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In Aphelios' vision, Mother Moon's weary body was dipping into the horizon. Her light would soon be replaced by the light of the Solari, and Aphelios would have to hide away. Alune watched intently as Aphelios set up camp quickly, seeking for danger in his vision. As she confirmed that there was no danger in sight, she bid her brother goodnight, his form fading from the temple as the noctum wore off.
She turned away after a few moments of silence and roamed through the space of the temple, past the statues and the overgrown clumps of vines covering them, making her way to the only exit in the temple. There, she saw one of the two friends she had made in the Spirit Realm: Yone, a tall, honorable and bold swordsman in life who had been slain by his own brother. She had met her about half a year ago, at first skeptical of her due to the fact Yuumi was the only one able to visit her freely. Though as she confirmed Yone was of no threat and only came upon the temple by coincidence, she found herself placing trust in him.
"How has Aphelios been today?" Yone inquired as Alune sat down next to her.
"He's been restless. The noctum wears away his feelings, but I know for a fact the longer we take to search for the Aspect of the Moon, the more frustrated he grows." Alune heaves a soft sigh. "I, too, am beginning to feel the same. At this point, searching for Diana will become our life mission if we don't find her fast enough."
Yone nods lightly before speaking once more.
"The more you tell me about this Aspect, the more it seems to me like she's running from something."
"I believe that is exactly what she is doing," Alune agrees. "But why is she fleeing? She was chosen by Mother Moon... she cannot flee from duty when she, too, is bound to it, just like Phel and me."
"Guilt, perhaps," Yone muses. "Perhaps she's done something she cannot be forgiven for. Maybe she's simply trying to escape her destiny, whatever that may be. The mind of an Aspect is truly unpredictable."
"I pray that Mother Moon will allow us to find her quickly. The Lunari need her, and if she is trying to run, she cannot escape her orbit forever..."
"She will have to confront it eventually, I'm sure."
"If Mother Moon wills it, she will be sure to return."
The two sit in silence, watching the moon slowly sink into the horizon. Alune reflected on her time with Yone, beginning to rest her head on his shoulder. She was weary from spending so long in the temple, but she knew she had to do this to keep Phel safe. Becoming friends with Yuumi eased her loneliness in the spirit realm, though that barely compared to when she started talking to Yone. Ever since the day she found her meandering outside the temple, she slowly began to feel as if her orbit was always meant to cross with Yone's. She had never felt like this about anyone else before. She doubted it was romantic love, yet she knew it was love all the same.
She was afraid of romantic love.
Alune dedicated herself to her duties and knew very well what love could do to a person. Like Aphelios, she tried to keep any feelings out of the equation - with the exception of the love she had for her brother. But she had never felt romantic love for anyone else. The idea of her duties being impeded by such a foreign feeling was unbearable. Yet here she was, still resting her head on Yone's shoulder and feeling her worries about Aphelios and Diana melt away, wrapping her arms around her arm as Yone leaned back into Alune.
...she wants to tell him. She really, really wants to tell him how she really feels about her.
"...Yone."
"Yes, Alune?"
"I must say, despite you being an outsider who knows nothing of the things that go on at Mount Targon, I find myself trusting you more than anyone I've ever met in my life."
"Even Aphelios?"
"Of course not. I mean... I do not mean that in a rude way. I just mean that I trust him as much as I trust you."
Yone chuckles lightly before Alune pouts a bit. "Now let me finish what I was going to say, please!"
"Of course, heh, go on."
Alune rubs her head against his shoulder. "I... can barely find the words to express how I truly feel. I know I must not let feelings get in the way of my work, yet you've broken down the barriers I tried to set up from the beginning. These new feelings are terrifying but I... I would like to confront them with you. I truly believe that our orbits were meant to entwine."
Yone raises an eyebrow inquisitively, Alune taking his hand into hers.
"Do I dare to say the words?"
"There is no Lunari to stop you from telling me the words you want me to hear, Alune. No one will stop you."
Alune's breath catches in her throat for a split moment. She inhaled and exhaled slowly, before opening her mouth to finally speak the words she had been aching to say.
"...Then I... I love you, Yone. From the depths of my heart, you have made me feel more safe than I ever have, and I truly wish that we will be able to spend eternity together, someday. And I pray Mother Moon will be kind enough to never separate us."
Yone sits in silence. Alune's adrenaline picked up as she grew anxious about Yone's potential thoughts and response to such a sudden confession. Would Yone accept it? Perhaps she shouldn't have confessed now, maybe it would have been better if she did it later, or-
Her racing thoughts are interrupted by Yone running her fingers through Alune's long, white hair. She gazed up at him, growing flustered at the notion. Yone cupped her face in her hand, returning Alune's stare with an equally gentle face.
"I feel the same. I was afraid to even bring it up because of your sacred duties yet... we are still here together. These months have been so tiring for you, but I'm so happy to know that I've made them all better for you."
Yone leans in. Alune's breath hitches. She whispers, "May I?"
Alune nods quickly, placing her hands on her shoulders as Yone drew her in closer.
They press their lips together and kiss, staying like that for what seemed like millenia. Alune smiles into the kiss, cheeks hurting from how overjoyed she was. As Yone finally drew away, Alune caught herself leaning after Yone.
"You really are the perfect woman, Yone," Alune spoke. "I'm so happy Mother Moon let me meet you."
Yone grinned softly at her, rubbing her thumbs against her palms. "May I stay here a little longer?"
"Of course, Yone. Let us enjoy the last of the moon's set a while longer."