Between the pages

Chapter 26 Your smile is brighter than the morning sun

"Morning, Y/N..."

You didn't expect it, but the softness of his voice was like a gentle caress against the quiet of the morning. His arms wrapped around you from behind, and you tensed for a second, surprised by his sudden closeness. Yet, the warmth of his touch was a comfort, not a weight. Giyu's embrace was light, almost as if he wanted to make sure he wasn't intruding on your space, but you could feel the quiet care in the way he held you.

"Morning..." you replied, a soft smile tugging at the corner of your lips as you relaxed against him. The way he rested his chin on your shoulder was casual, natural, as if it was just another peaceful morning between the two of you.

You could feel his steady breath against the back of your neck, and though he wasn't holding you tightly, there was a gentle reassurance in the contact. Still, after a moment, you lightly chuckled, placing your hand over his on your waist.

"You don't have to hug so tightly, you know," you said, your voice light and teasing, but there was no judgment.

Giyu nodded slowly, a slight sigh escaping him as his hold loosened, letting you breathe a little easier. He gave you a small, almost apologetic smile as he pulled back and stretched his arms overhead, his body moving in that relaxed, effortless way you'd come to love. Love? Not know?

"I'll go get us some food," he said, turning to leave. "Call me if you need anything, alright?"

You nodded, watching him go with a quiet smile. The room seemed quieter when he left, but not in a way that felt lonely. His presence, though gentle, had a way of making everything feel settled, like everything was as it should be.

You glanced down at your phone, the day ahead already feeling like a long one. Still, there was something about the morning that made you want to savor the moment, even if just for a little while longer.

—-----------—

"Hey, I'm ba—"

Giyu's voice trailed off as he stepped into the room, his gaze falling on you as you sat on the bed, absorbed in your book. He paused for a moment, taking in the sight of you. You looked so peaceful, so unaware of anything but the words on the page. Your hair was a little messy, your glasses perched on the end of your nose, and you looked like you didn't have a care in the world.

A small smile curved on his lips as he leaned against the doorframe, watching you. There was something so familiar about this moment, so simple yet so comforting.

It reminded him of those calm days at the coffee shop, where time seemed to slow down whenever he was with you. The hum of quiet conversation, the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee, and the peaceful rhythm of your presence beside him. Back then, the world outside hadn't seemed so demanding, and your smiles had felt like a small escape from everything else.

He found himself holding onto that simple thought, savoring the quietness of the room, the softness in the air, and the steady beat of his heart as it found its rhythm in the calmness you brought.

You looked up then, catching his eye, and a soft chuckle escaped you. His eyes widened as he tried to hide his smile, but the quiet affection in his gaze was unmistakable.

"What? Do I look like an alien?" you teased, your voice light, and you couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"No... it's just that..." Giyu trailed off, scratching the back of his neck as he stepped closer to the table. He set the bag of food down with a casual ease, and you followed the movements of his hands as he began to unpack it.

When you saw the contents, your smile widened. Giyu had chosen the perfect comfort food—soup, rice, strawberries, and a bun. "That's not all," he added with a hint of playfulness in his tone, his eyes watching you with that familiar warmth.

Your eyes sparkled as you took in the cheesecake, a small laugh escaping you. It was such a small thing, but it meant so much. He knew exactly what you liked, without even asking.

—-----------—

As you both ate, Giyu glanced at you from time to time, it was like he was savoring the quiet moments with you—his gaze soft, not demanding your attention, but full of warmth. You could feel the affection in the way he looked at you, a quiet understanding that made your chest flutter with happiness.

"That smile..." he murmured, almost to himself. "It's so bright."

You blinked, glancing at him, unsure if you'd heard him correctly. "Huh?" you asked, confusion furrowing your brow as you looked up from your plate, the faintest hint of a smile still tugging at your lips.

Giyu's gaze softened as he met your eyes, his voice just a little quieter, as if the words were fragile and he didn't want to break the moment. "Your smile," he repeated, his tone tender, a little more earnest this time. "It's... I don't know. It just lights up the room."

A small laugh bubbled out of you, and you felt your cheeks warm, a shy smile curving your lips. "Are you serious?" you asked, half teasing, half touched by his words.

He nodded, looking away for a moment, his cheeks just a hint pink. He didn't seem embarrassed, but there was a softness to his expression as he looked down, perhaps a little unsure of how to say exactly what he felt.

The moment lingered between you, and you couldn't help but feel a little lighter at his words. There was something so genuine about him, something that made everything feel simple and easy, even in the most quiet moments.

"You know," Giyu began again, shifting a little in his seat, his voice a touch more serious now. "I don't like coming to the hospital. The smell, the sterile air... it's always felt a little suffocating."

You nodded, understanding all too well what he meant. Hospitals weren't easy for anyone, and you could hear the unease in his voice, the subtle discomfort in his words. The sterile, clinical scent of the place—it lingered in the air like an invisible weight. 

It made you feel a bit guilty. After all, you were the reason he had to stay here. The reason he walked through those doors day after day, sitting in rooms like this, listening to the beeping machines, the whispers of nurses, the distant echo of footsteps in the hallways. It wasn't just the hospital that weighed heavy on you; it was the knowledge that you were the one who kept him here, who pulled him away from his life, his own peace.

Giyu must've noticed the change in your expression, the sudden tightness in your chest. He didn't comment on it, though. Instead, he leaned forward and gently cupped your cheek, his touch warm and grounding. His eyes, always so careful, so observant, softened as they met yours.

"But somehow," he continued, his voice low and full of emotion, "when you're here... the scent doesn't feel as suffocating. You make everything a little easier to bear."

His jacket came off then, and with a small, almost unspoken gesture, he draped it over your shoulders. It wasn't a new, just something simple and familiar, like the way he always knew how to make you feel cared for.

"You don't have to feel bad," he said, his voice quiet but firm, as if trying to chase away the guilt that threatened to settle on your shoulders. "I'm here because I want to be."

The simple words, so sincere and without hesitation, made your heart ache. You wanted to argue, to apologize, to tell him how much you hated that you were the reason he had to endure this. But his hand, still resting gently on your cheek, kept you in place—kept you in the moment, reminding you that this was about him being here for you, and not out of obligation.

"Still," you murmured, "I hate that you're here because of me."

Giyu's thumb gently traced the curve of your cheekbone, his eyes never leaving yours. "You don't get to decide that." he said softly, his voice almost a whisper now, "I choose to be here, with you. And that's all that matters."

His words didn't make the guilt go away completely, but they did give you a sense of peace, a reminder that sometimes, somethings didn't need to be explained. They were just there—quiet, steady, like a calm that settled between two people who understood each other without needing to exchange words.

You looked up at him, feeling the weight of his words settle in your chest, and you couldn't help but smile softly. "You know," you began, your voice quieter now, "I'm not ready either."

He looked down at you, his gaze soft and understanding. You didn't need to say anything else. There was a mutual understanding in the silence between you, one that didn't need words.