Work Text:
Guide had been trying to get Scarlet outside for nearly an hour.
Not continuously, of course. He had learned that if he asked too many times in a row, Scarlet would simply laugh and tell him to wait. So Guide had developed a strategy.
He would ask.
He would wait.
He would find something else to do for a while.
Then he would ask again.
By the sixth attempt, Scarlet had finally looked up from his work with a smile that was far too fond to be annoyed.
“Guide, I promise I haven't forgotten that you want me to come outside, but if you keep appearing beside my desk every few minutes and staring at me until I agree, you're going to make me wonder whether this is actually about stargazing or whether you've simply decided that I am your entertainment.”
Guide had laughed, leaning both hands against the desk.
“It can be both, you know, because I really do want to show you the stars tonight, but I also think you've been sitting here for far too long and I would personally consider it a tragedy if you spent the entire evening looking at papers when there is a perfectly good sky waiting outside for you.”
Scarlet had looked toward the window.
Then back at Guide.
Then at the work in front of him.
He had sighed.
“All right, all right, you've convinced me; give me a minute to finish this and I'll come with you, but only because I'm curious about what you've been planning so carefully.”
Guide's smile had immediately brightened.
“You're going to love it, and if you don't, I'll accept full responsibility and spend the rest of the night coming up with increasingly ridiculous ways to convince you that you did.”
Scarlet had laughed.
“That sounds less like a promise and more like a threat, but I'll take my chances.”
Now, several minutes later, they were walking beneath a clear night sky.
Guide had led him farther than Scarlet expected, toward a quiet place away from the lights of the building. The path was familiar enough to Guide that he barely needed to think about where he was going.
Scarlet followed beside him.
Guide kept glancing over.
He did it so often that Scarlet eventually noticed.
“You keep looking at me.”
“I know.”
“Is there something on my face?”
“No, there's nothing on your face, and I'm not checking because I think you look strange; I'm checking because I want to see whether you're enjoying yourself.”
Scarlet smiled.
“You haven't even shown me anything yet.”
“I know, but you're already outside, with me.”
…
“And that makes me happy, Scarlet.”
“I'm beginning to think this entire evening is just an elaborate excuse for you to celebrate getting me away from my desk.”
Guide's grin widened.
“Maybe it is, but you're still walking beside me, so I'm going to count that as evidence that my plan is working exactly as intended.”
Scarlet shook his head.
“You're very pleased with yourself.”
“I am, because I've been planning this for a while and I was worried you'd refuse until morning.”
“I wouldn't have made you wait that long.”
“You absolutely would have.”
“Well.. Oh, shut up.” Scarlet huffs, bumping his shoulder.
Guide laughed.
They eventually reached the clearing.
There were no bright lights here, only the faint glow of the distant building behind them. The trees surrounded the open patch of ground, framing the sky above.
Guide stopped.
Scarlet stepped forward, beside Guide.
Then he looked up.
He went quiet, staring.
Guide watched him carefully.
The stars were clearer than they had been from the building. Hundreds of them filled the darkness, some bright and sharp, others faint enough that Scarlet had to let his eyes adjust before he could see them.
The stars stretched faintly overhead.
Guide smiled.
“I told you~”
Scarlet's eyes remained on the sky.
“You did.”
“Is it worth it?”
Scarlet finally looked at him.
“Yes, it is.”
Guide's expression softened.
He seemed genuinely pleased, bouncing on his feet.
“I wanted you to see it from here because I think the sky looks different when you can't see all the lights around it, and I thought maybe you'd like having a place where you don't have to look at anything except whatever you want!”
Guide rambles on, his smile widening as he observes Scarlet’s face and how it gradually softens.
Scarlet smiled.
“You were right.”
Guide stepped closer, leaning in close to him.
“I know you said that already, but I think I want to hear it again.”
Scarlet laughed.
“You're impossible.”
“Probably, but you like me anyway.”
….
“I do.”
