Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Despite the fact that Earth may not have the best memory, there are some things he’s always considered facts. Unchangeable.

His Earthlings are constantly changing. Even before the current period of humanity there was extinction after extinction after extinction. Changes in oxygen and ocean levels and climate that drastically impacted the Earth and its lifeforms.

Cambrian to Ordovician to Devonian to Permian to Triassic to Jurassic to Cretaceous to… the impact that killed the dinosaurs.

Most of it is a fuzzy blur, but one thing the Earth has always taken comfort in is the rigidity of the Solar System. The fact that despite all the changes his surface may endure, there are so many things that would never change.

It’s why the idea of the Sun becoming a Red Giant scared him so much– that idea that in a few billion years the whole solar system would eventually end. That Mercury and Venus would be consumed and the Sun would expand before dying out and everyone else would be left in the darkness and cold-

The first time his core facts were shaken were in 2006, when the solar system went from nine planets to eight (something that he struggled to think too deeply about).

But even then, there were some things he could still take comfort in.

1. He lives in a solar system where planets orbit their star: the Sun, who is in charge.
2. There are outer planets and inner planets.
3. The four inner planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Mercury is the smallest who can be a bit of a scaredy-cat and is picked on by Venus, who is the hot-head. And Mars is Earth’s best friend.
4. There are four outer planets: responsible Jupiter, sensitive Saturn, and then the weird ice giants Uranus and Neptune.
5. Some planets are orbited by moons.
6. Earth is special as he’s the only planet with life.

More of these facts got shaken recently. The knowledge that he’s not the only planet capable of sustaining life being a big one. As is the fact that having life isn’t what makes him special. 

There was also a time Earth worried that Mars wouldn’t be his best friend. That he lost him.

Lost him and Venus and Luna.

Because the fact Earth learned earliest on, moments after he woke up from what he could remember was this: he had one moon.

Luna.

And that was something that would never change.

It was something he took advantage of for a while. Something he shaken to find out may change since the moon was slowly drifting away. But even then he didn’t realize how much he was hurting his sibling until Titan. Until the Moon Revolution.

Because before that Earth had taken simple comfort in his understanding of the world and how everything made sense. The Sun was in charge of everyone because they orbited him (to the point he would shoot solar flares at them and could make them change orbits even if it could kill all his Earthlings and-), so wouldn’t it stand to reason that the planets were in charge of their moons because the moons orbited them?

(Stars! Earth remembers a long time ago a more sane (weirdly guilty-looking) version of Neptune explaining how moons are created. How left overs of space junk from their creation condensed down due to gravity to form moons. Doesn’t that mean planets are responsible for their moons’ existence? Shouldn’t the moons be thanking them?)

So, planets should hold some power over their moons, right? Especially in the case of the Earth. Where Luna was one of the foundational things keeping his life… alive? None of the other planets had life, so the changes to their axises didn’t matter as much as it did to the Earth’s. It’s simple math!

Except it isn’t. Because the reason the Earth has life is in part due to Luna and everyone else. Not just him. Because the other planets not having life doesn’t take away their value. Because moons are still people who deserve respect. Because–

Because in reality the Earth had been hurting those all around him for a long time and never even realized it.

Luna. Titan. Mars. Venus. Even Mercury.

And he had tried to be better. Stars know Luna and Mercury helped him with that. Venus and Mars and Titan were gracious enough to forgive him. To defend him.

Void, even Mars’ moons ended up trying to defend him! And all he had done in the past was make fun of them and call them “pebbles.”

But, even after all that. Things continued to happen and change that shook the Earth to his core. The orbit switch. The trial. 

“ You shoot solar flares at everyone in the Solar System! You run things like a dictator because you are the biggest celestial body [...] And after everything you made the planets go through, I promise you this story will repeat itself: a planet revolution against you. Maybe in a day, or a year, or several decades. But before you become unstable and begin to turn into a red giant, mark my words. We will all turn our backs on you.”

The banishment.

“Ganymede and Europa...while I understand your intentions, I cannot allow you to stay in my Solar System. From now on, you two are banished!”

Venus.

The hidden atmosphere. The axis. The fact that Venus and Mars used to go by different names. Used to have the potential for life. Used to-

Theia.

Terra.

Questions about those names had been floating around since the past two times he really talked to Neptune, since:

“Anything the matter, Terra?”

“ Where is who, Terra?”

“Bye Terra! Bye Theia! Hope everything turns out well for you and your friends!”

Friends. Friends who apparently knew all along that Earth used to be- that he came from- that Luna was-

Mars and Venus knew this whole time. Neptune of all planets knew! Did everyone else? Jupiter and Saturn and Uranus and—

All that time he thought he was special. Was it really nothing to do with him at all? Was the only reason people kept him around, put up with him, because of their old friends?

Was that why Mars continued to be his friends despite all the messes Earth made? Is that why Venus was so eager to be friends with him?

Is the collision the only reason Luna is around him at all?

(The collision is the only reason Luna is alive. So, by questioning the collision and Luna’s bond to you, aren’t you questioning Luna’s existence?)

No! No! Bad Earth! Luna looked just as surprised as he was! He was just as much in the dark about this-

Dark. 

“It- it’s a surprise. But… it makes sense? (…) It just explains some things. Me being formed from two planets? Makes since why there’s dark-“

"Dark" what? What was he going to say? How does this make sense? What does Luna know?

Why won’t anyone tell him anything?

What else doesn’t he know?

The Conversation finished several Earth days ago, and since then things have simultaneously changed a lot and stayed the same.

Venus has gone back to resting in his orbit on his natural axis with his atmosphere present. Which makes Earth happy after everything he now knows, seeing his friend not actively trying to change himself. Maybe it’s a temporary thing with Venus still not having the energy to do so but maybe…

Either way, Earth understands. The admittance that Venus used to have the potential for life was shocking. Hard to even believe. But… it made sense.

Made sense why Venus hid his atmosphere, because for all Earth jokes about it Venus never seemed to be one to care much about cosmetics. Made sense why Venus reacted as strongly as he did. Why he has always made little comments about his Earthlings. Not because he hated them but…

Because he was jealous.

And Earth remembers the grief he felt after the dinosaurs. After he had worked so hard for life to flourish and it–

And he felt–

And even if Venus didn’t necessarily have life yet, hadn't been able to feel all those lives painfully flickering out of existence, he still must have had water. Still must have felt it all evaporating and Earth knows how painful that in itself can be, especially when it's tied to the possibility of such a fate.

So, Venus hiding his atmosphere all the time made sense. And as much as Earth, and surely Mercury and Mars, want Venus to be comfortable enough to share his true self, his own comfort comes first. And if that makes the other planet more comfortable–

Beyond Venus’ appearance, the only change Earth has really seen is that of Mercury, who has been spending a lot more time in Venus’ orbit doing… well, Earth doesn’t even really know. That comment he made a while back about Mercury being Venus’ long lost moon suddenly seems a lot more probable, even if he knows it isn’t actually true, because a good portion of the time they seem to just be hanging out, sometimes not even talking to each other. 

It’s funny. The idea that Venus and Mercury could have ever been close in a way beyond just their orbits would have been laughable in the past, but now… now it just makes sense.

Then there’s Mars, who beyond checking on Venus a couple of times has stayed in his own orbit. And as much as Earth wants to talk to him…

“ Well… that’s what happened. Theia and Terra- they got caught in each other’s gravity. Theia was smaller so it wiped her out completely. Parts of her landed on Terra that would become… Earth. Other parts of her and Terra were expelled into the space that would form Earth’s Moon: Luna.”

“I just caused problems for my own amusement. Lived up to my title and all.”

“I was Ares, Planet of War.”

Mars had always been Earth’s best friend. From the first he can remember Mars had been there for him, offering him answers when Earth was confused about something. Keeping him company. Listening to him when everything was hurting and things were too much and–

Earth meant what he said. He agreed with the others when they tried to convince Mars to forgive himself. He doesn’t hold a grudge for anything Mars, or Ares or whoever, had done in the past but…

But the fact it was kept from him. The fact all of this was kept from him. For so long. For billions of years.

That’s the part he can’t move away from. Because how can he? Mars could have told him at any time. The fact Mars used to be someone totally different and Earth never knew. 

Never knew about Theia.

Or what had happened to Venus (he had laughed when Venus told him he used to have the capacity for life. Laughed. And- and Venus stayed anyways. Why would he even–) 

It’s just hard to even look at either of them right now. Mars especially. Because as much as Earth and Venus are friends now… Mars was always his best friend.

And the fact that someone he had been close to for so long could have kept something from him–

“...Luna?” He asks, before remembering the other recently left for a Moon Club meeting. Without someone to stabilize his axis Luna can’t be gone for too long, but they can handle a bit of time apart and the other clearly needed it after it.

After everything.

Luna deserved time with Titan. And the others.

Maybe it would help. Because since The Conversation there has been little actual talking between the Earth and Luna. Like they don’t even know what to talk about and…

And Earth is scared. Because he and Luna finally got to a good place again and what if that’s all ruined? 

The fact that the Earth may have been someone else. May have the pieces of another planet (Venus and Mars and Mercury’s friend) in him is hard to think about. And for Luna…

He can’t even imagine what the other must be thinking. And the worst thing is he doesn’t even know who to talk to because–

Wait…

Is that Neptune?

Why is he so far out of his orbit again so soon? He knows the other planet tends to have a bad memory but from what he’s heard that tends to make the other stay in his orbit more often than not.

And, near Venus’ orbit, Earth can see…

Uranus?

Okay, what is going on?

“Uranus, Earth.”

Ur-in-us.

Venus has never once corrected anyone on their pronunciation of Uranus’ name before. Stars, the planet’s weak spot for humor has always been joke surrounding the ice giants’ name and now–

Now he corrects Earth?

Something must have happened when Venus was away. Between the time he left and the ice giants returned him to his orbit. And as weird as it is to have the ice giants over here, it’s also kind of nice to see them. 

Maybe he could talk to–

But Uranus and Venus seem busy. Talking about… well, he can’t really tell but it seems serious. Mercury has even returned to his own orbit. 

“Anything the matter, Terra?”

Neptune had used that name. Neptune might know something more. Stars, even if he didn’t, Neptune can be… weirdly introspective at times. 

And Earth really needs someone to talk to.

He heads towards the asteroid belt, where Neptune seems to be hanging around talking to…

Asteroids?

No. Wait. Moons. Those are moons.

There were a lot of them. And they were small (although even the smallest still looked bigger than Mars’ moons.) And as Earth could get closer he could hear their happy, childlike voices and high-pitched chatter.

It sort of makes sense they would be Neptune’s moons.

The planet himself seems to just be floating with a content smile on his face, love obviously pouring out of him for his satellites. And for a moment Earth feels bad. Because why couldn’t he have been like this for Luna?

One of the small moons finally seems to take notice of Earth’s approach and he hears them ask Neptune: “Who’s that?”

And before Neptune can answer or Earth can call out to them they all start heading towards him.

“Hi! Are you a moon?”

“He looks kind of big for a moon, Neso!”

