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It was that one summer when a family moved in next door and he remembers being curious when he was told that the son of their new neighbor is about his age and will be going to the same university.
He met him the first time that summer when his parents invited them over for dinner. The new kid was wearing an almost worn-out hoodie with an equally tattered gray sweatpants and he wore thick glasses too. They both just ate and listened as their parents talked and he knew from the conversation that the other was a year older than him but will be shifting to take up a business management course. Their parents were excited they might be in the same class since he’ll be taking up the same.
They became friends by default since their parents hit it off and he didn’t really mind. Junkyu was quiet and he kind of liked that about him. He would talk to him but the other would only nod or shake his head in response. He wouldn’t admit it, but he likes having someone to boss around. It works for them.
Their friendship naturally blossomed the same way Junkyu naturally opened up to him. The days of nods and head shakes are over and Junkyu has become a complete blabbermouth when they’re together. Of course he still bosses him around but the other now whines and he wouldn’t hear the end of it. He finds it cute if he’s being honest.
They became an inseparable duo. They come and go to school together and eat together too. They are the best of friends even when Mashiho has made new ones of his own. He would always try to bring Junkyu along with him whenever he goes out with them but he always knew the other would rather stay home.
Junkyu keeps to himself most of the time. He was always the weird kid wherever he went. The family business requires them to move often so he hasn’t made a lot of friends. He thinks there’s no point. It was always like that anyway. They move houses, befriend neighbors and leave shortly after. That said, he didn’t plan on being friends with Mashiho either.
But then maybe Mashi’s something else. He would always keep on talking about many different things even if Junkyu doesn’t show any kind of interest. Well, he might have had opinions on some but he mostly just kept that to himself. He would nod at times especially when he feels him looking, waiting for a reaction. Junkyu always thought he was weird but Mashiho was on a whole other level and he likes it.
Like that time, in one of Mashiho’s never-ending stories, he told him about how he used to think that the sun and the moon are just the same size. Junkyu snickers at this and Mashiho was quick to look his way, eyes wide open and a smile slowly creeping on his lips.
“I bet you proved this point with the total eclipse and didn’t realize that even when the sun is 400 times as big as the moon, it is also 400 times as far from it making it look as if they’re the same size” Junkyu says matter-of-factly which made Mashiho burst out laughing. He gets surprised with himself as well and suddenly returns muted until the younger replies.
“I know that now. You know what else I know now? It’s that you can talk” Mashiho makes a face as Junkyu rolls his eyes before they both laugh at their silliness.
Junkyu doesn’t know if it was then that he started liking him but he just found himself enjoying his company, and considers himself lucky that he has a best friend he could be with all the time because not only are they neighbors but classmates too.
But he knew it was only a matter of time before Mashiho would get tired of him. He watches him make new friends and enjoy their time. Because who wouldn’t want to be friends with him? He’s got an outgoing personality and really talks a lot. Not to mention, but he also has a beautiful smile. Junkyu only has him but he would never stop him from going out there and meeting new people and experiencing new things. He still thinks he wouldn’t be here for the long run anyway.
Only he didn't know, Mashiho wasn’t tired of him at all. Mashi didn’t understand at first, why he feels like something is missing even when he’s surrounded with friends and having fun. He would always find himself looking for Junkyu to look at how his face twitches trying to suppress a reaction to a lame joke he just made but realizes he wasn’t there. It was then he realized he only likes doing it for him.
“Why don’t you ever come with me when I go out with friends?” Mashiho asks one night, peeking at Junkyu from the foot of his bed. He went there to hang out after ditching his friends who were about to meet up. As usual, he found him on his bed with his nose buried in a book about, yes, that’s right - constellations. He finds a place on his carpeted floor and fiddles on his phone, looking at social media posts from friends having a good time.
Junkyu uncovers his face from his book and looks at him while the other is busy looking at his friends’ current posts. He sighs, eyes going back to his book saying, “Why are you even here? You should go and have fun.”
The elder’s book cover received Mashi’s death glare. “But that’s just the thing — I didn’t go because I know I wouldn’t be able to have fun”
Without you, he’d like to add but he’d rather keep it to himself for now.
