Starlight & Scarabs

✨ Starlight & Scarabs - Chapter 1

✨ Starlight & Scarabs — Chapter 1

Catty Noir's POV • After Boo York • Slow Burn Romance Begins

The city lights of Boo York still glittered behind me, but the noise, the chaos, the flashing cameras — all of it felt a world away now.

For the first time in years, I wasn't rushing to a concert, a rehearsal, or a recording session. I wasn't surrounded by managers or stylists or fans.

I was just... Catty.

And for the first time in a long time, that felt like enough.

I leaned against the balcony railing of the hotel rooftop, letting the cool night breeze ruffle my pink hair. The moon hung low over the skyline, glowing like a spotlight just for me.

"Beautiful view."

I didn't jump — but my tail definitely twitched.

I turned to see Pharaoh standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, golden eyes warm under the city glow. He looked different without the stage lights and the pressure of destiny weighing on him. Softer. Realer.

"Didn't mean to scare you," he added with a crooked smile.

"You didn't," I said, though my heart was beating faster than it should. "Just... thinking."

He stepped closer, leaning on the railing beside me. "About the comet? The prophecy? The whole 'saving the world' thing?"

I laughed softly. "About everything."

He nodded, looking out over the city. "Yeah. Me too."

Silence settled between us — not awkward, just... full. Like there were a thousand things we weren't saying.

Finally, he glanced at me. "You know... I never got to thank you."

"For what?"

"For believing in me. For helping me break free from Cleo's father. For... seeing me."

My breath caught.

Because that was exactly how I felt about him.

"You saw me too," I whispered. "Not the pop star. Not the persona. Just... me."

His smile softened. "That's the only version I care about."

My cheeks warmed. "Pharaoh..."

He looked away quickly, suddenly shy. "Sorry. Too much?"

"No," I said, surprising myself. "Not too much."

The wind picked up, carrying the faint sounds of the city below. Pharaoh's hand brushed mine on the railing — barely a touch, just a whisper of warmth — but it sent a spark up my arm.

He didn't pull away.

Neither did I.

"Catty," he said quietly, "now that the prophecy's over... what do you want?"

I looked at him — really looked — and for the first time, the answer didn't scare me.

"I want to figure out who I am," I said. "What I want. What makes me happy."

He nodded slowly. "And... do you think I could be part of that?"

My heart skipped.

I didn't know what the future held.
I didn't know where my music career was going.
I didn't know what came after saving the world.

But I knew this:

Standing here with him felt right.

"I think," I said softly, "you already are."

His smile was small, but it lit up the whole rooftop.

And for the first time since the comet, I felt something new.

Hope.

AN: (This will be continued after I finish my first book the burn of pride!)