TWs: Rude behavior, insults, earthquakes, implied death ideation. Stay safe :)

Earth bid the mother and son farewell, giving the latter a pat on the head. Astrowife smiled, giving the other her gratitude for healing her son's wounds, not without a slight hesitance in her actions as she shook Earth's hand.

"Since when could you do that, Earth?" Jupiter asked once the Earthlings were out of earshot.

Earth paused in his waving, turning to the taller one. He shrugged, speaking as if it was obvious, "Uhm... since always? Don't you guys have special abilities?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"We can't use them here." Sun crossed his arms, "They're being blocked by... powerful entities."

Earth scoffed, a smirk rising on his face, "Or it's the universe's way of telling you guys that you weren't made to be 'all-knowing and all-powerful,' after all."

The Celestials and Celestites gasped, their faces conveying shock and horror while the Guardian squinted his red eyes, glaring down at the other with a heat that could rival WR 102's.

Earth cocked his head to the side, staring back with an unimpressed gaze, "Doesn't anyone here know how to take a joke?"

Saturn shifted closer to Jupiter, whispering, "That was more of a backhanded compliment than a joke..."

Earth frowned, huffing as he shook his head before beginning to ascend the stairs, "Whatever..."

Sun's piercing gaze followed the lively Celestial. He scowled, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Stop right there, Terra!"

Earth nearly tripped on the steps, catching himself on the railing. Letting out an annoyed groan, he whipped around, gazing harshly at the Guardian, "Stop calling me that! You don't know me, and I don't know any of you, so stop forcing me to remember what I don't kn...!"

His voice cracked before giving out completely. He vehemently shook his head, running up the stairs and away from the strangers.

"Earth-!" Luna called after him.

The ground shook violently, causing everyone to either fall or wobble on their feet. The atmosphere flickered, but it was a deep shade of purple instead of black.

It went on for minutes, with everyone trying to keep their balance. The smaller Celestites held on to their respective bigger Celestites, with Triton shielding Proteus from any incoming danger just in case and Miranda huddling beside Titania, who had a hand in the smaller one's hair, trying to soothe her as best as she could.

Luna, from his spot beside Mercury and Mars, slowly stood up, his hands latching onto the metal railing as he guided himself up the stairs. His limbs shook with every step, yet that didn't stop his unwavering determination to make it up the steps.

"Luna! What are you doing!?" Mercury yelled with panicked eyes as he couldn't help but watch from where he was on the ground.

"This- urgh... this isn't going to stop unless we calm Earth down! I need to get to him!" Luna shouted, grunting as another violent quake shook the earth.

Mars watched Luna with trepidation swarming his vision and mind. He took a deep breath before beginning to climb the stairs, keeping his body in a crouched position, "Luna's right! I can't sit around while my best friend is suffering! We have to do something!"

A pale hand reached out above Mars, prompting him to look up into icy blue eyes with a questioning and surprised gaze.

"It's just as you said, mate," Uranus said with a reassuring smile, "We can't let him suffer while we do nothing."

Mars looked at the offered hand before meeting the other's eyes again. There was a mutual look of understanding exchanged between them.

The rusty-haired Celestial nodded with resolution as he grabbed the offered hand, "Right."

« × »

"Well, well, well, looks like the Earth has self-proclaimed 'saviors'..." Mage remarked.

"It appears your plan has backfired on you," Kepler spoke, peering over her shoulder.

Mage merely smirked, "Oh, is it...? Little do you know, I have a few... tricks up my sleeves."

Kepler frowned, saying nothing as he turned away.

"Never question your superiors, Kepler; doing so will only bring your downfall," Mage shouted after him.

Kepler sighed, bringing up his Novae. He stopped short once he saw something- or someone. Peering over his shoulder, he began tapping onto the surface of the slate blue Novae.

'And little do you know, I do too...'

« × »

Tyrannosaurus Rex, also known as, "The Nation's T. Rex"

Earth frowned. They were one of the most well-known and popular of the dinosaurs. If you were to ask a seven-year-old to name five dinosaurs, the T. Rex would most likely be listed first.

Earth, however, never liked the T. Rex. They were volatile and violent creatures. After all, it wasn't named "tyrant lizard king" for nothing.

Earth peered up at the skeleton, its head and body looming over him, almost like he was the prey about to get chomped on. He huffed, 'If only...'

He froze, blinking as the thought came and went. He shook his head, pulling at his hair as he cursed silently to himself, 'Gah, what am I thinking? What's wrong with me...?'

He sighed, looking at his hands and watching them tremble slightly; a pit formed in his stomach, manifesting deeper and deeper until Earth felt nauseous.

'S-Some... something doesn't feel right...' He thought, 'Why do I feel... scared? I-I'm not supposed to be afraid of anything!'

"Earth...?" A voice spoke up, prompting the Celestial in question to jump up and whip around, hands held above his head in a defensive position.

"Wha-!? Oh, it's just you..." Earth uttered, uncurling from his position and standing properly before looking at Luna, "What do you want?"

Luna winced at the phrasing, "I came to see how you were doing."

Earth scoffed, "I don't need comforting, especially from a moon."

Luna furrowed his brows once Earth turned his back on him, returning his gaze to the dinosaur skeleton. He grunted, annoyed with Earth's behavior while clenching his hands into fists. He wanted so badly to lash out, to yell at him, yet he kept it all inside, biting his tongue and taking a deep breath instead.

Peering over his shoulder, he saw the others standing by the doorway, silently watching the scene. He met Mercury's anxious gaze. Luna gave him a reassuring smile before turning to look at Earth.

He thought of what to do and what to say, coming up empty every minute that passed. Earth wouldn't remember no matter what he did.

His gaze fell to the ground, saddened by the thought.

Earth knew he had a moon- he just didn't know who it was.

'Wait...' Luna blinked, 'If Earth knows he has a moon, then...'

Luna raised his head, looking at the back of Earth.

All those times when Earth braided Luna's hair, when Luna protected him from oncoming asteroids, and when Earth had finally opened up to him.

He looked over his shoulder again before taking a deep breath as he turned to Earth, 'It's worth a shot...'

"The black hole of the window where you sleep..." Luna's voice was quiet. Insecurity clutched his chest, making his legs weak. He noticed Earth perking up, yet he didn't turn around, "The night breeze carries something sweet: a peach tree..."

Earth listened to the singing, finding a sense of familiarity with the words.

He had sung this song before, but when...?

Luna continued, "Wild women don't get the blues, but I find that lately, I've been crying like a... tall child. So please hurry-"

"Leave me, I can't breathe... please don't say you love me." Earth's voice intercepted Luna's, "胸がはち切れそうで..."

At last, Earth faced Luna, a look of confusion on his face, "That song... I only sang it to my moon, so how do you...?"

Luna stayed silent, fiddling with his fingers as he stood awkwardly.

The pieces started to click in Earth's mind, making his eyes widen, "You... you're my moon...?"

« NOTE »

The song is First Love/Late Spring by Mitski

Motivation has been dying, so expect slower updates ;-;

Comments are appreciated 3