A/N: I know I say this every time but I am indeed still getting worse. Really dreading what's going to happen when I get up to the chapters that are incredibly rough draft or only a few scenes cobbled together. Right now, it feels like I'm writing in a different language. I'm struggling to recall words and construct sentences, as well as understand them. It's like having blurred vision in your head. Despite the fact that I've always been amazing at visualizing things in my mind (constantly daydreaming) there's mostly just darkness in there now. It's getting harder and harder to picture anything. I have about four hours a month now (spread out) where my cognitive function improves about 50%, though it's still very poor, and it's so stressful (not to mention impossible) trying to cram all my writing/proofreading into those hours. Writing is my greatest passion in life, my greatest love, but I no longer enjoy it. It's too difficult. Most of the time too impossible. Feels like a constant struggle. I hate that this illness has robbed me of the thing I love most in the world.

I want to thank you all for sticking with me this long. And for those of you who leave comments, I can't express how much I appreciate them. They're one of the few things that make me smile these days. I'll keep fighting to get this story written as long as I can.

P.S. not much Raven in this one, sorry folks


[trigger warning: brief reference to canon rape]


"Aren't you usually in the lab at this time?" Murphy greeted, waltzing into the kitchen. "Not like you to abandon Raven-sitting duty."

Luna sat at the island, flicking through a bright green book. The cover of which looked a little like God had swallowed up the garden of Eden and then spat it back out. Murphy peered for a closer inspection. 100 Years of Solitude. Hmm, sounded either like a dream come true or the world's most boring nightmare.

"Getting cabin fever?"

He very magnanimously decided not to draw attention to the dark circles under her eyes which, defying all expectations, were even more pronounced than usual. At least she seemed to have a little bit of color in her cheeks today.

A win was a win.

Luna sighed, closing her book. "Raven's been pacing in circles for the last hour and I was starting to get dizzy."

Murphy snorted, collecting two cups from the top drawer. "Not that I blame you but I wouldn't think you were one to give up that easily."

"Oh, I'm not. I'm hoping the lack of an audience will draw her out."

More like the lack of a Luna. Raven didn't give a shit about audiences. Well, unless she was showing off. Which she did far too often.

But not so much lately.

"And if it doesn't, a nudging reminder that we're supposed to go for a walk this afternoon might yield greater success."

In Murphy's opinion, Luna would be better suited taking a nap than a walk. From the looks of her, she might just collapse with the effort. But what did he know?

"Oh, it will."

Raven would sooner denounce all machines than disappoint Luna by flaking out on their plans.

He wondered if their pet miracle was aware of just how much power she wielded.

"Well, if not, I also stole her tablet."

He smirked. "That'll do it. Though you know she'll probably find a way to pin it on me."

"How?" Her brow furrowed. "You've been here all morning."

"Like that'll stop her." Murphy held up his hands. "It's cool. I'm willing to take the fall just to see the look on her face."

Luna leveled him with a disapproving look, though there was a glint of humor in her eyes. "You're worse than children."

"I've had less flattering things said about me."

"I'm sure that's true."

Murphy narrowed his eyes. See if he gave her any of his coffee now.

Luna failed to falter under the rebuke, returning serenely to her book.

A heavy hardback rested closer to Murphy's end of the table, luring his gaze. A Brief Introduction to Space. Someone should sue the author for misrepresentation. This shit had to be a thousand pages long.

He lifted the glorified paperweight up with a raised brow. "A little light reading?"

"I wanted to see where you come from." Where Raven comes from more like. "Space is a lot like the sea. Just more lifeless."

"You mean boring." He dropped the book - a little too carelessly. It landed with a thump that rattled the table ornaments.

Luna eyed him with yet more disapproval, looking very much like she might reach out and snatch the book back into the safety of her care.

Instead, she returned to the one in her hands, dismissing him.

Murphy hated to be dismissed.

Had a feeling she knew that and this was her way of punishing him for mishandling her precious book.

"Let me guess, they also teach reading in that little nightblood school of yours? How unfortunate for you."

Luna looked up, cheeks stretched in amusement. "I like reading."

"Well, you are very odd so that tracks."

She shook her head, still smiling, and lowered her gaze once more. "I think it would be good for you to expand your horizons, John."

He narrowed his eyes. "I swear, if you start a bookclub, I'm kicking you off this island."

Nightblood or no nightblood.

He'd take his chances with Praimfaya.

"A what?"

"Nevermind."

If she didn't know, he sure as hell wasn't about to plant the idea in her head.

Luckily, Luna didn't inquire any further. Apparently reading about a century of isolation was thoroughly absorbing.

Not glancing up, she reached for the glass beside her - which appeared to be filled a third of the way with nuggets of ice. Murphy watched as she popped one in her mouth now, sucking absently.

Okay, as snacks went it was a little weird but who was he to judge?

Moving his attention onward, Murphy raised an eyebrow at the second book in her collection. The Poetical Works of John Keats. Blah. Poetry. Way to put him off his upcoming lunch. "How much exactly are you planning on reading today?"

Because at this rate, they were going to need a bigger library. Becca clearly hadn't planned for Luna when she built the place. According to Jackson, who had also become rather fascinated with said library, she'd already worked her way through two whole shelves which was. . .

