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Tommy was a lonely star. No planets orbited him. No life felt his warmth. No plants grew from the rays of sunshine emitting from him.
He was far too small to have such things. Far too hot to ever approach any other living thing. And star spirits could never ever be near one another. Their forces would simply collide and wipe them both from existence.
Tommy was made to be alone.
Yet they did not stop the pain in his heart. The all-consuming loneliness that devoured him whole.
Tommy watched as the universe turned and grew around him, other star systems brimming with life and praising their star spirit. No one had ever praised Tommy for the light he brings. No one had ever said thank you for being you.
No one had ever felt the warmth of his smile.
Until that day.
Tommy had been floating across the universe, careful to avoid straying too close to another star spirit. When he saw it.
A… movement in the distance. The void moved and warped in a strange way. Stars blinked in and out of existence like something had moved between them.
It got closer.
And closer.
And closer.
And—
Tommy blinked, lips parted in awe as a dragon hovered in front of him. It was massive. Big enough to gobble him up in one bite. It’s scales were nearly pitch black, twinkling with a deep purple as it floated in front of him.
“Well, hello there, little star.” A deep voice rumbled through Tommy’s mind. It was soft and yet firm. Like a comfortable mattress that dipped to his form to cradle him.
Tommy knew about this species. Rare, very rare, and often hidden amongst the stars. Creatures built to be alone. They did not enjoy being seen nor heard. They simply observed the universe with each mighty beat of their wings. They only ever came down to a planet to collect treasures and bring it back to their hoard. No one knew of where these hoards were, and no one would ever dare to look.
Tommy wished he could be built in such a way. Uncaring of having companionship. The ability to be alone and not feel the crushing weight of it.
Tommy’s head twisted around as the dragon slowly began to circle him.
“What is a star spirit doing out here all alone? Where are your planets?”
Tommy’s eyes were downcast as he spoke, his voice ringing like tiny bells. “I have no planets. I am alone.”
The dragon stopped to his side, face merely inches away. “That is not right. Star spirits are meant to bring joy and happiness to others. To warm their own star system and be celebrated for it.”
Tommy curled into himself, sighing. “I am celebrated by no one. I am far too small to bring warmth to those around me. I was meant to be alone.”
A deep, resounding hum shook through Tommy’s body as the dragon resumed its circling. “Star spirits are not designed to be alone. They are made to be adored. To be sung praises to as they shine light onto their people. To be treasured.”
His tears hissed as they burnt away from his eyes. “Then perhaps there is something wrong with me. No one adores me.”
The dragon snapped in front of him, eyes boring into his own. “No.”
Tommy flinched back slightly, eyes wide as the dragon pushed itself near.
“There is nothing wrong with you. You are meant to be adored, perhaps you just have not found the one meant to adore you yet.”
Who would ever adore Tommy? Tommy was a useless star spirit. Smaller than the adult of most other species. If he was meant to be adored, then perhaps something had gone wrong in his creation.
The dragon brushed against him, looking him up and down. Observing him.
“Perhaps… I could adore you.”
Tommy blinked rapidly, staring deep into the dragon’s eyes. The dragon did not look away, simply staring right back with an air of pure determination.
“But… But I…”
Dragons loved shiny things. Tommy wondered, have any other dragons had the pleasure of treasuring a star spirit?
“I cannot go anywhere. No planets near any other star will I be free to go to.”
“My hoard is far from any light. Tucked away at the edge of the universe and wrapped in darkness. Unless I may gather the most valuable treasure of all.”
It was… perfect. It was too perfect. This dragon was offering him the ability to shine for another living thing. It was what Tommy always dreamed of. His purpose.
It could not be true.
“But I am a star, will I not burn you?”
A laugh resounded in Tommy’s mind, the dragon pushing its nose into Tommy’s stomach. “I am much more ancient than you, little star. I do not fear your power.”
Tommy’s hands wrapped around the dragon’s snout, eyes glistening. “I can… touch you.”
“And I… can hold you.”
The dragon shifted, wrapping its neck around Tommy.
Tommy giggled, shining brightly as he patted the dragon’s scales.
“Now… Your decision? Will you allow me this delight? May I treasure and adore every single smile? May I bask in your warmth and light and care for you until the last light of the universe? May I hold you above all other treasures I hold? Will you be mine?”
How could Tommy say no? A creature so protective and loving of their treasures offering to adore him? To value him above all else? To let him shine on another living being?
