{"id":210,"date":"2026-02-14T22:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/?p=210"},"modified":"2026-02-01T05:55:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T05:55:04","slug":"star-gazin-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/?p=210","title":{"rendered":"Star Gazin\u2019 Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201c1965\u201d\u2014-Zella Day<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anastasia x Naftrel AU<\/strong> | 1st person POV<\/em> | Characters are kemonomimis<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naftrel\u2019s POV INTRO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Today was the big day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, not a wedding, not a funeral, not the reunion of long lost sisters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today was Valentines Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anastasia and I have been together for a good while now, and I do my absolute best to spoil her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I want to do something that\u2019s more than just material, more than something to cherish\u2014-but something to remember and hold in your soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want that, and I want that with her.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Anastasia\u2019s POV<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what if it was Valentine\u2019s Day? People really celebrate that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hjslops has been nagging on about it to me, telling me it was the most romantic holiday next to Christmas and whatnot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nudged her elbow against my side, wiggling her eyebrows at me as if I was supposed to understand what she was trying to, poorly, convey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was currently in Eldmerthoden since Naftrel needed to be alone for a bit, something about a commission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first I didn\u2019t question it, but I don\u2019t recall him being too into commissions lately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, I suppose with it being Valentines Day and all, people are commissioning things for their loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do have to admit, he\u2019s the perfect artist for something like that; his realism is insane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I don\u2019t understand is how he couldn\u2019t possibly think so, himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dWhat?\u201d I question the aumturner, my eyebrows downturned and a frown stretched onto my lips. My arms are crossed against my chest, my back against a nearby tree to Hjslops house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dCome on,\u201d she groans, rolling her eyes at me, slumping against the tree. \u201cNaftrel has got to be doing something for you, it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I scoff. \u201cYeah, it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day. So what? Hey\u2014-You know, I didn\u2019t even know you guys did these sort of holidays the same as we do at Earth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hjslops shrugs nonchalantly, her gaze on her nails now, picking at nothing. \u201cOur worlds are very similar, you forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her hair was glowing a bright shade of purple, the purple grass beneath nearly the same shade of glow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A soft hum emits from the back of my throat, and I stare ahead at the rest of her world: the pink sky, the purple grass, the white sun, the yellow clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was still so weird despite having been here for a year already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dI still don\u2019t understand this whole Valentine\u2019s, lovey dovey thing,\u201d I say, glancing over at Hjslops, an eyebrow raising as one of my rabbit ears flick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hjslops gives me this look like she\u2019s both disappointed and understanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weird combo, but sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat, you\u2019ve never wanted to celebrate a cute holiday before?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shrug, now a little intrigued by the idea. But I wouldn\u2019t tell her that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though, I\u2019m sure she knows anyway without me having to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dI mean\u2026\u201d I start, trailing off, my eyes squinting a little. \u201cNot really,\u201d I conclude. \u201cI didn\u2019t grow up privileged enough to be able to celebrate irrelevant things like Valentine\u2019s Day or Christmas, or Halloween. Plus, when I was Thomas and all, he wasn\u2019t really that type to do things for me, especially <\/em>for something like Valentine\u2019s Day.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hjslops groans and rolls her eyes, a glare in her eyes as she directs it at a random tree, probably feeling the same resentment I did towards Thomas. \u201cThat\u2019s because he\u2019s a huge douchebag. Any guy who actually loved his girlfriend would be thrilled to do something for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then her cheeky smirk comes back. \u201cLike Naftrel. He absolutely adores you and there\u2019s no way he isn\u2019t attempting to do something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adores me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suppose he does. I mean\u2026 He treats me really good that sometimes I think he\u2019s faking it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dYou know, you’re able to find this out yourself,\u201d I point out, shifting in my spot to give the woman a narrowed look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hjslops shrugs, swiping her long hair off her shoulders. \u201cI want to be surprised, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My eyebrows furrow. \u201cRight\u2026\u201d How is she supposed to be surprised if she already suspects him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t understand her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201dYou really want me to help you deliver this commission with you?