Work Text:
The walk back from the festival was a lot slower than usual. Neither you nor Silver said much, though Silver kept glancing at you, showing his small, signature smile that never seemed to leave his face lately. The streets were quiet now that the festival had ended. Paper lanterns still shone faintly above the plaza in the distance.
“Thanks for walking with me,” Silver thanked softly, his voice as warm as the night. “...I didn’t really want it to end yet, haha.”
You chuckled, your hand brushing against his. “Me neither, to be honest.”
Silver’s ears perked up at that. When you reached your home, you almost expected him to say goodbye, flick his tail nervously, and vanish into the night. Instead, Silver hesitated at the doorway, holding his turquoise bracelet. “Could I… stay a little longer?” he asked hopefully. “Just for tonight?”
You were slightly taken aback by the request, but figured it only made sense. You two were a couple—literally sealing it with a kiss earlier in the night; it simply made sense for him to stay over at your place every now and then. You smiled and stepped aside, giving him the green light. “Of course you can.”
Inside, you flicked on the kitchen light. The light was enough to brighten up your living room, revealing plants on the window sill and a couple trinkets laying around, neatly displayed on surfaces.
Silver took it all in, his eyes wide yet indulgent. “It’s so… you in here,” he murmured.
You set down your keys on the kitchen counter and laughed quietly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is,” Silver smiled.
You offered him something to drink by motioning to a tea kettle, but he shook his head in rejection. “I think I’ve had enough tea for one day,” he joked, rubbing the back of his neck. “Besides, I’d rather just talk.”
And so you did. You talked about nothing, really. The lanterns from the festival, the music, and the flavorful scent of the night all came up. You both ended up sitting on the floor with your backs against the couch and your shoulders brushing occasionally. Conversation came so easy to you, it was like something you’d never experienced before.
Eventually, Silver yawned. It was a tiny sound he tried to hide, but failed. You grinned, finding the gesture cute. “Getting tired?”
“Yeah,” he admitted, almost shamefully.
“You’re staying here, right?”
Silver blinked. “Are you sure that’s alright?”
You smiled. “Positive.”
Walking into your bedroom, you threw Silver an old shirt to sleep in. It hung loosely on his body, short sleeves going half-down his arm. He turned once in the mirror, laughing softly. “It’s huge.”
“Looks good on you, though,” you teased.
Silver rolled his eyes with faux annoyance, not bothering to hide his smile.
Later, the two of you sat side-by-side on your bed, both too tired to talk yet too energetic to sleep. Silence had a sound, and the rustling of blankets was calming. After a long silence, however, Silver spoke, “you know, I can’t really remember the last time I stayed overnight somewhere…”
You glanced at him. His eyes were fixed on the window. “What do you mean?”
“Back home, I was always—”
“Silver,” you cut him off. “Stop mentioning home.” You turned your whole body to face him now, and took his hands in yours. He looked into your eyes, and you looked back with a soft burning flame. “This is your home. You don’t have to be afraid anymore. You don’t have to run anymore. You don’t have to fight anymore. You can just… be.”
Silver hesitated for a moment, his hands awkwardly resting in yours. Then, he found his way into intertwining his fingers with yours. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to run,” you finalized. “Not here.”
He exhaled, a slice of relief coming through the sound. He leaned against your shoulder slightly. “I believe that,” he murmured.
The night stretched still around you two. Silver no longer felt pulled by an invisible current. All he could feel was the rhythm of your heartbeat.
“Goodnight,” you whispered softly.
“Goodnight, (Y/N),” he whispered back, smiling into your sleeve.
Sunday morning, you two both woke up in a pile of tangled limbs and sheets. You groaned slightly, “Silver… wake up…”
He stirred slightly, but whispered back, “I’m up I swear… your skin is so soft…”
You laughed slightly, helping you wake up. “Soft?”
Silver jumped up, leaving the tangle on the mattress. He was blushing pink. “I mean—! Yeah… soft…”
You smiled slightly and pointed to the bedside clock. “Come on, we overslept a little. We should get ready and head to the café.”
“Okay,” Silver nodded, but then noticed something. “Why do you have an empty photo frame next to your clock?”
You stared blankly, having forgotten that it was there. “Well, I’ll be honest. I was hoping to put a photo of us from the festival there.” You turned to him and smiled.
“But the festival was just last night!”
You turned your gaze away. “I may have been crushing on you a little earlier,” you admitted.
Silver beamed with happiness. “Oh, now look who the shy one is now…”
You chuckled slightly, not bothering to counter him with a response.
Arriving at the café, you and Silver opened up together once again. You officially “promoted” him to co-owner, as if he practically wasn’t already. You celebrated by finally getting him his own apron. Something felt different after that night—like you were even closer. It was clear to you now that you didn’t want him like a best friend. He was more than that. Maybe he always was.
“You know,” you started, catching Silver as he stacked mugs. “No one is here right now, and we have some time before we open.”
He didn’t say anything, but smiled as he turned his attention to you.
You stepped closer, matching his tone by not saying anything either. Naturally, you both brought your lips together once more. This time, the kiss was more comfortable and more passionate. In that single moment, you both finally realized—you were each other’s one true love.
After a long moment, you both pulled away at the same time.
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget that feeling,” you whispered.
Without warning, Silver levitated you off the ground, and you shrieked. He started laughing and gently lowered you to your feet.
“Not funny!” you yelled, but there was no heat behind it. You were amused.
“Bet you’ll never forget that, either,” he laughed.
You grabbed his hands and locked eyes with him. “I love you, Silver.”
He blushed madly. His hands flinched in an effort to cover his face but he didn’t want to lose your touch so soon. It’s only been a week since you’ve officially started dating, but you’ve already grown so close. You two really were timeless.
“Are you ready to open?” you asked Silver.
He smiled. “Let’s take on the day.”