--
They both started working as interns in their respective family businesses upon graduation and even when busy they still find time to meet and hangout. Their relationship is still the same with having feelings far greater than friends but too afraid to cross the line.
Until Mashiho’s father fell terribly ill and he suddenly had to step up and assume a bigger role in the company. It was stressful and he feels a lot of pressure but he always finds comfort in Junkyu. He was there to encourage him and support him with all the weight suddenly placed upon his shoulders. He was there to cry with him, too, when his father died a few years later and took care of him whenever he drank his sorrows away, missing his father even a year after his death.
It must’ve been an awful way to confess your feelings when you’re being a deadweight, dragged across the bar to be taken home but yeah, Mashiho did just that.
“Let’s talk tomorrow when you’re sober, Mash.”
“Noooo… you need to know. You need to know now.” He slurred his way into confessing. “You need to know that I love you… for a long time… but I can’t tell you… I can’t tell you because I’m afraid of losing you... but now I’m even more afraid that I’d lose you without telling you...” Hot tears began to flow as Mashiho’s meltdown continued.
“My dad died, Kyu. I lost him and I didn’t even get to tell him how much I love him.”
“He knows, Mashi. Your dad knows.”
“I don’t want to lose any more people. Not you. Especially not you.”
Junkyu sighs. He didn’t want this conversation to happen like this but here they are. They get to the car and he puts him down, his seatbelt on, and afterwards, settles himself in the driver’s seat. “Mash, you’re not going to lose me.” He tells him before driving home.
The next day, everything was a blur. Mashi’s headache is killing him but he goes out of bed after getting a whiff of freshly brewed coffee. He finds Junkyu smiling at the kitchen and handing him a cup.
“What are you doing here? Also, you don’t know how to make coffee…” he says, still taking the cup from him.
“I bought it, okay?” the older one says in pout. “I thought I’d make it pass as something I made ‘cause I know how you hate store-bought ones.”
Mashiho wanted to laugh but his head hurt so bad. “I can brew one for myself, thank you very much.” He took a sip anyway and scrunched his face.
“I just thought of doing something for you since, I don’t know, since you told me you love me last night.” Kyu says nonchalantly and Mashiho coughs as he almost burns his tongue after what he heard. “This is me telling you I feel the same, by the way.”
“What - what are you talking about?” He tried asking but the older one wouldn't seem to let him get his answers.
“Hey, I need to go, but I’ll pick you up later at 8. Let’s have dinner and then I’ll show you something, okay? See you!”
Just like that, Junkyu left and Mashiho’s beet red from embarrassment.
That night, true to his words, he saw Junkyu waiting for him in the lobby of his office with a huge smile on his face. He can’t help but smile just as big. He couldn’t concentrate the whole day at work trying to remember everything that happened when he was drunk but who cares? It was enough for him to remember that Junkyu said he feels the same way. Something in the air feels different and he can already feel butterflies in his stomach. He knew it would never be the same between them.
“Okay, fine” Mashi says, midway into cutting a portion of his steak. He stops and looks at Junkyu who was already looking at him, chewing, anticipating his next words. “I must’ve said things last night…”
“Yeah, you told me you love me” Junkyu interrupts, both eyebrows up and teasing and Mashi can only roll his eyes.
“Okay, I said that… but I was drunk and so out of it, okay? The least I want is to make things awkward between us just ‘cause -
“I don’t think we’re awkward though? Is that how you feel?” Junkyu interrupts again, eyes shaking, suddenly worried.
“Well, no, but -”
Junkyu reached out to hold his hand. “If anything, I’m glad you told me and I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to tell you first but I love you too.”
Mashi didn't know what to say as he watched Kyu kiss the back of his hand. Everything feels like it's falling into place with Junkyu remaining as his constant.
“Wow, you really didn’t let me finish what I had to say…”
“I’m sorry, I was nervous.” Junkyu admits “But you can tell me anything now since I already told you everything I wanted to say” he smiles and Mashi shakes his head, suppressing a laugh.
