Stardancer
The stars sparkled and glowed beautifully in this part of the galaxy. The pink and purple star dust covered most of the night sky and wrapped the planet in a breathtaking scenery.
Arthur and his husband Alfred were quite pleased to live on a planet like this.
It was one of the newer ones that were discovered some centurys ago. A lot of different species and creatures came down to live here and thus a place of big culture and diversity was created. The technology was on the highest point and the landscape was always suprising with it's wonders.
The people came here to discover their new self in the city or go on an adventure in the wildness. But Arthur's and Alfred's reason was different.
Alfred was dying.
They lived farther away from the biggest city on this planet but near enough to see the skyline. It was a calm little town and popular for some tourists because of it's view on the metropolis.
They sat every evening on the flat roof of their little two story house, stargazing. It might have been small but also very cozy. Arthur made sure of that.
"The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they?" Alfred asked his husband.
Arthur sat beside him on a chair. "They look like they always do." He looked at the sky.
Alfred just smiled. "I think that they are much more brighter tonight." He nestled himself into his orange-red blanket.
They were both from different humanoid planets and the first time they met was on a desert planet with a lot of ancient relicts that were worth a lot of money.
Both of them were out to get a special relict that could change the weather. People from everywhere were looking for it, wanting to get a high price for the old sculpture either in a museum or on the black market.
So of course they were not the only one after it and the most annoying and most cruel man was Mr. Kleit. He organized a group that would go in areas no one wanted to go. And that's were Arthur and Alfred met.
But it was soon very clear that Mr. Kleit was playing very dirty and wanted the group killed after the relict was only his. To get away without being harmed the boys agreed to work together against him.
Upon finding the relict, they stole the sculpture from him and flew.
They didn't worry much about him afterwards. There were reports shown of him being executed on a neutral land for law breaking.
Arthur and Alfred grew fond with each other and noticed to be good team. They decided to stay together for a while but the while turned into months and then years.
Now 16 years later they sat beside each other, married but saddly without any adventure anymore.
Alfred sat in his wheelchair and petted their pet Morty. A dog-like creature with dark purple fur and four full black eyes.
"You know," Alfred began, "If I die, I'll become a stardancer."
Arthur looked at him confused. "Like in the fairytale? This is nonsense."
"It is not." said Alfred contradicting.
"Right. A fairytale about creatures in the night sky who protect travellers. Sounds believeble." He said sarcastically.
Alfred looked at him quite shooked. "Why do you say that? You always liked fairytales and legends." He nudged him in the shoulder. "Don't you remember when you told me about those creatures on Skandl. No one could see them only hear a faint scratch but sometimes if you'd hear them you'd also see a shadow of a crooked monster that stands behind you."
"You really remember that?" Arthur smiled at his partner.
"Sure! I couldn't sleep after this for weeks." He laughed and Arthur joined him lighhearted.
But Arthur got serious again quickly.
It happened three years ago when Alfred's sickness became visible. It was a sort of cancer which spreads fast and almost invisible. They treated Alfred as much as they could but it already spread into his organs. The medications he took somehow slowed it down but not for ever.
Arthur gave Alfred a small smile. "You must be tired. We should head to bed."
He stood up and pushed his husbands wheelchair to the lift. Morty followed them while swinging his furry tail.
On the next day Arthur was doing his work in the town. He repaired the broken machines but something felt off. For some reason he had a very very bad feeling in his stomach and couldn't shake it off. He thought of Alfred and his heart sunk.
He called home but no one picked up. The bad feeling intensified.
He left his work and rushed home but when he came Alfred was already dead.
Days passed and Alfred was buried nearby.
Arthur sat with Morty on the roof but he could not force himself to look up at the sky which he once shared with his beloved one.
He didn't know what he's supposed to do now. There was only an empty feeling in his mind and in his body.
Suddenly Morty started to make noices towards the air.
Arthur looked up and right before him was a star that shone brightly. But Arthur didn't remember seeing a bright star like this on the night sky while sitting here.
He stood up when the star became bigger.
It almost looked liked it came down to him and Arthur started to recognize a humanoid figure. Morty swung his tail happily and made a little attempt to jump to the star.
Arthur's eyes widened when he recognized the humanoid figure as Alfred.
He flew down to him and hovered above the ground.
Arthur was speechless.
Stars and pink-purple star dust flew around Alfred and Arthur who smiled warmly at his husband.
He cupped Arthur's face with his hands and brushed a falling tear away.
"Please, don't cry," Alfred said softly. "I will always be with you. And there are so many things you still can do."
"No..not without you. I can't." Arthur's voice trembled. He leaned into Alfred's palms to embrace the warmth he gives away and put his own hand on top of Alfred's.
"I know you can. Anywhere you go from now on I'll be there. And you know why?"
He looked at Arthur who watched him with sad eyes.
"Because I am your stardancer." Alfred smiled widely.
Arthur let out a small laugh and closed his eyes too feel Alfred but the warmth disappeared. He opened his eyes and was met with the cool night.
Morty circled him and then sat down by his side. Arthur scratched his purple head and looked at he sky where the star still shone bright as ever.
"I know where I want to go. To the star. To my stardancer."