"And as she wept, stars fell from her eyes..."

Topics: Angst! (Negative Self-Talk , Hurt/Comfort , Fluff)

Author's Note: (Please Read) This story is a bit of a reflection of my own mind during a time I was feeling pretty low. Despite initially writing this for myself, I'm sharing because other's might find comfort in it too.

Pronouns: She/Her | Words: 1502

Modern AU

A clear break in the clouds seemed like a blessing after a long week of persistent rain. Despite summer being just around the corner, the rainfall was certainly making is dreary self-known before any sunshine could grace the land.

Night swiftly ushered the daylight away that evening. The moon rose high above the horizon, beautifying the sky with a milky sheen as the stars flickered under its gentle glow. Fortunately, there was not a single puff of cloud in sight.

(Y/n) sits lonesome on the steps of the back porch, knees pulled up close to her chest as she rests her feet just a step below. With her head tilted to the glistening sky, she gazes in wonder. Mentally, she drew lines between the clusters of sparkling dots above, connecting them to name each familiar constellation, the images they created ever so vivid in her mind.

She let her head rest in her hands, a lazy huff slipping past her lips.

A light tap on the door sounded behind her beckoned her attention away. She peeped over her shoulder and was greeted by an awkward lopsided smile from her companion, Dempsey, who stood in the doorway of the kitchen, the warm light emitting from inside glowing around him.

"You alright out here, missy?" He asked, the concern evident in his softer tone.

(Y/n) smiled weakly. "Yeah, it's just..."

Dempsey followed with his eyes when she pointed upwards. The corners of his lips curled, and instinctively, he found himself coming to sit beside her.

"I just felt a little cooped up all week." She told.

Dempsey's arms rested atop his knees as he huffed. "Yeah I hear ya."

A quiet sigh caught his attention. Dempsey met her eyes, his brows raised. Immediately he noticed that her gaze was continuously pointed upwards. He couldn't bring himself to turn away as he took in the sight of her beady-eyed stare, merely absorbed in the wonders above their heads.

But something struck him strange by the way she seemed almost downcast; her expression contoured under the moonlight with a hint of gloominess. Although only subtly, yet Dempsey could read it clearly.

"You've been... kinda quiet all day." He said, somewhat sounding unsure.

She lazily flicked her gaze to her side, met with Dempsey's worried pup-like eyes. He hastily scanned her fatigued appearance.

"What's going on in that head of yours, girlie?" He asked, pure sincerity in his low tone.

(Y/n) slumped as a heavy breath slipped into the night air. She let her head rest in the palms of her hands, avoiding his attentive stare.

"I've just been thinking I guess." She shrugged, breathing shakily.

Sensing the heaviness looming over her, Dempsey placed a hand on her back, stroking gingerly in hope to soothe her.

"Talk to me." He softly encouraged.

His gentle words brought tears to her eyes, but she wiped them away before they dared to roll down her cheeks. Feeling a cluster of emotion bubble up inside, she felt her chest growing tighter with each shallow breath.

She shook her head, attempting to clear her muddled up thoughts.

"I've just been wondering..." She started, her meek voice trembling.

Dempsey inched closer without a word, never reeling his gaze away from her.

"I've been wondering why I'm the one you chose." She confessed, sounding choked up.

Evidently, Dempsey was taken aback by her words as his eyes widened. He was almost rendered speechless.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

(Y/n) wiped a hand over her face, feeling her cheeks hot and flushed.

"Well, you have so many options." She lazily gestured before her with a hand. "Why'd you choose me?"

For the first time in his life, Dempsey truly was at a loss for words, solely due to shock.

"How could I not choose you?" He asked genuinely.

"I don't know..." She hid her face behind her hands. "But is there not something more that you want? Someone better..."

When she almost curled up on herself, and a series of sniffles filled his ears, Dempsey turned himself towards her fully.

"Come 'ere, darlin'" He scooped her into his arms delicately.

(Y/n) allowed herself to be completely enveloped in his embrace, hiding her face away as she cuddled up against his chest. Dempsey could feel the way she quivered as she fought to contain her cries, feeling a pang of woe in his heart as he recalled her words in his head.

