This is all I have so far. I know readership is low for this, but if you would like me to continue, please tell me! I don't want to put out a story that nobody is reading, y'know?

The time had come for the meeting, and Luna was somehow more anxious than ever before. Sure, she'd been in many of these meetings. It was always civil, always to the point. But now they had mediators in the form of those who helped kickstart this whole thing. Sure, Luna may have killed the Othermind, but there was no way that'd be possible without them lighting the fire.

Swordtail had reassured her that things would go okay. Blue seemed fairly confident too, having flown back to coordinate with her. Seeing two of the most important dragons in her life so confident soothed her nerves. She didn't have to fake a smile as much. Swordtail, of course, saw right through the fakes while Blue seemed oblivious.

The meeting grounds were where the three territories intersected. A pavilion had been erected there in the past. All three tribes had made additions to it; HiveWings constructed the basic shape, SilkWings held it together, and LeafWings placed protective plants to safeguard the elements.

As Luna stepped in, she found that only Queen Sequoia had arrived. Made sense; Queen Jewel was getting old, so she needed more time to arrive. She frowned at the thought, though. There weren't any heirs to the throne after she passed. As far as Luna knew, Queen Jewel's offspring died young through… accidents that may or may not have been set up by Wasp.

It totally was Wasp, though. So, that left the tribe's future in uncertain times. Cricket would be Luna's pick, but she did not have the ruling mindset.

Luna examined the LeafWing Queen whilst she waited. Sundew was there, chatting with Blue in private. They'd neglected to bring up what they had planned for resolutions, which was fair. They didn't have time to prepare or poke holes in it. Everything would be genuine. A risky move, but Luna couldn't help but approve ever so slightly.

What Luna did not approve of, and foresaw multiple issues with, was the fact that Queen Sequoia brought Belladonna. The LeafWing general served as a personal bodyguard when the queen went out, much like how Swordtail did for Luna. Although each brought honor guards, they were not allowed in lest it a sign of aggression. Again, Luna saw the wisdom in it, but couldn't help but feel paranoid.

Regardless, Belladonna eyed Luna critically. She knew that the LeafWing was assessing each and every part of her for weaknesses. Luna did the same, knowing that she would come up short on a one-on-one fight. But, her flamesilk weaving had gotten faster and stronger over the years. Even if she couldn't meet talon with talons, whips of flamesilk were certain to keep Belladonna at bay.

Luna took her seat, which was a reclining chair that allowed her to lay on her side.

"How are you today, Queen Luna?" Queen Sequoia asked kindly. It was not a pretense or obligation, either. Luna felt much more comfortable around the LeafWing queen than most HiveWings. "I trust you have taken my lessons to heart?"

"Indeed, the council and I have found even footing." Luna nodded gratefully. It took a while for the SilkWings to separate from the LeafWings after they took them in, with Queen Sequoia personally teaching Luna. It'd been about a year since they were on their own, now. Luna did well, all things considered, and felt like she could write to the Queen if advice was needed.

She only hoped that the relationship here could be sustained after this meeting. They tended to agree on a lot of things.

"That is very good to hear!" Queen Sequoia smiled genuinely. "I look forward to seeing you bloom. Only the forest knows how long it has been since a SilkWing kingdom has been around."

"You'd think it'd be called a Queendom." Swordtail blurted bluntly. Luna shut her eyes and exhaled.

"Yes, I know what you like, but this is political talk." Sundew interjected, earning a quiet chuckle from Sequoia as Luna turned bright scarlet.

"I'm being serious!" Swordtail protested. "Kings aren't the rulers that the Queens are anymore. So Queendom is an accurate term."

"It is tradition from the old days," Queen Sequoia responded sagely. "The term Kingdom has become much more than 'king's domain'. It is now synonymous with territory. Although we could call it a Queendom, good luck convincing others to call it that."

"You tried." Luna patted Swordtail on the shoulder.

Commotion came as the HiveWings showed, led by Queen Jewel and flanked by Cricket and Lady Scarab. It was strange to bring one's own mother to a meeting like this, but the HiveWings had a massive trust issue going on, and Lady Scarab had many years of experience. She was here not as a mother, but as a trusted advisor.

Queen Scarab was not someone Luna had a lot of personal experience with, and in fact felt a tad uncomfortable around. Not because of her, but because she looked quite similar to her sister, Wasp. An aged face, spectacles, and a sharp tongue that whipped others into their place where all that separated them. Not to mention the ability to spread a noxious scent not unlike rotting meat and pus. Horrible, but in terms of deescalating an argument or throwing an enemy force into disarray, it was excellent.

