Chapter Text
Once the cell door slams close behind him, Aki comes face to face with the strange looking devil: a willowy appearance of twisting branches as limbs and vine-like streamers sashaying upon his arms.
“The future rules! The future rules! The future rules!” The hulking creature sings, swaying in a hypnotic trance.
Aki frowns deeply. “I’m here to make a contract with you.”
“Now you say it too!” he demands, the eyeball in his split stomach staring at him. “Say it with me ‘The future rules!”
Aki’s brows furrow, his lips twitching downwards. He doesn’t have time for this. “Tell me what you want from me.”
“Man, what’s with that shitty attitude?” The devil ceases its swaying. “Whatever, put your head into my gut so I can see your future. The terms will be decided on that.”
The request is so absurd, Aki has to blink a few times to actually comprehend it. Wordlessly, Aki obeys and walks closer. His steps don’t waver as he grasps the white fur along the Future Devil’s open sternum and pokes his head into the empty chest cavity.
He can’t see anything but darkness, a quiet chill going down his spine when the devil cackles from above.
“Alright, I got it.”
The white fur rustles between Aki’s fingers as he steps back, peering up at the devil with curious eyes.
“I see your future and it’s with me!”
…what? Aki stares at the devil long and hard. He must’ve misheard. “What did you say?”
“You’re the first human I can see eye to eye with,” he explains. “You're a bit of a killjoy but it’ll change in the future.”
This has to be a joke. Aki scowls deeply. “What are you even saying?” He has people to put behind bars. “Just tell me what you want for this contract.”
“You. Me. We date!” The devil laughs. “You only have two years left in that pathetic human body of yours. I can extend your lifespan if you make the contract with me.”
Aki blinks once, then twice. His brain refuses to decipher the words the devil is saying and his lips part, brows arching with clear surprise. “…what?”
“Date. Let’s date! Your future is going to fucking rule with me in it!”
“You…” Aki can’t believe the words that slip past his own lips. He points a finger to himself, shock clear on his face. “Want to date me?”
“Are you gonna make the contract or not, man?” retorts the Future Devil, impatience leaking into his tone.
Aki stares at the devil in bewilderment. He had heard about devil’s asking for sexual favors in exchange for contracts. But never this— being in an actual relationship with a devil. Though if this contract extends his time, then maybe Aki can negotiate. In the end, his desire for revenge overcomes all logic.
“Alright.” His words snag onto something in his chest, feeling foreign to his ears as Aki speaks.
“I accept your contract.”
“That’s what I’m talking about!” If the Future Devil can smile, he imagines it would right now. The Future Devil leans in close, a dainty finger sliding down his chin and tilting his head toward him. “After all, pretty boys like you shouldn’t die so quickly.”
Pretty boy? Aki takes a minute to stomach the words, blinking a few times before he shoves the devil’s intruding hand away.
Aki leans back on his feet, straightening up his suit jacket and the Future Devil smiles figuratively down at him eerily.
It’s just a contract. Aki assures himself, slipping his hands into his pockets and glancing at the single eye staring at him from the devil’s split stomach.
What could go wrong?
Mindlessly, Aki chews on his meal.
“Yo dude, is somethin’ up?” Denji asks, directing Aki’s gaze to him. “Ya don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine.” Aki rebuffs, resuming his eating.
“Ya sure? Ya lookin’ pretty pale there.”
“You do look quite pale! He must have eaten something bad!” Power interjects, pointing her wrongly held chopsticks at Denji. “Your food must have poisoned him!”
“My cookin’ is fine! And I haven’t been on kitchen duty since last week, how he havin’ food poisoning now?!”
Aki heaves a sigh, prickles of pain pummeling at his temples at their bickering.
“Both of you.” Frowning, he prods a slice of meat with his chopsticks. “Just shut up and eat.”
Denji shrugs and picks up his chopsticks while Power returns to her meal, tearing apart slices of her meat to feed Meowy with.
“Hayakawa Aki is a liar!”
Aki’s eyes widen briefly and he doesn’t have the time to register what’s happening when a familiar voice cackles through the air. This wasn’t a part of the contrac—
Denji and Power yelp, jumping to their feet as the Future Devil appears behind Aki who’s still kneeling on the floor; chopsticks slackening in his grip.