Clearly evidence of a supernatural trait - and not a very enviable one.

"I like to go back and forth between books, depending on what I'm in the mood for. Poetry offers something different to fiction and vice versa, whilst non-fiction satisfies my thirst for knowledge. The change keeps things interesting."

Or confusing.

Exhausting and confusing.

He bet she was just the darling of all her teachers.

"If you say so. Just don't make me read any of that shit."

Luna smiled to herself - but made no such promises.

Grimacing, Murphy turned away, retrieving a bowl from the drawer.

Raven better get here soon before Luna started trying to indoctrinate him into the wonders of literature. He didn't mind the odd book - but none of the stuffy shit she was so clearly into.

And he had a feeling that was what 'bookclub' would entirely consist of.

Pouring some berries into the bowl, Murphy turned back around, watching as Luna continued to crunch away on her ice. He could admit to being slightly in awe of her apparent immunity to brain freeze.

Clearly, she was a woman of many useless talents.

Shaking his head, Murphy set the berries down in front of her.

Couldn't let their oh-so-precious messiah starve, after all.

(and hopefully it would tempt her away from the ice)

Luna's mouth drew up slightly in thanks, the warmth of her expression immediately making him regret the gesture.

Clearing his throat, Murphy stepped away, leaning back against the counter. Well, there's my good deed done for the next thousand years.

Could you be allergic to doing nice things?

Because it kind of felt like he was getting hives. He grimaced, scratching at the side of his neck.

Luna reached out, hand hesitating over the bowl. "Did you pick these?"

"No. Emori - she goes through them like crazy."

Personally, Murphy found them a bit on the tart side.

Luna relaxed, reaching into the bowl.

"What, don't trust me?"

The curve of her mouth was wry. "Let's just say I've learned my lesson." She plucked two berries free. "There are seven types of red oval-shaped berries near the coast and four can kill a person in under four minutes."

Right. Not a good thing.

Definitely did not want to poison the only miracle they currently had on offer.

Murphy went to snatch the bowl back-

Only for Luna to hastily draw it to her chest, grinning. "But I think if Emori's still walking around and being her lovely self then that won't be an issue."

He narrowed his eyes a moment. "If you die, I had nothing to do with it."

She smiled, lowering the bowl back onto the table. "I'll make sure it's known." Nibbling at one of the berries, she watched him thoughtfully. "Where is Emori, anyway?"

"Sleeping in."

"Didn't feel like staying with her?"

Murphy huffed. "She spreads out in her sleep. Woke up this morning on the floor." Something his back was protesting with a vengeance. The single life had certainly been kinder to his spine. "And I'd rather not risk waking the beast by shoving her over so I can get back in."

Luna smiled, tracing the shell that hung over her heart. "Adria was the same. I swear she was a starfish in her past life. So small but she'd take up the whole bed." The smile grew. "And she'd kick in her sleep."

Murphy cocked his head to the side. "I wonder what would happen if the two shared a bed. Who'd win that battle."

"Does Emori kick?"

"No, she smothers."

"Adria would win."

Murphy didn't know how she could talk about the kid so casually but he was willing to follow her lead on this. "Lot of power in those little legs?"

"Well, she was the fastest swimmer in Floukru. More fish than girl, most days. So yes. I still have the traces of a bruise on my hip, actually. It hasn't healed." Luna grew quiet, idly drawing a path around the rim of her shell.

He wondered how close they'd been. Whether she would have felt the same grief over any child in Floukru, or if this one was special.

For Luna's sake, he hoped it was the former.

"Listen. . . I'm sorry about what happened to her." Murphy grimaced, tapping the counter under his hands. "Didn't say that before. But, well, not much point in saying it really, is there?"

Yet it felt worse not saying anything at all.

No-one had said anything to him after his mother died.

No-one had cared.

There'd been no-one left to.

(Murphy thought that might have been the point when he'd decided to stop caring too.

Which had helped. Not caring always helped. So long as you could manage to stick to it.

But somehow he doubted Luna was the type to subscribe to that particular method of dealing)

She smiled sadly, attention returning to him. "I appreciate it. And what you did for her."

He shrugged, turning back to the kettle. "Just wish it had actually worked."

That the one good thing he'd probably ever done in his life hadn't turned out to be nothing more than a cruel offer of false hope.

Should have known better. That medicine his dad had stolen was never going to help either.

Neither of their good intentions had meant shit in the end.

(seemed it ran in the blood)

"Me too." The response was soft, almost inaudible, and Murphy decided it was probably best to leave the subject there. Proceeded to pour out two cups of coffee with a little more focus than necessary.

When he turned back around, it was to find that Luna's other hand had moved to her neck, and was now feeling it with the slightest of grimaces.

The signs of pain were easy to recognize and Murphy wondered whether Luna would have shown them if she hadn't guaranteed on his gaze being directed elsewhere.

Like Raven, she seemed to prefer licking her wounds in private. Though he suspected Luna's reasoning for that was altogether different.

"You okay?"

"Fine." The grimace shifted into the barest of smiles. "Just a sore throat."

And unlike Raven, she didn't fly off the handle the instant those wounds were called out.

Refreshing.

"Coming down with something?"

