Extra: Vale's Loving Affection
Syrus
I woke up to the sound of a familiar voice calling my name. "Syrus," Vale said gently, his voice soft and sweet. A small smile appeared on my lips as I slowly rubbed my eyes, still feeling a little sleepy. When I looked up, the first thing I saw was his face—his handsome, warm smile making my heart flutter. Without even thinking, I reached for him, wrapping my arms around him, still half-asleep. His warmth felt comforting, like a dream I never wanted to wake up from.
"I made some breakfast. Let's eat," he said, pressing a light kiss on my cheek.
Before I could even respond, he scooped me up effortlessly in his arms. I let out a small laugh, feeling a little shy but happy. "You really don't have to carry me, you know," I mumbled, but he just smiled and held me tighter.
As he carried me toward the kitchen, I rested my head against his shoulder, letting myself enjoy the moment. Even though it had been months since we decided to start over, I still couldn't get used to this.
The way he treated me with so much love. The way he showed his feelings without hesitation. The way he made me feel like I was the most important person in his life. It still felt unreal, as if I was living in a dream. But as I felt his arms around me, steady and strong, I knew this wasn't a dream. It was real. He was real. And for the first time in a long time, I truly believed that this happiness was ours to keep.
After we finished eating, Vale stood up and started washing the dishes. "I'll do it," I offered, pushing my chair back, but he shook his head with a playful smile. "Nope, I got it. You just sit and relax," he insisted, rolling up his sleeves.
So now, I was just sitting at the table, watching him from behind as he scrubbed the plates. His broad shoulders moved with each motion, his focus completely on the task. The sound of running water and clinking dishes filled the kitchen, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
I rested my chin on my palm, staring at him for a while. It was still surreal—seeing Vale like this, so loving and attentive. It was a side of him I never thought I would get to experience again. Even after months of being together again, this new version of him still caught me off guard.
Then, an idea popped into my head—a mischievous one. Silently, I stood up and walked toward him, making sure he didn't hear me. Once I was close enough, I ran my hands lightly across his back, letting my fingers trail along his sides.
"Ah!" Vale let out a small, startled shriek, his body tensing for a second as he nearly dropped a plate. I couldn't hold back my laughter, biting my lip as I chuckled. He turned his head slightly to look at me, his lips curving into an amused but exasperated smile. "Syrus," he sighed, shaking his head while smiling awkwardly.
Before I could say anything, he suddenly leaned in and pressed a quick but sweet kiss to my lips. My breath hitched slightly, surprised by the sudden affection. "Behave for now, love," he murmured against my lips, his voice soft yet firm. His warm breath tickled my skin, making my heart skip a beat.
Then, pulling away, he gave me a knowing look. "Let me just finish this, alright?" I pouted playfully, crossing my arms. "Fine," I mumbled, dragging my feet back to my seat. Vale chuckled as he returned to washing the dishes, while I just sat there, watching him with a silly grin on my face. Moments like this made everything feel so simple, so warm—like home.
After some time, Vale finally finished washing the dishes. He dried his hands with a towel before turning to me with a small, satisfied smile. "All done," he said cheerfully.
I chuckled at how proud he seemed over such a simple task. Without saying a word, we walked over to the couch, and as soon as we sat down, I curled up beside him. Vale pulled me into his arms, holding me close, and I rested my head against his chest. His warmth surrounded me, and I could hear the steady beat of his heart. It was comforting—so familiar and safe.
For a while, neither of us spoke. We just enjoyed the peaceful moment together, wrapped in each other's presence. The soft hum of the television played in the background, but I wasn't really paying attention to it. All I could focus on was the way Vale's hand gently stroked my back, the way he breathed steadily, and the quiet comfort of being beside him.
Then, Vale suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" he asked, his voice soft as his fingers absentmindedly ran through my hair.
I thought for a moment, trying to remember if I had anything scheduled. After a few seconds, I shook my head lightly. "No, I don't have anything planned. Why?" I asked, looking up at him. Vale's lips curled into a gentle smile. "Let's go on a date," he said, his tone filled with warmth. "It's been a while since we've had one."
I blinked at him in slight surprise before a small smile formed on my own lips. He was right—we hadn't gone out together in a while. With everything that had been going on, our days had been filled with work, responsibilities, and the usual routine. We hadn't really taken the time to just be together, to enjoy each other's company like we used to. "Alright," I agreed without hesitation.
Vale's eyes brightened at my response, and he leaned down to press a soft kiss on my forehead. "Then it's a plan," he said with a grin, holding me a little tighter. I smiled to myself as I leaned into him again, feeling a sense of happiness settle in my chest. Tomorrow was going to be a good day—I could already feel it.