How she was able to do this, Scarab never told. Queen Jewel did not possess the ability as far as Luna knew.

Regardless of how Luna may feel about Scarab, though, she had a respect for her. If not for her, Cricket would have been infected, and Blue would have been robbed of the love of his life. Not to mention the idea that this whole rebellion may have faltered without her saving Blue.

Speaking of, at the sight of Blue, Cricket walked over and nuzzled him affectionately. The sight drew a smile on Luna's face. A smile that slowly faded when she looked at Queen Jewel.

Oh, if there was a face that Luna knew too well, it was the broody quiet look. Something was gnawing at her. The others didn't seem to notice, but it was a mask that Luna wore all the time. Her face was pleasant, exchanging greetings, but the eyes told a different story. There was anger. Sadness. It was trying to be subdued, but Luna saw it.

Things were very likely going to get… complicated. And Luna had a feeling she knew exactly what was on the queen's mind.

"Thank you all for agreeing to meet with such short notice," Cricket announced after everyone got settled. The poor, nerdy dragon looked so out of place here. Yet, it simply added to the charm she held. "We have an idea of where you all are at, but for the sake of clarity, you may restate your positions if need be."

"I think we are all rather clear on our positions," Queen Jewel said respectfully. "We have had this discussion many, many times."

"Very well, then." Cricket nodded after the other queens agreed with Jewel. "Then, we may present our solutions. I want all of you to keep in mind that none of this is set in stone, and of course we will be having multiple talks about this. We do not want this to be a one and done thing, we want everyone to have time to think and add suggestions."

Luna did feel a tad bit better about that. Swordtail nudged her at Cricket's words, smiling with that smug 'I told you' face that she had grown to both love and hate.

"What we came up with," Blue stepped forward, "is again something we do not expect to work on its first iteration. But, we cannot ignore anyone's plight. Especially the issues between the Leaf and Hive tribes. We know why you, Queen Sequoia, want the land back." He nodded at her. "And why you, Queen Jewel, cannot move your tribe. Our solution… is to make Wasp Hive a neutral hub."

Luna raised a brow. She didn't expect that. And from the stiffened posture of Queen Jewel, she didn't either. Queen Sequoia showed no emotion regarding it.

"It's the only way we can appease everyone." Blue added on. "There's no way we can condone the exodus of that many dragons. Nor can we condone the fact that it is built atop a sacred burial ground for the LeafWings. Additionally, it is within reasonable distance for the SilkWings."

"Interesting…" Queen Sequoia leaned back, claw under chin, talons tapping at it. Belladonna did not look enthused by this, but somehow kept her tongue. "But, I'm afraid it does not solve the fact that the burial ground would not be in Leaf territory. If it is in a neutral place, then others may defile it more than it has."

"We know," Willow said soothingly. Her soft voice was somehow able to quell Sundew, so it made sense that any tension evaporated. "But, unless we can move the Hive itself, it is the only option. We meant what we said about wanting to stop the wheel in a way that does not have a clear loser or winner."

"I see what you mean," Queen Sequoia spoke after a moment. "It is better than having it be in Hive territory. I do not mean offense by that, Queen Jewel, but you must understand why it stings to have it be there."

"I do," Queen Jewel said.

"I don't see an issue with a neutral city." Luna leaned forward slightly. "I'm just not sure about it being a hive. Many, many SilkWings – myself included – are uncomfortable being around such a place. For a good majority, it is a personal matter. If we want the city to work, it has to be a place where everyone is comfortable. The Hive is a good start, mind you."

"And where will the HiveWings go for our capital?" Queen Jewel questioned. "Wasp Hive is where most of our governmental resources are. Moving them would take months. Not to mention that I am asking my HiveWings to usurp their lives. I am driving them out if I agree with this. I am asking them to give up their homes, their lives."

Luna frowned. She expected this. But, that anger and sorrow did not quell at these words. If anything, it only grew brighter.

"No… the only way they will accept this is if there are repercussions for both of you. We are tired of being punished." Queen Jewel finished, her voice wavering slightly.

"Repercussions?" Belladonna spoke up. "What possible repercussions could we ever owe to you after your kind committed genocide!"

"Bloodworm Hive."

And like that, everyone went silent. Luna glanced to Blue, to Swordtail, to Cricket. Everyone expected this. Belladonna's fangs bared, Queen Sequoia scowling. Sundew let out a small sigh.

