Stars Come Down to Earth
By: Funakounasoul
Note: The story doesn't bother explaining *how* we got these ladies reunited (though that GoPri Epilogue sure hints that it IS eventually possible). I just wanted to get that out first, so we don't focus too much on that. I wanted to write romance first and foremost! Anyway, I wrote this story a while ago, just kept forgetting to post it. Hope you enjoy!
Another day, another set of gigs done, Kirara thought to herself as she made her way toward her hired ride. She was exhausted, but she was satisfied nonetheless. She never regretted her career choice. Modeling was what she lived for. Still, even she wasn't immune to growing tired by the end of the day.
The ride back to her apartment was to be a restful one. Her energy needed to be replenished for, at least, one more activity. It was something she planned to do when a particular guest was to visit her. The days they visited were days she cherished… These were the days Towa visited from the Hope Kingdom and they would spend time together.
The ride remained quiet, giving Kirara plenty of time to relax. The sights and sounds of Paris were plentiful at night, but to her, it had become a regular sight. It was almost comforting, and when it wasn't, well, her apartment was mostly soundproofed.
At last, the ride stopped. She thanked the driver and hopped off. The bounce in her steps were obvious as she entered the building and went up the elevator. She even hummed along to the song quietly playing on the speaker before reaching her stop. A few more turns around the hallway, and there she was: Home.
Her heart began to race the way it did when she had these opportunities. Right as soon as she opened her door, she could see her. "I'm home~!" Kirara sang out.
"Welcome home." Towa smiled at her from near the window. She'd been waiting for Kirara's return, as she usually did whenever she visited.
Kirara smiled as she removed her work shoes in place of more comfortable flats. "How was your day?"
"Ordinary enough. I arrived here only about an hour ago." Towa didn't need to remind Kirara that she had a key to the apartment, after all.
"Heh. Made yourself comfortable and all, too." In truth, Kirara hoped that Towa could spend more time here. Perhaps even move in. The woman traveled between worlds, but she was visiting here more often. She loved the time she spent here, but she always seemed to pick the days Kirara was busy.
She was hoping she could change that soon.
As they prepared for their walk, Kirara quickly made a trip to her bedroom. Within a drawer – was it still there? Ah yes. Good... She grabbed the small box and looked at it for a moment. Inside was a simple ring of gold with a ruby. This was to be the ring she would one day propose to Towa.
Someday… She just needed to make sure it was the right time.
Towa was waiting for her as she came back out. She looked more or less the same as she always did – which was to say, beautiful, but with that hard-to-read expression of hers. Her large, soft eyes gave an impression of sleepiness, but Kirara knew from experience that they missed absolutely nothing.
"Are you ready?" Towa asked softly.
"Ah! Yeah. Just a moment..." She placed the box back in its drawer and met Towa back at the entrance. "Where to tonight?" She asked.
"Shall we walk along the river?" Towa smiled winningly.
Kirara grinned in return. "You sure love that spot. Can't blame you, though."
"I do. As do you, if I recall." Her smile turned a little sly.
"Ah, you know me too well, Towacchi~"
True, the walk along the Seine was a favorite activity for both ladies. They have done it both during the day and night, but it was the latter that felt particularly magical to them. When they first took the trip, Kirara had explained to Towa how, to her, the walk at night felt as if the stars had come down to Earth and she was walking through them. It certainly felt that way for Towa, as well! Even during the cooler nights, Towa felt warmed by the lights. It truly felt magical.
That was why she chose it as the perfect spot about two weeks ago...
"EHHH?! You're going to propose to Kirara-chan?!"
Towa smiled warmly before taking a sip of her tea. She made no vocal reply, but that was enough confirmation for Haruka. The curly-haired woman's eyes twinkled in admiration. "That's…That's so wonderful!"
The other two women sitting at the table – Minami and Yui – also congratulated Towa on her announcement, though at a much quieter level. Towa added that she already picked out the ring as well, almost instantly having it commissioned in the Hope Kingdom after reading about engagement rings. She brought them together so she could tell them her plans, and to see if they had any ideas on how to tackle it. Reading books on human marriage customs was one thing, but it's another to hear ideas from those who knew Towa… and Kirara, especially.
"Kirara-chan is a pretty 'loud' personality," Yui noted shyly. "Not in a bad way, of course, but she literally shines brightly on the runway, for example."
Haruka nodded in agreement. "Whatever you plan to do, Kirara-chan HAS to be front and center!"
"Though I'm sure she would be fine if Towa-chan was in focus as well," Minami added with a soft smile. There was a peculiar glint in her eye as she continued. "After all, marriage is between two souls, not just one. They should enjoy the moment they agree to be by each other's side for the rest of their days." As she finished her thought, she closed her eyes, enjoying the cup of tea in her hand.
Towa thought about that for a moment. Something that would focus on, not just Kirara, but herself as well… "Perhaps it would be wise to propose somewhere we both enjoy?"
Haruka's smile radiated from across the table. "Of course! Sometimes, it's just based on one's favorite activities…"
"But definitely more special if it was somewhere dear to both," Yui sagely added.
"Oh yeah! I think so, too," Haruka excitedly nodded in return. Towa couldn't help catching a quick glimpse of Minami giving Haruka a peculiar smile.
