SCENT OF STARS.

ORION.

Orion stood before a grand, elegant building, its façade glinting in the light, as he gazed up at the place that housed Athena's latest masterpiece – a perfume she had christened "Pour Orion" meaning 'For Orion' in French, it's her way of honoring his late mother through him. The weight of his journey, thousands of miles from home, settled upon him, a mix of excitement and trepidation swirling in his chest like a maelstrom. This was the culmination of Athena's passion, her soul poured into every detail, and she had chosen to pay tribute to his mom, to their bond, with her art.

As he stood there, a surge of pride swelled within him, tempered by the ache of loneliness. Harro was not by his side, yet the connection between them remained strong, a constant hum of affection that bridged the distance. Their messages, a flurry of love and longing, had been his lifeline, grounding him in the whirlwind of emotions.

His phone buzzed, the familiar sound a beacon that drew him back to the present. He opened the chat with Harro, a smile spreading across his face as he read the words on the screen.

Harro: "How's it going, has it started yet?"

Orion's fingers flew across the keyboard as he responded.

Orion: "Everything is going smoothly. I think it's about to start. I still can't believe I'm about to attend a luncheon for a product named after me. It's surreal! How did the groundbreaking ceremony go? Are you home yet?"

Orion's eyes drifted shut as he reminisced about the moment Athena had unveiled her finished masterpiece to him just a week ago. He recalled the sparkle in her eyes, the infectious enthusiasm that radiated from her as she described the fragrance he had once envisioned, and she had brought to life with her expertise.

"It'll be calm and safe, like your mom," she had said during their initial discussion, "and a mixture of confidence and mystery, like you." Her words had left him blushing, feeling honored, grateful and overwhelmed.That conversation had taken place five years ago, and now, the perfume was finally a reality.

Harro: "The groundbreaking ceremony was perfect. Yes, I'm home now. I'll tell you all about it later. You're more than deserving of having a perfume named after you; you inspired it, after all. I miss the scent on you. Tell me about it again."

Orion's lips curled into a smile as he chuckled, recognizing Harro's attempt to keep him distracted. He took a deep breath, savoring the crisp air as he recalled the notes Athena had first mentioned: the citrusy freshness of bergamot, the floral sweetness of jasmine, and the creamy warmth of vanilla. The blend was complex, evoking memories of his late mother's protective love and his current affection for Harro.

Orion: "It's floral and fresh, but with this deep warmth... like a first kiss under the stars."

Orion attempted to articulate the essence of the perfume in a way that resonated with his connection to Harro. His response was met with an almost instantaneous reply, as if Harro were standing beside him, eagerly absorbing every word.

Harro: "God, that sounds perfect! Just like you. Are you nervous for the launch?"

Orion's heart skipped a beat. "Nervous" was a gross understatement. The prospect of standing before a sea of expectant faces, surrounded by critics and admirers alike, with some of them aware that he was the muse behind this creation, was daunting. The weight of their scrutiny settled upon him like a physical force.

Orion: A little. I hope everyone loves it as much as I loved her. But more than anything, I just wish you were here.

Orion's gaze lingered on the message, his heart swelling with a mix of love and longing. Being apart from Harro felt like a fragment of his soul was missing, leaving a hollow ache within him. Their relationship had blossomed into something truly extraordinary, a bond that transcended time.

Harro: "I wish I was there too. I'm holding down the fort here, waiting for updates! Don't forget the photos!"

Orion's lips curled into a gentle smile as he responded.

Orion: "Of course! You know I'll send you everything. The venue is absolutely breathtaking! Athena has truly outdone herself."

Harro: "You better! You know how much I would love to see everything. Tell Athena I'm sending her all my love."

Orion's heart swelled with affection for Harro, grateful for the love and support that flowed between them, even from afar.

Orion's gaze drifted upward, momentarily entranced by the vibrant atmosphere of the crowd. A group of elegantly attired individuals emerged from the building, their laughter and conversation spilling out through the large doors like a melodic symphony. His heart skipped a beat as he spotted Athena stepping out next, resplendent in a flowing gown that seemed to shimmer in the light. Her hand grasped a bottle that glimmered like a star captured in a glass prism, and Orion's fingers moved swiftly to capture the moment, sending a short video to Harro.

His phone vibrated again, and he smiled as he read Harro's response.

Harro: "Just seeing her in that dress made me ache to be there with you two, she looks absolutely gorgeous!"

Orion's laughter was soft, but beneath it lay an undeniable longing, a yearning to have Harro by his side.

Orion: "I'll send you more pictures, I promise. I just wish you could be my date tonight."

Harro: "I'm with you every step of the way, sweetheart. Even if it's through a screen. I'm overjoyed that you considered me as your date. Just remember, you're the center of my universe."

Orion's chest swelled with warmth, the anxiety that had been simmering within him slowly dissipating. As he gazed at the screen, he could almost hear Harro's soothing voice, calming his nerves from afar. The distance between them seemed to melt away, and for a moment, Orion felt Harro's presence beside him.

Orion: "Thank you, Harro. I love you."

Harro: "Always. Now go shine!"

Orion's heart overflowed with love and gratitude as he read Harro's final message. With renewed confidence, Orion slipped his phone into his pocket, he paused, steeling himself for the evening ahead. The flashbulbs' strobe-like effect and the din of the crowd created a sensory overload, but his face radiated a warm smile the instant Athena's eyes met his. She beckoned him over, and as he approached, their hands intertwined. Camera shutters clicked wildly, and reporters' voices rose above the chaos, directing them to pose this way and that.

The room held its collective breath as they unveiled the perfume, and gasps of admiration erupted from the crowd. The air vibrated with excitement, and the scent of "Pour Orion" wafted through the atmosphere, entrancing all who breathed it in. Amidst the sea of faces, Orion's gaze locked onto Athena's parents, their beaming smiles a testament to their pride.

Yet, despite the splendor surrounding him, Orion's thoughts drifted to Harro, his guiding star shining brightly in the vast expanse of his heart. Their love was a celestial tapestry, woven from the very fabric of the universe. No distance, no matter how great, could diminish its brilliance.

With renewed strength and a sense of purpose, Orion smiled and conversed with invited guests in the venue, where elegant laughter and refined conversation filled the air. Tonight was more than just a celebration of Athena's exquisite perfume; it was a testament to love's transformative power- namely, his late mom; a reminder that even the most impossible distances couldn't extinguish its radiance.