Chapter Text
Earth’s getting tired of this.
Credit where credit is due, Earth thinks he deserves a gold medal for keeping it together this long. Ever since the whole Theia situation, and then the Moons briefly taking over, and then the Sun losing his marbles for the millionth time but somehow worse than ever before, Earth was starting to believe the chaos would never end.
What weirded him out personally was how put together he managed to stay. Don’t get him wrong, it sucked, everything about the past few months… year? Years? He’s usually so good at keeping time but, man, he’s been slacking lately. Whatever, the distinction of time doesn't matter anyway because it all sucked, that’s the point. But it hadn't been weighing on him as much as he thought it should.
Throughout everything, Earth’s been rather good at coping, all things considered. He told himself it was because nothing could be worse than how he was feeling back during the moon revolution thingy, so he could definitely handle anything that came at him, and that’s still relatively true.
Though, he thinks he can say the Theia thing was almost a close second. And when everyone left with the Rogues, that wasn’t exactly a close third but… yeah, that one hurt a bit.
A lot, actually.
It was its own category.
Currently, he was starting to think he was testing his luck with the notion that he could handle anything.
The Sun left almost a week ago. Sure, when everyone left it hurt, but at least he still had the Sun and Luna! Now he only has Luna, and as much as he loves his moon, he can’t keep away the cold creeping through his surface or reflect enough light between them to chase away the darkness.
Wow, this was hard.
It’s a little bit embarrassing, a little bit worrying, to admit, but everything is sort of just now setting in.
(Someday he should question why situations take so long to get through his head.)
He misses feeling safe and secure. He misses the predictability of every passing day. He misses knowing how his friends were doing, because he knew it was always stupid, trivial things that went on between them all, back then.
Back then, he also thought he was the only one with “real” problems, and no one else could understand him or reach his level. Boy was he wrong.
He doesn’t want to go back to that time, he knows that. He was a… not nice person. He just wants some of that familiarity back. Everyone he knew and cared about in the same place, laughing, having fun, talking about stupid, trivial things. What he wouldn’t do to get that back.
They’re not coming back, though.
They’re not. Earth knows it.
He’s gotta be realistic about it, now more than ever since he and Luna are on their own. He’s always been a dreamer, thinking of “bigger” things, far too happy to keep his head in the clouds. But eventually he realized he had to come back down to earth (pun intended) and face reality. First, when he realized that everyone was special in their own ways, not just him. And again, when he finally started questioning his past and what his purpose is. Now, he’s gotta face the reality that they’re not coming back.
He hopes he’s wrong, but he knows he’s right. (Facing reality never made it hurt any less, no matter what it was he was facing.)
Earth just wished his moon would get the memo.
“It’s been a week since the sun left,” Luna said behind him, “How are you holding up, Earth?” Earth hated how tentative he sounded, like he was speaking to something fragile that needed kind words.
“Well,” He reclined, kicking his legs out in false casualness. “The oceans have begun to freeze, the atmosphere is becoming dense, all plant life is slowly dying, and Ceres is staring at me, probably waiting until I get distracted to attack.” Earth felt Luna’s gravity shift, likely turning to face the dwarf planet giggling in the distance that he’s been trying to ignore.
Earth looked over just in time for Luna to turn back around with a conflicted expression. He knew that feeling well. Earth quirked a lip, pushing mirth into his voice, “So, pretty good. How about you, Luna?”
Luna kept his conflicted expression, a million incredulous thoughts behind his eyes. Finally, his face dropped into unamused and pure frustration ruled his voice. “Ugh, we need the Sun now!”
Earth’s smile dropped slightly. “I know,” he tried to placate, then winced at what he had to say next. He spoke on an exhale, “I think we may need to accept that the Solar System is over, Luna.”
“Hey, don’t say that!” came Luna’s immediate response. See what he said about his moon not getting the memo?
Frustration bubbled up in Earth’s core. Endless optimism isn’t going to save their absent friends or magically pull the two of them out of the dark.
“I’m trying to be realistic. Everyone’s gone!” Earth threw his arms up, gesturing to the cold empty space around them, nearly shouting in equal parts remorse and defensiveness. “The Sun, the planets… After everything that’s happened,” he got quiet, averting his eyes, “there is no way we’re seeing them again, Luna.”
