Threads of Starlight

A gentle warmth settled over the lodge as morning broke. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and damp earth, mingling with the faint aroma of brewing coffee drifting from the kitchen downstairs.

Aster stirred first. Not because of the sunlight filtering through the wooden blinds, nor the muffled sounds of their friends starting to wake.

But because of a name.

Altaira.

Aster didn’t know where it had come from, only that it wrapped around her thoughts like a half remembered melody. Familiar. Fleeting. Slipping through her fingers the moment she tried to hold onto it.

Her eyes fluttered open.

For a moment, she stayed still, blinking at the wooden ceiling, heart steady but aware. Something had shifted, but she couldn’t quite grasp what.

Then, movement.

Across the room, Selene stretched with a soft sigh, the blanket slipping off her shoulder. She was still half asleep, her hair spilling across the pillow in soft waves. Aster should’ve looked away. Should’ve turned her focus on getting up, brushing off whatever strange weight still settled in her chest.

Instead, she lingered.

Selene’s brows furrowed slightly, her lips parting just a fraction as she let out another sigh the kind people made when caught in the edges of sleep, neither here nor there.

And then she smiled. Just a little. Barely there.

Aster should’ve moved. Should’ve looked away. Instead, she lingered, caught in the soft rise and fall of Selene’s breathing, the way her lashes fluttered.

It was nothing. Just a moment. So why did it feel like something was shifting?

She turned away sharply, pushing herself up. Get a grip.

The wooden floor was cool under her feet as she grabbed her hoodie from the chair beside her bed. She needed air. Maybe coffee. Maybe distance.

She had almost made it to the door when...

“Aster?”

The voice was drowsy, thick with sleep.

She froze. Turned.

Selene had propped herself up on her elbows, her hair falling in a curtain around her face. She blinked at Aster, still caught in the haze of waking up.

Aster swallowed. “Yeah?”

Selene yawned, rubbing at her eye before offering a lazy smile. “Where are you going?”

“Downstairs,” Aster said, voice coming out rougher than intended. “Coffee.”

Selene hummed, dropping her head back onto the pillow. “Mmm. Sounds nice.”

Aster hesitated, shifting her weight. “Want me to bring you some?”

The words came out before she could think twice.

Selene peeked at her through half-lidded eyes. Aster braced herself, expecting a smirk, a teasing comment—maybe something about how thoughtful she was being.

But instead, Selene just smiled, soft and real.

“Yeah,” she murmured. “That’d be nice.”

Aster nodded, quick, before Selene could see the way her fingers curled into her hoodie’s sleeves. Then she turned and slipped out the door, exhaling only once she was alone in the hallway.

God. What was this? She didn’t know.

But as she made her way down the creaking stairs, that whisper—Altaira—still ghosted at the edges of her thoughts.

And when she reached the kitchen, already warmed by the sun filtering through the windows, she found herself pouring two cups of coffee without hesitation.

The scent of fresh coffee and toasted bread drifted through the lodge, mingling with the crisp mountain air that seeped through the slightly open windows. Sunlight stretched lazily across the wooden floors, casting golden hues over the breakfast table, where a mix of muffled voices and clinking plates filled the space.

Aster stepped into the dining area, rolling up her hoodie sleeves, her fingers still warm from the coffee cups she had carried earlier. Selene walked beside her, still slightly drowsy, her fingers curling around her own mug as she stifled a yawn.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Stellaire announced dramatically, leaning back in her chair. “I was starting to think you two eloped.”

Selene gave a slow blink before sitting down. “It’s too early for this.”

Mirael smirked. “It’s almost ten.”

“Exactly,” Selene deadpanned, taking a sip of her coffee.

Aster huffed out a small laugh before grabbing a plate. Across the table, Janus nudged Mirael. “So, are we telling them, or are we letting them be clueless?”

Mirael grinned. “Oh, let’s tell them.”

Selene narrowed her eyes. “Tell us what?”

Maia, ever the composed one, finished buttering her bread before answering. “The meteor shower. It peaks tonight.”

Selene perked up slightly. “The Lyrids?”

Maia nodded. “Around 3 AM. We’re heading to the viewpoint with minimal light pollution. Perfect view.”

Aster, mid bite, paused. 3 AM? She swallowed. “That early?”

“It’s the best time,” Gaela said simply. “You don’t want to miss it.”

Stellaire groaned, dropping her head onto the table. “I don’t understand why stars have the worst timing. Can’t they fall at, like, noon?”

