Chapter Text
"Honestly, stardust." You mumble, absentmindedly patting their hand. Your fingers curl around theirs, feeling safety in the grasp of hands not unlike yours. Siffrin chuckles under their breath, the sound further muffled by how he's tucked into the collar of his cloak.
"What," he starts, and you've half a mind to pull away at hearing the teasing tone in his voice, "isn't this what you get for being a casaNOVA?"
You say nothing, but their stars-eating grin says you're making a face. His laughter peels it away, and you roll your eyes fondly. "That was awful and you know it. Don't be so proud of that one, stardust."
They just lean against your shoulder, and you feel affection bloom within you. He's so warm, while you're so cold, cold, cold. Before your thoughts could spiral any further, he pulls you out of it with a gentle hand over yours. You stare at them, but he raises your hands together, holding your hand as if it was something fragile. Maybe something to cherish, with the way they softly smiled at you like you were the Universe. Giving you a one-armed hug, awkwardly, but perfectly, fitting into place.
"I'm proud of you," they quietly nuzzle into your arm, and it takes all you can muster to not shudder and shake him off, chase him away so he learns to not get too close. He doesn't deserve to know someone like you, to love someone like you, to BE someone like you. "I'm proud to love you." He says, like it's easy. Easy, to be with you.
You sigh, your throat feeling tight and the corners of your eyes sting and your heart about to burst. You let go of the spiraling thoughts. They'll always be there, nagging at the back of your mind, but for now. For now, your stardust occupies all of it. You turn and press your face against his hair, closing your eyes. You can't say it back so easily, so you settle with:
"Thank you, stardust."
You can feel their smile, and that's more than enough to let it wash over you like a wave of calm.