Beneath a Starry Sky

"Thanks. Glad I spotted you," he said, quiet yet even. His words were honest but he kept any real emotion out of them.

Aero realised with a sinking feeling that he seemed to be slipping down a familiar slope. The last time he'd really allowed himself to be this comfortable and open it had ended badly. It was the reason, he reminded himself, that he usually kept himself to himself. His thoughts and feelings were his own to have, less he have them exposed and battered once again.

Regretfully, the pegasus found himself on his hooves with his wings unfurled a little.

"I should go. Got a fair distance to fly back home," he announced, distracting himself by gauging the skies and judging how best to take his route. Aero looked over to Bright and gave her a faint smile.

"See you at the race?"

When she looked over again to see his wings extending, there was a heavy feeling in her chest - she was disappointed, but took care to conceal it from her façade (with questionable success).  It wasn't often she had conversations like the one that had just transpired.  Really, she chided herself, you're lucky to have had someone to talk to at all.  Chin up.

She feigned her characteristic bright smile, nodding in agreement when he inquired about the race and whether she intended to participate.  "I'll be ready for it."  She stood abruptly to gather her things off the ground, pretending as if she had somewhere to go, as well.   But Bright Eyes would spend the night beneath the stars once more.  This time, though, she was likely to be kept awake by her incessant mind instead of the galaxies and planets up above.

"Have a safe journey, Aero Dynamic," she said, casting him a final smile before her horn began glowing warm gold again as she rolled up the worn scrolls, appearing intent on her mission to collect everything up in a hurry.

Aero was rather experienced at recognising disappointment in others. Judging by her expression, smiling though she was, he could tell it wasn't her usual bright, genuine smile. He hoped greatly that she could overlook this incident. There had some real connection between them, as short as there time togther had been. Aero would hate to compromise on that, but equally as troubling was his anxiety; the fear he'd either push her away or that she'd want nothing to do with him.

Standing straight, Aero took one last cursory look at the sky. It had certainly been worth coming out tonight. As Bright began to pack her things, he found himself wondering how long she'd been out here and how often she came. For a pony like her, with a seemingly infinite knowledge of the stars, he could imagine her staying for whole nights.

Hearing her say his whole name made him smile a little. He wasn't even sure why, he was just glad to hear her say it.

"Goodnight. Take care Bright Eyes," he replied, before his grey wings flapped and lifted him away.

He didn't look back, worried he might see an angry frown gazing back at him. No, Aero found it was better to keep looking forward. Or at least he tried to. Sometimes, it was difficult not to look back...

((I'm happy if you want to start a new thread for Running of the Leaves, unless you wanted to do something else :)))

((Here you go: link))