"ORION!", William giggled infectiously, "I don't think trying to control my hands while I'm baking will help you learn anything."
Orion hummed a confused sound as he caged William against the table, holding onto his wrists and using William's own hands to mix the batter. "I think I'm learning a lot," he muttered as he placed his chin on top of William's head.
It had been two months that William and Orion had been living together. The two men realized that the way they operated their lives fit in with one another snugly. The tiny things in their "unlabeled" relationship made each of their days a little bit sweeter.
For example, while William liked to sleep in, Orion woke up at the crack of dawn and took it upon himself to attempt to make breakfast for himself and his soon-to-be boyfriend.
Then, when William was the one who found himself awake late at night, he made sure to tidy up their house before he went to bed so that Orion would find it clean in the morning.
William had no clue that life could be this simple. He just couldn't believe that he spent so much time pining over someone like Christian. He never found himself feeling insecure or questioning whether or not the person in his life could feel his affection. Everything was simple with Orion.
Orion was honest, and living with him encouraged William to be transparent as well. He was evolving into a person he was proud of.
At the same time, Orion was evolving as well. While living with William, the star discovered that it was okay to be picky and particular. He didn't have to say yes to everything, even if making other people happy had been his only purpose for the majority of his life.
William wiggled out of Orion's grip and flipped himself around, leaning on the table.
"We've been living together for two months." William noticed.
"We have."
William hesitantly looked away from the man. "And...well, Chrâ" William corrected himself, "he hasn't shown up to ask for the rest of his wishes yet."
Ever since William told Orion the full story they pledged to not ever say his name again. Orion believed that it would bring them nothing but bad luck. He also just didn't want to remind himself of Christian's existence.
"Let's not worry about that for now," Orion placed a soft kiss on William's forehead which made him smile, "we'll worry about him when the time comes."
"I know, I know. But I also know that he will want something and I feel like he's keeping us waiting, especially when it comes to our relationship."
The truth was, William could be a coward. He went with the easiest solution and the most familiar option, because he was too scared to take risks. It was true that Orion's presence ignited more bravery within him, but it wasn't always enough.
The two men treated each other like lovers and lived like a couple. Yet, William had never put a "label" on their relationship because he was worried that Christian would come back and take Orion away from him. He believed that Orion's departure would hurt less if they never put a name on what they had together, but holding back was getting tiring.
In Orion's arms, everything felt secure. Everything felt right.
Orion stared at William with adoration. He was silent as he always was whenever he got the hint that William was thinking about something. His eyebrows rose expectantly when William decided to speak.
"Orion," William started, "I don't think it's fair for me to wait for someone's arrival before we start dating. Whether or not he comes back to try and destroy what we have, our feelings won't change. And... I want to live every second with you as yours. Can I... be your boyfriend?"
Orion placed a soft kiss on Williams' lips, short, but loving. "Always."
William's cheeks burned as he turned back around to face the cake batter, and Orion chuckled at his sudden shyness.
William asked to be his boyfriend and was also baking him a cake. To Orion, this was the best day ever.
ââââ
Later in the day, Orion and William sat down to watch a movie. They didn't go stargazing as often as they used to. On most days, they found themselves lounging around together at home, enjoying each other's company in a warm, calm, and cozy environment before William had to begin his final year of university.
The couple's tranquillity was tarnished when they heard the doorbell ring so late in the evening. Orion removed his arm from behind Williams' shoulders and sat up.
"Could it be Willow?" The blond asked.
William shook his head vigorously. He clutched the blanket draped over him and his lover with anxiety slowly consuming his body. He had a bad feeling about whoever was at the door.
"Your mom? Your...dad?"
"T-They're out of the country." William stuttered.
Orion slowly rose, but before he could stalk over to the door, William grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Wait, don't go!" He cried out, "It has to be him!"
"Will, it's okaâ"
"No, it's not! Literally why are you going to the door? Just ignore it! If you don't hear him, you don't haveâ"
"It may not beâ"
And so soon, William broke their oath. "It's Christian, Orion! It can't be anybody but him! I don't want you going near that door!" he heaved, "I forbid it!"