Cyra snorted. “That’s just the sun.”

“I hate it here,” Stellaire muttered.

Selene chuckled, setting her cup down. “I’ve never seen a meteor shower in a place like this. It should be beautiful.”

Aster found herself watching her for a second too long. The way the morning light softened her features. The way her voice carried just the slightest trace of wonder. Something in Aster’s chest tugged. She turned back to her plate, ignoring the warmth creeping up her neck.

“Well,” Mirael stretched her arms over her head. “We have the whole day before that. Who’s coming to the day tour?”

Stellaire raised a hand. “Me. Anything that doesn’t involve hiking at night, I’m in.”

Selene hummed. “I’ll go, too.”

Aster glanced at her. “You’re not hiking later?”

Selene shrugged. “I am. But I might as well make the most of today.” She smirked slightly. “Unless you think I can’t handle both.”

Aster exhaled a short laugh. “I didn’t say that.”

“Good.” Selene sipped her coffee, the teasing glint still in her eyes.

Mirael nudged Janus again, whispering just loud enough, “She’s totally going just because Aster is.”

Aster shot her a look. “I can hear you.”

Mirael just grinned.

Across the table, Maia was still watching Aster and Selene with quiet amusement. She reached for her tea, her voice light but knowing.

“Well,” she murmured, “tonight should be interesting.”

The town proper was alive with movement, the chatter of vendors, the occasional hum of passing tricycles, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby panaderia. Wooden stalls lined the streets, displaying an array of handcrafted trinkets, woven baskets, and bottles of honey neatly arranged in rows.

After finishing breakfast and confirming the day’s plans, they set off for the town proper, the crisp mountain air giving way to the warmth of sunlit streets.

Aster walked beside Selene, hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket as she glanced around. Selene, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying herself, pausing every few steps to admire something new, hand carved figurines, embroidered scarves, tiny vials of perfume.

“Aster, look at this.”

Selene reached for a silver bracelet on one of the display stands, her fingers tracing the delicate moon and star charm attached to it. The metal glinted under the sunlight, catching her eye.

Aster leaned in slightly, her gaze following Selene’s. “You like it?”

Selene hesitated, thumb brushing over the charm. “It’s pretty,” she admitted. “But I don’t really need it.”

She placed it back down, but not before running her thumb over the charm one last time, almost reluctant.

Aster hummed, watching as Selene carefully let go. There was a slight hesitation in the way she released it, like she wasn’t entirely convinced she wanted to leave it behind.

The vendor, an elderly woman with kind eyes, smiled knowingly. “It suits you, hija.”

Selene laughed lightly. “Thank you, po. Maybe next time.”

Aster said nothing. Instead, as Selene turned her attention to another stall, she slipped a few bills onto the vendor’s counter with a quiet nod. The vendor, catching on immediately, handed her the bracelet with a small grin before tucking the money away.

She wasn’t sure why she bought it, only that it felt right.

Aster shoved the small paper bag into her pocket, the edges of it crinkling slightly.

Just as she turned back, she realized..

“Wait… Where are Maia and Stellaire?”

Selene spun around, scanning the market. The two were nowhere in sight. A moment ago, they had been trailing behind, busy arguing over a ridiculously overpriced crystal necklace. But now? Gone.

Selene groaned. “They were just here.”

Aster exhaled through her nose. “This is what happens when we let them wander off unsupervised.”

“Should we call them?”

Aster pulled out her phone. “Yeah, good luck with that. I’d bet my entire farm that they won’t pick up.”

Selene sighed. “Great. Guess we’re on our own now.”

Aster smirked, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Just you and me, then.”

Selene rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. “Lucky me.”

With no immediate sign of their missing friends, they decided to make the most of the afternoon, letting the town pull them into its quiet charm.

After their unexpected separation from Maia and Stellaire, Aster and Selene continued exploring at their own pace. Without the usual background chaos their friends provided, the atmosphere between them shifted into something softer, quieter.

They found themselves lingering at a small roadside cafe, sipping on cold drinks to escape the afternoon heat. Aster had ordered an iced black coffee, while Selene, after much internal debate, settled on a pear-infused tea.

“This is nice,” Selene admitted, stirring the ice in her drink with her straw. “Peaceful.”

Aster chuckled. “Yeah. Hard to believe we lost Maia and Stellaire, though. You’d think with how loud they are, we’d hear them from miles away.”

Selene laughed, shaking her head. “Maybe they planned this. Maybe they wanted us to get lost.”

