Two kingdoms had stood side by side for centuries, separated by a river and countless disagreements. Wars had come and gone, treaties had been broken, yet neither nation had ever truly fallen. To finally end the rivalry, a royal marriage had been arranged. Prince Luka’s older brother would marry Princess Lyra, Astro’s older sister. Nobles called it a historic union. The princes called it exhausting. Astro had always loved the night. With black hair, deep red eyes, and a quiet presence, he’d often escape to the royal gardens and lose himself beneath the moon and endless stars. Understanding people had always been difficult. Expressing what he felt was even harder. Because of that strange mindset, Astro wasn’t very sensitive. A burn felt no worse than a paper cut. A paper cut barely registered. Even punches, kicks, and deep cuts rarely caused him much pain. Luka, however, was the complete opposite. With messy blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a smile that came naturally, he adored the daytime and cloudless skies. He said exactly what he thought without a filter, no matter how embarrassing or reckless it sounded. Unlike Astro, Luka felt everything intensely. The slightest scratch stung, the cold bit harder, and emotions seemed impossible to hide. Somehow, he managed anyway. They couldn’t have been more different, yet both quietly noticed the other’s unusual nature whenever they met. On a warm Friday evening, as the wedding celebrations echoed through the palace, both princes slipped away from the crowded ballroom. By pure coincidence, they found the same lonely bench in the gardens. Neither spoke at first. Astro watched the first stars appear while Luka admired the blazing sunset painting the sky in gold and crimson. “Beautiful,” Luka whispered. Astro nodded. “It is.” They had met several times before, exchanging little more than polite greetings. Yet tonight felt different. The fading sunlight softened Luka’s smile while the first stars reflected in Astro’s crimson eyes. Neither could look away. “Can I do something reckless?” Luka asked quietly. Astro tilted his head. “Probably.” Luka laughed before leaning closer. After only a brief hesitation, Astro closed the remaining distance himself. Their lips met beneath the glowing sunset, alone with nobody watching. No guards. No expectations. Just two princes following what their hearts had wanted from the very beginning. When they finally pulled apart, Luka couldn’t stop smiling. Astro looked back toward the night sky, though for the first time, the stars weren’t the most beautiful thing in front of him.