"I have done my part in quelling loyalists." Queen Jewel's voice grew more and more pointed with each word. "We have done my part in repaying everything that is owed. But now, you come for my citizens once again. I will not tolerate it. Not until you punish those who killed hundreds of innocent dragons." She glared at Belladonna. "Queen Sequoia, I have remained civil over the years for you bringing her here, but no longer. It is because of her and her PoisonWings that Bloodworm Hive burned.

"Dragons who did nothing wrong, reduced to charred bones. For Clearsight's sake, there was an orphanage!" She bared her fangs. "What did they ever do!? Their only crime was being unwillingly infected! But no, you set fire to the entire Hive! You and the SilkWings!" She turned to Luna, who was taken aback. "Again, what did the orphans do!? What did the baker down the street do? What did the matrons who took in the weary and forgotten do? I'm not arguing that you shouldn't have attacked: BloodWorm had everything coming for her. But you didn't do that. You didn't go for the head. You went right for the innocents."

"Queen Jewel - " Cricket tried to interject.

"Jewel…" Scarab also attempted to speak.

"No, I will not stop," Queen Jewel hissed. "Not until I have answers as to why this war crime has been unanswered. Queen Sequoia, you promoted and encouraged the ones who did this by giving them ranks! Not once have I heard you denounce what happened. And you, Queen Luna," she snapped at Luna, "you once again have proven aggression by building your capitol where it is! Not just to us, but the LeafWings! Don't you dare tell me you build it for convenience: you can block the ocean where you are, and you invade on both our territories by being there!"

Luna hissed lowly but had to turn away from the look Blue was giving her. It wasn't shock or surprise. It was… sadness. He knew all along why she did it, Luna realized.

"We are done being punished. What we did was wrong, but what both of your kind did is abhorrent as well." She shook her head. "Wasp is no longer in power. The war is over. And now, it is time for all sides to denounce violence. I've done my part. What about yours?"

"How many died?" Cricket asked quietly.

"Twelve hundred and eleven from the initial attack," Jewel answered venomously, tears sparkling in her eyes. "More from their injuries. Countless more were crippled."

"Wasp told you that, didn't she?" Scarab's lip curled.

"If Wasp told her, then she is lying." Belladonna snapped.

"No, my sister would not lie about this. Not when it can hurt someone as deeply as it did Jewel." Scarab shook her head as Queen Jewel's composure attempted to stay. She had gotten a better grip, but tears still sparkled in her eyes. "Let me take over, Jewel."

"I can handle this, mother." Queen Jewel shifted her gaze to Scarab, who leaned in to whisper something to Jewel. After a small conversation, Queen Jewel seemed to relent.

"I… agree with Queen Jewel," Sundew of all dragons spoke up. Luna was surprised. Both LeafWings snapped their heads to her, too. "In the past, I would've been all for it. I was, actually. But then I met Cricket. I met more HiveWings. And then I saw what happened in Possibility." Her claw curled. "No more. I will never condone that. It was wrong to not simply attack Bloodworm and destabilize the government there. Plus, how many SilkWings died in that? There are those who were unable to escape. I'm sure Wasp didn't know the number for them."

A lot, Luna thought. Be it from fighting in the rebellion or being kept in places that they couldn't fly from.

"You have also missed your target," Lady Scarab said neutrally. "Bloodworm lives. Burned, but she lives." She shifted her gaze to Queen Sequoia.. "Queen Sequoia, that it was a LeafWing named Hawthorn that corrupted my sister even further. You may not have agreed with the method Wasp was infected, but I have not seen any of your tribe take responsibility."

"Wasp was already invading us," Queen Sequoia said coolly. "It was an option."

"Yes, well, look how that turned out." Queen Jewel shook her head with disbelief, speaking over her mother. "You can't even say 'I'm sorry'. Not one of you. The HiveWing actions are inexcusable, but neither of you stopped to realize that you became Wasp when you burned that Hive. You may not have been involved, Queen Luna, but you did not once condemn the attack. You promoted some of the SilkWings to your council. They still whisper in your ear."

"I do not want war. I do not want any more blood to be shed," Luna responded as calmly as she could.

"Then why haven't you doused the fires?"

And like that, all argument died in Luna's mouth. She hadn't done that. She was so worried about being defenseless and having the SilkWings being dominated again that she kept those around that hungered for battle. She needed them to be ready.

While she knew of Bloodworm Hive and its devastation, she always prepared for it as an argument. She didn't stop to think how it affected the HiveWings.

