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"You know, I'm glad we can be like this again."
Lillie and Moon were laying in a field near Iki Town when the latter said that: they were looking at the stars above them, and since they shined so brightly that night they couldn't miss that moment to spend some time together, only between the two of them.
"What do you mean?" asked Lillie, turning her head to her left side to face Moon.
"Well, we've defeated every threat here in Alola, and I've finally become a Champion!" she exclaimed, turning her head to face Lillie as well. "We don't need to worry anymore about a single thing right now, just like we did at the beginning of our journey!"
Lillie couldn't stop admiring the other girl: how her eyes shined just like stars when she spoke, how her smile never changed since they met for the first time. It was true, they have come so far since that day, they both grew up and changed a lot, in different ways. But despite everything, Moon especially also remained herself, her true self. And even after going through so many dangers and struggles, no matter how difficult they were, she always dealt with them with a smile, and with a strength that was simply outstanding. She deserved the Champion title, and of course she also deserved being happy and finally rest a little. It was natural for Lillie to be glad to see her like that, without having to worry about anything like the previous threats anymore. But the truth was that Lillie didn't feel like her, not really. What happened barely a month ago was still a touchy subject for her, one that couldn't seem to leave her alone. Despite that, she understood that Moon was right.
"Yes, that's true indeed." she agreed, but her tone of voice kind of betrayed her. "I missed these moments."
Moon stopped smiling as she recognized that something was off, and looked at Lillie in a puzzled way. "Hey, Lils... Is everything alright?"
Her sweet, concerned tone plus the nickname she called her made Lillie feel like there was a million Butterfrees in her stomach. She wondered if she could ever get rid of that feeling she had since she saw Moon for the first time, about... well, almost a year before. But she didn't want Moon to worry about her, she didn't want to ruin that peaceful moment after the storm. If only she wasn't so easy to read by her...
"No, don't worry, please. It's just that... Well, it's nothing, really, but I can't help but thinking about what my mother did barely a month ago... I'm so sorry you had to battle against her, and I'm sorry about how she treated you, and how much trouble-"
"Lillie, please, listen." she cut her off. "You don't have to apologize for anything Lusamine ever did. It was her fault, not yours, got it? So please, don't ever put the blame on yourself for what happened, because I, and everyone else who loves you, perfectly knows that you did not do anything wrong."
Lillie could feel her eyes pinching a bit, so she tried to prevent her tears from falling. Moon was just too kind to her, too much to handle.
"And, well... I know it's difficult now, I know you were affected by all of this, and that's completely normal! But remember that you have plenty of people by your side that would do anything for you! And most importantly you have me, of course. I will always stay by your side, just like you did with me!" the brunette added, with another reassuring smile.
And Lillie already felt the lump in her throat loosen up, just at that sight.
"I-I feel a bit silly now... I just think I tend to forget that." She used to be always on her own back in the day, it still felt new to her to know that people truly cared about her, except her own brother. But she was trying to get used to that.
"Well, that's not really honest... I would never ever forget what Kukui, Burnet, Hau, Hapu and many other people have done to help me. Everyone has done so much... You especially, Moon."
"Hey, I see that smile!" Moon noticed, and chuckled as she hugged her tight, and layed her head on her shoulder. Lillie chuckled too, and could immediately feel the warmth of her body next to hers, and it brought her so much comfort that every sad thought just started to vanish away. It was crazy to think that something like that could be such a solace to her... She would have never expected that before she met Moon. If only she could go back in time and meet her old, little self, she would have told her that everything was going to be alright. That she would have met many friends along the way, many special people... And an amazing girlfriend, too.
"You know, actually we never had a moment like this before." Lillie noticed then, thinking about what Moon previously said.
It was Moon's turn to ask her what she meant now.
"Well, this is the first time we are having some quiet and alone time as girlfriends." she explained, feeling her cheeks getting red at that thought alone. "This is like... Our first real date!"
Moon's eyes widened. "Oh, you're right!" It just felt so natural for them that they even forgot, because they couldn't denied that even before they officially started dating their whole own adventure was kind of a big, long date to them. "But then... we should probably do something special, to celebrate this occasion! You have something in mind?" she offered, excited.
Lillie looked again at her girlfriend and the answer just came to her. "I think we are already doing something to celebrate, because we're here together. And wherever I am, if it's with you then I couldn't ask for more."
There was another moment of switching roles, since Moon was the one who blushed at that. "Oh, for Tapu's sake... You're so sappy, you know?" she laughed, shaking her head. "But that's one of the many reasons I love you, I can't really deny."
Lillie's smile beamed even more, but her voice got a hint of shyness in it. "Good, because I'm going to say something even sappier."
Lillie gave her time to process.
"... I swear if it's another pun about my name-"
"I love you to the moon and back." Lillie said, her eyes locked onto hers. Her reaction was priceless, truly.
Moon was speechless at first, but she quickly regained her composure. "Okay, I allow that, because I feel the same way." Moon answered, and kissed her on the cheek. "It was definitely worth it."
As they layed still, looking at the stars, staying close to eachother, heart to heart... Lillie just realized once again that was the place she wanted to be in, forever. As they intertwined their fingers together, holding hands like they always did, Lillie understood that with her girlfriend she felt safe in a way she never has before. With her by her side, she knew that she was capable of doing anything in the world that they explored together.
There were still more places to visit, more people to know, more things to resolve about herself or about her family life... But with Moon with her everything felt happier, and so, so right.