“Fiend and Hybrid!” declares Future Devil, booming voice sprawling across. “Hayakawa Aki has contracted with me where he must date me!”
A hot blush creeps up the back of Aki’s neck. He grimaces as Power and Denji drop their raised fists, staring at him incredulously.
Aki tries to find the voice of reason within him. But when he speaks, his voice cracks slightly. “I can explain—“
“Dude…are my ears not workin’ or did this crazy lookin’ motherfucker say ya and him are a thing?!” Denji interrupts, mouth loosening in shock.
“Relationships with devils are forbidden, topknot! I will not allow it!” Power screeches, jabbing a forefinger at the massive devil. “Begone you evil pest!”
Aki squeezes his eyes shut, lips pressing into a thin line. His face catches fire as the Future Devil giggles behind him before Aki sighs heavily, cracking his eyes open to shoot his subordinates a withering glare.
“We have… a contract.” Aki bites out, cheeks warm as he glances sideways and grumbles. “I agreed to this so you both better shut up.”
Prancing past Power’s legs, Meowy trots toward the Future Devil and hops into his open stomach without hesitation.
“Meowy!” Power says with panic edging into her voice. “Get out of there, it’s dangerous!”
Ignoring its owner, Meowy twirls before lowering itself into a loaf with a vibrant purr.
“What is this ugly thing inside of me?” Future Devil asks; the eye in his stomach swerving to focus on Meowy.
“Meowy is not ugly!” Power defends. “Meowy is a beautiful fat cat because he is owned by me!”
Scoffing, the Future Devil grabs Meowy by its scruff and drops it onto the floor. “Its future sucks! The animal lives a happy life loved by the blood fiend.”
“Huh?” utter both Denji and Power, not quite following but Power recovers quickly, sticking a finger above her upper lip; a cocky smile splitting her features, “of course! It’s because I am the best owner in the world!”
“That look on your face says confusion!” Future Devil exclaims to Denji. “I am the Future Devil, I can see your future if you put your head into my gut!” He sways his body, lost in soundless music. “Try it! The future rules!”
Aki mentally facepalms at how quick their moods change upon his words.
“That’s fuckin’ creepy but if it means I can see my future with Miss Makima—then I gotta try it!” Denji yells, rushing forward to stick his head into his gut.
Aki abruptly gets on his feet, a scowl gracing his features. “No, you’re not.”
“You’re not going in first before me!” Power grabs him by the back of his collar, yanking him backward as he cries out. “Tell me what my future is, you repulsive tree!”
With an Olympic worthy dive, she swoops into his gaping stomach; submerging her upper torso and she flails, kicking her legs.
Aki scowls at her kicking legs, grabbing her ankles before he yanks her out. Power falls face first onto the carpet and Aki shoots Denji a silencing glare when the blond guffaws loudly.
“No one is sticking their heads in anything.” He snaps, swiveling on his socked foot to scowl at the curious devil. “And you!”
Aki sets his hands on his hips, a vein throbbing on his forehead. “What are you even doing here?! This wasn't part of our contract.”
“Man, you really need to work on your attitude.” The Future Devil retorts but seems to wither under the weight of his glare. “Don’t look at me like that, I’m doing what humans dating do, move in with their lover!”
Aki drags a hand down his face. Great. Now he has to take care of three idiots. Something warm twists between his legs, and Aki glances down as Meowy purrs against his shins. With a sigh, Aki scoops the cat up and places it in Power’s arms. He ignores her pouty look and blankly stares up at the Future Devil.
“Alright.” He sighs, thrusting a hand through his black hair. “You can stay here for a while, I guess.”
The Future Devil hoots, thrusting a fist in the air.
“Woah, I’m gonna sleep here?!”
“Yes.” He grits out, glancing at the single bed. “I don’t know how you’re going to fit. But since you don’t want to sleep in the living room, you’ll be sleeping in my bed instead.”
“Oho?” The Future Devil makes a sly kind of sound. If the devil had lips, he’s sure they’re curling into a smirk right now. “You’re more bold than I thought!”
Aki stares at him, bewildered.
The Future Devil cups his face and shakes his head, mimicking a shy school girl. “It’s only been a day and you’re already asking me to sleep in your bed? How scandalous!”
For a quiet moment, Aki contemplates on opening his bedroom window and jumping out of it.
“I’m going to sleep on the couch,” he says through clenched teeth, his cheeks heating up again. “You can have the bed.”
