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A gust of wind runs through Vantus’s hair and causes him to shiver, dusting away any lingering fatigue. He stands up and walks out from under the tree he was taking shelter beneath, carefully inspecting his unfamiliar surroundings. How long has he been sleeping…?
The last thing he really remembers after arriving in this strange town and meeting its eccentric residents is drifting off under a tree. Unaware of how much rest his new human form is in need of, Vantus lost track of time, his quick nap turning into a deep slumber.
So much has changed since the last time he’s had the chance to look around… Was that tall building always there? Is that a building on top of a building? Or is it a tower? Vantus isn’t sure. But as he studies his environment, a voice startles him, as soft as it is. A voice he hasn’t heard before.
The encounter starts out cautious, then gradually grows warmer. A simple introduction between the celestial and the passerby human quickly alleviates the uncertainty between the two, instead shaping it into curiosity.
Dr. Z, a man of science, is what the human introduces himself as. A scientist on a quest to build his glorious science kingdom, and a loather of magic. He’s kind enough to offer to show Vantus around town to refresh his memory, despite his own unfamiliarity with it, going as far as accompanying Vantus into the Twilight Forest and helping him tame his first dragon.
After exploring around for a while, and coming across a vast field of wheat, Vantus experiences an unpleasant rumbling deep in his core. His movements become slower, weaker, and his hands begin to tremble slightly.
Dr. Z takes notice of this. Hunger is what he calls it, an unchangeable law of humans. “I wouldn’t want you to die from hunger.”
“Die from… hunger?” Vantus repeats quietly, narrowing his eyes in confusion as he accepts the loaf of bread that the scientist hands to him. He thanks him for it, prudently taking small bites of it. Soon enough, that discomfort in his stomach disappears with the loaf. He will have to keep this hunger thing in mind and pay close attention to the signals that his body sends him when it needs nutrition. Being mortal is not easy…
And this new mortal body of his is fragile. It’s clumsy. It’s weak. It’s unlike his original form. Vantus finds it closer to piloting a foreign vehicle. It’s exceptionally prone to damage, from things as simple as tripping on his own feet, to falling from a small cliff or a tree. And it bleeds, from the littlest of scratches or scrapes.
It’s not much of a concern for Vantus, but he quickly grows to dislike the sharp, stinging sensation that typically comes with these injuries. Pain is what Dr. Z calls it, and apparently, many of these injuries can be fatal if left untreated. Yet another nuisance that Vantus has to deal with and be mindful of in his human body. He starts to wonder if there are any positives that come with it.
With time, something Vantus comes to learn about Dr. Z is how timid and withdrawn he is, in actuality. Despite his kindness, he tends to avoid interacting with the other residents of the town, preferring to keep to himself and to work on his machinery rather than risk bothering anyone.
Except for Vantus, that is. The one and only person Dr. Z takes time out of his day to greet and check on, to drop everything he’s doing if they need help.
He claims that he’s simply fascinated by the celestial’s whimsical nature, by his oddness, by his curiosity about the world around him, that’s all.
But Vantus can’t quite explain why he’s so drawn to the scientist. Perhaps it’s the safety he provides, or his boundless patience, or his compassion. Perhaps it’s his eccentric humor, or his intelligence, or his willingness to help those in need. Perhaps it’s everything mentioned, and more. Either way, Vantus finds himself drawn to Dr. Z, looking for every opportunity to spend more time with him.
Until an idea dawns on him, a realization. What if he’s relying too much on Dr. Z? What if his naivety becomes more of a burden, an obstacle in the scientist’s way, a distraction from his valuable work?
So, ever the overthinker, Vantus sets out on a solo journey, one where his inexperience won’t be a liability to anyone.
Days have passed since Dr. Z has last spoken to Vantus. His lab feels emptier than usual, without Vantus’s chattering about his discoveries from his most recent adventures. Worry starts to creep in, what ifs and fears, both rational and irrational forming in Dr. Z’s head. He knows Vantus is strong, he’s witnessed his strength first hand, but that alone doesn’t calm the tightening in his chest.
Surely… surely he will return, right?
Another week passes, and no new sign of Vantus. The fears only grow. It’s unusual. Normally, he would be at the scientist’s doorstep by now, eagerly telling him all about his new findings, all the rare loot he’s managed to gather, all the dungeon monsters he’s defeated…
Waiting becomes unbearable. Grabbing his backpack filled with all the essentials he needs, Dr. Z departs the comfort of his lab to mentally prepare himself for the one thing he dreads most… socializing. But if it means getting closer to even a fraction of a clue to Vantus’s whereabouts, he’ll endure. He can endure anything for Vantus.
