Back inside, the house welcomed them with cool air and the familiar scent of wood and something faintly herbal—maybe the way sun warmed the walls, or how Mr. Dand's herbs clung faintly to the beams. Billy toed off his shoes near the door, stretching his arms up with a yawn as Artur passed him a towel from the rack.
"That sun really kissed you today," Artur said, squinting at the faint flush blooming across Billy's cheeks and nose.
Billy smirked. "Sun's got good taste."
Artur chuckled, shaking his head, and they wandered into the kitchen. Billy opened the window above the sink, letting in the breeze and golden light. The table was empty, no chores in sight for once. A rare, welcome stillness filled the air.
"Feels weird not hearing Dad's footsteps around," Artur said, grabbing two cups and setting them down.
Billy leaned against the counter, watching him. "Yeah. Quiet."
"But not bad quiet," Artur added, sliding a glass of cool water toward him.
Billy took it, fingers brushing Artur's briefly. "No. Just... soft. Like the house is breathing slower."
They sat at the table, sipping water, the silence between them warm rather than empty. Outside, the wind ruffled the leaves, casting gentle shadows over the walls.
Billy's foot nudged Artur's under the table, barely a touch. "Hey."
Artur shook his head. "No. You?"
Billy smiled. "A little."
Billy raised an eyebrow. "You inviting me for a nap or something else?"
Artur leaned back with a lazy grin. "Just a nap. I don't want you using your exhaustion as an excuse when I beat you at cards later."
Billy laughed, pushing his chair back. "Alright. A nap. But I'm picking the blanket."
Artur stood too, and as they walked toward his room, Billy tugged on the back of his shirt, slowing him down.
"What?" Artur turned with a soft look.
Billy leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "Thanks for the day."
Artur's expression gentled, and he turned enough to brush his fingers across Billy's cheek. "Thanks for showing up in it."
They slipped into the room, not saying much more. Billy picked the softest blanket and flopped onto the bed, pulling Artur down beside him. The bed dipped beneath them as sunlight spilled across the sheets.
They laid there, tangled together, The kind of tired that came from laughter, sunlight, and things that didn't need names. Full of quiet, of warmth, of knowing the other was there.
Artur shifted onto his side, one arm draped loosely around Billy's waist, his nose brushing close to the edge of Billy's hairline. The blanket was warm, but it was Billy's presence—his soft breathing, the steady rhythm of his chest rising and falling—that made it comforting.
Billy didn't speak. He just let himself sink into the hush of the room, eyelids fluttering half-closed as he lay facing Artur, their foreheads nearly touching. The sunlight filtered in lazily, stretching across the floor in golden ribbons, catching on the tiny specks of dust floating in the air.
Artur's thumb moved gently along the curve of Billy's waist, not quite conscious of it—just a small, absent motion like his body wanted to remind itself that Billy was here, that he was real.
"You're warm," Artur mumbled, voice soft, laced with drowsiness.
Billy's eyes opened a fraction, a smile pulling gently at his lips. "So are you."
Artur leaned in a bit closer, nose bumping gently against Billy's. "I ."
Billy didn't answer with words. He just reached up and brushed a slow hand through Artur's hair, pushing it back from his forehead, his touch feather-light, tender.
"I could stay forever," Artur whispered.
Billy's throat tightened a little, overwhelmed by the simplicity of the moment. He nodded slightly, closing the distance and pressing his forehead to Artur's. Their breaths mingled, slow and even.
"Then let's," Billy murmured.
A minute passed. Then another.
Artur's breathing evened out first, slipping into sleep in the crook of Billy's arm. Billy watched him for a little while longer, the corners of his eyes crinkling softly, filled with a kind of awe.
His fingers curled lightly against Artur's back as he finally let himself drift, too, the room falling into stillness. No words. No noise. Just two heartbeats, close and calm, woven into the quiet afternoon light.
And there, in that sunlit hush, they slept—tangled together like the world outside could wait.
It wasn't sudden, just a slow drift back to consciousness as the hush of the room shifted slightly—the sun dipping lower, the golden light now leaning toward amber. His eyelids fluttered open to find Artur still tucked against him, breathing soft and deep.
Billy combed a hand through Artur's tousled hair. He didn't move. Didn't want to.
But a moment later, Artur shifted, letting out a low, sleepy groan and blinking his eyes open.
Billy was already watching.
Artur blinked once, then again, and his lips curved upward lazily. "You're staring."
Billy's voice was warm and teasing. "You're easy to stare at when you're all dreamy and disoriented."
Artur rolled his eyes, voice hoarse with sleep. "Dreamy, huh?"
Billy nodded, lifting his hand to cup Artur's cheek. "Mhm. A little messy. A little too pretty for someone who just drooled on my shirt."
Artur gave him a slow, amused look. "You're lucky I like you."
Billy grinned. "You're lucky I let you nap all over me."
Artur stretched slowly, arms wrapping around Billy with a little squeeze as he let out a breath. "You're not moving yet, are you?"
"Not unless you make me," Billy whispered.
Silence settled—soft, easy. Their bodies tangled beneath the blanket, warm and unrushed, like the day outside didn't matter.
Artur buried his face briefly in the crook of Billy's neck. "I didn't mean to fall asleep that long."
Billy tilted his head against Artur's hair. "It's okay. We needed it."
Another beat passed. Then Artur asked quietly, "Do you always look at me like that when I'm asleep?"
"Only when I'm sure you won't catch me," Billy said with a crooked smile.
Artur chuckled, low and sleepy. "Caught you this time."
Billy leaned in, brushing his lips against Artur's forehead, soft and unhurried. "You always catch me, Artur."
Artur's hand curled at the small of Billy's back, pulling him closer again. "Good."
They lay there a few more minutes—arms loose, eyes soft, hearts wrapped up in the kind of stillness that didn't need any explaining.
Eventually, Artur stretched again, mumbling, "We should probably... move."
Billy groaned. "You sure? Because I was planning to spend the whole evening exactly ."
Artur smiled. "As tempting as that is, I think our legs are officially asleep."
Billy laughed, squeezing him once before slowly sitting up. "Alright, alright. Let's move before we melt into the mattress."
They got up together, fingers brushing now and then—small touches that still lingered like they hadn't been apart for hours.