Chapter Text
It was another day in the solar system, all of the rocky planets were having a good time playing cards, well… all the rocky planets, except Earth.
“Hey guys, have you guys noticed that the Earth is always trembling and stuff? I noticed it’s been happening for a while but it’s gotten more noticeable.”
Mars said, concern in his voice, mixed with confusion as he shifted his gaze slightly to look at the others.
“Kinda. Even when there aren’t any asteroids and stuff, he always flinches and stuff. It’s weird.” Venus replied, he raised an eyebrow seeing Mars’ gaze shifting to them.
“Didn’t this all start happening when the earthlings came along? Especially ever since they’ve started to become more… advanced.”
Mars was now very curious, he knew this had gone on for a while, but he had always brushed it off as a weird quirk Earth had, especially during the moon revolution when Earth- no, lets forget that..
“When I think about it, yeah. But what do you guys think he feels all the time? Pain? Uncomfort? Itchiness??” Mercury pondered, looking up for a moment as if thinking, then returning his gaze to his cards.
“How would I know??” Venus said sharply.
“It’s just a question Venus, and that wasn’t even-“
“Shut up pipsqueak.”Venus, annoyed, cut Mercury off. “Anyway, it’s not my problem so if you guys wanna find out, dont expect me to join you guys or anything like that.” Venus said, a tinge of annoyance in his voice.
“You guys got a Two of clubs?” Venus asked.
“Nope. Go fish man.”
“Same.”
“Okay then, that gives me 3 points.” Venus said triumphantly.
“How does this game work again??” Mercury said, confusion evident in his tone.
“I dont know either,” Mars said, alreay looking in the direction of Earths orbit. “Anyways, I’m gonna go check on the Earth and Luna.” Mars nodded towards the two other rocky planets and started to travel towards Earth direction.
“Bye Mars!” They both shouted in unison, looking at Mars for a moment before returning to their game of cards.
Mars steadily headed towards Earths orbit, wondering a bit while on the way, what could Earth possibly be going through?
I mean he can’t say since he doesn’t have life- well it’s not like he knows anyone else other than Earth that has life. His friends’ figure started getting clearer by the second as he approached.
“Well, I guess I can find out.” He thought to himself.
Earth was trembling slightly, recently everything has been worse. But before he could start thinking about how his Earthlings keep hurting him..
“Hey, Earth. You- you okay there dude?” Mars concerned voice came from beside him.
Earth, looking weary, shakily turns around to face Mars, trying his best to look like he was alright.
“Hey Mars! Whatcha need? Wanna play some asteroid dodgeball?”Earth slightly gestured towards the asteroid belt.
“Man you know i’d love to, but I have a…question.” Mars said
Earth, confused, raised an eyebrow. “Yeah ok, well.. Ask away dude!” Earth said, seemingly cheery.
“Your Earthlings,” Mars stated. “I know about the pollution thing and the terraforming me but, do they cause you any-“
Earth cut Mars off before he could say anything else.
“Pain?? Pshhh…” Earth said, laughing a little. “Nah Mars. They are pretty annoying sometimes but, otherwise they dont cause me… any.. pain… yeah!” Earth uncomfortably looked side to side, as if searching for an escape.
“Earth, I can tell when theres something happening with you, you’ve been all shaky and stuff.”Mars slowly and gently moved to towards Earth, trying to have a direct talk with him, surface to surface. But Earth looked away, looking uncomfortable and slightly annoyed.
“I- im okay, Mars. Really!” Earth said, smiling, as if to show he was sure of his statement.
“I can tell you’re hiding something from us! You know that this never ends well, so please, tell me, Earth.” Mars, looking stern yet concerned tries to look into Earths eyes, but Earth pulls away.
“…Mars- I… I… I dont wanna talk about it-“
“Then WHEN will you talk about it, Earth?” Mars sharply cut Earth off, his voice raising slightly.
“…I dont know.”
“…”
“…”
An awkward and uncomfortable silence occurs as Earth fully turns his back on Mars, looking down, seemingly focusing on a star in the distance.
“Look, I- im sorry for, raising my voice and… getting a bit too mad at you.”
