first week at wf

Aster was thankful that, no matter really where you headed, space was discernible from itself. Maybe you could see a constellation clearer on planet FAHD-6852, or perhaps you could see more moons on Owdel. Anyway you you place yourself, you're likely to see something familiar in such a far away place. 

Aster could make out a little triangle of stars - a constellation that his people had named The Looking Glass - and he knew everyone he had ever known was somewhere past it. Like the North star on Earth, this little triangle served purpose as a guiding light to his people. Seeing it made being in the WF a little less sad, made the cowboy a little less homesick.

He chewed on the end of an exceptionally long piece of grass and toyed with the comm in his hands, turning it over and and rubbing the smoothness with the curve of his thumb. It would probably be early on his planet, and he didn't want to wake anyone up with his impulsive calls - the pros and cons of having the power to call his family at Aster's fingertips almost outweighed each other; on one hand, he could keep contact, but on the other, the want to call his family for every little thing he did gnawed at the flimsy arguments of do not in the back of his mind.

The day had drawn out so slowly, for the fact that the land hadn’t been tilled before hand - and breaking ground with strange equipment and animals made for no easy task. And boy howdy, what he couldn’t do for Horse right then. After back breaking work, softening up the soil, things had gone a bit more smoothly. With the help of a few other ranch hands, they managed to plant a field of… what Aster could only describe as… quadrotriticale grain. He snorted at the fact that that was one of the few Earth jokes he could get. 

The seeds looked the same - small, rounded, smelling of earth and green - probably grew the same then, too. It didn’t rain much on this planet, much like the planet he called home. Dry, tall, prairie grass blew in the wind, and if he was quiet enough, and didn’t think about how the animals didn’t quite match up; he could almost imagine he was home. The tink, tink, tink of hammer against anvil and the hustle and bustle of the saloon made him miss his home somethin’ fierce. 

His comm switched between his hands as he thought, tossing it between his open palms like it was a smooth stone. He waited a few more minutes, leaning back against a fence post in the night air before dialing a number. He can imagine heavy feet fumbling up to the comm, and he feels himself get giddy. No one answered by the fifth ring, so Aster called again. The response is almost instantaneous.

"'Lo?" A gravelly voice asked, "sorry for the wait. Still tryin' ta figure this puppy out. 'Spose ta be good for business."

"Well, whoever thought of the idea must be a mighty smart fella'." Aster can hear Boris snort and he smiled at himself. 

"Yeah, yeah, he has his moments," wood creaked on the other end, and Aster imagined his boyfriend leaning back in his favorite chair, some dopey look on his face that probably matched the one on his. 

"Bet he's pretty handsome too."

"Yeah, got a cute lil face."

"Mm, that so?"

"That so."

"Can't be as handsome as that voice a yers, though."

Boris laughed outright and Aster felt himself laughing along, looking out to the Looking Glass for a bit of comfort. 

"I miss ya sweetheart. Can't cook a damn without you. Salazar's got some good grub but ain't nothin' like you're cookin."

"I'd say yer just flatterin' me but I know how you cook." 

"Hardy Har,” Boris shifted again, and Aster moved with him unconsciously. “What time is it there, doll? Not even 4am here."

"What? Shit. ‘N’ here I thought it would’ve been a bit later. It's 11pm here, darlin’. Sorry for wakin’ you up."

“Aww, it’s okay. Don’t worry,” and Boris sighed on the other side, “it’s always nice to hear your voice.” The pause was so silent that Aster could hear his heart thumping in his chest, and he held his breath for Boris to continue. 

“I miss you,” Boris’ voice cracked and Aster help his eyes well up with tears. 

“I miss you too,” he parroted. “I miss you so damn much. So many things here make me think of you. There’s some plants here the same color as your eyes. An’ the blacksmith shop is up and runnin’ and I keep goin’ there thinkin’ I’m gonna see you. Stayin’ up too late and half asleep at the forge. ‘N’ I’ve been workin’ so much I didn’t think I’d be able to find time to call you when it wasn’t 3am,” Aster sniffled and it ended up a laugh, “seems like I still couldn’t figure out when to call ya.”

“I uh,” Boris paused, “I haven’t gone to sleep yet, I just got into bed,” and Aster had to laugh. “What? Don’t laugh at me! I’m sorry I’m so used ta my boyfriend tellin’ me when it’s time to go to bed… I guess it worked out though. We can talk for a lil’ while longer.”

“Yeah… I guess it does work out. Don’t think you’re gettin’ off scotch free. Now I know I gotta call ya’ when I get off work to make sure you’re gettin’ ta sleep at a good time. Or at least somethin’ to eat. Bet ya haven’t ate all day, have ya?”

“...”

“Boris.”

“What! I was thinkin’. Gimme a break darlin’.”

“An’ how did you survive before you met me?”

“Atticus…?” Boris’ voice was so uncertain that the silence that followed made the two of them burst into laughter. 

The sound of their breathing calmed him and he closed his eyes, face turned upward to the stars. “You needa get to sleep, bud. I’ll call ya tomorrow, a bit earlier than now. Or later. I dunno, I’ll figure somethin’ out.”

“‘Kay, bud. Make sure you get some rest too. Can’t havin’ you collapse on the job already.”

Aster chuckled and moved the comm on his shoulder. “Alright. Have a good night, sweet dreams, an’ think of me.”

“Night, Aster. Sweet dream, an’ think of me.”

The line clicked dead and Aster released a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He bit his lip and his eyebrows knitted together in thought. A shake of his head and he readjusted his hat, scuffing up the dust beneath his boots. It wouldn’t be too long, he reminded himself. Soon he’d have a house and a place for him and Boris to stay and create a new life together. The thought made his heart swell - and he couldn’t stop the smile from stretching his face as he all but ran back to his tent for a good nights’ rest.