He twisted his hands in his lap, rubbing his thumb against his palm in a self-soothing motion, to avoid looking up. He knew Luna was staring at him and, regardless of what his expression was–pity, hurt to match his, or scolding optimism–Earth doesn’t think he can handle it.
“Earth,” Luna said, pausing in the way that meant he was waiting for Earth to look at him. Stars, he didn’t want to.
Earth looked up.
“We shouldn’t lose hope.”
Earth sighed and shut his eyes, already shaking his head. Luna went on, gravity rippling in emphasis. “They’ve come through for us before, they’re not gonna leave us voluntarily.”
Earth made a noise of vexation, “That’s kind of worse,” he told Luna, opening his eyes to side eye the moon. That implied that they weren’t here because something stopped them.
Luna doubled down. “They’re also strong planets who are able to handle themselves, especially with the Sun there. If they’re facing setbacks then it’s just going to take a bit longer! But that doesn’t mean they aren’t coming back at all.”
Earth turned away, not unlike a human child refusing to listen. Luna rounded his orbit to face him. “What more do I have to say for you to believe me?”
Earth sighed and met Luna’s expectant eyes. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, I just think you’re being too optimistic without evidence to back it up! We know nothing, we could be waiting for nothing.”
“You’re making baseless claims too!” Luna sharply pointed out. “What evidence do you have that they’re not coming back?”
“It’s been. A week.”
Luna bit his lip, conflicted expression returning. “Well, I–,” he sputtered, clearly struggling to find the right words before giving up entirely and throwing his hands up. “I guess, we both don’t have enough evidence then! Fine! Believe in them anyway,” Luna insisted, eyes burning into Earth’s surface with their intensity. “Please.”
Earth pushed his thumb into his palm harder.
He does believe in them.
They had come for him before, back when he got lost in the Kuiper belt, and they’d been disobeying the orders of a star of all things. Then the planet revolution, and even if that ended in them leaving they were more united than ever for a few minutes. Earth has seen how relentless they could be, he believes that they’re capable, he just….
“What if–” he cut himself off, clenching his jaw. Luna’s gaze stayed persistent, waiting for him to continue. “What if they leave again…?” He whispered, not even sure why he asked.
Luna blinked, clearly not expecting that to be where his head went. “What do you mean? Why would they leave?”
Earth sat upright quickly, startling his moon slightly. “That’s the thing! I don’t know why they’d leave again. I never know what’s going to happen to us anymore. I just know that the second it looks like we’re getting peace, things start happening again. What if they leave again and it’s even harder to get them back?” Earth clenched his hands into fists, feeling so desperate for an answer all of a sudden. His life had become so unpredictable, it was scary and exhausting. He just wanted to feel safe again.
Luna drifted forward during his rambling, taking his clenched fists into his hands as soon as he was close enough. “Earth, come on, you gotta stay calm.”
Earth didn’t try to pull away but he didn’t unclench his fists. “Don’t tell me to calm down, I think I should be the opposite of calm right now.”
“I mean,” Luna hesitated, “It’s understandable, it’s valid, but it’s not helpful, is it?” Earth opened his mouth in offense but Luna carried on. “The truth is that we just don’t know. If they’re fine, you’ve worried over nothing. If they’re not, then…” Luna shrugged helplessly, "I guess we’ll figure it out.”
Figure it out. Earth hated that answer.
“But if they’re fine,” Luna continued, “and you’re still worried and nothing harrowing ever happens again, then you’ve doubly worried over nothing.” Luna tried for humorous, but it fell a little flat, “Seems like a really miserable way to live if you ask me.”
Earth stared at him, hearing the words but struggling to fit them into place. He said the first thing that came to mind, half stalling, “Is that why you’re so optimistic all the time? You don’t want to be miserable?”
Luna paused like he’d never thought about that before. “I mean, I guess? That’s one reason? Mostly I just don’t like giving up,” Luna said, like it was obvious. He gave Earth’s hands a squeeze, and Earth looked at them.
That gave Earth some pause.
Giving up. Was he giving up? Wow, maybe he was a bad friend, friends don’t give up on each other. He was supposed to be trying to be better.
Earth pulled his hands away, Luna letting go with caution. He breathed in deeply, trying to remember what it was like earlier when he felt far too pulled together for the situation. He’s starting to think he was never pulled together at all, just slow to react.
He unclenched his hands, fingers going slack in his lap. He doesn’t want to give up on his friends. That feels… shitty, for lack of better word.
