THE STARS IN YOUR EYES | JEONGCHAN

cinq

The astronaut presses a button on the console, and suddenly all of the armored plates making up the spaceship turn transparent. They're in a cloud right now, stuck inside the thick smog of GB86's atmosphere, but Jeongin is gleeful all the same.

He turns, grinning wide, "Thank you—wait. I don't know your name."

The astronaut smiles. It's breathtaking, full of straight teeth and full lips and deep dimples. Jeongin wants to remember that smile forever— the first smile he's seen in years.

"Chan."

Jeongin sticks out his hand. The astronaut takes it hesitantly, his palms flinchingly cold again. "Hi, Chan. Thank you for taking me." His grip is good, nice and firm. Jeongin's dad would have been proud.

"How could I say no?" He wanders off, back to Jeongin as he looks out the window. Jeongin doesn't press.

Instead, he presses his fingertips against the compacted glass of another window, his plans leaving smudges on the clear surface. Dark purplish grey, the smog surrounds the ship.

But then it clears up.

Thousands of iridescent stars fill Jeongin's vision. Glinting against the endless black of the universe, they stretch on, endless. White and pink and blue and green, they are far more beautiful than Jeongin's ever imagined.

He turns around, noticing Chan against the other wall. The stars silhouette his face, all broad nose and thick lips. Jeongin thinks he's stunning.

But when Chan turns towards him, and smiles that dimpled grin again, Jeongin can't help but run towards him. Into his arms. Towards his lips, tantalizingly plump.