"After the morning's work and greetings, the two drifted to a quieter corner of the village—beneath an old sycamore tree whose branches drooped low, casting speckled shadows over the dry, leaf-strewn ground."
Billy sat first, brushing away a few twigs before settling down with his arms crossed loosely over his knees. Artur dropped beside him with a small sigh, stretching his legs out and leaning back against the rough bark.
A moment passed with only the sound of birds in the distance and the faint chatter of villagers echoing down the lane.
Billy tilted his head, humming thoughtfully. "You're always up to impressing girls, huh?"
Artur blinked. "Me? No—what? I didn't—"
Billy gave him a sideways glance, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Remember when you fell flat on your back trying to show off in front of a girl? Your dad told me everything.
Artur groaned softly, rubbing his hand over his face. "That was years ago…"
"And now," Billy continued, lowering his voice for dramatic effect, "you broke the mayor's fence. Trying to impress another girl, huh?"
Artur narrowed his eyes, a helpless smile creeping in. "That wasn't—Billy, c'mon, don't believe what they said. It's not like that."
Billy sulked, resting his cheek on his knee. "Hmph. Sounds like a pattern to me."
Artur leaned toward him slightly, amused. "How many girls do you think I've tried to impress?"
Billy flicked a small leaf in his direction, avoiding his eyes. "Too many, clearly."
Artur grinned. "Maybe I'm just naturally clumsy."
"No," Billy muttered, still looking off to the side. "You're naturally flirty."
Artur gave a low chuckle, resting his elbow on his knee and propping his chin in his palm as he studied Billy's profile. "Jealousy doesn't look so bad on you."
"Billy turned to glare, but the warmth in his cheeks betrayed him. He bit the inside of his lip, trying to hold onto the scowl—but it crumbled under Artur's gaze. "I'm not jealous."
"Sure," Artur said, dragging the word out. "Not one bit."
Billy crossed his arms, face turned away, lips twitching as if trying not to smile. "Don't you have anything better to do than annoy me?"
Artur nudged his shoulder. "Nope. This is exactly what I want to be doing."
Billy tried to suppress the way his lips lifted, but the moment had already softened. The breeze rustled the branches above, and between the flicker of light and shadow, the warmth between them settled again.
Billy leaned back against the tree trunk, tilting his face up toward the sky, eyes half-closed in the soft warmth of the midday sun. Artur sat close, their shoulders brushing now and then, but neither pulled away. The comfort between them had settled into something quiet—unspoken but deeply present.
"You know," Artur murmured, glancing sideways, "I never really cared about impressing girls."
Billy turned, raising a brow. "Oh? Then what was the fence incident about, hmm?"
Artur smirked. "Maybe I was just clumsy around people I cared about."
Billy snorted. "Smooth recovery."
"I thought it was charming."
"You thought wrong," Billy said with a small laugh, but his voice softened. He leaned his head slightly toward Artur, letting the silence linger before adding, "But maybe a little charming."
Artur smiled—small and sincere—watching Billy's expression shift with the dappled light. The moment held, like something fragile and real.
Billy held onto Artur's hand a little tighter. Neither of them said a word. They stood side by side, eyes watching the quiet path that curved through the trees, leaves shifting softly in the breeze.
The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was the kind that filled the spaces between hearts that understood each other. Artur didn't move. Billy didn't let go.
"A rustle behind the tree made Billy glance over his shoulder—just in time to see Jay appear, grinning like he'd been watching for a while."
"Shift," he said, patting Artur's back and sliding in between them like he owned the space.
Billy blinked, startled as Jay casually slung an arm over his shoulder, giving him a friendly slap.
Artur took a long, deep breath through his nose like he was counting to ten.
"Billy stiffened, unsure whether to laugh or squirm. Jay had always been bold, but this? This was asking for death by glare."
"You guys are back already?" Jay said, voice loaded with teasing.
Artur turned his head slowly, his brow furrowed in that very specific way—like he was about to launch Jay into the nearest bush.
"Back from where?" Billy asked, brow raised.
Jay leaned in with a smirk. "Your honeymoon, obviously. I mean, you both disappeared, I haven't see you since that day. I was getting suspicious, you know, maybe you got married without inviting me.
Billy coughed awkwardly, trying not to laugh. Artur didn't.
Jay, clearly amused, kept going. "You should've seen yourself that day, Artur. Hovering like a hawk. Wouldn't even let me offer Billy a drink. Possessive much huh?"