Anxiety still clung to his surface, his gravity unusually taut, but Earth swallowed and gave a tiny, miniscule nod. Luna’s shoulders slumped and relief covered his face. “Thank you,” he nodded, but Earth wasn’t sure what Luna was thanking him for.
Luna floated back to his orbit around Earth, shooting him only a few worried looks. Earth ignored them.
They lapsed into the not-right silence that had been steadily growing familiar over the past few days.
It was too quiet. Not that sound travelled particularly well in space, but Earth could usually hear at least the Sun talking to Venus or Mercury, and if he got close enough to the asteroid belt he could hear Jupiter’s murmured conversations with Mars or Saturn.
Another pang of hurt hit his chest. Then he mentally laughed at himself. Seriously, had it only been days? And he missed them all this much?
It’s not like the whole system was particularly close with each other, their relationship more akin to solidarity, the shared understanding that they were beings of the same kind, but Earth had always treasured his position between so many celestials.
Even still, seriously? He’s gotta pull himself together.
If Mars were here he would say something like that. It fit him so well, Earth could imagine Mar’s voice clear as day, Dude, pull yourself together. Then he’d say something unbelievably sappy but cover it up with a cool joke or a shoulder punch, and Earth would tease him about it, only mildly scared that he’d accidentally say something majorly offensive, then Mars would reassure him that he understood it was just a joke, making Earth smile.
“What’s so funny?” Luna’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts, a confused but amused quirk to his lips.
Earth blinked out of his faraway stare, suddenly realizing he had been smiling without meaning to. Wow, that must’ve been creepy, smiling while zoning out. Yikes, he probably looked like he was hallucinating again.
Earth laced his fingers together and hooked them under his knees. “Nothing, nothing,” he said, smile turning awkward, “Just thinking, I promise.”
Luna folded his legs under him, leaning a bit closer for the conversation. “About?”
Oh boy. How many times can Earth say he misses his friends without sounding like a broken record? Earth’s frozen expression gave him away, Luna’s face immediately turning understanding. Darn it.
Luna crossed his arms. “I hope it’s at least good thoughts? Not sad thoughts?”
Earth hurried to nod, rocking back in his gravity with the same casualness as earlier. “Yeah, of course. Being, uh, hopeful, and stuff.”
Luna huffed, obviously not buying it but not pushing him about it. Thank the stars, he doesn’t want his thoughts on his friends to be criticized anymore.
Luna relaxed a bit, leaning back in his own gravity and looking towards the asteroid belt. “I hope you’re thinking about how you’re gonna chew them out for being gone so long.”
Earth let out a laugh in surprise. “I thought you were all about making excuses for them, what is this?”
“I can understand that they might be busy and be mad about them being gone so long. And I wasn’t making excuses.” Luna rolled his eyes, and then muttered, “I swear, if they got lost…”
Earth laughed harder at that, the thought not occurring before that they might’ve gotten lost of all things. That’s so lame. Earth’s so gonna make fun of them if that’s true.
“Maybe we can make them stay in their orbits,” Earth joked, “So they don’t leave and get lost again.”
Luna shot him a look, Earth receiving it with feigned innocence. To his surprise, Luna grinned, “Is that what you were thinking about, ways to keep everyone from leaving?”
Earth sat up and put the tips of all his fingers together, tapping them together in that signature villain pose. “Why, of course! I’m drawing up all my evil plans to ensnare them, you see.”
Luna eyed his hands. “What is that? What are you doing?”
Earth slumped, curled grin dropping like a rock on his surface. “Oh my universe, seriously? Luna, we gotta get you in front of more movies. You’re uneducated.”
“‘Uneducated’,” Luna huffed, rolling his eyes, “Okay, I guarantee no one else would understand what you just did better than me.”
Earth pursed his lips and hummed as he thought. “Mmmmmm, no I think Mars would get it.”
“Mars doesn’t count.”
“The fuck you mean Mars doesn’t count?” Earth laughed again, raising an eyebrow.
Luna pointed an accusatory finger at him. “You two are attached at the hip, so he doesn’t count.”
Earth sobered up real fast at that, mildly offended. “I’d argue that you and I are more attached at the hip, you know, just on proximity alone. Also why am I the disqualifying factor!?”
Luna shrugged. “Just trust me, you are.”
Earth scoffed, but the light feeling in his chest kept him from being truly annoyed.