Luna moved her hand back to the book, feeling the surface of it. "No, I just didn't sleep well."

"Rough night, huh?"

Another bare smile. "Mmm."

Probably not the kind of rough that made his own nights so fun, either.

(unfortunately for Raven)

Murphy decided to keep pushing. After all, she wasn't likely to whale on him like a certain mechanic for the attempt. "From the looks of it, more than one."

Luna didn't deny the assumption.

She also didn't look up, still seemingly entranced with the page under her hand.

He wondered whether this had anything to do with why she'd been conspicuously absent from the mansion the last two nights. Not entirely unusual in itself. Murphy knew she liked to keep Raven company in the lab - and that woman kept the worst hours. But she'd usually come skulking in before dawn and disappear into her bedroom for a few hours (though whether or not she actually got any sleep during those hours was anyone's guess).

That hadn't been happening the last two days.

"You'll be needing this then." Murphy placed one of the mugs down in front of her.

Luna smiled somewhat regretfully before pushing it back towards him. "As much as I appreciate the thought, I don't drink coffee."

Murphy stared at her for several moments. "Sometimes I wonder if you're even human."

She chuckled. "I just don't like the way it makes me feel. Too antsy and on edge."

He snorted. "Right, messes with that cool and calm flow you've got going on."

"Mm, exactly." Luna was smiling but there was something more to her eyes, something heavier.

Murphy suspected her hippy vibe had very little to do with her dislike of coffee. He thought about probing but, given how exhausted she appeared, opted to be merciful.

(incredibly uncharacteristic of him)

"So you're not into adrenaline rushes, noted. Guess we won't be signing you up for any sky-diving then."

She blinked a few times. "Sky-what?"

"Just this insane thing people used to do. I saw the videos." All of them suitably horrifying. "Honestly, it's a wonder we didn't kill ourselves off even before Becca invented A.L.I.E."

There was such a thing as being too stupid and reckless to live.

Murphy prided himself on not being either of those things.

Luna suppressed a smile. "I'll admit, I'm intrigued."

"Want to see a video?"

He was sure he could find one on Becca's data bank. That thing was a smorgasbord of useless tidbits from the past.

Luna's eyes lit up in interest-

Only for a hand to fly to her mouth, a violent cough ripping through her as she doubled over. Murphy winced, watching her face contort with the effort. Glanced back towards the kettle.

Maybe peppermint tea would have been better. . .

"You okay?" he asked, once she seemed to have recovered.

Her nod was derailed by another round of hacking.

Yeah, that didn't sound good.

"Think I swallowed a bit too much river water the other day," Luna managed, after the attack had passed, grimacing as she touched her throat.

"Yep, that'll do it." Despite the flippancy of his tone, Murphy eyed her somewhat warily. He didn't do sick people. Or hurt people. Or vulnerable people in general. Most days he didn't even do people. "So, did Raven nearly drown you or what?"

Finally recovered, Luna narrowed her eyes at him a moment before returning to her book, apparently deciding that the question was undeserving of a response.

Murphy ignored her obvious contempt for the inquiry and decided to take her silence as confirmation. If only because it would give him more ammunition to tease Raven with later.

A highly important use of his time.

Luna turned a page. "Have you tried that phrase on Emori yet?"

"You mean that one you oh so kindly decided not to tell me the meaning of? Nope."

"You should. I've heard it reaps big results." Luna smiled at him as she collected a berry from the bowl, popping it in her mouth.

Hmm. Well that certainly sounded promising.

Still. . .

"You swear it's not some trick to get me to say something nasty or embarrassing about myself?"

"I swear." She crossed her heart, still smiling.

Good enough.

"Not going to give me any hints?"

"Only that a friend of mind tried it on her husband and the rest of us didn't know any peace for moons." Luna sighed. "Sound carries far on an oil rig."

Hmm. Yep, definitely promising.

Still. . .

"Just to clarify, we're talking about sex, right?"

Her eyes creased in amusement. "Yes, John."

"Had to check. You never know with Grounders. Fighting was like foreplay for Lincoln and Octavia."

Well, okay, for him and Emori too.

Everyone had their thing.

For all he knew, this friend and her husband could have simply been engaging in some good old romantic couple sparring.

Luna retrieved another berry. "Mm, having met Octavia that doesn't surprise me. And Lincoln was always very. . . physical."

Murphy hid a grimace. "And you, what's your foreplay? No wait, let me guess. Meditating."

She sent him a look. "I'm not telling you that, John."

A slow grin worked its way onto his face. "Because it's true."

Luna narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips.

Yep, definitely true. Which explained all the times he'd walked in on her and Raven holding hands.

"It's alright, no shame in it." Murphy smirked, turning back to the kettle a moment. "But I hope you'll understand if I don't take you up on any offers of meditation from here on out. I don't think Emori would approve."

She rolled her eyes, flicking a page. "I don't see it as foreplay."

"Uh-huh. Sure."

Luna's mouth twitched, suggesting that, despite the irritation marking her features, she actually found some amusement in his persistence. "I like being close to a person. Intimate. And, yes, that can happen sometimes during meditation. But there's rarely a sexual element. I just like the closeness."

Right. Sounded terrifying in Murphy's opinion but everyone had their kink. He wondered if she would be offended if he started taking notes on this for Raven's sake.