His first destination is the town center, where Uki the Witch resides. In Dr. Z’s mind, he can’t recall which of the town residents Vantus hangs around most often, but he recalls their first adventure together vividly, where Uki aided the pair in traveling to the Twilight Forest. It would make sense that the Witch would know at least something about Vantus, right?
As kind as Uki is, unfortunately, their guess is just as good as the scientist’s. Regardless, Dr. Z thanks them for cooperating. Despite his hatred of magic, Uki might be one of the few magic users that he deeply respects.
Resolute still strong, Dr. Z moves on to the next target on his list, Pinkleberry Rose, the self-proclaimed hero of the village. He finds the hero standing pridefully in a field of flowers, and his mind calls back to his first encounter with her, along with Vantus, when Pinkleberry gave them a brief guide on taming dragons. Surely a fellow dragon tamer would have a clue…
Dr. Z approaches the hero, his voice hushed when he asks her if she’s seen the celestial recently. But much like the Witch and himself, Pinkleberry is as clueless as the two of them.
Before the scientist gets to thank her, he gets interrupted by an aggravated man chasing after another. He recognizes them as Willerton the beast tamer and Sani the dog, two of the first people he’d met after waking in this world. His attempt to ask them the same question goes unnoticed, as Willerton is too occupied with scolding Sani, who is failing at feigning innocence, for a prank he tried to pull on him.
Just as Dr. Z is about to give up wasting their time, he is instead surprised by Pinkleberry halting their quarrel instantly, sternly asking them if they’ve seen Vantus around. Ah, truly a hero…
Unsurprisingly, both of them are as in the dark about his location as Dr. Z, Sani wordlessly shaking his head, and Willerton mentioning how his last sighting of the celestial was at the engineer’s birthday party.
“Did you check his house?” Willerton asks, his courteous nature showing through his effort to ask at all.
Dr. Z’s shoulders slump slightly when he sighs. His reply comes out faint, “It was the first place I checked. It’s been a few days since I last saw him… I’m a bit worried.”
“Huh… then I’m not sure.”
“It’s alright. Thank you anyway, Willerton.” Dr. Z gives him a warm smile. He turns to the hero and the dog. “Thank you too, Pinkleberry and Sani.”
“I’ll make sure to let you know the moment I see him!” Willerton’s cheerful promise lifts up the scientist‘s spirits, giving him the boost he needs to keep searching.
The more citizens he talks to, the more Dr. Z realizes that Vantus is actually quite the loner. He typically prefers to do his own thing, not going out of his way to interact with the other residents of this strange world. Of course, when he does happen to come across them, as awkward as he is, he never fails to greet them back.
Not unlike himself, the scientist notes. Maybe the two of them have a lot more in common than he initially expected. The fact that both of them live farther than the outskirts of the town could also contribute to that.
Recognizing this, his chest aches all the more. Where could Vantus possibly be? What is taking him so long to resurface? Is he safe? Is he in danger?
Did he… decide to return to Celestia, for better or for worse?
For a moment, Dr. Z loses track of his steps as he walks, finding himself near Vantus’s tower once more, square one so to speak, the same place he kept checking over and over in hopes of seeing the celestial again. He looks up, taking in the view of the tower standing proudly amidst the infamous crater caused by a magic spell gone haywire. Certainly an interesting choice of location for Vantus to claim as his home.
Dr. Z sighs heavily. Is it selfish of him to wish to meet his companion again, the closest he’s ever gotten to a friend in this world? And yet, he’s still uncertain whether he has the chance for a reunion. Maybe he’s foolish for getting his hopes up so high.
The crunching of the gravel and dirt path beneath Vantus’s boots as he stumbles home is the loudest sound in his ears, which helps keep him alert in this otherwise dead-silent evening. The sun is almost completely done setting, but the various lanterns he’s left scattered around his base are enough to help guide his way.
Turns out exploring the mines for several days without proper rest can really take a toll on one’s stamina, especially after slaying multiple Wardens in a row. At least the valuable loot he’s gathered more than makes up for all his efforts.
Even with his limbs heavy, the unforeseen sight of Dr. Z at the front of his abode is exactly what it takes to bring back Vantus’s energy. Before he can greet him, the scientist turns around, and his somber look changes to one of surprise, eyes widening and body freezing in place once he spots the celestial.
