Between the pages

Chapter 25 The light upon that hill

"I missed you.."

You buried your face into his shoulders as he enveloped you in a warm embrace. His gentle, reassuring touch was something you'd longed for, the warmth of his presence a comfort you hadn't realized you craved so deeply until now. The steady rise and fall of his chest as you clung to him felt grounding, like a quiet promise you didn't have to say aloud.

He chuckled softly, the sound low and soothing in your ear, and pressed a light, friendly kiss to the top of your head—something so simple, yet it sent a rush of warmth through you. The gesture, so natural for him, caught you off guard, and your cheeks heated in an instant. He didn't seem to notice, or maybe he did and was pretending not to, but the soft pressure of his lips on your hair made your heart race, and you couldn't stop the blush that crept across your face. "Have you been eating, Y/N? You've gotten lighter," he observed, his voice soft but filled with concern.

You shook your head in response, the knot of guilt tightening in your stomach. You couldn't bring yourself to meet his gaze, knowing he was right. You felt the weight of his worry settle between you, making it harder to hide what you had been avoiding.

He noticed the shift in your mood, and his expression softened. Without saying another word, he sat beside you on the couch, his presence a silent anchor as he pointed to a small paper bag sitting on the table.

"You never forget, do you?" you teased weakly, trying to lift the heavy air with a half-smile.

He smirked. "Hey, I know you like the tarts," he replied, his voice playful and warm, just like before.

You couldn't help but chuckle as he stood up and retrieved the bag, handing it to you with the care only he could manage. You took the bag gratefully, feeling a flicker of comfort as you pulled out the tarts he'd brought just for you.

As you began to nibble on them, he moved to the kitchen to grab some water, his voice calling over his shoulder. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

You watched him leave the room, your smile lingering for just a moment. But then, your gaze drifted back to the table, and the quiet stillness of the room grew heavier. Your smile slowly faded as your eyes landed on the unfinished book you'd once poured each wish into. It had been sitting there for five long days, abandoned and lonely—waiting for you to continue writing their story you waned to tell.

You hadn't just stopped writing; you had lost the words to continue. The silence that had followed felt suffocating, as if the weight of everything you had been feeling had finally caught up with you. And that weight felt heavier than you could bear.

The unfinished story that had once meant everything to you now seemed like a distant memory, an unfinished chapter of your life.

—-----------—

"Giyu," you said softly, breaking the silence that had settled between you both.

His attention shifted away from his phone and toward you, his brow furrowing as he noticed the change in your tone. The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn, and he had spent the night staying up with you, making up for the past few days that had been spent apart..

"You know..." you trailed off, glancing at the book that still rested in your lap. "The flowers—they're black."

His eyes widened in surprise, his gaze shifting to your frail, pale form. A twinge of disbelief flickered across his face as he processed your words.

You leaned your head against his shoulder, the weight of your body resting in a way that felt natural, even though it was harder to keep your strength up than it had been before. The book you had started was still in your lap, and you handed it to him with a small smile. 

"What's this?" he asked quietly, a frown pulling at his brow as he accepted it.

"When I'm gone..." You paused, the words feeling heavier than they should. "Please finish it. I don't want to see their story die."

His hands trembled slightly as he opened the cover, revealing the title of the story you had started writing together—The Light Upon That Hill. The words felt heavy, like a fragile promise you weren't sure he'd be able to keep.

—-----------—

A few months later...

Autumn had settled in, the cool breeze creeping through the cracks in the windows. The air was crisp, and the world outside had begun to transform, the trees shedding their leaves in a slow, graceful dance. You sat quietly on the couch, your back resting against Giyu as he held you close. It had been a few months, but it felt like you were still trying to find your footing in a world that had shifted beneath your feet.

The book you had once given all your attention to was now in Giyu's care. It wasn't finished yet, but he promised he would complete it. He wanted to show it to you when it was done. You trusted him with that, even if the story felt like it was slipping away.

Right now, your back resting against his chest, his body warm against you. You scrolled aimlessly through your phone, but your attention was split. Giyu was asleep now, his chest rising and falling steadily behind you, a soft breath escaping his lips with each exhale. The rhythm of his breathing was soothing, and though you tried not to disturb him, you found comfort in the way his presence anchored you.

Lucine, as quiet as always, lay curled up on the floor, sleepy after an entire night of keeping you company. His tiny body was still, and for once, his playful energy had given way to a peaceful slumber. He had been there for you, running around the room, trying to make you smile, just like Giyu had—both of them trying their best to keep you company throughout the long nights.

You smiled softly as you watched them both, feeling the warmth of their presence surround you. It wasn't much, but it was enough.