Was there a notepad around here somewhere?

Did they even have notepads here?

Becca was something of a digital girl.

"So intimacy is your kink? Well, that's boring."

Her mouth curled as she kept her eyes on the page. "Sorry to disappoint."

"And what would you say your perfect idea of a date would be? Flowers? Chocolate?" He may have been watching too many movies with Emori recently. But Becca had a hell of a collection. Actually, he was pretty sure that data bank of hers had every movie ever made. Shame they wouldn't have enough time to test the hypothesis. "Nice little stroll by the river before an afternoon of fishing?"

Hint, hint.

Luna's brow furrowed, completely missing the implication. "Date?"

"Yeah, you know. An outing with someone you like."

She cocked her head. "You mean a friend?"

"No, someone you have icky mushy feelings for. On the Ark, we had a cinema. Nothing fancy but most people would go there for a romantic evening in." There hadn't really been any other viable options. Not that Murphy knew from experience. Too busy wasting time in the Sky Box. "But the movies make a big thing about moonlit strolls along the beach. Also restaurants. And candles."

She remained somewhat mystified. "We don't do any of that."

"Huh." Then again, he hadn't done any dating shit with Emori either.

"I mean, some couples engage in wuin - courting. I think it's somewhat similar to what you've described. Though, mostly it's an exchange of gifts. Weavings. Wood carvings. The spoils of hunting."

He raised a brow. "Are you saying leaving a dead deer on someone's doorstep is considered flirting?"

She lifted a shoulder. "For some. I'm not sure it would work on me."

Noted. No dead deers.

A dead fish, perhaps?

Or was that too catlike?

"If you accept seven offerings, then you agree to be in a relationship with the giver - though the number differs from clan to clan. Of course, that's only for people who prefer to take things slow. Others just. . ."

"Get to fucking right off the bat?"

Luna suppressed a sigh. "In the crudest of terms, yes. But not every relationship is based on sex."

"True." To be honest, as much as he enjoyed sex with Emori, it was hardly the most important part of their relationship. He could ditch it forever and still be happy with her. But he'd also rather not. "So. . . if someone were to leave an offering at your door, what would you be into?"

She eyed him with a certain level of suspicion. "Why?"

"Just curious."

This did nothing to ease her suspicion. "I don't know. It's not something I've lent any thought to."

"Have you received offerings before?"

Luna considered the question. "I suppose they could be called that. In a clumsy sense."

"And you liked them?"

Her lips drew up slightly, gaze somewhat distant. "Very much."

"Well, okay then, what were they?"

Where was that damn notepad?

Or maybe a tablet would suffice?

"Well, one was the knife I used to kill my brother. So as much I appreciated it at the time, I wouldn't really want a repeat performance."

Murphy stared. What the fuck were you supposed to say to that?

Luna's features remained smooth which was. . . rather terrifying, to be honest. She'd probably be unstoppable at poker.

He was tempted to take her on just to see.

"Got it. No knives."

"Or weapons in general."

Right, pacifist. "Makes sense. What else?"

Her lips drew up faintly. A far more reassuring expression. "Drawings. I like them. They show the beauty in the world."

Well, fuck. He wasn't here playing wingman for Clarke Griffin. Maybe their fearless leader would agree to give Raven some lessons on the sly?

"Anything else?"

She tilted her head, considering it. "Someone used to make me clothes."

Again, not in Raven's wheelhouse. "Anything else?"

Luna shrugged. "Not really."

Damn.

She frowned, turning to him. "Are you trying to come up with something nice to do for Emori? Is that why you're so curious about all this?"

No. "Yes. Yes, that is exactly what I am doing."

Luna failed to look entirely convinced. Clearly, he needed to work on his deception skills. "Then I don't think I can be of much help to you. Emori and I are very different."

"You are."

Extremely.

"She probably would appreciate a knife. Or several."

"You're right. You're absolutely right. I'll go with that."

She still seemed a little bemused - likely his lack of honesty shone through - but nodded. "Okay."

"Thanks for the help." He sent her the most awkward thumbs up of his life, which she eyed somewhat warily.

Possibly, she was considering whether or not to get Abby in here to check him out.

"Of course."

Raven, you fucking owe me.

The kettle hissed. Thank god. Murphy spun around and hastily measured out some peppermint tea into a mug.

"And, John, I'm sure whatever you do for her will be wonderful. She'll love it because it came from you."

"Yep." Great. He was actually going to have to do something now to sell this, wasn't he?

He glared at the tea, willing it to brew faster.

Luna hesitated. "If you want, I can give you more lessons in Trig. I think Emori would really appreciate being able to speak to you in our language."

Oh wonderful. Homework.

He was never doing anything for Raven again.

"Sure. Sounds like a good idea."

And, okay, it actually kind of did.

But still. . .

Homework.

Murphy turned back around in time to catch Luna's smile.

"Trig is what we speak in our homes. With our loved ones. Gonasleng is reserved for the outside. It's more distant. Colder. It was different growing up in Polis, of course. There we used the two languages interchangeably - that was part of our training. But I'm sure Trigedasleng is what Emori is most familiar with."

Meaning: it's what Emori would have used to speak with her brother. The only family she had worth mentioning.

