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Patton looked upon the sunset with a little smile, his hands gently gripping the rooftop as he dangled his feet off the edge. He breathed in the crisp night air before letting it out with a soft sigh. The sun was about halfway down the horizon at this point, the yellows and reds mixing together to make sizzling oranges that painted the sky and wide grassy plains. Higher up, pink was beginning to emerge and splash color onto the clouds, making them look like floating patches of cotton candy that drifted across the sky. A sliver of blue rested at the top, a few solitary stars shining bright against the blazing sun.
He always loved watching the sunset, especially with his family on warm summer evenings like this one. The longer days made them have to wait, but they were always patient. His son Roman always looked on with wide eyed wonder as the colorful symphony played out across the heavens. Meanwhile, his husband Logan always watched with a small smile, always pointing out how the newest sunset was different from the last one in ways that Patton never even considered. And while Roman usually fell asleep shortly after the sunset concluded, Logan always stayed up and pointed out the stars, which were beautifully visible out here in the country, at this house that they always visited in June. But both of them had called it an early night, so he was up here alone.
In addition, Roman’s friend Virgil and his family had come along this time around. He giggled a little as he remembered the struggle of turning the couch into a bed and the fun times they had making cookies and wandering the rolling hills just talking about anything and everything. Roman and Virgil always had something to talk about when they were together, be it a Disney movie or a cryptid or even just how beautiful the sky was when it was dotted with clouds. He and Logan meanwhile tended to not switch topics as often as the kids did. Sometimes he just let Logan ramble about whatever was on his mind at that moment, or have long discussions about books, or even just stay in silence and enjoy each other’s company. He felt his cheeks dust with the pinks of the clouds as he thought of Logan’s gentle touch and soft voice.
Due to being lost in his thoughts, Patton didn’t notice the quiet footsteps behind him or the presence that settled beside him. It wasn’t until a hand was placed on his shoulder that he finally turned his head. Sitting beside him was a rather tired looking Logan, the oranges and reds reflecting off his glasses and hiding his chocolate brown eyes. The pink spread across Patton’s cheeks as his smile widened. “What are you doing up?” Logan turned to face the sunset. “I couldn’t sleep. I knew you would be watching the sunset, so I decided to join you.” Patton giggled a little bit. “I was just thinking about you.” Logan’s face dusted pink as well. “That’s rather flattering.” Patton nodded before resting his head on Logan’s shoulder. Logan responded by wrapping his arms around Patton’s shoulders, pulling him closer. “There’s more pink this time,” he noted, adjusting his glasses. Patton hummed on affirmation. “It makes the clouds look like cotton candy.” Logan chuckled a little. “It does, doesn’t it?” Patton nuzzled against the side of Logan’s neck, prompting a fond chuckle. “You’re a lot like cotton candy, you know?” Patton lifted his head up to look at Logan, head tilting like a curious puppy. Another chuckle. “Soft, sweet, and as of this moment, rather pink.”
The blush spread across Patton’s face like wildfire. “Wow, now I know where Roman gets it.” Logan chuckled once more. “The romantic novels he reads? His idolization of princes?” Patton giggled. “Now you’re just playing dumb.” Logan crossed his arms. “I never play dumb, you know that.” Patton giggled as Logan’s smile grew. The former gently cupped the cheek of the latter. “I love you, Lo Lo.” Logan blushed a bit more at the touch, leaning into it. “I love you too, Patton.” They brought their faces close to each other, coming together in a tender kiss.
“Awww!” A high pitched voice prompted them to pull away from each other. They both looked over their shoulders, only to see Roman and Virgil standing there, both clutching stuffed animals. Roman pointed to his parents with a bright grin. “See? I told you they were like happy kings!” Virgil just smiled and nodded. Patton smiled warmly at them. “Couldn’t sleep?” Roman shook his head vigorously, while Virgil spoke. “He couldn’t stop thinking and talking about the sunset. And you two.” Logan chuckled a little. “Would you like to see it?” Roman nodded again and they both moved back so their legs weren’t dangling off the roof.
Roman immediately went to sit in Patton’s lap while Virgil was much more hesitant, seeming uncomfortable with being so close to the edge of the roof. Logan smiled gently. “You can sit behind me if you’d like, or I could hold onto you.” Virgil took a small step closer. “Behind you please, Mr. Logan.” Logan nodded a little as Virgil went to sit behind him. The little boy peeked out behind him and gasped. By this point, the sunset was approaching its end. All that was left was purples, pinks and reds, the darkness now taking up over half of the sky. Or at least, it would’ve been dark if not for the millions of little stars that dominated that section of the sky, glowing alongside the little sliver of sun that was slipping below the horizon.
Roman giggled. “This is the best part,” he whispered, as if speaking any louder would shatter the cacophony of colors that was playing out before them. Virgil could only nod, too stunned to actually say anything. Logan and Patton smiled, gently intertwining their fingers as they gazed at the sunset. Patton let out a soft sigh of contentment as the reds and pinks and purples faded into darkness speckled with clusters of tiny stars. Logan began to point out several different constellations to the child peeking out from behind him, who responded with questions about the legends. Logan readily answered them, the stars seeming to dance in his eyes. Patton only absorbed the scene as Roman leaned against him, everything melting away as he simply enjoyed this beautiful moment.