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A soft blue light pours and illuminates the already empty Gardenview, making everything quiet and plunging the previously noisy and full of children's laughter place into the quietest place on earth. The light lulls, spreads, caresses and bestows a gentle sleep on all who wish. Most of the thuns do this, peacefully snoring in their beds, having finished their workday at the educational children's center for today.
All but two figures, who softly step side by side to the center of Gardenview - here, under the heavenly dome of the night, where the light of the moon and stars poured softest of all - were only the two of them. No one dared to disturb them, just as they did not dare to disturb anyone - each other's company was enough.
- They won't notice us? - the moon-faced figure asks timidly, barely audibly, following in step behind the flower one, which seemed to have been illuminated tonight, smiling a little stupidly. He turns to face Astro, squinting and slightly baring his teeth in a laughing smile.
- I doubt it. Moreover, we will not do anything forbidden, right? - Dandy sounds surprisingly quiet, as if trying to compare with Astro in his serenity and calm, and the very atmosphere of the center seemed to demand it. He softly steps up, closer to a small field dotted with grass and a small number of flowers, where in the center of everything stood a tall and powerful tree, slightly shedding its leaves, approaching the change of season.
- I don’t know, because you are leading me here. - the dreamer answers him with a soft smile, hesitantly placing one of his feet on the step leading to the center, but as soon as he raises his gaze upward, he sees the flower's outstretched hand towards him, while it tilts its head slightly to the side, illuminated by the light of the moon, which begins to peek out more and more.
- Do you want to dance with me? - Dandy opens his eyes a little wider, reflecting the light. But it was the light of his Moon. Who stood opposite him, slightly confused, feeling how his cheeks began to burn. In his gaze, as if the brightest star was glittering, remaining there for a while. This invitation was undoubtedly the first in all the years of their communication and the dreamer felt that it was the most desired of all and exciting.
He gently places one of his palms in the other's and Dandy gently pulls him up, helping him up the short steps, gradually moving right under the wide foliage of the tree.
Astro is still mesmerized, but now with an awkward smile he looks at the flower boy, trying to put his other palm on his shoulder, while the second one still holds his friend's hand.
- What's gotten into you? - Astro looks at Dandy's face with interest, who chuckles, shrugging his shoulders, smoothly placing his free palm on the moon-faced man's waist, then not taking his eyes off his beautiful face.
- You've never danced before, so I decided that I needed to teach you.
- So late at night?
- It's your time, after all.. No one is watching.
For a couple of minutes, Astro seems to smile brighter, which embarrasses him and covers his mouth with his other hand out of habit, but immediately removes it, noticing Dandy's slightly worried look as they smoothly begin their movements.
- Something wrong?
- Don't hide your smile from me. - Dandy's voice sounds tender bitterness, his gaze changes slightly, but then to return all the warmth of his eyes, directed at Astro alone. The Sleepmaker hesitates, looking away for a second, but as soon as he inhales - he returns it back. And looks straight into the eyes of the flower.. Inside him, it seems like an infinite number of petals are swirling, tickling him, and his cheeks do not stop burning. Is it really because of a simple dance with a friend?
Dandy leads, carefully twirling with Astro and smoothly moving his legs from side to side - Astro does not lag behind, squeezing Dandy's palm tighter in his hand, skillfully tracing a small circle with him, making the blanket, still on him, sway slightly.
Calm reigns here and now again, but the light seems to become brighter and in addition to the night sky, Dandy notices how the familiar glow emanating from the moon-faced one becomes brighter, and his gaze... Oh, his gaze.
Dandy was ready to give everything in the world, if only Astro would look at him like that forever. This shine with which he looked at him, this tenderness, the affection of his smile, which he no longer tried to hide - all this made Dandy bloom. It seemed that he had not yet lost all his colors only thanks to Astro, who allowed him to feel this gaze on himself and warmly hold his hand, twirling in a dance.
Astro could dance. They both knew it, but right now they both wanted this dance for each other. They wanted to feel lighter than petals, lighter than the leaves of the falling tree under which they were hovering. To look at each other for hours and smile stupidly, feeling the redness of their soft cheeks.
It would definitely last forever. Or at least all night, exhausting each other, but bringing an unprecedented feeling of affection and love. This garden, the starry sky and each other's touch were enough for them to feel like the happiest creatures in the world.
It was enough for them to be together.
But there was no leaving behind the old days nothing but a haze of memories. And the smoldering garden in the center of Gardenview.
"... Do you want to dance with me?" - there is nothing left of that tone. Dandy stands behind a small sales counter in the elevator, looking expectantly at the previously most important being to him.
"...
There is no answer. Astro stands with his back to him, unable to even say anything, let alone look at him. Their garden has withered. And with it, any feelings.
Dandy knew that he personally destroyed it.
The flowers will never bloom again, their tree will never grow leaves.
And the moon will never shine on him again.