Guide's smile became softer, brighter.
“Good.”
The night had grown considerably colder, but neither of them seemed particularly interested in leaving. Guide was curled against Scarlet, his head resting comfortably against Scarlet's chest while one of Scarlet's arms remained loosely around his shoulders.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The quiet was comfortable, almost sleepy.
Guide's fingers idly gripped at Scarlet's sleeve before he tilted his head upward. His eyes were soft, but there was still a faint smile on his face.
“Are you still thinking about your work?” he asked quietly. “Because if you are, I think I'm going to have to confiscate your thoughts until morning and return them when you've had enough time to relax.”
Scarlet laughed softly and looked down at him.
“I wasn't thinking about work, actually; I was thinking about how determined you were to get me out here, and I'm starting to think you had a much better idea of what I needed than I did.”
Guide's smile widened.
“I knew you needed a break, even if you didn't realize it yourself. You've been working so hard lately that I was beginning to worry you'd eventually forget that there was an entire world outside that desk.”
Scarlet gently squeezed his shoulder.
“You might have a point, although I think you're exaggerating just a little bit about how much time I spend working.”
“You say that every time, but I've watched you sit at that desk for hours without noticing how late it gets. If I hadn't dragged you out here tonight, you probably would've kept going until you were too tired to even realize you were tired.”
Scarlet laughed again.
“That's probably true, but I suppose it's a good thing I have someone around who's willing to bother me about things like that.”
Guide's expression softened.
“I don't think you're a bother to me, so I don't mind being the person who reminds you to stop sometimes. Besides, I like taking care of you in little ways whenever I get the chance.”
Scarlet smiled.
….
“I've noticed, shut it."
Guide rested his cheek against Scarlet's chest again, looking completely pleased with himself. After a few moments, he leaned upward and pressed a gentle kiss against Scarlet's cheek.
Scarlet's smile grew playfully, whacking the top of his head.
“Another one?”
Guide nodded, grinning. though he seemed far too comfortable to move away.
“I wanted to, and I figured there wasn't any reason to stop myself when you clearly don't mind it. You look especially happy whenever I do it, so I'm going to assume that means I should continue.”
Scarlet laughed, nudging Guide’s cheek.
“You're very observant tonight, aren't you?”
“I pay attention to you all the time, not just tonight. I notice the little things you do, even when you think nobody's paying attention.”
Scarlet looked down at him fondly.
“Then I suppose I should be careful about what I do around you.”
Guide laughed quietly.
“You really don't have to be careful around me, because I like you exactly as you are. If anything, I wish you'd worry less about being watched and just let yourself relax when you're with me.”
Scarlet's expression softened, squeezing Guide’s shoulder once more.
“I think I can manage that.”
Guide gave him another small kiss on the cheek, quietly giggling.
“Good, because I'm planning on making sure you get plenty of practice.”
Scarlet laughed.
“You've apparently turned tonight into.. well, something.”
“Exactly, and you have to stay with me until you learn how it feels to be taken care of.”
“That sounds suspiciously convenient for you.”
…
“Well, yeah.”
Guide smiled against his shoulder.
“I get to cuddle with you while technically helping you relax, so I think I've made a very efficient system, am I right or right?”
Scarlet shook his head, still smiling.
“I can't argue with that logic.”
Guide settled closer.
Their bodies were almost completely tucked together, with Guide's arm resting loosely around Scarlet's waist. Scarlet adjusted the collar of his shirt occasionally.
Guide sighed contentedly.
“You're really warm.”
Scarlet looked down at him.
“I think you've mentioned that several times tonight.”
“I know, but it keeps being true, and I think it's important to acknowledge facts when they're this useful. Besides, you're much nicer to cuddle with than with a pillow or something.”
Scarlet laughed.
“I didn't realize I was competing with something.”
“You were never competing with it.”
Guide lifted his head just enough to look at him.
“Pillows keeps me warm, but you make me feel safe and comfortable, so obviously you win.”
