#arctic asks

“Mom, I’m gonna be late!” Scott groaned. His mother had insisted on taking multiple pictures of him before he left. She never seemed to run out of different things for him to do.

“Just one more-” She began. Scott interrupted her with a second groan. “Well, if you don’t want pictures taken, don’t dress up in such a cute costume!”

“It is literally a costume party, Mom. And how is this cute?” He gestured to himself. His friend Lizzie was hosting another one of her Costume Parties. As a starborn, Scott often had more trouble making a costume than he liked to admit.

This time around, he decided to go as a scaly sea-creature. He’d gotten a lot of help from Lizzie, who was an axolotl sea-creature herself. He had gone for a blue-green color scheme. He had a long tail, and was covered head to toe in scales.

His small ring of stars above his head were moving in a smooth and gentle motion, but were bopping enough to reveal he was irritated.

“Mom! No. More. Pictures! I have to go!” Scott huffed, pushing out of the way. Lizzie was going to kill him. He hated being late to things. It always made him feel like he was being rude.

His mom sighed. “Fine, fine. Call me if you need anything! If something goes wrong, head outside. Remember-”

“Spiral once, you might be done. Spiral twice, say your goodbyes. Yes, yes, Mom, I know!” Scott said while heading out the door. It was the mantra of starborns, granted not a very good one. “I’ll be fine!”

“Love you!” His mom called out as he raced across the yard. Lizzie’s house was a 20 minute walk. 15 minutes if he ran. He was going to be incredibly late.

“Love you too, bye!” He called over his shoulder.

Eventually, Scott reached Lizzie’s. As he suspected, he appeared to be one of the last people to arrive. If not the last person.

He takes the steps of her porch two at a time, and knocks on the door in ‘Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?’ fashion. He braces himself, prepared for Lizzie to open the door.

To his surprise (and relief) it isn’t his pink-haired friend who answers. Rather, it’s his red-haired friend Gem. She’s wearing an awesome pirate costume, and Scott can’t help but grin. Looks like he wasn’t the only one who went aquatic.

Her costume is mainly top heavy, with her being a centaur. She’s wearing a teal button-up shirt and dark blue jacket. Around her middle, she has a brown belt. In her hair, below her antlers, she has a blue headband tied up.

What really catches Scott’s attention is the single brown glove on her left hand. “Hey!” He says, slightly out of breath. “What’s…uh…with the glove?” Gem flashes him a wicked grin.

“That’s not important.” She smirks. “Why on earth are you so late?” Scott groans, and Gem moves aside to let him in.

“My mom…she wouldn’t let me catch a break. It was picture after picture after-” Scott cut off, feeling the blood drain from his face. What he saw was…terryfing, if he was being honest.

When Gem catches sight of his expression, she sighs. “Yeah…I had the same reaction.” Because this party wasn’t just creatures. Or rather, it wasn’t just creatures and Joel, Lizzie’s secret boyfriend.

Joel was there, of course. Chatting with Lizzie, no surprise. He was dressed up in a purple button up with gold buttons, fancy black pants, a green sash, and a crown. Dressed up like the king he thought he was.

Lizzie had on beautiful pink wings and a flower crown, alongside an elegant and mystical pink dress. The pink complimented her blue skin, gills, and tail nicely. Lizzie was an axolotl-based creature dressed as a fairy.

Now, the issue wasn’t Joel. It wasn’t unusual, since the two started dating, to see him at these. What was alarming was the many people–the many humans–that Scott didn’t recognize at the party.

Chatting with Grian, who had decorated his avianary features to look like a chicken (and was wearing a chicken mask) was a boy in a wheelchair, dressed up in a gray and white cat costume.

Talking ecstatically by the drinks were a girl and boy. The girl was wearing a red hood and had a basket with a little toy dog in it. Probably going as Little Red Riding Hood, if Scott had to guess. The boy was in a giant cookie costume…he couldn’t help but wonder if that was planned or not.

Goofing off together by the snack table were two people who Scott knew definitely planned their costumes to match. Either that, or they both happened to be wearing costumes that looked exactly the same.

They were both wearing light beige jumpsuits, with red name tags Scott’s couldn’t read from where he was. They each had matching backpacks, with a vacuum-like machine attached.

One of them had short black hair and bright blue eyes that seemed to match his grin. The other had short brown hair and black eyes that seemed to be in deep thought, despite his own smile.

The one thing they all had in common? They were all humans.

“Why…don’t tell me Lizzie did what I think she did.” Scott said, feeling a little dizzy. He was about 5 minutes into this party and already on the verge of a spiral. Gem scoffed.

“Well that would be lying.” Gem sighed. “Lizzie is hosting a party with creatures…and humans.” 

She looks around the room, as if searching for someone. “And look…one is even wearing the same costume as me!” Scott followed her gaze, and froze.

Sure enough, the one other human Scott recognized was in what appeared to be a pirate costume. He was in a white shirt, brown, sleeveless jacket, green shorts, sandals, had a green belt around his waist, and even had a black bandana. 

