౨ৎ | Eternal bonds

౨ৎ | 𝐜𝐡 𝟕

It was warm inside—warm from the starting sun that filtered in with all its orange and gold, lay softly over the table as Maya settled her sketchbook into her bag.

Vito sat in silence for a moment, his gaze distant, his thoughts elsewhere, but when he looked back at her, his eyes softened with an easy smile.

"Hey... do you have plans after this?" His voice was casual, but Maya sensed something more in the way he asked.

She smiled, shaking her head. "No, not really. I was thinking about just wandering around, maybe finding somewhere to sketch again."

Vito's smile grew, a bit less guarded than usual. "How about we grab something to eat first? My treat."

She hesitated for just a second but found herself nodding. "Sure, I'd like that."

They walked through the narrow streets of Delphi, the ancient stones beneath their feet echoing with the footsteps of centuries past.

The air between them seemed lighter, their conversation flowing easily as they talked about the places Maya had been and the art she had created along the way.

Vito was surprisingly a good listener, his comments insightful and thoughtful, but there was always something in his gaze—something that made Maya feel that there's more he isn't saying.

"I never stay anywhere too long," Maya admitted as they reached the restaurant.

"I think it's part of why I travel so much. There's always something new to discover."

Vito nodded, holding the door open for her as they stepped inside the cozy restaurant.

"That's a gift in itself. Not everyone can chase that kind of freedom."

Fresh bread and herbs wafted through the air. They took their seats at a little table by the window, becoming part of a low buzz of conversation as if they were in their own world now.

Over plates of local Greek dishes, they continued their conversation.

"You must have seen so much, traveling like that," Vito said, breaking off a piece of bread.

"You're not afraid of the unknown?"

Maya tilted her head thoughtfully.

"Not really. In fact, it gets me excited. It's like... every new place has its own story to tell, and I'm just passing through, capturing a piece of it. How about you? Do you enjoy traveling?"

Vito paused, his eyes flickering for a moment.
"I've traveled... more than I ever thought I would."

He gave a small, almost self-deprecating smile. "Sometimes it feels like I've been everywhere."

Maya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And yet, you don't seem too eager to talk about those travels."

He chuckled lightly. "Maybe it's because I'm still trying to make sense of them myself."

Their conversation ebbed and flowed, touching on lighter topics, but Maya couldn't help feeling that Vito was holding something back. His words carried a certain weight, as though he was guarding a part of himself from being fully seen.

As she took a sip of her drink, Maya leaned in slightly, curiosity getting the better of her. "What brought you here? To Delphi, I mean."

Vito's expression grew thoughtful. "I think, like you, I'm chasing something I haven't quite figured out yet. Maybe I came here to remember something... or maybe to forget."