“You said you’re showing me something?” Mashi asks to break the ice.
“Yup. I’m sure you’re going to love it.”
--
“Hey” Junkyu calls him, reaching for his hand. He takes it and smiles as he looks at their fingers intertwined. “We’re here.” They are at an observatory. Their reservation was last minute but thanks to Junkyu's regular visits, he already became friends with the people working there. He just told them he's bringing the love of his life and they were excited and more than willing to support him.
They are now inside the dome and the roof suddenly opens revealing the sky. “What exactly did you want to show me?” Mashi asks, already looking up.
“You know how they say that a person becomes a star when they die? Well, I’d like to believe it.”
Junkyu looks at Mashi before looking back up. “I’d like for you to think so too so that maybe, when you miss your dad, you can look up to the stars and the pain will be bearable knowing that he’s up there, watching over you.”
“Everything is bearable when you’re with me, Kyu.”
“Yeah?” Junkyu looked at him and held his face with a soft caress. “Then you don’t have to worry because I’ll always be beside you.” The stars bear witness to the promise Junkyu made as they seal it with a kiss.
Junkyu brought him to see the stars. Even after so many years, his fascination for it still hasn’t changed. He remembers all those times he’d see him bury himself in books about it. He should have known they will spend their first day as a couple together with the next thing he loves.
Since then, stargazing has been their thing. Every year, in autumn, they pick the best time to look at the night sky. Mashiho does not particularly enjoy looking at the stars through the telescope because all he sees is black with tiny yellow sprinkles everywhere. But Junkyu likes seeing the “wonders of the universe” as he puts it, so the younger goes anyway because seeing his boyfriend’s eyes shine in wonder and amazement is a view he would always want to see.
“You know, my love, if we’re lucky, we might be able to see the planet Mars – or Saturn,” Junkyu tells him as he sets up the equipment perfectly angled and directed towards the sky. Mashiho nods as he smiles, knowing how excited the other is. He’s sitting on the blanket and carefully placing the food he prepared for tonight. It’s not much since he knew he had to prepare the kinds that are easy to consume especially in this environment - just a few sandwiches and fruits.
He moves to sit in between his boyfriend’s legs and rests his back on his chest. Junkyu’s arms automatically wrap around the younger’s frame and he places his chin on his shoulders, letting out a contented sigh. “I love you” he turns to whisper and buries his face to nuzzle the younger’s neck. Mashiho smiles at this.
Oh, how he loves having to experience this.
--
Mashiho comes out of his thoughts as another knock is heard. “Mashi, are you there?” a voice said from the other side of the door. He looks at his watch and sighs. He must have been spacing out for hours now that his good friend, and secretary, Doyoung, had to check on him in his office.
The door opens even without his response. “You’re here. I didn’t even get to see you come in. Don’t tell me you haven’t gone home since yesterday.” Doyoung says as he rolls his eyes, walking in. “Well, your meeting starts in 5 minutes, you better get your ass up and head to the conference room.”
Mashiho stands lazily and closes his laptop, eyes unfocused and seeming to just move without thought. Doyoung sees this happening before his eyes and he can’t help but shake his head. It definitely has something to do with the mail that came in today, as he can clearly see one particular envelope opened on top of a pile at Mashiho’s table.
He knew what it was, of course. He was actually debating over letting that one through when he was sorting the mail a while ago. It clearly wasn’t the regular type of mail since it was enveloped in special paper and even has a dainty rope tied around it.
Mashiho gets a lot of invitations, given his position in the company. He gets invited into galas, awarding ceremonies and all sorts of corporate events. Doyoung handles everything and even gets to decide which ones he thinks Mashi shouldn’t miss which is why he knows what that extra meaningful look - rather, glare - Mashi is giving him as he approaches him, implies.
The meeting ended smoothly and by that, Doyoung means Mashiho just accepted and agreed to everything presented without even questioning the breakdown of this month’s finances, or requesting further details on how they intend to promote and get more exposure for the company, like he usually does.
Mashiho didn’t even sit to rest when back at his office, as he only comes in to drop his things and ready to leave again.