Aster arched a brow. “That would imply they actually plan things.”

Selene snorted. “Fair point.”

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, watching the people pass by. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, painting the streets in golden hues. It wouldn’t be long before they had to head back.

“Should we start heading to the lodge?” Aster asked eventually, taking one last sip of her coffee.

Selene glanced at the time on her phone. “Yeah. We’ll probably make it back before dark.”

They paid for their drinks and began the walk back, weaving through the quieter roads of the town. At some point, the path led them to a narrow street lined with old wooden houses, their balconies adorned with cascading bougainvillea.

Aster, ever observant, noticed Selene slowing down slightly, taking everything in.

“You like places like this, huh?” Aster asked.

Selene hummed, brushing her fingers over a wooden fence as they passed by. “There’s something romantic about it,” she admitted. “Like… every house has a story.”

Aster tilted her head. “You like stories?”

Selene smiled. “Who doesn’t?”

Aster thought about that. Thought about the way Selene’s eyes always lingered on details most people overlooked, the bracelets, the flowers, the soft curve of aged wood. It wasn’t just that she liked stories. She noticed them.

It made Aster wonder if Selene ever saw things in her, too.

She hesitated before saying, “Maybe that’s why you’re good at what you do.”

Selene turned to her, brows raised slightly. “What do you mean?”

Aster shrugged. “You see things in a way others don’t.”

For once, Selene didn’t have a quick witted remark. She just looked at Aster, something unreadable in her gaze. Then, with a small smile, she said, “That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Aster rolled her eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”

Selene laughed, the sound light and genuine.

They continued walking, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their shoes filling the space between them. The road sloped gently upward, leading them out of town and back toward the trail that would take them to the lodge. The sky had shifted from gold to deep blue, the first few stars beginning to emerge.

Selene stretched her arms over her head, exhaling contentedly. “You know… getting lost with you wasn’t so bad.”

Aster glanced at her, lips twitching slightly. “Yeah?”

Selene grinned. “Yeah. Just don’t expect me to say that twice.”

Aster chuckled. “Noted.”

As they made their way up the final stretch of the path, the lodge’s warm lights glowing in the distance, Aster felt the weight of the small paper bag in her pocket.

Maybe… maybe now was the right time.

By the time they reached the lodge, night had fully settled in. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the wooden deck, casting a soft golden light over the entrance. Most of their friends were already outside, setting up for the bonfire, but Aster and Selene lingered by the steps, catching their breath from the uphill walk.

Aster hesitated for a moment, shifting her weight between her feet. Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she pulled a small paper bag from her pocket.

"Here," she said, offering it to Selene.

Selene blinked, glancing down at the bag before looking back up at Aster. "What’s this?"

Aster scratched the back of her neck, suddenly feeling self conscious. "Just take it."

Selene arched a brow but took the bag anyway, carefully opening it. As soon as she pulled out the bracelet, her breath hitched. The silver gleamed under the lodge’s light, the small moon and star pendant catching the glow.

"Aster…" Her voice was softer now, almost careful.

Aster cleared her throat. "You kept looking at it earlier but didn’t buy it, so…" She trailed off, stuffing her hands in her pockets.

Selene turned the bracelet over in her fingers, running her thumb over the small pendant. "You didn’t have to."

"I know," Aster said simply.

Selene looked up, and for a second, the air between them shifted, gentle but heavy, like something unspoken lingered in the space they shared. Then, slowly, she smiled.

"Help me put it on?" she asked, holding out her wrist.

Aster’s throat went dry. She took the bracelet carefully, fumbling just slightly as she fastened the clasp. Her fingers brushed against Selene’s skin, and for a brief, fleeting moment, she felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest, something unfamiliar but not entirely unwelcome.

"There," Aster muttered when she finally secured it.

Selene lifted her wrist, letting the moon and star pendant catch the light. "It’s perfect," she murmured, then, quieter, "Thank you."

Aster shrugged, pretending the way her heart was racing didn’t mean anything. "Yeah, well… let’s go before they think we got lost again."

Selene chuckled, giving the bracelet one last glance before nodding.

Together, they stepped toward the warmth of their friends, the glow of the bonfire already crackling in the distance.

The scent of burning wood and roasted marshmallows filled the air as everyone settled around the bonfire. The flames flickered, casting golden light on their faces. It was the kind of night that made everything feel softer. Like time had slowed just enough for them to exist in the warmth of this shared moment.