“Vantus!!” Dr. Z exclaims with a small gasp, steps quickening in pace as he approaches him, until he throws his arms around Vantus’s shoulders, completely catching him off guard. “Oh, thank goodness you’re safe!”
Momentarily pausing for whoever knows how long, Vantus’s mind goes blank upon the feeling of Dr. Z’s weight pressed against the front of his torso. He’s never been this close in proximity to a human before, much less having someone’s face so close to his neck that he could feel each breath leaving and entering their lungs.
“Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?” Dr. Z adds, pulling himself away but still close enough for Vantus to see the remaining anxiety in his eyes clear as day, eyebrows knitting together and the hint of a relieved smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
A wave of warmth encompasses Vantus at this unexpected closeness, at Dr. Z’s hands resting atop his shoulders. It’s heavily reminiscent of the feeling of sunlight on his skin, but not quite the same. Unsure how to react, he mumbles in confusion after a moment of silent stuttering, “Um… Dr. Z?”
Only then does the scientist fully come back to his senses, sudden awareness of his action hitting him and making him withdraw, flustered. “Oh- I’m terribly sorry! I-I didn’t… I wasn’t thinking.” He falters, voice diminishing with each word.
It’s strange seeing the usually composed Dr. Z in such a state, eyes darting away and fidgeting with the longer side of his hair. Vantus collects himself enough to reassure, “No issue at all.”
Yet he’s still muddled. What made Dr. Z act impulsively and… embrace Vantus like so? Most importantly, why does Vantus find himself wishing Dr. Z’s touch lingered just a little longer?
After a long exhale, Dr. Z shakes off his embarrassment to turn his attention back to the celestial. “Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” He asks softly, his eyes unwittingly scanning Vantus’s form for any sign of harm. His furrowed eyebrows and his pout pierce daggers of guilt into Vantus’s chest.
“Aside from some fatigue, nothing worth fretting about. I should be back in tiptop shape after some rest.” Vantus promises, and the tension in his own muscles dispels once the scientist visibly unwinds as well.
“That’s good.” Dr. Z breathes out. He closes his eyes and places a palm on his chest as if to further compose himself. When he opens them, he flashes a serene smile before he adds, “Still, do try to be careful when exploring on your own. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
Such an interesting notion, a mortal being so concerned with the safety of an immortal. Or, well… ex-immortal, in this case.
I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.
It echoes and swims around in Vantus’s mind. The perception of his dearest companion’s concern over him fills his veins with an unpleasant buzzing numbness that reaches all the way to his fingertips. Remorse, he supposes.
“I… I will try. My apologies for making you worry, I did not realize how long my absence was.” He quietly admits, shamefully averting his gaze. Dr. Z waves a hand to refute as if wordlessly soothing his nerves, and it does help. “But rest assured, even in this human body, I’m still more than strong enough to protect myself. How else do you think I obtained this Warden sword?” Vantus enthuses as he proceeds to draw the aforementioned sword from its sheath.
The teal blade glimmering in the celestial’s hands grabs Dr. Z’s attention immediately. “A Warden sword?!” He squawks, eyes wide in astonishment. To his knowledge, Wardens are insanely hard to kill, and yet Vantus managed to slay enough to make a sword?!
Vantus proudly beams. “Indeed! I was looking forward to telling you about my journey! You won’t believe what I found!”
-
Vantus is an open book, yet the pages are written in a language that Dr. Z does not speak.
It’s not rare anymore for Vantus to disappear for days on end and come back with countless thrilling tales to tell, and Dr. Z can finally be at ease knowing that he’s fully capable of keeping himself safe. He has a childlike wonder and an insatiable hunger for adventure that the scientist doesn’t see often. Curious and hyperactive at times, sure, but he can be surprisingly thoughtful and observant. He’s quick to pick up on concepts foreign to him as a nonhuman, and when presented with a new one, he never misses the chance to learn more.
That pondering look soon starts to become recognizable to Dr. Z. A particular look that asks a million questions without having to utter a single word.
“You’re staring.” Dr. Z states, barely glancing away from his storage sorting machine.
“Ah! I’m so sorry!” Backing away, Vantus blurts out. “I was just lost in deep thought…” He admits, but Dr. Z’s soft laughter quickly alleviates his fluster. He briefly pauses to fix his gaze elsewhere instead of the flickering light of the engine that Dr. Z is attempting to repair.
Although the scientist does prefer seclusion to better concentrate on his work, Vantus’s presence is just docile enough for Dr. Z to be able to stay focused without interruptions. He might even enjoy having the celestial around, peacefully watching him work after a long day of exploring a dungeon. It’s therapeutic in a way, for both of them.