**********
The next day arrived, and for some reason, I felt nervous. My heart was beating faster than usual, and my palms felt a little sweaty. "It's just a date. Why am I feeling like this?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head. It wasn't like this was our first time going out together, but for some reason, today felt different. Maybe it was because we hadn't had a proper date in a while. Maybe it was because I wanted today to be special.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, then finally stepped out of my room. As soon as I did, my eyes landed on Vale. He was standing there, waiting for me, looking effortlessly handsome. The way the sunlight from the window hit his face made him look almost unreal—like something straight out of a dream. I found myself staring for a moment, feeling a bit self-conscious about my own appearance. Compared to him, I suddenly felt underdressed.
Still, I smiled and pushed those thoughts aside. "You look handsome," I told him honestly. Vale chuckled, his lips curving into that familiar teasing smile. "So do you," he mumbled, his eyes scanning me briefly.
I felt my face warm up slightly but decided to ignore it. Instead, I focused on his next words. "Are you ready?" he asked. I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything else. With that, we made our way out, stepping into the world beyond the comfort of our home. Though I still felt a little nervous, I also felt something else—excitement. No matter what, I knew that today would be a day to remember.
Vale took me to a restaurant inside a luxurious five-star hotel. The moment we stepped in, I was in awe of the elegant decor, the soft glow of chandeliers, and the soothing melody of live music playing in the background. Everything about this place screamed expensive, making me feel slightly out of place. As we finished ordering, curiosity got the best of me. I leaned in and whispered, "This place looks really expensive."
Vale just smiled at me, his warm fingers intertwining with mine. "Don't worry about it," he said gently. "I've been saving up for this." Hearing that, I didn't know what to say. I simply stayed quiet, feeling warmth spread in my chest.
As dinner went on, we talked a lot, more than we usually did. Ever since we got back together, something had changed between us—we had become more open, more honest. There were no more walls, no more things left unsaid. It felt good.
Then, suddenly, Vale's expression turned serious. His usual playful smile softened into something deeper, something filled with emotions that made my heart race. "Syrus," he started, his voice steady but full of feeling. "We've been together for so many years. Even though we broke up, we still found our way back to each other. And I know why." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. "I love you so much. That's why..." He flipped open the box, revealing a ring inside.
I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. My eyes widened as I stared at the simple yet beautiful band glistening under the light. "Let's be together forever. Alright?" He asked, his gaze tender and unwavering.
A wave of emotions crashed over me, and before I knew it, tears streamed down my face. I covered my mouth, trying to hold back a sob, but the overwhelming joy was too much. "Of course," I managed to choke out between my tears. "I'll be with you, Vale."
With a loving smile, he took my trembling hand and gently slipped the ring onto my finger. My heart swelled with so much happiness that I thought it might burst. Still sniffling, I looked at him and asked, "Where's yours?"
Vale chuckled softly before holding up his hand, revealing an identical ring already placed on his finger. At that moment, we reached for each other's hands, holding them tightly as if we would never let go again. Then, he leaned in, and our lips met in a tender, love-filled kiss. I felt happy. Truly, deeply happy.
Before the night could come to an end, Vale turned to me with a small smile. "I booked a room for us here," he said casually, though I could tell he was a little nervous. I raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "You're being very straightforward today, I see." At my teasing, his face flushed slightly, and he looked away for a moment. It was adorable. When we stepped into the hotel room, Vale immediately hugged me from behind, pulling me close. I could feel his warmth as he rested his face against my neck and took a deep breath. I let out a soft laugh. "Are you just going to smell me like that, Vale?" I teased, tilting my head slightly to look at him.
Instead of answering, he turned me around to face him. His hands gently cupped my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks as he leaned in. His lips met mine in a tender, lingering kiss, filled with so much love that my heart skipped a beat. That night, under the soft glow of the hotel lights, we shared everything—our love, our warmth, and the emotions we had kept bottled up for so long. It was a night where nothing else mattered, just the two of us, together.
**********
Someone
The gentleman carefully wrote the last few words in his book. With a soft smile, he placed his pen down and gently closed it. "Master, isn't it risky to trap them in a time loop?" a playful little girl with cat ears and a swishing tail asked from behind him. She tilted her head curiously. "What if they never find a way out?"
The gentleman didn't seem worried. He stood up, walked over to a tall bookshelf, and carefully placed the newly finished book among the others. His collection of stories lined the shelves, each one holding a different tale. "Sometimes," he finally said, "people need to be pushed to the edge before they can truly see what they've been blind to all along."
The cat-eared girl pouted, crossing her arms. "You're always so poetic, Master," she huffed. The gentleman chuckled. "And you're always so impatient." Then, he picked up a small carnelian stone and handed it to her. "Now, be a good assistant and help me with the next one."
She let out a groan but took the carnelian stone anyway. "Fine, fine," she mumbled. As they prepared for their next task, the heavy wooden door creaked shut behind them. The room grew silent once more. And just like that, another story was about to begin.
The End