Between the pages

Chapter 19 The painting always carries pain

You smiled at his reply, but deep inside, it was different. You wished he knew what it meant, but he didn't. You chose not to explain, fearing it would make things awkward. Besides, maybe it was better to leave it unsaid—there was no need to waste time thinking about it, no need to make this moment more complicated than it needed to be. Maybe if you had talked sooner, he would understand. But for now, time—well, it wasn't on your side.

Time will not be in favor of this thought...

—-----------—

"Hey Y/N— I got your pills."

"Thanks..." you murmured, your voice soft.

It had been about a month and a half since you were first confined to the hospital. The doctor had prescribed a medication to help manage the issue of you coughing up petals, but it was only a temporary solution. It wouldn't stop the progression, only slow it down.

Giyu had spent most of his time looking after you, keeping a watchful eye on your health. As nice as it was, you couldn't help but wonder—what about his job? Was he just putting everything on hold for you?

As of right now, you sat on the couch, your attention flickering between your phone screen and the comforting warmth of Lucine, who had curled up contentedly in your lap. His small body was a gentle weight, the rise and fall of his breathing steady and soothing. You absentmindedly scratched behind his ears, the soft fur under your fingers grounding you in the present moment. The rhythmic sound of his contented purring filled the room, and for a brief moment, the world outside the walls of the hospital room seemed far away—quiet, distant, and almost peaceful.

"Hey Giyu... don't you have work?" you asked, not looking up from your phone.

"Uhm... I'm on temporary leave," he replied, his voice steady.

"Why?" you questioned, finally lifting your gaze to meet his.

His eyes were a mixture of contemplation and something deeper—quiet, yet intense. There was a subtle flicker behind his gaze, something distant, as though his thoughts were caught between the present and something far away. His expression was calm, almost unreadable, but there was a softness in the way he looked at you, a tenderness that seemed to soften the hard edges of his usual demeanor. It was the kind of look that made you feel seen, yet still left you wondering what exactly was on his mind

"Well... I wanted to keep an eye on you" 

Those words sank in, catching you off guard for a moment. He wanted to stay with you, wanted to be here and make sure you were alright. It was sweet, and honestly, it was what you had been hoping to hear. Your heart warmed at the thought, even if you tried not to show it too much.

"Thanks..." you whispered, a small smile tugging at the corner of your lips. That smile didn't go unnoticed by his deep blue eyes. They softened for a brief moment, their usual quiet intensity giving way to something warmer, almost tender. The flicker of emotion in his gaze lingered for just a second before it returned to its calm, distant state.

"It's nothing..." he murmured, before adding, "Now, I've got your pills ready. Take them after eating."

—-----------—

Later that afternoon, you found yourself sitting on the couch with your head resting against Giyu's shoulder. The two of you had settled into a quiet, peaceful routine, and despite the constant tension in your chest, you found comfort in these small moments of calm. You wanted to fall asleep, but every time you tried, a sharp, uncomfortable jolt ran through your body, making you flinch. Eventually, you stopped trying.

He noticed this, but instead of addressing it, he shifted the conversation to something else. Giyu gently brushed his fingers through your hair, the soft touch grounding you as his hand moved with a quiet tenderness. He buried his face in the strands, inhaling deeply, and for a moment, you could feel the warmth of his breath against your scalp. The simplicity of the gesture was calming, his quiet presence a silent reassurance.

"Your hair smells nice," he murmured into your hair, his voice low.

"Really?" you asked with a soft chuckle, though it was tinged with a touch of disbelief. "I thought it would smell like hospital sheets."

He made a small, amused groan in response, his body relaxing as he closed his eyes. You didn't mind the quiet, and you knew he must be exhausted from staying up late with you the night before.

"Wake me up if something happens..." he muttered, his voice already thick with drowsiness. His words trailed off, growing softer, until they were barely a whisper, as if the exhaustion had already begun to claim him. You could feel his body relax, his shoulders unwinding, the steady rhythm of his breathing deepening as he drifted into sleep, his head still nestled against yours.

The warmth of his presence, the steady rise and fall of his chest, was comforting in a way that words couldn't fully describe. You almost felt like you could drift off too, caught in the peacefulness of the moment. 

But that would just never happen...

"No promises, Giyu," you teased lightly, the words slipping out with a playful grin, even though you knew he was already on the brink of sleep. His soft exhale in response was a quiet acknowledgment, his body sinking deeper into the comfort of the moment.

Despite the lack of words, his presence was like an unspoken promise itself—a promise that he would always be there, even in the quiet moments like this, even as he drifted off to sleep beside you. The soft rhythm of his breathing, created a cocoon of safety and familiarity that made everything feel just a little bit easier.

You let the silence stretch between you, enjoying the stillness, until his gentle breathing became the only sound in the room.

—-----------—

Eventually, you found yourself lying on top of Giyu, who was still asleep on the couch. You could have moved to the desk or your own space, but he had insisted with a lazy smile, "Your hair makes me sleepy, so don't leave me." You hadn't been able to resist, agreeing without much thought.

Lucine was nestled on your chest, curled into a small ball, his warmth making you feel more at ease. You continued to scroll through social media, trying to pass the time as a certain—someone slept soundly beneath you.

The silence hung in the air like a soft blanket, until it was broken by the sudden need to cough. You pulled the handkerchief to your mouth, pressing it gently against your lips. When you pulled it away, you saw the familiar sight of crimson-red rose petals mixed with the faint trace of blood.

You sighed deeply, looking at the stain. It was beautiful in its own way, like an abstract painting—but it held so much darkness, so much sadness within it. The petals, delicate and soft, were stained by the truth of your condition.

You stared at the stain for several minutes, your eyes tracing the delicate pattern the petals had formed. The soft, crimson hue mixed with the faint streak of blood, creating something almost surreal in its beauty. It was a painting of sorts, one that you didn't want to see but couldn't look away from. The petals, so fragile, yet heavy with meaning, seemed to hold an unspoken weight—a reminder of everything you couldn't control, of the quiet pain that had been growing inside you without warning.

The silence settled back over the room as your thoughts lingered on the image of the bleeding petals. Despite your attempts to focus on something else, their delicate beauty, tinged with blood, kept pulling you back.

As Giyu slept peacefully beneath you, his breathing steady, you couldn't help but wonder how long you could carry the weight of it all. The petals felt like a reflection of your own fragility—beautiful, yet burdened with something you didn't fully understand.