Between the pages

Chapter 29 His moon, Her stars

You closed your eyes, and for once, you didn't flinch. The pain that usually gnawed at your every nerve seemed to soften, just for a moment, and you allowed yourself to breathe without fear.

"Giyu..."

Your voice was barely more than a whisper, fragile like a leaf caught in the breeze. He turned his head, his expression gentle, eyes soft with concern as he waited for you to continue.

"Hm?

"I-..." You trailed off, unsure of whether you should say it—whether you even could. You were so close to letting the words slip, but your consciousness told you otherwise. It felt wrong... you shouldn't be attached, nor should he.

"You're...?" Giyu's voice was gentle, urging you to continue.

"Dying."

He paused, and for a moment, the room was filled with a silence that spoke volumes. His face crumpled as if your words had struck him like a blow to the chest, and then, with a soft, broken chuckle, he flicked your head with his fingers—almost like an instinctual response, an attempt to push away the pain that lingered in the air between you. His attempts at humor faltered as tears welled up in his eyes.

"I know..." His voice trembled, and despite his effort to mask it, you could hear the rawness beneath. It was a whisper, but it was enough to send a shudder through you. His gaze never wavered from yours, as if trying to hold onto this moment, to you, before it slipped away completely.

You smiled—just a tiny, fragile smile, but it was real, filled with gratitude and affection. It wasn't much, but it was the most you could give. Slowly, you sat up, propping yourself on your elbows, your eyes finding his again, locking with his gaze, searching for something—comfort, reassurance, anything that could make the weight of it all lighter.

Without saying another word, Giyu cupped your face in his hands, his fingers brushing softly across your skin, as though trying to memorize the feel of you, the warmth of you, before it was gone.

His eyes were soft, but behind them, you could see the glimmer of unshed tears, the raw hurt he refused to show. The hurt in his gaze was there, undeniable, but it was hidden beneath a veil of quiet strength—strength he didn't know how much longer he could sustain. Every ounce of him ached to let go, to allow himself to feel, to grieve, but not yet. Not when you were on the verge of crying. He needed to be there for you, to provide whatever comfort he could, even if it meant swallowing his own sorrow.

Lucine jumped onto your lap, a small but familiar presence that grounded you both. The little pup nuzzled his head against your arm, offering comfort in the only way it knew how.

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Later, after dinner, you sat at the desk, sketching softly on a piece of paper. Your hand moved instinctively, the pencil gliding over the surface, but your mind was somewhere else entirely. You smiled faintly to yourself as your thoughts wandered, remembering the scene you'd written in that book—the one that always played in your mind when you thought about the story.

The image was so vivid in your mind, even now. A field of colorful flowers, swaying in a gentle breeze, a soft sun overhead, and your lover standing at the edge, watching over you with tender care. They would always be there, by your side, ensuring you were safe, guiding you through the world.

It was beautiful, this image, but it felt so far out of reach. Something that could never be. Your fingers brushed over the charm hanging from the necklace Giyu had given you. It was the half-moon, delicate and small, the counterpart to his half. It had never left your neck, not once, even when he stopped visiting.