Journal

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

"How beautiful… seems it's a clear night tonight."

Gale stared up at the inky sky as he sat on the roof, eyes tracing over the familiar patterns of the stars. He often found himself here when sleep eluded him, his eyes cast to the heavens until the morning finally came.

The sky was always veiled in the jungle he lived in for nearly 70 years, and while the light shone through, night was deep, dark, and dangerous. Gale never thought to look up and see the stars.

When he eventually left Golmore Jungle, the sheer openness of the sky put him on edge—stretching on endlessly beyond the horizon, it felt as if it'd swallow him whole.

But in time, he'd not only gotten used to it but also come to love it, especially at night. Whenever he felt worried or stressed, Gale knew he could always gaze at the stars and ignore his troubles for a while.

"Can't sleep?"

Gale's ears twitch towards the familiar voice, and he lets out a slow breath as he turns around. "No, I couldn't, Reyna. I didn't expect you to be back tonight."

"The situation resolved itself before I even got there." Laurent sighs as he sits beside Gale, a small smile on his face. "Were you truly so worried about me that you couldn't sleep?"

"Hmph. You make it sound like I shouldn't bother to." Gale shoots his partner a dismissive glance, but his tone softens as he continues. "My love, I'm always worried for you when you're on a job. We don't have the safest of careers, after all."

"You're always staying up all night waiting for me?"

"Gods, no. I need my beauty sleep." Gale lets out a clipped laugh before turning his gaze skyward. "But when I can't sleep… Looking at the stars puts me more at ease."

"Does it?" Laurent follows Gale's gaze. "I've never truly looked at them before…"

Gale smiles at Laurent and leans back slightly. "Lay with me?"

Laurent nods, lying down and offering one of his arms for Gale to prop his head on. They silently watch the night sky for a while, but eventually, Gale turns on his side to look at his partner. "What do you think the stars are?"

"Hm?" Laurent looks over at Gale in confusion. "I'm not sure what you mean…"

Gale softly laughs. "Most people think they're more than just lights in the sky. Some believe they are the souls of their departed ancestors, watching over them—or the eyes of an unnamed god. Others think they're other planets, far, far away. Of course, some people think they're just pretty lights."

He shifts closer to Laurent as he looks back to the night sky. "I don't know what the stars are, but I simply think they're beautiful."

Laurent hums quietly. "A surprisingly straightforward answer coming from you."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You're usually more… flowery and poetic about these things. Or just long-winded." Laurent chuckles as Gale huffs. "Still… 'simply beautiful' seems apt."

"Mm." Gale lays his head on Laurent's chest before looking at him with a teasing grin. "That said, the stars aren't the only beautiful thing tonight… granted, you're far from simple."

Laurent tsks, trying to ignore the heat rising to his cheeks. "Of course you'd sneak in something snide with a compliment… what does 'not being simple' even mean?"

"It means you're a pain in my arse."

"And you're not?"

Gale ignores him, wrapping an arm around Laurent's waist. "But, you're my pain in the arse, so it's alright." His voice becomes quieter, drowsiness settling in. "I'm just glad you're alright, and you're safe and sound right here… that we're talking about stars instead of…"

His voice trails off, though Laurent couldn't tell if it's because Gale didn't want to finish the statement or because he dozed off. Eventually, his breathing becomes slow and even, and Laurent looks down to find his partner asleep on his chest.

"Guess I'm stuck here tonight…" He smiles at Gale as he pushes a few stray locks of hair off his face. "But Eir… I'll always come home to you. I promise."

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

Written for @daily-writing-challenge's May 2025 day five prompt, restless.