Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 66: The Home We Made

Morning crept in through the window in strands of gold, casting soft shadows on the tangle of limbs beneath the covers — two breaths rising and falling as one. The world outside was quiet still — no clattering pots, no creaking doors — just birdsong far in the distance and the soft rustle of sheets.

Artur stirred first.

His eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the soft light. The first thing he felt was warmth — the steady rise and fall of Billy's chest beneath his cheek, and the way their legs were still tangled under the covers.

He shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, but—

A low murmur came from above. "Don't move."

Billy's voice was hoarse with sleep, barely above a whisper, but firm.

Artur froze, then chuckled under his breath. "Didn't think you were awake."

"I wasn't," Billy mumbled, his arms tightening slightly around Artur. "But I always know when you try to leave me."

Artur laughed softly, letting himself settle back against Billy's chest. "I wasn't leaving. Just... adjusting."

"Mhm," Billy smirked sleepily, cracking one eye open. "Adjust all you want, but do it while cuddling."

Artur shook his head with a smile and threw his arm around Billy's waist, hugging him tightly.

Billy let out a breathless laugh. "Hey—hey, easy! I can't breathe."

"Too bad," Artur teased, burying his face in Billy's neck. "This is what you get for pulling me back."

Billy squirmed a little but didn't really try to escape. He just let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "Suffocated to death in his lover's arms. Tragic but poetic."

Artur chuckled, loosening his grip just a little. "Better?"

"Mm," Billy hummed, eyes fluttering closed again. "Perfect."

They lay there for a long moment, just breathing together, warmth wrapped around warmth.

Billy spoke again, voice softer now. "You always wake up first?"

"Most days," Artur said. "Habit, I guess. Farm life..."

Billy opened his eyes fully this time, looking up at him. "You could've slipped out and I wouldn't even know. But you didn't."

Artur gave a half-shrug. "Didn't want to."

Billy smiled at that. Honest. Simple. It made his heart flutter.

"You're dangerous when you say sweet things like that."

Artur lifted a brow. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Billy smirked. "The quiet farm boy with sleepy eyes and arms that crush lungs."

"You love it."

"I do," Billy whispered, brushing his thumb gently along Artur's side.

Neither of them moved. Not yet. The world could wait.

Eventually, Artur stretched, murmuring something about needing to move.

Billy groaned and clung tighter, face buried in Artur's chest. "No." His voice was muffled, laced with something tenderer than sleep. "Just five more minutes like this... like we're the only two people left."

Artur chuckled, threading his fingers through Billy's tousled hair. "If we wait any longer, the chores will finish themselves."

"I wouldn't mind," Billy said, eyes still half-closed. "But fine. Let's go be responsible."

They finally peeled themselves off the bed, slowly, reluctantly, like boys leaving the warmth of summer to return to school. Billy stood by the window, rubbing his eyes before tying back his hair with lazy fingers. Artur was already pulling on his work shirt when he felt arms wrap around him from behind.

Billy leaned in, forehead resting on the curve of Artur's neck. "Sometimes I wake up and forget who I used to be," he murmured. "But with you... it doesn't matter."

"You okay?" he murmured, voice warm and low.

"Yeah," Artur said, slightly surprised by the softness in Billy's tone.

"You were tired yesterday," Billy continued, holding him just a little tighter. "And I didn't notice right away. Sorry."

Artur turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of Billy's sincere gaze over his shoulder. "You did notice," he replied. "You took care of me." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Billy smiled. "Still. Let me do more today. You've done enough."

Artur raised an eyebrow. "Is this you offering to do all the work?"

Billy grinned mischievously. "That depends. Will you be watching from the shade with a cool drink in hand?"

"Tempting."

"Then yes," Billy said, grabbing Artur's hand and dragging him toward the door. "Come on, Mr. Lazybones. We've got unfinished business with that broken cart and the stacked firewood."

They stepped outside, the sun already climbing through a pale blue sky. Birds chirped in the trees, and the scent of damp earth still clung to the breeze. As they walked to the shed, Billy reached over and laced their fingers together, giving Artur's hand a squeeze.

Artur glanced at him, amused. "You're unusually affectionate this morning."

"I have a lot of affection to give," Billy said simply.

Artur gave a small shake of his head, unable to hide the smile tugging at his lips. "Then I guess I'm lucky."

Billy stopped them just before reaching the tools and pulled Artur in again for a quick kiss on the cheek. "You are," he whispered. "And so am I."

With that, they began working — the quiet rhythm of a shared task setting the tone, with laughter and playful nudges breaking the stillness now and then.

The morning passed in soft, easy motions.

