Nil

Luna went from being in a discussion with a Lord to hugging me as hard as she could while her face was a maelstrom of emotions. Um. What was I supposed to do? Luna looked quite upset for some reason, so I hugged her back. I hope I’m doing this right. I didn’t like how upset Luna was. The adults were all looking at me as what I suspected was a was just left on the ground. What do I say? I used to grab the before using to bring us to the music room where we danced, or I played the piano for her. I leaned more on Luna, hugging her a bit tighter as her grip wasn’t loosening. I passively ran my hand up and down her back while hugging her, hoping it was making her feel better.

“It’s okay, Luna.” I assured her. Yes Nil, that’s the way to comfort someone. I didn’t even know why she was upset.

“I’m so sorry Nil. I didn’t know what I was agreeing too. I dragged you into my scheme which was already pushing it, and I went and violated your privacy just because I didn’t want to lag behind and be a burden.” Luna cried at me, somehow finding strength to hug me tighter.

“Was this for the ? You’d never be a burden to me Luna.” I replied. Who gave her that idea?

“Yes, and Dha kind of tricked me because I didn’t think clearly enough. And Krahinn was right, I’m way weaker than you and Lux. Even with more knowledge on I’m struggling to compete with you. I didn’t want to be left even further behind, and I let it blind me.” Luna answered. Of course it was Krahinn.

“Do not listen to Krahinn, he’s a bitter old man with his vision of how things should be.” I comforted Luna. She held me closer, and I could tell she was crying.

“I’m sorry.” Luna apologized again. I just set my head on hers.

“It’s okay, Luna; I’m not upset. I know the Void King has us scared, and we need to get strong. We’ve both been pushing it because of that. Lux left for Phestia to get even stronger as well. It’s been all over our minds, so do not blame yourself.” I tried. We both definitely had let it consume a good portion of our lives recently. It’s likely to be consuming even more going forward.

“You don’t even know what I agreed to.” Luna pouted, leaning even harder on me.

“You didn’t tell me. I’m listening. I won’t judge you.” I promised Luna.

“Dha showed me part of your past life.” Luna confessed. How? I never interacted with Dha as far as I knew; Luna was quite upset by whatever she was shown. No idea which memory that could be.

“What did Dha show you?” I probed. Was I supposed to feel violated? What was the proper reaction to this news?

“You were at some indoor marketplace, asked this bezka to something called Homecoming, and then what I think was your mother was reprehensible toward you.” Luna explained. Ah, that incident; the complete execution of my social life. Execution was a bit of an understatement, that was more of an utter evisceration.

“Ah.” I quipped. This hollow feeling began emanating from my heart. I felt myself slouch a little as I remembered that incident, but something felt different than usual.

“I’m sorry; I know that violated your privacy. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry I crossed that boundary.” Luna whimpered. She felt this guilty about that incident? Maybe I’m just numb to it as it haunted me for years. But her seeing that didn’t bother me though. Why am I not upset by that?

“It doesn’t bother me, Luna. I am strangely not upset by it.” I informed her. Luna kind of froze. I felt oddly okay actually. I felt the normal pangs when I recalled it, but they faded quickly.

“What?” Luna asked, seeming stunned by my reaction. It felt kind of nice at the moment for some reason.

“I kind of wish I was there to give a bit of context, or be the one showing you, but you knowing and seeing that part of my past doesn’t bother me.” I clarified. She felt oddly warm as I hugged her.

“Why? How? I completely violated your privacy because I agreed to a deal without reading the fine print.” Luna lamented. I just nestled my head into her a bit more; it was surprisingly cozy with her.

“It’s fine. I know you didn’t mean to, and it’s not like you can unsee it. I’m not upset and I don’t mind because it’s you, Luna.” I told Luna. Luna kind of went still, so I lifted my head to check on her, seeing her ears were crimson.

“Are you feeling okay?” I checked. Luna was still as she seemed to get even redder.