He’s turning his back to the devil, stepping towards the door when a long lanky arm curls around his midsection. Aki’s eyes widen briefly as he’s tugged back and the Future Devil plops back on the bed, taking Aki with him.
Aki winces as he falls atop the devil, his fight reflexes kicking in but the Future Devil keeps Aki on top of him firmly. The fluffy fur on the devil’s parted sternum tickles the tip of Aki’s nose and he holds back a sneeze.
“No way, man!” The Future Devil holds Aki down tighter, ignoring the way Aki tenses up as he’s pressed against the devil’s furred chest. “Since we’re dating, you gotta sleep with me too!”
Aki really, really doesn’t know how to respond to that.
“Hayakawa Aki, you can’t escape me. As long as we have a contract you are bound to me!” Future Devil claims and squeezes him tighter. “The future says so!”
Panic settles under Aki’s skin as the lone eye in the dark belly of the devil turns to gaze at him lovingly. Aki hesitates for a moment, a defeated sigh leaving his lips.
“Alright. I got it.” Aki says slowly. “I’ll sleep here. Let me go now.”
“No! I saw humans sleep by cuddling their lover.” Dragging him closer, he wraps himself fully around Aki, the coarse branches of his torso scratching against his cheeks. “Now, we should tell each other ‘goodnight honey’”
Aki’s brows furrow together, his eyes widening in sheer alarm. Was this devil going to keep on adding new terms to their contract?
“I don’t think,” Aki tries lifting himself from around the cradling arms of the devil, “that’s a good idea.”
“Man, we at least have to call each other pet names.”
With a single tug, Aki is pressed back to the devil’s open chest; white fur tickling his nose and he bites the flesh of his mouth to prevent a sneeze. This situation was insane — using pet names to refer to each other?
Aki’s lips curls downwards in disgust.
The single eye gazes at him expectedly and Aki sees his reflection on the wet iris, sending unpleasant shivers down his spine. Clearing his throat, he speaks tentatively.
“…Mirai-san?” Aki offers, hoping that the chosen pet name would be enough to placate the tall devil under him.
“You’re boring!” rebukes the Future Devil. “Fine, I’ll accept Mirai.”
“Mirai.” Aki deadpans for good measure.
“The future rules, and we’ll see it tomorrow, my honey!” Future Devil states, ignoring his unenthusiasm and closes his six eyes.
Aki can only stare at the eye floating in the empty cavity of the devil’s chest. With a frown, Aki leans against the strangely soft chest of the Future Devil. His brows raise in amusement as the devil sleeps soundlessly, the rise and fall of his chest carrying Aki up and down steadily as well.
He knows the devil doesn't need to sleep so he can’t really get why this was even necessary.
Then again, not a lot of things in his life ever made sense. Aki stays awake, like the unblinking eye staring up at him until the alarm clock blares noisily in the morning. His eyes are tired when the Future Devil groans and smacks down on the alarm, silencing the device perhaps forever with the hefty blow.
“Get off me.” Aki growls, spatula in hand as he stands bare footed in the open kitchen. The Future Devil drapes over Aki’s back, peering down at the eggs sizzling in the pan set atop the stove. Aki grips the handle tighter, considering knocking his elbow against the devil’s furred ribs. “You’re heavy. Knock it off.”
“But you’re comfy! Very, very comfy!” Future Devil claims with a soft giggle.
A heat crawls up Aki’s nape when Denji and Power send him curious glances from the couch.
With the Future Devil still glued to his back, Aki finishes making breakfast. He carries the tray over to the chabudai, ignoring Power’s and Denji’s blatant staring because of the clingy devil behind him.
Freeing himself, he sinks into a kneel at the chabudai but the Future Devil seemingly not done yet, materializes behind him, pulling him into his lap and tucking his head beneath its chin.
Aki’s muscles tenses, blinking rapidly as the devil hums, shifting him around his lap for a better position.
The tips of his ears burning red, Aki silently picks up his breakfast plate and scowls when Denji breaks into abrupt laughter. Aki’s face feels too hot— burning with anger and embarrassment as Denji falls on his back, cackling obnoxiously. Power looks at him as if she’s about to throw up her vegetables again.
