Nil

  I woke up with Luna snuggled into me and her arms wrapped around me while her head was nestled just under mine; I pulled her in a bit more and nuzzled my head between her horns a bit. Luna felt so warm as we laid on my bed while I felt myself blush a bit as the thought of Luna dressing goth for me. It would be fun to dress in goth style again. While I was reflecting on that as a thought hit me: why do I not care if I dress that way this time? On Earth I always wanted to dress how I wanted, but here on Tenebrae the thought never really entered my head. I mean, I liked the clothes my parents got me. To be fair, Speranza’s colors were black, red, and green which were colors I liked, but was that the entire reason? The outfits were a bit more formal than I would prefer in general, though that fact didn’t bug me. Why? When my parents used to micromanage my entire life, it drove me up the wall. When Dad and Mom were nitpicky towards me it didn’t bother me at all this time around; it felt kind of odd as I realized it. I hugged Luna quite a bit tighter while I kept burying my face between her horns.

  . She felt so warm as we were cuddling together. How was she so warm? It sent pleasant tingles throughout me as I held Luna close. I replayed yesterday in my mind, leaning into her as she pet my head. . That thought replayed in my mind several times as some part of my brain cheered about it. I thought that it would be such a massive ask, but Luna barely batted an eye when I voiced it. Luna truly was the best girlfriend. Krahinn occasionally teased me about my precious Luna, and I remembered some of the crasser jokes he made. Luna made an adorable half snoring sound as she adjusted; it made me feel this pleasant fuzziness all over. I stroked her hair a bit, as my brain was ecstatically celebrating Luna was here with me.

  Today we were going to go to Temple before we went to the Festival of Renewals. That sounded like a good plan for now. I kind of wished I could stay here forever with her; this moment felt so serene. We laid there as I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the moment with Luna. What else could I do for Luna? What kind of gift would Luna like? There had to be something I would be able to do or get for her. Unfortunately, there was a knock on my door after thirteen minutes of me being awake. I gently shook Luna to wake her up, where she groggily yawned as she slowly woke up.

  “We are waking up!” I informed whoever knocked on my door.

  “We are leaving for Temple in forty-five minutes.” Helga informed us.

  “Yes ma’am.” I replied as I fought the urge to yawn.

  “We need to get ready quickly if we want to eat beforehand.” Luna told me with a yawn.

  “Sounds like a plan.” I agreed as I leaned back.

  Luna and I got out of bed as she left my room to go change; I disliked her leaving as I felt this odd pang in my chest. What could I do to show her how much I appreciated her? I could still feel where Luna nestled into me as my body was all still warm. Something about Luna just felt so right; there was this odd peace when I was with her. Hopefully Uncle Nez would be in a good mood, as gift getting was never a strong suit of mine. I changed into my formal attire for Temple, debating what kind of gift I wanted to get for Luna. Maybe jewelry? I waited for Luna to get ready, sitting outside her door as she changed into her clothes for Temple. About a minute later Luna emerged wearing her formal attire. Ever since she pointed out the , I paid more attention to that fact, and her possessed this enthralling quality to it. Luna smiled at me as she poked me.

  “I love you too Nil.” Luna told me with a massive smile on her face.

  “What?” I checked, not grasping why she said that.

  “You should see your face.” Luna quipped as she looked elated.

  “What’s with my face?” I checked as I was struggling to follow what she meant.

  “You had an expression that screamed ‘I love you’ when you were looking at me. I appreciate it Nil.” Luna clarified. I could feel myself smile at that.

  “I do.” I added on. Luna stroked my hair a bit.

  “You are so sappy sometimes.” Luna teased as she sat on my lap, wrapped her arms around my head, and kissed me. My brain did a little cheer while I hugged her back. Luna's gently swirled with mine as we sat on the chair.

  “Let’s go get breakfast.” I told her after we stopped kissing.

  “Okay.” Luna agreed as she took my hand and walked with me toward breakfast.