Vantus breaks that pause with a timid mutter, “Um… Dr. Z, may I ask you a question?”
It seems his guess was correct. “Go ahead.” Dr. Z gently urges with a nod.
Another pause, as though trying to gather his thoughts. “Why did you… embrace me when you saw me after I returned from my solo adventure?” Vantus quizzes, speaking slowly, eyes narrowed in puzzlement.
Dr. Z wavers momentarily before placing his wrench on a nearby counter. How does one explain the concept of hugs to a being that discovered what hunger and thirst were merely recently?
“I… I don’t know, it just felt right.” He explains, as deliberately as can be, “I was so worried about you, so when I saw that you returned safely, I felt so relieved. I didn’t know how else to express it in the moment.”
Vantus hums. “So, when you feel relieved from worry, you express it by…” He draws closer, carefully putting his arms around the scientist’s shoulders to mimic his previous action. “doing this?”
Though stunned into place, this sudden affection… actually doesn’t bother Dr. Z, he realizes. “I guess so.” He comments, holding back a chuckle, unsure if it’s from surprise or bashfulness.
“Huh, humans sure are interesting.” Vantus utters, partially thinking to himself aloud, and it succeeds in getting Dr. Z to let out fragments of that chuckle.
“Vantus, one more thing, um…” Still trapped in between the celestial’s arms, Dr. Z mumbles, “Try to ask for permission before giving hugs to people in the future, okay?”
“Ah! E-Excuse me!” Vantus sputters, releasing Dr. Z from his arms right away, his skittishness managing to make the scientist openly laugh in endearment.
“It’s alright.” Dr. Z assures, obscuring a delighted smile with the back of his hand. “I personally don’t mind it, but… it’s still preferable if you ask for permission. I’m not so sure if everyone appreciates surprise hugs.”
“Okay! I shall keep that in mind!” Vantus declares with an enthused nod. He briefly glances away, as if absorbed in his own world once more. When he looks back to Dr. Z, his tone is softer as he requests, “May I give you a… hug, then?”
Dr. Z smiles. “Of course.”
-
A deafening rumble booms in the sky right after a flash of light, rattling the surrounding terrain.
How long has Vantus been walking for?
His hair and clothes soaked with rain, he wanders aimlessly, desperate for salvation. His mind and body scream at him to seek refuge from the storm, and he’s unsure which one is louder.
He’s felt fear before. He felt fear when he was banished from his own home, his kingdom, as the consequence of his mistakes. Certainly not a stranger to that sense of dread and foreboding. But experiencing the physical tells of it is a whole different level. Stomach twisting into knots and heart sinking with each boom makes navigating his way through this harsh weather much more complicated than he would like it to be. Why did he decide to go out exploring today of all days?
Lightning flickers and illuminates the dark path ahead for a split second, once, twice, before another crack of thunder resounds, and it utterly startles Vantus, enough for him to nearly topple over. Such a shameful thing for a celestial warrior, to cower in fear from the mere sound of thunder.
In the distance, though, he spots a glimpse of a familiar structure. A safe haven amidst the chaos.
Dr. Z’s house, or as he calls it, the science kingdom.
Without a second thought, Vantus hurriedly makes his way to the front door, knocking a little too aggressively in his panic. Luckily, he doesn’t need to wait for long, as he is soon greeted by none other than the scientist when the door creaks open. He breathes a little easier at the sight.
“Vantus?” Dr. Z asks in concern, quickly taking notice of Vantus’s state and opening the door further, “What’s wrong?”
Vantus’s legs are barely holding him up, from the cold or from fear, neither of them are sure. When he tries to reply, only a feeble, pathetic babble comes out. “I didn’t… I-I didn’t know who else to— I had nowhere to— I was—”
“Just come in, quick. Before you catch a cold.” Dr. Z directs, pulling the celestial by one of his wrists and guiding him inside to shield him from the downpour.
He follows with no hesitation. Still shaking like a leaf, Vantus tries to justify his intrusion, yet words catch in his throat and refuse to leave his quivering lips.
“Is it the thunderstorm you’re afraid of?” Dr. Z gently asks, and when Vantus silently and slowly nods in response, the scientist gives him a sympathetic smile. “I know, it gets quite stormy around here. The loud noise must’ve scared you.”
Thankfully, the cobblestone walls greatly assist in muffling the roaring of the storm into a hushed rumble, and combined with Dr. Z’s mellow demeanor, it dulls most of Vantus’s anxiety.
