Constellations Strung With a Shooting Star | Sherliam

Chapter One

Bright yet firm green eyes gaze upon the sight in front of them, observations and questions running through them at an immense rate. Within moments, the owner of those eyes takes a breath before speaking.

"... I see. It's not an illness, is it?"

"No, of course not. If illnesses were like this, people would pray to have one," William chuckles lightly, "I was born with it, and it does not concern my health or wellbeing."

"Then why do you hide it with bandages like that?"

The blond can't help but laugh again. The cherry on top was that Albert's tone made it clear that he had a good idea pertaining to the reason.

"With my plans for the future of this nation and how the ending will go, I see no reason to let it show, no matter what. There is a reason why it exists," he hums, glancing back at it again. The brunet behind him makes a small hum of a noise to indicate that he'd like the younger to explain. So he does.

"I'm sure that you're well aware of the concept of soulmates, correct?" He earns a nod. "That's what this is. It's a rather obscure way of it happening, but there is written folklore of it. Louis and I read about it a while ago in that abandoned library.

"Somewhere else in this world, there is someone who has the exact same thing as I, in the same pattern, size, and design. The only difference is that it's on the other side of their body. Besides that, they are exactly identical. But it cannot be a distraction, so I cover it for no one to see. To everyone apart from Louis, and now you, the bandages cover a scar I've had since birth."

"That's rather unfortunate," the emerald eyed teen replies with a click to his tongue and a small frown, "you were born lucky enough to have a soulmate, although your decision for fate is different. Whoever she is, I do feel rather sorry for her."

"I do as well. I did take that into consideration, but I'm afraid that the fate and future of hundreds is more important than my own." William sighs, staring at it a little more. Taking in every detail, down to the very way it angled across his skin in such an intricate and nearly dazzling way.

Across the left side of his back, his skin was etched with natural engravings of a very special soulmate mark. It resembled constellations within the night sky, the stars connected by thin but visible lines to resemble a vague, unnamed shape. It was a real constellation that could be made out of the stars, and William had seen it inscribed into a book he read long ago.

The mark was not flat, either. It popped out of his skin, so if one were to run their hand along it, it would feel bumpy. And its color was a deep shade of aegean, becoming quite noticeable when not covered. Although clothes would do a decent job in covering them, it was more secure to wrap it in bandages.

"I'm sure that she would understand if she knew," Albert nods once, smiling in a soft manner once again, "so.... Why is this important to me? What made you want to show me this?"

"You're my brother, of course," William returns the exact same smile, and he begins wrapping the bandages back to their previous state around it, "since Louis already knows, I figured you should as well. I couldn't dream of keeping even something as insignificant as this away from you." He pulls his shirt back on, buttoning it up.

"I... I am honored," the brunet's features soften up a bit more, "I'm very touched that you feel comfortable enough to share this with me." He pauses, some thoughts clearly running through his mind. The younger brother could read them with ease just by watching and calculating, but he still would let Albert gather his words and speak them.

"In... In that case, I suppose now is an appropriate time to actually exchange a very familiar piece of information," a soft chuckle flows from his throat, as he pulls up his left sleeve.