Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 36: "When Memories Belong to Others"

The scent of breakfast still hung in the air as Billy rinsed the final dish, his fingers drifting through the warm water. Mr. Dand hummed softly as he stirred a pot on the stove. Meanwhile, "Artur, true to form, sat at the table, absently playing with a wooden carving in his hands."

The morning was peaceful.

Until the door swung open.

"Dand! You in here?"

A deep, familiar voice cut through the quiet, followed by the sound of boots thudding against the floorboards. The man who stepped in was broad-shouldered, his beard streaked with gray, his presence filling the space as if he owned it.

Mr. Dand barely turned from the stove. "Took your time, old friend."

"Had to wrestle my way outta the house first, "Mr. Lee" grumbled, waving off invisible complaints. He threw off his coat and settled heavily into the chair beside Artur, stretching with a satisfied groan. "Damn, it smells good in here."

"Sit down, eat," Mr. Dand said, setting down bowls of food.

"Mr. Lee" wasted no time, grabbing his spoon. But even as he ate, his eyes flicked around the table, finally landing on Billy. He chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. "And who's this?"

Billy dried his hands on a cloth and turned. "Billy," he said simply.

"Billy, huh?" "Mr. Lee" leaned back, studying him with curiosity. "Haven't seen you before."

"He's been here a while," Mr. Dand said, filling his own plate.

Artur, still focused on his food, added casually, "Yeah, he's not going anywhere."

Billy glanced at him, but Artur was already taking a sip of tea, as if he hadn't just said something so casual yet loaded.

"Ah," "Mr.Lee" nodded knowingly, though he didn't ask further. Instead, he turned back to Artur, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Still the same, huh? I half expected you to have settled down by now."

Artur huffed, shoving a spoonful of food into his mouth as if that would keep him from answering.

"Mr. Lee" raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Instead, his attention shifted back to Artur. "Now, you—" He pointed his spoon at him. "Haven't seen you in ages either."

Artur smirked. "Been busy."

"Busy?" Mr.Lee let out a deep laugh. "That's a new one. Last I saw you, you weren't 'busy' with anything other than avoiding work."

Mr. Dand chuckled, shaking his head.

"Mr. Lee" kept going, his voice booming. "You know, I was just telling my wife the other day—'Wonder if Artur's still as lazy as ever.' She said, 'Oh, don't you worry. He probably hasn't changed a bit.'"

Billy covered his mouth, hiding his amused smile.

Artur rolled his eyes. "Nice to know I'm being talked about."

"Oh, you've been a topic plenty of times," Mr. Lee said, grinning. "Speaking of which—you remember Anna?"

Artur barely paused. "Yeah, of course. How is she?"

Billy's hand stilled slightly against the cloth.

"Mr. Lee" grin widened. "Oh, she's doing just fine. You know, she still talks about you."

Artur hummed, unfazed. "Really?"

"Oh yeah." Mr. Lee leaned forward, his voice taking on a teasing edge. "She was telling me the other day—'I wonder if Artur still remembers how we used to play house as kids.'"

Billy blinked.

Artur only smirked, shaking his head. "That again?" Artur said with a low chuckle.

"Come on," Mr. Lee pressed, laughter in his voice, "you two were adorable..." Running around, calling each other 'husband' and 'wife' like you actually knew what that meant."

A faint twist curled in Billy's stomach, unexpected and unwelcome.

"She used to boss you around," Mr. Lee continued, clearly enjoying himself. "Had you carrying her little basket, making you sit beside her during meals, holding hands when crossing the damn road."

Artur chuckled, shaking his head. "She always did like being in charge."

"Oh, still does," Mr. Lee said proudly. "She told me, 'If Artur ever comes back, I'd like to see if he still remembers our little promise.'"

Artur raised an eyebrow. "Promise?"

Billy's fingers clenched against the cloth.

"Oh, don't tell me you forgot," Mr. Lee gasped dramatically. "You two swore—SWORE—you'd get married when you grew up. 'No matter what,' she said, 'Artur is going to be my husband.'" He laughed loudly, slapping Artur's shoulder. "What do you say to that, huh?"