“Not one word.” Aki growls through a tight jaw, grimacing when the Future Devil drops his chin atop Aki’s head. Power snorts, and Aki grips his plate tighter, knuckles white. “Not one single word.”
“I want you three to be on patrol duty today,” Makima commands behind her wooden desk, fingers steepled with each other as she props her chin upon it. “We’ve been given reports of a skunk devil terrorising Shinjuku.”
Makima pauses, focusing on Denji who’s staring off at nowhere in particular. Beside him, Aki snaps his spine to attention while Power wreaths her arms, tapping a foot against the flooring.
“Is something wrong Denji-kun?” Makima inquires; the orange sunlight of the dying sun paints her red hair gold.
Aki turns to Denji with a scowl. “Oi, idiot, pay attention.”
“Aki’s fuckin’ a tree,” Denji says plainly.
“Eh?” Makima’s eyes widen by a fraction and Aki feels that headache returning again, his cheeks flushing faintly. Last thing he wanted was for Makima to know.
“Makima-san,” Aki speaks too quickly, a slip in his calm demeanor as those spiraling golden eyes shift his way. “Please ignore him. We have more important matters to attend to—“
Denji immediately cuts him off, “there was this weird devil who moved into our place yesterday. Says he and Aki are datin’ now.”
“Tis is true!” Power backs him up. “They were being so lovey dovey today it was sickening!”
Aki cranes his neck to shoot them both the most murderous glare he can muster. Denji grins back at him cheekily, enjoying his turmoil too much.
“Ah, is that so.” Makima collects herself and smiles slightly. “Devils usually don’t offer contracts with relationships as the exchange. I hope this doesn’t get in the way of your work, Hayakawa-kun.”
“Of course, it won’t.” Aki responds smoothly.
His left eye twitches when Power and Denji snicker under their breaths.
Aki decides Denji is getting no dinner tonight, and he’s going to be making broccoli stew for Power.
“You’re dating a devil?”
Aki chokes on his coffee. He winces as the scalding liquid burns his tongue, a frown pulling at his lips as he places the cup back onto the table.
Angel has a curious look on his face, round eyes urging Aki to answer the question. Aki’s slender fingers tighten around the cup, but he keeps his expressions neutral.
“Where did you hear that?” He asks calmly.
“The Blood Fiend was talking about it,” Angel tips his head to the side, halo bobbing in the air. Aki resists the urge to turn around and hurl his cup at Power who’s currently engaged in a brawl with Denji on the other table.
Unfortunately, the coffee tastes too good to be wasted like that. Aki cradles the cup between his palms and sighs. “It’s for a contract.”
“I see.” Angel hums, peeking up at Aki lazily. Aki narrows his eyes, lifting the cup back to his lips.
Angel leans back in his chair, amusement flickering across his usually impassive face. “It’s just very strange to hear. Aren’t you like the number one devil hater or something?”
“Like I said,” Aki frowns down at the steam curling above his cup. “It’s not like that.”
Angel doesn’t look convinced. “Right.”
“Hayakawa Aki!”
The familiar voice causes the hairs on the back of Aki’s neck to stand. He isn’t given the time to move when long arms drape around his neck, the same white fur tickling the sides of his ears as the Future Devil hovers over him.
“Isn’t this what humans call ‘infidelity?” The Future Devil appears once more from thin air; he stands menacingly at the table, startling them both.
“…what?” Aki’s brows knit together as he stares at the Future Devil in bewilderment. “What’re you saying? How did you even come here—“
“The future doesn’t have room for two devils,” Future Devil booms. “Stop talking to this devil right now. Better yet, don’t talk to any devils but me!”
Aki’s brows furrow further, his face colored with confusion. Across from him, Angel sighs dramatically and leans against his seat.
“I’m kind of jealous.” He shakes his head, and Aki swears he sees the hint of a mischievous smirk lifting Angel’s lips as he glances up at the Future Devil with an air of feign wistfulness. “Hayakawa’s been my partner for so long. Guess there’s no chance for me now.”
Aki had always considered Angel to be more sensible than Denji and Power. And yet here he was, throwing Aki under the bus because even the fucking Angel Devil was enjoying Aki’s torture.
His composure wearing down to the threads, the urge to launch himself across the table to throttle Angel thrums deeply between his bones but before he could do so, he realizes the poignant silence that’s stifling the bustling cafeteria.