Tommy wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck, burying his face in its scales. “Let me shine for you.”
The dragon purred, wings flaring. “How wonderful. My name is Wilbur, my little star. What is yours?”
“Tommy.”
“Thank you, Tommy, for being my starshine.”
Wilbur’s wings beat, sending them rocketing off into the nothingness.
-/-/-/-/-/-
They arrived at a dark, lonely little planet. It floated in the vast nothingness, a large cave carved into it. As Wilbur flew down the tunnels, Tommy’s eyes lit up.
The sides all glittered with his light, revealing vast amounts of treasures decorating the once dark walls. Gold and silver and emerald greens and so much more. Gemstones and ancient treasures surrounding each inch of space. Piled high along the floor and embedded into the walls of the cave.
A large stockpile revealed itself in the center, a mound of gems and riches so tall Tommy was sure Wilbur could bury himself in it 10 times over.
Wilbur flared his wings, claws landing at the top of the mound. Jewels tumbled down the hill, hitting the ground around with a pleasant ringing.
Tommy released Wilbur’s neck, floating to the center of the cavern as he glanced around. His curiosity shone off of him, lighting up the entire cave in a warm glow of awe.
A deep, pleased hum resonated through the cave. “Oh, my star, you make everything around you so much more beautiful.”
Tommy blushed, covering his face as he giggled. Somehow, he glowed even brighter.
Wilbur nuzzled against his arms. “Do not hide your face from me, Tommy. Let me adore you as I promised I would.”
Was this how star spirits were supposed to be treated? Beloved and cherished by the people that they give their warmth too?
Wilbur stepped in a small circle before pushing Tommy to the center and laying down. Tommy laid against Wilbur’s chest, surrounded by the dragon’s limbs and tail. Wilbur’s wing slowly folded above him, keeping Tommy tucked inside.
Wilbur’s head popped in, resting on a pile of gold as he stared at the small star.
Tommy glanced around, lips parted curiously. “I can not shine on your treasures this way. Uncover me so I may provide you light.”
Wilbur blinked slowly, a resounding purr shaking Tommy’s core. “You are my treasure, my light. You need not shine on anything at all. Simply continue to glow and allow me to cherish that light.”
Tommy smiled, giggling. His body lit up with the noise, flashing with each high of his giggle. Tommy then stopped, blinking rapidly as he felt something enter his gravitational field.
A golden light began to travel around him, a few others falling into place as well.
Tommy glanced close at the shining lights before sitting up with his mouth forming an ‘o.’
That was some of Wilbur’s treasure. He supposed it was light enough to fall into his orbit.
Tommy frowned. “I apologize. I am not trying to take what is yours.”
Wilbur shook his head slightly. “Take what you wish. All of what is mine, is yours.”
Oh.
Tommy’s eyes hissed as more tears began to fall. “I have… an orbit? I have things that… orbit me?” Tommy questioned. “And they’re mine?”
Wilbur huffed a laugh, nuzzling the burning tears from Tommy’s face. “You do. All yours. And I will always orbit you too, I shall never abandon you.”
Wilbur then wrapped his tail around Tommy, maneuvering to hold him closer. Tommy hugged Wilbur’s tail, burying his face in the scales.
This was a dream come true. Everything Tommy had ever wanted, he now had. What had he done to deserve such a thing?
“You may go wherever you wish, whenever you wish. I only ask that you allow me to escort you. I must protect your light from the darkness.”
Tommy giggled. “Silly Wilbur. I am light! Darkness cannot reach me.”
The dragon chuckled. “Metaphor, my dear. There are those out there who would want to use you. A lone star spirit would be quite the find. But you must allow me to show them that you are cherished.”
Tommy flopped onto Wilbur’s tail. “Okay… whatever you say. I want to see the universe, but there’s not many places I can go.”
Wilbur nudged the star spirit. “I have ancient magic that may be of some use. We will discuss that later. For now, will you allow me to rest here in your warmth?”
Tommy nodded excitedly, giddily watching as Wilbur’s eyes closed. He was warming a living, breathing thing. He hadsomeone. Someone to shine for. Someone to hold.
Someone to love.
Tommy smiled to himself.
It was odd. Dragons were always lone creatures. They would never let another being into their dens. They were designed to be alone.
But perhaps…
Perhaps there was something wrong with both of them. Maybe their purpose was a little different than the typical molds.
Maybe, they were designed for each other.