Chapter Text
You watch as Sun falls the last spectre, turning to you for what to do next.
"Good work, that should be the last few in this area." You check your inventory, and toss him a few luck tickets.
He nods. "Thank you, Friend. Shall we move on to the next then?"
Sun's words have an edge of excitement to them, and while you hate to put a damper on his good mood, you feel exhaustion setting in.
"Let's take a break, all this walking has tired me out,"—you pull out the zone map you'd scribbled out, since even that was beyond your abilities as the Player to see—"Is there anywhere to rest nearby? Like, a hotel or something?"
You know your Batter didn't need sleep. Whatever he was, it was beyond the needs for the task. You however, despite being pulled into this world, were still limited to your basic human needs. That included sleep, and food. Though, you weren't particularly fond of your options regarding that second one so far, but you've made do.
You realize Sun's just staring at you. "A... hotel?"
Right. You forgot that he would have no idea what such a thing was. Your usual method of getting rest was finding a comfortable looking section on the metal ground and laying down. Though, you'd usually wake up and be laying on Sun in some way. He never said anything, and would ignore your thanks when you gave it, but you still said it regardless.
"You know what? We'll just figure it out along the way, come on," you start walking in a random direction, knowing he won't be far behind.
He nods, falling in step with you quickly. "Of course, I'll always follow your lead, Sunshine."
As you're walking, a rare breeze passes by, causing you to shiver and clutch your arms. You'd noticed that the weather here was relatively unclimactic. Neither warm nor cool, save for this very moment.
"Are you alright?"
Glancing up, you see Sun is watching you intently.
You smile, but another breeze passes by that causes you to cringe. "I'm alright, just, surprisingly cold,"—you laugh—"It's funny, if I still understand time correctly, this would be around when the weather gets colder and snowy where I'm from."
Your Batter tilts his head, but says nothing.
"Like, you know, snow. White, cold, falls from the sky—okay I can see that I'm losing you here, never mind." You sigh. Sometimes, Sun's lack of knowledge about things was endearing, cute even. A being as powerful and—admittedly—terrifying as him being absolutely clueless to what swan rides were and why you loved the Pedalos so much was a bit hilarious.
As you feel his confused stare stay with you as you continue your journey through Zone 2 however, you could argue that sometimes, sometimes it was not.
You turn the corner and are surprised to see a crudely painted stand set up. It's usual masked owner is standing behind it, head propped up in one hand, unchanging lazy grin ever present.
You smile, "Hi Moon, fancy seeing you here."
"Hello dear, Player. Might I interest you in my wares today? I think they might pique your interest greatly." He chuckles.
Before you can speak up, Sun interrupts, "We don't have time for you. My Player is tired and needs to rest in a,"—he pauses—"Hotle?"
"Good try, bud, but not quite." You turn back to Moon, nodding, "Let's take a quick look."
Moon claps, "Excellent!"
Sun makes a noise beside you but you ignore it, instead stepping closer to take a look.
You're surprised to find Moon's usual supplies missing. Instead replaced by a hat, a scarf, and—
"Mistletoe?" You ask.
Moon tilts his head, "Hm? Oh, it that what it is? I wasn't too sure myself."
Sun scoffs, but you're focused on the fact that Moon just has, copious amounts of mistletoe. No new upgrades, no luck tickets or silver flesh, not even a speck of meat. Which, that last one you're fine with.
"Where did you find all this?" You ask, picking up a bundle and holding it high to examine it further.
"Oh... around."
At this you look up, but Moon's expression obviously gives nothing away. Still, you chuckle lightly at the idea of the shopkeeper stumbling upon a mistletoe bush here of all places.
You twist the small plant in your hands, still very fresh. "Really? That's interesting. I take it you have no clue what it stands for?"
You'd assume that much like Sun, Moon had no knowledge of the world beyond his. Though, he and The Judge had hinted at knowing more in the past, but nothing past that.
"Of course I do, who wouldn't know such a piece of treasured, holiday symbolism?"
Had you been paying attention, you would have noticed the shared glare between your item vendor and your Batter.
"Treasured is a bit of a stretch." You laugh, looking back to him now.
Moon leans in closer, only a few mere inches away. "So, anything catch your eye, my friend? Anything in particular?"
"Well—" Before you can give a proper response, Sun is in front of you, arm up protectively.
His eyes are narrowed, smile strained as he speaks, "We really must be going now, right, Starshine?"
If he's trying to tell you something, you're not sure what it is. This was just Moon after all. Furthermore, your previous talk about the holidays—and the random cold front—were making you eager to remedy your discomfort.
"We'll take the hat and scarf, Moon." You reach into your pocket for your credits, "The mistletoe is pretty, but don't really have a use for it that I can think of. Hopefully you'll find someone that does though!"
Moon eagerly accepts your credits, providing you the scarf and hat moments later. "Yes, perhaps."
The conversation ends there, Sun ushering you away without even a goodbye to the vendor.
You only realize what's happened after the fact, and shoot a look up to your Batter, slightly annoyed. "It's rude to not say anything before leaving, you know."
Sun doesn't respond, gaze forward and face stern. He mutters something you don't quite catch.
After a short rest in a hotel you manage to find, you're back to work. Or well, Sun is. You're just along for the ride really. But still, after every battle, he's always looking to you for your approval.