Billy turned away, placing the last dish onto the rack with a little more force than necessary.

Artur just scoffed. "I say she was a bossy kid."

"That's it? No romantic words?"

Artur shook his head, still smirking. "She was fun, but we were kids." He took another bite of food. "Tell her I said hi, though."

Billy exhaled slowly.

It wasn't anything. Just childhood nonsense. Artur was acting like it didn't mean a thing, brushing it off like it was nothing more than an old joke.

But that didn't stop the slight, unfamiliar weight in Billy's chest.

Because Artur had remembered her.

And Billy? He had no past.

No childhood memories. No childhood friends. No one who spoke about him with familiarity, laughing over stories of how he used to be.

For some reason, that stung more than he wanted to admit.

He turned back toward the table, expression carefully neutral.

Mr. Lee was still chuckling as he finished his meal, completely unaware of the shift in the air.

"So, Artur," he said, wiping his mouth. "When should I start preparing for the wedding?"

Artur nearly choked on his tea.

Billy's grip on the cloth tightened.

Billy focused on steadying his hands as he set the last dish down. The laughter around the table felt light, but there was something pressing against his chest—something unfamiliar.

Across from him, Artur leaned back in his chair, casually stirring his tea with no sign of discomfort. The teasing didn't seem to bother him. If anything, he looked amused.

Mr. Dand, who had been listening silently, finally let out a low chuckle. "Anna, huh? That little girl used to come running here every other day looking for Artur."

Billy glanced at him, then back at Artur, who was still completely relaxed.

"She was bossy," Artur admitted with a lazy smirk. "Always telling me what to do."

Mr. Lee laughed heartily. "And you let her! That's the best part." He turned to Billy, grinning as if letting him in on some grand secret. "You should've seen them. Artur followed her around like a little lost puppy. Whatever she said, he did."

Billy forced a small smile. "That so?"

"Oh, absolutely," Mr. Lee went on. "If she wanted a flower crown, Artur made it. If she wanted to play house, he was the husband. If she wanted sweets, he stole 'em for her." He laughed, shaking his head. "The funniest part? She used to tell everyone, 'Artur is mine. No one else can have him.'"

Billy's stomach twisted slightly.

Artur sighed dramatically. "I was young. Didn't know any better."

"Oh, come on, you can't tell me you didn't enjoy it at least a little," Mr. Lee teased, nudging him with his elbow.

Artur tilted his head as if considering. "I enjoyed stealing sweets."

That earned another round of laughter.

Billy stood quietly, wiping his hands on a towel. He wasn't sure why he felt this way. It couldn't be jealousy. That would be ridiculous... wouldn't it?

Artur was his.

And yet, something about the way this conversation lingered, the way Artur seemed completely unbothered, made Billy's thoughts spiral.

Mr. Lee, clearly having too much fun, leaned in again. "You know, she still asks about you, she will be back soon."

Artur raised an eyebrow. " Oh Yeah?"

"Oh yeah. Says she wonders what you're up to these days." Mr. Lee smirked. "Bet she'd still boss you around if she saw you."

Billy swallowed the sharp remark that nearly slipped from his tongue.

Mr. Dand, noticing Billy's silence, finished his tea and pushed back his chair. "Well, enough about the past," he said, standing up. "You ready to go?"

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Mr. Lee wiped his mouth, nodding. "Yeah, yeah. Just in time, too. That was a damn good meal." He patted his stomach before stretching. "Let's head out before the sun gets any higher."

Mr. Dand nodded, heading off to change.

Mr. Lee stood as well, rolling his shoulders. "Artur," he said, clasping his shoulder. "If Anna come back, should I tell her you're still single?"

Billy's grip tightened around the towel.

Artur, still smirking, but didn't said anything.

Mr. Lee barked out a laugh, shaking his head. "Ah, still the same."

Billy turned his back to the table, pretending to adjust something on the counter, willing himself to push away the strange feeling creeping up inside him.

Mr. Dand returned, fastening his coat. "We'll be back later," he said. "You two have anything planned today?"

Billy, still facing away, let Artur answer.

