The dawn painted the sky with vibrant shades of orange and pink as Oliver woke up. His eyes slowly adjusted, revealing Ian sitting at the edge of the bed, watching him with a serene smile on his lips and a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

"That's creepy," Oliver complained, sitting up slowly, his muscles still relaxed from deep sleep.

Ian's melodious laughter filled the air as he handed the cup to Oliver. Leaning in, Ian planted a tender kiss on Oliver's temple, his breath warm and sweet against his skin.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Ian said in an overly affectionate tone.

Taking the cup, Oliver inhaled the invigorating aroma.

Ian flopped onto the bed beside him, his weight making the mattress sink slightly, drawing them closer.

"Why are you already up? We have the day off, and we only slept for two hours last night," Oliver asked grumpily, sipping the hot liquid.

"Very well spent hours, I might add," Ian remarked with a mischievous smile, crossing his arms behind his head as he looked at Oliver with content, sparkling eyes.

A shy smile spread across Oliver's face, dissipating his morning grumpiness, and he took another sip of his drink. A groan of appreciation escaped his lips as the hot, aromatic coffee spread across his palate, its rich and comforting flavor.

What Oliver didn't expect was Ian's playful humor when he added, "Yes, that jogs my memory."

Laughing, Oliver grabbed a soft pillow and tossed it at Ian's face, muffling his exaggerated laughter.

"Shut up," he said, pretending to be annoyed, but unable to suppress his own grin.

Ian adjusted the pillows under his head, settling in comfortably as his eyes shone fixed on Oliver. There was a captivating depth in his gaze, as if he wanted to devour Oliver with the desire radiating from his illuminated face.

Oliver's curiosity bubbled, eager to know what lay behind that look, but Ian's voice broke the silence first.

"We have a jet waiting for us," Ian informed casually. "It's a long trip, so I think we should hurry."

"A long trip? Where to?" Oliver asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

A cryptic smile formed on Ian's lips.

"I have another surprise for you," he revealed, leaving Oliver anxious to discover what he had planned this time.

Ian hurried Oliver throughout the morning, insisting they needed to reach the mysterious destination before nightfall. Oliver barely had time to wake up properly, let alone gather his thoughts, as he haphazardly threw clothes into a suitcase, packed toothbrushes and shoes, stuffing everything in a rush while Ian did the same beside him.

As they descended the stairs toward the inn's restaurant, all eyes turned to them with expressions of pure delight, as if they were two ducklings still learning to swim. The conspiratorial smiles exchanged between Ian and everyone at the table made it clear that everyone except Oliver knew what was coming.

"Seriously, Ian? Am I the only one out of the loop?" Oliver frowned; his frustration evident.

"Well, you're familiar with the concept of a surprise, aren't you?" Ian smiled, pleased to keep Oliver in suspense.

Oliver narrowed his eyes, feigning irritation despite his growing curiosity. "Familiar enough with the term to hate it."

Ian looked at him with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"You don't really hate surprises." Pulling out a chair with a theatrical gesture, he indicated for Oliver to sit. "Please, Your Majesty."

Ian's charm won Oliver over, and he sat in the indicated chair, unable to contain the smile forming on his lips.

"Oh, the magic of newlyweds!" Michael teased from across the table, as Ian rested his hands on Oliver's shoulders playfully.

Laughter echoed through the restaurant, even infecting Oliver.

"How did the lovebirds spend the night?" Laura asked, with excessive informality, and Oliver felt his cheeks flush.

Far from being embarrassed, Ian promptly replied, "Very well, thank you. Oliver's just grumpy because I didn't let him sleep."

He shot a teasing look at Oliver, who playfully scolded him.

"Ian!"

Shrugging innocently, Ian wore a charming smile.

"Too much information!" Alice pretended to choke before standing up. Extending her hand to Lily, she invited, "Shall we take a walk in the gardens with Lana?"

The smell of coffee soon filled the air, and although Oliver was still a bit grumpy from the lack of sleep and the slight hangover throbbing at the back of his head, the opportunity to eat in peace was refreshing.

"So? Has the press found out yet?" Ian inquired casually, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

"Not yet." Oliver's mother replied with a serene smile.

"It's only a matter of time." Oliver shrugged. "But I don't care. I've said what I needed to, now it's up to them to digest it."

"Well, it might not have been an official wedding, but you gave us a real queen!" Michael joked, his good humor infectious.

"You did the right thing," Emma supported, eliciting a genuine smile from Oliver.

Ian wrapped his arm around his shoulders, squeezing him affectionately while downing his glass of juice in one gulp, defying all etiquette rules.

Oliver shot him a sideways glance as Ian declared:

"Well, I think it's time to go."

Curiosity took hold of Oliver again. "To where?"

Before he could finish, Ian touched the tip of his nose with a finger, shaking his head with a mischievous smile on his lips.

"Nice try, but it's not going to work this time."

After bidding warm farewells to their families, a rideshare car took them to Edinburgh Airport. The journey was filled with expectant silence, Oliver's mind buzzing with possible destinations.