For a short while, he remained silent, merely holding her snuggly in his arms and subconsciously rocking gently as her uneven breaths soon steadied. (Y/n) wiped her tear-stained cheeks and sat put in silence for a moment.

"Why would you think that I'd want someone else?" Dempsey asked in an undertone.

In response, (Y/n) merely shrugged. She sat herself upright in his lap, enough to meet his eyes, immediately catching a glance at his troubled face. Dempsey's hand reached up to gingerly caress her cheek, wiping away the pool of tears beneath her reddened eyes with his thumb.

"I'm so tired of myself, Dempsey." She confessed, her voice trembling.

Dempsey let his hands rest of her waist as he listened intently, his focus solely on the woman in his arms.

"And I worry..." She trailed off, looking down while she fiddled with her hands in her lap.

Dempsey's rounded eyes analysed her in every way, patiently waiting for her next string of words.

"I just worry that you get tired of me too." She told, beginning to fret. "And then I know I'm too much and I'm hard work and- "

"Hey- hey." Dempsey swiftly cut her rambling short.

With every word she spoke sent a pang of hurt through his chest. (Y/n) swallowed the lump in her throat, continuing to avoid his eyes and missing the way Dempsey was visibly taken aback.

"I'll never get tired of you." He assured sincerely, his soft hold on her waist briefly tightening.

(Y/n) sighed, slumping slightly. "You're just saying that."

Dempsey drew in a deep breath. "Look at me."

In mere seconds, their gazes locked. Her brows rose and her eyes glossed over with new tears when Dempsey observed her attentively.

(Y/n) continued to fidget with her hands, anxiety practically eating her alive in that moment, prompting Dempsey to take her hands in his.

"You are never too much." He spoke, emphasising his honesty.

Such genuineness was certainly apparent in his mannerisms. Dempsey's eyes shined a glint of only the earnestness love for her, and (Y/n) found herself unable to tear her gaze away from his gorgeous blue-eyed stare.

Dempsey held her hand to his chest. (Y/n) could feel the way his heartbeat steadily, easing her racing mind as she focused on him. Dempsey allowed her to ground herself for a moment.

"From what you said earlier, I chose you because- well-" He shrugged nonchalantly. "Because you're the one I fell for."

The girl could sense the way he was thinking deeply to string the correct words together. He was always more of a man to show rather than tell. But at times in which one would immensely let their guard down and show their vulnerability, Dempsey always proved himself to be more heartfelt with his words than he ever let on.

"And there's no one else I want more. I'll tell you that." He added.

Dempsey reached up to tuck a lock of hair, blown askew by the breeze, behind her ear. He smiled softly when his eyes met with her own, enticing her lips to curl up meekly.

"Don't get yourself worked up about things like this, alright?" He told. "Because nothing is gonna change the way I feel about you."

When (Y/n) wrapped her arms around his shoulders, she was certain she could see stars in his eyes in that moment, or perhaps it was merely the glimmer of sincerity. But whatever it may have been, it surely captivated her, drawing her closer.

With the moonlight wrapping her in it's heavenly blanket, Dempsey truly believed he beheld an angel.

However, Dempsey noticed the way in which she chewed her lip anxiously, her glances flicking from his eyes to her lap.

His hands clutched her waist. "What 'cha thinkin', missy?"

Despite Dempsey keeping his voice hushed, (Y/n) heard the slightly uplifted tone lacing his words. She couldn't refrain a faint smile at his typical manner of speaking.

"I'm thinking about just how much I love you." She shyly confessed.

The smile brought to Dempsey's face (Y/n) couldn't help but reflect. However, finding herself flustered suddenly, she buried her face in his shoulder when she hugged him tight. The warmth and comfort his strong embrace provided certainly put all her troubles at ease.

"I love you." He stroked her back gingerly. "And I mean that from the bottom of my heart."

(Y/n) pulled away enough to meet his eyes, unable to refrain from kissing his lips sweetly.

"I couldn't ask for anything better in this world." Dempsey declared. "Because you're everything I've ever wanted."