Work Text:
It was a chilly night, and like usual, Heart and Mind were fighting. Things had escalated to the point that their yelling echoed throughout the house. Things didn’t end until Soul came to break it up, and Heart ran off to go cool off. They ran outside, running off into the night, not really caring where they ended up. They just wanted to get away from everybody for a while. Juno found himself climbing up a hill, and sitting underneath the lone tree that stood on top of it.
The Moon ripped their blindfold off and angrily wiped away their tears. Why couldn’t he have just been left alone? Why couldn’t he have just left Mind alone? They looked down at the view below, seeing the blurry outline of their home off in the distance, and the massive forest surrounding everything. He sighed and turned his attention toward the sky, squinting to try and get a better view of the stars above.
Artemis always used to love stargazing. They used to come out here with Apollo and Atlas and just watch the night sky. Mind would usually bring a telescope, and a book full of fun facts about astronomy, and Soul would always ask the dumb questions that littered everyone’s thoughts. That…didn’t happen anymore. Not since…Juno got mad, knowing he’d been had.
It felt nice to be outside again. Heart felt a cool breeze blow past, causing him to shiver. He could almost hear Soul’s complaints about how cold it was, and Mind calling him out for not bringing a proper jacket. He’d always wrap his wings around The Stars and The Sun to help with the cold. They’d all huddle up together underneath the night sky. Not tonight though. Tonight there was only The Moon, sitting alone. They wrapped their wings around themself and sniffled, wishing his thirds were there by his side.
Juno looked back up at the sky, trying to make out the shapes of the glowing stars and moon. They were just a bunch of small white lights, decorating a mostly dark blue sky. A few puffier shapes of white covered up some of the sky. Clouds maybe? He leaned back against the tree and exhaled, feeling a small wave of calmness wash over him. The night continued to grow colder, but The Moon didn’t budge from his spot, deciding to let himself get lost in the memories of a much happier time. Tears ran down their cheeks, desperately wishing on every star in that sky that they could go back to those happier times.
Artemis wiped away his tears and laid down in the grass, feeling exhausted. They wanted to go back home, but they knew they couldn’t. Not after a fight as big as that. Nobody wanted him around right now. Maybe…maybe it’d be better if he never returned home. Heart could always just, make his own little nest out here. Then nobody would have to deal with them and their antics. That’d make Mind and Soul happy right? He was better off alone. They’d start searching for a better place to stay in the morning. For now, they’d just sleep out underneath the stars.
The night passed by and the morning soon came around. Atlas was up unusually early, downing a can of monster as he did most mornings. They decided to go check on Artemis, having not seen him since he stormed out the night before. The Stars went to The Moon’s room and slowly opened the door. “{Juno? You awake?}”. There was no response. He stepped inside and looked around, starting to panic slightly not seeing Juno anywhere. He rushed to Mind’s room and woke the automaton up. “[Hm..? What’s going on Hen?]” “{Heart never came back.}”. The Sun almost immediately jumped out of bed and threw on a coat, rushing outside to go search with his host.
The two eventually came across The Moon, still asleep in the grass, shivering and breathing heavily. The Stars just stared for a moment before picking them up, and holding them close. “{Oh Blucka…}”. The Sun frowned slightly and put his coat over Juno. “[Let’s get him home.]” Soul nodded and carried Heart home, careful to not wake him.
When Artemis woke up he was back home, tucked into his bed, and being monitored closely by Atlas and Apollo. The Stars smiled softly seeing him awake. “{Hey Junes…you okay?}”. The Moon felt awful. Every muscle in his body ached, and he definitely had a fever. They turned to face Soul, deciding to just stare for a moment. Soul gently placed his hand on Heart’s face, caressing his cheek slightly. “{Still a little out of it huh?}”. He moved his hand to Juno’s forehead. “{Yeesh, you’re burning up moonlight…did you actually spend the whole night out there?}”.
The Moon didn’t know what to do. Why was he being treated so kindly after everything that happened? He didn’t trust it. They pulled away from The Stars, covering their body with their wings in an attempt to protect themself. Soul frowned and started carefully running his hand through Heart’s hair. “{Hey…it’s just me. You don’t need to be afraid. Apollo and I are going to take care of you.}”. Artemis pulled away once again, coughing slightly and shaking.”{...You’re still worried because of the fight aren’t you…}”. Atlas sighed and sat next to his third. “{...I’m not angry with you. Neither is Mind. We’re just worried. Fights are…inevitable I suppose. What matters is that nobody got hurt, and you two can make up and start getting along again.}”.
Juno looked up at Soul, wiping away the tears that were forming in his eyes. Soul held out his arms for Heart, smiling softly when he got a tight hug from them. They wiped away any remaining tears and kissed their forehead. “{See? Nothing is going to happen. We just need to get you better now. You caught a pretty bad cold from the looks of it.}” Almost as if they were on cue, Mind walked into the room holding a warm bowl of soup. “[You’re going to end up getting sick too if you keep holding them like that Hen.]” Atlas rolled his eyes. “{No I won’t. Besides…Arty deserves it.}”. Apollo sighed and handed Artemis the soup. “[Eat. You’ll feel better]”.
The Moon took the soup from The Sun and slowly started eating it. “(...Thank you…I’m sorry)”. Mind nodded and gave Heart a small pat on the head. “[You’re forgiven. Just try to get better quickly. Please]”. Juno nodded and smiled softly. “(I’ll definitely try…I don’t exactly want to be sick)” He coughed a small bit and groaned. “(ugh…)”. Soul smiled softly, enjoying the sight of the two getting along for once. “{You know…when you’re all recovered…we should go stargazing again. It’s been forever.}” Artemis almost immediately perked up. “(Really? But…I can’t)”. Atlas ruffled their hair and smiled. “{We’ll find a way. Besides, you have the biggest nerd ever sitting right next to you. They can always describe it to you right?}”. Apollo nodded. “[I don’t appreciate being called a nerd…but I would not mind doing that if that’s what you’d like Moon.}”.
Heart smiled. “(Yeah…that’d be nice. I…kind of miss being out there with you guys…)”. Soul stood up, a bright smile on their face. “{Well it’s settled then! We’ll go stargazing once you’re healthy again moonlight. It’ll be good to spend some quality time with each other if nothing else.}”. Mind stood up as well. “[We should leave him to rest then so he can feel better faster.]”. The Stars nodded and turned off the light. “{Mhm. Get some rest Junebug. Call me if you need anything alright?}” The Moon nodded and smiled as the two left. They finished their soup and set the empty bowl down on the desk next to their bed. He laid down and made himself comfortable, falling asleep rather quickly, happy that maybe…things were getting better. Maybe, the happier times he wanted to relive can come back. Maybe, he won’t have to be alone anymore.