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One moment there was nothing, and the next there was everything.
Galaxies and planets and stars and various floating rocks, and then the Moon opened his eyes. They were green and wide and curious, and, well, no wonder, as they were seeing everything for the very first time.
The world was dark for a little bit, but then the Moon’s eyes closed again when his face was washed in a bright light. He scrunched his nose and rubbed his eyes with his palms, before opening them again and looking around.
The sky was bright and full of shiny particles flying around, and there was a lovely planet right in front of him, green and blue, and across from it there was a big star. It wasn’t the biggest in the universe but the Moon somehow thought it was the brightest. It was the prettiest.
Just like there, where the Moon lived, there was a person, a boy living on the star, the Sun. The Moon’s eyes widened even more as he watched The Sun stand up on wobbly legs and walk all around his star in wonder. His skin was golden and his hair was fluffy, and the Moon would’ve sworn he could feel the heat coming from him on his own skin. Seeping in, making the Moon glow as well.
He looked down on his own chest, seeing the light coming from where his heart was, a little colder, a little bluer than the Sun’s, and he touched it with a curious hand.
What an honour, to have the prettiest star share a bit of his light with you.
The moon stood up hurriedly and ran towards the brightness a little, stumbling in a process and letting out a small yelp. He caught the attention of the other boy and their eyes met.
They smiled at each other, and the Sun waved.
🌙
The planet dividing the Sun and the Moon had people on it. Not the same way the Sun and the Moon did, though. There were millions of tiny little people running around, talking, laughing, and falling in love.
Safe to say, the Moon was fascinated. It all seemed so different from his life on his moon, almost too little for him, and still oh so lonely. He would spend most of his time longingly staring at the Sun, doing his job, making the people on Earth happy.
At least that was something the Moon and the people had in common.
He dreamt about getting closer, so close they could hear each other, maybe he could reach out his hand and grab the Sun’s and – and what then?
Maybe the universe would explode.
It wasn’t like these fantasies meant anything. The Moon was moving in circles around the Earth and the Earth around the Sun – how ironic, the Moon would also say that everything in the world centers around the Sun – and still, they were never close enough.
Every time the Sun came out in the morning, it was the Moon’s time to hide and watch from afar. Soak in all the light he was given only to replace the Sun hours later and do the same job, except worse. Less bright, less warm, less impressive. While the Sun made all the flowers grow and all the people come outside to play, all the Moon was doing, he thought, was come out and play with the water if he got bored.
While the Sun was there for children, laughter and rainbows, the Moon worked accompanied by the poets, the tears, and the bitter darkness.
It was like they weren’t destined to ever meet. And maybe it was for the better, because surely, someone like the Sun would never be impressed.
☀️
One day, the Moon got so lost watching the Sun, he forgot to go down. Early in the morning, he caught the first glimpse of the sunshine, and he just stopped and stared, as the big star moved higher up the sky, the Sun idly sitting on top of it, swinging his legs and he just froze.
Lost in thought, he only realised what he had done, when he heard the tiny voices of some people, pointing their fingers at him. He stood up quickly, shaking his head and looking back towards the Sun with scared, wide eyes.
Oops.
The Sun was staring back at him, head tilted and face a little bit confused, and just as the Moon was about to look down in shame, the Sun smiled at him and raised his hand to wave. The Moon stared at him for a few more seconds with a silver-y blush, before waving back shortly and quickly disappearing behind the horizon.
He would be lying if he said that was the last time that happened.
🌙
Winters were the Moon’s least favourite season. The Sun looked so sad and tired during the cold months, and he couldn’t stand it.
He would watch the Sun set every evening, laying on his side, curled up and sleepy, and the Moon wished to come tuck him in, maybe kiss his cheeks and make sure he slept well. He couldn’t do that, though, so instead he just stayed up, watching over the people and hoping the Sun was alright.
One day, it wasn’t even that late, but each time the Moon spared a glace in the Sun’s direction, he looked sleepier and sleepier, barely holding his eyes open. His light wasn’t so bright and his warmth wasn’t so warm and it just wasn’t right .
The Moon shook his head and stood up, determined. He could not watch the Sun in this state any longer. He moved up, up, up, until he was high in the sky. He saw the Sun blink at him, eyelids heavy, too tired to even be confused.