\u201d My voice cracks a little as I look down at the canvas in a white bag in Naftrel\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He nods, a hopeful look on his puppy-like face. \u201cYes. And I know it\u2019s a little late,\u201d I give him a look, \u201cOkay\u2026 A lot late, but maybe it\u2019d be fun to deliver this with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My arms cross as I lean back against his grey couch. \u201cYou can\u2019t deliver it tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naftrel shakes his head, taking a step closer to me, holding the covered canvas close to his chest. \u201cI can\u2019t; it\u2019s for Valentine\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Valentine\u2019s day? It was really late, though, at that point it\u2019d be better to actually wait for the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The look on his face tells me he knows my thought process, but his begging eyes were a little too hard to resist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a sigh, I get up from the couch and Naftrel instantly perks up, his tail wagging excitedly behind him, his ears straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

I have a feeling Naftrel hasn\u2019t been entirely truthful with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve never seen him personally deliver a commission, and this path we\u2019re taking isn\u2019t in the direction of any houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it leads to a small lake, one Naftrel and I have gone to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dNaftrel,\u201d I start to voice my concern, but he cuts me off with a sort of playfully stern look. My eyes narrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trees around us give out an eerie feel with the late sky, but it was oddly comforting, so I wasn\u2019t entirely bothered by the creepy look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cicadas chirped in the background, as well, and it was oddly warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or maybe that was just me because Naftrel had me cover myself in a bunch of layers of clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is February after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dWe\u2019re here,\u201d I hear that familiar deep voice and turn my attention to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He gives me a warm and hopeful smile, but I just raise an eyebrow in confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he sees my confusion, he takes a step to the side to reveal a blanket lied gently on top of the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My eyes widen a little. But why? It\u2019s just a blanket\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naftrel comes closer to me and I can\u2019t help the red that comes to my cheeks as he does. He hands the canvas to me. \u201cAnd this is for you,\u201d he says, his ears against his head a little, but his tail wags gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dFor me?\u201d I question quietly, taking the covered canvas and looking down at it, almost afraid it\u2019ll jump at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dFor you,\u201d he repeats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I spare a single glance up at Naftrel before I uncover the canvas and a beautiful painting of me <\/em>showered in various flowers is what meets my eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dWow,\u201d I mutter without realizing I said it aloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This must\u2019ve taken ages to paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did he even get this done in one day? Wait, did he get it done in one day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My gaze looks back up to the wolf. \u201cHow long did this take?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shrugs. \u201cA month, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dA month?!\u201d I exclaim, my eyes bulging from my head. \u201cHow did you hide this from me for that long?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tries to hold back his grin by pursing his lips, but his amusement is obvious on his face anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dYou just don\u2019t\u2026 pay a whole lot of attention is all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My own lips purse and I squint my eyes at him, releasing a huff in annoyance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He only chuckles, shaking his head. \u201cDo you at least like it? I know you don\u2019t necessarily have any favorite flowers, so I tried to add some that I thought fit you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I trail my eyes back to the painting and take it over once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could see each stroke of the brush, each color layered upon another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was truly beautiful\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dYeah,\u201d I say with a slow nod. \u201cI like it.\u201d I look back up at him, a warmth coming back to my cheeks. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the first time anyone has ever done this for me. I mean\u2026 He spent a month <\/em>on this. That\u2019s a month of his time just for me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dYou\u2019re welcome. But that\u2019s not it,\u201d his voice catches my attention again, my eyes widening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dThere\u2019s more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He nods. \u201cA little.\u201d He points to the blanket before taking my hand gently in his, leading me closer to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dYou ever star gazed before?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shake my head before shrugging. \u201cNot really, no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naftrel gives me a cheeky look, his tail swiping against my waist teasingly. \u201cWell, today you will. With me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My eyes roll. \u201cOh, how tragic, it just had to be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He only smirks. \u201cYou love me.