Chapter Text
The sky was drenched in starlight, while the ground was carpeted with dust.
After the fifth or sixth breathtaking horizon, the awe started to wear off.
Or was this the sixth?
Either way, after so many incredible views, you start to expect them.
The pair rolls to a stop, cutting their bike engines.
The man in front peels the bandana from his face, revealing a wicked grin.
His partner follows suit, pulling off his helmet and shaking out his dark hair.
The first man lets out a low whistle.
“Whew—it's getting long, huh, Aoi?”
“Yeah, well, it’s hard to get a haircut on the road.”
“I’ll cut it for you if you ask.”
“… It’s hard to get a good haircut, Reita.”
Reita yanks off his own helmet, running his fingers roughly through his tangle of platinum hair.
“I cut my own hair last time. It was fine.”
Aoi stares at Reita’s lopsided chop job.
“Hmm. The sky is nice.”
Reita laughs, a loud and clear sound.
“Hey, don’t change the subject!”
Swinging his leg off the bike, Aoi stands and stretches.
After hours of riding, exhaustion was setting in, and rest was calling.
They’d decided to ride through the night to stay ahead of schedule. It cost them sleep, but at least they were eight hours ahead.
Reita dismounts his bike, and the two begin walking stiffly toward a distant outpost.
The red, dusty ground is as dry as a desert.
Plumes of dirt rose with every step, clinging stubbornly to their leather jackets.
“This is one of those planets where it’s never really night or day, isn’t it?” Aoi asks.
Reita nods.
“Exactly. No sunrise or sunset. There are so many stars here it’s always kind of… bright.”
Aoi chuckles, shaking his head.
This was a Reita Pick.
Their agreement to alternate choosing planets meant they’d just left one of Aoi’s—a tiny world with shifting ocean tides and mesmerizing whirlpools.
“So, what’s the deal with this place? You into… red dirt or something?” Aoi mutters, brushing the stubborn dust off his jacket.
Reita shrugs and jogs ahead as soon as he sees the valley.
Aoi catches up, his gaze following Reita’s line of sight.
Below, the valley stretches endlessly, filled with swirling black ink that shimmers like liquid silver.
Reita doesn't hesitate, bounding down the rocky slope toward it.
Aoi lingers briefly before following, watching loose rocks tumble beneath Reita’s boots.
When they reach the pool’s edge, Reita is already tugging off his boots and tossing his clothes into a careless pile.
He wades into the water with a splash, breaking the surface’s perfect reflection of the starry sky.
“It’s warm!” Reita calls out as he surfaces, slicking his hair back.
Aoi removes his own boots and strips with far more care.
“Turn,” he orders.
Reita doesn't seem to hear; he is already swimming further out.
Aoi leaves his clothes in a neat pile and wades in.
True to Reita’s word, the water is warm.
Dunking his head, Aoi scrubs at his face, washing away the dust.
When he surfaces, Reita is nowhere in sight.
“Reita…” Aoi calls, scanning the dark, shimmering expanse.
The water’s mirrored illusion was dizzying.
“Yo.”
Reita’s voice comes from behind, followed by a laugh.
Aoi spins around, but before he could react, Reita’s fingers were in his hair.
“Is this the longest you’ve ever had it? Maybe… I think I could braid it.”
“You can’t braid hair,” Aoi mutters, still.
Reita hums, sectioning strands of Aoi’s wet hair.
Curiosity kept Aoi still, letting Reita work.
After a few moments, Reita lets out a satisfied sigh.
“There’s no mirror here, but…”
He grabs Aoi’s hand, guiding it to the braid woven down the center of his head.
“Too bad. It looks awesome. I’m pretty good at this, huh?”
Aoi smirks.
“Is this the sixth horizon we’ve seen?”
“What? Don’t change the subject!”
Aoi laughs.
“It’s nice. Thanks.”
Reita relaxes, sinking deeper into the water.
He gazes at the stars reflected on its surface, pinpointing their celestial twins in the sky above.
“Guess we’re leaving in the morning?”
Aoi shrugs, a wistful look on his face as he studies the horizon.
“We won’t really be able to tell when it’s morning, will we?”
Reita grins.
“Exactly. That’s my plan—to confuse you so we can stay on my planet longer.”
Aoi groans.
“Are the rest of your planets like this?”
Reita just laughs, scooping a handful of the starry water and holding it out to Aoi.
“We should drink this.”
“Re—what?”
Reita cups another handful for himself.
“On the count of three…
One…
Two…
Three—”
They glance at each other in challenge but drink it anyway.
“We just drank stars,” Reita declares, grinning.
“That’s way cooler than those whirlpools you made us go see.”