Paths Beyond (Under Rewrite)

Grey woke before anyone else, the soft glow of dawn barely touching the edges of the room. The embers in the hearth had long since faded, leaving only the faint scent of burnt wood lingering in the air. Carefully, he slipped from beneath the heavy pelts, moving with practiced quiet as he knelt to rekindle the fire.

The snap of flint against stone broke the stillness.

A soft rustling came from the bed. Serene shifted beneath the covers, her voice quiet and groggy. "Today's the day, huh?"

Grey, slightly startled, glanced back at her. The fire caught onto the twigs, flickering to life as he added a log. "Morning."

She gave a small, sleepy smile before closing her eyes again. "Morning."

Grey settled against the frame of the bed, watching the flames dance. A moment later, Serene shifted again, tugging at the layers of pelts before lazily extending one toward him.

"Thanks," Grey whispered, wrapping it around himself.

She didn't respond, but she also didn't fall back asleep.

After a few moments, he spoke. "Anything you want to do? Who knows the next time we'll get the chance."

Serene hummed softly, glancing toward the side where Tear remained completely undisturbed, curled in a ball beneath the blankets. "I don't know. Maybe Tear has the right idea."

Grey chuckled. "Staying here is fine by me. Tear would be happy."

Serene shifted slightly beneath the covers. "Me too."

Grey rubbed the back of his neck. The warmth of the fire wrapped around him, but his instincts still tugged at him. "It's hard for me to sit still. I always had to take care of us... maybe I should go hu—"

"Stay." Serene's voice was soft, but firm. Then, after a pause, she added, "Though... we'll have to deal with my parents teasing us."

Grey felt heat creep up his neck, just as the fire finally caught onto the log with a soft crackle. "I don't mind it."

A silence stretched between them, filled only by the steady warmth of the flames.

Then, quietly, Serene murmured, "Me neither."

The early dawn stretched on as they sat there, waiting. The world outside would soon come alive, pulling them toward the inevitable events of the day. But for now, the warmth of the fire, the quiet comfort of each other's presence, was enough.

"Hungry?" Grey asked.

"Are you."

There was another pause, "I could eat."

Serene laughed, "Do you just want to go out?"

Another pause, "Maybe." Grey said.

Serene stretched, rolling her shoulders as she spoke. "Alright, let's go around the village for a bit. We can come back and eat after."

Grey nodded, standing up and letting the pelt slip from his shoulders. The fire had burned down to glowing embers, casting a gentle warmth into the room.

Just as they reached for the door, a wooden creak from the other side signaled movement.

Carver stepped out first, followed by Harthy. "Going somewhere?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Just for a walk," Serene answered, then paused. "But if you guys are up... is there any food?"

Harthy stifled a yawn as she walked out from behind her husband. "I can heat some from last night."