Despite the enigmatic air, Ian radiated a light and contagious joy. His pretended refusal to reveal the plans could have irritated Oliver, if not for the irresistible charm Ian exuded that morning.

Upon arrival, a private jet awaited them on the runway. Ian promptly grabbed the hand luggage and boarded the aircraft, with Oliver following suspiciously.

Carefully, Ian adjusted the neck pillow before settling into the seat, phone in hand.

"Want the window seat?" he asked casually, as if he hadn't tortured Oliver with suspense all morning.

Faced with silence, Ian claimed the seat for himself.

Oliver sat beside him, arms crossed and lips pursed in an adorable pout as he watched Ian slide his fingers across the phone screen.

A childish attitude, he admitted, but he couldn't contain his anxiety.

"Aren't you going to tell me where we're going?" Oliver insisted.

Ian looked up from the screen, responding succinctly: "Hawaii."

Oliver's eyes widened.

"Hawaii?" he questioned, perplexed. "What are we going to do in Hawaii?" Oliver persisted, but Ian seemed indifferent. "Ian, that's almost a 20-hour flight from here!"

A mischievous smile curved Ian's lips as he patted the empty seat beside him.

"Then you'll have plenty of time to nap," he teased with his usual enigmatic air.

◃───────────▹

Oliver slept for at least two-thirds of the trip.

It was the gentle brush of Ian's lips that woke Oliver from his nap on the plane. As he opened his eyes, he found Ian's sparkling gaze, a mix of excitement and anticipation as he announced they had arrived in Kona. With his usual efficiency, all the details were already taken care of.

A sleek SUV awaited them to begin the journey to their mysterious destination.

Ian confidently took the wheel, driving them through the breathtaking volcanic landscapes of the Big Island. While chatting animatedly about various topics, he maintained an air of mystery about their destination, piquing Oliver's curiosity.

The lush green mountains gave way to an arid and rocky terrain as they advanced. Lava fields stretched as far as the eye could see, a surreal, otherworldly scene.

The thin air reminded them of the increasing altitude with each mile climbed, and through the windows, Oliver glimpsed starlit reflections in the water pools formed in craters.

Every turn unveiled a new breathtaking landscape, with rugged hills and towering peaks unfolding ahead. It was like entering a mysterious realm of unparalleled beauty.

Around the final winding curve, a breathtaking sight greeted them.

The white domes of the Mauna Kea Observatory rose majestically against the night sky, their modern lines contrasting with the lunar-like landscape. They looked like celestial jewels set atop the mountain.

As Oliver looked up, he was treated to a dazzling spectacle: familiar constellations came to life, while meteors streaked across fleeting paths. Distant planets and galaxies dotted the horizon, inviting them to contemplate the vastness of the cosmos.

The car stopped in front of the observatory, and Oliver let out a wondrous sigh.

Awestruck by the grandeur of the landscape, his eyes traced the road winding for miles, offering panoramic views of volcanic mountains and the deep blue ocean.

"Wow," Oliver breathed, utterly enchanted.

With a fluid motion, Ian turned in the driver's seat to face him.

His expression took on a solemn tone as he began to speak:

"I thought a lot about what to give you, and a ring seemed too obvious. Then I remembered you often write about stars, and I saw the perfect opportunity to gift you one. Actually, an entire constellation."

Oliver furrowed his brow, confused by the enigmatic words.

"What do you mean?" he asked, trying to grasp the meaning behind them. "Is this a metaphor for what exactly?"

"It's not a metaphor. I literally bought a constellation," Ian replied with disarming simplicity.

A laugh escaped Oliver's lips, still not fully understanding. With a delicate gesture, Ian retrieved a small folder from his blazer and handed it over.

With trembling fingers, Oliver opened the folder, revealing a star registration certificate. A graphical representation of the constellation filled the page, showing its stars and distinct shape.

Below, the name Ian had chosen: Oliver, surprisingly.

"Is this possible?" He asked, torn between surprise and awe.

"Oliver, for an authority, you're quite uninformed," Ian teased, rolling his eyes playfully. "Of course, you can buy a constellation. It might not be officially recognized, but you're the king. One word from you and it becomes part of common knowledge." He shrugged confidently. "Come on, I want you to see it."

Ian guided Oliver down the red dirt road to the imposing spherical structure that soon captured Oliver's attention. They stopped in front of it, and Ian took Oliver's hand, leading him down a curved, dark hallway until they entered the dome's interior.

What Oliver saw next left him utterly breathless — it was as if they were immersed in space itself.

The night sky stretched above them, dotted with stars that seemed within reach. Ian walked to the massive telescope, gesturing for Oliver to join him.

Oliver approached, and Ian made room for him to look through the lens, fitting his body against Oliver's back. The perfect night enhanced the carefully prepared surprise. The sky was a deep blue, sprinkled with myriad twinkling stars that seemed to dance in the darkness.

The intoxicating scent of Ian's skin enveloped Oliver, who closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the closeness. Ian's hands found his waist, and he rested his chin on Oliver's shoulder, patiently guiding him to find the constellation Oliver before them.