Earth really has been meaning to get the others into more human movies, they’re surprisingly entertaining. He has a few films on his list marked as ‘MUST SEE’ that he’s dying to see other people’s reaction to. Everyone had gotten super busy, obviously (see: everything he’s been moping about all day), so he hasn’t found a time to invite anyone down to his surface in a bit.
And now he definitely couldn’t with everyone gone.
His nonexistent stomach clenched, the longing for his friends and familiarity and safety returning full force.
The second he let his guard down, he started missing them again. Of course.
He sighed, ignoring the look Luna gave him. One day he’ll get to show them his whole list, maybe when they come back.
Actually…
“Earth?” Luna prodded, noticing his change in demeanor. When Earth met his eyes they were back to being concerned, tentative. “You good?”
Earth let more pieces of the idea fall into place in his head instead of answering.
It’s been a desperate sort of fear compelling him lately, but this idea gave him something to latch onto, a desperate idea for a desperate situation.
“Earth?”
“Yeah,” Earth hurried to answer, “Sorry, got distracted. I just had an idea….” Earth sat up and Luna did too, looking curiously at him.
“What idea…?” Luna said slowly, narrowing his eyes in (probably rightful) suspicion.
When the others got back they were obviously going to be very tired, from both the long journey and everything that’s been happening the past few months (years?) So what does one do when they’re tired of literally everything?
Earth grabbed Luna by the shoulders, something like real hope coming to life in him. “We’re going on a vacation.” Earth said, and then pulled them both down to his surface.
Earth rocked back and forth on his heels, playing with the gravity that dragged him down.
It was familiar by now, but it never felt less weird.
His earthlings didn’t experience gravity the same way they did. To them it was a force, yes, but it was what kept them bound to his surface. They are born using and moving through gravity with only the strength their organic bodies lend them.
They aren’t born part of gravity like celestials were. It wasn’t another one of their senses, it wasn’t a manipulable force.
It used to make him panic, wayyyy back in the early days of multicellular life when he was still experimenting with using earthling bodies. It made him feel like something was missing, something fundamental to his existence. It was so strange to feel something as constant as gravity in a different way.
He got over it quickly. Like most things on his surface he was immediately wrapped up in how different and unique the sensation was, he forgot all about his panic.
Earth leaned back, digging his heels into the ground, to feel the drag of gravity threaten to pull him down.
Down. Down the way earthlings experienced down. Stars, this never got old.
A hand touched his back, making him automatically straighten up. Luna retracted his arm once he was sure he wouldn’t fall, shooting him a warning glance. Earth rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.
Luna tucked the notepad under his arm so he could adjust his gloves, walking towards the house with a scrutinizing eye. “So you think they’ll be on board with this?”
Luna’s breath came out white when he spoke, a chilly wind tussling his hair. Earth crept up behind him and pulled the hood of his coat over his head, simultaneously stealing the notepad from under his arm.
Luna squawked and Earth held in a laugh. He flipped through the notepad until he made it to his newly formed list, his agenda, that he had been adding to in scribbles as they pulled together more and more parts of this plan.
“Luna, Luna, Luna,” Earth chuckled ominously, “You doubt my planning abilities? Me?”
Luna stared at him. “Yes.”
Earth shoved his shoulder, making Luna snicker, “It’s a healthy amount of doubt, okay, for balance.”
Earth scoffed. “Balance. Right, right. I see how it is.”
Luna rolled his eyes, reminding Earth of himself. “I don’t doubt your abilities, Earth, it’s…” he made a face, one that looked incredibly doubtful in Earth’s unbiased opinion, “the premise.”
Earth skipped up the steps to the porch, being careful not to slip on the ice. “Elaborate,” he prompted.
“I know you want what’s best for everyone,” Luna started, and wow off to a great start, Earth wasn’t worried at all! “But maybe you should think about what they’ll want?”
Earth paused at the front door. What in the world did that mean?
He got their usual set up, plus a little more that Earth knew each of his friends liked individually. Earth did his best to set up things that would make them comfortable, Luna knows that because he helped him.
Luna came up the steps to stand beside him, only almost slipping once. Earth hummed, “Mmm, I don’t follow.”
Luna pressed his lips into a thin line and sighed. Uh oh, that meant he had something to say that he thought Earth wasn’t going to like. “I’m just going to say it straight. If I were in their position, I wouldn’t want to take a ‘vacation’,” he did air quotes, “when I got back, I would want to relax in my orbit.” Luna pulled his coat tighter around his shoulders as a particularly chilly wind passed by. “You know?” he asked, voice intentionally gentle.
