The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

"BROTHER Aster! It's really pretty here!" Nicol called from the treehouse.

Astrid only offered a quiet smile and a wave from below. After the dishes were finally cleaned up, he casually suggested visiting the treehouse, a place he revealed to Nicol as his and Reas' secret hideout. That, of course, instantly sparked the kid's curiosity. And so, here they were.

The real reason behind Astrid's suggestion was to shift Nicol's focus elsewhere, giving him the opportunity to have a private conversation with Wulfric. It seemed Wulfric had picked up on his intention, as he casually instructed Slade to follow Nicol, pretending it was just to make sure the kid didn't get into any trouble.

"It looks like you've found a way into my parents' good graces," Astrid remarked, his voice low enough for only Wulfric to hear. He glanced over at him with a slight smile. "Well done."

Wulfric rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "I did give it my best shot, but I'm not sure I'm in the clear just yet. Feels more like your parents have decided to put up with me for now."

"Well, it's better than nothing," Astrid said, her voice a mix of relief and concern. "Honestly, I expected you to be in far worse shape. The fact that you got away with just one punch feels like a miracle in itself."

Hearing his words, Wulfric suddenly recalled what Aster had warned him about—the likelihood of him getting beaten up. The fact that he walked away almost unscathed should have really felt like a miracle. But physical wounds weren't the only kind of damage, were they?

"Can I include psychological damage? Because your mother surely did a number on me."

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Thinking back to the tea incident, Wulfric had been utterly convinced that the tea he was drinking was poisoned. Yet, in that moment, it didn't matter. All he could focus on was proving his feelings for Aster. Without a second thought, he drank it, determined and unwavering. But the weight of the psychological strain was immense. It wasn't until he finished the entire cup that he realized the truth—the tea was harmless. Aster's mother had only been testing him.

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If anyone else had done that to him, Wulfric would have undoubtedly retaliated. But because it was the mother of the one he loved, he couldn't even bring himself to get mad.

Besides, Wulfric knew that Aster's mother hadn't acted out of malice. She did it out of love and concern for her son. So, what else could he do?

Astrid glanced at Wulfric when he said that. Psychological damage, huh? With his blunt, straightforward father, it was unlikely he was the cause. That left only his mother. That was definitely something she would have done.

But he didn't feel the need to apologize for it. His parents' actions, though flawed, came from a place of love, and he didn't want to invalidate that. In the end, there was only one response he could give in that moment.

"How about I make it up to you?"

Wulfric snapped his head toward him with such speed it was almost a blur, nearly causing Astrid to burst out laughing.

"How do you plan to make it up to me?" Wulfric asked, his golden eyes gleaming like that of a real wolf.

Astrid raised a brow. "What do you propose I do?"

Wulfric stared at his face, his gaze lingering a moment too long on his lips before meeting his eyes again. There was a brief flicker of something unguarded in Wulfric's expression, and then the words slipped out, almost like he hadn't meant to say them. "How about a kiss?"

The other asked it in a soft voice, as though he wasn't fully aware of what he'd just spoken.

Astrid asked, his voice caught between disbelief and amusement, "Do you even realize you just asked me for a kiss?"

Wulfric blinked, his expression blank for a moment. Then, as Astrid's words hit him, his eyes widened. A flush started creeping up his neck, spreading quickly to his cheeks and ears until his entire face was bright red. His mouth opened as if to say something, but no words came out, just a stammered breath. He quickly looked away, clearly flustered.

"I—I didn't mean it like that! I just... I want—"

"You want to kiss me?" Astrid cut in, his voice playful, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

"Yes—No!" Wulfric blurted out, stumbling over his words. "I mean... no."

"No, as in you don't want to kiss me, or no because you want me to kiss you instead?" Astrid asked, his tone light and teasing, a playful grin spreading on his lips.

As Wulfric fumbled for a way to defend himself, his eyes caught Aster's expression. That playful grin said it all—Aster was clearly enjoying this. A sigh of defeat slipped from Wulfric's lips. Maybe it would be easier to just play along.

"Alright, fine," Wulfric muttered, giving in with a small, resigned smile. "I want a kiss from you."

Maybe, after saying this, Aster would finally stop teasing him.

But Wulfric hadn't expected what Aster did next.

He suddenly felt a quick, soft touch on his cheek, so fleeting that he almost doubted it had happened. But the warmth left behind was undeniable. Aster had kissed him—just a brief brush of lips against his skin, there and then gone in an instant. Yet, despite how fast it was, it left Wulfric's heart pounding, a rush of warmth spreading through him. It was so simple, so quick, but something about it felt strangely intimate, more romantic than he ever would have expected from such a brief kiss.

The shock of it nearly made Wulfric stumble to his feet. His heart raced as he looked up, but Aster was already running toward the treehouse, laughter in his steps. Just before disappearing, Aster turned back, flashing a bright, carefree smile.

For a moment, Wulfric just stood there, frozen, watching him. That smile—simple, effortless—felt like the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.