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Wise knew all too well that people considered him "dull." His calm demeanor and mature vibe stood in sharp contrast to Belle’s upbeat, cheerful energy. Some even went so far as to call him boring, mocking his hobbies—reading books, watching documentaries, or indulging in the occasional video game. But Wise had never been the type to let those labels bother him. If anything, he took pride in his ability to remain steadfast in who he was, unaffected by the expectations of others. This was who he was. Why should he change for people he didn’t even know? If being "dull" and "boring" made his life easier and smoother, then so be it. He’d enjoy his routine to the fullest—at least until life inevitably threw a wrench into it.
He just hadn’t expected that wrench to come in the form of her.
"Wiseeeee! When are we going outside?" a melodious voice whined from behind him.
"Not until Evelyn comes back with some good news," he replied evenly, his eyes still focused on the spreadsheet on his monitor. "And until this Fugue and Odeum rivalry scandal blows over. Again."
"But—"
"And Belle’s not here either. She’s with Harumasa at Port Elpis, which means no car. We’re both stuck here." He sighed and finally turned away from the screen, glancing at the figure sprawled across the couch. "I’d like to go out too, but we can’t afford to tip off the paparazzi or the media, Astra."
"Hmph. Here I thought I’d get to spend the whole day out with my bestie," Astra grumbled, pouting like a petulant child. It was cute—though Wise would never say that out loud.
"What are you even doing?" she asked, walking toward him.
"Sorting this month’s budget," he replied, his fingers still tapping away at the keyboard.
Astra hummed in response, wandering around his room. "How responsible," she teased, plopping onto his bed with a theatrical sigh. "But what a neglectful babysitter you are!"
Wise chuckled, shaking his head. He didn’t even need to look at her to know she was grinning. Astra always had this knack for lightening the mood. Despite being the "most well-known celebrity of New Eridu," she was nothing like her commanding, glamorous public persona. Offstage, she was energetic, curious, and downright chaotic—a wrecking ball of enthusiasm that dragged Wise wherever her whims led.
Not that he minded. He enjoyed her company.
"Alright, alright. You have my full attention now," he said, finally turning his chair to face her.
"Finally! Let’s have a movie marathon. And you get the honor of picking the first movie!"
"Oh?" Wise smirked. "How about a docu—"
"Excluding documentaries, Wise." Her pout deepened, making him chuckle again.
"Fine, fine. Just kidding," he said. "Actually, I found a vintage tape yesterday while I was cleaning. From before Old Eridu’s time."
"Ooooh, what’s it called?"
"‘Roman Holiday.’ It’s a romantic comedy, it says." He rummaged through a small collection of tapes on the shelf beside him.
Astra gasped dramatically. "Wise, I never pegged you as a romantic!"
"Oh, shut it, Astra. I like romance movies too."
She giggled as he slid the tape into the vintage player before sitting down beside Astra, who had already curled up on the couch, hugging a pillow. Moments like these, Wise realized, were anything but dull. He had spent years believing his way of life was enough—until Astra came along, unraveling his carefully constructed world with her laughter and boundless energy.
The story unfolded onscreen, a princess, suffocated by her royal duties, escapes for a day of freedom in Rome. She meets a charming journalist, and together, they explore the city, experiencing everything from a Vespa ride to a spontaneous visit to the Mouth of Truth.
"That was so cute!" Astra exclaimed, her eyes glued to the screen as the princess and journalist bonded for a day.
"Cute, sure," Wise murmured, but he was distracted—not by the film, but by Astra’s radiant smile, lit by the flickering glow of the television.
As the movie went on, the playful, romantic tone shifted. The journalist, knowing her true identity all along, had to wrestle with his conscience. Should he write the story of a lifetime, or protect her privacy? Astra fell silent as the weight of the story settled in.
By the time the heart-wrenching ending arrived, Astra was clutching the pillow tightly, her knuckles turning white. Her breath hitched, and her wide eyes stayed fixed on the screen, as if hoping for a different outcome. The princess, despite falling in love, chose her duty over her heart and returned to her royal life. The journalist, unable to follow her, watched her press conference from afar, knowing their time together was over.
