You took the name of the stars and lit up my once-dim life.
You took the name of the morning star and warmed my once-cold soul.
Maybe I never understood your timidity, but I can be your safe harbor.
Maybe I never understood your darkness, but I can be the sunshine in your heart.
Those years of young love;
those foolish words of love and clumsy kisses;
those heart-to-hearts beneath the stars, walks by the lake, and hand-holding at sunset,
all left their marks on each other's hearts.
Time passed, and the world changed--
But what never changed
was you,
was me,
was that which will forever be etched in our memories:
the year of the morning star.
This collection will include stories from Dog and Wolf's youth, presented as novellas and short stories.
I've always had a vague outline of their youth in my mind, but I don't have the time or energy to create all nine years in full. So I'll just share some of the moments that have been circling in my head. I hope they'll help shape the young Dog and Wolf as I imagine them: their emotional journeys, their growth and transformation, their misunderstandings, arguments, acceptance and understanding, and the regrets they carry to the end, though not for their whole lives.
In the Crossroads series, Dog and Wolf are both quite mature as middle-aged men. But I want to show that they weren't born that way: they influenced each other and both underwent great changes.
Xiao Tian's sunniest, most cheerful side really does come from James. But aside from Remus, no one can understand the darkness etched into his very bones, and no one else can effectively guide him through his youth. Likewise, Remus's humor and optimism may well have been shaped by the atmosphere of Gryffindor and the Marauders, but ordinary people would never notice his insecurity and vulnerability. Only Xiao Tian understands him and helps guide him out of his self-doubt.
So they really are each other's angels. Their love was put through the storm far too soon. They endured the deepest misunderstandings and most terrible hurts, then found harmony of soul. By the age when they should be arguing every day and threatening divorce, they're living a sweet, sweet life together!