“You still have another meeting in an hour, where are you going?” Doyoung asks, walking behind him.
“Just reschedule that, I’m hungry, I’m eating out.” he answers.
Doyoung had to stop walking to let that sink in. Mashiho is never hungry. He eats work for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He would snack on it too, if he could. He still remembers how he tried to intentionally set some of his meetings at restaurants so he could squeeze in some time for Mashi to have a proper meal.
“Aren’t you coming?” He hears Mashi from a distance.
Oh. So he's serious? Doyoung’s starting to have a bad feeling about this. He stares at him blankly but tries to shake the thoughts away as he smiles and follows him out.
--
It didn’t take long for Yedam to arrive after receiving his boyfriend's call for help. He goes straight to the private room Doyoung mentioned and sees a wasted Mashiho with his forehead slumped at the table and his boyfriend trying to take the bottle of wine from his hold.
“What happened?” Yedam asks. He kind of knew what this is all about but he still wanted to hear it.
“I knew something was wrong when he said he was hungry.” Doyoung says instead. “Babe, you know this is about him right?”
Yedam sighs. That’s right, he got the invitation too. “I know, babe, but why are you guys here if he said he wanted to eat?”
“You know how he is. I mean, just talk to him, okay? You’re his ‘better’ friend. - whatever that is.” Doyoung says as he continues to clean up.
Yedam approaches his friend and shakes him lightly “Mashi, what’s wrong?” he asks. He feels stupid for asking something he already knows the answer to but he’s got to start somewhere.
Mashi stirs from his position and looks at Yedam's face. “Oh you’re here. Doyoung-ah!” Mashi suddenly shouts the younger’s name “Your boyfriend’s here to pick you up! Ha! Boyfriend...Tch!” Doyoung looks at Yedam with pleading eyes. It’s just up to him now.
“C’mon, Mashi, Let’s get you home” Yedam tries lifting him off the couch to make him stand but the other pulls on whatever he can reach of Yedam’s shirt.
“Yedam-ah. I miss him. I miss him so much. I feel so empty without him.” Mashi’s eyes once again well with tears as Yedam envelopes him in a hug.
“I know, bud. I’m sorry” Yedam pats his back as he continues to cry.
“It’s been a year.”
“He said he’ll always be beside me”
“Why isn’t he here?”
Yedam just lets him cry it out. They know how hard it is for Mashi to go through everything alone. Somehow, even him and Doyoung are not able to fill the emptiness Junkyu left behind.
“You know what came in the mail today?” Mashiho asks, not really waiting for an answer “It’s an invitation from the observatory.” Yedam nods in acknowledgement while the older guy is still in his arms.
They all met there, the four of them. It was their anniversary - their annual stargazing activity. Like usual, Mashi has set up their blanket and food while Junkyu perfects the angle of their telescope.
Yedam and Doyoung came shortly after and Mashi was watching Doyoung who was covering Yedam’s eyes. It was just like him and Kyu a few years ago when they first came here and became official.
“Tada!” he could hear Doyoung’s excitement when uncovering Yedam’s eyes.
“Woahh” Yedam responds a bit indifferently. It obviously made Doyoung upset.
“You don’t like it here?” the younger asks
“No, no, no.” Yedam quickly denies “I love it. I really do.”
Doyoung wasn’t convinced and was about to walk away when Yedam stopped him, hugging him from behind. “Hey, as long as you’re with me, we can go anywhere and do anything and I would love it”
“Really? Can we ride roller coasters at Everland, then?” he asks, still sulking.
“As long as you take care of me after.” Yedam replies with a kiss on the younger’s cheek. This finally brought a smile to the younger’s face
“Hey, what are you looking at?” Junkyu hugs Mashi from behind and the younger one points at the other couple. “Look, they’re just like us.” Mashi chuckles and Junkyu looks at where he’s pointing at.
At the same time Doyoung caught their eyes and he smiled and waved at them.
They all became friends after that. Junkyu finally found his galaxy buddy in Doyoung while Mashiho and Yedam had a mutual understanding about what it’s like to love everything about their lover - including their excessive fascination with constellations.