Scott’s heart picked up speed. Because at this party was Martyn. The two had been friends for years, but the last time they saw each other face to face was when they were 9. 

Since being caught hanging out and being forced to never see each other, the two had been secretly chatting online in any way they could.

And Martyn happened to be Scott’s longest lasting crush. As in, he had other crushes in the past, but the one he had on Martyn never went away, even if he was interested in other people. Scott felt dizzy. He didn’t have to look to figure out that his stars were starting to spin abnormally fast.

It wasn’t until Gem stilled one of his stars–causing a slight nauseous feeling–that Scott realized he was staring. The look Gem gave him was an extremely disappointed one. “Well, who wore it better?”

Scott mentally shook himself. “You, obviously.” He wasn’t even lying. Both costumes were good, but Gem’s was better quality. 

“Right…hope you're not doing what I think you’re doing, because Mr. Pirate is coming this way.” Gem said, sounding slightly bitter. Scott’s heartbeat went up to space, and he whipped his head towards Martyn.

Sure enough, he was walking towards them, a hesitant but seemingly hopeful smile on his face. Scott could feel heat rising in his cheeks. He could also feel Gem glaring at him. “You're doing exactly what I think you're doing.” She grumbled.

Once Martyn reached them, he offered a small wave. Gem was not too keen on returning it, but his gaze was laser focused on Scott. Which was making it hard for him to breathe. When his hello was met with silence, Martyn’s smile faltered.

It killed Scott to see that happen. Although he wouldn’t be shocked if Gem reveled in it.

“Hey, Martyn!” Scott blurted out, his voice cracking and betraying his nerves. Martyn’s entire being changed when Scott said his name. His eyes lit up, his shoulders slumped with relief, and his falling away smile came back as an ear to ear grin.

“Oh thank void, it actually is you.” Martyn laughed, running a hand through his messy blonde hair. “I got so scared. I mean, I thought it was you but I wasn’t a hundred percent certain because it’s been so long and–I–ah jeez, I’m rambling.” He wasn’t, really, but his nerves were helping Scott’s nerves.

Suddenly, Martyn pulled him into a tight hug. On instinct, Scott returned it. He loved hugs, although he wasn’t used to not being the one initiating. It felt nice. When the two boys broke away, Scott knew his grin matched Martyn’s.

There was a slight moment of awkward tension where the two just grinned at each other. Scott didn’t know what else to do. Crush aside, he was standing in front of one of his friends that he hadn’t heard or seen in years. He had no idea how to act.

So he just laughed. Gem was looking at him like he had lost his mind, (he probably had) but Martyn started laughing right alongside him. “It has been a while, huh?” Scott said between giggles.

When Martyn had caught his breath, he joked, “Just a little while.” Gem chose that moment to clear her throat, reminding the boys that she was standing there, watching their exchange.

Scott’s face was probably reddening, since he knew that, to Gem, his emotions were as clear as the moon in the night sky. Martyn, on the other hand, looked Gem up and down before sighing.

“Please tell me that is not what I think it is.” He asked. Gem scoffed.

“I’m a pirate! What are you?” Gem countered. She knew damn well what Martyn was, she had literally told Scott earlier. That wasn’t going to stop her from asking, though. She tended to be passive aggressive. 

Martyn let out an awkward laugh. “Well, one of us is going to have to change.”

“And it won’t be me.” Gem huffed.

Scott glanced nervously between the two pirates. Martyn had an uneasy smile on his face, and Gem was practically glaring at him.

Thank god for Jimmy materializing next to them. “Hi guys!” He said. His costume involved some sort of green, knock off superman getup. And a beige head that almost resembled a…

“Jimmy, are you a cod?” Scott said, trying to hold back a laugh. 

“I’m the Codfather!” Jimmy declared far too proudly. Slowly, Scott watched in real time as the realization of all of their costumes fell on them.

“Wait…wait a minute…” Martyn said through already bubbling up laughter.

“Oh god.” Gem and Scott said in unison, equally horrified.

“How have we done this?!” Jimmy practically shouted.

They all had something to do with the ocean. They had created an unintentional theme for their costumes.

“This feels like the start of a really bad joke.” Scott said. Martyn’s eyes lit up.

“Oh my god, yeah!” A devilish grin spread across his face. “Two pirates, a fish, and a sea monster walk into a bar…”

“The bartender sighs and tells them that he’ll take their order: just no fishy business!” He finished. Jimmy and Scott chuckled, although Gem looked far from amused.

“You are all so weird.” She said with an eye roll, wandering off to do who knows what.

Scott took a closer look at Jimmy. “Honestly, impressed you were able to go down the aquatic route with your wings.”

Jimmy beamed and Martyn nodded. “Yeah, the wings should not work, how have you done that?”

The canary-based avianary was now bouncing up and down. “They work? Really? You mean it?” His head whipped towards Scott for confirmation.

“Annoyingly, they do. They absolutely shouldn’t but they do.” It was true. The golden feathers of Jimmy’s wings complimented his costume nicely, despite not being something that should be a part of a cod.