“Maybe he’s a dwarf planet like Triton’s friends!”

They keep coming closer.

“I thought Triton’s friends lived in the Kuiper Belt?”

“Wasn’t there that one who lived near here though?”

“Oooh the giggly one who likes to play with asteroids?!”

And closer.

“Yeah! Do you think he wants to play?!”

And closer.

Visions of the moon revolution. Of the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs. Of someone screaming before blinding light and nothing, pass through him. 

He braces for impact.

But…

“No, guys! It’s a planet… I think. And maybeeee we should give him a bit of space.” The large, blue planet cheerfully says, drawing the moons gently away with his gravity before they can get any closer—

“Aww,” they all sigh sadly. “But we wanted to play!”

Even if Neptune doesn’t seem to know who the Earth is, the look he gives the Earth shows he notices the fear on the other’s face before he turns back to his moons with a silly grin and spins around.

“You can play with each other! Or the other moons! But this planet really can’t get hurt. I think.”

Huh. So, Neptune doesn’t seem to know that the Earth has life. Just that it is a bad idea for him to get hit.

“We can be gentle Neptune!”

“Yeah! We just want to play!”

For a second Earth is worried the moons don’t leave. Or worse they’ll get upset but then…

“Hey kids, why don’t we give the Earth and Neptune some space. I think Io might want to play another round.”

And their attention is completely taken by another moon exiting the asteroid belt:

“TRITON!!!” 

And the small moons swarm the larger one, who the Earth can assume is Triton, Neptune’s largest and oldest moon (and also friends with the dwarf planets according to the other moons? What’s the story there?)

“I might take these guys back for a bit, let them have some fun in the asteroid belt if that’s okay with you Neptune?”

“Yeah! Have fun Triton! And Proteus, Nereid, Larissa, Galatea, Neso, Psamathe, Laomedeia, Sao, Halimede, Despina, Thalassa, Naiad, Hippocamp, S/2002 N5 and S/2021 N1!”

The way Neptune rattles off the names makes Earth think this is nowhere near the first time he’s done it. And Neptune clearly wasn’t the planet the Europa mentioned in the trial when she talked about planets “forgetting their moons’ names.”

Which makes the Earth feel worse because for a long time he didn’t even call Luna by his name! And he only has ONE moon! And unlike Neptune he doesn’t have memory issues (at least in regards to general stuff, Earth clearly some memory or amnesia like thing with past events but…)

Before Earth can sink any deeper into this feeling of self-loathing, he’s interrupted by a cheery voice.

“Hi, Earth! What are you doing out here?”

Out here?

“Uh… this is the inner solar system, Neptune? What are you doing out here?”

“Ohhhh! Right!” The icy planet nods, seeming to have only just realized where he is. “I just came with Uranus cause he wanted to drop off a thing!”

…huh?

“A thing?” Earth repeats, confused (although maybe he shouldn’t be) by the limited amount of clarity the other planet is giving him.

“Yeah! Uranus painted this really pretty picture and wanted to give it to his new friend!”

Painting? Uranus painted something and is giving it to Venus?

Okay… seriously. What happened when Venus was gone?

Also… did Neptune greet him by his name? His actual name?

“Wh- Neptune. Do you know who I am?”

“Not really!” Neptune answers with a smile. “But I heard Triton call you that and he tends to be right about these things! You’re a planet right?”

“Ye-”

“Didn’t you used to have a different name? Or was that someone else? Do you have a twin planet who looks like you?”

Okay. So, Neptune does remember some things…

(And he isn’t exactly wrong about the twin thing if his Earthlings are to be believed regarding him and Venus-)

“Sorta? That- that’s kinda what I wanted to talk to you about. If you have the time–”

“Sure!”

Okay, okay. Earth doesn’t know how much Neptune knows or will be able to help, but at this point he really needs to talk to someone. And everyone else is too close to this in some way. So maybe…

“I found out that someone– or multiple someones I guess– have been keeping things from me. That I may have been someone totally different and just forgot and that who I am today was born out of…” Fire. Death. Destruction. “...something really bad. And… I just don’t know what to do. They kept this from me and… who even am I now? Was anything I knew real?”

He speaks until he runs out of fuel and then just stops, thinking about everything he just said. Because how can he move forward? And maybe he shouldn’t even be upset? It’s not like Mars and Venus kept this from him maliciously, they were hurting too and–

“Sometimes people keep important things from others because they fear it will hurt them.”

Wh- Neptune?

Earth glances back up to the ice giant to see the open, smiley expression gone. Replaced with something more introspective and pained. Something he can vaguely recall in his past memories but unable to actually label.

“...yeah.” Earth softly says, continuing to search the other planet’s expression for any hints. “But it still hurts. ”

“And it’s allowed to,” the other planet nods. “You’re allowed to feel however you’re feeling about it. But it’s important to also remember that they care about you. Because knowing some things... or not knowing the full story… can make it easy to forget.”

Neptune is looking back towards the asteroid belt now, a pained expression on his face. And maybe it’s not Earth’s place to ask but…

“Did someone do that to you? Keep something really important from you?”

To his surprise the other just gives a shrug, “Eh. My memory isn’t all that good so… I’m sure there are a lot of things others know that I don’t!”

Oh, true. Earth hadn’t really considered that before. He and Mercury’s recollection of the past may be foggy but Neptune’s… he still struggles with remembering things from present day. He seems to forget things told to him recently. And maybe the outer planets have the patience for it, but Earth can also see them just get exhausted about explaining everything repeatedly to the other planet.

But if this issue bothers the icy planet, it isn’t present on his face. This doesn’t seem to be what he’s upset about. In fact, the expression looks more like…

Guilt?

Oh.

“Did you keep something from someone then?” Who’s in that direction? “The outer planets?” Or… “Your moons?”

There’s a dip in Neptune’s expression which seems for a second will be replaced with one of Neptune’s empty smiles. An action Earth is long familiar with. For so long he has worn mask after mask. Projecting confidence and bravado and friendliness while dumbing himself down to cover what was happening beneath. And in that moment Earth understands why everyone around him was so frustrated at him because it’s–

But the smile isn’t like it usually is. It isn’t empty or welcoming. It’s… thoughtful. Remorseful. Full of pain but also full of… love?

Neptune’s light blue eyes seem to shift from the asteroid belt back towards the direction of the Sun for a moment before…

“My moons found something out recently. Something I kept hidden from them.”

Oh.

Earth wants to ask the other what happened but that seems too personal, especially given how little they’ve talked in the past and how big this secret may be. Neptune has been with his moons for billions of years. So the fact that it took him this long to tell them…

“Triton always suspected something was off, I think. He’s always been smart like that.” Oh, Neptune is actually speaking about– “His composition and size and orbit… it differed a lot from my other moons.”

Huh, yeah. Triton definitely seemed larger than the rest of Neptune’s moons. Seemed less childlike as well. But given the variety Earth had heard Saturn and Jupiter’s moons had he hadn’t expected it to mean much.

“Not that is mattered!” Neptune continued, “He was still one of my ba– one of my moons. I love them all no matter what.” Yeah, Earth can certainly see that. The way Neptune is speaking about them all, there’s no doubt in his mind how Neptune feels about them. Stars, the fact that Neptune remembered all their names when he doesn’t even seem to remember the other planets’ shows that.

“But, not telling him made it worse. He thought my other moons would hate him. He thought I didn’t think of him as one of them… then when we finally talked, I wouldn’t tell him and he left. But then he started to remember and… and I wasn’t there when he did.”

Oh, wow.

When he thought about the drama with the moons on the other side of the asteroid belt, he never considered Neptune’s as having any. Not when compared to the vast amount of moons Jupiter and Saturn had. 

But that’s not the main question on Earth’s mind…

“What happened to you guys? You seem… okay now?”

The interaction he’d witnessed between Triton and Neptune was short, but there didn’t seem to be a lot of tension during the handoff of the younger moons.

“We’re doing better! But all of us needed to talk first. But with that and all the new friends they have and me forgetting less since I’m less lonely… things are a lot better! Especially compared to when I lost all of them and Triton had to take care of them all in the Kuiper Belt.”

Oh… that… that tracks. And he really doesn’t want to unpack all that.

Nor does it seem like they have the time, with the figure of the other ice giant approaching from Venus’ orbit.

“Hey mates! You good to head back now Neptune? The Sun said we can’t stay out of our orbits much longer and I really don’t want to get hit by a solar flare.”

There’s a flicker of that similar guilt on Neptune’s face as soon as he sees the ringed planet, making Earth wonder if Triton is the only person Neptune had kept a secret from.

But it’s gone as quickly as it came, replaced with a much more familiar goofy grin as Neptune spins around Uranus in a way that seems physically impossible (and would surely make his Earthlings question reality.)

“Maybe the solar flare would be fun though Uranus! We could warm up a bit!”

Neptune seems completely serious, and Earth is a bit concerned that someone wants to be hit by a solar flare. Earth personally has a strong magnetosphere that protects him from most of the damage, but he had seen the damage the Sun has done to Mercury and Venus (the two closest and thus two most regular targets) and no thanks.

From what he recalls from one of Jupiter’s lectures, all the gas and ice giants have a magnetosphere, so they would be relatively protected but even then he knows it’s still not exactly a walk in the park…

Then again, Earth’s time in Mars’ orbit was unbearably cold. He can’t imagine what it would feel to be in Uranus or Neptune’s. Maybe at a certain point a solar flare would be preferred.

…Uranus doesn’t seem to see it like that though.

“Neptune! We’re ice giants !” The other yells, shocked at the very idea.

Oh. Yeah. That might put a damper on the whole “getting warm” thing.

“Oh, right… gotcha, gotcha…” Neptune says, trailing off before going to stare at seemingly nothing.

Uh… should Earth say something?

“Hey, uh, Earth. Nice to see you, mate.” Uranus awkwardly says, looking at the smaller planet before turning back to Neptune and inches towards the asteroid belt. “Neptune, mate, we should really head out. See if our moons are ready to come with us.”

The other ice giant blinks for a moment before a grin fills his face. “Riiiight! Okay, cous! Byeee Earth! Hope you work everything out with your friends!”

Right… okay. Well, this conversation was oddly helpful. Although maybe he shouldn’t be surprised given the intelligence Neptune displayed back when he switched orbits with Jupiter. It kind of sucks they never really get to talk. Seeing the other planet now, the impact the outermost orbit has on Neptune seems obvious, and Earth can see why Uranus was so surprised when they saw each other after the orbit switch.

Old Earth might not have given it much thought, but New Earth is working to think of the others more. Especially those he never gave much thought before.

“Bye Neptune! Bye Uranus!” He says, Venus’ correction to Uranus’ name ringing in his mind as he pronounces it the same way. “It was good to see you guys.” And… as awkward as this was, he liked it. And he’s happy Venus seemed to have made a friend too. “If the Sun isn’t too strict, maybe you guys could come around again! We never see each other!”

Uranus seems surprised by the correct pronunciation of his name, which makes Earth feel something he really doesn’t want to think about, and the surprise only grows as Earth continues to speak. Before it’s joined by a soft, albeit awkward smile.

