Humans have moved to the interstellar age. Years ago, they found several planets that were able to sustain life. A select few spaceships were were built with the ability to space jump. There’s a catch. The jumps required tremendous energy. So centuries ago several batches of humans were sent to the different planets to populate them. Every 100 years Earth would send out their spaceships with a carefully chosen large group of elite personal to each of the planets. The spaceships would stay there for three years before making the return trip to Earth with a bountiful harvest of cultural exchange. Hero is a scholarship student majoring in Interstellar History and they win a lottery to board one of the spaceships. They are beyond ecstatic at the opportunity and eagerly accept. The planet they’re going to functions as an absolute monarchy that has actually managed to stay in power for years. In their stay, Hero meets Villain who is elegant and cultured, a gentle soul with a calming presence. Hero is immediately smitten but hesitant to cross the boundary of friendship as they know they’ll be leaving and never coming back. Villain however convinces them that it’s okay, even if Hero has to leave they should treasure their time together. Hero agrees and spends three wonderful years with Villain as their lover. When the day arrives for the spaceship to leave, Hero is very sorrowful but resigned. As much as they love Villain and this planet, Earth will always be home. When Hero prepares to board the ship, their ID reads as an error. It seems that someone has overridden Hero’s access and appointed their citizenship to this planet. The only people with this capability are members of the royal family and Hero doesn’t understand why any of them would do this. Hero wasn’t part of the diplomat team. They didn’t go anywhere near the royals. Hero demands to see who messed with their credentials and is horrified to see Villain‘s face staring back at them in the picture with a soft familiar expression and a very unfamiliar royal name. They rush to confront Villain who only smiles at their outburst and assures them that everything will be fine. Hero is in hysterics and struggles in Villains arms but in the end it’s futile. Hero collapses on the floor. They can only watch as their last way home takes off from the window in dispair and stunned disbelief as Villain cradles them close, whispering sweet nothings in their ear.
