Takahiro, July 9th

The three moons of Ayuzuma shone down on the Black Kingdom, along with the stars that were scattered across the sky. Takahiro and Katherina whispered, as they moved farther from the palace, every step crunching the grass beneath them. Takahiro spread out a blanket out as they slowly laid down atop the slight hill that overlooked the palace. From afar, they watched the ship being built, where the market used to be.

“The palace actually looks nice from here.” Katherina’s voice almost disappeared into the gentle breeze of the night as she spoke.

Takahiro turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. “Thought you hated palaces?”

“They’d be more beautiful if I wasn’t constantly in and out of them.”

Takahiro chuckled.

They laid next to each other in content silence, taking in the sounds of Takahiro’s crew working on the ship.

‘Alright Takahiro, it’s time you finally tell her. She deserves to know,’ Takahiro thought.

He glanced over at Katherina. She had closed her eyes by then. She’d tried on a new outfit that day, a fuschia to black ombre dress with a low cut v-neck and high slit, her signature. And she wasn’t Katherina Astraia without her black gloves, even if it was summer, but the ones she wore were lower this time, only going up halfway her arms. Of course, she also had her usual gold jewelry as well. She was his favorite fashion icon.

“I know you’re staring.” Katherina interrupted his thoughts.

Takahiro jumped..

“And I know you have something to say.” She opened her eyes and turned to face him. They gazed into each other's eyes for a minute. “Well?”

“I-uh, give me a minute. Another minute, I mean.” Takahiro covered his face with his hands as he repeated the words in his head. His stomach twisted itself in knots more than ever.

Finally he uncovered his face, took a deep breath and said: “So, I’m bisexual. And biromantic as well.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Wait, what? How did you know already?”

“Well, hm, let me think. You told me how you had butterflies in your stomach as a kid for two of your friends, one boy and one girl. There was one time you were telling me about one of your deities from Black, and how, and I quote ‘he’s hot, but I don’t like men.’ Oh, recently you. simped for one of your co-workers and you told me about it. Also, I’m pretty sure once when you were drunk-”

“Okay, I get it!” Takahiro shook Katherina by the shoulder with one hand and covered his reddened face with another.

“And, uh, I’m sorry if I made you scared to come out. I don’t know what was wrong with me when you first met me. I hope you can believe me when I say I’m not homophobic anymore. Of all my crimes, that’s the only one I actually feel guilty about. Plus, I think I’m also demiromantic too. Not trying to steal your spotlight or anything.” Katherina averted her gaze.

“That’s fine. I didn’t think you knew already. And don’t worry, I believe you. You stopped looking disgusted whenever we talked about LGBTQ+ anything a long time ago. The fact you were even homophobic in Ayuzuma at all makes me wonder if your dad or one of your other human relatives were from Earth.” Takahiro pondered.

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“Fuck no, I hate Earth!” Katherina yelled.

“I can tell. So do I.” Takahiro laughed.

Silence washed over them again. Takahiro thought: ‘That’s one big reveal. Although, I guess, that wasn’t really one. How long will it take for my second reveal of the night I wonder?.’

After pondering for another twenty minutes, Takahiro finally blurted it out. No point wasting time anymore. It needed to be said. “So, um, for the longest time, I’ve had a crush on you. Do you like me back?” He asked with a pounding heart.

“Oh yeah, I knew that too.”

“Wait what? How do you keep finding these out?.”

“What can I say? I have good gaydar and can tell when people are crushing on others.” Katherina shrugged.

“Okay but, do you like me back?” Takahiro took Katherina’s hands into his own.

Katherina surprised Takahiro by throwing her arms around him. “Yes, of course. You know my patterns. Almost any other guy I date would be to fulfill a need. You already know what Satan and Nico were for. With you, there’s no need, more a want. To be with you. It took an embarrassingly long time to realize but I think after, well, Satan left to put it bluntly was what finally made me realize my feelings.”

“So are we-”

“If you want to.”

“Okay.”

They remained silently in each other's arms, neither wanting to be the ones to let go.

A deep and feminine voice called out to Takahiro. He couldn’t make out any of what they were saying until they got closer, the voice asking: “Did you guys fall asleep instead of-”

“Yes, yes, we did. Got a problem, Milena?” Katherina growled, half-awake.

Takahiro opened his eyes. They were still in each other’s arms partially, but Katherina began removing herself from Takahiro’s grasp. Milena briefly had raised eyebrows, but then it transitioned back into its usual, resting bitch face. They helped each other get up and pick up the blanket, wrapping it around each other.

“What did you wake us up for?” Takahiro yawned.

“They finished building the ship. We’re gonna do a test and then leave for the next planet.” Milena walked them back to the ship.

“Oh, shit really? What time is it now?” Takahiro looked at his watch. ‘3:29. Oh, shit.’

“We’ll be here for a few hours so you can go back to sleep. Everyone else is probably gonna be sleeping except for me, the pilot, and some builders.”

They made their way onto the ship. Past the entrance was a large circular room with a control panel and a massive window at the front. Co-workers of Takahiro and Katherina moved some furniture inside the ship, while others just brought in sleeping bags. They turned right, down a long hallway with multiple doors.

There was a large room of bunk beds, bathrooms and showers, a cafeteria, a medical center, a room with weapons, a room to board mini ships and, finally, a room for relaxation. Each room had the proper amenities needed, but Takahiro was too sluggish and tired to focus on the specifics. Finally though, they made it to the mysterious end of the hallway. There were two desks facing each other. There was another door behind it that led to a bedroom.

“And this back area is for you two to do… whatever you want. Just don’t be too loud, I’d like to pretend to not know what you get up to. I’m gonna go help with the lift-off. Talk to you later.” Milena fake gagged as she made her way out the room.

Takahiro and Katherina looked at each other before collapsing on the bed. It was very comfortable, enough for the both of them to tell they’d be back to sleep in minutes. They smiled at each other and gave each other a gentle kiss before they drifted off peacefully.