"There it is," he finally pointed to an unusual cluster. Oliver couldn't associate it with anything specific, but that didn't matter. "See? You're a neighbor of Andromeda."

Oliver's eyes traced each star, following the luminous trails marking the night sky. Ian remained silent behind him, but his fingers traced subtle patterns along Oliver's waist, almost unconsciously.

And then, in the beats of Ian's heart against his back, Oliver realized that this hadn't been an impulsive gesture.

It had been meticulously planned.

"How long have you been planning to bring me here?" he asked, turning to nestle into Ian's warm embrace, their faces inches apart.

"Not long," Ian replied softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Oliver's face with a gentle touch. "Being close to the king has its perks, though I needed several authorizations to access the observatory. But it was worth it," he smiled proudly, then teased with mock apprehension. "You liked it, didn't you?"

"How could I not?" Oliver murmured, wrapping his arms around Ian's shoulders, pulling him closer.

Ian returned the embrace, their bodies fitting perfectly under the starry sky.

"It can get even better," Ian announced, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he gently pulled away.

He led Oliver to a spiral metal staircase winding up the outer wall, leading to the top of the dome.

Without hesitation, Ian began to climb, each step echoing softly in the night. As they ascended, the staircase grew narrower, demanding caution and balance, but with each step, the sense of being in a unique and sublime place only grew.

At the top, a platform awaited them, and before them, the firmament stretched in all directions.

It felt as if they could touch the sky with their hands.

Ian approached Oliver, his eyes fascinated as they swept across the horizon.

"Look around," he whispered. "One of the most wonderful views in Hawaii. Maybe in the world."

"Thank you," Oliver exhaled, capturing Ian's gaze, heavy with affectionate wonder.

The stars danced in Ian's eyes, mirroring the depth of their intertwined souls.

Ian smiled, clearly satisfied, then lay on the ground, arms crossed behind his head as he gazed at the vast universe. Slowly, Oliver joined him. He lay beside Ian, dividing his attention between the cosmic spectacle above and the stunning man beside him.

Ian held Oliver's hand, fingers intertwined, and began to play with the ring, spinning it thoughtfully. The ring, a physical representation of their love, gleamed softly.

"I feel different," he whispered with a touch of awe, as if realizing it for the first time.

"Different good or different bad?" Oliver asked softly, letting Ian caress his palms while their gazes lost themselves in the vastness of the starry sky.

"Very good different," Ian replied, his eyes reflecting countless points of light like a mirror. "I feel so small, like a mere dot in the vastness of all this. But then, there's this overwhelming sense of connection, as if it's just you and me against the backdrop of the universe. It's... indescribable, really."

"We don't need anything else," Oliver murmured, his voice almost inaudible.

Moved, Oliver leaned in, propping himself on an elbow as his body hovered over Ian. Their gazes locked, and in Ian's eyes shone a tenderness so genuine and deep that it made Oliver's heart skip a beat.

"I love you," Ian whispered hoarsely, pouring every ounce of his being into those words.

Their lips met in a passionate kiss that overflowed with an indescribable sweetness. Oliver put his entire soul into that kiss, allowing their essences to merge in a sacred embrace.

"I love you too," Oliver exhaled against Ian's lips, his voice a whisper so faint it was barely audible.

He felt Ian's muscular arm wrap around him in a possessive grip, pulling him close with a force that suggested he feared Oliver might dissipate into the air if he let go.

"You know," Ian let his smile widen as they pulled away, his fingers idly playing with Oliver's golden locks. "I kind of bribed the observatory guards, and they assured me there's absolutely no chance of anyone showing up here."

"Really?" A clear laugh escaped Oliver's lips, light and ethereal like the night breeze caressing their skin. Ian nodded, his eyes sparkling with anticipation and contained mischief. "And what exactly do you plan, my love?"

"I think having sex up here would be a transcendental experience," Ian teased carelessly, but the idea was too tempting to ignore — even if it was deliciously reckless.

"That's crazy," Oliver whispered softly, yet still sinking gently against Ian, who enveloped him in a cozy embrace, his smile widening as vast as the celestial dome above their heads.

"Completely," he agreed without hesitation, stealing another kiss from Oliver's lips. "But I'd say we're pretty used to craziness by now."

And that night, under the dazzling canopy of the night sky, they became part of the galaxy, bodies and souls entwined as if they were never meant to exist any other way.

Every touch from Ian was a deliberate, reverent caress, bordering on worship, as if Oliver were his most precious relic.

Looking into Ian's eyes, Oliver no longer saw just a reflection of the night sky. In that moment, Ian was the living embodiment of love in its purest, most real, and utterly sublime form — something Oliver had always longed for in his heart but never imagined he could reach.

That deep and sacred connection drew him into that universe, literally and figuratively.

It was as if he had finally found a home he never had before, a sense of belonging and completeness he would never let go.

"Remember when I said my whole universe resided in your eyes?"

Oliver forced the words out, fragmented as the indescribable pleasure Ian was giving him made even thinking a challenge.

Ian nodded, his gaze locked on Oliver's, spellbound, as Oliver paused his movements above him briefly.

"Well, now that's not just a poetic metaphor anymore."