Artur swept out the shed while Billy organized the tool rack, humming under his breath. Every now and then, he'd glance over and toss Artur a smile — unguarded, warm, the kind that made it impossible not to smile back.

Artur paused to straighten a sack of grain, and Billy slipped up behind him, draping his arms around his waist.

"We're making good time," Billy murmured against his shoulder.

"You mean I'm making good time," Artur replied, raising a brow.

Billy chuckled. "Excuse you. I refolded the tarp, which was a mess by the way... and I fixed the latch on the henhouse door."

Artur leaned back into him slightly. "Hmm. So you're saying I should reward you?"

Billy nuzzled his neck. "Not saying no."

They stood there for a moment, stillness wrapped around them like quiet sunlight. Then Billy broke away, turning with a grin. "Come on, we're almost done."

By midday, the last of the firewood was stacked neatly, and the shed stood clean, the tools in their proper place. Artur wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at Billy who had plopped himself onto a bench in the shade, fanning himself with an old newspaper.

"Now I see why you were being so romantic," Artur said, walking over. "You were buttering me up so I'd finish everything with you."

Billy patted the space beside him. "I was being romantic because I felt like it. The work just happened to benefit."

Artur sat down with a soft grunt, and Billy immediately leaned into his side, their shoulders pressing. "See?" Billy said, resting his head on Artur's shoulder. "We didn't need a festival or anything fancy. Just you, me, a little sweat, and peace."

Artur tilted his head, letting it rest gently against Billy's. "Peace is overrated," he said quietly, "but you... you're not."

Billy smiled, eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment. "Smooth."

"Learned from the best."

They sat there for a while longer, enjoying the calm — the breeze rustling the trees, the faint clucking of hens from the yard, the sun warming their skin.

Then Billy stood, stretching. "Alright, come on, Romeo. Let's get inside and clean up before your muscles freeze."

"You mean your muscles," Artur teased.

Billy tossed him a look over his shoulder. "Mine are all heart today."

Billy washed his hands at the kitchen sink, sleeves rolled up and curls damp with sweat. Artur handed him a towel, brushing their fingers as they exchanged a look that said we really did it — without needing the words.

Just as Billy dried his hands, a soft knock tapped against the front door. Artur went to open it, and there stood Mr. Tomas, hat in hand, with a sun-creased grin on his face.

"Afternoon, boys," he greeted. "Hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all," Artur said, stepping aside to let him in.

Billy straightened up from the counter. "Hey, Mr. Tomas. Everything alright?"

"More than alright," Tomas said as he stepped inside. His gaze swept over the living room, the porch he just passed, and the yard beyond the windows. "I passed by to check on things, just in case you boys needed anything. But I've gotta say... this place looks better than ever."

Artur crossed his arms, trying not to look too pleased. "We tried to keep up while My dad's away."

Tomas chuckled. "Tried? Son, you've done more than that. Shed's clean, chickens look fed, firewood's stocked. I even noticed the new latch on the henhouse — that thing's been sticking since winter."

Billy gave a mock bow. "That would be yours truly."

Tomas grinned, eyes crinkling. "Well then, Dand's going to come home to a place so neat he might think he walked into the wrong house."

Tomas paused, gaze flicking between them. "It's more than the work. This place feels lived in... whole. Like it hasn't felt in a long time."

Artur laughed softly. "He left a note with a list. We figured we'd finish everything by today."

Billy, still by the counter, glanced at the crinkled list on the table and said, "And I think we're done with Mr. Dand's work list. Even if he came back now, we wouldn't get scolded."

Tomas stepped closer, laying a hand on Artur's shoulder. "You boys did good. Makes an old man proud to see the two of you holding the fort like that."

Billy glanced at Artur, eyes softening. "Team effort."

Tomas gave a short nod. "Well, I'll leave you two to rest. Just wanted to say it in person." He turned toward the door. "And tell Dand when he gets back that I owe him a drink — or maybe just owe you boys now."

As the door closed behind him, silence filled the space again — light and full of unspoken joy. Artur turned to Billy, his hand brushing lightly against Billy's lower back.

"So," Billy said, voice playful. "Wanna celebrate our success?"

Artur tilted his head. "By collapsing on the couch?"

Billy grinned. "Exactly what I had in mind."

They flopped onto the cushions in a tangle of limbs, laughter fading into quiet contentment. the late afternoon sun painting golden lines across the floor. Artur let out a long breath, his head dropping back.

Billy leaned into him, voice low. "You heard what he said, right? We did good." he glanced at the list still on the table, then at Artur, and whispered, "Feels like home now, doesn't it?"

Artur turned to face him, brushing a knuckle gently across Billy's cheek. "Yeah," he whispered. "We did."