January 27, Winter, year 20

I hope I have everything ready. Another first, spending the Starry Night festival with someone. Gosh, I'm so nervous! I hope..

Oh no!

Claire stared at the mess on the stove that was supposed to have been Finest Curry, and felt like she wanted to cry. More painful nicks to her fingers had just gone to waste because of her inattention.

"…I guess I'd better clean this up," she sighed, rubbing at her eyes in annoyance. "Maybe I can make something else before he gets here."

As if to mock her, 'Walking on Sunshine' started playing on the radio. She glowered at it as she scarped the burned mess into the trash and set the pot in the sink to soak.

Everything else had come out more-or-less fine. The cake was delicious—she'd tasted it before icing it—the fresh juice was perfect, and the salads were making her stomach growl just by close proximity to them.

Everything but the curry had turned out fine. And it was almost six… At the rate she was going, there wasn't going to be any chance for her to try again.

So focused was she on trying again that she didn't even notice the door open and Skye poke his head through, looking for her.

He shook his head of silver hair in amusement at her focus, and closed the door quietly, so as to not startle her. As he removed his boots she yelped and stuck her finger in her mouth, dropping the knife on the cutting board.

"Are you alright?" he asked, turning.

She jumped in surprised, bit down on her finger, and promptly started swearing under her breath. Skye chuckled a little in embarrassment… he really hadn't meant to do that.

"When did you get here?" she asked, blue eyes wide.

"Just now," he gently propelled her out of the kitchen. "Here, let me take care of that. You've already done some much."

"But!" She protested, "But you're my guest!"

"And even a guest can do the cooking sometimes," was the amiable reply. "Go on my dear, relax a little. It won' be the end of the world if I make the curry."

It took a bit more prodding, but eventually Claire gave in and let him have control of the kitchen. She scurried into her room to change, and put a new band-aid on her much abused finger, wincing a little at the depth of the cut.

Maybe she had been trying a little too hard…

A heady smell was permeating the house after the farmer caught her breath and her composure, and she curiously followed it back to the kitchen, peering in to see Skye with an apron on happily bustling around.

Her eyes softened, and warmth infused her, that had nothing to do with the heat of the fireplace. She just leaned in the doorway, watching as he cheerfully added this spice and that one, even daring to rummage in her cupboards for others.

When he caught her watching, he raised an eyebrow curiously. She just chuckled and shook her head lightly.

"There's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight," Claire said softly. "Should be plenty for making wishes on, yeah?"

"You have some you're going to ask for?"

She snorted with laughter.

"Yeah! No more winter weddings!"

Skye laughed, and shook his head lightly. She knew full well that wasn't what he'd meant, but everyone knew that stating a wish to someone would make it not come true.

Well, alright, so it was a kiddie superstition. She still didn't feel… ready to say what needed to be said. Which was more than a little annoying. The farmer sighed quietly, a little disparagingly at herself, but smiled when Skye looked at her again.

"Here, is there something I can help with?" she asked. "I'll feel guilty if I'm just sitting at the table waiting."

"Well," and a mischievous smile crossed Skye's face. "Maybe. You want to taste?"

"Sure."

This was something she was used to, having always been the recipient of her sibling's cooking experiments. She had a good food palette, but trying to cook herself… never quite turned out the same way.

However actual food-tasting was not what Skye had in mind. When Claire was close enough, he reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Startled, the looked up, a faint blush crossing her cheeks that had nothing to do with the proximity of the stove.

"I th-thought I was t-taste-testing," she squeaked after a second.

"In a moment," he replied, eyes glinting warmly. "It won't burn…"

Before she could decide whether to take it as an insult or just a comment, Skye leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against hers. For about three seconds, Claire's brain just shut down, and she forgot even how to breathe. Low laughter brought he back to herself, and she blushed a brilliant shade of red.

"What's the matter," he teased gently. "Not used to this?"

"W-w-well… No," and she ducked her head shyly. "Not… not really…. Damien was never… soft. Gentle wasn't his strong suit."

Skye's hand moved gently over her hair, brushed against her cheek, and lightly tapped her chin.

"A pity. That one doesn't know what he's missing."

For a second it was silent, then Claire started to giggle. Skye had the funny feeling he'd missed something, when she rested her forehead against his chest and laughed.

"I'm not sure I want to know…"

"No," she managed to squeak out, eyes glittering with mirth "no you probably don't."

He huffed, but all that did was make her laugh harder. She was literally clutching at his shirt to keep herself upright

"Well, if you're not going to be helpful…" he mock-huffed.

"I'm sorry," she was trying to calm down, and looked up at him with a highly amused grin. "Really, I am… I have this tendency to get… giggly when I'm nervous."

"Are you nervous?"

The surprise helped to sober her up somewhat, but there was still a glitter to her eyes, and a flush to her cheeks that made her… In Skye's eyes, she was simply beautiful, even more so than when she'd been at the Goddess Festival so many months ago.

The shy nod made her even more adorable, and he couldn't help chuckling.

"Well, if it makes you feel better," he took a breath and let it out, "so am I."

"Ehhh?" The shock made him laugh. "But you act like you've done this so many times before!"

"Just proves that I'm a good actor," he grinned. "Yes?"

There was a short pause as she digested that thought, then had to subdue a fresh bout of mirth.

"Yes," she agreed, trying not to laugh again. "Very good. And your curry is starting to burn."

He was tempted to let it, and just keep holding her like this, but his inner pride… just wouldn't let him burn curry. Reluctantly, Skye let his arms slide away from Claire and turned back to the stove to keep working.

After a minute he held out a spoon for her to taste. She eyed it warily, and now Skye did feel a touch hurt.

"Don't you trust me?" he asked.

"I saw the spices you put in that pot," she teased. "I'm going to end up with holes in my tongue!"

The mood lightened when she leaned forward to taste, and Skye had to admit that he had been using some pretty spicy stuff. Which was evidenced by her side-step over to the fridge to get a glass of milk.

"Hot!" she gasped.

He laughed as she sipped the milk hastily, cooling the inside of her mouth.

"It'll be better with the rice," he nodded slightly. "But if it's like this already, I think it's done."

"Well then," Claire got out another bottle of milk, prompting more laughter. "I guess we should eat, yeah?"

Bundled up, they stood out in the chill night, looking up at the sky overhead. It was almost too silent to want to say anything, and Claire's hand shot up after a few minutes, pointing.

"Look! There's the first one!"

Against the black of the night sky, stars began falling, leaving beautiful trails of comet-dust in their wake. Claire let out glee-filled exclamations, much to Skye's amusement.

"Don't forget to make your wishes," he commented quietly.

She flashed him an impish grin, and the thief found himself admiring the child-like glee of the blonde. How many other women had he known who would happily stare up at the stars and wish like an innocent child? Not a one… None like Claire.

He waited as she bowed her head, lips forming silent words, and suddenly found himself making a wish of his own.

A simple one. To stay with her.

She turned back to him with a smile, pointing up again.

"Look at that tail!" she exclaimed. "Isn't it amazing?!"

As he cast his glance upwards, she reached up and laid a light kiss on his cheek. Startled, he looked back down at Claire, who smiled shyly, eyes filled with an emotion that he had seen in the eyes of other women before, though certainly never of that depth. Part of him wondered if he wasn't setting them up for something painful, but the rest of him ignored that as he leaned in to claim a proper kiss, shooting stars forgotten overhead.

Best. Night. Ever.