All I Have Are the Stars

Chapter One - That Same Night

"I tell the stars about you." Ashlynn broke the silence after they had both been staring at the sky for an ungodly amount of time. She kept her fixed gaze on heaven's windows, not daring to ruin what she'd just said. No turning back now.

"What?" Noah was taken aback by this sudden statement, but was more amused then surprised. He chuckled breathlessly, keeping his eyes on the stars as well.

"I come to this exact clearing in the woods each night to ramble to the only ones who will listen." She smiled up at them, winking, as if they could wink back. Noah pointed to a cluster right above them, then another, then trailed his finger along the sky.

"That's Lynx, and over there is Leo. Do they gossip about what you say about me? Or are they quietly laughing at how ridiculous you are?"

Ashlynn couldn't help but laugh, breaking the hold the stars had on her eyes. She looked over to him, but only a moment, to see his smile which was almost battling in radiance with the stars and moon themselves. Noah looked to her as well, turning his head in the damp grass to meet her eyes before they could escape. They enjoyed the site almost as much as the stars above them, before they both couldn't hold in their giggles. She turned back to the sight above, watching a shooting star grace the sky. Her face was full of wonder at the celestial phenomena before them, but his was full of admiration for the only girl who appreciated the stars as much as him. A few more flew past, and then more, before a whole shower of them blessed the world with the wishes they granted. Her eyes were opened as much as they could, reflecting the heavenly sight. She tried to absorb it, to capture it for as long as she could.

"Noah, this sight is absolutely wonderful." She whispered, as if to not scare it away.

"It truly is." He spoke, still facing towards her.

Ashlynn looked to him, surprised and a bit flustered, but smiled anyway. He moved so his whole body was facing her, as if this was the only chance he had.

"I mean the stars, Noah, the actual heavens are spilling into the mortal plane and you haven't even seen the best part!" She exclaimed, still looking towards him.

"But your expression is a once in a lifetime sight as well." He smiled, unmoving to witness what was above.

Her face warmed before she turned her body towards him as well, taking one last picture in her mind of the sky. They dove into each other's eyes as the heavens dove into the realm of humans. More and more stars flew past as they inched closer and closer to one another. Their noses were almost touching as they laughed quietly at nothing.

"Lynn, I know you and I have both known this for a while, but I love you." He spoke with his heart as her smile grew. She was about to speak when she looked to the sky to be greeted by a pure white light. It got larger as she sat up, eyes wide with fear. Noah looked as well to see fire. Fire in the sky. Falling. Ashlynn screamed before the trees next to them caught a spark and exploded in endless flames. It spread too fast for them to run. They engulfed the ground before trailing up Ashlynn's legs, then torso, down her arms. Noah shouted. And screamed. And tried to reach for her. Only he was stuck. And silent. The flames took her away from him, into the white she went.

He woke up screaming, slamming his head into the wall behind his bed. Cradling his skull, he caught his breath before searching frantically for his flask. And that special bottle of ground fairy bones. He got up from his bed, half naked, drunkenly searching for the only two things which brought him any source of joy. Hobbling to his desk, he shoved the papers and books off, which littered the ground and left him with another chore Sober Noah had to do. He opened every cabinet and drawer in his small cabin. Raided every trashcan and nook at which he hid money. He even lifted up the creaky floorboards which he had never done before.

He searched everywhere, but alas, he couldn't find the only things which let him see his beloved Ashlynn again, even if for a few moments. Even if it was the same scene over and over. Even if he could only relive memories again and again. He could see, hold, touch, embrace his one and only. He looked up from the floorboards to see a window in his kitchen open. Swearing to himself, he sprinted outside shirtless, ready to kill whoever decided to steal his happiness. The sun was about to rise, yet a few stars still lulled in the sky, too lazy to leave. He looked up at them, his temper relieving a little. He looked to find Lynx and Cassiopeia, her two favorites, and spoke to them like she used to.

"Lynx, please, help me find whoever stole her away. Please." A sob escaped, and he collapsed in the dirt, face in hands. "Please, I need her, please Cassiopeia, I love her."

He murmured more pleads to the celestial beings who brought them together and then tore them apart. His sobs quieted as he drifted into a restless fit of sleep in the soft earth which gave him the best and worst memories of his life. A life he meant to share with her.