The forbidden love of a heliotrope

Chapter 5: Morning's Light

Oscar awoke to the soft sound of birds chirping outside the inn's window, a warm glow of sunlight spilling through the curtains. He blinked slowly, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings before remembering where he was-on the road with Móyù, embarking on a journey he never thought he'd take.

The events of the previous night felt like a dream. He turned his head and saw Móyù, still in her human form, sitting by the window with a peaceful expression on her face. Her eyes were closed, as if she were soaking in the morning light, and the soft rays of the sun bathed her in a gentle glow. For a moment, Oscar couldn't help but marvel at how serene she looked, despite the dark nature of her origins.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning," he greeted softly, not wanting to disturb the calmness of the room.

Móyù opened her eyes and turned to him, offering a small smile. "Good morning, Oscar. Did you sleep well?"

"Better than I have in a long time," he admitted, stretching his arms.

She nodded, her gaze shifting back to the window. "It's a new day," she said quietly. "We should get going soon."

Oscar agreed, though he couldn't shake the nervous excitement building in his chest. He had no idea what lay ahead, but for the first time in years, he felt like he was moving forward instead of standing still.

They gathered their belongings, making sure they had everything they needed for the next stretch of their journey. As Oscar packed the last of their supplies into his bag, he glanced over at Móyù, who was still in her human form. He noticed the way she was adjusting her hair, her fingers lingering over the mole on her left cheek. He hadn't seen her like this before-so human, so vulnerable.

"Are you... alright?" he asked hesitantly.

She paused, looking at him with a faint smile. "I'm fine. Just... thinking. It's easier to travel like this during the day. Less attention."

Oscar nodded, understanding. There was a delicate balance to their journey, one that required both of them to tread carefully. The world wasn't kind to demons, and Oscar knew all too well how cruel people could be when faced with something-or someone-they didn't understand.

As they stepped out of the inn, the morning air greeted them with a cool breeze. The village around them was starting to come to life, with merchants setting up their stalls and children running through the streets. The sight of it all felt strangely comforting, a small piece of normalcy in the midst of their uncertain path.

But before they could leave, Oscar made his way to the innkeeper to settle their payment. The innkeeper was a stout man with a friendly face, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled at them.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, counting out the coins Oscar handed him.

"We did, thank you," Oscar replied with a nod. He glanced at Móyù, who was standing near the entrance, her expression neutral.

"Safe travels to you both," the innkeeper said, handing Oscar a small bundle of dried herbs. "For protection on the road. It's not much, but these herbs are said to ward off ill spirits."

Oscar accepted the bundle with a grateful smile. "Thank you. We'll keep them close."

As they stepped out of the inn, Oscar tucked the herbs into his bag, feeling a strange sense of comfort in the gesture. The road ahead was long, and though he wasn't sure if the herbs would truly protect them, it was a kind reminder that there were still good people in the world, even in the midst of darkness.

They walked side by side, neither speaking much as they left the village behind. The road was long and winding, stretching out into the horizon like an endless ribbon. Oscar's heart raced with anticipation, but he tried to stay calm, reminding himself that this was just the beginning.

Around midday, they stopped by a river to rest. Oscar knelt by the water's edge, splashing his face with the cool water while Móyù stood nearby, watching the ripples in the stream.

"Do you ever miss it?" Oscar asked suddenly, looking up at her.

"Miss what?" she replied, her gaze still fixed on the water.

"Home. Wherever you came from before... all this."

Móyù's expression darkened for a moment, and she looked away from the river. "No," she said softly. "Not anymore."

Oscar didn't press further. He could see the weight in her eyes, the unspoken pain that lingered just beneath the surface. He had his own burdens, and he knew better than to pry too deeply into hers.

They continued walking, the sun climbing higher into the sky. The road was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant call of a bird. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful, and Oscar couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping in.

By the time the sun began to set, they had reached another small village. It was much like the one they had left that morning-quiet, simple, and unremarkable. But after a day of walking, it was a welcome sight.

They found an inn and settled in for the night. This time, the innkeeper was more than happy to serve them a hot meal, and they sat by the fire, eating in comfortable silence.

As the night grew darker, Oscar found himself glancing at Móyù more often, studying her features in the dim light. Her human form was still a strange sight to him, but there was something comforting about it, too. It made her seem... more approachable. Less like the demon he had feared when they first met.

He wondered what she was thinking, but he didn't ask. Instead, he simply enjoyed the quiet company, grateful that he wasn't facing the unknown alone.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, they have made it through another day. And that, Oscar thought, was enough.

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Word count:1016

The evening primrose represents quiet strength, anticipation, and lasting memories. Its blossoms open at dusk, much like Oscar and Móyù's journey through the dark and uncertain road ahead. The flower's symbolism of silent perseverance resonates with their quiet resilience as they continue forward together.