But, they deserved it! A part of her whispered. And maybe that was true for those dragons like Bloodworm. But the orphans that Queen Jewel spoke of… she didn't know. She didn't know just how far the burning had gone.

"I am sympathetic to your need to be ready," Queen Jewel said to Luna. "Truly, I am. I am not asking you to stand down your military. But, whenever I see a SilkWing, more often than not I still see that spark of hatred. Whenever I see leaders of the rebellion, I see zero remorse. My kind's enslavement of yours, for the umpteenth time, was wrong. We punished dragonets. We punished civilians. But since we're HiveWings, suddenly moral goes out the window? They were all dragons who hated being controlled. They had no free will. Either from Wasp, or from how society was. You can pin the blame right on the leaders. I know I didn't do enough, and that haunts me to this day. But why the dragonets? Why did they have to die?"

"This is where I am at," Queen Jewel announced to them. "Until I see condemnation, this will never work. I don't know where this leaves us but know that I will defend my tribe until my dying breath. I do not want to reignite the Tree Wars. I will not be the aggressor. But if it comes to it… I will not hold back."

"Do you expect me to feel sympathy after everything that was done?" Belladonna asked coldly. "Do you know how many of our dragonets were slaughtered? Innocents? Twelve hundred and eleven does not come close to what we have lost."

"That's not the point she is making, Belladonna." Queen Sequoia glared.

"Ha! Of course a SapWing would show remorse. This is why our tribe remained split."

"Then where does it end?" Luna could not keep quiet any longer. "What happened to the LeafWings and SilkWings was a travesty. But we all knew better. We all knew that they were being controlled. And yet…"

"It ends when we get our land back." Belladonna glared at Luna. "It ends when we are no longer threatened."

"Belladonna, that is enough." Queen Sequoia stood up to meet Belladonna.

"Are you going to punish me and my PoisonWings for what we did, then?" Belladonna sneered. "Go on. I dare you. Watch as the tribe splits again. But that's okay, you won't have to worry about war. It won't be you who ignites it. But, then I won't answer to you. We'll die, thrashing in the forest, before we ever give in."

"And if you die, who will defend us from the next Othermind-like threat!" Queen Sequoia roared. Even Luna was taken aback by how ferocious she sounded. "Enough is enough! We have lost too much of our tribe to not focus on rebuilding! I will not lead my tribe through another genocide!"

"Then you do condemn us." Belladonna tsked. "We did what we must for our tribe. I will not apologize or feel guilt."

"Then think of the next generation!" The queen snapped. "If you cannot let go of your hatred, then forge a better future for the newborns! They do not deserve to be thrust into a preventable war!"

"Yes, and neither was I. Yet, here I am."

"Self-centered as always, Belladonna." Sundew bared her fangs. "You can't see beyond your warmongering nature to see the bigger picture. You only care about your own vengeance."

"I do not. I care about our future. And I will not roll over." Belladonna eyed her daughter with zero emotion.

"Then Butterwort will be without a mother."

That got Belladonna to pause. "How low of you to bring him into this."

"He's a kind, talented young dragon who deserves more than what you put me through. So yes, I will bring him into this!" Sundew snapped. "I will not let you screw him up like you did me."

"Hmph. I see you have painted me the villain." Belladonna shook her head before turning to Luna. "Yet, we have already established that Luna has done nothing. Her council of bloodthirsty SilkWings still whisper in her ear."

Luna's blood ran cold as all eyes turned to her.

"Oh yes, I know all about those who helped us. They take a lot of pride in their work, and they seem to think you do too, as you built your capitol right where you did." Belladonna smiled. "I, for one, am proud of you."

"Have you been spying on us?" Luna stood up, antennae on end.

"Spying? That is a dangerous accusation." Belladonna frowned. Yet, her eyes told a different story. "LeafWings are welcome in your kingdom. And they talk."

"Luna." Queen Jewel turned to her. "Have you been preparing for war?"

"No!" Luna protested. "I am bolstering our defenses! I am making sure that we are never enslaved again!"

"And yet, you build and build. With each expansion of the Chrysalis, named after the rebellion that aided and abetted so much, you encroach." Queen Jewel's eyes slanted. "You say that you bolster your defenses… yet if this is peace talk, why are you continuing?"

Luna didn't say anything. What could she even reply with?

"So, before you paint me off as the villain and lob all accusation at us, do keep this in mind." Belladonna returned her gaze back to Queen Jewel.

"What is your plan!?" Luna snapped. "To make her paranoid?"