Mirael stretched her legs out, leaning back on her hands. "Alright, let’s hear it. What did everyone do today?"

Janus smirked. "You mean aside from hiking up a never ending trail and nearly losing our lungs?"

Gaela laughed. "You survived, didn’t you?"

Mirael rolled her eyes. "Barely."

Maia, who was sitting cross legged near the fire, turned toward Aster and Selene. "You two had a little adventure of your own, didn’t you?"

Selene, still admiring her new bracelet, hummed. "You could say that."

Stellaire grinned, nudging Maia. "Did you even notice you lost them?"

Maia pretended to think. "Hmm… I might have realized it when we turned around and they weren’t near us anymore."

Selene gasped dramatically. "And you just left us? Alone?"

Maia shrugged, feigning innocence. "You seemed fine."

Aster snorted. "We were fine."

"Oh, definitely," Stellaire teased. "Especially when Aster decided to buy you that bracelet."

The conversation instantly paused. All eyes turned to Aster, who stiffened.

Selene, to her credit, only lifted her wrist, showing off the silver bracelet. "It’s pretty, isn’t it?"

Janus whistled lowly. "Damn, Aster. You’re stepping up."

Aster groaned. "It wasn’t a big deal."

Mirael smirked. "Oh, but it is a big deal."

Cyra grinned, leaning toward Selene. "So… what did you say when she gave it to you?"

Selene rested her chin on her hand, feigning deep thought. "I said… Help me put it on."

The group erupted in laughter, Mirael dramatically falling back onto the ground.

Aster groaned, tugging her hoodie over her face. "I hate all of you."

"Oh, don’t be shy!" Gaela teased. "It’s cute."

Selene, ever composed, merely smiled, twisting the bracelet around her wrist. Then, with a playful tilt of her head, she looked at Aster.

"I think it’s sweet," she said, voice teasing but warm. "But if it bothers you that much, I can always return it—"

Aster sat up immediately. "No."

Selene laughed, her eyes twinkling in the firelight. "Relax, I was kidding."

Aster grumbled, but the corner of her lips twitched.

With the teasing finally dying down, the group naturally shifted to recounting their own experiences throughout the day. The fire crackled in the background, casting a soft glow on their faces as they settled deeper into the warmth of the evening.

Mirael stretched her arms, sighing dramatically. "Anyway, enough about Aster’s grand romantic gesture—"

"It wasn’t—"

"Let’s talk about something else before she turns into a tomato," Mirael continued, smirking as Aster groaned. "Like how Janus almost met her demise on the hike."

Janus scoffed, tossing a small twig into the fire. "I did not almost meet my demise."

Mirael turned to Cyra and Gaela. "Tell me, what do we call almost tripping off the edge of a trail?"

Gaela smirked, leaning back on her hands. "A near-death experience."

Janus groaned, shaking her head. "Okay, maybe I stumbled a little—"

"A little?" Mirael raised a brow. "Janus, if I didn’t grab you, you’d be rolling down the mountain right now."

Cyra cackled, nudging Gaela. "I swear, you should’ve seen Mirael’s face when she grabbed her. She looked like she was deciding whether to save Janus or just let gravity do its thing."

Mirael huffed, crossing her arms. "I was not! I immediately helped."

Janus gave her a dry look. "After laughing for a full ten seconds."

The group erupted into laughter again, and even Mirael grinned. "Okay, okay, maybe I did. But in my defense, I did save you."

Janus sighed, shaking her head but smiling. "I’ll give you that."

"What about you two?" Selene asked, turning to Cyra and Gaela. "Aside from witnessing Janus’ near-death moment, how was your hike?"

Gaela shrugged. "It was actually pretty nice. The view from the peak was insane."

Cyra nodded in agreement. "Yeah, totally worth the climb. Though someone almost slipped on a mossy rock."

Gaela rolled her eyes. "It was one time."

"Still counts." Cyra grinned.

There was a brief silence after that, not awkward, but thoughtful like they were all picturing that moment of stillness Cyra described.

Then, with a smirk, Stellaire broke the quiet. "Well, while you were all surviving the wilderness, Maia and I were completely abandoned in the town proper."

Selene and Aster exchanged a look, holding back smiles.

"You abandoned us first," Aster pointed out.

Maia chuckled. "True. But in our defense, we got distracted by all the stalls."

Selene giggled beside Aster, and for a brief moment, Aster thought that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t actually mind being teased like this—at least, not if Selene was laughing along.