Minami caught Towa's eye and exchanged glances with her instead. "Is there a place that, perhaps, you and Kirara-chan both enjoy?"
"Well," Towa looked down into her own teacup in thought, "There is one place…"
There was a part of the river walk that was especially magical at night. This spot had many small lights strewn around the scenery. Kirara had once remarked how this section reminded her of a starry night. The stars were difficult to see in the cities she tended to work in. Light pollution would ruin any chance of ever catching a glimpse of the twinkling heavens, but she loved any place that at least gave her that same feeling on Earth.
This location was the place Towa had in mind when she was talking to her friends. She, too, enjoyed this part of the walk. The lights may not emit any noticeable heat, but she would get this sense of "warmth" here. It was as if she was feeling a special flame within her flicker to life and wanted to brighten up the scene, just for Kirara. It was a strange feeling, but it was one that Towa welcomed wholeheartedly.
A mix of stars and flames – a perfect union.
The perfect place to make her move.
Kirara was chatting about her day, though, upon reaching the unofficially-named "starlit path," she quieted down. A long sigh escaped her lips and she smiled. "This place never ceases to make me feel relaxed."
Towa simply smiled in response, her eyes more focused on the beautiful brunette beside her.
Kirara looked around. She couldn't help but notice how the strings of lights tonight curled and moved in a way that led her eyes right back to Towa. The princess of the Hope Kingdom had a particular glow to her as she was surrounded by these golden lights. It was as if the stars themselves had come down to add a heavenly radiance to her already fae-like aura. She is just so beautiful, she thought to herself, a warmth rising from her chest as she held her gaze. I think I know where I want to set up my big question now. It's got to be here! I'll find the right time, I swear it.
"I think this place will do just fine."
Kirara snapped out of her thoughts, curious as to what Towa meant by her sudden comment. She watched as the other woman walked a few steps in front of her and smiled.
Towa took a moment to just take in the sight of the woman before her. There was an amazing glow to Kirara. The lights surrounded her like stars gravitating toward the Princess of the Stars herself. It was a magnificent sight. Her heartbeat was picking up its pace… This was as good a time as any. She was warned in her readings, and from the girls themselves, that this moment would be both exciting and nerve-wracking. She had to fight through the latter urge or else the moment would be ruined.
"Towacchi…?"
Towa shook her head for a moment. "I apologize," she replied gently. "I could not help but… become lost in your features. You are truly a beautiful woman."
Kirara blushed slightly and chuckled. "Aww, thanks, Towacchi. That's so… sweet…?" Something was off. At first, it almost looked like Towa was reading herself into a curtsy, but this dip was going lower, toward the ground. Was she kneeling? Then she began reaching into her pocket…
Wait, no way… Kirara's own heart began to race. She could feel her face getting warm as her mind put the pieces together. This was no ordinary action!
"Amanogawa Kirara," Towa began, her voice lowered so only she and Kirara were privy to the following lines, "you are the brightest star in my sky." She lifted the object she had taken out of her pocket up toward Kirara – it was a small, golden-tinted velvet box. By now, the action was obvious in her mind, but Kirara could only watch in shock as Towa slowly opened the box's contents for her to see. "I want to be the eternal flame that shines within your galaxy. My light, my heart, will you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife?"
That feeling of an eternity swept through both women right then and there. For Kirara, time seemed to stop altogether as she stared at the beautiful, golden ring within that small box. There were tiny red gems spaced around the circumference of that ring, but it was the stone right in the center that caught her eye the most – a long, octagonal face giving off a gentle, orange glow. This ring must have been made in the Hope Kingdom, Kirara was sure of it. Between the ring itself and Towa's poetic proposal, though, it was as if she was shooting toward the heavens from all the emotions that were building up inside. She was elated, she was shocked, but more importantly, she was…annoyed.
"MOU! That was supposed to be MY line!"
The line startled the Hope Kingdom princess, but she realized there was nothing to worry about when she saw Kirara kneeling down in front of her, tears beginning to flow from her eyes and a smile plastered on her face. Kirara let out a loud, relieved, laugh as she reached out to hug – and perhaps slightly shake – the other woman. "I was supposed to propose to you, not the other way around! Towacchi, you meanie!"
Towa laughed her own anxiety away. "Then I take it that you mean to say yes?"
Tears streaming down her face, Kirara responded, "Of course, Towacchi! Yes, yes I…*sniff* I want to become your wife, but, damn it, your ring's back at the apartment!"
"You were planning to propose as well?"
"Well, yeah! *sniff* All I've thought about lately is to have more of these walks with you and maybe even…god…just be with you more often. If that means *sniff* traveling between worlds, then I'll do it!"
"We can talk about that later." Towa reached out to wipe the model's tears away. "Right now, I want to be here with you." The two shared an intimate smile and hugged once more.
Kirara helped the two get back up on their feet. They shared one quick, but passionate, kiss before turning around and reversing their path to get back to the apartment. The lights around the river twinkled around them, and it truly felt like a walk among the stars. It was a wonder there were so few people on this stretch of the river walk, but maybe it was meant to be. It was truly as if the stars were aligned just right that night.