Starlight

Up here, the sky offers a private piece of the night sky, a canvas freckled with a handful of distant stars, framed by broad skyscrapers that reach up, up, golden lights shining on his head, a reflection of the sight above- gold on black. Ryker leans against the railing and tips his head back, drinking in the night sky.

Up here, nothing can hurt him.

Heavy, familiar footsteps approach. He remains relaxed, even when a hand brushes against his shoulder, the barest touch of fingertips.

There’s a soft, gentle pressure at the top of his head, a spark of giddiness transferred from the seam of Dante’s mouth. He inches over, making space for the larger omnic, who leans beside him. Ryker holds out his hand and Dante finds it wordlessly, twines their fingers together and squeezes, a comfort.

“Are you alright?” Dante asks, knowing his partner’s anxious habits. This time Ryker nods and leans against Dante’s side, resting his head on a broad shoulder.

“Just wanted to look,” he explains. Dante chuckles and the deep timbre of his voice rumbles between them both. Fondly, he lifts their intertwined hands and presses another kiss to Ryker’s knuckles.

“Then you don’t mind if I stargaze with you?”

Ryker finally looks away from the sky and meets Dante’s gaze. “Of course not,” he says, so taken aback by the question that Dante laughs and tips forward and kisses him.

“Gracias, cariño,” he responds when they part, soft and hushed. Something sweet and warm swells in Ryker’s systems. He reaches up and cups Dante’s cheek with his free hand and Dante turns his head into it, places small, reverent kisses to the curve of Ryker’s palm.

“I love you,” Ryker sighs, without thinking- without needing to think. Now it comes as naturally as riding.

There’s a smile in Dante’s voice. “Te amo.”