TOUCHED BY A STAR (M/M)

0.06

~VENUS~

My life has never been an exciting one. It follows the same monotonous routine each and every day.

Work, heartbreaks, and Leo, apparently.

Most times, my thoughts ponder on questions I wish I had the strength to not think of.

Who am I?

What's my purpose on this revolving Earth?

What do I intend to accomplish?

Do I even have an impact on the lives of others?

Why do I always feel incomplete?

Why can't I be understood?

It's as if I'm just breathing…

When my thoughts get out of hand, I fall back and let my anxiety take the upper hand …. reluctantly. Cherry notices those moments and comfortingly wraps up inside my arms to help me get back to normal. To give me the impression that I'm not on my own and that she has my back. Leo and her.

The sudden weight on my crossed lap makes me blink back to reality. I watch Cherry claw my chest to draw my attention to my laptop which has gone to sleep mode.

How long did I dive into my thoughts?

My bookworms will have to wait for the next chapter in the evening.

The wall clock reads 12:03 p.m. I should get a quick lunch before the chef sends someone for me … a regular thing I noticed during my one-week stay here.

I take a short trip to the washroom, then get Cherry dressed in a pink shirt before getting updates from the manager of my Art industry, Jared, via phone call. Lunch is something extravagant and delicious as always. Perks of hiring a Michelin chef for our daily dishes. I hurry with it and run outside with Cherry and my Canon EOS R6 in my other hand.

The next hour is spent in an absolute thrill! The refreshing crispness of the spring air blows my hair in all directions, yet, that does not stop me from running through the massive compound enclosed with nature here and there. I almost forgot Cherry trying to catch up with me. Nevertheless, I linger wherever I deem fit as a perfect spot to photograph the lush green of awakened leaves and delicate pastel blooms of cherry blossoms.

A symphony of hues that makes every photo a work of art …

My heart races in excitement and satisfaction in capturing every little thing. From the pool that lay massively behind the main house to the golden sunlight that bathes everything in a warm ethereal glow …

"Here's an excellent spot"

Cherry meows in agreement when I round an excluded area. Cherry leads the way as I brush my hair from my face, lamenting not taking a wrapper along. It's starting to feel a little hot in my hoodie and sweatpants from playing far too long.

We halt when we come across a narrow lawn leading to a uniquely crafted door. We close the distance with me picking Cherry from the ground.

"Heaven," is the only word to define the seemingly little world I stepped into.

Inside, the gravel pathway from the door leads us till it splits at the small water fountain into left and right paths.

"Welcome, welcome."

I follow the quirky high-pitched sounds coming from the left pathway to come across cages hanging on tall trees and housing parrots.

"Welcome home…" They sing in repetition.

Fascinating.

" Hi there " I greet with delight, proceeding to meddle with their cages, ponds of different kinds of fishes, and colorful flowers that surround me. It's as if I've been trapped in a sunny bubble for my heart cannot contain the excitement I feel at this moment, If I had known of this place, my stay here wouldn't have been so boring. The next hour is spent soaking in the liveliness of my surroundings and getting my camera to work. Exhausted, I explore around a little more to encounter a bench for Cherry and I. I received Leo's call to pass the time.

"Relaxing, right?"

My first reaction is to flinch and only to relax when Zendaya takes a seat beside me. Cherry had long fallen asleep in my arms and Leo's call had distracted me from my environment. I bid Leo farewell in Spanish before cutting off the call.

"Hi," I avoid her question with a smile.

She must have come directly from work from her formal dress code. I wonder of her reason for being here as I've noticed my siblings have their homes. Mother and Father live here with random visits from the rest.

"Don't look so edgy" Zendaya chortles and messes with my hair a bit. I pout at that, avoiding her gaze.

"I'm not."

"If you say so." She shrugs, " How's home?"

"Great."

Boring!

"I'll pretend I heard wrong."

She's observative. As supposed to be for being the eldest.

"How was your visit at Fernando's?"

Mother booked an appointment for me yesterday. She didn't need to for Fernando contacted me the day before she did. It all revolved around my anxiety disorder which turned out to be a surprise to Fernando and my family. Fernando didn't get much from me aside from what I wanted him to know. He referred me to a trusted Therapist of his which I instantly declined. My pills and Cherry are all I need to get through this. He understood and I was quite touched by his affection towards me. The affection I long for from a family. Something nobody needs to Know.