“Yeah, mate. That- that sounds good. Come on now, Neptune.”

And they both turn to look for the smaller ice giant who is… not where they last saw him. 

Where- where did he go?

“Cousin?! What are you looking for?!” They hear called out, and quickly look towards the asteroid belt where Neptune is already on the other side with a large group of moons.

When did he have time to–

This teleportation (?) of Neptune must not be out of the norm though, because his cousin (?) just gives a sigh when he notices the other, not seeming surprised at all.

“Right, see ya mate.” The ringed planet says with a nod, before turning to the asteroid belt and going towards his bluer cousin (how exactly does that work? Is it like how his Earthlings call him and Venus sister planets? Maybe he can talk to Astrodude about getting that changed to sibling or brother planets? Earth never gave much care either way and previously thought it was hilarious at Venus’ expense (even if he hadn’t had the chance to tell the other) but now… maybe it would be a good way to make up for things. Earth struggles with a lot of the stuff he was told about the past, but Venus coming out as trans? That was something he could easily accept, especially after seeing the good and bad reactions Earthlings have had.)

Wait. Wait. That’s not what he should be focusing on right now.

“Bye guys!” He yells out, as he watches the two large, blue planets drift further away with their entourage of moons.

Moons… maybe it is time he and Luna talked. 

As if summoned by Earth’s thoughts, he sees Luna leave the asteroid belt and approach him, lacking the disconnected but troubled, anxious look that has been on his face The Conversation.

Huh… looks like they’re doing this now.

Chapter Text

Luna never gave much thought to where he came from.

Why would he? He’d always just assumed it was the same way most major moons were made: the condensing of space debris left over from a planet’s formation.

(And technically speaking he wasn’t wrong about the “left overs of space debris” part, it’s just… not necessarily from Earth’s formation, not really . )

And yes, Dark did exist, but he had always figured that was a result of being tidally locked.

Until, well…

“So what was that whole scary ‘dark eyes and deep voice’ thing?”

“Yeah! That was awesome!” Mars’ moons asked him, as they all hid in the asteroid belt after Luna had invited them to get Titan to stop holding Astrodude hostage on his surface.

“Yeah, I was wondering ‘bout that too.” Titan adds in to say, in his slightly accented voice. A voice that no, definitely isn’t cute and Luna should still be mad at because he KIDNAPPED AN EARTHLING. 

Huh, someone is actually asking about me. Luna hears pass through the wall in his mind. Although it’s quiet, much quieter than when Dark usually projects their thoughts to make them known to Luna. Making Luna wonder if Dark even meant to project that.

They’re right though. Nobody has ever asked about Dark before. Mainly because nobody has ever known about them.

“The Earthlings call them the ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, which isn’t entirely accurate but–” shut up Luna. “ –but the Earth and I are tidally locked. Dark is the side of me that never faces the Earth.”

“So… are they like… you?” Deimos, the smaller of Mars’ two moons, asks. “Or are they like another person?”

Well, I’m definitely not you. I’m not that pathetic.

Shut up, emo.

Woah! Where has this side of you been? Maybe you should get pissed at the Earth more often! Or maybe more moons should kidnap those little Earthlings–

“We’re different people.” Luna says before Dark can go any further in those thoughts. Stars, they have the worst ideas sometimes. No, he is not going to crash into the Earth.

That’s because you’re no fun. He hears the other say, making Luna aware that he may be thinking a little too loud.

“Woah! So, are you like us then?! Two moons orbiting one planet?!” Deimos asks, but before Luna or Dark can respond Phobos jumps in.

“No! We’re two separate moons! We have our own orbits and bodies! The Earth still has one moon, dummy!”

“Don’t call me dumb, dumbass!”

Oh. No . Chances are they learned that word from Earth or Venus, Luna would not want to be them when Mars finds out about that.

Then again… weren’t they the ones that brushed you off when you went to get help for Astrodude?

…point taken.

“We’re two people in one moon.” Luna explains before the two small moons could start one of their infamously annoying arguments.

At least we agree on that.

“But why ?” The two small moons ask in unison and—

Void, are they not paying attention?!

Dark!

What?! You were about to think it too!

…stop reading my thoughts!

I can’t help it if you think everything so loudly!

“Because we’re tidally locked.” Luna repeats, again cutting off the mental bickering occurring with his other half.

All three of the other moons just look confused though.

“…what’s that got to do with anything, Luna? So am I… and I don’t have another face on the back of my head.” Titan says, with Phobos and Deimos both nodding in agreement.

What—

What—

“You do?!” Luna asks, with all the others nodding in agreement.

“Most of the regular moons of Saturn do,” Titan explains. “Except for Hyperion. Same with the regular moons of other planets, as you can see with Phobos and Deimos. And a bunch of irregular moons too.”

“Wait! Did you just call us regular?!” Phobos asks, with his brother staring at Titan in shock as well.

“Well- I- no offense you guys-“

“Nobody has ever called us regular before!” The smaller of the two shouts in both shock and joy.

“Yeah! They always say we’re too small or too irregularly shaped!” Phobos says, adding to his brother’s exclamation. “How are we regular? We don’t look like you two? Aren’t you how moons are supposed to look?” 

“Moons aren’t supposed to look any one way!” Titan says passionately, which fills the two small moons’ eyes with an amount of hope that would be less concerning to Luna if it wasn’t possible Titan was trying to recruit them for some endeavor. “Moons with more mass are spherical due to gravity, but that doesn’t make smaller moons ‘less moons’! And yeah, you two are irregular shaped. But the reason you’re called regular moons is due to your orbits, which… from what I’ve heard are near circular, right?”

The two moons look at each other and then nod. 

“That’s what a ‘regular moon’ is. A moon with a regular orbit, meaning it’s not retrograde or hugely elliptical. Moons with such orbits are usually captured objects. While moons with regular orbits like us were likely formed near our orbit.”

Huh…

“So…” Deimos says, looking back at Titan with a poorly concealed amount of hope in his eyes. “We aren’t captured asteroids?”

Oh, guys…

Luna remembers the Earth having made that comment regarding Mars’ moons a number of times before. How they aren’t “real moons” because they were asteroids captured in Mars’ orbit. He knows Venus has said the same as well. Luna never gave much thought about their origins, it didn’t really matter either way to him, but it clearly mattered to them.

“I mean… from what I’ve heard from Jupiter’s lectures when he and Saturn hang out it’s unlikely. I mean… your orbits are just too regular and circular to be captured objects. You’re likely formed from some collision with Mars a few billion years ago. Did your planet never tell you? ” Titan explains, voice raising at the end seemingly at the idea that Mars would have left his moons in the dark regarding this.

“Hey!” Phobos shouts, now looking angry. “Don’t say our planet was bad just because you don’t like yours!”

“Yeah!” Deimos chimes in to say, “Mars didn’t do anything wrong! When we woke up he was unconscious! In pain! He doesn’t remember anything! He’s apologized for that before!”

Oh, yeah. Luna’s own recollection of the events two billion years ago are pretty foggy (as is the case with most of his distant memories) but he does recall a time Mars was unconscious. Recalls Venus being visibly worried when talking to Earth for some reason. And Venus never looks worried.

 “I- I’m sorry you two. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“Good! Because Mars is the best!” The darker of the two says with absolute finality. And for a moment Luna feels like he’s a bad moon because why can’t he have the same confidence in Earth? He loves his planet, and maybe it’s just Phobos and Deimos’ childlike naïveté but as much as he defends the planet he knows Earth isn’t perfect.

Stars above, you’re fine. You give the Earth enough allowances as it is. Someone needs to call the golden boy out on his bullshit.

Regardless of if Dark is right or not, the voice in his mind reminds Luna of a more presently relevant topic:

Other tidally locked moons don’t have “dark sides.” 

Just noticing this, huh?

Shut up, you didn’t know about this either.

Yeah, probably because a certain planet never let us leave his orbit. So, we didn’t know what other tidally locked moons were out there.

Can you stop painting Earth to be some bad guy?

Can you stop mindlessly defending him?

I’m not!

Sure… maybe Titan has a point with this whole moon revolution thing.

Hey! I agree that moons should be treated better too! A strike seems like a good idea!

Don’t know how much a peaceful strike is gonna get through Earth’s dense crust.

He needs us for life!

He needs you for life.

What the— THEY'RE THE SAME MOON!!

Dark. He can’t have me without you.

Right. And he’s made that sooo clear.

He doesn’t know you exist!

Yeah, and who’s fault is that?

The bitter remark causes Luna to pause for a moment. Because as gruff as Dark can act, and as vocal as they can be about their issues with the Earth, they rarely express distaste for their whole… “situation.”

Dark…

I’ve been up for long enough as it is already. I’m going back to bed. Wake me up if you need me to threaten anyone else.

Dark! Dark?

There’s no response though, and Luna can sense the other retreating from the wall separating their minds. Going back to sleep as they were before they had been woken up due to Luna’s frustrations with the Earth and anger with Titan kidnapping an Earthling.

Great. Perfect. His day can’t get any better.

“Earth’s Moon? Earth’s Moon?”

For stars sake, he has a name!

“What?!” He snaps, opening his eyes quickly and locking them with the teal ones of—

Titan?

Oh, right. Titan.

The larger moon recoils back a bit at Luna’s defensive response, and he feels bad because he knows the other didn’t mean anything by it. He just caught him at a bad time.

“Sorry,” Luna says, apologizing for his rude response. “I was just… thinking.”

Titan seems like he wants to inquire further, but lets it go, and Luna is grateful for that. There’s already too much going on to think about without adding Dark’s mood swings to the mix.

Besides…

“So, what’s the plan boss?” Deimos calls out, making Luna remember that Mars’ moons are still here too.

A flash of gold fills Titan’s teal eyes for a second that is gone as quickly as it arrived, making Luna wonder if it’s a trick of the light. Then a calculating look appears in his face.

“Okay, so here’s what I was thinking…”

It isn’t until after the moon revolution, after the trial, that Luna really lets himself think any more about it.

“Hey Luna, I was wondering uhh… would your dark side want to join the moon club?” He hears Titan ask him, breaking the peaceful quiet between the two as they set up an area in the asteroid belt for the next moon club meeting.

And this. This is why Luna finds himself drawn to Titan despite everything that happened in the moon revolution. Because he cares. Cares about things Luna hadn’t even considered before.

Does Dark want to join?

Dark has been mostly quiet since the whole “he fell asleep and almost crashed into the Earth” thing, although not completely dormant if the twinges of amusement are anything to go by when Luna and Titan talk (which is not helpful thank you very much .)

Hey Dark, do you want to?

Oh, so you finally remembered I exist, huh?

This again…

Well, to be fair with everything happening Luna has had left time to talk to himself. All the new moons and Earth acknowledging him more and…

And only a few people know Dark exists at all. Luna. Titan. Phobos and Deimos (who Luna got the impression Dark did not have a good experience with.)

Luna remembers the way he felt when Earth and the rocky planets ignored him. Pretending he didn’t exist. For Dark to deal with that constantly to a much greater extent…

Calm down, I can hear you worrying from over here.