"Not yet," Artur said.

Mr. Dand nodded. "Then try not to burn the house down."

Billy exhaled slowly as the two men finally stepped outside, the door closing behind them.

And just like that, they were alone.

Billy didn't turn around right away. He needed a moment. A moment to shake off the lingering weight in his chest. A moment to tell himself it was nothing.

But then—

"You're quiet."

Billy felt the words before he fully registered them.

And when he finally turned, Artur was watching him.

Smirking.

Like he knew.

Billy barely touched his tea. The conversation from earlier sat deep in his chest, like a stone sinking to the bottom of a lake.

Artur, on the other hand, was as relaxed as ever, stretching his arms over his head and exhaling. "Man, that was a good meal," he said casually, trying to start some light chatter. "We should cook together more often, don't you think?"

Billy hummed a vague response, stirring his tea once before setting the spoon down.

Artur glanced at him, tilting his head. "What's with the long face?"

"Huh?" Billy blinked, looking up. "Nothing."

"You sure?"

Billy didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood up and pushed his chair back, wiping his hands on his pants.

"You even made her a flower crown..."

The words slipped out like a bruise, soft but sharp, before he turned away.

Artur blinked, then a slow grin spread across his face.

Oh, so that's what this was about.

He stood up, trailing behind Billy, his footsteps light and amused. He caught up just as Billy reached the hallway and stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

Facing him directly, Artur leaned in slightly, tilting his head with playful curiosity. "Ohh... don't tell me..." He squinted, dramatically searching Billy's face. "Are you jealous?"

Billy crossed his arms, shifting his weight to one side. "Who's jealous?"

"You, obviously."

Billy scoffed. "Hmm." He tilted his chin up slightly, pretending to be indifferent. "You followed her around like a little lost puppy."

Artur's grin widened. "Oh, you are definitely jealous."

"I'm not," Billy said firmly, turning on his heel.

Artur laughed under his breath and followed him inside the room, watching as Billy busied himself with absolutely nothing—straightening the blanket, fixing a pillow, anything to avoid looking at him.

Still grinning, Artur leaned against the doorframe. "Do you also want a flower crown?"

Billy turned, brows furrowed. "I'm not a kid."

"C'mon, stop acting like this." Artur stepped closer, tapping his fingers lightly against Billy's arm. "It was nothing."

Billy exhaled through his nose, pretending to brush him off. "But you still remember her." His voice was quieter this time, a little softer, like the words weren't meant to slip out.

Artur caught that.

His grin softened slightly, but the teasing in his eyes remained. "And?"

Billy turned away, arms still crossed. "You guys made a promise, didn't you?"

Artur chuckled, stepping even closer. "Billy."

No response.

"You know what?"

Billy still didn't answer, refusing to turn around.

Artur leaned in just a little, just enough for Billy to feel the warmth of his breath. "You're so cute when you're jealous."

Billy's shoulders tensed. Then he turned sharply, pointing a finger at him. "Are you teasing me?!"

Artur grinned. I never thought you're jealous type.

Billy's eyes narrowed. "You're insufferable."

"And you're adorable."

Billy huffed, his cheeks heating slightly. Artur wasn't supposed to enjoy this so much.

But damn it, he was.

Billy sat down at the edge of the bed, crossing his arms, his expression still a mix of playful annoyance and lingering jealousy. Artur, of course, wasn't about to let it go.

He plopped down beside him, resting his elbow on his knee and tilting his head with a smirk. "You're still sulking."

Billy rolled his eyes. "I'm not."

Artur hummed, clearly unconvinced. He nudged Billy's shoulder lightly. "Go on then, say it."

"Say what?"

Artur's grin widened. "That you were jealous."

Billy scoffed, shaking his head. "Go and make her your wife, then." His tone was laced with playful sarcasm, but there was still a hint of something else beneath it.

Artur laughed, loud and amused, before turning to him with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "No," he said smoothly. "I'll make you my wife instead."

Billy snapped his head toward him, raising a brow. "Me?" He scoffed, laughing. "Who's your wife?"

