Work Text:
A breeze rushes through the open window, filling the room with cold air. The night sky is sprinkled with bright stars, like gems embroidered on a dress. Raziol sits at his desk, papers spread all over. He lets out a deep breath, his head dropping onto the table. He's been stuck in the library working on his next presentation for days, not ever bothering to sleep.
At this rate I'll never finish this. I can barely even think straight. Why can't I just ask the stars what those three shapes were? But if it were that easy I wouldn't have much work to do.
A loud thud snaps Raziol out of his thoughts. Lifting his head, his eyes lock with Sulvains, who is sitting on the floor picking up a pile of books and papers. Sulvain gives him an awkward smile and hurriedly places the books on the table. His hands rush around too fast for Raziol to make out what he's signing.
"Sulvain, slow down I can barely make out what you're saying." Raziol grabs Sulvains hands. Sulvain sighs and takes a deep breath. Raziol smiles and lets go of his hands. 'You've been in here for days working on…'
Sulvain stops signing and looks at the papers on Raziols desk. Confused, he looks back at Raziol. '…Whatever you're working on. You should take a break.' He looks at Raziol with a small smile, obviously hiding something.
"Alright, I'll take a break soon. I'm so close to finishing." Raziol turns back to his work. Before he can even grab the ink, Sulvain has grabbed his arm and pulled him off the chair.
"Sulvain-" Raziol is cut off by Sulvain covering his mouth with his hand. His cold hand gently rests over Raziols mouth. Raziols heart skips a beat. 'You're taking a break. You have no choice. Sulvain quickly signs. You've been writing in Arabic, again.' He slows on the word again, putting emphasis on it. 'Huygens won't be able to look over these notes if he can't read them.'
His face red, Raziol looks away. "So where are we going?" Sulvain smiles. 'Close your eyes. You'll see soon.'
Cold sharp wind knocks against Raziol, goosebumps covering his skin. “Where are you taking me, Sulvain? If I knew we were going to be outside I would have brought my coat.”
A warm shape suddenly covers his shoulders. Sulvain traces along his hand, 'If you were cold you should've just told me. You know I don't need my cape.'
Raizol laughs, “It seems like I always end up with your cape. Next time I’ll make sure I have my coat.”
'No need, what's mine is yours.' Sulvain traces. 'Plus it looks better on you.'
Raziol can feel his face turning red. “I think you look rather… handsome with the cape though.” He opens his eyes slightly, taking a peek at his lover.
Sulvain is smiling, his pale face glowing in the moonlight. 'No peeking.' Sulvain signs. Raziol looks away, snapping his eyes shut.
“Sorry. I couldn't help it but to look at you.” He smiles, hearing a stumble in Sulvains steps. 'Cheeky. We're almost there now.' Sulvain writes along Razoils palm.
'Open your eyes now.' Sulvain writes. Raziol slowly opens his eyes and looks around. They're at the outskirts of Paris. Raziol looks at Sulvain, “Why exactly are we here?” Sulvain smiles, 'Look up.' Raziol lifts his head.
The sky above them is full of stars shining so brightly that it looks like little suns covering the night sky. “Whoa.” He grins, “Sulvain, this is beautiful.”
He grabs Sulvains hand, “Look! You can see Altair and Vega so clearly from here!” He lifts Sulvains hand towards a group of stars. 'It looks so bright.' Sulvain signs with his free hand. 'Is there a story behind these two stars?'
Sitting down on a nearby bench, Raziol nods, “It's said that they're two lovers separated by the night sky, destined to only meet once a year. It's a rather sad story if you think about it. Only being able to see the one you love once a year.”
He looks at Sulvain. “It makes me glad we get to be together." Lifting the cape, Raziol wraps it over his and Sulvains shoulders. "Even if we can't be open about ourselves to others."
Sulvain grabs Raziols hand, 'If only we lived in a world where loving someone wasn't a crime.' He looks at Raziol. 'But being with you is enough for me.' He leans his head on Raziols shoulder.
Raziol can feel his heart fluttering like a previously enslaved bird, excited to fly free. Holding his breath, Raziol watches the night sky above them. Gosh, he's so perfect. He can barely focus with Sulvain so close.
Feeling a cold touch on his hand, Raziol snaps back to reality. 'I can hear your heartbeat. How long has it been, and you still act like a little boy in love.' Sulvain smiles, looking at Raziol. "I can't help it, you're just so perfect. Everything you do makes my heart flutter. It's like I lose control of myself when I'm with you."
He scoots closer to Sulvain, resting his hand atop his. Sulvain leans in closer, 'So, what do you love more? Me or the stars?'
Raziol looks back to the night sky, acting like he's deep in thought. He grins and looks back at Sulvain, "Obviously you. The stars are like old dirty rocks compared to you." He lifts his hand and presses it against Sulvains cheek. Sulvain rests his head on Raziols palm, 'That means a lot, knowing how much time you put into studying the stars. It makes me feel special.'
"You are special, Sulvain. You're my favorite person, the brightest star in my eyes. Without you the sky would be so dark." Raziol plants a soft kiss on Sulvains lips. Cold against warm.
Pulling away, Raziol flushes deep red. Sulvain leans over and rests his head on Raziols chest. 'You're such a baby, kissing me first and acting all shy. It's cute.' Raziol laughs, "It's like I said, I lose control around you. Almost like I've been put under a spell." He runs his hand along Sulvains back. "Even if I were under a spell, I don't doubt one bit that I would love you even after it's broken. No magic could stop me from loving you."
Sulvain lifts his head to peek at Raziol. 'You keep showering me with such romantic words. If you want something just ask me.'
Putting on a face of fake shock, Raziol gasps. "Me? Flirt with you to get something? I would never." He smiles, "Is there a problem with me wanting to show you my love?" Sulvain shakes his head no, 'Typically you just watch me like a lovesick child. Or kiss me.'
Raziol frowns, "I guess that means I need to start giving you more compliments, does it not?"
'Whether you compliment me or not, it doesn't matter. You show me how much you love me plenty enough with the way you hug me as you sleep. Some nights I get worried you're going to squeeze the life right out of me.'
Raziol awkwardly laughs, "My apologies, I guess that's a habit I got as a child. My father would always hug me so tightly as a way to show his love. I must've picked up the same habit."
'I find it sweet.' Sulvain sits up, the cape falling off his shoulders.
'Look, meteors!' he points up above them. Raziol looks up. Meteors are flying through the night sky. "It's beautiful… Is this why you brought me out here?" Sulvain nods, 'Huygens told me about it. So I thought we should see them together. It's like last time, remember?' Raziol grins, "I remember it clearly. When we saw those strange shapes up in the sky."
He looks back at Sulvain, who is still looking up, watching the meteors. A warm feeling fills his chest. "Sulvain?" The man looks over at him. "I love you." Sulvain smiles, 'I love you too Raziol.'