Falling for a God

Ch 4: Gazing

~Adria~

I stared into the depths of the night sky, taking in every twinkle it showered me with. I could listen to the ocean not too far from where I was sitting, its waves crashing over and over. I burrowed my feet in the sand and wiggled my toes a little; I felt so content. Someone sat behind me, their legs on each side of me and arms wrapped around my shoulders. I slightly turned my head and saw Namor, staring at me the same way I look at the sky with such liking. He rested his chin on my shoulder and closed his eyes, his arms hugging me tighter. We didn't speak a word; there was no need. My heart was pounding so hard against my chest I thought I would melt.

Then I woke up. No, I want to sleep some more, I thought.

I was still at the lab on a bed, with an IV attached to me. I looked around and found myself completely alone. Where did he go? I wondered. I took the IV out and got up, looking around a bit nervous.

My shoulder still hurt, but it wasn't that bad. Seems like I didn't break anything. The shock affected me more than anything else, but I had other things in mind at the moment. Where was Namor? I found a few staff members working there and asked them if they had seen a man with an expensive-looking robe walking around.

"He's in the observatory."

They said.

I went up toward my favorite spot in the lab; it was a space Shuri had made for me. I used to say 'I'm no good for anything,' and then she would reply with, 'you're. You just haven't found that which you're passionate about. Once you do, fill this place with what you love.'

The vastness of the sky is what made me wish I could fly. Its colors, the mystery, and the freedom it gave me were simply breathtaking and it seemed like I wasn't the only one who loved it.

There he was, staring through the telescope. I walked by his side and leaned closer; he was looking at the moon.

"It's nice, isn't it?"

He glanced back at me and gave me a concerned look.

"Are you okay? I thought you had to be in bed."

"I'm fine. Good as new."

He looked at my shoulder and then back at me.

"You dislocated your shoulder. One of the doctors said you would heal just fine, but they were concerned about your blood sugar levels. Low. Also, exhaustion, stress—"

"Did they tell you all about my medical history?"

"I asked them. Just wanted to make sure you were really okay."

I frowned to show my disapproval, but couldn't keep it up for long; he had this child-like smile that wouldn't let me sulk in peace.

I looked through the telescope and moved it just slightly, then motioned at him with my hand to take a look. He leaned forwards and squinted his right eye.

"It's a constellation. Her name is Cassiopeia."

"I see it."

"Those five stars make a W, but with some imagination, we could picture queen Cassiopeia sitting on her throne. According to Greek mythology, she loved to boast about her beauty. Poseidon punished her and set images of her in the sky."

I noticed I was speaking way too fast and too much to someone who probably doesn't care about stars and whatnot. I looked down at my feet and got quiet.

"Go on,"

He demanded.

"That constellation is supposed to represent her punishment. Being chained to her throne."