It was probably the greatest honour ever bestowed on any human and Alan was well aware of it. Kayo's dark hair was loose, it smelt of something delicately floral, it was soft and silky and devilishly slippery in his hands.
"Ow."
He got to the end and took a photo. "Sorry. I don't get how you can do this without looking."
"Practice," she glanced at the photo. "You're getting much better. It should be starting soon."
Gently, he carded his fingers through her hair and the plaits untangled.
She wrapped the massive blanket around her shoulders, then as an afterthought opened it so Alan could snuggle under it as well. Her hair fell past her shoulders and around her face. It made her look younger than the professional ponytail did. She fiddled with the blanket until it draped over their heads like a hood.
"You sure it's tonight?"
"Please, I know it's an important day when I get a reminder every hour telling me to stare at the night sky."
"Space nerd."
"Smol space nerd."
She almost laughed.
Silver flashed across the dark velvet sky and suddenly it seemed as if the stars were falling to Earth.
"I'll never get tired of seeing this."
"Me either." He leant against her, inhaling the smell of the night, the sea, her hair.
She relaxed against him, her hand slipped into his pocket.
"Hey!"
Her hand was gone. "What?"
"You just picked my pocket!"
"I'd never." She lied, popping a square of chocolate into her mouth.
"Kaaayoooo, come on!"
There was a short tussle and the chocolate bar was broken in half. They pulled the hood back up and sat watching the stars fall together.