“Dork.” Luna squeaked. Wait, is that how you be smooth? Not important, focus. My girlfriend was upset.

“It’s fine Luna. It doesn’t feel bad when you learn about me; it gives me this cozy feeling actually.” I assured her. Luna was nestling her head even harder into me.

“How are you handling this so well?” Luna checked, her voice sounding incredibly squeaky.

“I don’t know; I usually struggle with this sort of thing. If I were to guess, it’s because I know you wouldn’t do it intentionally, and even if you did, you likely have a very good reason. I understand the stress of the Void King staring down on us, and that you’ve been stressing on getting the third you needed. I also doubt the Lord that gave you whatever task involved high powered sniper shots to try and succeed would not play fairly.” I explained. Luna seemed to relax immensely as she snuggled into me.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Thank you for being you.” Luna told me after a few moments.

“Why did you feel so desperate?” I inquired, enjoying holding Luna.

“Because last time I let opportunities slip through my hands because I assumed they’d always be there. I took too much for granted, and by the time I cared and tried it was woefully too late. Then this time I was struggling to compete even when I was trying and I think what Krahinn said got to me more than it should’ve.” Luna answered while settling into me.

“I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with that. I’m here for you whenever you need me Luna. I think we’ll be okay as long as we don’t let it get to us. It’s scary, but we probably should talk to each other a bit more about it, so we know we’re both looking at it together.” I assuaged Luna. I think I also got a bit wrapped up with my need to get a and let too much slide or acted in ways I shouldn’t have.

“I think that’s a good idea.” Luna agreed, just relaxing for a moment.

We just stayed there, enjoying each other’s company for a bit. Part of me wondered why Luna knowing about some of my worst moments felt oddly pleasant. I didn’t like how upset she was, but something about her being upset made me feel this odd sensation that was weirdly nice. I think I like the fact that she cares that much about me. It was peaceful in the music room currently, especially just getting to be there with Luna. We definitely needed to apologize to Helga and Nautilus later. Luna was laying with her head beneath mine, and she still somehow had this pleasant winter scent to her. I have no idea how she manages to smell this nice. I held Luna a bit closer, enjoying how pleasant it was with her at the moment. For once, I lost track of time. Luna eventually shifted up and looked at me with her brilliant emerald eyes.

“Would you mind explaining a few things to me?” Luna requested, breaking the silence.

“Like what?” I probed, kind of curious what she want to ask about.

“In that memory, you were in some sort of indoor marketplace. What’s it called?” Luna inquired. Ah. Earth.

“It’s called a mall, but mall basically meant a bunch of shops and restaurants in one place. It kind of was a marketplace.” I explained to her. Luna had this odd smile going as she looked at me.

“While you were there, someone ate these golden sticks and sandwich that reeked of grease like a starved gremlin. What were those? They also got the food surprisingly fast which I don’t see how it’s possible.” Luna asked teasingly. Uh huh. Some random individual.

“That would be fries and a burger you described, respectively. And I’ll have you know, fast food is a wondrous marvel that you sacrifice a bit of quality for extreme speed, consistency, and unhealthiness.” I informed Luna. She looked kind of perplexed by the concept.

“Aren’t meals meant to be enjoyed together? Like, I get snacks aren’t, but I thought the point of meals was to be able to sit down and enjoy company.” Luna checked. I guess here that was the general culture and viewpoint on meals. Thinking about it, I don’t miss those cold, lonely dinners I used to have at all.

“Not where I was from. Efficient meals so you could get back to work were an amazing innovation. No need to waste time cooking or thinking out some elaborate meal was also seen as highly convenient; especially given you could get the result in a manner of minutes.” I told her. Luna had a bit of a grimace going now.

“Your old home seems so cold. Was it like that for everyone?” Luna asked while looking intensely at me.

“I don’t think so; I just was one of those that never fit in.” I confessed with a small shrug.