“But don’t worry. You’re safe here, I promise.” Dr. Z continues, looking up at the celestial and placing a hand on his shoulder in solace. He soon notices the dampness of Vantus’s clothes and the rainwater dripping from them onto the floor. “My goodness, you’re absolutely drenched. Let me get you a towel.” Taking Vantus’s hand into his, Dr. Z leads him into the elevator and up into his living room.
Vantus is familiar enough with the house to know his way around, but he still finds himself surprised with each new addition every time he comes over. Since when did Dr. Z have a living room? The scientist really never stops working…
It’s not too spacious. It has the same cobblestone interior as the rest of the house, but it’s still inviting and cozy, complete with a colorful rug, a small table, and a simple sofa just big enough to seem comfortable for a good night’s sleep. Vantus wonders if Dr. Z crafted them himself like he did the rest of his furniture.
The celestial’s attention is so drawn to the new room that he doesn’t notice Dr. Z had left and came back with a piece of fabric, long enough to wrap around Vantus’s broad shoulders. It’s soft against his skin. Dr. Z begins to gently dry off the excess moisture, taking extra care around Vantus’s hair and face. The towel being scrubbed into his scalp actually helps him relax.
“Did it ever storm in your home realm?” Dr. Z asks, voice airy. Likely his attempt to further soothe the celestial by filling the silence.
Vantus’s hands are still shaking when he brings them up to fiddle with the end of the towel hanging off of his shoulders. Just as he’s about to open his mouth to answer, a lightning bolt strikes down in the distance and brightens the entire house in a glow of white for a short second, and along with it, a crack of thunder detonates and shakes the walls, loud enough to make Dr. Z flinch ever so slightly as well.
Vantus’s knees finally give out. He sinks to the floor with a breathless cry, quailing in panic and pressing his palms to his ears to drown out the noise.
Slowly kneeling down, Dr. Z sits in front of the celestial, joining him on the ground. Despite having such a large build, when Vantus is protectively curled up into himself like this, he really looks… small. Like a frightened child, almost. Which isn’t too far off from how he must feel at the moment, being in an unfamiliar world and experiencing a thunderstorm of such a scale for the first time.
When he feels a steady hand place itself on his shivering shoulder, Vantus manages to look up. Vision shaken and blurry, yet he can still recognize the scientist’s genial expression. The hand on his shoulder moves, and instead, Dr. Z envelops him in his arms, pulling him into his chest. Vantus melts into the touch without any delay.
“It’s okay, Vantus.” Dr. Z hushes as he rubs slow circles into his backside, “You’re okay. I’m here.”
Another clap of thunder echoes overhead, and Vantus flinches before he clings even tighter, letting out a muffled noise into the scientist’s chest, something akin to a terrified sob.
Dr. Z takes it as a cue to hug him tighter as well. “Nothing can hurt you. It’s okay. You’re safe.” He consoles, honeyed whispers of comfort continuing to fall from his lips.
The position of Vantus’s ear pressed directly on Dr. Z’s chest when he further buries his face into it helps him notice something. A faint sound. A similar thumping to the one in his own chest, but it’s not nearly as fast or loud. It’s much more stable. It’s gentle, soothing, reassuring, just like the scientist himself.
A heartbeat.
A sign that a living creature is, well, living.
Focusing on Dr. Z’s heartbeat, along with his voice, his soft shushing, his warm touch… they’re enough to get Vantus to relax in his arms, gradually.
It takes quite a moment for Vantus to stop shivering completely, but Dr. Z does not mind, willing to hold him for the rest of the night if it means the celestial can find solace. He can’t help himself from wondering what reason could cause Vantus to have such a deeply visceral reaction to the thunderstorm. Is it the unfamiliarity? Perhaps the noise? Or is there some other underlying explanation?
Whatever, questioning such trivial things will get him nowhere at this moment. His priority right now is to make sure his friend is feeling secure.
“I know it’s loud, but you have nothing to be afraid of. It’s just thunder. It will clear up soon.” Dr. Z speaks, keeping his tone delicate as he explains further, “It can indeed be produced by magic, but the one you hear right now is from nature. It happens from time to time.”
Vantus visibly unwinds in his embrace, and the grip of his arms around the scientist’s middle loosens up. His breathing is slowing down to a normal pace. It’s apparent, he’s not in a state of panic anymore, yet he still keeps his face hidden.
One of Dr. Z’s hands travels up to the back of Vantus’s neck, running his fingertips over the short hairs there. “As long as you stay indoors, you’re completely safe.”