Heat creeps up his neck as all eyes swivel to their table including his former teammates in division 2, quietly assessing the commotion. Even Power and Denji ceased their bickering to watch the event unfold. The only sound he can hear if he strains enough is a soft ‘I hate this place’ from Kobeni and he’s thankful that neither Makima or Kishibe is here to witness the scene.
The last thing Aki needed was for his contract to become public.
“Aki’s mine now so back off!” The Future Devil screeches while Angel looks far too amused for his own good.
Goodbye to the last shred of respect he ever had.
“I was at home, waiting for you to come back.” Future Devil bemoans. “And you’re here, having coffee with another devil?!”
“Please.” Aki digs the heels of his palm against his eyes, hoping that this was a nightmare. “Please shut up.”
“No way! I come back to see this!” Future Devil yells, swinging his long arms around in a frenzied mess. “The future sucks! The future sucks! The future sucks!”
Abnormally large hands grab onto Aki’s shoulder, and he’s startled as the Future Devil tosses him up in the air like he’s a rag doll. Aki’s hand snatch empty air, breath knocked out of his lungs when he lands back into the devil’s lanky arms. He’s crushed against the empty chest, snowy white fur brushing against his face as the Future Devil cradles him protectively.
“Let go!” Aki gasps out, struggling to breath. He kicks his legs in the air, trying to detach himself. “Let me down! What’re you doing—“
“Hayakawa Aki, your future is with me and me only!”
The entire cafeteria seems to be absorbed in their little scene, loud cackles filling the air which Aki knows is from Denji and Power. Leaning forward, Angel drops his chin in his hand, eying Aki’s flailing form in the Future Devil’s arms.
“Dating humans seems to be a pain…” Angel says robotically but Aki swears there’s a glint of mischief beneath it.
Aki asks Makima for a new buddy afterwards.
“Man, take me out on a date!”
The plate in Aki’s grasp slips, and he winces when it falls into the bubbly sink with a loud clatter. Water splashes onto his apron and he glares at the giant devil lounging in his apartment.
“What?” Aki scowls.
“It’s fucking boring being in here all the time.” He sinks further into the couch’s cushioning. “Find me death row inmates and throw them in my gut. I wanna see how they die in the future!”
Aki stares at him flatly. “You want to go on a date in prison?”
The Future Devil kicks his feet over the coffee table. “Fuck yeah.”
Aki stares down at his gloved hands before he glances back at the devil who’s still looking at him for an answer. With a heavy sigh, Aki twists the faucet on again.
“That’s not what a date is supposed to be like.” Aki scrubs the plate and twists the faucet off. “A date is supposed to be enjoyable and fun.”
“Whaddaya mean?” The Future Devil snorts. “Don’t tell me you don’t think death inmates aren’t funny?”
“Not for me, it’s not.” Aki grimaces. “Dates are supposed to be fun for both parties.”
The Future Devil peers at him curiously and Aki fidgets in his spot, wiping the plate clean under the spray of water. He clears his throat. “So everyone has a good time on… the date.”
He spares a glance at the Future Devil who hums in contemplation; Meowy purring from the open space in his chest. “Mhm, I see.”
Aki sighs quietly, thankful that the devil doesn’t prod for a date again.
Crisis averted.
Exhaustion lurks in Aki’s muscles as he trudges to the apartment’s door. He never shied from working overtime but the added baggage of a very annoying devil alongside two idiotic roommates was too hectic even for him.
The cusp of evening looms in the skyline and he sighs, grabbing his keys and popping it into the lock but stops when he hears voices—three voices— coming from inside the apartment.
“Hand it over, asshole!”
“That’s right. Tis my remote!”
“You are all so energetic!”
He hears a thump from behind the door, did something or someone fall?
“Fine, if you want the remote so badly. Go and fight for it, whoever’s left alive gets it!”
There’s a moment of pure silence until he hears pounding and yelling and Aki decides it’s time to intervene. He bursts through the door to be greeted by the sight of Power and Denji tangled on the floor with Denji grabbing her hair and Power clawing at his face while an amused Future Devil watches them with Meowy in his lap.
“What the fuck.” Aki marches in, grabbing the wrestling duo on the floor and pries them apart. “What did I say about fighting inside the apartment?”
Aki turns to look at the TV in which a couple is kissing under a brightly lit bridge and Aki’s brows scrunch together— Power and Denji never watched romcoms.
