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Lapis never commented on my visits, never pried.
He’d only ever ask for what I would like. What I’d want for dinner, where I’d want to go. Long walks by my side in the light, shooing away the dark skies I held within. Soothing me like medicine, a syrup that coated my entire being.
Slowly, I came to see his home as a sanctuary.
And him, the hidden jewel of that treasured place.
I was never meant for you– to stay by your side.
But you took me by surprise.
All of me.
I wasn't prepared to love you. I couldn't.
But if things could be different… I will find you again.
Trunks used to be so cold, so distant.
A faraway star I could never hope to reach.
Just a shooting star that would pass me by.
Each time closer.
Each time warmer.
And I couldn't help but wish for it to fall into my hands.
Because there was no one else like him.
I wanted to love him.
To keep him.
But I couldn't.
Because I was just another passing star.
And our paths just weren't meant to cross.
The years went by, and generations passed, and Lapis barely aged. He still waited, laying on the porch on his bench, his pets curled at his feet.
A hand runs through his hair, softened with age but still so brash.
Lapis looks up at Trunks curiously.
He was still so handsome to him, aging slowly like his father, but so much wearier. But Lapis felt pain seeing the difference in the speed of their clocks. His sister had already outlived her husband, and her daughter already looks older than her. Lapis knew it was only a matter of time before that was him.
Trunks sat beside him and finally asked him why he was still waiting for him. Though he had always suspected the reason. Noticed the faint color in his cheeks that gave him away.
Instead of a reply, Lapis asked why he came back.
Trunks looked ahead towards the lake Lapis’ home rested by. Birds flying down from the mountains beyond.
“My mother passed away years ago. Both of them. My father has started talking to me more- he’s almost nice now? My younger self feels like a brother to me. But I don’t know how he sees me. Want to know what he said recently?”
“Hm?”
“He talked about you. He can’t figure out why you’re still single.”
“Probably because I’m worse than a cat lady.” He picks up the bear cub at his feet and hugs into soft fur. He didn’t want to talk about his last two failed relationships. Man or woman, Lapis just couldn’t give them the love they wanted.
“Nothing wrong with liking cats.”
Lapis chuckled. “I bet you have a lot, huh?”
“So?”
Lapis nudged him with his shoulder.
“Maybe we’re both crazy.”
“Yeah…”
He watched those birds fly back up the mountain, till they faded away from view.
“Maybe I just don’t know how to love the right way,” Lapis said.
“That’s not true,” Trunks quickly replied.
He could see it all the time, feel it from him, love that radiated from him like a furnace. That kept everyone, child or animal, feeling warm and safe. He loved so gracefully, so quietly, and asked for nothing in return.
“That can’t be true, because I know you don’t have to say it. How you really feel about me.”
Lapis’ eyes slightly widened, the cub squirming out of his arms.
“If things could be different,” Trunks said, “if you and I were just ordinary humans, with nothing to hold us back, do you think we would have-”
Lapis interrupted him then, his lips gently pressed against his.
“Yes.”
Trunks brushed his hand against his cheek
“Sometimes I think about how Buu was reincarnated and wonder if that could happen for us.”
Lapis smiled sadly. “How would we reincarnate together, Trunks?”
“I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll just make sure we do. When that happens… I hope we can find each other again.”
“All that just to hope?”
“Yes,” Trunks replied quickly. Then he lowered his face down to taste Lapis’ soft lips again, sweeter than any syrup.
They were so wistful, those kisses whenever they reunited, whenever they bade farewell.
“I’ll wait for you,” Lapis would say.
No matter how many years would pass, he would wait for the day they could be together again.
On a rainy day, as the clouds are parting, two strangers’ eyes meet. There is recognition, and happiness, and hope. Their hands take hold, and they walk together beneath the same sky.