crispynightmaremagazine

"Oh I don't normally use AI, I just wanted it to plan my trip"

You lived on this planet for decades, you know what you like, there are hundreds of websites where you can type into any search engine " things to do in [area]" and have at least a hundred different options.

"Oh I only use it so I can figure out what to make during the week with what I have"

The most popular website as you type in "recipes" into google have sections where you click dinner- quick and easy and those usually rely on staples + 1 or 2 items. I found 30 recipes on chicken alone.

"I had a writing idea, so I typed a few sentences into Chat GPT and I was able to write 20 pages with it."

So many of us Deepspace Hunters were waiting and excited to explore his story. We want to hear his story. Give us Valko. We still want Valko.

You sat quietly on the edge of the bed, your hands folded tightly in your lap. Your eyes never left Valko. His back faced you as he moved around the room. His bright red hair caught the afternoon light pouring through the curtains, glowing almost warmly despite how cold everything felt.  Every now and then, he'd hum under his breath, a habit of his whenever he was concentrating. It was the same absentminded tune he'd hum while cooking, while working, while clinging to you from behind because he decided personal space was a nonexistent. And normally, it would've made you smile.

But today only made your chest ache as you watched him fold another shirt, then another. Every item he packed felt like another reminder that he was leaving.

Your vision blurred and you blinked rapidly. No. Don't cry. Not yet. He still hadn't turned around. So you bit your lip so hard it almost hurt. A tear slipped down anyway. Then another. You hurriedly wiped them away with the sleeve of your sweater before more could follow, lowering your head so he wouldn't notice.

He kept packing. Completely unaware. "...Love?" His voice was gentle. "So sorry, could you hand me the things on the counter?" You inhaled sharply. "Okay." Your voice came out embarrassingly small. You stood up anyway, quickly dragging the heels of your palms beneath your eyes before walking toward the counter. His watch. Wallet. His glasses. You gathered everything carefully. Another shaky breath. Don't cry. Please don't cry.

You walked back over, stopping just behind him. He still hadn't turned around. "...Here." You held the items out. He reached back without looking then his fingers brushed yours. And instead of taking the things. His hand wrapped around your wrist. Your breath caught and before you could react, he tugged. A soft yelp escaped you as your body stumbled forward. Straight into him. The items nearly slipped from your hands. His arms were already around you, strong, warm, secure.

He buried his face against your shoulder, holding you so tightly it almost hurt. "...I know." Two words. That was all it took and something inside you shattered. A broken sob ripped from your throat before you could stop it. Your hands flew to the front of his shirt, fists clutching the fabric desperately as tears poured freely down your cheeks.

"No." Another sob. "No..." You hit his chest, not hard but just enough to vent the overwhelming ache threatening to suffocate you. "I don't want you to go!" Another punch. "I don't want you to leave!" Your fists kept landing weakly against him. Again, and again and again. "I hate this!" Thump. "You're leaving me!" Thump. "I don't want you to go..." Your voice cracked so badly the words dissolved into sobs. "You promised to stay forever!" You buried your face against him, clutching his shirt so tightly your knuckles turned white. "Please..." Another broken sob. "Please don't go..."

Valko didn't move away. Didn't stop you. Didn't let go. He simply held you tighter. One hand slid up to cradle the back of your head while the other rubbed slow circles against your trembling back. "I'm sorry..." His own voice sounded quieter now. "I'm so, so sorry." He pressed his forehead against your hair. "I know." A kiss landed gently on top of your head. "I know, sweetheart." Another trembling apology. "I'm sorry."

Your fists had weakened into desperate grips, fingers twisting helplessly into the front of his shirt. "You don't have to go..." You could barely get the words out between sobs. "You don't..." His embrace tightened. "If I could stay..." He swallowed. "I would." You shook your head violently. Then his voice cracked just enough for you to hear it. "But I can't." You cried harder. He whispered it against your hair. "I love you." Another kiss. "I love you so much." Your fingers only clenched tighter. "I'm sorry."

His hand continued stroking your back, slow and comforting despite the way your body shook uncontrollably against him. "I'm sorry I have to leave." Another broken sob escaped you. "I don't want to let go..." "You don't have to." He answered immediately. "So don't." His chin rested gently atop your head. "We'll stay like this for a little longer." He closed his eyes, holding you as though committing the feeling to memory. "I've got you." Another soft kiss. "I'm sorry."

And all you could do was cry into the arms of the man you loved, wishing that if you held him tightly enough. Maybe the world would stop asking him to leave.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2026°