“A supernova?” Cepheus echoed. He blinked twice in quick succession and then they creased at the corners above a giant grin. “Well, they last a few million years before they fade.”

Perhaps astronomy metaphors and jokes were going to be their thing. Cepheus wouldn’t complain - he’d grown up with them given the Gamp family’s naming conventions. For now, he was content to enjoy kissing Arcturus. Something he’d wondered about each time they’d spent time together, but hadn’t ever imagined would be so easy when it happened for real.

After the second, lingering kiss (just as good, if not better than their first), Cepheus found his arms looped around Arc’s waist. He wore a bright, happy smile, and held his partner’s gaze a moment longer than he might have felt comfortable doing half an hour before. His heart fluttered. Now it felt official.

“Come,” he spoke softly but decisively to Arc, and slipped his arms from round the wizard’s waist. Instead, he held both arms outstretched towards the other, hands gently upturned to receive hands with light grasp. “Let’s go inside, get warm. Have some more to drink, and put on a little music.” Behind him, the latch clicked, door drifting open to let them retreat inside. The bright smile at what had just occurred did not depart Ceph’s features, and he blinked slowly. “I want to enjoy this evening with you. Just us.”

Arc very nearly retracted the question, but Cepheus's answer stopped him and quickly made him glad he didn't. He was impressed by the answer and that just made him even more glad that he had chosen to admit.

The stars would collide above them once again and vanish to leave one behind, the one that mattered for that moment stopped in time. Then time came flooding back in and he was touched by the joy of the other wizard. Touched, and overjoyed himself. Such a strange, new feeling. They'd looked into each other's eyes again and his heart warmed to the sweet kindness in those blue eyes. He was so relieved - relieved to finally admit and be himself, and it was mutual.

“Come... I want to enjoy this evening with you. Just us.” Cepheus didn't need to ask twice. Arc took his hands, still smiling like it would never end. He didn't have to reply to this one either.

He went home still with a smile on his face. It had been hard to say goodnight. But they had stayed late, toasts were made and it was to each other that they had wished a good new year ahead. Nothing in his head once said anything to oppose this.

They'd see each other again in the new year soon enough.