Scarlet's smile became gentler.
“That's a very sweet thing to say.”
Guide smiled warmly in response, playfully smacking his shoulder.
“I mean it.”
He leaned up and kissed Scarlet's cheek again, then rested his head against him as though the gesture required no further explanation.
Scarlet looked toward the stars.
The sky seemed even clearer now that their eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and the stars looked almost impossibly numerous.
Guide slowly raised one hand.
“Do you see that little cluster over there, just above the trees? I think that's one of the prettiest parts of the sky, because the stars are close enough together that they almost look like glitter. I don’t like when glitter gets spread over me. But the sky sure does, I guess.”
Scarlet followed his finger.
“I see it, and I think you're right about it being beautiful. Although I suspect you're going to tell me that cluster is secretly shaped like something ridiculous.”
Guide looked offended, pouting.
“I was actually going to say it looks like a flower this time, which I think is a perfectly reasonable constellation. You don't have to insult every single one of my creations just because you have no appreciation for artistic vision.”
Scarlet laughed.
“I wasn't insulting it; I was simply preparing myself for another rabbit-shaped triangle or a fish that looks suspiciously like a crooked line.”
Guide grinned.
“You remembered them, though, which means my constellation lessons are working. Eventually you'll be able to look at the sky and see everything I've taught you without me having to point it out.”
“I don't think I'll ever be able to look at the sky without remembering your ridiculous explanations.”
Guide smiled softly.
“Then I think I've accomplished exactly what I wanted.”
Scarlet turned his head.
“And what exactly was that?”
Guide's expression became softer.
“I wanted you to have something nice to remember me by whenever you looked up. If you ever see a strange shape in the stars and think it looks like one of my terrible constellations, then you'll know I was there once, sitting beside you and making up nonsense.”
Scarlet was quiet for a moment, then he gently squeezed Guide closer.
“I don't think I'll need the constellations to remember you.”
Guide blinked.
“You won't?”
“No. I think there are already plenty of things about you that would be difficult to forget.”
Guide stared at him for a moment before smiling.
“That was really sweet.”
…
“I meant it.”
…
“I know.”
Guide leaned up and kissed his cheek again.
This time Scarlet laughed immediately.
“You really do have a response prepared for everything.”
“Not everything.”
Guide settled back down.
“Just the things that make me happy.”
“And.. You make me happy, really happy.”
Scarlet smiled.
“Then I suppose I'll have to keep saying nice things.”
“I certainly wouldn't complain.”
They remained quiet for a while, listening to the wind moving through the trees. Guide's breathing gradually became slower, and his grip around Scarlet's waist loosened as sleep began to creep up on him.
Scarlet noticed.
“You're getting tired again.”
Guide shook his head faintly.
“I'm not tired enough to leave yet, and I don't want to go inside just because I'm sleepy. I want to stay here a little longer, especially since I finally got you to myself without a desk or a stack of papers stealing your attention.”
Scarlet smiled.
“You make it sound like my work is competing with you.”
“It is.”
Guide gave him a sleepy smile.
“And tonight I'm winning.”
Scarlet laughed.
“You certainly are.”
Guide looked pleased.
“Good.”
He shifted until he was practically curled around Scarlet, his head tucked beneath Scarlet's chin. Scarlet wrapped both arms around him, keeping the blanket securely around them as Guide relaxed into the embrace.
Guide made a quiet, satisfied noise.
“This is better.”
Scarlet rested his cheek lightly against the top of Guide's head.
“Better than what?”
“Better than sitting beside you.”
Guide paused, adjusting himself until he was completely comfortable.
“Now I get to actually cuddle you instead of pretending I'm only leaning against you because it's cold.”
Scarlet laughed.
“I knew the cold wasn't the only reason.”
“It was never the only reason.”
Guide's voice was quiet and affectionate.
“I like being close to you, and I like knowing you're comfortable with me being close. It makes me happy in a way that's hard to explain.”