The music picked up, then the screen faded to black.
"That… that ending…" Astra whispered, her voice trembling. "Why didn’t they fight for each other?"
"Because sometimes, life doesn’t let you," Wise replied softly. He wasn’t looking at the screen anymore. His gaze was fixed on Astra, on the way her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "They both had responsibilities. They loved each other enough to let go."
"That’s… so unfair," she murmured, turning to meet his eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The movie’s bittersweet atmosphere lingered between them like an invisible thread, pulling them closer.
"Not everything can end with happily ever after," Wise said gently, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "But… maybe that’s what makes moments like theirs so precious."
Astra frowned, her lips pressing together as if she were holding back something. Then, she laughed bitterly. "You’d think the ‘realist’ Wise would have a more optimistic take on love."
"Reality is often disappointing."
"And yet, you met me by chance." Astra retorts.
Their eyes locked, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. For the first time, Astra wasn’t her playful, carefree self. There was a vulnerability in her gaze, one that Wise couldn’t ignore.
"Wise," she began, "I want to hear the thoughts of the 'real' you. About us."
He hesitated, but only for a moment.
"I—"
I like to smile and laugh with you.
I like how you drag me along with your whims.
I like to stay by your side.
I want to keep experiencing it with you. But the words felt too heavy, too raw, to say aloud. They tangled in his throat. What if saying them changed everything? What if saying nothing changed even more?
"Don't overthink," Astra reached for his hand, her grip warm, grounding. As if reading "I’m not a princess, Wise. And you’re not some journalist forced to stand on the sidelines. I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere."
His breath hitched. Slowly, hesitantly, he squeezed her hand back, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a quiet, unspoken promise. In that moment, he realized how fragile yet unshakable this connection was—how much he wanted to hold on to it, to her. "You're here, yet you feel so far away." Wise voice faintly breaks.
"Go on, it's just us here." Astra firmly stated, but softly spoken. "I...want to hear the 'real' you. Just this once, let out what's on your heart."
"To every people of New Eridu, you are the star that shines the brightest. To me as well, but after getting to know you, you are just a normal, bubbly girl." He then looks at her eyes,
"Selfishly, I don't ever want to let you go."
Wise exhaled slowly, his grip on Astra's hand tightening as if afraid she'd slip away. His heart pounded, each beat urging him to speak—to finally say what had been buried for too long.
"You—" His voice faltered. He swallowed hard and tried again.
"You turned my quiet life upside down. Everything used to be simple, predictable. A routine. But then you showed up—laughing, teasing, dragging me into things I never thought I'd enjoy. You made me want more." He closed his eyes, "And that terrifies me. That one day, I'll wake up from this beautiful dream."
Astra's breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. She only watched him, waiting. Patient.
"Because if I admit how much I need you, then I have to face the fact that I don't know what I'd do if you ever left."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions. Then, softly—so softly it was almost lost in the space between them—Astra murmured, "Wise…"
He let out a quiet, shaky chuckle. He opened his eyes, to look at her hands holding his. "I know. I know I'm late in saying it. But…I like being with you, Astra. More than I should. More than I know how to put into words." A pause. A heartbeat. "So, if you're still here…if you're not going anywhere," He finally lifted his gaze, meeting her eyes head-on. "Then let me stay by your side."
And silence dawns again, as the movie's ending soundtrack plays on the background. Not another moment, Astra moves her hand towards his cheek which slightly surprises Wise. "Wise," she whispered, her voice steadier. "You always talk how I turned your life upside down, but did you ever stop to think that you did the same to mine?" Wise blinked, caught off guard.
She let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. "Before you, everything in my life felt like a stage. The cameras, the expectations—no matter where I was, it always felt like I had to perform for someone. I love to sing, not to act on a movie, but the people at the top says otherwise. It's suffocating. But with you? I don't have to act. I don't have to be 'Astra the Queen.' I just get to be me."
She caressed his cheek with her thumb, slowly brushing over, "And that's why I like you, Wise. Not just because you're smart or responsible, or because you make me laugh when you pretend you hate my antics." She smiled softly. "But because with you, I finally found somewhere I belong."