Artur's jaw clenched, his eyes flicking to Jay's arm still draped across Billy.
Jay, catching the look, grinned wider—and very deliberately patted Billy's shoulder again. "Relax, I'm just messing around. You two are adorable."
Billy could feel Artur vibrating next to him. His silence was the loud kind—dangerous.
"Jay…" Billy warned, his tone light but edged.
Jay laughed. "Oh, come on. I'm just here for the drama. I mean—look at this guy!" He nudged Artur. "Jealous then, jealous now. Some things never change."
"Keep your hands off," Artur finally said, voice low and flat.
Jay blinked, pretending to be surprised. "What? This?" He gave Billy's shoulder one more theatrical squeeze.
Before he could react, Artur reached over and peeled Jay's hand away, not harshly, but with a grip that made the point crystal clear.
Billy felt it—the change. Artur's gaze wasn't cold, but it was serious, burning with something he hadn't quite put into words yet. But it was there.
Jay sat back, both hands raised in surrender, chuckling. "Okay, okay. Chill. I get it. Billy's officially yours."
Billy looked between them, amused and a little flustered. "You really enjoy getting under his skin, don't you?"
Jay beamed. "It's a gift."
Artur leaned forward slightly, his hand now resting behind Billy, fingers brushing his lower back—a small, firm claim.
Jay noticed. "Whoa. Okay. Message received, lover boy. I'll go before you actually tackle me."
He stood, dusting himself off and winking as he walked away. "Try not to kill anyone before lunch!"
Once he was gone, Billy turned to Artur, a small laugh escaping. "You really were about to lose it, huh?"
"Artur didn't answer right away. He just looked at Billy, gaze steady and full of heat. Then, in a voice quieter but far more intense, he said, 'You're mine.'
Billy's breath caught. The world seemed to narrow to just the space between them. 'I know,' he whispered."
They stayed there, sitting side by side again, just a bit closer than before.
Billy leaned back against the bark, one leg stretched out, the other bent. Artur sat beside him, arms resting loosely over his knees, stealing glances like he didn't want to be caught looking too long.
The space between them buzzed—not awkward, but thick with something unspoken.
Billy tilted his head slightly. "He really likes teasing you, huh?"
Artur grunted. "He's annoying."
Billy smirked. "You didn't have to nearly kill him with your eyes."
Artur didn't reply immediately. He watched the dust dance in the sunlight for a moment, then shrugged. "He was touching you."
Billy blinked, surprised at the raw honesty in Artur's tone. There was no jealousy in his voice now—just quiet possession. A sort of tenderness wrapped in pride.
"I didn't mind," Billy said softly, just to poke.
Artur looked at him.
Billy chuckled. "Okay, okay. Maybe I minded a little."
A small smile crept onto Artur's lips. "Good."
They fell into a moment of silence, the kind that wrapped around them like a blanket, soft and comforting.
Then Billy leaned slightly, his shoulder brushing Artur's. "You always been like this?"
Artur glanced at him. "Like what?"
Billy hummed, playful. "Jealous. Overprotective."
Artur's brow furrowed like he was thinking hard, then he gave a small huff of laughter. "Maybe. Never really cared enough before to notice."
"Billy looked at him—not teasing this time, just curious, eyes quietly searching Artur's face. "And now you care?"
Artur turned to meet his gaze, serious for a heartbeat. "Yeah… I do."
The answer sat heavily between them, and yet, it didn't feel heavy at all. It settled into Billy's chest with warmth. He dropped his gaze for a moment, unsure what to say.
Artur nudged him lightly with his shoulder. "Hey. You okay?"
Billy nodded. "Yeah. Just… I never imagined I'd end up like this. Sitting under a tree in some quiet village, next to someone who makes my heart feel—"
He stopped himself, cheeks coloring faintly. "Forget it."
Artur leaned a little closer. "Next to someone who makes your heart feel what?"
Billy exhaled a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're enjoying this too much."
"I really am," Artur said, smiling.
Billy picked up a tiny rock and flicked it at Artur's shoe. "Don't get cocky."
Artur grinned wider, then leaned his head back against the tree. "Let's just stay like this a little longer."
Billy's lips softened. "Yeah… I like that."
So they did. "No rush. No future to chase. Just the hush of leaves, the warmth of skin brushing skin, and the quiet, steady rhythm of two hearts finding their home beneath the trees."