Before Orion could soothe his boyfriend from his sudden outburst, a gruff voice could be heard from outside.
"Jesus Christ! It's pouring out here, dude!" Christian whined from outside, "Let me in! I forgot to bring a coat!"
William sprung up to stand beside Orion, using his hands to cover Orion's ears. Orion smiled at him sadly, because they both knew that Orion's hearing abilities heightened after sunset. For such a quiet place on top of a hill, it would be extremely difficult for him to ignore Christian's wish if it were to be made anytime soon.
Orion removed William's hands from the sides of his face and gently placed them in his own. As he walked towards the door, he dragged William along with him, squeezing his hand along the way to reassure him that he was still there.
Orion yanked open the door, and his friendly demeanour quickly turned lethal. He stared at Christian with defiance and disgust. "Christian Hagets, what is it that you want?"
Christian kept his eyes on William, not even sparing Orion a glance. He pushed past the two men and let himself into their house.
He looked around hesitantly, taking time to stare at the movie left on their television. He always hated that movie. Christian turned around.
"I'm here to make my last two wishes, of course." Christian stated dully.
Orion squeezed William's hand once more when he noticed that tremors began to rack through his boyfriend's body.
"Make yourâ"
"Chris," William suddenly spoke up. "Please don't do this. I-I want to be with him. I'm sorry if I ever offended you," he begged, "but I will do anything if it means you'll leave us alone."
Christian stared at William with the same dull expression, before he rolled his eyes.
"Orion," he said, " I'm travelling tomorrow."
"Okay?"
"My agent got me an opportunity to go to Italy. He told me my paintings would sell well there, and they have so far. So, I'm deciding to move there."
Orion frustratedly grunted. Christian was taking his sweet time on purpose.
"I wish to have a safe travel to Italy."
"That...is a very simple wish. You probably would have been safe anyway, but it's done. Your wish is my command," he paused after seeing Christian's annoyed expression, "What is it that you really want?" Orion seethed.
Orion was never the type to exhibit anger, but he was furious. He wasn't sure what Christian was going to do, but he believed that it would somehow separate him from William.
Christian put his hands in his pockets, walking around their living room with his wet shoes on. He looked at their house with indifference. It looked different from when he and William lived together. It was harmonious. There weren't contrasting items and designs, with paintings all over the place that were rivalling astronomic posters. There weren't any crazy colour combinations, that reflected Christian's desire to live and breathe in art. Everything that resembled Christian was gone, and replaced with a tinge of Orion's style. It irked him because it had only officially been two months since he left the picture.
While he looked around their house, Christian spoke. "I wish for you to walk on this Earth until the day William dies. Whether or not you choose to stay with him is your own choice." Christian turned around, his nose pinched in annoyance. "After that, you could go back to wherever you came from."
A smile took over the hesitant downward curl of William's lips, and he looked up toward Orion with a surprised face.
Orion bowed his head respectfully.
"Your wish is my command."
As Christian pushed past them to leave for the last time, Orion's words caused him to halt.
"Why did you do that?"
William lightly tugged Orion's side. Ironically, all he wanted was for Christian to leave for good. He didn't want Orion to prolong his stay.
"I'm trying to make up for what I've done. It might be hard to believe but before William and I dated, we were friends." He grinned at William, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Think of this as an apology from a friend."
William bit his tongue to refrain from making a snarky comment and smiled at Christian politely.
"Well," Orion breathed, "that definitely won't change what you've done, but I appreciate it." He looked down at William clutching his hand. "We appreciate it."
"Right, whatever dude."Christian ignored him and stared at William again.
"Will, make sure you tell Willow about this. I can't have her spreading any more rumours about me before I make my international debut. She's even been causing trouble with...nevermind, that's besides the point. I'm sure you've told her about this situation already, so make sure that this...outcome, calms her down. She's literally been harassing me."
This time William genuinely smiled and nodded. He had been wondering what had Willow so busy that she couldn't find time to visit him and Orion.
When Christian finally left and shut the door, Orion wiped at his eyes. William's arms wrapped around his boyfriend's waist, rubbing his back lovingly as Orion's happy sniffles got louder and louder.
The star who desired to be human more than anyone else, finally got the chance to be human.