  The two of us slowly made our way to the dining room, where we were what looked like the last to arrive. I was happy to see my uncles were sitting next to each other, smiling and holding hands. I kind of wanted to probe what their argument had been about, but that didn’t seem like a good idea. I was a little annoyed they wouldn’t clue me in, but it also wasn’t like I could do much to help. I noticed Papa was looking a bit tense, staring directly at the empty seat Krahinn usually took. Hopefully I could learn from Kron what happened to Krahinn and just how concerned about it I should be. Luna and I took our seats, waiting patiently for breakfast to start.

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  I probed, seeing if he was free to talk.

  Uncle Nez asked calmly, looking cheerfully at Uncle Nox.

  I informed him. Uncle Nez bobbled his head back and forth a few times as he articulated his response.

  Uncle Nez replied with a curious eyebrow raised.

  I deflected, wondering why he had a mix of amused and curious on his face as he looked at me.

  Uncle Nez informed me as his lips were twitching.

  I defended myself.

  Uncle Nez explained. What? Why did that cause them to fight?

  I deflected, trying not to inquire about more. Uncle Nez was obviously struggling to keep a straight face at the moment.

  Uncle Nez teased as he was slowly beginning to fight how hard he wanted to laugh.

  I shot back while I was struggling not to feel too embarrassed.

  Uncle Nez informed me. What?

  I inquired, not following how that was what they argued about.

  Uncle Nez answered. I guess they were discussing adopting a kid and it was more of when they did that, which being a dean would make it difficult to do it now.

  I explained. Uncle Nez chortled, which made everyone jump and look at him while my ears felt crimson.

  I snapped at him. I felt so crimson as Uncle Nez was clearly containing himself.

  Uncle Nez tried. His barely contained chuckling did not make him convincing.

  I challenged him as my face felt warm.

  Uncle Nez checked. He was using every ounce of self-control at the moment not to burst out laughing.

  I answered. Why did they all find this so amusing? Uncle Nez gave my mom the most betrayed stare I had seen.

  “What?” Mom checked, not grasping why she was being stared at like she was the enemy.

  “You know what you did.” Uncle Nez shot back, looking between Luna and I real fast. Mom began chuckling.

  “Oh, yea. I am sorry Nez; I will tell you about it later.” Mom apologized between fits of laughter. Luna turned a shade of red resembling an amat next to me while glaring at my Mom.

  “It wasn’t funny!” Luna squeaked. I was not sure between the two of us who was currently more red.

  “It was hilarious!” Mom defended herself, laughing as she remembered Luna’s reaction.

  Uncle Nez continued in a tone trying to sound helpful.

  I answered. This was not that funny.

  Uncle Nez probed. What?

  I inquired. What was Uncle Nez talking about?

  Uncle Nez clarified for me.

  I explained as my heart was fluttering a bit.

  Uncle Nez inquired as he was smiling ear to ear.

  I probed. Uncle Nez’s face looked like he was battling some fierce emotions as he looked at me.

  Uncle Nez told me; his voice sounded a bit off.

  I felt the need to check something as I suspected something was afoot; I narrowed my eyes at my uncle who gave me two big thumbs up. As his formal robes shifted, I noticed Uncle Nez had an ornate bracelet on his arm. Wait, were bracelets equivalent to rings? I looked at my parents and grandparents, noticing Mom, Mama, and Grisbane all had similarly ornate bracelets on. Was that a coincidence? Or did bracelets mean what I think they did? Why? Why would Uncle Nez tease me like this? Was he teasing me? His face was so amused at the current situation.

  I checked as my face felt like a volcano. Uncle Nez was smiling widely.

  Uncle Nez confirmed for me.

  I squeaked. Uncle Nez was smiling victoriously at me as he clearly thought he was funny.

  Uncle Nez pointed out like it was a good idea.

  I snapped at him.

  Uncle Nez confessed with a bit of a shrug.

  I challenged him. Uncle Nez just chuckled in response.

  Uncle Nez clarified. I still felt my heart pounding in my chest.

  I asked, looking away a bit.

  Uncle Nez probed with a face that was more he was double checking than just wondering.

  I confirmed for him.

  Uncle Nez told me as he hugged Uncle Nox and joined the conversation the adults were having.