“You could really be my best friend, Yedam. Maybe we should hang out without these two sometime.” Mashi laughs and Yedam nods.
“Okay, I’m fine with you two hanging out but, my love, I don’t approve of him as your best friend. That title has long been taken by me - I am your best friend.” Junkyu says, matter-of-factly.
“Fine” Mashi rolls his eyes “You’re just the ‘better friend’ Yedam, sorry.”
The other couple could only laugh at the two’s weirdness but they got used to it pretty soon. Their circle remained small and the annual stargazing thing became an event for four people.
--
“Yedam-ah, I don’t know if I can do this.” Mashi cries.
“Mashi, hey, it’s okay. We’re here. Doyoung and I will always be here”
“I don’t know why it still hurts, though. Do you know why?”
“I know it’s hard without him, Mashi but you have been doing so well.” Yedam tells him. “And of course you’re always going to miss him, and it can be as bad as it is today, but you have got to remember what he always tells you…”
“I am closer to you than you think, if you just look at the night sky” Mashi says, repeating what Junkyu always told him.
“Yes, that’s right, Mashi. Junkyu’s closer than you think. Especially since he’s always been in your heart.”
“You know, I should really be promoting you to ‘best’ friend status” Mashi whispers before Yedam can feel his weight heavy and breathing steady. Mashi had just fallen asleep in his arms.
With Doyoung’s assistance they were able to send drunk Mashi home and tucked in bed.
“What are we going to do about him?” Doyoung asks, worried as he looks at Mashi’s current state. Yedam was quick to give his boyfriend a hug.
“He’ll get through it.”
“Babe, tomorrow is going to be tough.”
“I know, babe. But we can do this. We'll help him.”
--
It’s morning and Mashiho’s head is pounding. He can’t even remember how he got home. Why does he even drink? Mashiho whined at the pain but suddenly got a whiff of freshly brewed coffee. Disregarding the pounding in his head, he quickly got up and ran to the kitchen only to be welcomed by its silence. He must’ve imagined the aroma in his head.
He was about to cry again because Junkyu always does this and now, he’s not even here to pretend to make him coffee from the ones he bought from a nearby cafe.
He goes back to his room defeated and sees the invitation on his bedside table. Fuck Doyoung. Does he really have to torment him like this? He read the note written along with it.
“You have to come. For Junkyu” it says.
A tear escaped his eyes. He misses him. If only he could ask him to come back. He wanted to be selfish for once. Why does the universe have to take him away from him?
He wipes his tears and folds the note.
“For you, my love” he whispers as he goes back to bed.
--
“Mashi, wake up, we have to go!” Yedam shakes his friend awake who only steers and whines in his sleep.
“Do I really have to? You and Doyoung can enjoy your time alone without me”
“How can you leave me alone, Mashi? We made a pact to always be together while our boyfriends marvel at the stars. This is why we’re ‘better’ friends, remember?”
"Babe, I'm here and I can hear you." Doyoung reminds him, standing by Mashi's bedroom door.
“But… Junkyu’s not here and going back there would make me miss him more and I don’t think my heart can take it, Dammie. It’s been a year but my heart…”
“That’s why you should come. You have to be strong and get through it - for Junkyu. You promised him that you'll continue the tradition even when he's not around.”
Mashi sighs, giving in.
For Junkyu. Yedam didn’t need to say more.
Being at the observatory made Mashiho’s chest heavy. He really doesn’t think he can do this. He held both Doyoung and Yedam’s hands as they both gave it a little squeeze of encouragement.
Arriving at their usual place, Doyoung sets up the telescope, just like how Junkyu does it while Yedam sets up the blankets. Mashi watches them and he’s at the verge of crying once again but even before a tear escapes, Doyoung calls for his attention.
“Mashi, look!” Doyoung shouts while he’s trying to view something from the telescope. Mashiho walks over to where the younger stands and Doyoung steps away to give him space.
Mashiho didn’t peek at once, though. His touch lingered on the telescope, remembering how Junkyu would smile so wide, holding it, setting it up to get a perfect view of the night sky.