The conversation carried on for a little while longer, woven with shared stories, laughter, and the occasional playful jab. The warmth of the bonfire flickered against their faces, but the night air was growing colder, creeping in like an uninvited guest.

It was Gaela who eventually checked the time, glancing at her watch before stretching her arms overhead. "Alright," she announced. "If we want to get a good spot for the meteor shower, we should probably start heading up now."

A murmur of agreement passed through the group as they began gathering their things. Selene shivered slightly, rubbing her hands together for warmth. The chill had settled into her skin, and she wished she had brought gloves.

Without a word, Aster reached into her bag. A quiet rip broke through the air as she tore open a small, unopened pack. She held it out to Selene.

"Here."

Selene blinked at the small patch in Aster’s palm, momentarily confused.

Aster sighed, clearly reading her expression. "You shake it first," she explained, demonstrating with another one in her own hands.

Selene followed her lead, giving the patch a few firm shakes. Within moments, warmth seeped through her fingers. She smiled, pressing it between her palms. "Oh, this is nice."

Aster nodded. "It’ll last for a few hours. You can keep it in your pocket."

Selene tilted her head slightly, watching as Aster tucked her own patch inside her jacket. "You just carry these around?"

Aster shrugged. "They’re useful."

Selene grinned. "You’re a walking survival kit, huh?"

"Something like that."

The conversation would have ended there, but something about the simple exchange lingered. The warmth of the heat patch nestled in her palm wasn’t just from the material, it was from the quiet, unspoken care behind the gesture.

Mirael stretched, glancing at the others. "So, are we all set?"

Janus adjusted the strap of her bag. "Yup. Let’s get moving before the best spots are taken."

One by one, they grabbed their things and began the short but steady hike up to the viewing point. The anticipation was evident in the way their conversations buzzed with excitement, in the way they occasionally glanced up at the sky, waiting for the first streak of light to appear.

Selene walked beside Aster, her steps light but her thoughts heavier than she wanted to admit. She glanced at her wrist again, running her fingers over the silver bracelet.

Something about tonight felt different.

The stars, the laughter, the way Aster’s quiet gestures settled into her bones like memories she couldn’t quite place.

Like something important was about to happen.

And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.

The group finally reached the viewing point. A quiet clearing at the top of the hill, overlooking the vast stretch of night sky. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, but there was a certain stillness here, untouched by the noise of other stargazers.

“Damn,” Mirael exhaled, taking in the unobstructed view. “The old lady wasn’t kidding. This spot is perfect.”

Aster set down the blanket she had brought, glancing up at the sky. Stars were already scattered like dust, but the real show hadn’t begun yet. “Good call on asking her.”

Selene settled beside her, hugging her knees to her chest. “I wonder how many people actually know about this place.”

“Not a lot, I think,” Cyra mused, glancing over her shoulder. “We’re the only ones here.”

“Just us and the sky,” Gaela added, her voice softer than usual.

The group fell into a comfortable silence as they sat on the blankets, eyes fixed upward. A moment later, the first streak of light cut across the sky.

Then another.

And another.

A collective gasp echoed among them.

The meteor shower had begun.

Golden streaks of light painted the heavens, like celestial brushstrokes on an infinite canvas. Some were quick, barely a flicker, while others burned bright before fading into the darkness. It was mesmerizing. Otherworldly. Like witnessing something ancient, something that had existed long before them and would continue long after.

Selene, lost in the sight, barely noticed the way her fingers curled around her bracelet. There was something achingly familiar about this. The way the sky moved. The way the stars fell.

The way her chest ached.

She swallowed thickly, eyes never leaving the sky. But then, without warning, the emotion surged forward, overwhelming, unexplainable. A sharp inhale, a tremble in her breath.

And then—

A tear slipped down her cheek.

She didn’t understand it. The sudden weight in her chest, the way her hands clenched as if trying to hold onto something slipping through her fingers. But it was there, undeniable, a grief she couldn’t name.

Aster, who had been watching the sky in quiet awe, turned at the faintest sound, barely audible, but enough to make her look.

Selene was crying.

Her gaze was still fixed on the sky, lips slightly parted, tears catching the soft glow of the stars.

Something tightened in Aster’s chest. She didn’t think. She just reached out, fingers brushing gently against Selene’s wrist. “Hey,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “You okay?”

Selene blinked, as if just realizing she was crying. “I—I don’t know,” she admitted, voice unsteady.

Aster didn’t press. Instead, she simply shifted closer, their arms nearly brushing. “You don’t have to know,” she said quietly. “Just breathe.”

