Chapter Text
Night had fallen on the city of Rosas, and Asha felt comfortable sitting on the tree. Star enjoyed it too, the night sky made him as happy as the sunset did. While she sat, counting stars, he’d be flying around the tree, leaning and sitting in its tall branches. Star rarely slept, and now, neither did Asha. She knew there was no use in lying on her bed with the worry festering, eating her up inside. She enjoyed the night air, and she liked it better with company. Still, tonight was different. Star knew something was up, and Asha promised she’d tell him the truth.
“Star,” she whispered. His head popped out from the branch that was hanging above her, he was facing her upside down, which made Asha recoil back, falling onto the grass.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” He laughed, floating down and grabbing both her hands to lift her from the ground, placing her back on the tree and taking a seat beside her.
“So…” He asked, as she dusted herself off. Asha took a deep breath. He was smarter than she gave him credit for, and she knew that he was waiting for his questions to be answered.
“What you were feeling in the castle wasn’t nothing,” she said, turning to look at him. His eyes squinted, and she realized that she can't go back now.
“King Magnifico… he keeps the wishes of Rosas in a hidden room. I’ve seen them…once,” she sighed anxiously.
“…What?”
“Star-He’s… eating them or something-like he absorbs their power.”
She grabbed his hand, looking at his face, which was slowly reacting to her words.
“Asha…” Stars breathing had sped up, and his face had knit into something between confusion and horror. He turned his whole body, now facing Asha.
“This is bad,” he said, moving his hand from hers to run his fingers through his hair.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I needed to figure things out. I needed some plan.” She said, turning her own body, trying to make eye contact with his moving eyes. The atmosphere had somehow gotten colder, and Asha felt her whole body shiver.
“Asha. Since I got here I’ve felt uncomfortable. Like something was wrong. Why would you let me stay confused?” He said, finally looking in her eyes. His warmth was replaced with something…hollow.
“Star. I-”
“You need to stop thinking you need to figure things out by yourself! I am here for you. I am here to help you.” He said, putting his hands in hers. They were warm compared to the cold air, and his glowing aura had set a small light for both of them, as the sky had settled into a deep navy. Despite the irritation in his voice, his grip on her hands were steady and gentil, which made Asha’s chest tighten.
“I’m sorry,” was all she could say, her voice suddenly dry and hoarse. She always hated making people angry but with him it felt tenfold. She hated how he looked, and she hated how his body language dropped, like a wilting flower. He was less animated and more stiff. At this point, she’d usually move somehow to get rid of the physical contact, but instead, she squeezed his hands, which made him look up at her.
“You’re right. We can do this. Together.”
Her eyes locked onto his, and she silently pleaded that life would return to the ocean blue eyes, the ones that reminded her of painted ceramic tiles and sage. She wished that he’d say something that would make her laugh. Asha was hyper aware of everything around her, each rustling leaf and each bird that sounded from the trees around them. Star smiled, just a bit, his freckles glowing like stars. Asha let out a small gasp, which made him bring one hand to his face. His smile grew bigger and he let out a laugh that made her smile.
“Gosh, No human has glowing facial features,” he said as he put his hand back into hers, and contently sighed.
“I forgive you, Asha. You just are always worrying; it makes me feel bad.” He tacked on. Her own face felt like it was glowing-a small warmth in the cool night air.
“You can talk to me if you’re worried about something. I know I can be irrational sometimes. I’ve never really had to deal with these consequences.” There’s a pause before he continued.
“Where I come from, anyone can do what they please if they have the power to fix it.” He said.
“I grew up in a place that encouraged action rather than firstly having a proper reaction. I never caught on as intensely as the others did, but it definitely shaped me into who I am now…” He trailed off, staring at the twinkling sky.
“I guess all my logical questions are not getting answered then.” She stated, hoping he took it as a joke. He laughed, still looking up.
“The answers I give might not be what you want to hear.”
“I think I’ve seen more of the impossible in the last few weeks than I’ve ever seen in my life.” Asha stated, pushing her braids back from in front of her face.
“I guess that makes two of us.” Star replied. Asha wondered what he meant, but he simply sat there. They both soaked up the silence.
Asha didn’t need answers, at least, not right away.
She had noticed that the sky began to glow hues of greens and blue lights that danced across the sky. That never happened. It was bright and distracting, filling the island with dappled lights. She looked over at Star, who somehow sensed this.
“Oops, sorry. My magic sometimes just happens.” He waved his hand, ceasing the once dancing night sky. The lights were extremely noticeable, but she hoped it was late enough that no one would really notice it. If they did, it would be chopped up to simply an Astronomical phenomenon. This was not keeping a low profile…but, for some reason, Asha couldn't bring herself to worry about it.