And for a long time, the only person she'd had to love.

Irritation fading, Murphy squared his jaw. "Can't say I'll be that good a student but if you're willing to teach, I'm willing to learn."

Luna's smile grew. "I'm always willing to teach. Actually, I'll probably enjoy this a lot more than you."

He grimaced. "Sounds promising."

"Don't worry." Her lips drew higher. "I just mean I enjoy teaching. It's what I did most in Floukru and I suppose I've missed that."

Murphy wasn't really one for the feelings shit, or helping people with their grief, but the wistful look on Luna's face was hard to ignore. He could tell she wanted to talk, to share this portion of her old life with someone.

And unfortunately he was the only someone around.

Hopefully, she wouldn't start crying.

If that happened, he was fetching Raven. Or Jackson. He seemed to have good people skills.

Better than Murphy's, at any rate.

"What did you teach?"

Her eyes lit up at the invitation. "Anything, everything. There were the practical skills like fishing and weaving, net-crafting. Gonasleng - for the adults as well as the children, not everyone learns it growing up, not if they don't have to. But other things as well. I was taught a lot as a child. Things none of my people generally have access to. It was nice to be able to use that knowledge for something other than its intended purpose. To help rather than harm with my training."

Luna's smile was still present but it was somewhat subdued now. Murphy felt for her, he really did. It was possible her childhood had been even more fucked up than his - and that was a tall order.

But he also wasn't in the business of providing comfort. Didn't know how. He'd stopped receiving any after his father got himself floated for his sake and his mother turned to whatever means she could to escape the pain of it. These days, it was a struggle to even accept comfort, let alone give it to others.

He was learning with Emori. Or, rather, they were learning together.

They shared the same struggles and limitations on that front. But somehow it helped them fit together, like dirty and misshapen puzzle pieces. He kind of liked the picture they formed in the end, though.

It was theirs.

"Well, you can teach me shit anytime you want." Murphy shrugged. "There's fuck all to do around here anyway so it's not like I haven't got the time."

The words weren't comforting in the slightest, he knew that, but the way Luna's smile regained some of its fullness suggested that they hadn't been totally amiss.

"I'd like that." She settled into her chair, looking somewhat lighter than before. "Though I think we'll have our hands full with Trigedasleng. It's not as complicated as English, but it's still a new language."

Murphy withheld a sigh. It's the end of the fucking world and I've signed myself up for schoolwork.

Proof if ever there was any that he was in love.

It should be terrifying. That thought. Should make him want to sprint to the other side of the planet, as far away from Emori as he could get.

But instead he felt only a strange calm. Acceptance, maybe?

It had been a long time since he'd loved anyone. And Murphy couldn't say he minded the feeling. In fact, he rather liked it.

Maybe it was because the world was ending and they were probably all going to die. Maybe that threw things into perspective. Got rid of some of the fear that might otherwise have been there.

Whatever the case, Murphy didn't fucking care.

He loved her.

And that was okay.

Harsh coughing drew his attention back to Luna.

"Want some water?" The tea would still need another minute or two.

"Please." She grimaced, touching her throat.

He placed the glass beside her on the bench, frowning as she continued to massage her neck before taking a sip. "So when you say rough night?"

"Nightmares. I can be rather vocal," she said simply, taking another sip. "And sometimes I suffer for that the next day."

Murphy blinked at the confession.

Luna smiled at the awkward look on his face. "It's alright. I'm used to it by now."

He wondered if this was why her bed in the mansion was rarely slept in. He'd assumed it was because she wanted to be closer to Raven in the lab, but perhaps not. "That why you sleep in the lab so much? Don't want us to hear you?"

Luna nodded, setting the glass down. "Sleep's hard to come by these days - for everyone. And I've always been loud. They tried moving me into a separate dorm as a child, so I wouldn't disturb the other novitiates, but sound spread like wildfire in the Tower. It was a useless solution."

So you isolate the kid that's clearly already in distress?

And people called him insensitive.

Murphy shrugged, attempting disinterest. "Well, none of us are going to care if you scream a little in the night. Pretty sure we've all got nightmares at this point. No need to exile yourself to the lab."

She smiled. "That's sweet but it's also not true. We all need as much sleep as we can get. Especially Abby and Jackson. And it's easier for me to sleep knowing that I don't have to worry about waking anyone."

"Did you sleep away from everyone in Floukru?"

Luna nodded. "Some nights. My room was at the opposite end of the hallway from everyone else. The walls were more reinforced - I don't think it was actually intended to be a bedroom."

He snorted. "Sounds lonely."

She shook her head. "Others shared it with me sometimes. I wasn't the only one in Floukru who struggled with nightmares. Far from it. And on the weeks that the nightmares left, I'd sleep in the communal area. Even when I didn't, Derrick and Adria often slept with me. I worked out as a child that holding someone, or being held, often kept the nightmares at bay. It was only on the worst nights that didn't make a difference - and I could usually predict those. Ask them to sleep elsewhere."

Murphy raised a brow. "So you need someone to snuggle with?"

How did he sign Raven up for that?

"Ideally." Luna took a sip. "But I know how to manage without."