Wise swallowed, his chest tightening. He wanted to say something, anything, but Astra wasn't done yet. She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to something only meant for him.
"No more what-ifs. No more 'one day you'll leave' or 'this is just a dream.' I'm real, Wise, and I'm not going anywhere." And then, without any hesitation, she closed the distance between them, her lips pressing against his—warm, certain, real.
When she pulled back, her forehead rested against his, her breath mingling with his own. "If you'll have me," she whispered, a teasing glint returning to her eyes, "I'd like to keep dragging you along with my whims for a long, long time."
Wise, still breathless, but enough to answer, "I would love that."
No more words. Just the soft hum of the TV in the background, the warmth of her fingers still lingering on his skin. Their gazes flickered from lips, eyes, and lips again before both of them leaned in, the distance vanishing into something inevitable, something right. Until,
"FINALLY!"
"Whu—" Pulling away, romantic atmosphere dissipates immediately from the sudden appearance of none other than Belle, who's bumping her fists in the air. "Belle?"
"You finally did it, bro! You two finally did it!" She gleefully said at the startled duo, who's now huddled together.
Before they even regain their composure, Evelyn followed her inside with a knowing smirk of her own. "I tried to reel her in, really. But finally, Astra, you two are exasperating to watch when clearly you two are into each other."
Still befuddled, "What?" is the only word they could utter.
Belle beamed at them, practically vibrating with excitement. "You don't understand how painful it was watching you two dance around each other like that. Who acts like best friends in public, but deep down was something more! It was like waiting for a season finale that kept getting delayed!"
Astra groaned, burying her face into Wise's shoulder. "Oh my god, Belle, this was supposed to be a moment."
"Yeah, and now it's a shared moment!" Belle grinned. "Honestly, Wise, I was beginning to think you'd never say it."
Wise sighed, rubbing, his temple, though there was a faint flush on his face. "You're not gonna let me live this down, aren't you."
Evelyn, leaning casually against the doorframe, smirked. "Well, better late than never. But I have to admit, you two really know how to make things dramatic."
Astra finally peeked up, her face still tinged pink, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "It's called 'building tension.' You wouldn't get it, Eve."
Belle rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, does this mean I can officially call you two lovebirds now?"
"You call us that already," Wise pointed out dryly.
"Yeah, but now I don't have to pretend it's a joke!" Belle shot back with a cheeky grin.
Astra let out a laugh, her earlier embarrassment melting away. She reached for Wise's hand again, squeezing it lightly as if grounding herself in the reality of the moment. He squeezed back, his touch warm and steady.
Evelyn sighed dramatically. "Alright, now that this romantic confession is out of the way, I do actually have news. The Fugue and Odeum scandal? It's settled. We're in the clear."
Wise blinked. "Wait, seriously? Just like that?" Evelyn's efficiency is what Wise aspire to be.
Belle waggled her eyebrows. "Yep. Which means…" She clapped her hands together. "It's time to celebrate! Movie marathon round two, except this time, Astra doesn't get to whine about tonight's pick!"
Astra gasped in mock horror. "Excuse me, I have been emotionally compromised tonight. I deserve to pick the second movie."
"Oh no, no, no," Belle countered. "Musicals are excluded to movie marathons."
Wise sighed in amusement, letting Astra's fingers lace through his. He glanced at her, then at Belle and Evelyn, then at the tapes still stacked on the shelf. With a slow smile, he leaned back and said, "How about a romance movie?"
Belle and Evelyn blinked. Astra gasped dramatically. "Who are you and what have you done with Wise!?"
He only chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. "What can I say? I guess I've been inspired."
Astra laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Alright, alright. Let's watch a romance movie. But if it's another heartbreaker like 'Roman Holiday,' I'm holding you accountable."
Wise smirked. "Deal."
As the four settled in, the soft glow of the television illuminating their faces, Wise allowed himself a moment to just be. No overthinking, no what-ifs—just Astra's warmth beside him, her fingers entwined with his, and the feeling, to his everyday monotone routine, there would be finally something to look forward to.
"So…when's the wedding?"
"BELLE!" The two lovebirds yelled in unison.