Stellar Hearts: Lost in Seoul

Chapter 23: "Home, Together"

Asa's POV

The stars blur outside the ship's windows, streaking into long lines as we break through the atmosphere, entering the vast expanse of space. The engines hum with a power I haven't heard in a long time. It's familiar. It's comforting. The coordinates are locked in. The path is set.

I'm going home.

The words echo in my head, but they don't bring the relief I thought they would. Maybe it's because I'm not alone on this journey anymore. Maybe it's because Chiquita is beside me.

I glance over at her, sitting beside me in the cockpit, her eyes wide with awe as she watches the stars. The faint glow of the console lights illuminates her face, making her look like she belongs in this world—this universe. Like she was meant to be here, with me.

I look at her again. This time, she meets my gaze and smiles, that mischievous, carefree smile that makes my chest tighten every time I see it.

"Wow," she says softly, her voice almost a whisper, as if she's afraid to break the magic of the moment. "Is it always like this?"

I nod, my throat tight. "It's... beautiful. But it's not as beautiful as you."

Her smile softens, and I swear I see her blush just a little. It's strange, how she can make my heart race so easily. But maybe it's not so strange. Not when I know that, even now, with only hours left before I have to leave this world for my own, I wouldn't change a thing.

"I should've told you sooner," I say, voice quiet but sure. "I was scared. Scared that if I let myself care, I'd never get the chance to show you how much you mean to me."

Chiquita's eyes soften. Her hand, so warm and steady, reaches out to grasp mine. "Asa... you're not the only one who was scared. But I'm glad you told me. I'm glad we didn't waste any more time pretending we didn't feel what we feel."

I don't know how to respond. I want to say so much more, but the words are trapped in my chest. I never thought I'd be able to share this part of me with someone—especially not someone like Chiquita. Someone so full of life, so full of light.

But she's here now. She's with me.

"We still have time," I whisper, my voice a little more fragile than I expected.

She looks at me, eyes shining. "Yeah. We do."

Chiquita's POV

The stars stretch out in front of me, a beautiful, infinite canvas. It's like something out of a dream. The kind of dream I never thought would come true. Yet, here I am, on a ship headed to a place I'll never truly understand, with a girl I never thought I'd fall for.

And now, it feels like I've found something in the vastness of space. Something that matters more than anything.

Asa is beside me, her hand in mine. Her touch is gentle, warm, and for once, I don't need anything else. Not the chaos of my life, not the excitement of another adventure, not even the flirty attention I'm so used to. All I want is this. Right here. With her.

"I'm not ready to let you go," I admit, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

She turns her head, her eyes wide and soft. "You won't have to."

I blink in surprise. "What do you mean?"

She takes a deep breath, her fingers curling tighter around mine. "I mean... I don't have to go back. Not yet. I can stay here with you. I'll find a way to stay."

My heart skips a beat. "But—your world... Your family..."

"They'll be fine," she interrupts softly. "I've spent so much time running from things. Running from myself, from my world, from the fear of being stuck in one place. But... with you, Chiquita, I don't feel that need anymore. I've found something better. I've found you."

Tears sting my eyes, and I swallow hard, trying to keep it together. "Asa, you can't—what about your people?"

She shakes her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "I don't need to go back. I've had my time in your world. I've learned so much. But you—" She pauses, her gaze locking with mine, her voice quieter now. "You're my home."

I don't know what I expected her to say, but it wasn't that. I feel my chest tighten with emotion. I've been scared to let myself fully fall for her, but now... now I can't imagine a life without her.

"You're sure?" I ask, my voice cracking slightly. "You don't want to go home? To your people?"

Asa's face softens, her lips curling into the smallest smile. "You're my home now. And that's all I need."

Asa's POV

Her words wash over me, a tidal wave of warmth and tenderness that sweeps away the fear and uncertainty I'd been holding onto. In the midst of everything—running, hiding, fearing the unknown—I hadn't realized that what I needed was already here. What I needed was Chiquita.

I lean closer to her, letting the moment wrap around us like a blanket. I don't know what the future holds—whether my world will ever let me go or if I'll have to live in hiding. But right now, all I care about is this moment. And in this moment, Chiquita is beside me.

The stars outside are beautiful, yes. But she is more.

"I'll never leave you," I whisper, my lips grazing her ear, the words coming out as a promise. "Not again."

She looks at me with those wide, sparkling eyes, her lips curling into a smile that takes my breath away. "You don't have to. I'm not letting you go, Asa."

I kiss her then. Soft at first, slow, like we're both afraid to rush this moment. To rush what we've finally found. But there's no need to rush. Not anymore.

We stay like that, wrapped up in each other, as the stars continue to streak across the sky. I don't know where the future will take us, but for the first time in my life, I don't feel alone. And that's enough for now.

Together.

That's all we need.