Work Text:
«Stay over at my place tomorrow night?» Xeno asked suddenly.
Stanley blushed.
A thousand thoughts ran through his mind in that moment.
They were no longer children staying up late watching movies with aliens and shootouts.
Sleeping over together meant something else.
It meant kissing more intensely than a simple peck on the lips when Xeno was happy because the calculations worked out.
It meant being closer than when they watched a movie together and Xeno rested his legs on him.
It meant whispering under the covers.
The thought made him blush even more as he remembered the last time all of those things had happened.
It had been August, the height of summer, and they had been much freer to spend time together and experiment with each other.
«Don’t make that face. » Xeno huffed.
«No, it’s just that it’s been a long time since I stayed over at your place.» Stanley replied, embarrassed.
«That’s not true. You stayed over just last week when you weren’t feeling well» Xeno laughed.
«We had recreated an entire body with bones and organs. What was I supposed to do, leave all of it there? We’d worked on it all day!» Stanley huffed.
«There’s a middle ground between a little bit and everything.» Xeno looked at him with narrowed eyes. «You’re exactly the kind of person who, once he starts, can’t stop.»
They had recreated the human body with cookies, pieces of cake, gummy candies, and chocolate ice cream for Xeno’s mother’s birthday.
She worked as a forensic anthropologist and had been genuinely impressed by the work the boys had done in her honor.
But she had limited herself to eating a few cookie ribs, while Stanley had felt obligated to taste every part they had worked on that afternoon.
And that night, he had gotten sick.
«We’ll avoid cakes this time » Xeno smiled.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Stanley had brought only a backpack with the essentials, but each item had been chosen with great care.
He was wearing his best boxers, and the second-best pair was packed in his bag.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash for fresh breath.
He had even put on his tight jeans, even though it was far too hot.
He rang the doorbell, and Xeno opened the door with his usual smile.
He was wearing his red T-shirt and work shorts. He was clearly in the middle of building something.
They went to work in the garage as usual.
Xeno wanted to try changing the fuel used by the car’s engine.
His father saw them and gave them the usual I give up, do whatever you want look.
Still, he insisted that they change before dinner.
They were completely covered in grease and dust, so they had to wash up quickly.
Stanley took advantage of the opportunity immediately.
As Xeno pulled off his shirt, Stanley wrapped his arms around him from behind and left a trail of gentle kisses along his neck, making him giggle.
«Stan, come on... it’s too hot.»
«It’ll be cooler tonight » Stanley said with a smile.
He saw Xeno’s cheeks flush slightly.
«Most likely...» he murmured.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
At dinner, both Xeno’s mother and father were there.
Stanley immediately realized that he had misunderstood Xeno’s intentions.
He hadn’t planned a romantic evening for just the two of them. There was something else in store, but that was perfectly fine. He had spent a wonderful afternoon and had enjoyed himself as he always did.
He got confirmation when Xeno’s mother stood up. She had been urgently called to the lab and, before leaving, apologized to her son.
«I know we had planned everything for tonight, but it’s important.»
Xeno said goodbye without complaining.
He understood that his mother’s work was unusual, and Stanley would have bet that, as an adult, he too would put science and the laboratory ahead of a quiet family evening.
«All right, boys! Men’s night!» Xeno’s father clapped his hands. «Let’s go set up the yard.»
Xeno and Stanley spread blankets and cushions on the ground in the backyard, while his father set up a chair with drinks and beer in a cooler bag beside it.
They turned off all the lights.
Stanley and Xeno lay down close together among the cushions on the blanket.
«I checked everything. The peak time to observe the meteor shower will be shortly after midnight, but we should already be able to see the first meteors soon.» Xeno said.
Shooting stars.
Right.
Xeno wanted to watch shooting stars together.
«The Perseids pass through Earth’s atmosphere every August,» Xeno explained, looking up at the sky. «Technically, they aren’t falling stars. They’re fragments left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle that burn up as they enter the atmosphere.»
Stanley smiled softly as he watched him speak.
He took Xeno’s hand and squeezed it while Xeno continued explaining the astronomical phenomenon.
«People usually watch them to make wishes,» Stanley said with a smile, stroking his hand with his thumb.
«Nonsense,» Xeno grumbled.
«My wish is that Stanley takes you away from this house as soon as possible, so every electrical and motorized device will finally be safe from your hands,» his father said, taking a sip from a can of beer.
Xeno immediately threw a cushion at him.
Stanley laughed and wrapped Xeno in his arms, then let him rest against his shoulder.
He would never have been able to do things like that at home.
His parents were much stricter than Xeno’s.
Fortunately, they had practically adopted him, and he could spend as much time in that house as he wanted.
«Oh, I saw one! I’m making a wish!» Stanley closed his eyes.
His wish was to remain by Xeno’s side forever.
«What are you wishing for?» Xeno asked.
«I can’t tell you, or it won’t come true » Stanley laughed.
«Stan... rocks, dust, and ice do not possess telepathic abilities, much less the ability to grant wishes.» Xeno shook his head.
«I can’t tell you because your father is here, and he doesn’t want to hear what I’d do to you » Stanley replied out of spite.
Xeno blushed bright red.
They stayed there a little longer, watching the stars, then Xeno’s father stood up.
«I’m going to bed. I’ve made three wishes, and I don’t want to be greedy... behave yourselves.»
They wished him good night.
Stanley was still holding Xeno in his arms.
He kissed his forehead and turned back to the glowing sky. The night sky was like Xeno’s eyes, and he loved losing himself in both.
He turned to look at him.
He was so beautiful with that bright, happy expression.
«Stanley, aren’t you watching the stars?» Xeno asked when he noticed that all of Stanley’s attention was focused on him.
«I’m watching the brightest one.»
Xeno blushed again and snuggled closer against him.
«Hold me tighter.»
«Your wish is my command.» Stanley pulled him close.
It was wonderful to be together, gazing at the infinite expanse of space.
A luminous streak crossed the darkness.
«Oh!» Xeno pointed at it immediately. «There’s another one!»
He watched the sky for a few more seconds.
Then he closed his eyes, and Stanley blinked as he noticed the gesture.
«Wait... are you actually making a wish?»
«Yes.» Xeno smiled to himself.
«I don’t believe it.» Stanley shook his head.
«The social ritual seems important, so I’m doing it too.»
Stanley laughed softly. «Okay, then let’s hear it. What’s your wish?»
Xeno opened his eyes again with a sly smile.
«To rule the world.»
Stanley burst out laughing.
«You can’t talk like an evil scientist even while you’re watching the stars.»
«Yes, I absolutely can.» Xeno giggled.
He rolled on top of Stanley and kissed him without hesitation.
Stanley stroked his back as he returned the kiss, savoring every second.
That kiss lasted at least as long as three shooting stars crossed above their heads.
When they parted, Xeno remained lying on his chest and smiled at him.
«How wonderful... my wish has already come true.»
«What?» Stanley didn’t understand.
Xeno gave a slight shake of his head and wrapped his legs around Stanley’s hips.
«Shall we go to my room? I noticed you looked very handsome today, and I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity, especially since last time...»
Stanley didn’t let him finish the sentence. He was tired of hearing about the time he had overdone it with the cake.
He lifted him effortlessly and stood up.
«Let’s go to your room.»
Xeno clung to his shoulders as Stanley carried him into the house.
He was smiling with satisfaction.
Stanley was his world, and Xeno intended to make that blond boy understand it too.