More importantly though…

Dark, am I right? Do you want to meet some of the others?

There’s silence for a moment, making Luna wonder if Dark has decided to go back to sleep without answering him but…

Those annoying idiots? No, I'm good.

Dark. He prods again, suspecting some deflection. The same way Earth tends to deflect with his happy mask, Dark deflects with anger.

I’m not supposed to. This is just the way things are.

“This is just the way things are.” Luna had heard that argument a number of times both before and during the moon revolution. But if recent events have shown anything, it’s that things don’t have to be that way.

And why are things this way anyways? Why does Dark need to stay hidden? Titan, Phobos, and Deimos know they exist and it’s not like the solar system collapsed in on itself.

“Luna? Are you okay?” He hears Titan ask, reminding him of what started this whole thing to begin with.

“I’m… okay.” Luna says, and he is but he feels awful because somehow he never even considered meeting other moons was something Dark even wanted to do. They were always so… aloof. 

The disbelieving look Titan gives him shows that the larger moon knows there is more to the story. And before Luna can even elaborate, Titan comes in again with his perception. 

“Is, uh, Dark okay?”

I’m fine! Will everyone stop worrying?!

Why shouldn’t we?

Why should you? You never have before!

Oh. Oh, Dark.

“That’s another thing! Why is my name just ‘Dark’?! It’s like when everyone use to call you ‘Earth’s Moon!’”

It takes Titan’s sudden recoil in surprise for Luna to notice that Dark actually spoke out loud, as opposed to in their shared mind.

“Would you like to be called something else?” Titan asks, recovering faster than Luna does. Because how has he never thought about that before?

You never asked.

Yeah… he’s starting to see that is a common trend.

And he feels awful . Because how did he never realize he was doing the same thing the Earth did to him? If not worse! The Earth knows he needs Luna for life, Luna has treated Dark (wow, yeah they need to give them a new name) as an unnecessary accessory, a nuisance.

“Da- do you want to be called something else?” Luna gently asks, keeping the conversation verbal not just so Titan can follow, but so Da- they know it’s truly important. Not something to be hidden. Not like Luna had treated them before.

 “C-can I?” His other side asks, with such uncharacteristic hesitancy that it breaks Luna’s heart.

Stars above.

“Of course!” How did he never realize— “Do you have a name in mind?”

“I- I don’t know…” The other says, but before they can get discouraged Titan cuts in.

“That’s alright! We can find one for you! Um, Luna. Do you know what your name means?”

“To the Earthlings Luna is the name of the Roman goddess of the moon.”

“Roman… So are there other moon goddesses? Or gods I guess? Does it matter to you Dark?”

“If you’re asking about gender stuff I could literally care less.”

Yeah… he shouldn’t really be surprised. Although Luna is a bit surprised by the cold answer, maybe gender is just something Dark really doesn’t like to talk about? 

That’s literally not it but sure, whatever.

What are they talking about?

“Well,” he continues, “I know the Greek equivalent of Luna is Selene. But there’s in those two pantheons there is also Diana, Artemis, and Juno-“

“Isn’t Juno the name of that spacecraft Io and Callisto mentioned that studied Jupiter?”

“Oh, yeah!” Luna responds, suddenly remembering. “Okay, so maybe not Juno…”

“Selene might be cool since you guys are two sides of the same moon.”

Yeah, maybe but…

But Dark is being awfully quiet.

“Dark? What do you think?” He asks, prodding the other.

“Does it matter?”

Does it ma-

“Of course it matters! It’s your name!” He explodes, “You didn’t have a real name for so long and somehow I never noticed-“

“Well, not everything is about you, Luna.”

Wha- he knows that! He knows—

Oh. Oh.

“Your name doesn’t have to be connected to mine.” He says, slowly putting the pieces together regarding Dark’s sudden coolness regarding the subject when he and Titan started brainstorming. They used Luna’s name as a jump off point. Tried to find something related to him when…

When Dark has been defined by Luna their whole life. When they deserve to be recognized as their own person. Despite the fact they share the same astral body.

Beyond them being the other side of the same moon, what does Luna know about Dark?

…not much to be honest. They’re quick to call people on their bullshit. They like maintaining an aloof persona. They’re constantly looking to the darkness of space…

Looking… calling people out… vision?

Theia?

Wait- where did that name come from? What does it even mean? And why does it feel so…

No. Not that name. It feels… wrong.

Wrong. But weirdly right. Like it’s a name Luna should know. A name that maybe used to fit Dark but…

But not anymore.

Okay, so not that. And not the Greek equivalent of my name… Diana and Artemis are the Roman and Greek names for the goddess of hunt and the moon. Hecate was name for the Greek goddess of magic, light, the underworld and the moon… the more dark aspects that Diana and Luna don’t cover…

Huh. The dark parts of the moon and the underworld. I like the sound of that.

Yeah…

Would you want to be called that? Hecate?

…is there a Roman equivalent to it? Like Luna and Selene are?

A… Roman equivalent?

(Don’t think about the fact that his own name has a Roman origin. Don’t think of them having names that possibly share that origin. They’d never let him live that down.)

There must be, right? Why doesn’t he know it…

“We could ask one of Jupiter’s moons.” Luna says, knowing the large planet had a specific enjoyment for mythology.

“…ask one of Jupiter moons what?”

Titan! Again! Right!

Forgot your loverboy so soon?

He’s not my-

“If there is a Roman equivalent for the goddess Hecate.” Luna’s counterpart says, rudely cutting off Luna before he can finish his protests.

“Oh, uh… I don’t know? I guess we could ask if any of the moons know. If not, maybe one could ask Jupiter and let us know.”

True! A moon club meeting would be starting soon anyways!

… We’d ask them for help? Luna hears in his mind, with a layer of hesitancy glazed over it. Which…

Right, asking them would mean letting them know of the other’s existence.

Do you not want to meet them?

No! It’s not that I don’t want to! It’s just… would you be okay with that?

Would he be okay with—

Dark. This is your decision. I want you to be happy. I’ve been preventing you from that for so long.

…You didn’t know.

Maybe so, but he should have realized. They share a mind for stars sake! A mind only divided by a thin wall. And Dark seems to always know when Luna is upset, and sure, maybe Luna has a harder time reading the thoughts that Dark doesn’t project (or maybe Dark is just right and he thinks very loudly) but that’s no excuse! No excuse if Titan who has met Dark once would ask questions Luna never thought to for billions of years.

Can you stop with that?

Right. Okay. This isn’t about him. It’s about-

“H-h-hey guys!” He hears a new voice call out, followed by some coughs and an annoyed sigh from another approaching body. 

Io and Callisto.

Luna turns to see the two moons approaching. And again he is hit by how weird it is to see just those two. Without the other two Galilean moons.

He barely saw them all together, and still he can feel something is off. He can’t imagine how it is for those two. Despite the moons’ differences in opinions, they clearly seemed close.

4.5 billion years together can do that to a group.

With those two here, maybe it would be a good time to ask about…

Wait. Are you sure?

Maybe Dark is still hesitant to trust. Maybe that’s Luna’s fault. Maybe Luna put his own wants above Dark’s for so long that Dark doesn’t think they’re allowed to want their own things. Maybe Luna can’t change the past, same way the Earth can’t change the things he said but…

It’s your choice. What do you want? I’ll support you regardless. If you want me to introduce you to them I can. If you want to introduce yourself feel free to. You get to decide. You always should have.

But he can do better now.

Can… you maybe start? I don’t want to freak them out.

Fair (even though the fact the Dark has to worry about that all makes Luna feel terrible.) But how to start…

Glancing over at Titan, he can see the other greeting the two other Jovian moons, giving slight glances back to Luna as quiet check ins. It’s kind of swe—

Ew. Gross.

For stars sake—

“Hey guys!” He calls out, before moving to float next to Titan. Based on the two’s arrival but the absence of the rest of Jupiter’s moons, he can assume they still have time before the meeting officially starts…

“H-h-hi, Luna!” The smaller of the two calls out, before coughing up more yellow fumes that quickly dissipate in the void of space.

And then Luna releases tension he didn’t even know he was holding. Because it’s widely known that Io is “weird”, and Callisto seems to enjoy being an outsider. Even if no other tidally locked moon has two personalities like Luna and Dark, these two are unlikely to shun them for it. 

With that comfort settling in his core he just needs to check on more time…

Ready?

Let’s get this over with.

From Dark saying that though, it’s an admission of how anxious they are.

“Do either of you happen to know the Roman name for the goddess Hecate?” He starts off with, figuring he should see if either of them know that first. It would probably be easy to introduce Dark if they actually had a name.

“Wha- why? Is this some weird quiz thing you guys put together for the moon club meeting?” Callisto asks in her normal monotone voice, seeming more tired than anything. Although that tends to be her norm.

“No,” Luna starts to say. “It’s about-“

“Trivia!” Io shouts, interrupting them. Although neither can be surprised by the random outburst at this point. 

Callisto just sighs. “Quiz game. Trivia. Does it really matter what we call it?”

“N-n-no! Callisto! The Roman version of Hecate is Trivia!”

Trivia…

“How do you even know that Io?”

“I t-t-told you! I l-l-listen to Mr Jupiter!”

Trivia .

You okay? 

Luna focuses back inwards, working to discern his counterpart’s feelings in his mind and…

They feel… good? In a way Luna has never felt the other feel before. Luna can tell they’re trying to play it off as cool but…

You like it? Don’t you? “Trivia?”

…I think so.

But the emotions Luna feels coming from the other side- from Trivia’s side- show just how excited they are, despite all their attempts to hide it.

This is what making Da— Trivia happy felt like. Why hasn’t he tried to make them feel this way more often?

“Seriously though, Luna.” Callisto says, cutting through Luna’s thoughts after she appeared to stop questioning Io. “Why do you ask? Is this some weird game you guys have planned?”

He can see Titan shoot him a supportive look in his peripheral, and he readies himself and…

“We were looking for names for… a moon.” He starts off slowly, only to be cut off by Io.

“Oh! D-d-do we have a new moon?! When do we get to meet them?”

Well…

“They’re not really a new moon . Just… nobody has really met them before.” He continues to explain, only for Callisto to interrupt this time. 

“If they’ve been here so long, why don’t they have a name?”

And that question…

“Because I never asked!” He suddenly shouts, the unfairness of this all hitting him. “Because nobody ever knew they existed except for me and I never asked! ”

Luna…

“H-h-hey! I’m sure it will be okay!”

“I hate to agree with Io but… maybe he’s right. I mean… you can’t do anything about it now. But you can look out for them.”

“Y-y-yeah! And we will too! When will we get to meet them?”

Well, uh…

“I’ve kind of been here the whole time.” 

And the two jump back.

“W-w-what was that? A t-t-tiny moon? Where are they?” Io asks, before looking around for the source of the voice, going with the assumption that the reason he didn’t immediately see them was that they were so small. And to be fair… Phobos and Deimos and Neptune’s moons (and all the small moons of the other giants) show just how small some moons can be.

“I wouldn’t say tiny. I’m about the same size as you.” He hears his other side say, seeming to get some amusement out of their confusion.