\u201d He guides me down to the blanket, and I watch as he lays back against it, adjusting a little in his spot for comfortability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I place the canvas gently beside the blanket on top of the white bag that was over it before I lie beside Naftrel, only for him to tug me in closer until my head is against his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rather nervous laugh leaves me. \u201cUnfortunately,\u201d I reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, I look up at the sky and it\u2019s littered in bright stars that only appear tiny from here. They\u2019re pretty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I really don\u2019t remember a time I ever took the time to observe the stars; watch as they twinkle, connect them into random things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Naftrel beside me, it was cosy, it was easy to get lost in the stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I guess Hjslops was right\u2026 He was <\/em>doing something for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was all a little embarrassing to be honest. I\u2019ve never had this happen to me before, and Naftrel just does it all without hesitancy, with\u2026 love.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ugh, I hate saying that; A shiver runs down my back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naftrel\u2019s hand softly runs up and down my arms, then moves to my waist and does it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His touch has always been so calculated and homely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve never technically had a home before. Not one like Naftrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With him he feels\u2026 safe. Like I could go to him for anything and everything and he\u2019d welcome it, he\u2019d hear me before he did anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I never had that. Not with Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I\u2019m happy I have it now, that Naftrel can be the rock in my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had we not met, I would probably be dead, no joke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dWhat\u2019re you thinking about?\u201d Naftrel questions in a whisper, his touch still on my waist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I breathe out a long content sigh without really meaning to and adjust in my spot, snuggling closer to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dNothing, just\u2026 life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s quiet for a moment and I feel him nodding faintly. \u201cLife,\u201d he repeats. \u201cThat\u2019s truly something to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I chuckle softly. \u201cIt is\u2026,\u201d my words trail off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I reach out at the sky with my hand, feeling the wind swift through my fingers as I try to touch the stars. \u201cWhy did you do this for me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dBecause it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day,\u201d Naftrel replied like it was the most obvious thing on Laemek. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A scoff leaves me, my hand still up feeling the light breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dJust because it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day? I never understood the holiday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silence stretches out between us before Naftrel follows with, \u201cNo. It\u2019s because I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His own hand reaches out, bumping against mine before he sinks his fingers in between mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dI did this because I love you. I like having you in my life and doing this for you is my way of showing you that you matter to me, that you\u2019re my top priority in life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naftrel turns his attention to me and offers a gentle smile, his eyes twinkling like the stars above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My cheeks burn with his confession and I can\u2019t help but awkwardly clear my throat. \u201cI\u2026 Don\u2019t really know what to say to that,\u201d I admit, looking at our hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dYou don\u2019t have to say anything, I\u2019m just letting you know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He really just expects me to not say anything? After that life changing confession, he\u2019s okay with me not <\/em>responding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh my god.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dNaftrel,\u201d <\/em>I whisper after a moment. \u201cI want you to know that I can\u2019t give you back the same amount of love that you give me. Even when you overfill my cup, I may only be able to fill yours half-way up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depressing after his love confession, but I can\u2019t help it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He deserves to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dI know, bunny,\u201d he whispers back, bringing the back of my hand to his mouth before placing a gentle kiss. \u201cAnd I\u2019m okay with that; I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agh! He makes me want to rip out all of my hair from my scalp!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201d\u2026I love you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201c1965\u201d\u2014-Zella Day Anastasia x Naftrel AU | 1st person POV | Characters are kemonomimis Naftrel\u2019s POV INTRO Today was the big day. No, not a wedding, not a funeral, not the reunion of long lost sisters. Today was Valentines Day. Anastasia and I have been together for a good while now, and I do my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[16,32,12,13,8,17,45,15,42],"class_list":["post-210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stuck-in-laemek-au-coming-soon","tag-ao3","tag-holidays","tag-romance","tag-romantasy","tag-stuck-in-laemek","tag-upcoming","tag-valentines-day","tag-wattpad","tag-wip"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=210"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":242,"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210\/revisions\/242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstoryau.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}