"It was great." I settled for that and earned an approved hum from Zendaya.

"He set you up for a regular check-up, didn't he?" Zen states amid little laughter.

"Yes." a little smile plays on my lips as warmth settles on my chest, "We've been in contact for years."

My next words take me by surprise at the sudden realization.

"He feels like … home."

He always did.

And I just acknowledged that.

"I'm sorry."

Those words turn the moment sour and unnerving. I fail terribly to not flinch when she wraps an arm around me, dragging me closer till our sides are joined.

"It's okay"

It's not okay!

"No. We all should have done better. I should have done better as the eldest." There's self-loathe in her tone which wasn't subtle. She continues, " We abandoned you."

"Living with Abuela has been lovely."

Her head falls on top of mine, "I know but you should have been here with us. Although our family is never perfect, we have our moments too. You should have been in every moment with us and I apologize for that. From here on, I'll be the sister you deserve. The best of that."

That felt … touching.

And I'm proud of myself for not breaking down. I feel touched but I'm not that absurd to expect more from anyone. I've been hurt enough and there's so much my fragile body can take.

"I've got a chance, right?"

"Mm,"

She drops a kiss on my head, "Thank you."

I shift uncomfortably in her embrace. She gets the message and gives me space. Her hand remains on one of mine while the other wraps tightly around Cherry to prevent her from falling.

"So who was he? A boyfriend?"

"A friend, wait w-what?"

My heart rate quickens when I turn to face her to spot her smiling, mischievously.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Her laughter rings in my ears and I do the norm. I let my eyes wander around the garden to distract me from falling into an attack and her prying eyes.

"Are you forgetting I'm queer too?"

No response.

"Don't worry. I won't out you."

"How did you know?" I mumble.

"I just know. Call it my queer sense." There's the humor.

"He's my best friend and I'm not closeted."

"Yes?" She sounds unconvinced.

"Yes." I meet her eyes, " Abuela and Leo know. I prefer my privacy and actually planned on coming out to the family but … "

"You're scared of Mom's homophobia and rejection." She adds, to which I hastily nod," Then she shouldn't know for now."

"I know that."

She takes my hand in hers, " You can tell us. Carl, Daniel, and Lewis. And even Dad."

That sounds surprising.

"Has Mother always been like this?"

My question is answered with compelled laughter. I gaze around this beautiful place as I await a response. Too eager for my heart.

"Yes." Her word makes me take in a sharp breath.

What was I expecting?

A no?

"When I came out at fifteen, I was expecting an accepting hug and not a hot slap from her. That was the first time she laid her hands on me. Thinking of it," Her pause was much needed as her tone was getting too emotional even for me. She continues, "I don't know why I expected much from her. We used to be close. Reason being that, I was her only female child. Every good thing she felt for me turned bitter from there. I remember how Dad took me in his arms after that and assured me it wasn't wrong. It was okay. It is. You know, that was the first time I was in Dad's arms in a long run."

She grins, yet nothing is amusing about it. Her eyes set upon the sky. I wonder what the time is.

"You love Mom, correct?"

" How can I hate her? She's will remain my mother despite how we don't see eye to eye on most things."

She lets down her guard for once, giving me a glimpse of her internal struggle. I stare far too long at her side profile. She looks ethereal. I give in to the itch and take a picture without her notice. It came out beautiful, with her long, wavy red hair looking dazzling in the wind.

She looks so much like Mother, excluding the hair, of course.

"I'll need a copy of that." Her voice is close to my ears. I turn to her just in time for her to move away before our faces collide.

"For Jupita?" I tease, much to my surprise. My stomach twisted in fulfillment when her eyes lit in contentment.

"Yes." Zendaya smiles.

"Can ... I ask you something?" I run my hands through Cherry's fur.

"Shoot."

"Will Amaury be okay with my s****l preference?"

"Yes. Why would you think otherwise? I already said you can trust us despite Daniel's and Lewis' differences. Carl and I remain neutral in everything, and that includes you now. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Although being heterosexual, Lewis has a gay best friend. You shouldn't worry about his approval when you don't necessarily even need it."

I'm conflicted about why I needed to hear that.