Nemui Ventosa stood atop a crumbling rooftop, the city of Windsea sprawled out beneath him. The stars stretched above like a large, shimmering blanket- vast and eternal- so different from the decaying city below.

Even so, Nemui loved Windsea. He loved the freedom the city offered, even if it was a crumbling, rotten mess. He took a deep breath, the cold air cutting across his face. Up here, it almost felt like he could forget what he was, the monster he hid under the cloak of leaves he draped over his arms.

The city lights flickered like dying embers down the streets below. It reminded him of his brothers- bright, burning and far away. His brothers were everything to him. Family was everything. He stayed for them, for hope. For the dream that maybe, just maybe, they were looking for him too.

He shifted his weight, sitting down on the ledge. His fingertips brushed against the worn tiles beside him, steadying himself so he wouldn't slip.

The stars were beautiful tonight, brighter than he'd ever seen them. He smiled faintly. Aurelian had always said that there was no need to stare at them, they were cold and useless. Atsu just ignored him, rolling his eyes whenever Nemui spoke of them. Nemui still believed they were beautiful, all the same.

A scuff of shoes against tiles made his body tense instinctively, tightening his cape around himself. Nemui didn't move, didn't breathe, listening.

Someone else was climbing the rooftop.

They weren't careful, he could hear the awkward scramble, the way their breath hitched as they nearly slipped. Nemui tilted his head, holding back a small laugh. If they meant him harm, they were terrible at hiding it.

Finally, he turned.

The figure froze when their eyes met. They were small, he could see it in the dark, with messy hair and a telescope clutched in their hands. Not a soldier. Not an assassin.

A stargazer. Like him.

Nemui's red eyes softened, something... new... blooming in his chest.

Perhaps it was foolish, perhaps it was fate...

Perhaps it was love.