As he speaks, little by little, the storm does subside, calming down to just a soft drizzle. The sound of raindrops trickling onto his roof is a stark contrast to just a few moments ago, when his whole house was practically shaking from each crash of thunder. It’s nothing worth complaining about, though. He’s grateful that he doesn’t need to worry about his machines getting water damage anymore.
“See? It’s starting to clear up.” Dr. Z sweetly comments, loosening his embrace around Vantus ever so slowly, letting him be the one to pull away if he so chooses.
He does, eventually. When he looks up, lethargic, his eyes…
His eyes hold an entire galaxy, deep amethyst fading into a bold magenta speckled with gold, misty with residual tears.
Dr. Z finds his thumb moving on its own to gently wipe them, and it lingers on Vantus’s cheek. The celestial instinctively leans into the warmth of his palm.
“Would it be alright if you keep talking? Your voice calms me down.” Vantus pleads, voice frail and timid, hazy eyes darting away.
It’s fleeting, but Dr. Z gets a pang deep in his chest. He does his best to overlook it, keeping his focus on fulfilling Vantus’s request. “Of course.” He softly agrees. “Come sit here. It’s more comfortable than the floor.” He stands up before gently helping Vantus back to his feet, guiding him to the sofa where they both sit down.
When they do so, Vantus seems to slowly lean into Dr. Z, until he’s basically laying on his lap like an ice cube melting on a hot pavement. He’s definitely exhausted from the rollercoaster of emotions he had to endure earlier. It’s endearing if anything, and the scientist finds his hand moving to smooth Vantus’s hair.
“Do you know how thunder is created?” Dr. Z asks, and Vantus stays silent, only lightly shaking his head to say no in response. His face stays buried into Dr. Z’s lap.
“It happens when lightning rapidly heats the surrounding air, causing it to expand and create shockwaves that travel through the atmosphere. That’s the loud sound we hear.” He starts, and while he speaks, he moves his hands to the towel to continue drying the remaining water sticking to the back of Vantus’s shirt. He shortly pauses before adding, “Ah, but first, maybe I should explain how lightning is made.”
Vantus hums in affirmation, signaling for the scientist that he still has his attention.
It’s enough to encourage Dr. Z to resume his tangent. “Lightning is the sudden discharge of electricity caused by the buildup of opposite charges inside a thunderstorm. They form when updrafts inside the cloud make lighter particles like ice crystals rise and heavier particles fall, and they collide and transfer charge until the air breaks down. That’s when a lightning bolt forms and creates the bright lights in the sky.”
Soon, he loses track of time, only stopping his speech once he notices that Vantus has stopped his occasional nods and hums. Instead, he’s breathing steadily and softly, quiet as a mouse on his lap. Somehow, Dr. Z did not expect him to be so… peaceful in his sleep, not even tossing and turning.
It’s humorous in a way, but Dr. Z isn’t surprised, as it’s not the first time he had someone fall asleep while listening to his speech. Out of boredom or out of comfort, he’s unsure, but he would like to believe it’s the latter.
He glances down, not resisting the tender smile from forming on his lips.
What a precious sight.
If he could, Dr. Z would stay in this position for eternity, watching over the sleeping celestial, guarding him from harm and fright.
Soon enough, Dr. Z finds himself growing drowsy thanks to the comforting weight over his lap, so he gives in to the heaviness on his eyelids. He leans back into the sofa, letting himself drift off and join Vantus in a serene slumber.
-
Group expeditions to explore various new biomes, dungeons, and dimensions have become a usual occurrence. They’re a great bonding activity, an opportunity to get to know fellow adventurers of the town better. Vantus, however, has always been a lone wolf, a solo adventure kind of person. While he appreciates the other citizens’ attempts to include him, he usually ends up branching off on his own, drifting away into his own little world. If he decides to join at all, that is.
Though reluctant to join these expeditions in the first place, it’s a different story when Dr. Z is involved. Once he learns that the scientist is tagging along, Vantus is more likely than not to stay a little closer to the group. It doesn’t fully stop him from growing distant on occasion, though.
“Where did Vantus go…? Vantus?” Dr. Z calls in concern, scanning his surroundings. He turns to Willerton, voice slightly echoing off the walls of the cave when he asks, “Have you seen Vantus?”
“Wasn’t he with you?” Willerton shrugs, just as puzzled as the scientist.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long before the celestial shows up from behind a passage, seemingly having just explored a smaller part of the cave. Dr. Z exhales in relief.