(There he goes again, speaking to Earth like he was something fragile.)
Earth leaned against the door of the house and crossed his arms. “No, not really,” Yes, he did know actually. He had way too many close calls with losing his orbit over the past to–be–determined amount of time, he knew what it was like to yearn for home after so long away. Instead of saying any of that he said, “I quite like spending time on my surface. In fact, I do it to relax all the time.”
Luna’s eyes went half-lidded. “Earth,” he said, unimpressed.
“Luna,” Earth returned.
“You’re not gonna at least talk to them first?”
Earth made an offended noise. “Of course, I’m going to talk to them!”
“Like, before you drag them all down here, right? You’re gonna give them a heads up and wait until everyone’s given the go-ahead?”
Earth scoffed, and then turned his head away with a mumble.
Luna’s head leaned into his view. “What was that?”
Earth side-eyed him. “Obviously,” he stated, totally and completely genuine because he was absolutely gonna talk to them first.
(Maybe.)
Luna crossed his arms and tilted his head towards him, silently asking him ‘are you sure?’
Earth raised his head, standing his ground.
Luna sighed—Earth wasn’t sure if that meant he didn’t believe him or if he relented—and then joined him in leaning against the door. Together they looked out at the property.
It really was a nice house; two stories, wide, plenty of rooms, familiar style to the other times they visited his surface (Earth didn’t want to overwhelm them with anything new.) The property was a little further out from the nearest city than usual, secluded enough so that they wouldn’t bother or be bothered.
It was harder this time to get them a good house, apparently humans didn’t want to rent large properties in the middle of a global flash freeze and perpetual night until further notice. Good thing (or bad thing) anyone will do anything for enough money, which Earth had no shortage of. (He’s the literal planet they walk on, he gets to be a little dicey with money, okay?)
They couldn’t see much in the dark, just a field of blank, white snow and the occasional breeze picking up leaves and snow flakes in small swirls across the peaceful night. Earth slipped a phone out of his pocket and looked at the time. It read 2:09 PM. Peaceful afternoon, then.
Luna bumped his shoulder. “What do you want out of this?”
The million dollar question.
Earth contemplated answering sarcastically, making some kind of half-truth joke, or just straight up lying to hide the little ball of fear in his chest.
He looked over. Luna’s dark eyes caught the porch light, shining with concern and patience. Luna’s not just asking for an answer, he’s asking for genuinity. Because he cares. About Earth.
(What did Earth do to deserve a moon like Luna?)
Earth sighed. Luna remained patiently waiting with his shoulder pressed into Earth’s. In these forms Earth could actually feel the warmth through their coats.
Every explanation he tried to draw up felt lost and convoluted, like he himself didn’t even know what he wanted. This whole ‘putting your thoughts and feelings into words’ thing Mercury had him doing was unfairly difficult.
“I want them close,” Earth finally murmured, and then he cringed.
It was the truth but saying it aloud made him squirm a little. He can’t believe he managed to convince Sun communication was healthy, this felt awful.
Luna took the answer for what it was, genuine, and realization dawned on his face. Earth couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a terrible thing.
“I guess,” Luna said after a moment, sighing, “I would also want them close.”
Earth’s shoulders slowly untensed.
“I still think you should talk to them about it first,” Luna said, kicking a bit of snow that crept past the awning. “And if they don’t want to go we’ll just have to do this another time. Maybe after things calm down.”
The little ball of fear in his chest didn’t leave but it settled knowing he had Luna’s support. He let a smile bloom over his face.
He returned the shoulder bump. “Thanks, Luna.”
“Don’t thank me, we both know you would have done all this anyway,” he cracked a sly grin, “You’re stubborn that way.”
Earth threw his head back. “Oh my stars, just accept the gratitude!”
Luna laughed, “Fine, fine, you’re welcome.” He sobered up a little, adding, “And thank you for saying thank you.”
Earth rocked upright, away from the door. “You’re welcome,” he chirped, then exaggerated a wistful sigh, “Look at us, communicating! If only Mercury could see us now.” He held the notepad to his chest and looked up.
“You ruined it,” Luna reported. “And he’s not dead, stop doing that.”
