Work Text:
Lightray, scout of New Genesis, touched down on the balcony floor. The love festival — the 13th this season!— was still roaring in happiness and affection, the type of love that can only be found in heaven. Orion leaned into the railing and considered his friend for a time, watching him with confusion.
"Why must you stay away from the festival, my friend? It was made for one like you," friendly, kind, beautiful Lightray should be at that place of celebration and charm, not holed away with the Dog of War.
Lightray, too, considered him for a moment. "Orion, I am celebrating," he said like it was obvious, smiling with only half of his face like Orion had said something foolish.
"But you're so far from it," he pointed out, gesturing at the gleaming lights and the crowd of gods kissing, hugging and eating to their heart's desires. "I don't understand."
"It's a celebration of love, not a celebration of being at a certain geographical location. I can love wherever I please," Lightray leaned on the railing too, cupping his own face in his hands.
Orion flushed.
"I see…," he turns his vision away from his ever glowing friend and stares into the distance, away from the festival and away from New Genesis as a whole.
"Orion. Look at me," he did, for he is nothing if not obedient. "I love you."
"I—" his gaze was fixed on his friend and his soft smile, his kind gaze, his beautiful face. "I love you, too, Lightray." The words felt like lead and barely passed through his throat, but he said them, as true as the word of the source and as quiet as dawn.
"I know," Lightray kept staring at him as if challenging him to look away first— he lost that battle, the pink on his face is embarrassing and he can't bear the genuinely look of affection.
The scout got closer and rested his head on the Dog's arm. Orion might as well have exploded at the contact, but he did not protest.