tilted his head, studying him. "You're bad at lying."

"And you talk too much," Artur countered.

"You like it."

"I tolerate it."

Billy chuckled. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."

They stood there for a moment, the playful tension still hanging between them. The space between them felt... smaller somehow. As if the air had thickened, drawing them closer without them realizing.

Billy's teasing smile softened slightly. "Thanks, by the way."

Artur blinked. "For what?"

Billy shrugged. "For keeping me company. And for telling me about your tragic manure accident."

Artur rolled his eyes. "Don't mention it."

But Billy could see the slight twitch of a smile threatening to form. And for some reason, it made his chest feel a little lighter.

Artur huffed, looking off to the side. The sunlight hit his face just right, making the soft edges of his expression more noticeable. For a moment, Billy just watched him—watched the way the light framed his features, the way his lips twitched as if he was holding back a smile.

"You talk more when it's just the two of us," Billy mused.

Artur's gaze flickered back to him. He didn't deny it.

Billy tilted his head. "Why is that?"

A pause. Then, Artur exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know. Maybe it's easier."

Billy hummed, not pressing for more. He let the comfortable silence settle between them again.

Then, with a teasing smirk, he nudged Artur's arm. "I still can't believe you fall down.

Artur groaned. "I regret telling you."

Billy laughed again, leaning back with a content sigh. The moment felt light—like the weight he'd been carrying had lessened, even just a little.

The laughter between them faded into a comfortable silence, the golden light of the late afternoon casting long shadows across the ground. The warmth of the moment still lingered in Billy's chest, like a quiet ember. He shifted slightly, stretching his legs out in front of him.

"You know," he mused, tilting his head, "I think this is the longest I've seen you just sit and relax."

Artur let out a short breath, running a hand through his hair. "Well, you keep talking. It's hard to leave when you're running your mouth."

Billy grinned. "You say that like you don't enjoy it."

Artur opened his mouth to argue but hesitated. Instead, he let out a small huff and looked away.

Billy smirked. "See? You do like it."

"I tolerate it," Artur muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched.

Billy let his head fall back, gazing at the sky. The clouds were tinged with hues of pink and orange, slowly drifting apart. The breeze was gentle, carrying the distant sounds of the village winding down for the evening.

"You don't really let people see this side of you, do you?" Billy's voice was quieter now, softer.

Artur shifted beside him. He didn't answer immediately, as if considering his words. Then, with a small shrug, he muttered, "There's no need to."

Billy glanced at him. "I think you should."

Artur frowned slightly, his brows pulling together. "Why?"

Billy turned his gaze back to the sky, his voice thoughtful. "Because it makes you human. Not just the guy who works all day and barely smiles. But someone who fell into manure trying to impress someone."

Artur let out a short laugh despite himself. "You really won't let that go, huh?"

"Never," Billy said, grinning.

Artur shook his head but didn't seem as annoyed anymore. He leaned back on his palms, exhaling slowly as he let himself relax again.

The wind rustled through the trees, and Billy watched as Artur's hair shifted slightly in the breeze. It was rare to see him like this—not thinking, not working, just... being.

Billy's smile softened. "Thanks again for today."

Artur glanced at him. "For what?"

"For keeping me company."

Artur looked away, rubbing the back of his neck again. "You act like I had a choice."

Billy laughed. "You did. You just like being around me too much."

Artur rolled his eyes. "You really have no shame."

"Not when I'm right," Billy said with a wink.

Artur sighed, shaking his head, but the tension in his shoulders had eased.

For the first time in a while, Billy felt lighter. The past still loomed in the back of his mind, but here, in this quiet evening, with Artur beside him, it didn't feel so heavy.