Earth’s jaw dropped, looking utterly appalled at Luna. “You recognize looking up for the dead but not evilly tapping your fingers together as you deliver your evil monologue!?” Earth screeched in outrage.
Luna shrugged.
Earth stared at him.
They stood in silence, locked in an impromptu staring contest.
Luna cracked first, the corners of his lips twitching up and a giggle spilling out.
Earth was close behind him, the two of them devolving into laughter.
They calmed after a few moments, their giggles trailing off gradually.
Earth scanned his agenda and then handed it to Luna. Might as well ask, since he was getting Luna’s approval for everything else. “Okay, in your professional opinion, do you think these are appealing activities?"
Luna took the offered notepad, raising his eyebrow as he looked it over. “Mm, yeah, these look pretty fun, I guess. Maybe cut down the number, though, I don’t think you’ll get through all of these.”
Earth put his hands on his hips. “That’s not a can-do attitude. And why not? It’s not like we have a deadline.”
Luna squinted at him. “How long are you planning to keep them?”
Earth waved a hand vaguely. “Not long, not long, trust me,” he reassured, “Besides, I think time frames are rather constricting, personally.”
“Earth…” Luna warned.
Earth sighed in exasperation. “Okay, so my time frame is fuzzy but I’m trying to leave room for flexibility and healing and stuff!”
“And stuff.”
“You know what I mean.”
Luna mumbled something too quiet for Earth to hear and then closed the notepad, handing it back.
“Alright,” Luna said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “And what are you planning to tell the moons?”
Earth froze.
Luna stared at him. If looks could kill, Earth would collapse on the spot.
“Oh my—Earth!” Luna scolded, turning away from Earth as he raised his hands placatingly.
“Listen, listen, listen, it’s not like I forgot about them!” Earth hurried to say, waving his hands.
“It sure seems that way,” Luna glared.
“I didn’t know that was my job!?”
“Well, it’s—“ Luna sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “You didn’t think about how the moons would feel being without their planets immediately after a big conflict!?”
“Again, that’s my responsibility!?” Earth threw his hands up, at a loss for what to say.
Why is Earth responsible for the other moons? He’s not their planet. And he’s not at fault for wanting to hang out with his friends, they can decide for themselves what to do with their moons! There is no way Earth can be blamed for this.
Luna regarded him, his eyes full of thought and his eyebrows furrowed.
Earth crossed his arms, putting on his best neutral voice, “Come on, cut me some slack. I’m sorry if that seemed unthoughtful but,” Earth sighed, relenting, “I just miss them, okay? But we’ll figure out what to do about the moons, I promise.”
Luna’s eyes softened, and then he sighed too. “Okay, thank you.”
Earth’s shoulders dropped in relief. Phew, he’s off the hook. Thank goodness, he does not want more to deal with. How hard is it to get some uncomplicated downtime to help out his friends, yeesh.
Luna bit his lip, reasoning, “And, I’ll talk to them, too. Maybe I can phrase it as giving the moons time to regroup. Community and all that.”
Earth cracked a grin. “You sound so enthusiastic about community.”
“You know, since I’ve been socializing more often I’ve kinda learned something about myself,” Luna commented. “I don’t really like people,” he deadpanned.
Earth broke into laughter, doubling over with his hands on his knees.
Luna huffed and noncommittally kicked his leg. “Come on, it’s not that funny.”
Earth struggled to speak between wheezing laughter, “But you—you, heh, that’s so ironic!”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. But can you blame me? Some of these moons are really uptight… it’s a little concerning.”
Earth wheezed harder, wiping his eyes.
That’s so ironic. Luna, the moon who was one of the original moon club members. Fighting for equal treatment and acknowledgment, working to improve connection across both planets and moons. Talking to people was, like, his whole thing!
Earth calmed down enough to stand straight, ignoring the mushy, amused smile on Luna’s face. He wiped a tear from his eye, giggling, “Luna, do you know what an introvert is?”
Luna raised an eyebrow. “Uh, no? Should I?”
Earth patted his shoulder. “Come on. I’ll tell you in the car.” He snickered again as he walked down the steps.
Luna followed behind him, “Are we almost done here?”
“Eager to leave my surface, huh?”
“Eager to get out of this cold,” Luna muttered, then he yelped in panic.
Earth turned just in time to watch Luna catch the railing, desperately trying to pull himself up but unable to get traction on the icy steps. “Earth, help me!” he cried, pure terror in his voice.
Earth doubled over in laughter.