The universe is a very large place.
There are wars, there are discoveries, there are deaths and new lives every second.
Somewhere, there's happiness, somewhere, a strange creature is murdering another, somewhere else, a person that doesn't look like a person is helping a fellow.
But this is not the story of any of these. This story is about a star, and the love that star created.
Maerad lay quietly next to Cadvan. They were both in their own sleeping bags, camping outside. They had no need to travel any more, as they had defeated Sharma and now lived next door to each other in Lirigon, but they would often meet up to camp in one or the other's back garden - just for old time's sake. It was 5 years since the last battle, and Maerad was 21. Maerad and Cadvan had been working together for several years, and still met up regularly outside of work.
And now the most important part. For 3 years, Maerad had been totally and utterly in love with Cadvan.
As they lay, staring up at the stars, Maerad felt as though an energy were flowing between Cadvan and herself, and she could hardly breathe. Her heart almost stopped as she felt Cadvan's hand on her arm.
"Look," he said softly, pointing. "That group of stars looks like Imi!"
"No, its too dark for Imi," Maerad teased with a smile, feeling the loss of Cadvan's touch as he withdrew his hand. "It must be Darsor." Cadvan's deep laugh made her stomach twist as it always did, and she smiled at him. He didn't notice. He never did.
Maybe she should tell him? So many times had she contemplated it, but she never could. She bit her lip nervously and slid her hand into his. He looked at her and smiled, making her heart constrict. She found herself smiling dumbly back, glad when he turned back to look at the stars because she couldn't get the stupid grin off her face. She stopped breathing entirely as he held their entwined hands to him and pointed upwards again.
"Shooting star," he said.
Maerad smiled. "Make a wish," she told him.
"I don't need to," he replied.
Maerad frowned at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" He let go her hand and turned over, propping himself up on his elbows and staring down at her.
He smiled lightly. "You're already right next to me," he said quietly, before lying on his back again and taking hold of her hand. This time, instead of simply holding it, he held it to his chest with both hands.
Emboldened by this, Maerad said the words she'd been practising for years.
"Cadvan, I have a confession."
Yays! Fluff!! Review and tell me if you liked it! The quote..."'Shooting star! Make a wish!' 'I don't have to. You're here.'"