Chapter 525: Beneath the Borrowed Sky 2

They remained by the river for a while longer.

Khione eventually released herself from Nero’s embrace and moved toward the shallower bank, where she sat on a smooth stone and allowed the water to flow around her feet.

Nero joined her.

They watched the current move between the rocks, occasionally disturbing the reflections of the trees overhead.

There was no need to fill the silence.

Khione leaned against his shoulder.

Nero rested his cheek lightly against the top of her head.

They had always been comfortable this way.

Neither was particularly talkative, and neither felt compelled to manufacture conversations simply because they were together. Their silence wasn’t awkward. It didn’t demand an explanation or an attempt to make the moment more interesting.

It was simply theirs.

After some time, Nero stood and held out his hand.

Khione accepted it.

They returned to the riverbank and retrieved their shoes before finding a suitable place to prepare dinner.

The spot they chose was beneath a large tree overlooking the river. Its roots extended across the ground, creating a natural platform where they could sit comfortably. The branches above offered partial shelter, while the nearby waterfall provided a constant, soothing sound.

Khione sat on one of the exposed roots.

Nero stood in front of her, considering what they would need.

Then he opened his spatial ring.

Light shimmered.

A large assortment of supplies appeared on the grass.

Cooking utensils.

A portable stove.

A small grill.

Several sealed containers of ingredients.

Fresh vegetables.

Seasonings.

Meat prepared for cooking.

Bread.

Cheese.

Fruit.

Two sets of plates and cutlery.

A bottle opener.

Several glasses.

And, last but not least, a carefully stored bottle of aged wine.

Khione looked at the growing collection.

Then she glanced at Nero.

He gave her an innocent expression.

She looked back at the supplies.

There was enough food to feed several people.

Nero shrugged slightly.

One could never be too prepared.

Khione’s shoulders shook with a quiet laugh.

She opened her own spatial ring.

More supplies appeared.

A second cooking pot.

Additional ingredients.

A small container of herbs.

A collection of sweets.

A folded blanket.

And a few things that Nero hadn’t thought to bring.

He looked at the growing pile.

Then at her.

Khione smiled.

Apparently, neither of them had been planning to spend the evening eating a simple meal.

They had brought enough supplies to turn the riverbank into a comfortable little camp.

Nero began arranging the cooking equipment while Khione organized the ingredients.

Their movements fell into a natural rhythm.

He prepared the grill and started a small fire.

She washed the vegetables and arranged them on a cutting board.

He seasoned the meat.

She prepared the side dishes.

Whenever one needed something, the other seemed to notice before being asked.

Khione passed him a knife.

Nero handed her a bowl.

She moved the seasoning closer to his hand.

He shifted the grill slightly so she would have more room.

They barely spoke.

They didn’t have to.

Working together had become so natural that even the simplest tasks felt effortless.

The fire crackled beneath the grill.

The aroma of seasoned meat slowly spread through the clearing, mixing with the fresh scent of the river and the faint fragrance of the surrounding flowers.

Khione occasionally leaned over to inspect what Nero was cooking.

Whenever she reached for a piece before it was ready, he moved the plate out of her reach.

She gave him an unimpressed look.

He returned it without a hint of remorse.

Eventually, she retaliated by stealing a small piece from the plate he had prepared for himself.

Nero watched her chew.

Khione smiled.

He shook his head and returned to the grill.

There was no point arguing.

He simply made another piece.

***

Dinner was ready as the last traces of orange faded from the sky.

They spread the blanket beneath the tree and arranged the food between them.

The meal was generous without being extravagant.

Grilled meat rested on a wooden serving board, its surface lightly browned and fragrant with seasoning. Beside it sat roasted vegetables, fresh bread, a bowl of salad, and several smaller dishes Khione had prepared.

A pot of warm food simmered near the edge of the blanket.

There was fruit for dessert and a small assortment of sweets waiting in a covered container.

Nero retrieved the bottle of aged wine.

Khione took two glasses from her spatial ring and handed him one.

He opened the bottle, poured their drinks, and placed the bottle between them.

For a moment, they simply looked at the meal they had prepared together.

Then Khione picked up her glass.

Nero raised his.

The glasses touched with a soft clink.

Neither made a toast.

They didn’t need one.

Khione took a small sip of wine before setting her glass down. She reached for a piece of meat, tasted it, and nodded in approval.

Nero watched her reaction.

Satisfied, he began eating.

The first few minutes passed in comfortable silence.

They ate slowly, enjoying the food and the cool evening air. The wine was smooth, with a rich aroma that lingered pleasantly after each sip.

Nero leaned back against the tree after finishing his first serving.

Khione glanced at his plate.

Then at the remaining food.

He followed her gaze.

Without a word, he placed another piece of meat on her plate.

She smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

Nero returned to his meal as if nothing had happened.

Khione watched him for a moment, amused by his composure.

Then she reached for another piece of bread.

The sky above them darkened completely.

One by one, the artificial stars appeared.

Tiny points of light emerged across the vast dome of the pocket world, imitating the night sky beyond its boundaries. Some shone brightly, while others were faint enough to disappear whenever thin clouds drifted past.

The river reflected their light.

The surrounding trees became silhouettes against the sky.

And beneath the branches, the two continued eating their dinner.

For once, there was no competition to win.

No monster to hunt.

No opponent to defeat.

No need to conceal their strength or remain alert for an unexpected attack.

They could simply sit together and enjoy the evening.

Khione rested her head against Nero’s shoulder.

He moved slightly to make her more comfortable.

She slipped her hand into his.

Their fingers intertwined.

For several minutes, neither moved.

Then Khione tilted her face upward.

Nero looked down at her.

She smiled softly.

"I love you."

The words were quiet, almost lost beneath the sound of the river.

Nero’s expression softened.

"I love you too."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Khione closed her eyes, remaining close to him.

That was all.

Nothing overly romantic, no need for lengthy conversation.

Just two people who understood each other well enough to know that the words mattered more because they were simple.