They started down the next hill, still walking side by side. The morning had grown warmer, and the air felt steady and clear. Nothing pulled at them. Nothing hurried them. It was just another peaceful stretch of land waiting to be explored.
As they walked, the cluster of trees in the valley came into clearer view. They weren't tall—just a small grove, almost like a place someone might stop to rest during a long day. The path led straight toward it, winding gently the whole way.
When they reached the grove, they found a few smooth stones scattered under the shade. Fate sat down on one and let out a small, relaxed breath.
"It feels good to stop whenever I want," Fate said. "Not because I'm avoiding something. Just because sitting down feels right."
The Dreamer sat beside them. "That's what living simply is. Doing things because they feel right, not because you're supposed to."
Fate ran their hand along the grass at their feet. "I never really understood what that meant before."