“I think it’s the color? It compliments it nicely.” Martyn added. Jimmy was practically wiggling with pleasure. He didn’t get this kind of positive attention often, so Scott knew he was basking in it.

There was an awkward pause in the conversation, followed up by Joel and Grian sneaking up on Jimmy.

“HEY!” The canary-coded avian shouted. The other two boys scrambled off, Jimmy now chasing after them. Which left Scott and Martyn alone.

Scott definitely wasn’t freaking out internally.

“You okay? Your stars are spinning like nuts.” Of course Martyn noticed.

Scott let out a weak laugh. “Yeah, just…excited? I guess? I don’t know…I mean, I’m not used to not knowing everyone at a party.” It was the truth. Despite being unfamiliar with most humans his age, when it came to creatures, Scott knew practically everyone.

That didn’t mean he was friends with all of them, but know them he did. It helped in more situations than one might think, especially since he didn’t have any negative relationships.

“Well, I can introduce you to some folks, maybe?” Martyn said. He started to walk to the snack table, gesturing for Scott to follow. With nothing better to do, he did.

They approached the two matching boys, Scott trailing after Martyn like a comet stuck in his gravity. Martyn grinned and waved at them, while Scott tried his best to hide.

“Hey Martyn!” The brown haired boy said with a wave. The black haired boy decided to zero in on Scott.

“Heyo, new person!” He said far too loud for Scott’s comfort. “Name’s Skizz, this here is Dipple Dop–”

“Noooo I’m not.” ‘Dipple Dop’ said with a huff. He nudged Skizz, muttering, “Also, maybe we don’t pressure the kid who is clearly nervous into having a conversation?”

Martyn scoffed. “Since when does Skizz do the thing he’s supposed to do?” 

“HEY!” Skizz yelled, swatting at Martyn while the other boys laughed. “YOU SHUT UP.” 

Martyn and Skizz started bickering, and Scott felt himself shrink a little. Without Martyn to be a sort of barrier, he wasn’t sure how to approach ‘Dipple Dop’, who he apparently didn’t even know the real name of.

It was weird, being this nervous at a party. At Lizzie’s house, the place he associated with feeling confident and free. It was weird, and he didn’t like it.

But the only way to remove that feeling was to try and face his fear.

Luckily, ‘Dipple Dop’ seemed willing to at least start them off. “So…what’s your name, man? I like the costume!” He said with a smile. Compared to his companion’s wild grin and spirit, he seemed pretty…calm.

It made things a little easier. Scott thought out his words carefully, feeling confident enough in the stranger’s patience to take his time. “Thank you! I’m Scott. What’s your name? Since your friend is apparently a liar?”

The calm smile transformed into a wicked grin, before falling into a smirk. “He’s known for being ridiculous, at least. I’m Impulse, which is weird considering I’m typically the voice of reason around my friends.”

“Especially him?” Scott asked, gesturing over to Skizz. Impulse laughed, but Scott’s movement brought the louder boys’ attention back to them.

“Oh yeah, Skizz is incredibly impulsive. It’s truly ironic.” Impulse drawled. Skizz swung at him, and he started laughing.

“YOU TAKE THAT BACK!” Skizz shouted, and Impulse ran off to dodge another attack. Scott watched them both scamper off to do who knows what.

He had gotten a bit of whiplash from that. It had been such a short conversation…

But he did feel a bit better.

Once again, he found himself alone with Martyn. Who was studying him, trying to be subtle and failing miserably.

Scott smiled. He could tell Martyn was watching him, even without turning around. “Need something, Martyn?” He could sense Martyn stiffening.

“Ah, nah.” Turning around, Scott spotted Martyn rubbing the back of his neck, his face pinker than before. “Was just wondering how you were feeling and all.”

“Oh yeah? Well, you’ll be happy to know that I feel better now.” Scott said with a grin. Was he leaving out how much better? Yes, but that wasn’t the point.

Martyn lit up. “Yes!” He made a small cheering tune, then paused. “Oh my god, that sounded like a chest opening up in Zelda or something.” Scott lost it.

“You just had a side quest to make me happier and got your reward.” Scott teased, and Martyn laughed alongside him.

“I did it, folks! I brightened the Smajor!” He said in a protagonist-esque voice. Scott felt a sudden rush of emotions. The memories of the past years flooded him from the use of that nickname.

It was stupid. But that goddamn nickname reminded him of just how long it’d been since he had seen Martyn.

He had seen that word, ‘Smajor’, written out on phone after phone, website after website, app after app. He had seen that word, said that word out loud. But when was the last time he had heard it? 

An unwanted and familiar emotion took over Scott. He had the sudden urge to just…touch Martyn. He hadn’t been able to do so for years. This was the first time in so long that they were seeing each other in person.

He needed proof. Physical proof. He needed to hear Martyn’s voice, feel him next to him, see him at all times. He needed–

Scott fought back the urge to reach out and grab Martyn’s hand, or trace his face, or play with his hair. He was known for physical affection, but no one really knew just how deep it ran. How he was practically dependent on it.