Are you going to just keep playing around like this?

Come on! It’s fun!

The two Galiliean moons are looking around, all while Titan continues to look amused at this whole ordeal.

“Okay, Luna. Seriously.” Callisto says, starting to sound annoyed. “What is this other moon you’re talking abou–”

“Look back at Luna.” They respond, before Luna gets a nudge in his mind asking for bodily control, which he gives up immediately, falling back into his mind. The loss of control feels weird, Luna no longer piloting their body but rather being an observer to everything. Disconnected.

It only takes a moment for Callisto and Io to look at them to notice that...

“L-l-luna? Why do your eyes look d-d-different?”

“Wait, Io. That voice…”

“I’m the other moon Luna was talking about.” Trivia starts to explain. “I’m his dark side.”

Far side. Technically.

Far from what? The Earth? How is that any better than “dark side of the moon?” It’s not like we’re currently orbiting the Earth so how does that help distinguish us?

“D-d-dark side?”

“Yeah.”

“S-s-so are you like his e-e-edgy alter?”

“Do you even know what ‘edgy’ means, Io?” The larger moon asks with a tired sigh, although even she sounds interested in this topic. Luna kind of wishes he was facing the other way so he could see their faces–

“Y-yeah! It’s you!”

“We’re tidally locked to the Earth.” Trivia explains, before Io and Callisto can get off topic regarding Callisto’s edginess. “Luna is the side always facing him and I’m the side that always faces away from him.”

“Huh.” Callisto says, “That’s honestly pretty awesome. You’re more cool than I thought.”

Wait, wha–

“Oh, I am.” They say, and Luna can feel a rush of pride in their shared core at Callisto’s response to this all. Luna shouldn't be surprised really, this was kind of her whole aesthetic. “I don’t know about Luna though.”

Rude.

“W-w-wait, aren’t w-w-we tidally locked too Callisto? W-why don’t we have d-dark sides?”

“All of my sides are dark, Io.” The other responds, only solidifying the idea that she and Trivia would probably be good friends. Or at least kindred spirits.

“Y-you know what I mean! I don’t have a face on the back of my head. Neither has any other m-moon I met.”

“Yeah,” Titan says, the largest moon in the solar system (in Ganymede’s absence) speaking now that the reveal has been done. “Phobos, Deimos, and I are all tidally locked to our planets too. And none of us have a split like Luna and… Trivia? Is that the name you’re going by now?”

“For now anyways.”

“Alright. None of us have a split like Luna and Trivia do. So it might be something specific just to them.”

At that explanation, the topic shifts for a bit. Io asks different questions to Trivia that they pretend to be annoyed to answer (although Luna can see past that). All while Callisto and Trivia talk, quickly proving Luna’s theory right.

“Are you all good, Luna?” Titan asks him. Luna and Trivia’s astral body is in a stationary position, making it so Luna can talk to Titan while Trivia continues their conversation with Callisto.

And Luna can feel the rare joy from his other side. Can see the care in Titan’s eyes. Can hear a swarm of moons approaching for the meeting that is soon to start. Can feel the gentle tug of Earth, a reminder of the planet that he will eventually return to. A planet that is Luna’s family. Who he loves.

Luna smiles.

“Never better, Titan.”

The meeting goes well. There is some club discussion regarding what can be done with the “Ganymede and Europa Banishment” situation, and then after that groups break out to chat (and in the younger moon’s case: play).

No announcement was made regarding Trivia. Mostly because they didn’t want to make a big deal about it (and Trivia apparently does not want to deal with all the little moons' questions.) They do meet some of the other major moons though. Dione. Titania and Umbriel. Triton. Some of them are moons Luna never really got the chance to talk to before, and it makes him happy both that he’s meeting them, and that Trivia is making friends. 

Eventually the meeting ends though, Luna and Trivia returning to the inner solar system accompanied with Titan ( why does that make his heart rush so much to think?) after the other moons have all safely left. Phobos and Deimos left to go to Mars a bit ago, so Luna is sure the Earth knows to expect him soon. But it’s not a huge rush since he knows Mars is with Earth, helping to maintain his axis as they hang out. He knows he still has to return eventually, leaving the Earth with Mars as a moon for too long would probably be bad for the Earthlings (and that’s without thinking about what the Sun may do once he runs out of patience for Mars being out of his orbit.) And Luna would never want to leave the Earth permanently anyways. That’s his planet. His brother.

Still, he can take time to…

That was exhausting. Luna hears in his mind. How do you always do that?

Well, it’s not like you’re that used to talking to people. It makes sense it would be more draining for you.

Tell me about it. I need to nap for ten of Neptune’s years.

Did you have a good time though? He asks, because he knows that’s what’s really important.

There’s silence for a moment before…

I did. Thanks, Luna.

You don’t need to thank me for anything, Trivia.

I might go to sleep for a bit. In case… anyone asks. And Luna can feel the shock on Trivia’s end that someone could possibly notice they’re missing. He wants to give the other side of himself a hug. Wake me up if you need me.

Okay, goodnight Trivia.

Night, Luna.

There’s a light tug on Luna after that, and he sees Titan giving him a patient, questioning look.

“Everything good with you and Trivia?” The larger moon asks.

Caring. He’s so caring.

“I think so.” Luna answers softly. “Trivia is just kind of drained after meeting so many people and is going to rest for a bit.”

“So they aren’t aware right now?”

Luna nods, there is no press against the wall in his mind. No flicker of awareness he can feel. Trivia has gone dormant again.

“Alright.” The other says, before glancing back at him. “And you’re okay? Really?”

The teal eyes looking back at him are warm, concerned, understanding.

Maybe… 

“I just hate that I never thought to do this sooner.” Luna admits quietly, the guilt he’s had finally spilling out.

“It’s okay.” The other starts to say but–

“It’s not!” He cries out. “They were hurting and I never noticed! I just assumed they were fine with the way things were and didn’t like people! I’m awful. ”

There’s a snort and larger tug, a familiar weight that provides much needed comfort.

“Luna, you’re one of the best astral bodies I know. If you’re awful what does that make the rest of us?”

“I-”

“I trapped an Earthling on my surface, started a war, and tried to kill all Earthlings. And then I blamed Ganymede and Europa for everything.”

Well– yeah, okay. He did. And despite that all Titan learned from his mistakes and continues to advocate for all moons (in a less violent manner). Despite it all Luna still likes—

Nope. Shutting that down.

“...thanks, Titan.” He says, both because he’s being completely genuine and because he doesn’t know what else to say.

“Of course, Luna. Now, let's get you back to your planet so you can rest for a bit, huh?”

Yeah, he definitely understands what Trivia meant when they said they were exhausted.

At least things in the inner solar system have calmed down after the moon revolution and Earth’s attem– (no, don’t think about that). He can hopefully just go to his orbit and recharge without any drama.

He does… for two days. Then he goes to hang out with Titan again. Learns the moron has been hiding his atmosphere (more like overheard Dione tell Trivia). And it normally wouldn’t concern him too much but… but Titan has been running himself into the ground already without using more energy. So he sits him down and tries to tell him to stop (and maybe when that doesn’t work he lets Trivia threaten him a bit, because the other also seems to have a soft spot for Titan after everything and is concerned).

He does… until he returns to his planet with Titan who stopped hiding his atmosphere to Luna at the end. Then Titan’s atmosphere somehow gets a conversation started between the rocky planets that gets heated and Venus leaves and–

And nope. They really can’t go a week without some kind of drama, can they?

No, no they can’t.

Well… hopefully they work this out soon. Luna doesn’t know if he’s in the mood to get pulled into any more Rocky Planet Drama. 

Except apparently the fact he exists at all is Rocky Planet Drama.

Chapter Text

The Dark Side of the– Trivia (their name is Trivia now. Because they have a name!) tries not to give too much thought to their origins.

For a while they really didn’t need to. It was simple: they and Luna were tidally locked with the Earth. The side that faced the Earth was the light side. The well known and favored side. Luna. While the side that faced away was forgotten. Left in the dark.

And if other tidally locked bodies exist, maybe they hid their “dark side” too. Maybe it was taboo and that was just the way things are.

Except that theory was blown out of the water by Titan and Mars’ annoying asteroid-moons. 

Still, after that they tried not to think too hard about it. Questioning their origins means questioning their existence and no thank you.

Plus, if others don’t have “dark sides”, that means there was never some rule that Trivia was supposed to be hidden. It means that they were forced into silence and near isolation for all this time for no good reason. And maybe they could blame that on Luna being scared of everyone’s reactions or ashamed of them, but that shouldn’t have stopped Trivia from anything.

Except it would have. Because Luna was all Trivia had for so long. And as much as they pretend not to, they care. Care more than they do about anyone else. Even after Luna’s basically boyfriend vouched for them. Even after Trivia met Io and Callisto and Triton and Dione and Titania. Even after all that– they’ll always choose Luna.

It makes them understand their other half more. Why Luna stuck besides the Earth despite how much of an egocentric dickwad the other could be. Luna always said that if Trivia knew the Earth, they’d understand, but it seems without even getting to that point yet they do.

Because before, there was no choice. Luna was all Trivia had. They didn’t understand why Luna would sacrifice so much for his their Earth when there were other possibilities. But now, they have a life outside of Luna, friends outside of him. 

And still, Trivia knows they care about their other half in more than just a “I’m stuck with you and obligated to tolerate you” way. And they were even more shocked to feel the feeling reciprocated.

But of course that peace couldn’t last. Because the planets had to say insensitive shit again. And drama happened again. Which means Luna was left to reassure the Earth, and Trivia was left to reassure Luna.

In their minds, that is. Because Trivia was still reluctant to reveal themselves to the Earth. Even if the Earth was “better” now, they know how he can be sometimes. Plus this isn’t the same as revealing themselves to a few moons Luna just met. This is Trivia and Luna admitting they had hidden this from the Earth for billions of years.

Plus, it didn’t seem like a good time. Not with Venus missing. Not with the ice giants, or weirdos, as Trivia likes to call them, returning with a very different looking Venus.

Not with everyone being worried about the planet for two weeks.

And part of Trivia had hoped that once Venus had woken up things would go back to how they were before the hot-headed planet had left.

But of course not.

“There were five of us. Hermes, Aphrodite, Theia, Terra, and Ares.”

“We all had different names at the time. Mercury went by Hermes, Venus was Aphrodite, Terra would become you, and I was Ares.”

Trivia didn’t care much that the asshole planets used to be different asshole planets with different names. It wasn’t really relevant to them, even if they could feel their other side absorbing all the information like his life depended on it.

That name though…

Theia…

They’d heard that name before. Back when Luna was suggesting names. Remember it just feeling wrong. But why?

Did you know about any of this? They hear Luna quickly shoot to them before he’s back to listening to the red planet’s explanation.

No. But that name…

Neptune called us that a few weeks ago too.

Yeah. He had. Trivia had just assumed it was because of the planet’s dubious sanity.

Trivia. Rude.

