Between the pages

Chapter 12 Sleeping beauty

You sit on the open folding bed, watching Giyu as he sleeps soundly, unaware of your quiet observation. His face is relaxed, completely at ease, untouched by the worries of the world. A small, fond smile curves your lips as you carefully adjust his head, letting it rest on your shoulder, just as he had done for you before.

It was thoughtful of him to stay awake and keep you company, but watching him sleep brought a strange sense of comfort. His breath was slow and steady, a peaceful contrast to the restlessness you felt. The lines of tension in his face seemed to fade as he drifted into slumber, making him appear almost weightless, untouched by the burden of the world. There was something about seeing him like this, so unguarded, that made you feel like everything would be okay. He deserved this moment of peace, to rest without the weight of his thoughts.

You reached for the remote to play another movie, it was something to keep you entertained as you waited out the long hours before dawn came. 

It's also something you'll need to get used to now.

After three movies, the initial excitement began to fade, and a dull sense of restlessness settled in. You picked up your phone, scrolling through social media, watching the lives of others unfold, a fleeting connection to the world outside. The silence in the room felt almost suffocating now, broken only by the soft hum of the TV and the occasional rustling of blankets. It was a strange kind of quiet—unsettling, yet comforting in its own way. The night stretched on, each passing minute blending into the next, as if time itself had slowed down.

You'll have to admit to yourself though, even if he was asleep.. his presence was enough to warm how cold the night was in a way no thick blanket could.

You gaze at his sleeping figure and play with his hair gently, your fingers tangling lightly around the soft strands. He looked so peaceful and relaxed.. you couldn't help but wonder, would he ever find out?.. Maybe, or maybe it would be to late once he does.

Your bitter smile turns into a frown as you sigh and lean your head against the couch, your head tilting up to rest against the backrest as your eyes stare at the pale white ceiling.

"How am I supposed to tell you without hurting you..." you whisper, the words drifting into the quiet room, meant for no one but yourself. The silence feels heavy as you wrestle with thoughts you can't share.

You gently tap him, trying to shift him into a more comfortable position.

"Giyu, lay down properly, come on..."

He mumbles in response, still half asleep, as you guide his head onto your lap. With a soft sigh, you cover him with the blanket, making sure he's warm and settled.

You yawn and clutched the jacket he gave you, a smile returning on your lips as you chuckled and continue to play with his hair.

You couldn't help but wonder what kind of dream he was lost in. The soft rise and fall of his chest as he breathed in peaceful, steady rhythm made it look so effortless. How was it that he could slip away into sleep so easily? You envied the way his mind could wander, free of the weight of constant thoughts, while you lay awake, trapped in your own restless mind, never able to experience that same release. Not anymore at least...

Somehow you missed the sensation of falling asleep while being bundled in a thick comforter that kept you warm and snug.

Your finger continues to brush his soft hair gently, taking out any knots that were there if there was. His hair was silky and smooth and although there were a few knots from time to time it was still mostly unruffled.

You carefully remove the hair tie that kept his hair secured in a loose pony tail, allowing his locks to breathe as you slowly shift to place it to the side table.

Just as you moved to settle back down, he let out a small sound, mumbling something under his breath. It wasn't clear, just a soft murmur lost in his dreams. You paused, holding your breath for a moment, before a quiet chuckle escaped you. Shaking your head, you couldn't help but smile at the little things he did, even in his sleep.

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After what felt like a long while, the first rays of sunlight began to stretch into the dimly lit room. You watched in silence as the soft golden light slowly filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the space. The warmth of the sun's touch seemed to lift the coolness of the night, softening the edges of the room and bringing a sense of peace. The day was starting, and with it came a quiet new beginning.

The warmth of the sunlight seemed to stir the sleeping boy beside you. It brushed against his face gently, coaxing him from his slumber.

"Morning, sleeping beauty," you whispered with a small smile, watching as he shifted slightly, his features softening in the light.