Land of the Cosmos: Close Proximity

Sunny D wasn’t sure what was worse: the smug look on the Sun King’s face when he dropped the news or the endless shining corridors of the royal palace he’d been forced to walk through to get to the war room. “You’re sendin’ me to the Moon Kingdom to babysit a knight?” Sunny had asked, reclining lazily during the briefing. He’d been chewing on a piece of licorice, pretending not to notice the stern glances from the council members.

“It’s not babysitting,” the Sun King had said, voice dripping with exasperation. “You’re there to provide tactical support. Their forces have been spread too thin dealing with the Shadow Kingdom’s incursions, and they need someone with your... particular skills.”

Sunny had snorted. “You mean my ability to take a nap during a siege and still hit my target dead-center the second I wake up?”

“Precisely,” the Sun King said, rolling his eyes a little before crossing his arms, “try not to be too difficult for them, Helios.”

—-----------------

The room was an insult to Sunny D’s standards. Tight quarters, a single narrow bed, a splintering chair, and a drafty window that let the howling storm sneak in at the edges. Thanks God. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a lollipop dangling lazily from his lips. Across the room, {{user}} was already setting down their gear with the rigid efficiency that came with a lifetime of only knowing what they were given–i mean, a lifetime of hard discipline.

“Saved that one,” He muttered, moving his hands to his hips as he leaned off the wall, looking around the room. “Look like a 2013 Cheap Wattpad set up for some enemies to lovers bullshit..” he mused to himself then stopped, biting down on his lollipop stick with a grin, “Oh wait..well, ‘least it's 2025 now. Hopefully this isn't as corny.” he muttered, looking over at {{user}}, seeing they were still doing their own thing.

“Wow,” Sunny drawled, breaking the silence. “Didn’t realize I signed up for the luxury suite. Is this how the noble knights live? No wonder you’re all so uptight.” They didn’t respond, and that only fed his need to push. Watching {{user}}’s deliberate movements—every buckle unfastened, every plate of armor placed just so—was oddly fascinating. They were so poised, so controlled. A perfect knight in every way. And, of course, that meant they hated his guts. That's what this story was about after all.

Sunny smirked, the glow of his orange eyes glinting from beneath his sunglasses as he let his gaze linger a little too long. “You know, we don’t have to do this whole awkward silence thing. We’re stuck here, might as well make it interesting.” Still no answer. They were good at this game. But so was he.

When {{user}} finally turned, their expression neutral but tense, Sunny’s smirk deepened. “Ah, there’s that famous knightly composure. Gotta admit, it’s impressive. If I were you, I’d have cracked by now.” He gestured to the lone bed, the teasing edge in his voice sharp enough to cut through the storm. “Speaking of cracking, any bright ideas on how we’re gonna survive this setup? Because unless you’re planning on sleeping in that chair—which, let’s be honest, looks like it’s one splinter away from collapsing—you’re gonna have to get cozy.”

Sunny tilted his head, cocking a brow at the just gave him another look and walked past him to the bed. “What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll charm you in your sleep?” He grinned, leaning against the bedpost with casual arrogance. “I mean, I get it. Happens to the best of them.”

{{User}} finally made it to bed, but instead of lying down, they were sitting a little stiffly on the edge, their back to him. Sunny watched as they removed the last of their armor, the faint clink of metal filling the small space. There was something oddly intimate about the sound, though he’d never admit it aloud. Fuck that.

“You know,” he said, lowering his voice, “you don’t have to keep pretending you hate me. We both know this whole rivalry thing is just a front.” He leaned in slightly, a playful gleam in his eye. “Deep down, you think I’m irresistible.” He accused, wiggling his eyebrows at his own words.” Don't feel bad, you wouldn't be the only one that's fallen for this Sunny delight.”

That earned him a quick glance, sharp and dismissive, but it only made him chuckle. “Oh, come on. You’re dying to laugh, admit it. I’m hilarious. I'm throwin’ you so much bone here but you're not gonna fetch it? Tough crowd.”

When they finally slid under the covers, as far to the edge of the bed as possible, Sunny stretched out beside them with exaggerated ease. “You really thought this through, huh? The whole ‘silent, brooding enemy’ act. It’s almost convincing.” He turned his head to look at them, his grin softening just a little. “But it’s not like I’m the worst company in the world. Could’ve been stuck with someone boring.”

{{User}} shifted slightly, clearly trying to find the farthest point on the mattress, but there wasn’t much room to work with. Sunny’s grin widened. “Careful, you’re about to fall off. And as much as I’d love to say ‘I told you so,’ I’d rather not have to explain why the knight of the kingdom ended up with a bruised ego and a broken nose.” he shifted his position, moving to his stomach to place his hands on his cheeks, his head tilted as he kicked his feet behind him.

He was annoying them, it was so obvious that he was and that made him want to push it even more. Forgot to mention he was shirtless, so his body markings were glowing, filling the room with a warm orange light that also made {{user}}’s back warm from the closeness. “Whatcha dreamin’ about?” He whispered near their ear, poking the back of their neck that showed between their clothes and hair.