He had this battle with himself almost on the daily, but the need was amplified after years of physical absence from the person in question.

Martyn was watching him again. Scott’s hands were twitching, wanting to reach out. “You sure you're okay, Scott?” Martyn asked, body suddenly tense.

“Not even close.” Scott’s voice sounded strained even to his own ears. He watched as Martyn’s face dissolved into concern. His typical need to make sure people were happy was drowned out by the need for physical touch.

It was odd, he knew. Being a starborn, Scott shouldn’t have felt such a strong need for attention. Starborn were solitary beings, spending their days and nights alone. But most starborn lived in space, travelling the galaxy.

It was probably to be expected that the starborn boy who grew up on one planet would act differently than most of his planet-hopping species.

“What’s wrong, Scott? What do you need?” Martyn’s voice cut through Scott’s thoughts. He was aware, vaguely, that his stars might have sped up. But since he was feeling something more close to desperation than panic, he suspected that they might actually be flipping upside down.

How unfortunate that this would be happening around Scott’s ONE FRIEND WHO LOOKED INTO STAR LANGUAGE.

It was no wonder Martyn asked what he needed, since he probably had a sense of Scott’ inner turmoil. Speaking of what Martyn has asked…

“I need…need…” Scott tried to put it into words, this indescribable urge to pull Martyn as tight as possible, reassuring himself that he was right in front of him. 

Martyn waited patiently as Scott struggled to form a comprehensible sentence. “Need to…” He made a frustrated sound, practically exhausting himself with the effort of trying to speak.

“Can I give you a hug?” Martyn asked him softly. Somehow, that was enough to help Scott find the words he was lacking.

“YES. Oh, void, yes, I–I want to know your real. I need to feel that you're real.” Scott babbled, practically vibrating with his desperation.

Martyn blinked. “Aaaw, Scott…of course I’m real. Always have been, unless I missed something.” He joked. Scott just took his hand in his own, fidgeting with his fingers, tracing his palm.

He heard Martyn suck in a sharp breath. When he looked up, the boy was staring at him, wide eyed, chest rising and falling abnormally quickly.

“Is this okay?” Scott asked, worried. “I can stop if–” Martyn shook his head rapidly.

“No! No.” He insisted. “I mean, if this is what you need right now. A–and I don’t mind. At all.” A notable blush had begun to spread across Martyn’s face, and Scott’s heart skipped a beat.

Slowly, Scott worked his way up Martyn’s arm, calming himself down. He traced Martyn’s face a little, and watched as his friend’s face darkened from pink to red. 

“Are you sure this is–” Scott began, but Martyn leaned into the touch in response, eyes fluttering closed. A galaxy of affection was thriving in Scott’s heart, relief hitting him like a comet. The two insistent aches in him, to make people happy and to hold them close, were both being satisfied.

Martyn made a soft sound when Scott gave in to the impulse of burying his head in the other boy’s chest, and Scott found himself mimicking it, feeling shaky and warm.

It had been a while since a friend let him do this. Last he could think of was Lizzie, letting him hold her during a harsh week of studying at school, when both of them had been exhausted.

Even then, Scott had held Lizzie. Right now, though, Martyn’s arms wrapped around Scott, Scott’s hand drifting down to rest against his heart. It felt good, safe even. A few slightly embarrassing sounds escaped him.

And then he realized that Martyn’s heart was absolutely pounding against his palm, his chest rising and falling as fast as lightspeed. Scott attempted to pull away, thinking he was probably overwhelming Martyn, but his friend tightened his grip.

“Martyn…” Scott’s tone is caught between warning and worry. Martyn makes a disgruntled sound but lets go.

“Fine, fine, leave me! See if I care!” He scoffed teasingly, but Scott wasn’t really paying attention. He was more worried about his friend’s racing heart. That definitely seemed concerning. 

Unless that was normal for humans? He didn’t think it was. 

“You feeling alright, Martyn?” He asked, and watched as the human quickly darted his gaze elsewhere, cheeks turning the color of mars.

Oh.

Wait.

Martyn was nervous.

Which on top of being as rare as unicorns, was now making Scott nervous. Because why was Martyn nervous about being close to him? Part of Scott was blaming himself, thinking he took things too far. 

The other, slightly lovesick part of him was whispering that a racing heart from close proximity could mean that Martyn–

Scott’s own cheeks started to feel as warm as a sun. No way. No sir, he was not going down that path. For the moment. For both the sake of his dignity and safety. 

Creatures and humans don’t mix. 

Well, more accurately, (in his opinion) they don’t really mix romantically. Removing friendships was on par with removing Pluto from the list of planets. Accurate to some, sure, but unnecessary and arguably hurtful to others.

Martyn had yet to answer Scott’s question. Which was…a tad bit annoying, he had to admit. “Martyn!” He scolds, and the other boy snaps his gaze to Scott’s. 