“I-its ok..” Earth quickly replied to Mars, still having his back turned to him.
Earth quivers and lets out a shaky breath.
“Gosh darn it, this couldve been a normal conversation between me and Mars, but then he had to bring THAT up. …Maybe I should tell them- NO.. they- they would worry too much about me, I can handle all of this, they dont need to worry about me, I- ill be alright.” Earth thought.
“We have a game today, do you- do you wanna join?” Mars said, trying to brighten up the mood from its previously tense situation.
“I’ll pass on this one Mars. But, thanks for offering anyway.” Earth said, turning back to Mars, softly smiling.
Mars smiles back at Earth and returns to the group.
Mars is far away by now, but Earth doesn’t realize that yet, as he started to zone out and stare at the sun.
“Mars I-“ Earth suddenly blurted out, but Mars was nowhere near to hear.
Earth looked at his friends, they’re all so happy, if he was gone they would all take care of each other right? No, stop thinking about that- Gosh it’s been so long since all of that..
“Earth?”
Huh.
“Huh?”
“Oh thank goodness, you’ve been staring at the sun for a while, you know that right? Luna said, putting away his book and hovering in front of Earth, blocking the sun from his view.
“Oh, sorry I didn’t realize. I was kinda zoned out.” Earth replied.
He was thankful he had a moon like Luna, he was so caring and kind towards Earth, even when Earth kept being a big egocentric jerk, Luna helped him.
“What was that talk with Mars? I mean, he’s your best friend, why wouldn’t you tell him about-“
“I don’t want them to worry about me, thats all.” Earth said, looking down and then shifting his gaze to look at Luna.
“Oh here we go again.” Luna sighed, not in annoyance, but in worry.
“Earth, you should let them worry about you! They might not understand but it’s better to have someone who cares, someone to support you instead of-“ Luna narrowed his eyes and looked at Earth, a frown upon his face. “Well- THIS! I don’t always know what your Earthlings do, but I know that they are slowly destroying you, and- and- you just let them!”
“Luna, I-“
“Earth, please, this time let someone help you. Before it gets worse.” Luna’s face softened, worry still evident in his eyes.
“I… I’ll try talking to them.” Earth said, he hated his friends worrying about him. What if they thought he was deceiving them again?? No, they’re the bestest friends he has, they wouldn’t do that. Would they?? Earth was overthinking, again. But he suddenly felt pain on his surface, slow and piercing.
Earth shuddered, gritting his teeth, he hissed in pain.
Luna, quickly noticing this rushed to his side.
“Earth! Oh gosh whats happening this time!”
This time.
This has happened many times before, conveniently it was only Luna around most times, but since his Earthlings started being more destructive, it’s been happening more often. Which is why he just stays in his orbit most days.
The pain started to fade, but still. It lingers. His oceans were polluted, making him feel sick and mucky most of the time.
Millions of his Earthlings were being buried every second, and he could feel every coffin, every body, every death. He hated it, but oh… How he did love his Earthlings dearly.
“I.. I’m fine now, Luna.” Earth said, trying to reassure his moon that he was feeling better.
“The pain doesn’t always last long. And well, you know me! I’m p-retty strong, if I do say so myself!” Earth said smirking, as if he wasn’t just on the brink of disassociation and was shuddering in pain.
Luna sighed in relief.
“Okay Earth, just… I’m here if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me for anything. And Mercury.. Mars.. Venus.. they- they’re all there for you, you know?”
“I know Luna, but.. thanks. Im here for you too.” Earth smiled at Luna warmly, and Luna smiled back.
“Well, I am going to take a nap, if Mars or the others are looking for me, just wake me up. I wouldn’t mind.” Earth yawned then closed his eyes.
“Alright Earth.”
Earth wasn’t going to admit it yet, but he didn’t feel fine. He always acted happy but- why did everything feel so wrong? Why? Jeez, it was like his core was constantly moving. Trying to find the right place, but never really getting it. Or maybe it was like a piece of his core was missing? He really couldn’t pinpoint it. Well… let’s hope Earth gets some sweet dreams in his nap.
Will it be a dream? Or a nightmare?