The moon hung quietly above the campus, its pale glow spilling over the rooftops and lonely benches, painting the night in silver. The world had long since quieted, but Zac's thoughts had only grown louder. He sat on his bed, fingers brushing the rim of a warm thermos, debating for the fifth time whether he should hit send.
"Can you come out for a bit? I want to show you something."
He finally tapped the message and watched as it flew away.
He wasn't even sure why he had asked. Maybe it was the way Januz had looked earlier that day—sitting across from him at the library, lips parted in sleep, brow furrowed like he was fighting something invisible. Zac had watched as Januz stirred from a nightmare, eyes wide with a kind of fear he hadn't seen before.
And then... that hollow smile. That soft, "I'm fine."
Zac didn't believe it. Not for a second.
His phone buzzed.
Januz: Where are you?
A soft smile touched Zac's lips. He grabbed the thermos and headed out into the stillness.
---
The rooftop wasn't exactly a secret, but it was far enough from the dorms to feel like their own little corner of the universe. The astronomy club often held events here, but tonight it was empty. Just the stars—and them.
Januz was already there when Zac arrived.
He was standing by the railing, looking up, arms folded across his chest like he was trying to hold himself together. The wind teased his dark hair, and for a moment, Zac just stood there and watched.
There was something lonely about him. Like he didn't belong to this world at all.
"I brought tea," Zac said, lifting the thermos as he walked over. "For nightmares."
Januz blinked and glanced sideways, a flicker of surprise softening his expression. "You're weird," he said—but there was no bite in his voice. If anything, he sounded... grateful.
They sat side by side, legs dangling over the ledge, steam curling from the cups Zac poured.
Above them, the constellations were quietly glittering. Orion stood tall to the south, while Lyra shimmered above their heads.
"You know," Zac began, "sometimes I feel like the stars are watching us. Like they know things we don't."
Januz didn't respond right away. He sipped the tea, eyes still on the sky.
"Zac," he said finally, voice low. "Why did you really ask me here?"
Zac hesitated, then sighed. "Because I care."
That made Januz look at him. Really look.
"I saw your face today. You weren't just tired. You were hurting. And I know you don't owe me anything, but... I don't want to pretend I didn't see it."
Januz's gaze dropped to his cup.
A heavy silence settled between them—comfortable for Zac, but maybe not for Januz.
"I used to think," Zac continued, "that I had to keep everything to myself. My feelings, my fears... especially around my dad. He always expected me to be strong. Focused. Normal."
He let out a breathy laugh.
"I guess being interested in constellations and guys wasn't part of the plan."
Januz's lips twitched. "And yet, here you are."
"Yeah," Zac smiled faintly. "Here I am."
There was a pause. Then Januz said, quietly, "There was someone. Before."
Zac turned toward him, careful not to push—just listening.
"Her name was Crisia," Januz said. His voice wavered, almost like the name itself was made of glass. "She... she meant everything to me."
Zac felt something shift inside him.
"What happened to her?"
Januz swallowed. "She died. Because of me."
The silence that followed wasn't empty. It was thick with the weight of unspoken grief.
"She trusted me," Januz continued, his voice cracking. "I was supposed to protect her. But I couldn't. And after that... I stopped believing in happy endings."
Zac reached out and placed a hand over Januz's.
"You're not alone anymore," he said gently. "Even if you don't want to talk, I'll still sit here with you. I'll stay."
Januz's fingers tightened around the cup.
"You make it easier," he whispered, "to breathe."
Zac's heart thudded.
He turned to Januz, the space between them suddenly electric, heavy with something unspoken.
"I don't know what this is between us," Zac said, voice low, "but I feel it. Every time I'm near you."
Januz looked up, his eyes searching Zac's—like he was trying to memorize his face in the moonlight.
Then slowly, hesitantly, Zac lifted his hand and brushed a strand of hair from Januz's cheek. His fingers lingered there, warm and gentle.
Januz didn't move.
For a second, it felt like the stars themselves were holding their breath.
But then, somewhere in the distance, a bell rang. Eleven o'clock.
The spell broke.
Januz pulled back just slightly, eyes lowering. "It's late."
Zac dropped his hand, trying not to look disappointed. "Yeah... it is."
Januz stood, the night air tugging at his sleeves. He hesitated for a moment before turning to face Zac again.
"Same time tomorrow?" Zac asked, trying to keep his voice light.
Januz gave a small nod. "I'd like that."
And with that, he walked away—his silhouette fading into the shadows.
Zac stayed behind, looking up at the stars.
He didn't know what Januz was hiding. But tonight... he had opened a window. And Zac was willing to wait by that window, as long as it took.
Even if the truth was written in a different language.
Even if it lived somewhere between silence and starlight.