Who’s pathetic little heart starts beating double at the intensity in his eyes, but nobody had to know about that small detail.

“What!” Martyn repeats, rudely mimicking Scott’s tone. Scott narrowed his eyes at him, and Martyn winces. “Sorry, habit. What, uh, what’s up?” Still nervous…

Scott’s own nerves aside, he feels that need to make others happy resurface. Again, unnatural for a starborn…but…he needed to make Martyn smile again.

“How’ve you been?” Small talk, what Scott’s best at. Sure, he and Martyn were constantly chatting online, but this was. Different. In the best way. 

Martyn seemed to feel similarly, a smile, softer than the grin Scott had seen him wear constantly, appearing on his face. “Ah, doing okay, I’d say. Beyond the usual chaos of school and theater and the like.” 

“What musical are you doing? Do you know yet?” Scott asked, curious. He had only learned about theater through Martyn, but he was obsessed. He loved all the songs, jokes, scenes, all of it.

“Ren’s theorizing that it’ll be Little Shop of Horrors, but I’m hoping for something like Empires.” Martyn explained, beaming. “It’s definitely a less known musical, but I think that’s why it’d be so good!”

“Martyn is that because you just want to show off your information of a niche musical? Is that what's happening here?” Scott teased, narrowing his eyes playfully.

Martyn’s hands raised up in defense, body shaking with silent laughter. “Aaaah, you caught me. I want to impress the world with my astute knowledge.”

“Oh that’s a big word for you!” Scott says patronizingly, giggling evilly when Martyn swats at him. 

“Oye, no need to insult me like that!” Martyn exclaims, mock offended. “I’ll have you know I’ve been reading the dictionary!" 

“Oh?” Scott smirks.

“Yeah!” Martyn says with a huff. “You know, the one with ‘A’ and ‘B’ and ‘C’, all the way to ‘Z’!” Scott wheezes out a laugh, doing his awkward, no–sound laughter that only manages to a few sharp huffs heard. 

Martyn pouts. “Look, it’s very important, you see? It’s incredibly hard and difficult to understand and–now would you quit laughing?” Scott had no such intentions, he was kneeling over and making a ‘I can’t’ gesture with his hands. “It’s quite rude.”

“What’s quite rude? What’s happening?” The boy dressed up as a cookie asked while approaching them. Scott, embarrassingly enough, couldn’t manage a response, still laughing too hard.

“Why is a loch ness monster dying from laughter?” The cookie guy asks in the same confused tone he had asked his prior two questions. Scott could only wheeze in response. 

“Hey BigB, yeah no, that’s just Scott–don’t worry, he only bites if you have no fashion sense.” Martyn deadpans, and Scott swats at him.

“Ah, that explains why he’s going after you, got it.” BigB deadpans, taking a casual sip of the drink in his hands. Probably orange juice, if Scott knew Lizzie. Which he did, so, actually, definitely orange juice.

“Wha–OH YOU.” Martyn says, mock offended once more. Scott was struggling to breathe at this rate. He knew his stars were probably fritzing slightly, doing happy little twirls around his head, starting to move out of orbit. 

“Martyn you–you kind of walked into that one.” Scott points out, heaving for air. BigB awkwardly pats his back, which does help sober Scott up, although mainly through alarm at the sudden touch.

“Yeah, I know I know…don’t need to rub it in.” Martyn grumbled. Scott smirks.

“See, I do need to. It’s actually my job, so uh, yeah…” Scott explains, fake apologetic.

“Really? I suppose that makes sense.” Martyn agreed solemnly, instantly playing along. Surprisingly enough, so does BigB.

“Oooooh, you’re really good at it.” BigB says empathetically, and Scott can’t help but fall victim to more laughter. Martyn joins him, but BigB soon walks away, throwing his cup away.

Then, Lizzie appears. “Scott!” She says, voice faux dignified. 

“Hey Lizzie!” Scott says, slightly confused–and scared. He was about to be dragged into something, wasn’t he? He glances at Martyn.

Well, he refused to go down alone.

Lizzie dashes up to him, hands in fists as she pouts. “You were late.” Oh. Oh god. Scott had forgotten about that. And now he was worried again.

“THIS SHALL NOT STAND!!!!!” Lizzie declares in a loud voice–too loud. Not usually, but right now, Scott feels overwhelmed. But at least Lizzie didn’t seem actually mad at him.

“Woooaaah, hold on, is this some sort of trial?” Martyn asked in fake concern. “Ma’am, do you have the right to sue?”

“Well, no, but I have the right to wear shoes, does that count?” Lizzie says without missing a beat. Scott can sense the air of impress from Martyn, and he feels a spark of pride in both his quick witted friends.

“You just go to the jury with a pair of sneakers–’I don’t understand, why is this not allowed?’” Scott says, shaking with more laughter.

Lizzie laughs too, bouncing on her feet slightly with excess energy. “Officer, you need to listen–he was late and I have tap shoes!” She moves her hands around dramatically, getting into the bit. 