“Well, you fit in here. Even if you are a giant nerd.” Luna teased me. I felt all warm and fuzzy as she said that.

“Come on Luna, you should that . I also think we should let the adults know you’re fine because you seemed quite distressed earlier.” I told her gently. It’s amazing how warm Luna feels. I don’t think I ever felt something like this in my past life.

“Okay. We also need to apologize to Helga and Nautilus properly.” Luna added on.

“I agree.” I replied as Luna scooted away.

She began the , and I stood watch, or sat watch would be more accurate. It took Luna roughly thirty minutes to fully the . Once she finished, she returned to my side and I used to bring us back to the dining room. Good, everyone is still here. Duke Dawnsfield immediately rushed to his daughter’s side with concern all over his face. I felt a bit guilty not informing him of my mental age being higher than my age physically. I know it bothers Luna hiding her age too. We needed to tell him, but neither of us could find the courage. Luna was smiling happily at her dad as he was now next to her. I alternated between looking at them and glaring at Krahinn.

“Is everything okay?” Duke Dawnsfield asked as he knelt down.

“Yes Dad. Thanks for checking.” Luna told him as she gave him a hug.

“What happened?” Duke Dawnsfield pressed, clearly concerned about what upset her to that degree.

“Lord Dha intentionally tried upsetting me to try and get out of our wager.” Luna answered sheepishly.

“Das why! It all makes ‘ense now! Ya wage’ed wit’ Dha!” Nautilus exclaimed, seeming to instantly grasp something.

“Sorry.” Luna apologized, looking ashamed. Duke Dawnsfield looked between Nautilus and Luna a bit baffled.

“Ya still in th’ dog house, but I can fo’give ya cause it was Dha’s sadistic sense o’ humor. Was buggin’ me what got int’ ya.” Nautilus declared before mentally beginning to explain it to Helga.

“Can you clarify?” Duke Dawnsfield gently pressed in an attempt to understand what the events that transpired.

“If I wanted the , I had to complete a task for Lord Dha that involved Helga and Nautilus. Once I completed said task, he gave me the option to shortcut the wait which I took, not realizing he was trying to upset me sufficiently to disrespect him to his face.” Luna explained meekly.

“So why did you apologize to Nil?” Duke Dawnsfield asked. Nautilus began chuckling as she clearly had a good guess.

“Because what Dha used to upset me involved him. I wish I never took the wager, I just wanted to get stronger.” Luna deflected, still looking a bit guilty about what we did today.

“Tha’s Dha for ya lass.” Nautilus comforted Luna. Krahinn finally caught onto the fact I was glaring at him.

“What’d I do?” Krahinn checked while acting offended he might’ve played a role.

“You got into Luna’s head about her being too weak.” I spat at him.

“Oh no, I stated facts.” Krahinn mocked, clearly feeling no remorse.

“My daughter is growing up fine, no matter what you may claim, King Krahinn.” Duke Dawnsfield spat at him. Krahinn looked at us all and had an evil smile going.

“I do not think any of you fully appreciate the opponent, as Luna was far too weak. All I did was give her and Lux a little push to get stronger because they desperately needed it. That being said, I did not mean to inspire recklessness to the degree I did. For that fact, I will apologize.” Krahinn stated matter-of-factly. He actually said the words ‘I will apologize’, I think we got to take that.

“Fine. Luna, I may not know what fully happened today, but I do know I will always love and support you. Don’t try to become someone else’s vision of you, be the you that you want to be.” Duke Dawnsfield told his Luna before she hugged him tightly.

“I love you, Dad.” Luna replied while hugging her dad who began hugging her back.

“With what I know now, I can forgive you and Nil, with some time free of being a target.” Helga added on.

“Thank you, Helga.” Luna and I said in unison.

“Come on, it’s been a bit hectic, let’s have some family time today to relax. Everyone here is more than welcome to join.” Mama suggested as Luna appreciated her dad.