Well, the dark circles under her eyes certainly suggested otherwise but who was he to shatter the illusion? "Huh. Well I'd volunteer but there's barely enough room in that bed for Emori and me, let alone a third person. Not with the way she sleeps."

Luna laughed. "I'm not sure she'd be all that pleased with the arrangement either."

"I don't know, she might actually be into it. That woman's a closet cuddler."

Her eyes twinkled. "That might be true but I'm not sure I'm keen to play casual observer to what other things go on in that bed."

"Probably wise." He wasn't all that into putting on a show, either. "What about Raven?"

Her smile froze a fraction before relaxing once more. "I don't think that's something she'd be open to."

Probably not.

He calculated the viability of knocking Raven out and dumping her in Luna's bed. Likely to get him punched? Absolutely.

But also likely to be fucking hilarious.

Hmm.

"Besides, she'd have to actually go to bed to be of any help. And that only happens once in a blue moon."

Right. Still, something told him Raven would chain herself to the bedpost if she thought it could help Luna - and not just in a kinky way.

Magnanimously, he kept that particular suspicion to himself.

"True." Though, from Murphy's calculations, their pet messiah rarely went to bed either. More than once he'd gotten up in the middle of the night to find her hanging out in the kitchen or sequestered away in the library with an intimidating pile of books. He doubted things were much different on the nights she stayed in the lab.

Clearly, she and Raven were a match made in insomniac heaven.

"What about a teddy bear? I'm sure A.L.I.E. has something disturbingly creepy but appropriately fluffy around here somewhere."

Luna suppressed a grin. "It's fine, John. I think I'll manage."

Yeah, well, he didn't particularly like the thought of her managing alone in the lab. "Well, feel free to manage in here. You know, in your actual bedroom."

A shadow passed over her face, though it was gone so fast it was possible he'd imagined it. "It's not my bedroom, John. It's just a room. And I don't mind sleeping in the lab. I actually prefer it."

Murphy wasn't convinced. Rather, he suspected the only reason Luna preferred it was because she was too damn considerate for her own good. But it wasn't his problem to deal with. "If you say so. But feel free to change your mind. You're kind of the VIP guest on this little holiday so if anyone deserves to sleep in comfort, it's you."

Also him. For putting up with all these idiots day in and day out.

She made a face. "The beds in the lab do feel like they were created for the sole purpose of preventing people from going to sleep."

"Well, if Becca was anything like Raven or Abby, that might actually be the case."

Those two seemed to think sleep was an optional part of life. At least when it came to themselves.

Luna spared a smile. "You could be right."

It was then he remembered the tea. Which was probably over-brewed by now. Oh well.

What had Luna said the other day?

It's the intention that matters?

Murphy shrugged, reaching for the lukewarm cup and setting it down in front of her. "Peppermint tea. Not coffee."

Luna's eyes softened to impossible degrees. "Thankyou, John."

Her voice was soft as well. Too soft.

Discomfort rising, he shrugged, turning away. "Sure thing. Out of interest, if someone were to show up at your door with a basket of fish, how would you read into that?"

He glanced over his shoulder at Luna, who looked thrown.

"Well?"

She hesitated, as if not wanting to cause offense with her next words. "I don't think Emori would like a basket of fish, John."

This was fucking impossible.

He thought Luna was supposed to be all insightful and shit.

Well, it would be real good if she could hurry up and insight her way into Raven's obvious hard-on for her.

Like, honestly, must he draw a fucking diagram?

Suppressing a groan, Murphy took a sip of his coffee.

Might have to see about roping Emori into this matchmaking shit.

At the very least, she'd probably have some more ideas on Grounder courting etiquette.

Luna looked down, fingers tapping against the sides of her mug as her features twisted in contemplation. The real heavy kind too. The kind that Murphy always tried his best to avoid. No good ever came from thinking that hard.

Raising his own mug to his lips, he scrutinized her expression.

She was debating something. That much was clear.

Ooh, maybe she's finally starting to put the pieces together.

Could be he wouldn't need to enlist Emori's help after all.

What would he do if these two crazy kids actually got together? He was going to have to start brainstorming some new material to tease Raven with, for one. No longer being able to torment her about her pathetically obvious crush would admittedly be a regrettable development. But he was sure he could find other things to taunt her with.

Her soon to be revitalized sex life for one.

Another moment of deliberation passed, before Luna seemed to decide to bite the bullet - whatever that bullet was. "Look, John, I'm flattered-"

"Flattered?"

"And I think you and Emori are wonderful people-"

Wonderful people.

Now there's a term that's never been used to describe us in the history of ever.

Luna really was an odd one.

"But I'm not interested in you like that."

"Interested?"

"Sexually."

Murphy choked, eyes bugging as a gush of molten hot liquid poured down his windpipe. Hacking, and struggling not to spill coffee all over himself in the process, he fought to regain the power of speech.

Luna's eyes widened.

It was quite possibly the first time he'd ever seen her caught so off guard.

(too bad he was too busy trying not to choke to death to fully appreciate the sight)

"You think I want to have a threesome?"

She nodded, watching him warily - and looking more than ready to intervene if his coughing fit proved suddenly lethal.

Murphy didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "God no. Emori would kill me."

(and he would rather eat glass than fuck someone he wasn't into again)

Luna looked relieved.

Murphy tried not to take it personally.