Martyn jumps in, crossing his arms across his chest. “Ma’am, I’m sorry…but you’re required to have jazz flats.” Scott loses it, once again falling into sharp huff laughter.

“Oh.” Lizzie says, blinking slowly. “Do ballet shoes count?” She asks in overdramatic worry. Grian happens to walk by at that moment, and the satellite can hear his squawking.

Martyn lets out a huff of laughter before getting back into character. “Only if they’re red.” He says gruffly. 

“But I’ve only got pink!” Lizzie says in fake panic. “Oh, this is a disaster!” Scott stumbles, laughing so hard he’s become light headed.

Martyn’s there instantly, catching him. All three of them have succumbed to their amusement at this point, and Martyn’s got a cheeky sort of smile on his face, eyes glinting with laughter.

“Sir I think you need to be more careful, this is a No Laughing Zone.” Martyn tells Scott in a teasing whisper. It’s supposed to make him laugh harder, but something about it makes Scott’s breath hitch.

The room falls away, as does Martyn’s cheeky grin. Something more soft takes its place, and Scott’s chest feels like a black hole, aching for the affectionate light in his eyes.

Scott hadn’t laughed that hard in ages, let alone so often. Martyn brought out the fun and funny of every little moment. It was almost addicting, in a way. It was certainly part of why Scott fell for him.

Both in the sense of his stumbling and the romantic kind. 

“Scott I had a request for you–well actually, a demand.” Lizzie’s voice is a splash of ice cold water, and Scott jerks up, stumbling back slightly. Martyn’s blinking like he’s woken up from a trance.

Lizzie is fixing Scott with a look that makes his cheeks heat. Lizzie knew of Scott’s crush on Martyn, of course. Scott was just wishing on a shooting star that she wouldn’t say anything.

Luck was on his side for now, because Lizzie’s face goes from scrutinizing to her usual ‘nervously’ playful look. “We’re playing Bottle Of Secrets–that includes you. Now.” Lizzie orders.

Scott lights up, feeling giddy. Beside him, Martyn makes a sound of confusion. “What is this, some sort of fanfic? What on earth is Bottle Of Secrets?”

Lizzie just tuts. “Poor soul, not knowing the wonders of our world. Such a shame, truly.” She drawled dramatically.  

Martyn gets down on his knees, making Lizzie genuinely jolt back in surprise. Scott knows Martyn's been waiting for the chance to whip out his “Me lord” accent.

“Oh fair maiden, Queen of the House, please share the secrets of your world with my humble form” Martyn says in a posh accent. Scott and Lizzie absolutely lose it.

“I dunno about ‘humble’ Martyn–” Scott manages through laughter. Martyn does an overdramatic gasp.

“You dare question my loyalty to Her Majesty? Her Fairy Greatness?” Scott can hear Grian squawking harder somewhere close by. He can't exactly blame him.

“Oooh, I'm making Joel call me that.” Lizzie says with a wicked grin. “‘Her Fairy Greatness.’”

“Martyn, off the floor, come on.” Scott tells the pirate, offering his hand as Lizzie goes to gather people. “I'll explain it as we go.”

Martyn takes Scott's hand, holding it tight as he lifts himself up. He doesn't let go. Scott's heart flutters. “Your stars–” 

Quickly, Scott drags Martyn over to the circle of people gathering in the living room, not wanting to discuss the fact that his stars were probably straining to enter Martyn's orbit. 

A clear indicator of affection.

Sitting down and dragging Martyn with him, Scott surveys the ‘victims’. Grian and the wheelchaired cat seem to be playing, alongside Gem and, naturally, Lizzie. Joel appears to be sitting out.

“You're not joining us Joel?” Scott asks, and is rewarded with a death glare.

“After what happened last time I played this blubbin’ game? No Scott, no, I'm not going to join you!” Joel barks out.

Gem and Scott snicker. “Eh, can't imagine what that could be about.” Gem comments with a smirk.

Lizzie throws her hat in Saturn's rings of debate. “YOU SET US UP SO HARD!” 

“Yeah, you should be thanking us!!!! We're the reason you guys are together!” Scott counters while the humans listening in exchange confused glances.

“Scott and I are taking full credit during your guys’ wedding, just so you know.” Gem says, pointing at Lizzie and Joel with two separate fingers.

“Oh 100%.” Scott confirms with a nod. “One hundreeeeed percent.” Joel scowls and storms off.

“...what was that about?” The human next to Grian asks. 

“Okay so Scar–basically, long story short, Gem and Scott used this game to set Joel and Lizzie up.” Grian explains, giving the two perpetrators a look of approval. “Fools after my own heart!”

“Yeah except we actually know what we're doing…” Gem antagonizes, giggling.

“Oh–” Grian glares at her. Lizzie clears her throat and places down an empty water bottle.

“Well I see where the bottle in ‘Bottle of Secrets’ is from at least.” Martyn says with a small laugh. Scott turns to face closer to him as the game begins.