“Vantus! There you are!” He rushes over to Vantus, instinctively reaching out to hold his hand. “Here.” He lightly scolds, “Don’t get lost, okay?”
It would greatly exasperate Vantus, in theory, if it were anyone else trying to tether him down and treat him like a reckless child, preventing him from doing as he pleases. But for some reason unbeknownst to him, Dr. Z’s apparent protectiveness over him… it’s strange. He doesn’t need to be protected, for goodness’ sake, he used to be a warrior! But the thought… it makes something fester in his chest, boiling until it overflows and spreads a sense of… calm warmth to his entire body.
How very strange.
Silently, he squeezes Dr. Z’s hand in response.
-
The cool breeze of the night lightly brushes Dr. Z’s bangs away from his face. Even with how well lit his base is, he imagines the soft glow of the full moon illuminating the deep indigo sky would be enough for someone to find their way around. The handful of stars scattered around would probably aid in that too. It’s a bit of a shame, he finds himself wishing there were a few more stars tonight. Nonetheless, it’s a stunning view.
Before he can start sinking into his thoughts like usual, the solitude is interrupted by distant, quiet footsteps growing closer, until a familiar figure appears near him, joining him on the cobblestone platform.
“What are you doing up here all alone?” Vantus questions, glancing down to the scientist sitting on the balcony floor.
Dr. Z smiles. “Ah, I wasn’t doing much of anything. It’s just…” He looks back up to the stars. “This beautiful view… it reminds me of my sister.”
“You have a sister?” Vantus follows up, returning the smile as he lowers himself down to sit next to Dr. Z. He doesn’t recall the last time the scientist had mentioned anything about his personal history, much less his family.
Dr. Z swallows. “…Had.”
“Oh… I’m— I’m so sorry.”
Without further elaboration, Vantus catches the meaning. The concept of death wasn’t always familiar to him, but the more he learns about humans and their short lifespans, their fragile bodies, their mortality… it’s harrowing. Vantus prefers not to think about it for too long. Instead, he silently leans closer to Dr. Z, hoping their shoulders making contact provides some warmth.
Slowly, Dr. Z leans to the side as well, letting his head rest against Vantus’s shoulder. His eyes don’t leave the sky. “Her name was Lia. I used to gaze upon the stars with her every night.” He softly says. When he continues, a hint of a smile can be heard in his brittle voice, “I hope that wherever she is right now, she can look down and see that her big brother is working as hard as he can to make her proud.”
“I’m willing to bet she is.” Vantus gleefully chimes, “How could she not? You’re on your quest to build the greatest science kingdom, and that would make anyone proud of you.” He turns to the scientist, the latter part more of a low whisper, “I know I am.”
“Vantus…” Dr. Z sighs, rolling his eyes playfully.
“What? I mean it.”
Their eyes briefly meet, making them both pause when Dr. Z catches the fond look in Vantus’s gaze. He’s… genuine.
Dr. Z turns away before he mumbles, “I appreciate that.”
The soft chills lightly ruffle his dark locks and make him shiver. Subconsciously, he leans closer to Vantus. Despite the cold, hard cobblestone beneath and behind them, the celestial has enough natural body heat to keep both of them warm. Dr. Z wonders if it’s a trait he retained from his original form. The sun is a star, after all.
Dr. Z fills his lungs then exhales, slow and steady. He can’t recall the last time he got to enjoy the peace and quiet of the night like this, especially with another person. If this moment lasts forever, he wouldn’t mind it one bit.
“You know…” Vantus begins, the soft rumble of his voice veiling the silence, “I do find it quite endearing that you were so close with your family.”
Dr. Z smiles, sorrowful. “She was all I had, so… I really had no other choice. I was all she had as well.” He says, before letting out a long exhale through his nose. “Our parents passed away when we were both very young, so I was her main caregiver for most of our lives. Until…” His jaw stiffens, as does the rest of his body, remaining achingly still. His voice is near inaudible when he carries on, “Until the stone curse that took her away from me.”
He doesn’t see it, but Vantus nods with a hum of acknowledgment as he listens.
For a few long seconds, the only sound either of them can hear is the gentle rustling of tree leaves as the wind passes through them, before Dr. Z disturbs that serenity once more.
“When I awoke in this world, my first instinct was to call for Lia. To check if she was safe. I looked everywhere.” He states, tone failing to remain stable, the last words catching in his throat as it tightens up. “I didn’t know where she was, if she was even still alive, or if she was really…” He wavers before stopping himself, harsh memories flooding back and suffocating him, of being frozen in stone for centuries, of his first night in this realm. The agonizing loneliness, the devastation.