The Moon smiled at him, motioning downward, trying to tell the Sun it was okay to go, it was okay to rest. The Sun nodded slowly, and with a small smile, started setting. The Moon’s grin widened, and he watched, a little flustered, as the Sun blushed, colouring all the clouds around himself deep pink.
Since then, he made sure the Sun got enough sleep every winter.
☀️
The Moon loved to watch the Sun. He was a great person to just sit and admire what he was like. When the Moon wasn’t working, he would lay on his stomach, kicking his legs and looking down on the Earth, watching the effect the Sun had on people, basking in the warmth, fruitlessly attempting to brown his pale face a little.
No matter how hard he tried, his skin would never budge, and he still showered the clouds around him with silver light.
He was floating in space, watching the tiny people go about their day, watching the small animals and plants enjoy the sunlight, when suddenly the Earth went darker, darker , dark. His eyebrows furrowed softly, and he looked up in confusion, looking across the Earth towards the usual source of light.
The Sun wasn’t there.
He stood up quickly, running forward a little, when he heard a soft cough behind him. He turned around slowly.
“Um,” the Sun was there, right in front of him, with wide eyes and a soft, amused smile playing on his lips.
He was right by the Sun. More specifically, he was in the Sun’s way , that’s why the Earth didn’t get any light for a moment.
“Oops,” he said quietly, and the Sun’s smile widened.
“Hi,” his voice was lovely, and he was so warm , the Moon was almost melting .
“Sorry, um, I got uh – got distracted for a bit there,” the Moon cleared his throat, his heart beating quickly, excitedly. They were so close . “I’ll– um. Get out of your way now.”
“Wait,” his palm was burning, burning hot, where the Sun reached for his hand and pulled him back, turned him to face him again. The Moon scrunched his nose. Pretty tan face. Bright eyes. Freckles. High cheekbones. Fluffy hair, almost golden. Heat. Light. He was so pretty. “I’m Louis. I’m a star!”
“Oh,” The Moon said, eyes flicking between the Sun’s eyes and their still intertwined hands. “Yes, I know. You’re very pretty, um.”
Louis beamed at him, and the Earth was a little lighter, the streams of light radiating from Louis’ star so big, they started spilling around the Moon and out into the universe.
“Thank you! You are beautiful. I love watching you do – what you do,” Louis looked down and let go of the Moon’s hand, “You are a moon, right?”
“I – yes, I’m, uh, yes, the Moon, yes,” he stammered. “My name is Harry.”
“I’ve been watching you since forever! I’m so happy we finally met,” Louis sent him a boyish smile and Harry was absolutely mesmerised.
“I don’t really – well, do much, though,” Harry shrugged sheepishly.
“Nonsense,” Louis shook his head, “You make pretty light and waves!”
Harry looked down, “Well. You’re the one who makes the light, really.”
“Yes, but mine is too bright,” Louis shrugged matter of factly.
Harry could feel his moon floating away a little bit, and looked down on the Earth quickly, seeing people gather outside and point at them curiously, before looking back at the Sun. As much as he didn’t want to move, the Earth deserved its Sun back.
“You’re going?” Louis asked, and was that sadness in his voice ?
Harry looked down again. He frowned. “Um, I think I – have to. Sorry. And sorry again, for, uh, getting in the way of your… day.”
“Harry!” Louis said, grabbing his hand again. More warmth, for a little longer.
“Hm?” The Moon didn’t even want to look at the Sun’s face, worried that maybe if he looked at him for too long, he wouldn’t be able to look away. Or maybe he’d go blind.
Louis didn’t say anything for a few moments, and Harry was about to look up, reluctantly but oh so eagerly, when he felt a warm press of soft lips against his cheek. He flushed silver, eyes widening, sparkling, and he bit down on his bottom lip.
“Come visit again soon, yeah?” Louis murmured, before letting him go, and smiling back down on the Earth.
Harry stayed glued to his place, starstruck, for a little longer. He nodded despite the Sun not looking at him anymore.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, shyly, “For the warmth.”
He rushed back to his place. He would come back, a couple of months later. And then again.
And again.