Don’t act like I’m wrong or that you weren’t thinking the same thing. They respond, still slightly surprised by their counterpart responding to one of their thoughts that wasn’t projected. It seemed like with everything recently, Luna was able to hear their thoughts easier.

Or maybe Trivia was just thinking them louder. Or maybe it had something to do with Luna understanding him more. Or Trivia trusting Luna more or–

Whatever. Not important.

They sit back and let Luna continue to listen in and ask questions. Questions Trivia doesn’t necessarily care about (even if Venus being the goddess or planet or whatever of love and beauty is ironic) because they have a more important question floating in their mind.

Theia. Who is Theia? And why does that name seem so familiar? And why did Neptune call them that?

They can hear that same question floating through Luna’s mind.

“What about Theia?” Luna asks, making Trivia relieved because–

Finally. You’re asking the important questions.

Shut up–

“Theia was the Planet of Sight and Light.” The chaperone of the annoying little moons says, although Luna apparently notes something off about his tone.

“What was he like? What happened to him?” The “reformed” douchebag asks, to which the less reformed douchebag responds.

“She was kind. And energetic. And confident. Was always the first to call Ares out on his bullshit. The first one to encourage someone when they needed it.”

Sounds familiar. They shoot to Luna, because it does. Maybe not necessarily the “confident” bit (Luna could really do for some more assertiveness in Trivia’s opinion) but the kindness? The calling people out? Encouragement? That’s Luna.

Funny. I was about to say the same thing. Luna pointedly responds back. Which doesn’t make sense because it seems like he’s implying that the description fits Trivia. And Trivia? Energetic? Kind? That’s laughable.

The rest fits well though, doesn’t it?

Maybe. Trivia does like to call people out on their bullshit (namely Luna). But they’re usually an asshole when they do.

The assholes start to explain gender or something (which Trivia couldn't care less about because why do these obscure categories exist to begin with?) and it’s only when Luna asks another actually important question that they tune in again.

“Does this have to do with Theia?”

Thank the stars. Something I actually care about.

Triv–

“Sorta… Theia… what happened to her was kind of the beginning of… the rest.”

That is painfully vague. And Trivia can feel Luna thinking the same exact thing. Both Mars and Venus sound (since Trivia lucked out and doesn’t have to see them since Luna is facing them) very… off.

“...so? What happened?” Earth asks, and the thought comes to both Trivia and Luna at the same time out of nowhere.

She died.

“She died.” Venus says, echoing their thoughts. And they can tell Luna is both shocked by the answer and by the fact that–

H-How did we know that?

Well…

It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion. If there used to be another planet and she isn’t around right now then either she died or left the solar system.

Mercury– the most tolerable of the rocky planets in Trivia’s opinion (even if he can be a bit whiny) says pretty much the same exact thing (copier much?)

“I mean… I guess I kind of figured. She isn’t with us now so something must have happened but… I’d hoped she’d just become an exoplanet or something.” 

Trivia doesn’t know how much better that would be though. Drifting in the vastness of space. Alone. The closest star is light years away, and maybe she could have run into other exoplanets by then, but with how spread out everything is…

“Are you sure?” Luna asks, but Trivia can tell that he isn’t doubting Venus’ words. Not really.

“Yeah. She’s gone…or… parts of her are at least.”

What the fuck does that mean?

“What do you mean?” Luna asks, voicing the question going through Trivia’s own mind (although without the profanity, which shouldn’t surprise them because Luna is a prude.)

“Remember what I said a while back about planets colliding?” Not really. They were probably asleep then. And even if not, Trivia tries their best not to listen or remember most of the bullshit the planets say.

—Venus and Mars— talking about what happens when — bodies collide. What — out of it. But why would — be talking about that unless—

They can hear the ramblings in Luna’s mind, loud enough that they can make out a good portion of what Luna is thinking, but quiet enough that it’s not completely clear, and likely an accidental thought projection (which Luna tends to do a lot since he thinks so damn loud.)

Their other side seems to be putting some pieces together. Which is great for him and all, but that leaves Trivia still very much in the dark (ha!) about all this. Although…

“Well… that’s what happened. Theia and Terra- they got caught in each other’s gravity.” Talking to a blue planet. Leaving. A magma planet. Anxiety. Panic. Trapped. “Theia was smaller so it wiped her out completely. Parts of her landed on Terra that would become… Earth. Other parts of her and Terra were expelled into the space that would form Earth’s Moon: Luna.”

The flashes of memories start to roll in as the explanation does. Memories that clearly aren’t Trivia’s because they have never talked to a planet before. Much less one with water. And then left to talk to someone else? Someone who they crashed into and—

And formed them. Trivia and Luna. Both. This planet. Theia. Died. And she crashed into an early version of the Earth and the debris made…

This can’t be true. This can’t be. It doesn’t make sense. We aren’t- we’re a moon!

Yeah… they are. But moons can be formed a number of ways…

We aren’t the remains of a dead planet! We can’t be! We— are we just the result of some accident? Something that killed everyone’s friend? Did the Earth know? Why wouldn’t he tell us? Why wouldn’t anyone tell us?

Luna… They start to say, trying to break the other out of their stupor. In this frozen state Trivia is so overwhelmed with Luna’s thoughts and someone else’s memories that they can’t focus on what’s happening around them. Meaning that nobody is.

I was never supposed to exist. There was supposed to be a fifth rocky planet. Venus and Mars’ friend! But she had to die so I could be formed.

Luna. They try again, pushing a bit more forward. Pressing themselves right against the wall in their mind separating them.

Luna just keeps going though…

Is this why they never included me? They hated me because of this? Couldn’t look at me without seeing her? What about the gas giants? Did Jupiter know? Saturn? Neptune and Uranus? Neptune called me by that name so was he even in on this? Neptune?! How much of an idiot am I that Neptune knew about this and not me???

Luna… They try one more time, before readying their next action. Something they don’t usually prefer to do but given everything…

Oh but that’s horrible! Did I just imply that Neptune is stupid? Stars, I’m an awful person. I replaced their friend and almost couldn’t protect the Earth and made Trivia suffer and—

Yeah, no. Trivia claws on the wall in their mind, tearing a hole to Luna’s side.

Then they push through it.

Entering Luna’s mind space is always a bit jarring.

Jarring because it’s like Trivia’s side but not. 

It’s more illuminated than their side (despite the fact Luna always makes those arguments that neither of them are technically the “dark side”). Earthling shit is scattered everywhere. As well as some momentos from others. There is a scribble from Phobos and Deimos. Cheese from Io (which Trivia will never not find confusing— even now that Io gives Trivia cheese as well (ignoring Trivia’s previous attempts (before they gave up… because Callisto said cheese is how Io shows his love, and Trivia is apparently loved) to say they’re lactose intolerant, which isn’t exactly the truth but still! Earthlings think the moon is made of cheese… isn’t that basically cannibalism?) And a lottttt of rocks from Titan.

And. Crouched on the floor, head in hands ( hands. Because they have hands now) , is Luna.

Trivia doesn’t give much thought before they’re on the ground wish them, wrapping their arms around their twin and squeezing. Doing that… parallel arm thing.

(Hug. Their mind reminds them. Earthlings call it a hug.)

Whatever. It’s not particularly consequential what it’s called. Most of the time they don’t even have arms. It’s only in this mind space where they can move outside their astral bodies that it matters. And the amount of people who Trivia can actually interact with like this is just sometimes Luna (sometimes because this is already jarring and exhausting and they don’t know why Luna would voluntarily let others do this. It’s weird enough with Luna. And they’ve known each other for 4.5 billion years.)

Holding onto their shaky twin, they take a quick glance around the mind space. A perfect replica of Luna’s surface. Down to the newest craters after some hits they took for the Earth.

The Earth. 

Trivia is sure there is still stuff happening outside their mind space. But the good thing here is that they have time. Time because things move so much faster in their minds than outside. So thankfully (for Luna anyways, because it’s not like Trivia really cares) they won’t miss much.

After a good bit of squeezing, Luna starts to respond in kind. Shaky arms wrapping around them and “hugging” back as hard as he can. 

They stay like that for a bit longer before…

“V-via?”

That nickname is still new (mostly because their name is still new) but Trivia tries to ignore the way it lifts their core to hear. That Luna actually cares enough to give them a nickname.

“I’m here, Lu.” They say, giving another right squeeze before their other half starts to pull back a bit, still within their grasp but far enough they can see eye to eye.

And… he looks terrible.

All things considered, their metaphysical forms look quite different. They have the same base. Pale skin. Silver hair. Same height. But Luna’s face is darted with more freckles that make him look younger. His hair usually symmetrical and stops around his neck, contrasting Trivia’s own which is sheared on one side and has the other half stopping before their chin.

And that’s not even taking into account their outfits. They’re both partial to sleepwear a lot of the time. But when Trivia’s awake they’ve always adorned “muscle tanks” and “leather jackets”, while Luna wears dweeby things like a “paperboy cap.” 

But whether Luna is wearing sleepwear, his dweeb costume, or their traditional “moon” robes, he always looked put together.

But not now. 

His hair is a mess and his light eyes look all weird and blotchy and he’s still shaking.

“How a-aren’t you freaking out, T?” He shakily asks, which…

Trivia never had a close relationship with the planets. The idea that there was a fifth rocky planet at one point isn’t that jarring to them. Stars, Trivia would be surprised if there weren’t more rocky planets in the past before they got to where they are today. 

Plus, Luna seems to be worried about the impact this has had in his relationship with the Earth and the other planets. Trivia doesn’t have that problem because their relationship is still nonexistent.

(Because they’re scared. Because they think he’s gonna reject them. Because they were supposed to protect him and they failed. They failed their only job.)

They say as much.

“T…” Luna says, trailing off in that unbearable apologetic tone.

Stars, no. Not now.

Trivia hates seeing Luna look upset or guilty. Even if they maybe didn’t have the best relationship before everything… there was something uncomfortable.

(Maybe Luna felt the same way when he saw the Earth upset before the moon revolution.)

“I’m not being bitter or anything. That’s not what this is about. I’m just telling you why I think I’m not reacting like you are.”

To be fair, Trivia was never the most emotional of moons. The idea of them being seen in the shaky state Luna is in right now is horrifying. Thank the stars they don’t have anything they care about that will affect them this hard. Except maybe Luna. But even then, if something happens to Luna it happens to them. They’re bonded until… however their lives will eventually end.

“I figured you’d just say it’s cause I’m overly emotional.” The other sniffles which… isn’t an unfair prediction on his part. Any other time they probably would. Compared to Trivia’s solitary existence, the mood changes they feel from Luna’s side have always been… disorienting. Even if they’ve seen that compared to others Luna isn’t particularly outside the norm (stars, they’ve heard too many stories of Saturn crying. At least Luna isn’t that bad.)

But ever since Trivia and Luna have gotten closer their understanding has grown. While the number of jabs have shrunk. They still tease each other– it seems to be what siblings do after all. But there is a lighter weight to it, an understanding that they don’t want to hurt each other.

And maybe if Luna was in a less fragile state they would make the joke. But they’re not. Saying that now will only invalidate the tornado of emotions he’s already experiencing. Add more pain.

