Chapter Text
When had it been the first time Zandik saw his star? That would be when he was eighteen years old, what happened to be a brief glimpse turned into yearning from afar. No one from his town in the desert would allow him- a cursed child- to be near a holy star or be near the archon or anything that gives everyone else hope. He was no one. A shadow lingering in the sidelines because he had nobody to rely on, the feeling of loneliness had settled within him and he didn’t care about being alone as long as he had science to answer any questions or curiosities he had. That was all that mattered.
Years passed and ever since he saw Aether there was a little ache he tried to ignore at first, a small shift that didn’t sit well with him. Little by little he felt that same loneliness he was used to, start to bother him, he brushed it off but it was a stain growing on him hauntingly reminding him of how he had absolutely nobody on his side. He thought that maybe it was the effect a Star had on everyone, that theory was soon pulverized the moment he saw Aether once more because this time he couldn’t take his eyes off the golden locks dropping like gold or the skin like porcelain, untouched and delicate. It was bad, he started to fantasize about things he shouldn’t. Things would get worse everyday and with every visit, his mind would go wild with thoughts of His Star.
He didn’t like it when people would touch what’s his, he hated how he couldn’t be near his star. If only there was a way it could just be them two, he’d give it his best to gain Aethers affection.
And then there was a chance, a small slither of hope to ease his mind and get what’s rightfully his- it was as if Celestia was on his side for once in his pitiful existence.
He declared a small portion of his dedication along with an experiment he’d been working on just for Aether. A flower. Well one of the many he harvested anyway.
“You must be ill!”Those words echoed through Zandik's head for minutes, words he hadn’t expected from the other and the worst part is that he didn’t hate it at all. Those eyes full of disgust, it wasn’t any different from what he’s been through all his life but it was somehow unique coming from Aether. He’d take any insult if it meant his star would speak to him.
He looked at Aethers small back as he walked away returning to that awful city with awful responsibilities and only smiled like a psycho, he definitely loved him more than he should, it wasn’t adoration anymore.
The week that followed Zandik’s mind was filled with the soft touch he felt of Aether's hand, he imagined those hands touching him in ways that would make him satisfied or he would hallucinate Aether breathless under him- or on top or any other way, just to have him pulsing over and over again. Still he’d have to fix this some way, right?. So once more Aether was in his way, like some type of genie was granting him his wishes once more.
Sitting in Zandik's hidden cave was none other than the star he’s been crazy about. This time he introduced himself as he should’ve a week ago and he was mocked. He was sad, yes because for once somewhere amidst buried feelings he wanted some affection, some hope but there was also some sort of satisfaction within him.
“Ha that is your name? How awful for you” he had said, there was no lie in there, he took his words but the pathetic side of Zandik tried to beg for a chance unfortunately he was hit with hurtful words that made him lose hope. His star’s hand cupped his face harshly in a grip that would make others cry but Zandik was savoring this moment deep down, it would be the only way he’d have Aether look at him and touch him. God, was he touch deprived and he hadn’t noticed it only now that Aether was grabbing him with his soft hands Zandik had been thinking about.
“A star like myself will never be with someone like you, you humans are all filth to me”
And if his star hated humans that much then he shall become more than just a human, an archon, a God, or any Celestial being if it meant to be by Aethers side.
He was left alone once more, his heart was pumping with adrenaline feeling as if he could do anything right now. fuck he was hard. ‘Good boy’ how that sent tingles through his mind was insane, the words echoed in his head, his palm rubbing his cock through his pants while thinking about what had just happened, imagining it was soft hands instead of his. He needed Aether so bad.