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A cool dense night settles over New Mexico, perfect conditions for going out somewhere. Getting away from the bustle of the city and suburbs, a blanket of stars shines bright over moonlit powdery gray sand. Howard’s dark sleek car is out of place here, but there’s nowhere that he and Chuck would rather be right now.
Howard only pulls his car slightly off the dirt road, making sure to keep close to it as he parks. The two watch the headlights cut out over the gentle hills when he kills the engine. It’s still decently lit out from the moon, with very few clouds in the sky, but it’s safer to stay near the main road than to venture off even a bit. They both sit in the car for a beat, taking in the view through the windshield, before they resolve to step out and shut the doors. A brief echo sounds, and then it’s completely silent beyond the shifting sand.
Leaving all the cities behind is great for many reasons, but the serenity of the bright starry sky is enough in its own right. They had planned this loosely all week, and as soon as their schedules and the weather permitted, they hopped in the car and took off for a familiar place in the desert. It was well worth the wait. The stars are beautiful tonight, just what they needed to decompress together.
Chuck is wrapped in a blanket- a regular one, not made of mylar- to shield against any particular harsh breezes. Though the desert is red and brutal in the day, it turns deceptively cold by nightfall. Tonight the air is pleasantly crisp, but the wind leaves a prickle of goosebumps on uncovered skin. He always feels susceptible to the temperature, whether it’s too warm or too cold, but Howard isn’t as bothered. The two of them stand on the same side of the car and lean back against it.
Wind pushes sand downhill like a dusty river. Chuck pulls the blanket tighter around his shoulders just for comfort. Dry bushes and cactuses dot the land in the distance, unmoving, but the gently sloping plain is mostly uncovered ghost blue sand drifting about. Everything looks strangely brand new in the different lighting.
Things feel different, too. They’re looking up.
Chuck sighs deeply, his entire body relaxing as he exhales. It’s beautiful and peaceful, and he isn’t in any pain. Discomfort rarely leaves him, though he’s on an upswing lately, but tonight he feels no aches or fatigue.
Howard decides to break the silence.
“It’s gorgeous out tonight,” he mumbles, tearing his eyes away from the sky and turning to Chuck.
Chuck nods, his eyes still trained on the stars. Low lighting always suited him, softens his harsh features, and Howard feels cozier looking at him in the starlight. The world turns slow and dim, like it’s just a backdrop for the two of them. No words are needed to fill the space. Chuck’s eyes flit around, looking for something, and Howard watches him.
He takes a quiet sharp breath, one of recognition, and tilts his head toward Howard, still looking at the sky.
“Orion,” Chuck mutters as he points off. “‘About the only one I can find this time of year.”
Sure enough, it is where Chuck is pointing, though it takes Howard a moment to find it. He’s never been good at finding constellations either, save for the very easy ones, but sometimes he likes to look up on long nights and make his own up. He stares at the three stars making up the belt and finds a comfortable smile resting on his face.
“I can never find them either. Don’t suppose the Big Dipper is out now?”
Chuck laughs at that and shakes his head. “That one passed a while ago. We’re a bit too south, I think. It’s below the horizon.”
Howard tuts in fake disappointment. “Guess I’m no use tonight.”
He hums, finally looking at Howard. “You got us here. That’s some use.”
They both smile at the teasing and fall back into silence, taking the night in. It isn’t often that they get to be alone anymore, with no distractions pulling either of them away. They’ll probably drive home within the hour, but the night feels everlasting at the moment.
Another breeze chills them, and they move a step closer. Things are looking up.