Artur pinched Billy's cheek lightly, grinning. "You, my jealous wife."

Billy swatted his hand away, but he was laughing now too. "Why would I be the wife?" He placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. "I'm obviously the husband. You're the wife, okay?"

Artur gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his own heart. "Excuse me?"

Billy smirked. "What? You're shorter than me—"

"I am not shorter than you!" Artur immediately sat up straighter, puffing out his chest.

Billy chuckled, leaning closer. "And you like cooking for me now, don't you?"

Artur's eyes narrowed playfully. "That was one time."

Billy tapped his chin in mock thought. "And you're always trying to make me smile, very wife-like behavior if you ask me."

Artur huffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, so that's how you wanna play?"

Billy grinned. "Mhm."

Artur suddenly leaned in, their noses nearly touching, and smirked. "Fine. If I'm the wife, then as your beloved spouse, I demand a kiss."

Billy blinked. His face heated up instantly.

He wasn't expecting that.

Artur tilted his head, still smirking. "What? Husband's duty, right?"

Billy opened his mouth, then closed it. His heart thumped in his chest.

Artur chuckled. "Cat got your tongue?"

Billy huffed, then—before he could talk himself out of it—leaned in and pecked Artur's cheek, fast and warm.

The moment he pulled back, he crossed his arms again, looking away as if it was nothing. "There. A gentlemanly kiss for my precious wife." Happy now?"

Artur's mouth opened, then closed. He cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at Billy. You think that's enough?"

Billy tilted his head. "You want more?"

Artur, stunned for a second, then broke into the biggest grin. He touched his cheek, laughing softly. "Hah. So cute."

Billy shot him a glare. "Don't push it."

Artur only laughed harder. "Too late."

Billy groaned, flopping back onto the bed. This man was impossible.

And yet, as Artur continued grinning at him, Billy couldn't help but smile too.

Billy grinned in victory. "Aww, look at you blushing. How cute."

Artur shot him a glare over his shoulder. "I'm not blushing."

Billy hummed. "Mm-hmm. Sure, wife."

Artur groaned. "You're impossible."

Billy leaned back on his elbows, still smirking. "And yet, you love it."

Artur scoffed, but the small, lingering smile on his lips gave him away.

The teasing had backfired on him, and Billy was very pleased with himself.

The room settled into a comfortable silence. Artur was still facing the window, arms folded, while Billy remained on the bed, his smirk slowly fading as his thoughts drifted.

He had been playing around, teasing Artur, enjoying their banter—but now, something lingered beneath the surface.

His heart was still beating faster than usual.

Billy exhaled softly, lowering his gaze to his hands.

Artur had laughed it off, but deep down, Billy couldn't ignore the way the conversation earlier at breakfast had affected him. The mention of Artur's childhood memories with that girl—how easily he had remembered—how natural it was for him to talk about it.

Billy knew it was just teasing, but a small part of him couldn't shake the feeling.

What if... Artur had feelings for her once?

Billy clenched his hands briefly, shaking his head. Why am I thinking like this?

Artur turned around, finally noticing the shift in Billy's expression. His teasing smirk faded a little. "Hey."

Billy glanced up. "What?"

Artur studied him for a moment before walking back and plopping onto the bed beside him again. "You really are upset, huh?"

Billy exhaled, forcing a small smile. "I said I'm fine."

Artur didn't buy it. He nudged Billy's knee with his own. "C'mon, talk to me."

Billy hesitated, then muttered, "It's stupid."

Artur tilted his head. "Then tell me the stupid thing."

Billy sighed. He hesitated again, but the words slipped out before he could stop them.

"You remember everything about her," he admitted quietly.

Artur blinked. "Huh?"

Billy forced a chuckle, but it sounded forced even to himself. "You still remember what she liked, the stupid flower crowns, all those little things." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's nothing, really. Just... funny."

Artur stared at him for a second before shaking his head with a soft laugh. "Billy."

Billy didn't respond.

Artur shifted closer, their shoulders touching. "Of course, I remember things about her. She was part of my childhood. Just like I remember playing in the river, climbing trees, getting in trouble." He nudged Billy lightly. "But you know what I don't remember?"