"Not at all." Belladonna shook her head. "But, I refuse to be painted as the villain for doing the right thing. The fact that you have not quelled your council says you agree with me, even if your words say otherwise."

Did she? Luna was never hungry for battle or wanted revenge. But… was she going too far? Was she listening to her council too much? The LeafSilk alliance was very strong… did this mean that the seeds of her rule were already planted with war in mind?

No! She wouldn't dare do that! She wouldn't subject her tribe to bloodshed!

Yet… why could she not come out and say otherwise?

"It's easy, really." Belladonna purred. "If you really disagree with how your tribe achieved freedom, say so. But by doing so… well, do I need to say more?"

"That is enough!" Queen Sequoia grabbed Belladonna by the horn and made her face her. "We came here to talk peace! I will not permit you to speak more!"

"Didn't stop me quick enough." Belladonna shook her head. "Very well, though. I shall take my leave."

With that, Belladonna made for the exit.

"I must chase after her if I am to prevent any damage." Queen Sequoia took after her. "Queen Jewel… I do condemn the attack. But I also cannot risk my fractured tribe. We only just became whole again, and with us being so few, we cannot afford to split. I will do what I can, but know that my heart goes out for the dead."

"Thank you," Queen Jewel said quietly as the LeafWing queen departed, too. "Queen Luna… your tribe has every right to be angry at us. But like I said, I will not take threats lightly. If you expand any further, I will take that as more than a microaggression."

Luna nodded slowly. "I will expand in another direction."

"Do you condemn the attack?" Queen Jewel asked her neutrally.

"Of course!" Luna finally found the words to speak. "I mourn the loss of life."

"There's a 'but' there."

"But… we would've never secured our freedom or stability without it." Luna admitted through bared fangs. "I can't just tell them that it was wrong when we tried for so long to be our own tribe again."

"There is a way for you to do that." Queen Jewel shook her head with a sigh. "If you don't see it… we have nothing more to say on the matter. Good day, Queen Luna."

Luna did not go back to the Chrysalis immediately. Instead, she hung around the constructed building, and now had buried her face in her claws. Swordtail sat beside her, scratching her back soothingly. He didn't say a word, but his presence was more than enough to keep her steady.

The clicking of talons announced the presence of Blue, who strode toward them with a sympathetic look.

"That could have gone better." Blue sat beside her.

"You think?" Luna grumbled.

"Coulda went a lot worse, though," Swordtail said. "I mean, she didn't say 'no' to the whole thing."

"Yeah, she didn't." Luna's ears and antennae perked up at that. "But… I have no idea how I'm going to go about this. I can't say that it was wrong, or those like Morpho will take it as 'oh, we're not supposed to rebel, got it'. Or, 'why is this a problem now'?"

"I wish I knew the answers." Blue sighed wearily. "I'm not a politician. Like I said, I don't think it was a bad idea to write to us. The fact that nobody disagreed with the fundamentals, as Swordtail pointed out, is great. But I have no idea how I'm going to smooth this over."

"I'm a leader, not a diplomat." Luna chuckled. "I know how to make us strong. I… do not have the skills to go about this gently. Either I go too far or not enough." She huffed a breath of annoyance. "Word of this is going to spread amongst the tribes. It has to. And then Sunny is coming over to check on the teachers, and oops things are in turmoil because we have a split in our tribe due to me bringing up Bloodworm Hive."

"Wait… Sunny is coming?" Blue raised a brow. "I didn't know that."

"Yeah, she is." Luna eyed him curiously. "Why, do you want to rope her into this? She's a teacher, not a diplomat."

"Actually… she is," Blue said to Luna's surprise. "I had the opportunity to speak with her multiple times. It was her that brought together the end of the SandWing war. She got everyone to meet together. It went worse than this did, but in the end, peace was won. She's also princess to the Sand Kingdom. From what I heard from everyone else – and personal experience – is that underestimating her is a very bad idea."

"Okay, but I am not comfortable with having someone outside the tribe being our savior." Luna rolled her eyes.

"I mean, if she's all that, turning her away isn't a great idea." Swordtail interjected thoughtfully. "I say, if she wants to help, let her. I haven't met her, but if Blue vouches, I say why not?"

"He also didn't want to rebel at first." Luna poked Blue teasingly.

"Yes, well… I learned my lesson there." Blue shifted, embarrassed.

"But alright, I'll bring it up to her. Or, you should." Luna prodded Blue again. "You know her. I'm not going to welcome her and then be like 'hey, so, I know you're here for teacher meetings but how about stopping a civil war?'"