Scarlet gently pat his head.
“You don't have to explain it.”
Guide relaxed further beneath his hand.
“Thank you.”
Scarlet smiled, his eyes brightening under the sky.
“You're welcome.”
Guide was quiet for a few seconds.
Then he lifted his head just enough to kiss Scarlet's cheek.
Another small kiss followed.
Then another.
Scarlet laughed softly.
“How many of those are you planning to give me tonight?”
Guide considered the question with sleepy seriousness.
“I don't know, because I wasn't really counting. I think I'll stop when I feel like I've thanked you enough, and I have a feeling that's going to take quite a while.”
Scarlet chuckled.
“Then I suppose I'll have to be patient.”
“You're very good at that.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
Guide rested his forehead against Scarlet's shoulder.
“You've been patient with me for a long time, even when I'm being difficult or talking too much or dragging you outside when you were busy. I notice those things, you know, and I appreciate them more than I probably say.”
Scarlet's expression softened.
“You don't have to thank me for being there.”
“I know.”
Guide looked up at him.
“But I still want to.”
He gave Scarlet another gentle kiss on the cheek.
Scarlet smiled.
“And I appreciate that.”
Guide seemed satisfied by the answer.
He nestled back against Scarlet, wrapping his arms around him a little more securely.
The position was warm and comfortable, and Scarlet had no reason to move.
Above them, a faint shooting star crossed the sky.
Neither of them noticed.
They were too busy being comfortable.
After several quiet minutes, Guide spoke again.
“Scarlet?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you think we could do this again sometime?”
Scarlet looked down at him.
“Of course we can. We don't even have to wait for another special night; if you want to come out here again, just ask me and I'll make time for it.”
Guide smiled.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Even if you're busy?”
“I'll still make time.”
Guide's expression softened.
“That makes me really happy.”
“…You make me feel special.”
He leaned up and kissed Scarlet's cheek once more.
Scarlet smiled each time.
“You're going to hold me to that, aren't you?”
“Absolutely.”
Guide settled against him again.
“And next time, I'll be less pushy, and maybe a little notebook so I can write down all my constellations. I think you should have a proper record of them, especially since you're apparently going to be seeing them for the rest of your life.”
Scarlet laughed.
“A whole notebook?”
“Yes.”
“How many constellations have you invented?”
Guide paused.
“…A lot.”
“How many?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?”
“I stopped counting.”
Scarlet laughed.
“That sounds about right.”
Guide smiled affectionately, his grip tightening slightly around Scarlet’s body.
“Then we'll just have to make more.”
Scarlet looked toward the stars.
“I'd like that.”
Guide gave him another kiss on the cheek.
“Me too.”
The night continued around them, quiet and gentle.
Guide eventually drifted into sleep, still holding onto Scarlet as though he had no intention of letting go even in his dreams. Scarlet remained awake for a while longer, gently rubbing his back whenever he shifted.
Every so often, Guide stirred just enough to mumble something incomprehensible and press another sleepy kiss against Scarlet's cheek before settling down again.
Scarlet couldn't help laughing softly each time.
Eventually, he rested his head against Guide's.
The stars were still shining above them.
Guide was comfortable in his arms.
And for once, Scarlet had absolutely no desire to be anywhere else.
He closed his eyes, giggling a bit.
“Goodnight, Guide.”
Guide, barely awake, smiled against him.
“Goodnight, Scarlet. I'm really glad you came out here with me tonight, and I hope you know I'd happily do this with you a hundred more times if it meant getting to see you this relaxed.”
Scarlet stared at Guide before smiling for what, the hundredth time?
“I'd happily come with you a hundred more times.”
Guide's eyes remained closed, but his smile widened.
One last sleepy kiss landed against Scarlet's cheek.
Then Guide settled completely against him.
Maybe making time for Guide wasn’t so troublesome as he thought it would be, Maybe all he really needs is Guide.