Selene exhaled shakily, nodding. “Okay.”

Aster wasn’t sure how long she had been watching Selene instead of the sky.

The meteors streaked across the vast expanse above them, burning in fleeting brilliance before disappearing into the dark. And yet, her focus was drawn elsewhere. To the way Selene’s lashes trembled, to the glistening streaks on her cheeks catching the faint starlight.

Aster wasn’t sure what to say. The question sat on the tip of her tongue, What’s wrong?, but somehow, she felt that Selene wouldn’t be able to answer. Maybe she didn’t even know herself.

From a short distance away, their friends were watching.

Cyra and Gaela, seated beside each other with their hands loosely intertwined, shared a quiet glance. "They’re getting closer."

Gaela hummed softly in agreement, her gaze thoughtful. "But do they know why?"

Meanwhile, Mirael and Janus weren’t as subtle. Mirael leaned in closer to Janus, whispering, “What if this is too soon? What if we’re rushing them?”

Janus exhaled, pressing her lips together. “I know. But it’s not like we can stop it.”

Mirael frowned, watching Aster shift just a little closer to Selene, her usual guarded expression softening. “Still…”

A few feet away, Maia and Stellaire had their own quiet conversation, except theirs had a bit more… amusement.

“This is so dramatic,” Stellaire whispered, nudging Maia. “A meteor shower, unexpected tears, a tender moment… Like, if they don’t kiss right now, I’ll be so disappointed.”

Maia smirked, but her eyes held something deeper, something knowing. “It’s not about kissing. It’s about remembering.”

Stellaire rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. But I’m here for the drama.”

Back at the center of it all, Aster and Selene sat in silence, the world narrowing down to just the two of them.

Selene let out a quiet laugh, watery but real. “This is embarrassing,” she admitted, sniffling.

Aster shook her head. “It’s not.”

Selene turned her head slightly, meeting Aster’s gaze. The weight in her chest, the ache she didn’t understand, it didn’t fade. But in Aster’s presence, it felt easier to carry. Aster reached out to wipe her tears.

And then—

The air trembled.

For a brief moment, as the brightest meteor streaked overhead, something shifted.

A flicker. A distortion in reality.

Aster and Selene remained where they were but to their friends, for the span of a few heartbeats, they were no longer themselves.

A soft glow surrounded them, faint at first, then growing, like the shimmer of starlight reflecting on water. Their human forms flickered, replaced by something ethereal, something mythical.

Celestial armor adorned their figures, shimmering under the falling stars. Their presence was overwhelming, one radiating the vastness of the cosmos, the other glowing like a beacon in the dark. The energy between them was undeniable, ancient yet painfully familiar, as if they had stood beneath these very stars before.

Their heads bowed toward each other in quiet sorrow, two celestial beings caught in a moment of aching tenderness beneath the falling stars.

It lasted only seconds.

And then—

The vision was gone.

Aster and Selene sat as they were, completely unaware. The only difference was the faint glow that seemed to linger in their eyes for just a moment longer before fading into nothingness.

Their friends, however, remained frozen in stunned silence.

Cyra and Gaela exchanged a wide eyed glance, Cyra’s fingers tightening around Gaela’s sleeve.

“Did you see that?” Cyra whispered.

Gaela exhaled sharply. “Yeah.”

Mirael and Janus, normally composed, were visibly shaken. Mirael’s grip on her jacket tightened, heart hammering in her chest. “This is… too soon,” she murmured. “They’re not supposed to—”

“I know,” Janus cut in, voice tense. “But it’s happening anyway.”

Stellaire grabbed Maia’s arm, eyes practically glowing with excitement. “Oh my god, did you see that? Did you see that?! I swear I saw them! That was them!”

Maia’s gaze was locked on Aster and Selene, a slow smile curling on her lips. “Looks like they’re finally starting to remember.”

Stellaire practically vibrated with excitement. “I told you this meteor shower was gonna be dramatic.”

Meanwhile, in the center of it all, Aster gently nudged Selene’s shoulder.

“Hey.” Aster’s voice was softer now, almost hesitant. “You okay?”

Selene blinked, as if waking from a daze. She let out a quiet breath, nodding slowly.

“Yeah,” she murmured. “I think I am.”

The stars continued to fall, carrying whispers of memories lost and love that had yet to be found.

And though Aster and Selene didn’t yet realize it—

Tonight, the universe had begun to remind them.