“Yeah so basically, how it works is, you spin the bottle. Whoever it lands on is asked a question, whoever spun it asks.” As Scott explains, Lizzie spins the bottle and it lands on Jimmy.

“Oh come oooon.” Jimmy huffs. Lizzie grins.

“Alright Jimmy…hmm…oh I didn't have any questions prepared for you.” Lizzie admits sheepishly. “Uuuh…”

“Alright so it's like, 20 questions but Spin The Bottle?” Martyn asks. Scott hadn't heard of the second game, but it seemed self explanatory.

“Not quite…see, you ask the person other questions about the others who are playing. So you kind of have to strategize in order to make sure they know the answer.” Scott explains with a grin.

Lizzie snaps her fingers. “I got it! Alright, how long did Grian spend with his robots today?”

Jimmy laughs. “WHAAAAAT?” Grian asks, giggling.

“Uh let's see–about 20 minutes this morning, then during lunch about 45? And then–” Jimmy went on. In total, it was about 6 hours. Shockingly low.

“I did it Gem I did it!!! I told you I could!” Grian chirps at the centaur.

“Yes yes I'm very proud of you.” Gem says, pretending to give Grian pats.

Scott turns his attention back to Martyn. “See? It's pretty fun!” 

Martyn stretches slightly. “Reminds me of Truth or Fare in a way, although there's no dare.”

“Truth or what?” What on earth was a ‘dare’?

“You don't know Truth or Dare?” Martyn questions, brow furrowing. In the background, Jimmy spins. It lands on Scar.

“Oh give over–” Jimmy sighs.

“Oh! I got picked! Does that mean I won?” Scar asks excitedly. Grian giggles.

“Not quite Scar, not quite.” Gem says with a sigh.

“I don't know what to ask him!” Jimmy says with a huff. “Ah, like–what's Martyn's favorite subject in school?”

“Say who what?” Martyn questions, turning away from Scott.

“Oh! Oh it's theater!!!” Scar says excitedly.

“What's theater? Mate what are you on about?” Martyn asks, looking between Jimmy and Scar.

“Your uuuh, your favorite subject in school!” Scar states proudly. Jimmy nods.

“Ooh, alright.” Martyn says before turning back to Scott, who's grinning. “Don't.”

“What, did my charm distract you from the game?” Scott teases, surprised when Martyn turns very red.

“Nah, although you are quite charming!” Martyn says with a grin. Scott's heart and stars lurch. Moons around Jupiter, Martyn was trying to kill him!

“Now, Truth or Dare! Basically you go around asking somebody, well–Truth or Dare! And if they choose truth, they have to answer a question truthfully. If they choose dare, they have to do some sort of task.”

Martyn explains and Scott finds himself holding his chin in his hands, fascinated. He's aware that Scar just spun and landed on Gem, but the game seems to face a bit.

“You good Scott?” Martyn asks, rubbing the back of his neck.

A smile breaks free across the starborne's face. “I missed you.”

The pirate sucks in a sharp breath, staring at Scott with wide eyes. “I–I missed you too Smajor. So much.” 

Scott hears Gem ask somebody, “Name one of Scott’s crushes.” And he shoots her a glare.

“One of?” Martyn says with a snicker, although something else seems to undermine it.

“Shut up–” Scott hisses before Lizzie answers loud and clear.

“Oh? Oh Martyn!” 

Scott's face feels like it's on fire as he whips around. “LIZZIE.”

His best friend gives a confused look before glancing at Martyn and slapping a hand over her mouth.

“Ooooh dear–” Gem says while Grian starts laughing so hard he tumbles over. 

“I AM SO SORRY I FORGOT–” Lizzie’s apologies fall on deaf ears as the world begins to get blurry, a ringing sound strongly in Scott's head.

Distantly, he hears voices. But the world is crumbling, consuming, bending–

Oh stars above no.

Scott stands up on shaky legs. He thinks he mumbles something about needing air, but it feels like his whole body is moving through glue, like when trapped in a nightmare.

He stumbles his way outside as fast as he can, before collapsing onto the ground, feeling the earth, feeling reality rip apart and give way and get pulled into the black hole of Scott's spiral.

How long does it last? The starborne has no idea. But eventually, the world fades back in. The ringing stops. Reality is now permanently damaged, but at least it was only Lizzie's backyard.

Again–

Yeah that happens more often then Scott likes to admit.

A hand presses on his shoulder, and whipping up, Scott finds the human in the little red riding hood costume staring at him, clearly worried.

“Hey, you good there mate?” Australian accent, of all things. “Saw you run out like the mafia was after you or something.”

“I–yeah. I think I'm stable but–maybe stay a foot or so away just in case.” Scott mumbles shakily. 

“Ah yeah–unstability doesn't seem like something one wants to get too close to and all!” The girl steps back as suggested. “I uh–I'm Pearl, by the way?”

“Scott.” 

“I guessed based on the way people were. Calling out your name. Lizzie seemed pretty hungabaloola. Martyn turned into a tomato!”

