The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

WULFRIC, who had just returned from the cinema to his residence, had been walking back and forth inside his office. He called Aster earlier the moment he returned back home but the other rejected his call.

He was stupefied at first and then he became worried. What if something happened to Aster that's why he didn't accept his call? It's a good thing that the other quickly sent a message saying that he's at a public area, that's why he couldn't accept his call.

So, he had been waiting for him to call back for a while now. At last, his Terminal finally rang. He quickly answered the call. Aster's beautiful face appeared on the virtual screen.

"Aster!"

Astrid on the other end was surprised by the enthusiastic greeting. He and Reas just returned to his apartment. The first thing he did was to call Wulfric back. "Yes?"

Wulfric coughed trying to his embarrassment for suddenly shouting. "I- I just watched the movie. You were amazing in it."

"Thank you," Astrid said with a smile.

And then Wulfric became silent. Because he didn't know how to open up the topic he wanted to ask. So, he said instead;

"The public's reaction will definitely be the same."

"Well, I sure hope so."

Astrid hadn't yet checked any social media sites for the public's reaction. But he wasn't too worried. He knew his own skill. So, there's no way he would be criticize for that. He had watched the movie and although there's a few holes, it's a good movie overall. So, there's also no need to worry on that end.

"I'm sure of it," Wulfric said with conviction.

He would go online later and if he saw a malicious comment, he would fight them tooth and nails.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," Astrid said with an amused tone. "So, did Wulf call just to congratulate me?"

"Ah, no. Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you," Wulfric started. He really didn't know how to open up this topic without appearing like some jealous, overbearing, obsessive guy. But he still had to ask what he had to ask. Or else he might really go and grab that Lauren Watts just to interrogate him. "That- that Lauren Watts, is- I mean, how is your relationship with him?"

Astrid blinked. He didn't expect that the other would ask something like this and so directly too. But then he soon smiled. It wasn't that hard to imagine the reason why Wulfric asked that. It's the same reason why Reas had that 'wrinkly face' after watching the movie.

"He's a friend," he said. "I'm kind of shipping him with my brother. That's a secret though, so, don't tell Reas about it."

He saw the visible change in the other's expression. From frowning to the loosening of his brows to the sudden brightening of his face. He knew that those changes were because of the things he said. Really, how transparent could someone be? That's what made him adorable though.

Astrid was right. Wulfric was very much relieved after hearing what he said.

At first, he was worried hearing that Aster was friends with Lauren. Because that meant that they were actually close and were not just simple co-workers. But when he heard that this Lauren was actually more connected to Reas than to Aster, his relief was almost through the roof.

He coughed again after realizing that he was being too obvious. "I see. Well, I think this friend of yours and Reas suit each other very much."

"Hmm... yes, I think so too," Astrid said, glancing at the other meaningfully.

Sadly, Wulfric was too immersed with the thought that Astrid and Lauren had no special relationship that he didn't see that glance. If he did, then he might have a sudden huge realization. Realization that would once and for all give a clear name to the feelings he had for Astrid.

But one should be satisfied enough to know that for Wulfric, Astrid was the most special existence to him. For now, at least. Time could only tell if it would intensify in the future or if it would completely vanish.

After that, the two's conversation continued. Talking about anything under the sun.

----------

At the end of the first day of [The Sleeping God]'s release, topics related to it were trending on [Cyberspace]. Different hashtags connected to the movie were scattered all over the trending topic list. One of these hashtags was, of course, #LordAether.

[If all gods look like Lord Aether, I'll be the most religious person in the Empire.]

[He'll be my faith!]

[He's really good, right? I heard he's a newcomer. What's his name?]

[Astrid Townsend. I watched his guesting on 'Blind Justice' and anyone could tell that he has great acting talent.]

[I'll be a fan of Astrid from now on! Does anyone know if he already has an official fan club?]

[He's a newcomer. I doubt he has.]

[Should we make one for him? What would be a good name?]

[A fan club is a bit premature, don't you think? He's just starting and doesn't have a solid following yet. Besides, Polaris will definitely announce his fan club once he has one.]

[Did none of you notice how suitable Astrid is with Lauren? They only have two scenes together but they're chemistry is almost explosive.]

[I know, right? I can't believe they didn't have any scandal. Knowing Lauren, I can't believe he didn't have a dating scandal with such a pretty co-star.]

[Hey, don't bad mouth our Lauren!]

[Lauren is not a playboy, he's just friendly. Friendly! Okay?]

[I don't care, I will still ship the two of them! Go AstRen!]

[Hey, don't take Astrid from our Brother Jordan! Remi X Noa forever!]

[What's upstairs talking about?]

[It's that 'Blind Justice' episode.]

[@astridsnumber1fan: Don't involve Astrid in your shipping wars! He's his own person! You lot should appreciate how good his acting was first.]

[Oh, oh, it's Brother White! I knew you would appear here!]

[Who's Brother White?]

[Can't you see? He's Astrid's number one fan.]

At the same time, the result of the Movie of the Day list was out. Of course, [The Sleeping God] was number one.