The shuttle doors slid open with a soft chime, warm air immediately brushing against Juniper's face.
It smelled different here.
Salt, sunlight, and something faintly metallic underneath — like the sea had learned to coexist with industry instead of being pushed away by it.
Juniper stepped out slowly, eyes already wide.
Elowen's terminal was built with open walls facing the coastline. Beyond the glass barriers, the ocean stretched endlessly, water catching the late afternoon light in sheets of silver. Cargo carriers moved in the distance near floating dock platforms, while closer to shore, leisure boats drifted lazily between glowing buoy markers.
"It's…" Juniper forgot the rest of the sentence.
Daiju smiled like he'd been waiting for that reaction. "Yeah. First-timers always do that."
Juniper turned in a slow circle, taking in everything at once — the polished metal walkways inlaid with driftwood panels, the open-air terraces, the way sea breeze moved freely through the structure instead of being sealed out.
"It's beautiful," he finished quietly.
"And this is just the airport," Daiju said, nudging his shoulder. "C'mon, superstar. My manager's somewhere around here pretending not to check his schedule every ten seconds."
As if summoned, a voice called out, "Daiju."
Juniper turned.
A tall man in a tailored dark coat was walking toward them with calm, measured steps. His hair was tied back neatly, expression composed but sharp-eyed — the kind of person who noticed everything before speaking.
Daiju grinned. "Speak of the overworked devil."
"Still dramatic, I see," the man replied dryly. Then his gaze shifted to Juniper.
There was a flicker of recognition there.
"You must be Juniper," he said, offering a hand. "Daizen. We've spoken over calls, but it's good to meet you in person."
Juniper brightened immediately, shaking his hand. "Ah — you're Ciro's husband!"
Daiju made a small amused sound under his breath, but Daizen simply inclined his head politely.
"In the flesh," he said. "I've heard quite a bit about you."
Juniper's ears twitched. "Hopefully good things…?"
Daizen gave the faintest smile. "Of Course, from Daiju but also from Ciro - I think he really appreciates you as his friend."
He gestured toward the exit. "Car's waiting. We'll talk on the way."
***
The ride from the terminal wound along a coastal highway carved into cliffs. On one side, the sea stretched endlessly; on the other, Elowen's industrial structures rose in the distance.
Juniper murmured, watching wind turbines rising from offshore platforms. "It's industrial, but it doesn't feel… harsh."
"Elowen runs on resource processing," Daizen said. "But tourism funds preservation. The coastlines are protected zones. No heavy extraction near the resorts."
The hotel came into view as they rounded the final curve.
It was built directly into the cliff face, glass terraces stacked in gentle curves, reflecting the ocean like layers of water frozen in place. Lantern drones hovered over the shoreline below, already beginning to glow as evening approached.
Juniper leaned forward. "We're staying there?"
Daiju grinned. "Its nice right? Ive stayed here before."
Inside, the lobby was open and bright, the far wall entirely glass. Beyond it, waves rolled against black stone beaches, spray catching the orange-pink sky.
A receptionist looked up — then did a tiny double take.
"Welcome back sir" he said smoothly, though his smile widened. "It's been a while."
He turned to Juniper with professional warmth. "And you must be his guest. Welcome to the Aurora Cliff Resort."
Daiju gently, casually took Juniper's hand as they followed the attendant to the lift.
Their room door slid open.
Juniper stopped walking.
Floor-to-ceiling glass revealed the ocean directly ahead, waves moving in slow, endless motion. The balcony curved outward, open to sea breeze. Inside, the lighting was soft and blue-tinted, like sunlight filtered through water.
Juniper stepped past him, drawn toward the balcony. Wind caught his hair immediately, cool and salty. He rested his hands on the railing, staring at the horizon where sky and sea blurred together.
Behind him, Daiju went quiet.
Not teasing. Not performing.
Just watching.
Juniper looked small against the endless ocean — soft, thoughtful, still carrying feelings he didn't talk about but tried to carry anyway.
Daiju's expression softened in a way he didn't let many people see.
"Good choice bringing you here," he said quietly.
Juniper turned, blinking. "Hm?"
"Nothing," Daiju said, smiling again — lighter now.
A gentle knock interrupted them.
Daizen stepped in once invited, tablet already in hand. "I'll be quick so you two can settle."
He handed Juniper a slim digital contract. "This is the partnership release. The ad concept is a domestic setting — cooking segment crossover. You'll be preparing a dish, Daiju uses the Home Robert cleaning tool mid-chaos. Couple energy, light humor."
Juniper's ears perked. "Cooking on set?"
"Simple dish," Daizen assured him. "Tomorrow is wardrobe fitting, rehearsal, and location walkthrough. Shoot is the day after."
Juniper signed carefully.
Daizen nodded once. "Transport arrives at nine. Eat well tonight. You'll both be busy in the morning."
He paused at the door, glancing back with a knowing look. "And Juniper — welcome to Elowen."
The door slid shut.
Silence settled, filled only by distant waves.
Daiju stretched, then flopped backward onto the bed dramatically. "Okay. Vacation mode activated."
Juniper stepped back inside, smiling more easily now. "You said, this wasn't a vacation."
Daiju peeked at him. "Shh. Let me lie to myself."
Juniper laughed, the sound light and real as ocean wind moved through the open balcony behind them.