The cruel reality that he will never see Lia again.
Dr. Z breathes in, and when he breathes out, it comes out a little too shaky, a little too rigid. He turns his face away from Vantus when he senses his eyes starting to well up, lifting a hand to cover them and prevent his sorrows from spilling.
It seems he was too late, as Vantus leans in, worried. “Dr. Z…” He softly calls, wasting no time to put an arm around the scientist and hold him close, hesitantly, but with all the tenderness in the world.
Dr. Z freezes. Is he really allowed to indulge like this?
Vantus’s thumb strokes soothing circles into his upper back, and he doesn’t resist it, instead closing his eyes and letting himself fall limp, hiding his face into the celestial’s embrace.
This warm gesture is familiar, Dr. Z realizes. This instinct to soothe a close companion showing distress… It’s very human. One thing is clear, Vantus is learning so much from him and from being around humans.
When they eventually pull away, Dr. Z still avoids facing Vantus as he wipes his eyes with the back of his hand, pushing his glasses up slightly as he does so. “I didn’t mean to bring the mood down. I’m sorry.” He says, remaining as quiet as ever.
“No, no, you have nothing to apologize for!” Vantus reassures, as if baffled that the scientist would shrink himself like this. “Uh… Th-Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal story with me!”
His awkwardness actually helps Dr. Z lighten up. “You’re the first person to hear it.” He sheepishly confesses as he looks up, fond.
“Really? I… I feel honored!” Lighthearted, Vantus grins his infectious smile. As though in deep thought, he relaxes back against the wall and fixates his gaze on the moon before he hums, “Then… in exchange, shall I share something of equal importance?”
“Only if you want to.”
It’s enough permission for him. He takes a long inhale, as if choosing his words wisely. He declares, slow and deliberate, “Even before I was cast out of Celestia, I was never very close with my family.”
When Dr. Z turns to face him, the celestial’s solemn expression gives him a sharp ache in his chest. An expression that carries melancholy. An expression that does not suit the upbeat, excitable Vantus he knows and adores.
“I was never a fan of authority figures and those in power to begin with. Most considered me to be rebellious. My father, in particular, was unhappy with that.” Vantus carries on in that same heavy tone, then hesitates for a moment, as if the words weigh down on his tongue. He closes his eyes before he adds, a slight tremor in his voice, “There’s a reason why I was in the state I was in on that stormy night. The thunder, it… it reminded me of his power. Of his wrath, of his disdain towards me.”
Things start clicking into place. Dr. Z’s hand moves on its own, gloved fingers wrap around Vantus’s larger, trembling hand as a silent comfort. It helps ground him, slowly, and he reciprocates the gesture.
He lets out a deep, raspy exhale. “Well, it doesn’t matter anymore, since I’m in this human form now.” When he opens his eyes, they stay fixed to the blanket of stars above. He admits, tone lenient, “I’m just thankful that the stars have aligned so perfectly, enough for us to meet right when we were meant to.”
Dr. Z warmly smiles as he looks at the brightest star of them all, the one that brought back light into his dim life, sitting right beside him. “So am I.”
Somberly, Vantus’s gaze shifts down. “We do share that aspect in common, not having any family left in this realm.”
“I wouldn’t mind being your family, Vantus.” Dr. Z softly teases, leaning more of his body weight onto his shoulder.
“Really?” Spirits lifted, Vantus lightly chuckles. “Perhaps I do consider you my family, since… you’re someone that I wish to protect. Someone that I cherish. Someone that I… I…” He falters, trailing off for a short moment as if words are failing him. He turns to the scientist, and they fully face each other this time. The tips of his pointed ears are flushed a dark crimson, voice uncharacteristically delicate when he finally adds, “That… I admire. I admire you, Dr. Z. I truly do.”
The two lock eyes for a solid second, and Dr. Z’s heart jumps. He sits upright. Vantus’s unwavering stare of pure devotion doesn’t break away.
In another universe, in another scenario, this would be the perfect distance, the perfect opportunity to…
…
No! What is Dr. Z even thinking?! How could he think about such inelegant behaviour?
His cheeks deeply redden and he abruptly looks away, instead focusing his gaze on the night sky. He pushes his glasses up with a tip of his finger and clears his throat. “Such a title is unnecessarily formal.” He manages to glance back at Vantus, just barely, heart aflutter. “When it’s just the two of us, please call me Zali.”