"Why not?" Swordtail shrugged. "Blunt works."

"Yes, and that is why you are not a politician or diplomat." Luna playfully smacked him.

"I'll come back with you." Blue offered. "I just need to make arrangements with Cricket."

"I'm sorry for keeping you away from her and Bumblebee." Luna wrapped her left wings around him. "Really, I am."

"It's okay." Blue smiled brightly. "You're my sister. It's my job to help."

"Ugh, I hate it when you smile that way… Cricket probably can never stay mad at you, can she?"

"Nope." Blue winked. "But… Luna, why did you build the Chrysalis where you did? Was it really to invade as Queen Jewel said?"

Luna sighed. "No, not to invade. But they couldn't ignore us now. No matter what, we have a say. Was it short sighted? Maybe. But neither tribe stopped us, either."

"Indeed they didn't," Blue said quietly. "I'm not mad, by the way. But I am worried that this will just be another unforeseen issue."

"And you are disappointed." Luna frowned. "I saw your look."

"I am… conflicted. I know why you did it." Blue stared at his tattooed claw. "And I agree that the SilkWings should never be slaves again. I just… worry that it wasn't the right way to show off."

"Again, maybe not. What's done is done. We'll weather the storm, and who knows, maybe it'll blow us away to a new place. Be nice to not be tumbling alone for days." Luna chuckled darkly.

"Well, hopefully we won't have to tumble at all." Swordtail bristled. "I never, ever want to experience that again. Easily in my top ten worst moments."

"Not your worst moment?" Luna raised a brow.

"Err, yes, of course it was!" Swordtail quickly amended himself. Luna squinted at him critically, but internally she was giggling. His tail swished nervously at her expression.

"Oh, I can't be mad at you, either." Luna leaned into him. "Especially after how Blue told me you spent days trying to find me."

"I'd do it again and again." Swordtail flicked his antennae at her.

"Luna," Blue spoke again, face sullen. "How many SilkWings died in the attack?"

"I… don't know, Blue. I wasn't there." Luna looked away, dejected.

"Did you ever try and find out?" Blue asked her not unkindly. She couldn't face him. "Luna… please tell me you tried."

"Of course I tried!" Luna snapped back. "It wasn't like anyone had records!"

"And did you ever ask Morpho and the others if the deaths of innocents was worth their freedom?" Blue pressed. "Not just HiveWings, but SilkWings. Did they deserve to die for not agreeing to help?"

Luna stared, as did Swordtail. "Blue… what are you getting at?"

"We may have won our freedom, but it cost the lives of hundreds of SilkWings who weren't involved." Blue stood up, shoulders slumped. "That's what Queen Jewel meant. I wanted to see if you could see it but… Luna, you've changed. The sister I knew would've been outraged at this. Have you condemned at least that?"

"No." Luna admitted quietly, stunned.

"And what's going to stop them from throwing more innocents into the fire if you haven't stopped them?" Blue's face was the most distraught she'd ever seen him be. Not only that, but his disappointment in her cut like a knife. "Please, don't let them do that again. I'll help you. But you need to address this before it takes off."

With that, Blue nodded at them and began to walk away. Luna watched him go, feeling as if she had flown in an icy sky. She barely felt her wingtips from how chilly she felt.

"He's changed," Swordtail said quietly.

"Yeah… he has," Luna responded, barely more than a whisper.

"I remember him being so reluctant to do anything rebellious." Swordtail chuckled. "Look at him now. Cricket and Bumblebee were the best things to ever happen to him."

"What's going to happen, Swordtail?" Luna faced him. "I can't lose him. But I can't lose what we built."

"Play it by ear. Usually what I do. And besides, reality is stranger than fiction," Swordtail said. "What was previously unrealistic is now just the norm. So, I wouldn't be surprised if something random happens."

"How poetic of you. Have you been reading?" Luna seized the chance to change the subject. Anything to get away from the emptiness she felt now.

"I read!" Swordtail protested. "Not as much, but I do!"

"Uh huh, and how many pictures are in the book?"

"None. I'm a big boy now." He flexed his arm with a dashing smile. Luna rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, you love it. And besides, I think we're alone now. No need to act all queenly."

Luna glanced around. Her honor guard, sure enough, was not here. They were in a private pavilion. Only she and Swordtail were here. With that knowledge, she snuggled closer, listening to the sound of his heart. It was comforting, a constant reminder that he was alive and here, and that things would be okay.

Luna hoped.

A good way to end it for now, I say. Again, do let me know what you think and if you want this story to be continued!