“Why did you stop them? I wanted to see who died,” Future Devil complains and Meowy meows in agreement. “See? Even this strange little creature agrees as well!”
Aki massages his aching temples, fully ignoring the bickering teens at his feet when the Future Devil stands up.
“Well, whatever.” The Future Devil places Meowy back on the couch, looking back at Aki. “Let’s go stargazing for our date—I learned enough about dating from these movies.”
Aki stares at the devil incredulously.
“You can’t say no, man.” The Future Devil states, ignoring his flat stare. “The future shows us stargazing together!”
Nearing its closing hours, the planetarium is bereft of life aside from the workers. The glowing models of planets nailed into the dome’s center mesmerises Aki; nebulas and fake stars burst across the walls, guiding them to a gigantic telescope aimed toward the stars outside.
This is one of the rare places which Aki holds dear.
Tokyo’s light pollution blots away any of the stars, so Aki finds being here peaceful— a reminder of his home in Hokkaido where the clear night skies giveaway to infinite stars.
“I can barely see anything in here,” Future Devil proclaims. “This date location sucks.”
Aki ignores the devil beside him. He peers through the telescope, mesmerized by the gorgeous stars in the dark sky.
“Hey, are you listening to me?” The Future Devil whines. “Man, what’s taking your attention so much?!”
Aki is shoved as the Future Devil pushes him aside and looks through the telescope.
“Sheesh, this is what you’re so entranced by? Humans are so boring.”
“It’s not boring.” Aki says defensively. The Future Devil glances at him, intrigued by Aki’s tone and Aki mentally cursed for speaking in the first place. He sighs, rolling his tired shoulders and shoves his hands in his pockets and continues. “Stars have been in this universe for centuries. Some are so old, older than the Earth itself maybe.”
“That’s nothing, I’m older than this earth too.” The devil quips.
Aki ignores him. “When you look at a star, it’s like…” he searches for a better term, something to say as the Future Devil peers down at him. Aki shrugs. “Looking back to our pasts.”
“The past sucks, it’s the future that rules!” He scoffs, offended that Aki even mentioned the past. “Why think about something that happened when you can be scared shitless about the future!”
A scowl graces Aki’s features, and he glares up at the devil who’s still rocking around on his feet, blabbering again.
“You’re not getting it. Humans control their future, whether they have a shittier or better life is on them.” The future devil exclaims. “The past only makes humans feel shitty cause all they do is think of the miserable shit they’ve been through. It’s stupid! Look at the future, it rules!”
The words stir something deep within Aki. At first, he feels burning ire. The past doesn’t matter? How. How can anyone say that so carelessly? But then again, Aki is contracted with a devil. A devil won’t be able to understand human emotions. A devil wouldn’t be able to experience the suffering Aki had gone through— his parents, his partners, Himeno.
Leaving them in the past would be like forgetting about them. Not caring about the past would mean that Aki’s desire for revenge doesn’t mean anything. He can’t let go of the past that easily.
What had the future ever offered him anyway? He faintly recalls the shock of blond hair, sharp teeth, two idiots wrestling each other on the floor for the last bite of mochi as Meowy settles in Aki’s lap, purring appreciatively as he rubs the cat’s back.
Maybe. There’s a gentle lull, and Aki stares up into the open night sky, at the lingering clouds and bits of stars that peek back at him. The future isn’t that bad after all.
Aki’s catapulted from his mulling when a set of textured fingers slipped into his.
“Oi.” Aki doesn’t tear his eyes away from the sky, fingers hanging loosely between the devil’s grasp. “What're you doing?”
“Relax, I saw human lovers do this when they’re looking at something together,” Future Devil murmurs, unyielding.
Another sigh escapes Aki’s lips, his shoulders droop as the air exhales from his body. The lingering exhaustion still webs throughout his muscles however a lightness sweeps through. The Future Devil’s grip around his hand is strong, reminding him of a steady oak tree in the midst of a windstorm; Aki’s fingers melt into laxness, not threading his fingers through his but not pulling back either.
In tandem with each other, they stand beside the gigantic telescope. The dome roof showers them with artificial stars glittering like millions of diamonds embedded into a black canvas and it steals Aki’s breath away. It burns brighter than before and for once, neither of them share a word, far too engrossed in the glimmering white ocean of the starscape above.