No shock on the second part. Scott chooses not to question the word used for the first. “Lizzie blurted out something she shouldn't have it–made me panic.”

Pearl nods and, shockingly, doesn't push it. Instead, she looks up at the stars. “Hey look, there's the Watcher Eye! She points to the constellation in question.

“Yup. With the Sun right above it, almost intertwined.” Scott says with a small smile.

“Wait really? How do you know? I've been trying to find the Sun for ages man–that and Clock, it's so hard!” 

Scott scooter a little closer and points. “Well, both of those constellations are attached to the eye in some way. Look, you can see the edges of it, the little lashes, make up some of the arrow things for the sun.”

Before he can explain where to find the Clock, Pearl gasps. “Oh! And the clock is inside the pupil oh wow!!! That's so clever dude!” 

“I'm–honestly impressed you found that.” Scott tells her. “It's pretty hard for non galactics.”

“What can I say man, I'm called Pearl Escent Moon for a reason!” She laughs. 

The double take Scott does is far from subtle. “How–why–” 

“I dunno, parents are weird.” The girl says with a shrug.

Pearl stands up and offers her hand. “You wanna head back in? You seem stable–y now!” 

The starborne chuckles and gratefully takes her hand. “Yeah–Pearl?”

“Howdy!” She grins.

“Thank you. You helped a lot.” Scott says, and before Pearl can argue, he darts into the house.

Which might not be the smartest decision of his life. 

Because there's Martyn, instantly spying him in the crowd. Time slows for a second before Scott quickly looks away, cheeks feeling as warm as Venus.

Martyn's by his side in a few crowd weaving maneuvers, whispering shakily. “Can we--talk? Alone?” 

Scott would rather be sucked into a black hole.

“Y–yeah, of course!” The black hole isn't an option…

Grabbing his hand, Martyn weaves through the crowd till they're in a secluded…ish, corner. 

Scott's heart is threatening to go supernova, pounding frantically. The boy in front of him–his best friend, his crush, Martyn…void, this is a lot.

The pirate blows out a nervous puff of air. “Good lord, okay, here we go…” He clears his throat. “So.”

Scott's trembling, his stars spinning rapidly. Martyn gently, so so gently, reaches out and coaxes the stars to a stop, slow and steady. No nausea comes.

And suddenly, Scott knows why, after all these years, his crush on Martyn lasted so long, became so deep ingrained within him it was practically second nature. 

Because Martyn cared. Martyn noticed. Martyn took the time to learn what Scott's stars meant, knew when Scott couldn't explain that he needed to be touched. He knew how to make Scott laugh, how to make sure he doesn't get nauseous–

Martyn cared enough to learn. On top of all his other traits, it's no wonder the starborne's feelings stuck around.

“Where are you right now, Scott?” Martyn's soft voice tunes him back into reality.

“Planet Realization.” Scott responds with a sagely nod. An awkward chuckle passes through the air.

“I uh–hooboy, I'm doing this, alright…” Martyn mumbles before pulling Scott a little closer, causing his breath to catch. “Scott.”

“Martyn.” Dizzying, terrifying, confusing, all the things. Scott can barely think, barely breathe.

“With what Lizzie said–” They both instantly redden. “I just–alright–I–I–” Martyn took a final deep breath.

Then.

“Just so you know I–I like you too. In that way. I have for years. Ren argues I'm borderline obsessed.” 

“I really wish I could meet this Ren.”

“Oh the day that happens all my dignity is stripped away, the two of you combined know waaaaaay too many Embarrassing Martyn Stories.” They both laugh.

For some reason, it only then hits home what Martyn just admitted. “OH WAIT YOU–YOU–” 

Way for being the observant one, Scott. Master of Deduction Games my butt.

Martyn’s cheeks turn the pink of Venus then the red of Mars as he rubs his neck. Nervous tick, Scott realizes now. “Yup yeah I–I do.”

Scott's stars lurch, one managing to briefly get out of orbit, moving around Martyn before returning. Embarrassing as that is, he doesn't seem to mind. 

“I–wow–oh–” Scott laughs nervously. “I–wish we could–do something about it!”

Martyn's gaze darkens to something akin to shame. Scott's father might be out of the picture, making things fine on his end, but both of Martyn's parents have prejudices. 

“Hey, it's alright–for now, we have tonight.” Scott says with a smile, feeling so much warmth he might as well be melting. 

“Hey that rhy–” Martyn's comment is quickly cut off by a kiss, and the ache that demands Scott touch and feel eases. 

“Cheap trick.” The pirate says with a grin when they pull apart.

“I'm just full of them.” Scott says with a wink, kissing Martyn's cheek and watching him with fascination as he turns the color of the sun. 

Scott did that to him. Scott caused Martyn to flustered. That was surreal. 

“Now come on, I need to find Lizzie.” Martyn said, tugging at Scott's hand. Tomorrow, they would have to figure this all out. But tonight? Scott was happy to have tonight.

“Oh yeah? Why?” He hums, squeezing Martyn's hand.