"Just. . . no. Never. A threesome?"

"You wouldn't be the first to ask."

Huh.

"Really?"

"Really." She seemed confused by his disbelief. "It's not uncommon for couples to invite others into their relationship. Whether it's just sexually or as something more; though, some clans are less open to it than others. Given how interested you were in my history with wuin - the things I like - I assumed that you were seeking the same."

Okay. Not an entirely unreasonable assumption. Murphy could admit that, thinking about it from Luna's perspective.

But still. . .

A threesome?

"And then your comment yesterday. . ."

"My comment yesterday?"

"About knowing someone who'd be happy to help me out."

Oh.

Oh.

"You thought-" he pointed at himself, mouth working uselessly.

"Honestly, I thought you were teasing - and trying to annoy Raven."

Well, that was more or less accurate.

"But then today. . ."

Okay, he'd heard enough.

"Trust me, I was not referring to myself."

She raised a brow. "Or Emori?"

"Or Emori."

He'd leave it to Luna to guess who he had been referring to.

She settled back in her seat, looking much more at ease. "You were just teasing."

"I was just teasing." Something he was strongly reconsidering the merits of ever doing again. To anyone. Possibly he should become a monk and take a vow of silence. Or retreat to a far corner of the island and live out life as a hermit.

But no.

Raven would take far too much pleasure in that.

Luna smiled a little wryly to herself. "I had to check. I didn't want you or Emori to get the wrong idea."

"We definitely did not get the wrong idea. The idea was not even a thought in our headspace."

Her mouth twitched, amusement coloring her expression. "Then I won't mention it again."

"Please don't."

She laughed.

Though the sound was quickly cut short by another cough. This one, at least, wasn't quite so violent - though it still looked plenty painful.

Murphy grimaced. "Alright?"

"Fine." She reached for the glass at her side somewhat shakily, taking a long - and disturbingly clumsy - sip.

Yeah, right.

Shaking his head, Murphy took another sip of his coffee - careful not to choke on it this time.

It still boggled the mind that Luna had thought he was hitting on her. Murphy had flirted many times before in his life - but not once had he put the moves on their precious messiah.

Huh.

Sort of lent credence to Emori's harebrained theory that Luna was shit at recognizing basic attraction.

Guess we've located her one and only blindspot.

Apparently, 'How to Know When Someone Wants to Screw Your Brains Out' was not among the plethora of things they taught in creepy little nightblood school.

Raven would be thrilled.

Murphy narrowed his eyes, watching as Luna carefully placed down her glass, glad to see that a certain steadiness had returned to her actions - if the woman fainted on his watch, it was almost guaranteed that Raven and Abby would take turns killing him.

Murphy took a moment to examine her complexion, reassured to note that it still had that faint rosy flush, before relaxing against the counter at his back. "Anyway, trust me when I say you can rest easy. Emori aside, I'm not 'interested' in you like that either."

Again, that look of relief.

And again, he tried not to take it personally.

It was on the tip of Murphy's tongue to tell her that he knew of someone who was interested. Very interested. One might even say overly so.

But he'd rather not get murdered before Praimfaya hit.

Luna smiled a little. "Then I promise I won't entertain the thought again."

"Oh no, feel free. Emori and I are a catch. And what you do in the privacy of your own imagination is entirely your business." He held out a hand towards her, "My gift to you."

He smirked when she rolled her eyes. "As generous as that is, I think I'll survive."

"Up to you. Offer's on the table for whenever you change your mind."

Any thanks Murphy might have received for this impressive act of charity was interrupted when Raven came storming into the room, a littany of swears falling from her lips.

He glanced at the clock.

Took her long enough.

"I swear to God, I hate this fucking ground!"

Murphy eyed her. "Hello to you too."

"I mean, poison ivy, really? I didn't even see any poison ivy."

She was scratching rabidly at her arm which, yep, had come to sport a rather unflattering rash.

Sucks for her.

Murphy smirked, raising his mug to his lips. "You've really gotta be more careful out there, Reyes."

She glared at him. "Don't even start. I know you stole my freaking tablet, you thief."

So predictable.

He sent Luna a pointed look.

A look which went entirely unnoticed given that she was already far too busy staring at Raven.

Of course she was.

Inwardly rolling his eyes, Murphy turned back to the huffy mechanic. "I think you'll find I've been in the mansion the whole morning."

"Like that proves anything."

"What? You think I can astral project now?"

Now that would be a nifty little skill to have. Would certainly make spying on people a hell of a lot easier.

Raven opened her mouth-

"Can I see?"

They turned to look at Luna, who was frowning and very clearly did not share in his amusement. But then she was rather unfortunately afflicted with the warm and fuzzies for Raven so that was to be expected.

"The tablet? I don't have it, thanks to someon-"

"The rash. Your tablet's in my room."

Raven blinked stupidly for a moment.

Murphy went to speak-

"Not a word." She held up a finger, not even sparing him a glance as she stomped over to Luna.

"I don't know, I might sue for defamation."

Raven ignored him.

Predictably, she did not proceed to chew Luna out for the apparent 'theft'.

The double standard was hurtful. Truly.

One might even start to think that she didn't like him.

Huffing, Raven thrust out her arm for inspection. "I'm never going outside again."

