Work Text:
Mangy sat by the lake, feeling the bench on his back. Looking over the water, he saw the night sky, reflected back, stars lit in the night sky. He felt a sense of calm, hearing nothing but the insects and cars driving by a road far away from him. He felt stressed out a lot, so it was nice to have peaceful moments like these.
He was alone a lot, having no one but himself to keep himself occupied. His memories of old conversations and small bits of kindness shown towards him were getting old.
He didn't seem like it, but he really was a social guy. He didn't speak much, didn't start conversations when he did have somebody. But he loved to hear people talk, to listen to their problems, to spend time with people who liked his company, even if it was just sitting in silence. Maybe he liked silence with others the best.
It didn't matter. He was on his own for now, the shop owners rarely talking to him. They were kind, benevolent even. But they had lives to live, a store to run. They tried to take care of him how they could, but they could barely afford to take care of themselves.
He didn't mind. Them making any effort was good enough for him. It was more than he'd gotten in a while.
He felt his chest rise, then fall. Rise, fall. He heard nothing but the ambience of the night, saw nothing but the beautiful night sky and the lake, and felt nothing but the bench the the grass.
The sky really was beautiful at this time of night. Felt like thousands of stars were up there, instead of the dozen he could see. All of them twinkling against a purple and blue backdrop, lights on the darkness.
He felt peace in his solitude, something he hasn't been able to do in a while. The loneliness felt just a bit more tolerable than it had before.
He wished there was someone to share this experience with, one day. Someone who will sit next to him, and look at the stars. No judgement, no uncertain feelings.
Just them and the stars.
But for now, he was here to enjoy the night, knowing he'll get to share this with someone eventually.
He felt himself, at peace.