౨ৎ | Eternal bonds

౨ৎ | 𝐜𝐡 𝟖

The night air was cool as Maya and Vito left the restaurant, the streets of Delphi bathed in the golden glow of streetlights.

The chatter from inside faded as they stepped out into the peaceful silence of the evening.

Vito offered a gentle smile, hands tucked in his coat pockets. Maya, still feeling the warmth of their conversation, walked alongside him, the soft sound of their shoes the only noise between them.

For a while, they strolled quietly, the hum of distant cars and the occasional clink of glasses from a nearby café setting the backdrop.

The silence between them wasn't awkward, but comfortable, as if they had known each other longer than a few hours.

"You know," Maya said, breaking the quiet. "It's rare for me to feel this at ease with someone I just met."

Vito's gaze flickered toward her, a small but knowing smile on his lips. "Perhaps we've met before. In another life."

Maya chuckled softly. "Do you believe in things like that?"

Vito hesitated, his thoughts pulling him back to memories of centuries past.

His eyes darkened momentarily, a shadow crossing his face before he turned back to her, shrugging. "I believe time is— more complicated than we think."

Maya tilted her head, intrigued. "You talk like someone who's been around a lot longer than you look."

Vito gave a short laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes. He stopped walking, looking up at the stars scattered across the clear sky. "Sometimes, it feels like that."

They stood at the edge of a small park, the breeze carrying the faint scent of jasmine. Maya found herself drawn to him, despite the air of mystery that surrounded him.

She wanted to ask more, to understand the sadness behind his eyes, but something told her to wait.

As they continued their walk, the conversation flowed easily between them—Maya spoke of her art, her travels, and the beauty she saw in every new place.

Vito listened, fascinated by the passion in her voice, though a deep ache formed in his chest.

The more time he spent with her, the more the warning from Chrona echoed in his mind:

'Her time is ticking. Yours is not.'

A heavy silence settled over him, but Maya seemed unaffected, smiling brightly as she pointed out small details in the architecture around them.

They reached her hotel, and Maya paused at the entrance, turning to face him.

"This has been nice," she said, her eyes soft and warm.

Vito smiled, though inside he felt the weight of centuries pressing down on him. "Yes, it has."

For a moment, neither moved, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a protective veil.

Vito's heart ached—he knew he shouldn't get closer to her, but he was already too far gone.

He was about to say goodnight when Maya's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Maybe we should do this again?"

Vito's heart skipped. "I'd like that," he said softly, though he knew the dangers that awaited them both.

As Maya disappeared inside the hotel, Vito stood in the quiet street, staring after her, lost in his thoughts.

He wanted to protect her, to keep her from the inevitable truth of his existence, but he couldn't deny the pull she had on him.

In the shadows, Chrona watched, her gaze fixed on Vito.

'You know what this will lead to.'

She whispered into the night, though her voice carried only to him.

'Her time will end, and you will remain, as always.'

Vito clenched his fists, feeling Chrona's presence fade into the darkness.

He turned and began to walk, the night heavy with the knowledge that, despite everything, he was falling for Maya, and time was running out.

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** AUTHORS NOTE: hi guysss! Im so sorry for the slow update, school activities have been killing me lately, ill still try my best to upload!!**