Doyoung and Yedam watch from behind him as he finally takes a peek. It was only a few seconds before his head was back up and his eyes went to them. They are both smiling so wide, looking at his confused state.
“What -” Mashi couldn’t even begin to grasp what was happening. He took a peek once more and focused on what he could see.
“My love, I am so sorry for leaving you behind. I know it was hard for you to let me go but you have always supported me with my dreams and in everything I do and I’m sorry for not keeping my promise to always be beside you.” Mashi’s cries can be heard throughout the room. Why does Junkyu have to do this?
“I have no regrets. Thank you for making my dream come true. I have finally done it and now, I am coming back to you, my love”
Reading the last line made Mashi cry even more. The moment he turned around it wasn’t Yedam nor Doyoung that he could see. Standing there with flowers at hand was none other than the love of his life, Junkyu.
“My Love?…” Mashiho calls, not believing what he’s seeing right now. Junkyu starts walking towards him and Mashiho has his hand over his mouth to cover his shock or stifle the cry he’s about to let out - maybe both. But he has come to realize that Junkyu's here. He’s really here!
He ran to meet him halfway and threw himself at his boyfriend’s waiting arms. “I missed you” Junkyu tells him as he kisses the top of his head.
“I missed you so much!!!” Mashiho tightens his embrace, never wanting to let him go. Junkyu laughs as he tries to pull away.
“You’ve been giving Yedam and Doyoung headaches, I heard.” Junkyu cups his pouting face to wipe away the tears.
Mashiho didn’t answer, because it’s true. But what can he do? His boyfriend was several thousand miles away from him, doing his mission to “carry out scientific research that will increase the understanding of the characteristics of extrasolar planets and the diverse systems… something something…”
“What can I do? The universe wasn't on my side and took you away from me when you got that letter from that Space Institute whatsoever.” Mashi rolls his eyes. “I could not stand seeing them both being lovey-dovey while I’m constantly missing you and wishing you were here”
“Oh, he was such a pain in the ass, Kyu” It was Doyoung. “You should have seen how he cries whenever he misses you. Other people might think someone died or something." He tells them, Mashiho sticking his tongue out in response. "I mean, remind me again why I accepted being his secretary?”
“Babe, it’s because you can’t get anything done when you were my secretary” Yedam chuckles and kisses his temple in response.
“And whose fault is that?” Doyoung playfully slapped his arms.
“I’m sorry, but we’re having a moment here?” Mashi calls out, making everyone laugh. He looks at Junkyu again, his eyes pleading. “Are you really back? For good?” he asks and Junkyu smiles sweetly, nodding his head.
“I mean have you had enough learning and research about the universe and what not?” he asks, still not believing he’s got his Junkyu back.
“I’m not going anywhere anymore. I’ve got my universe, right here” Junkyu tells him, pinching his nose lightly. He’s really got the cutest boyfriend. “How about I make you another promise, right here?” Junkyu says.
“What do you me-” Mashiho couldn’t finish what he was about to ask when Junkyu suddenly got down on one knee, fishing something out from his back pocket.
“I may not be able to promise that I'll always be beside you, physically… but I promise to always be with you - to support you, and encourage you, and help you achieve your dreams just like how you did with mine.” Junkyu stutters a little as he tries to hold back tears. “I promise to get through everything life throws at us together and I promise to love you with all my heart and -”
“Love… that’s a lot of promises.”
“I know, and I really want to promise you a lot more. But first, I have to know…” Junkyu stalls and Mashiho was holding his breath, tears falling from his eyes, waiting for his next words.
Junkyu finally opens the box with the ring inside and shows it to Mashiho. “Takata Mashiho…” he began, looking straight into his lover’s eyes.
“My love, will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?”
There were cheers coming from Yedam and Doyoung at the sides but Mashiho wasn’t able to hear anything else other than the question Junkyu asked. It didn’t take a second for him to answer and shower Junkyu with a lot of yeses.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I love you, my love. I’d marry you in a heartbeat!” He wears the ring and the two share a tight embrace.
Just like how their love story started, with stars as their witness, another promise is made and sealed with a kiss under the night sky.
-END-