Usually, you were very good about providing it. However, you've lately been finding yourself to be rather distracted.
Someone, and you could take a guess as to who, had been putting mistletoe up everywhere you went.
Usually in the typical spots you'd find the herb, hung up in doorways or archways all throughout the zone. Other times it was just, around.
Hanging on the sides of buildings, lampposts, littering benches, tables, and so on. It seemed there was no escaping the sea of green and white you'd found yourself in. Which, you were fine with. You found the whole ordeal incredibly amusing to be honest. It also made Zone 2 feel just a little more like home, more alive, for that matter.
One of the other members or your party however, was very, very displeased. You'd find him glaring at the plant, and occasionally snatching it up and tossing it away in some cases.
Your Batter was also not happy about the lack of attention you'd been giving him, sometimes too busy trying to find all the hidden locations of the herb.
What didn't help the matter was the bearer of the decorations was usually close by when you discovered more.
Typically, you would be mid-battle, and since Sun was more than capable on his own without you, your focus would wander. And sure enough, either scowering a doorway or peeking down alleys, there would be Moon.
He would never outright say it was his doing, that would be too easy. Though he certainly enjoyed teasing you about it. Bending down low to your height, voice sly as he declared you: "Something of a detective now, aren't you, Dear?"
You would do your best to tease him back, booping his mask when in range, calling this little game of his, "Silly, but fun."
"Game?" He would ask, hand on where you'd touch his face, "I've not a clue what you mean, Friend."
You laugh. "Sure. Whatever you say."
"Though, if this were a game, I'm sure there would be an easy way for you to win."
You still haven't figured out what he meant by that, try as you might. Sun usually would appear in your peripheral, battle over and gaze stern, before you could ask any further questions.
It all came to a head one time when Moon took it a step further.
You'd once again—guilty as charged—been on the hunt for any new secret spots, and came across Moon in a side alley, leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. Expecting you, likely.
He waves to you as you approach, pointing out the mistletoe hanging on a clothesline above his head. "You didn't even try with that one."
He shrugs, then leans down to your height.
"Trying would imply this is my doing, and you know me, dear Player. Trying is above my paygrade." You're now eye to eye, inches apart. "And here, I thought we were friends."
Your face heats up then, for reasons you can't explain. "W-we're friends,"—you cough—"We're friends. But I'm also not a fool, do you take me for one, Moon?"
He holds your gaze, eyes flicking down momentarily at something, then back to you. Then, he shakes his head slightly, chuckling quietly.
He stands upright again, "You should stop by my shop again soon. I have fresh wares I think you'd be keenly interested in."
You scoff, along with the mistletoe, there had been mysteriously placed signs, all advertising 'Holiday Wares' in almost as many locations.
"I just might."
And after the battle, you did. Only to find that, his stand, completely and entirely, was just mistletoe. And you don't mean he was just selling it, you mean the stand itself was decorated top to bottom in the stuff.
The ridiculousness of it made you laugh, hand to your mouth as you tried to contain your giggles.
However, before you can even open your mouth, Sun is leading you away, over to a secluded spot.
Cornered in a doorway, you have no choice but to meet his gaze as he stares down at you, smile twitching.
"Now friend, I believe this has gotten a bit out of hand, don't you think?" He tilts his head.
You shrink a little further into the doorway, "What um, what do you mean?"
His eyes narrow, "I think you know exactly what I mean."
"The mistletoe?" You ask, shrinking a little further down with an awkward laugh. "It's just a silly game Moon's playing, that's all. No harm in it."
"No harm?" Sun bends down, fully encapsulating your field of view, "He is actively trying to pursue you and distract from our mission! How is that not doing harm?"
It clicks for you then, all at once. All the closeness, the brief touches, the murmured jests and soft laughs. Moon wasn't just trying to mess with you, he'd been trying to—
"Oh." Your face grows warm then. "I see."
Something else occurs to you then. Specifically, why Sun is so vehemently protesting such a notion. Peeking up, you see there is indeed a piece of mistletoe above the two of you. You know what to do.
"Sun, all you had to do was ask,"—you stand a little on your tiptoes, then press a quick kiss to his cheek—"I'm always happy to show my affection for you, my Batter."
He's frozen, eyes wide under the shadow of his cap.
You laugh, "After all, what's a quick kiss among friends, right?"
He's still in a daze as you duck under him, marching over to Moon and his stand with newfound purpose.
His head rests in both hands as he watches you approach.
"Your little game is over, I'm afraid," You say when you arrive.
The masked vendor tsks, "What a shame, and I was doing so well, too."
You roll your eyes, and lean in. "Uh huh, now hold still."
Moon snickers, but obeys. Just as you're about to kiss his cheek, however, he shifts, and you find yourself kissing the mouth of his mask instead.
Unlike the kiss you gave Sun, you find that it's warm. Like, static from a tv, or something.
He pulls away first, chucking at your gaping look.
Before you can react, Sun's hand is on your shoulder, moving you out of the way. You expect him to start leading you somewhere else, color you surprised when he takes a swing at Moon, who quickly dodges the attack.
You can only watch, still shocked, as your Batter chases your vendor around the area, sharing all sorts of threats about what will happen once he catches the other, who merely laughs at his attempts.
Honestly, not the worst possible outcome for this ordeal.