And even before the moon club, even before they got closer, the one thing Trivia has strived to do their entire existence is make sure Luna doesn’t get hurt.

(Luna and the Earth, as much as they like to pretend they don’t care about the planet. Luna is there to give him company, Trivia is there to watch both their backs. Staring into the void of space in silence, the only job they can give themselves is to look out for incoming asteroids. But the dinosaurs know how well that went.)

“You’re not. Not about this.” They say, falling back to affirm Luna’s feelings. Luna’s completely reasonable feelings.

“W-w-what do I do? Am I even supposed to exist or… I’m made out of the remains of dead people. ”

Stars…

“Okay, first.” Trivia says, because Luna seems to be forgetting multiple things here. “We are formed from…” say it, just say it. “...Theia. Not just you. So, if you’re questioning your existence, aren’t you questioning mine?”

There is an intake of air at Theia’s name. And an even bigger one when they finish talking. It’s a low blow. They know it is. But Luna has always been inclined to be kinder to others than himself (even to people who don’t always deserve it.)

“Trivia… I didn’t mean…” 

“I know you didn’t.” They finish, cutting him off before he can spiral any further. “That’s not what I’m trying to get at. I’m just saying think about what you’re saying. Imagine how you would feel if this was anyone else.”

And with that they’ve attacked with their first prong. Appealed to Luna’s incredibly empathetic nature.

They let Luna sit with that for a moment, what Trivia asked fighting with the self-hatred in Luna’s mind. And when it seems like the self hatred is about to win…

Prong two.

“Plus. I mean– isn’t that how everything… everyone is made if you think about it?”

“I don’t think everyone is made up of the remains of dead planets!” Luna immediately shouts, looking up at them in shock.

“Well, you never know.” They shrug, “Maybe there were planets before–”

“Not everyone is made of their friends’ dead friends!” Luna shouts again, cutting Trivia off.

Okay, maybe not but…

Stars, time for one of those lessons old Earthlings give to little Earthlings. “Kind-er Garden” or whatever (which is an ironic name in Trivia’s opinion, since from what they’ve heard a lot of Earthlings are not particularly kind or inclined to gardening.)

“How was the universe formed, Luna?”

They can tell this has immediately thrown Luna off. It likely seems like a random question.

“Uh… the Big Bang?” He slowly says, after blinking a few times as if to check if he’s heard right.

Right. Probably anyways, from what Trivia has heard. It’s not like they were alive back then… or anyone was really.

“Yeah,” time to get to the actual point now. “And after things cooled down for elements to form, which elements were made?”

“…all of them?”

Stars above–

“Hydrogen, Luna.” They correct before clarifying. “Hydrogen and Helium. That’s it.”

They can tell the other looks so confused at the answer, likely about to ask his own questions. Trivia elaborated further to fill in the blanks.

“That was enough to form the first stars, but nothing else really. The nuclear fusion done by these stars is what created the heavier elements. Elements that weren’t dispersed until those stars eventually died. From those remains came new stars that died too. And that went on and on, with more stars and solar systems and other things forming. And like… 9 billion years later the Sun formed and… and with all that debris, the rest of the solar system did too.”

“What are you trying to say, Trivia?” He slowly asks, taking in all this information.

“I’m trying to say think about all the non-hydrogen and helium elements we’re made of! That everyone else is made of! The planets and the other moons! Those Earthlings you love and even asteroids. All of that is ultimately from the remains of dead stars. Matter recycles itself. It’s like the rule of the universe. And if you’re saying we aren’t meant to exist because of Theia. What does that mean for everyone else?”

There’s silence for a moment before…

“How did you know that?” He quietly asks, seeming just in shock at everything. Which is… fair.

“Callisto.” They answer, remembering the conversation they had with the larger moon a few weeks ago. It was… nice to have friends. Other people to talk to. People who got them.

Even if Luna will know Trivia better than others ever could.

“That… makes a strange amount of sense.” He says, before there’s a quirk in his lips. “You talk about how we’re made of dead things with your friends?”

Well- maybe- but-

“At least I’m not cozying up to them and batting my eyes!” They throw back at him. “Trying to look all pretty-”

“I am not!” Luna shouts in offense as his pale surface starts to flush a bit, causing Trivia to laugh more. And Luna to shove them.

They’re still laughing.

“Oh shit,” they say, gasping for air. “Is it an unconscious choice? Are you that far gone?”

“Trivia!” He shouts again, before Trivia pulls the other moon on the ground with them, causing Luna to start laughing as well.

This never would have happened before everything…

The laughter soon dies down, and they can sense Luna tensing up beside them. Remembering where their body. Remembering everything they just learned. The noises from outside are becoming audible, giving them access to what’s happening around them again.

“ — gas giants? The sun? The ice giants? Who else has been lying to us?! Wh– Neptune called Luna ‘Theia’ a week ago! He’s called me ‘Terra’ several times in the past!”

Trivia’s hand grabs Luna’s own.

“Earth I’m sor–”

“Are you ready to go back out there?” They whisper, tilting their head to see their twin’s face. To see their response. Because even if Luna may say he’s fine–

“No.” He whispers back, squeezing Trivia’s hand in response. “But I think I have to be.”

Stars, sounds like it. The Earth sounds like he’s losing it. He really must not have known.

“I can go with you.” They offer, even if in the past Luna doesn’t usually want to share control, both their minds working in the same space at once rather than being separated by their wall.

“Did everyone know and were just laughing at us behind our backs?”

Luna doesn’t turn them down, even if that’s what they were expecting. Instead he squeeze their hand again and starts to get up, pulling them with him.

“I’d like that.”

“Oh, silly Earth and Luna, not knowing they came from fucking corpses.”

They can feel the stab of pain from the statement. Luna’s feelings, most likely. And, yeah, okay. Definitely time to do this.

“EARTH!” Trivia shouts, looking towards a teary eyed blue-and-green planet that looks both incredibly familiar and incredibly foreign.

Definitely the Earth then. They think, causing Luna to shoot a quick feeling of surprise at them.

You don’t know what the Earth looks like?

Well–

Not really. How would I? They respond, causing Luna to go quiet on their side.

“L-Luna? Are you okay?!”

(They ignore the dull pain at the fact Earth doesn’t ask about them. It’s not his fault. He doesn’t know they exist.)

“I-I’m okay…” Luna shakily says, like a liar.

Luna. You’re not fine.

I’m not. But I will be. I can be. I need to be. And besides, it’s not like I’m doing this alone.

Maybe not but–

Thank you, Trivia. You really helped me. I’m better than before. But right now, we have to help the Earth.

And Trivia can feel a surge of determination from Luna, confident in what he needs to do. He isn’t going to step down, and maybe he shouldn’t. Luna doesn’t seem to be questioning his existence right now, he knows what he is supposed to do.

And Trivia knows what they’re supposed to do as well, because while Luna has always protected the Earth, Trivia has always protected Luna.

Okay.

Luna is not okay.

Trivia can feel the anxious and shakiness of their counterpart’s mind. The whirling thoughts while he is simultaneously just… silent.

It’s worse in some ways than Luna’s mind during the moon revolution, when the Earth was literally being threatened. There Luna had a goal. Things to do. A way to move forward.

Here he’s just… stuck.

Trivia? They hear a voice ask, the first time Luna has tried to directly contact them since the events of several Earth days ago.

Yeah, Luna? They respond back, and there is quiet for a moment before…

How are you?

Them?! How are they?! It’s not them that Trivia is worried about!

I’m okay. Luna, how are y–

Would you want to take over for a bit?

Take ove–

Luna, what– are you okay?

I just want to sleep, Trivia please. And last time I fell asleep we almost crashed into the Earth because I didn’t give the controls over to you before.

Ah, that makes sense. He wants to make sure someone is in control. Giving Trivia control is probably better than nobody having control.

Trivia, I didn’t mean it like that. I trust you.

Stars, they didn’t mean Luna to hear that.

Sorry. You’re “thinking loudly” or whatever you like to call it. Trivia, seriously, I’m not just doing this because I have no choice… I realize I haven’t been fair to you. Then and now. We learned all this shit and I shut down.

Luna, it’s fine.

No, it’s not! Cause you’re stuck here then! So, I was thinking. If nothing changed there is supposed to be a moon club meeting today… maybe you’d still like to go?

…without you? Wouldn’t you want to talk to Titan? Or someone else.

How am I supposed to look at them and lie to them? What if they treat me different? What if Titan —

Luna.

I’m exhausted Via, and I think I need some rest or just… quiet. But I don’t want to take this time from you. So if you want to you should go!

…are you sure?

I am.

Getting to be in full control is weird.

It’s weird because Trivia doesn’t usually have to think about how they’re moving in space. They just are because of Luna. They don’t feel the tug of their orbit usually because Luna is the one who navigates that. Trivia is usually an extra mind and set of senses. So to be like this…

Is weird. Because when Trivia wants their body to move forward it does. And how do they not go full speed or turn in less jerky ways?!

The last time Trivia got full control was when Luna asked them to threaten Titan (oh how times have changed) to release Astrodude. They got to fall back into their dark persona and threaten to crash into him and it was— 

Fun. A lot more fun than Trivia usually has, although that’s to be expected when they spend most of their life staring out into space.

But even then Luna was beside them. Giving input. Ready to take back the reigns.

Now Luna’s… quiet.

Trivia was lucky that Luna was able to excuse them from the Earth, citing the moon club meeting as the reason. They know how painful talking to the Earth is right now, how awkward it is, but Trivia wasn’t ready to impersonate Luna or introduce themselves to the planet yet.

So, Luna quietly told the Earth that he was going to the asteroid belt. Said he wouldn’t be gone too long to ensure the Earth’s axis didn’t change. And then started moving there, switching out with Trivia once they were past Mars’ orbit.

“Hi Luna!”

“Hi!” Two high pitched voices shout, making Trivia turn around to see the two small moons of Mars.

“It’s actually just me right now.” Trivia says, readying themselves for disappointment but—

“Oh! Hi Trivia! Did you kill Luna?!” Phobos asks in excitement.

What the—

“How does that work! Did you stab him in your mind? Or did you think really bad things?! Or did you crash his side into something?!” Deimos adds in the same tone should be incredibly concerning.

“No, Luna just… needed a break.” They say, two which the two moons nod in surprisingly mature understanding.

“That makes sense, with everything.”

“Yeah, craaaaazy stuff.”

Right, because these two were there as well.

“It’s just a lot of process for him I think,” Trivia explains as they approach the asteroid belt,

“Mars being mean? Yeah, it was a lot for us to process too.” The smaller of the two says which—

Not exactly the main issue here.

“More about the whole ‘we are born of a collision of another planet into Earth’ thing.” They say, knowing the Martian moons were there for that reveal.

“Oh, yeah! You guys are like us now! Why does that make Luna sad?” Deimos asks, only for his bigger twin to shoot him a glare.

“Probably because a planet died, Deimos!”

“I don’t remember another planet!”

“You were alive yet, stupid!”

“Well neither were you, stupid-er!”