"I think you'll be safe as long as you don't plan on going in that river again anytime soon," Luna murmured, a furrow to her brow as she examined the rash. "Because this isn't poison ivy." She hesitated before turning around and lifting up her hair. "Do I have it as well?"

Murphy frowned, coming over and peering closer. "Yep."

Luna lifted her shirt, exposing the rest of her shoulders and the entire expanse of her back - Murphy smirked as Raven spun away. "And here?"

"Affirmative. You're pretty well covered." He eyed the hellscape, not sure whether he was impressed by the ferocity of the rash or intimidated. "Nasty little thing."

Raven grumbled, "Feels like it too."

"Sucks to be you two."

"I think it started coming up yesterday. That's when the itching began." Luna dropped her shirt, covering another cough.

Murphy frowned. "I'll go get Abby."

She cleared her throat. "Alright but tell her not to worry. It's not serious."

"Just irritating as hell," Raven muttered, scratching at her arm.

Maybe, but now that he was taking the time to look, Luna appeared a little too flushed for his liking - apparently that extra color in her cheeks wasn't the welcome development he'd first taken it as - and he and Emori had spied on one too many conversations between Jackson and Abby for him to find that comforting.

Frowning, Murphy laid the back of his hand against her forehead. Luna tolerated the touch with a patient - and somewhat fond - smile. No doubt she thought he was mother-henning. Murphy wished that was the case.

Yep, definite fever.

Raven stilled, watching his actions. The two shared a look as he pulled back.

"Certainly feels like it's from hell. I'm getting Abby."

That plan of action was thwarted in the next instant.

"Dribli nomfa kom paunajoka- what the hell is with all the shouting?" Emori grumbled, scowling as she trudged into the room. "It's barely past dawn and some of us are trying to sleep."

For his own safety, Murphy decided not to tell her that it was almost noon.

Raven had no such sense of self-preservation. "Well, actually-"

"Can you fetch Abby from the lab?"

Emori's eye twitched. "I'm not your servant, John."

Okay, so he was definitely going to have to use that line from Luna later to score some points.

"I can do it," his savior quickly interjected, rising to her feet.

In unison, both he and Raven pushed her back down into her seat.

"I can do it." He'd only been looking for a way to interrupt Raven anyway and, well, crisis averted. "You stay. Rest up. You look like shit."

Luna's mouth twitched whilst Raven shot him a glare.

"Such a sweet talker, isn't he?" Emori was smirking now, though, waltzing over to inspect their human disaster zone. She winced, reaching out to examine Raven's arm before glancing at Luna.

"Horni itchei?"

Luna nodded, massaging her throat.

"Hey," Raven snapped her arm back, narrowing her eyes. "Horniness is so not my problem right now."

"That's quite a change for you."

She whipped around - and if looks could kill, Murphy would be a feast for maggots by now.

Luna's brow furrowed. "Horniness?"

"Manik," Emori translated, mouth curving.

The confusion cleared and Luna bit her lip in a valiant attempt not to smile. "Oh." She turned to Raven. "No, horni means devil."

Raven stared. ". . . well, that throws a conversation I once had with Lincoln into a whole new light."

Luna's face lost the fight with her smile, cheeks rising. It triggered an instantaneous reaction in Raven, her own mouth curving in response as they held each other's gaze.

It was sickening.

Emori snorted and turned away. "Well, you two are in for a treat," she commented, wandering over to the kitchen counter. "Want some honey tea for that throat?"

"That'd be great, Emori. Thankyou."

She shrugged, dismissing the thanks.

What about his over-brewed peppermint? Was that suddenly not up to scratch?

"So where'd you two go swimming, anyway?" Emori asked. "Just so I know to avoid it in the future."

Raven groaned. "We didn't go swimming."

"Uh-huh."

"There was a fucking fish assassin, okay? And when I find that thing I'm going to-"

Luna touched her arm soothingly for a moment before retreating. "We were invaders in its home. You can't blame it for retaliating."

Raven grumbled, crossing her arms. "I guess not."

"Besides, I think it was fleeing, not attacking. And we can hardly hold that against it."

"Well, I've always liked a challenge so. . ."

"Raven."

"Fine."

Emori and Murphy exchanged a look.

Fish assassin?

Had Raven finally cracked it?

True, he'd been waiting for it to happen for some time now but had never imagined it going down quite like this.

Another hacking cough brought that confusing little detour to a halt.

Yeah, definitely better go get Abby.

"Right." Murphy clapped his hands together. "Hang tight, you two. Off to fetch the doc."

Who'd hopefully have a shot or two to fix this situation right up. Because their savior getting riddled with sickness probably didn't bode well for their chances when it came to survival.

(yep. That was what he cared about. What hastened his footsteps out the door.

Survival.

His and Emori's and no-one else's)


A/N:

Yu gaf fis fyucha op = Do you want to make a baby? (the phrase Luna gave Murphy)

Dribli nomfa kom paunajoka = drooling son of a gorilla-fucker

Dribli = drool (from dribble) [mine]

Paunajoka = gorilla-fucker (made from a combination of pauna and joka) [mine]

Wuin = courting/to court someone (from wooing) [mine]

Horni = devil (from horns) [mine]