“You fell in love with someone, didn’t you?”

Doe eyes met with almond ones. Neither were backing down with each other’s gaze. They were at an impasse.

After a while, Soonyoung finally answered. “I did,” he simply stated.

His then chest tightened, constricting in pain as if someone was desperately clawing at his insides and trying to rip out his heart. Complicated emotions flickered in his eyes. Although he had already expected it, getting the answer from Soonyoung’s lips still stunned him in silence.

He stared at the silver haired, his thoughts in a mess.

‘He seriously did fall in love…’ he pondered, his heart slightly breaking.

A wry smile then stretched across his lips. It was a little ironic that he wished to confess to the one he loves and that same person was the one helping him to fulfill it. And now, quite unexpectedly, said person also fell in love. Wasn’t this some kind of caustic cycle? This twist and turns of fate was definitely unamusing for Seungcheol. Somehow he felt like life was candidly toying with him.

He looked away from those familiar obsidian orbs and closed his eyes. He pursed his lips, reeling in all the courage that he has. He then met the other’s gaze again and cautiously asked, “with whom?” his voice not above a whisper.

The silver haired simply grinned. He shook his head and turned away, his arms wrapping around himself. “I fell in love,” he started, clearly not bothering to answer. Seungcheol couldn’t help but frown at the other’s avoidance. Soonyoung had a rueful look on his face. “I fell in love and gave wholly my heart,” he continued. He stared at Seungcheol and then sighed. “And because of that I’m fading…”

Seungcheol furrowed his brows. It was the second time Soonyoung had mentioned fading. He tilted his head to the side and pursed his lips, feeling terribly unsettled.

“By fading do you mean…?” he drawled out, his tone probing. Soonyoung nodded his head, the tips of his lips slightly curved upwards. His almond eyes were filled with a deep sorrow that painfully tugged at Seungcheol’s heartstrings. “For a star to fade is the same as a star on its way to death,” the silver haired continued. “My life essence is diminishing, my little Coups,” he told him, his eyes sad. “The very core of my existence is waning day by day, slowly returning to the universe.”

Hearing that, Seungcheol’s heart sank. “D-d-dying?” he stuttered, not believing what he had just heard. He stared, wide eyes, at the silver haired. “Y-you’re dying?” he asked, still in disbelief.

He obviously didn’t want to believe it. He had lost Soonyoung – when he was Hoshi – and now that his memories had finally returned and the silver haired had also come back, fate was trying to tear them apart. “The hands of fate is truly cruel,” Seungcheol ruefully mumbled. He shook his head and gazed at his reflection, sensibly helpless. “Is there any other way?” he then asked, his eyes returning to the silver haired. “Is there any other way to save you?” he probed, determination gradually building up inside of him.

Even if it was futile, Seungcheol still wanted to try; he’d even cross the universe just to save Soonyoung. He grasped his fists and pursed his lips. “Is there any other way to save you?” he repeated, his voice firmer and more determined.

The silver haired gazed at him, his almond eyes flickering with intense emotions. His gaze was scrutinizing, studying Seungcheol closely and fervently. Resolute to save the star, Seungcheol didn’t stray his eyes away. He returned the gaze, determination and anxiety burning inside of him.

Soonyoung’s lips then quirked. He nodded his head and told him,” there i