Starlit Confession

There was a cold nip in the air as winter breezes had started to drift in over the islands. The dark brown and black male utah knew staying inside was best for him, seeing as he had no feathers to keep him warm during these cold nights, but he couldn't help himself. The clear skies exposing all the twinkling stars in the distance had him enthralled, and unfortunately it was mostly during winter that he could experience them this well, as the darkness could be almost abyssal before the snow fell and lit up the surroundings. 

A big puff of steam left his mouth as he sighed deeply, looking down from the dark blue midnight sky. He looked to his left, where his brown and caramel coloured crested friend was standing, a wide smile across her scaly lips. He just knew she would either come with some wild idea or say something weird, but he loved that about her. She possessed all the goofiness he himself lacked, which balanced the duo out quite well, for the most part. 

“Do you want to make snow patterns with me?” the crested female, Smelt, asked. She giggled as Wesker raised his eyebrow, confused at what she was on about. 

“You see, I saw some pictures of a monkey in a book laying on their back. And they seemed to drag their arms and legs to make a thing in the snow!” Smelt enthusiastically explained as she did her very best impressions of the humans making snow angels that she had seen in the children's books. 

“That does sound interesting, I will admit, but would that not require more snow? There's barely enough to colour the ground.” the bald male sceptically replied. 

“I don't like when you're right..” Smelt pouted and Wesker snorted as he held back laughter. 

“We could look for fun patterns in the stars, though.” he suggested to get her mood back up. “I'm sure you have seen something about that in a book as well.”

Smelt's face lit up with excitement as Wesker mentioned the stars. She had actually seen a lot of pictures and books about stars and space, she found them all so pretty and fascinating. 

“As a matter of fact, I have! They used to like, draw out different patterns they saw in the sky! And give them names! Some of them look so fun, like uh..” the crested female started as she scanned the night sky and spun around to find what she was thinking of.

“Like that thing!” she exclaimed after not too long pointing towards Orion's belt. “Those stars there are part of a biiig thing, I've seen them in multiple books! I don't understand what it was called but it looks sort of like a big ape!”

Wesker nodded as he looked over to the constellation Smelt had pointed out. With some imagination, he thought that he understood what she meant. He had never seen any pictures though, so he just had to assume he was seeing the same thing as her. 

“I think I see it.” Wesker said before looking back at his close friend. “You know about so many fun things.”

Smelt almost blushed at his comment. She loved learning about new things and spreading that information to others, it made her feel all warm and fuzzy. 

“You know what we should do, Smelt?” Wesker asked and his friend turned her head to the side, like a curious dog. “We should take a walk and you will have the very honour of pointing out all the cool star patterns you like.”

“Oh my goodness, I can!?” Smelt squealed and excitedly put her crest up like a cockatoo. 

“Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.” Wesker assured her with an encouraging, warm smile. “Come on, let's go. We have many hours of darkness to take advantage of”

As the duo kept walking, snow was slowly starting to drift in, but the clouds had not yet reached where they were looking so their constellation hunting would go without interruption for a while longer. 

Smelt kept pointing out any constellation she would recognise, with Wesker acknowledging every single one and happily conversing about them. He couldn't help but smile when he looked at her enthusiastically looking around and happily gasping before talking anytime she recognised something. Her company made him so much happier than he had previously admitted. Without her, he would probably have kept to himself in isolation for most of his adult life. But she brought out the best in him, and he appreciated that she was so persistent about hanging out. He needed that. 

Wesker's thoughts made him drift away for a moment, no longer able to pay attention, which Smelt noticed. She poked his shoulder and stopped, looking a little bit worried. 

“Arr you feeling okay? You suddenly seem a little distant.” she asked, hoping that she hadn't accidentally annoyed him or anything. 

Wesker smiled apologetically. 

“Yes, I'm okay. Sorry if I worried you. I was just thinking of how much I appreciate that you want to keep me company. I appreciate it- I mean, I appreciate you. A lot.” he admitted openly for the first time. 

Smelt almost felt her heart skip a beat for a second as Wesker spoke. He.. Liked her? Or was she being silly and delusional like so many other times before? She wanted to say something but she was stunned speechless by his words, which he of course noticed. 

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be weird.” he laughed nervously and looked away. “Forget I said anything.”

“No, I.. I just didn't expect it. I never thought you would, you know.. Actually like me.” Smelt stuttered out. “Do you.. Like me?”

Wesker had to think for a moment to process his feelings. He had never really paid attention to what he actually felt, it was just as new and surprising to him as it was to her. 

“You know, I think I do.” he finally replied, after what surely felt like an eternity for Smelt. “Do you like me though?”

“Why do you think I've been so persistent about hanging out?” she huffed, pretending to be offended at his question. “I have liked you for a long time.”

“I guess this is a date, then.” Wesker said with a teasing smile. 

“SHUT UP!” Smelt replied as she hid her face. Her heart was beating so fast, all of a sudden, and hearing Wesker walk closer to her didn't help. 

“Come on, you still have more stars to show me, don't you?” he said softly as he nudged her feathered hand with his muzzle. 

Smelt looked at him from between her fingers, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She had so much she wanted to show and talk about still.