Billy finally glanced at him. "...What?"

Artur smiled. "Ever feeling like this before."

Billy felt his heart skip.

Artur leaned in slightly, voice softer now. "I've never felt this way about anyone else. Not back then, not now."

Billy swallowed. "You're just saying that."

Artur huffed, rolling his eyes. "You're really bad at taking compliments, you know that?"

Billy smiled, but it was small.

Artur watched him for a moment longer, then suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward, making Billy stumble slightly closer.

Billy raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing—"

Artur smirked. "Testing something."

Before Billy could react, Artur leaned in and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to his cheek.

Billy froze. His skin tingled where Artur's lips had been.

When Artur pulled back, he studied Billy's face, waiting. "Hmm. Thought so."

Billy blinked rapidly. "Thought what?"

Artur grinned. "That you're adorable when you get flustered."

Billy groaned, shoving Artur back onto the bed. "You're impossible."

Artur just laughed.

Billy sat there for a moment, rubbing his face. Then, without looking at Artur, he muttered, "You make me feel like an idiot sometimes."

Artur propped himself up on his elbows. "Good. You need it."

Billy sighed, then finally—finally—smiled for real this time.

Artur saw it and grinned wider. "There he is."

Billy rolled his eyes, but he didn't push him away this time.

For now, that was enough.

Billy stretched his arms behind his head, glancing toward the window where the afternoon light streamed in. The tension from earlier had faded, leaving a comfortable warmth between them.

Artur, still lounging on the bed, watched him with a smirk. "You know," he drawled, "for someone who says he's not jealous, you sure sulked like a kid."

Billy shot him a glare. "I did not sulk."

Artur raised an eyebrow. "You pouted."

"I did not—"

Artur mimicked Billy's expression from earlier—lips slightly pushed out, brows furrowed. "Mmm, Artur, you made flower crowns for her," he said in a fake, high-pitched voice. "Why don't you go make her your wife?"

Billy's jaw dropped. "I do not sound like that!"

Artur burst out laughing, rolling onto his back. "Oh, you so do."

Billy grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked Artur's stomach with it. "Take it back."

Artur wheezed between laughter. "Nope."

Billy hit him again, and Artur finally sat up, catching Billy's wrist. "Okay, okay! Truce," he chuckled, but the playful glint in his eyes said otherwise.

Billy narrowed his eyes. "I don't trust you."

"You shouldn't," Artur admitted with a grin. Then, before Billy could react, he yanked him forward, knocking him off balance.

Billy let out a surprised yelp as he tumbled onto the bed, landing half on top of Artur.

They both stilled.

Billy was pressed against Artur's chest, their faces inches apart. Artur's arms had instinctively wrapped around Billy's waist to steady him.

Neither of them moved.

Billy's breath hitched. He could feel Artur's heartbeat beneath his palm, steady but fast.

Artur's smirk softened. "See?" he murmured. "You are cute when you pout."

Billy rolled his eyes, trying to push himself up, but Artur held him there a second longer.

"Hey," Artur said, voice quieter now.

Billy looked at him.

Artur brushed a loose strand of hair from Billy's forehead. "You really have nothing to worry about."

Billy swallowed, his heart doing an annoying little flip. "...I know."

Artur smiled. "Good."

Then, with a playful grin, he finally let Billy go.

Billy quickly sat up, clearing his throat. "You're ridiculous," he muttered.

Artur stretched his arms behind his head. "And you love it."

Billy huffed, standing up. "I need fresh air before I throw something at you."

Artur chuckled. "I'll come with you."

Billy sighed, but he didn't protest.

As they headed outside, the sun was warm, the sky clear. The village buzzed with its usual afternoon rhythm—people chatting, children playing.

Artur nudged Billy's arm. "Let's go for a walk."

Billy glanced at him. "Where?"

"Anywhere."

Billy exhaled, but a small smile played on his lips. "Fine."

As they wandered down the familiar village paths, the playful teasing from earlier lingered between them, but something else was there too—something softer, something neither of them was quite ready to name yet.