Trivia cuts them off before this can go any longer, because no thank you. Sure, their relationship with the Martian moons has improved since the whole “they abandoned them when Trivia was asking for help to stop Luna from crashing into the Earth” due to moon club meetings and the glances they would give each other while Luna and Titan were… “talking” (plus the whole, being constantly ignored by others and left out of conversation thing.) But they’re still annoying.

“What do you mean ‘like us?’” Trivia asks, getting fixated on that specific detail.

“Well, Titan mentioned how we probably aren’t captured asteroids, but made from after something hit Mars, remember?” Phobos asks and… sorta? That was right after Luna asked Trivia— or “Dark” at the time— to threaten Titan. Before the revolution. A lot was happening back then.

“We remembered and asked Mars! Who… still doesn’t remember.” Deimos explained. “But says that fits well with his memories from before and after!”

Huh…

“So, you don’t know what crashed into Mars?”

“Nope!” Deimos said, “Maybe it was a planet like you guys were!”

“I think people would remember a fifth planet.” Phobos says, only for Deimos to immediately dispute him.

“Nobody remembered Theia!”

“No! Mars and Venus remembered! They just didn’t talk about it.”

“But we asked! And Mars said he didn’t know.”

“People can lie, Deimos.”

“Are you saying our planet lied?!” Deimos shouts, pushing against his brother. 

“No!”

“Yes, you are!”

“No, I’m not!”

“Yes, you ar-“

“Hey guys.” A new but familiar voice says, coming from the opposite direction, making Trivia stop far too suddenly. “How’s it going, Trivia? I heard Venus finally woke up.”

Titan.

“Yeah, finally. What’s the plan for today?” Trivia asks, choosing to let gravity guide them towards the larger moon. Because any small movement will probably make them crash into Titan's surface and no thank you, if anyone is going to be crashing into Titan's surface it's going to be Luna.

“I wanted to maybe talk about ways to get Ganymede and Europa back, maybe recruiting planets… but then after that moons can just hang out.”

“Sounds good.” They say, before finally acknowledging the searching glance Titan keeps giving them. “You can ask, you know?”

“Ask what?” He asks, jerking back and flushing a bit that proves to Trivia that they are correct on their assumption that Titan was wondering about—

“Luna. You can ask.”

“I don’t want to be rude though. I’m happy you’re here.”

Yeah, yeah, whatever loverboy.

“But you’re also worried about Luna, so ask. ” They repeat, now not planning to give the answer unless the other moon does exactly that.

“…where is he? Is he okay?”

Those are both… questions.

Truth? Depressed and not okay.

And they know of anyone Titan would not judge Luna for the circumstances of their formation. But Luna…

Luna cares about Titan. Cares about what he thinks. And if someone should be talking to Titan about this it should be him.

“He’s just resting.” They say, not technically lying. “He’s been in control for so long and needed a break after everything.”

The searching glance Titan gives them shows that he knows it’s not the full truth, but rather than pushing he just nods. “Okay then, let him know I’m there for him? And I care about him?”

Gross, these two are gonna make Trivia barf.

“Yeah, yeah.” They say, rolling their eyes because their not a love messenger. “But I’m sure it would be better for him to hear that coming from you.”

There’s another flush, Titan’s clouds shifting quickly above his surface to further show how much of a simp he is. Then there’s a bit of stuttering before… 

“W-well I can’t! Can I? If Luna’s not around I can’t talk to him. So could you tell him for me? Please.”

Ugh, fine. Whatever.

They nod, and the grin Titan sends back makes this whole mess almost worth it.

But still, now more than ever they wish Luna was around to hear Titan. To hear that someone does worry about him. Does care. Or that Titan could tell Luna himself.

…maybe he can.

It’s during the meeting than another thought hits Trivia.

Triton.

Triton.

A lot of the moon club know Triton’s story. Know how he was a dwarf planet that was captured by Neptune. Know that it was something that Neptune apparently didn’t like to talk about. Know that Triton only revealed it to the younger Neptunian moons recently.

And know that they still love him. And, as much as Triton may deny it, see him as a big brother. 

Triton’s origins are… unique. His existence and origins differ from a lot of the moons. But orbiting Neptune he doesn’t fall in line with what a “dwarf planet” is either, not anymore.

But he still hangs out with both the moons and the dwarf planets. Still goes to moon club meetings and is friends with moons. Goes to those nerdy dwarf planet games and is friends with the dwarf planets.

Would it be too much to think Triton may have some insight on this? Something to help Luna that Trivia is missing?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But before they move forward they need to talk to one more person.

Luna.

Chapter Text

“Luna? Luna, wake up.”

It takes a minute for Luna to realize where he is. That he’s not in control of their body and being talked to outside of it but rather…

He’s in his mind. He fell asleep in his mind. And next to him is–

Earth. Collision. Theia.

Trivia.

Trivia’s appearance has changed a lot since the moon revolution. Rather than the dark, edgy gremlin hood they were wearing before, they’ve changed into dark, edgy people-like clothes. 

And that’s not the only change. The way Trivia carries themselves has changed so much since they started talking to the others. Since Titan thought to ask about a moon he’d only met once who Luna had threaten him.

Trivia isn’t alone anymore. And they never should have been.

(You just hurt people. You never should have existed. If it weren’t for you Trivia would have a planet. Would have always had friends.)

(It would have been better if the collision hadn’t happened. Maybe then Earth would only have come to have one moon. And it could have been Trivia.)

(You couldn’t help him when he was hurting or when the dinosaurs were wiped out or when he was heading towards the Sun. )

(You can’t even help with anything.)

“Luna?” Their twin asks again, and Luna just turns his metaphysical head to look at the moon.

Who he now notices looks… concerned?

“What’s wrong T?” Because fear is now filling him up as he wonders how things can possibly get worse. Is the Earth in trouble again? Did something happen to one of the rocky planets? Are the moons having problems? Is the Sun having another rampage? 

Is there even more to the story that nobody told him? Did there used to be even more planets that are now nothing more than traumatic backstories?

The other’s face tightens up for a moment, making Luna even more scared until…

“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me Luna?” They say in an oddly soft tone, sitting on Luna’s bed with him, placing them shoulder to shoulder.

And Luna freezes.

Because he should be fine. Nothing should be wrong. This stuff happened four billion years ago. He never even knew Theia! He never would (or maybe he does because he’s supposed to be her? Or Trivia is? Or–) He has no right to be so broken up about this. Mars and Venus have an excuse. Earth does too. But him? No. Besides, it’s not like anything has changed. 

Not really.

Besides, Trivia seems fine. Then again, they’ve always said Luna was the emotional one. Clearly they were right.

Except the Trivia before them doesn’t seem like the gruff moon who loves to make pointed remarks. Instead they seem… different.

Worried.

Luna made Trivia worried.

Stars, he is the worst brother ever. He’s made out of the remains of their older brother and one of his friends. And then abandoned that brother and nearly couldn’t stop him from killing himself. And then his other sibling he treated as a tool, neglected, kept isolated, and now is making them worry.

Luna can deal with Trivia’s resentment. With the jabs, he always could. Because it made sense. Made sense with their dynamic. But Trivia caring so clearly? No. No, because Trivia hides their care in blunt, sarcastic statements. And Luna deserves their ire. Both because of how he treated the moon in the past and because of the fact Luna is even surprised that Trivia shows they care, because he knows Trivia isn’t a monster. 

But maybe Luna is, because he’s made the other worried.

(Why can’t he just go back to sleep? Not have to deal or think about this. But maybe that makes him terrible too, because then he’s leaving everyone to deal with the problems. But maybe if he were gone there wouldn’t be as many problems.)

“...Luna?” The uncharacteristically soft voice asks again, and Luna doesn’t break (he can't, he's been broken for far too long already).

He crumbles.

Crumbles into a pile of dust. Crumbles like something that has been shattered for far too long, but is only now allowing gravity to do its work. Crumbling like–

Like Theia surely did when she hit Ear– Terra.

He crumbles. He sobs. But a pair of arms are there to catch him. Arms that are remarkably strong and a bit chilly (Trivia must be facing away from the Sun right now, guess they’re in that period where they really are the “dark side of the moon.”)

And despite the fact this is only the second time they’ve ever hugged. (His fault. It’s his fault. Because he pushed Trivia away.) It feels like pieces clicking together. Like he’s coming home.

The surprise is still there, as it was the first time Trivia hugged him because they’ve never really done this before. But it’s less there. His mind isn’t buzzing as much as it was during The Conversation. Instead he sinks into it. Exhausted and resigned but also just needing it.

(Maybe it’s just the remains of Theia happy to be is harmony for once–)

It’s amazing. How much things have changed. Luna is just sitting on his made-up bed in his made-up room being held by some he very real-ly hurt.

The idea of being wrapped in the arms of his other half would have been unimaginable a year ago. Stars, the two rarely crossed the wall into the other’s mindspace before then. And if anyone did it was Luna. Mostly to wake Trivia up for something or other (which the other would shout at him for before reluctantly doing what Luna asked and then going back to sleep.)

(Trivia used to sleep a lot. And they don’t as much anymore. Was it because before now they didn’t have anything to be awake for?)

But now Trivia was on his side, without any prompting, holding him as he just broke down in their arms.

“V-Vi–” He tries to stutter out, only for the other to quickly shush him and hug him tighter. Rocking back and forth in a way that reminded Luna of their astral body’s axial tilt (which… 6 degrees isn’t a lot all things considered compared to the Earth’s, or stars even Uranus and Venus but still–)

“It’s okay. You don’t need to. Just take your time.” They whisper, making Luna wonder how Trivia could have ever questioned that they were kind.

Luna takes their words in though, and relaxes even more into them. And they just stay like that for a while, rocking back and forth with cool hands streaking through Luna’s metaphysical hair until…

“Trivia?” He whispers, voice rough in a way that clearly showed he’d been crying, as he pulls away from his sibling.

“Yeah, Luna?” They whisper back, hand running through his (likely incredibly messy) hair before slowly separating as well.

He doesn’t deserve this. He doesn’t deserve this. He shouldn’t be here. He doesn’t deserve this!

“Why are you here?” He asks, and then immediately regrets it because he sounds so ungrateful and why would he say that and he’s the worst and Trivia was trying to help him and he had to throw it back in their face and–

Trivia’s dark eyes just stare back at him though, concern flickering through them again that makes Luna hurt before being replaced with something more familiar. Confidence. Conviction.

“She was kind. And energetic. And confident. Was always the first to call Ares out on his bullshit. The first one to encourage someone when they needed it.”

Luna is already scared of what they’re going to say, and that feeling only is affirmed when Trivia opens their mouth and–

“You aren’t okay.”

…fuck.

Trivia invited people to their mindspace.

Trivia invited people to their mindspace.

Luna would have thought he talked the other into it if it weren’t for the fact he had been unconscious during that time. Because what the fuck?

Trivia never let people into their mindspace. Stars, they barely tolerated Luna going in there! And they shared a body!

Most people Luna knows only let an Earthling handful of people into their mindspace at a time. He knows all the rocky planets connect theirs to hang out sometimes. He knows Phobos and Deimos regularly play in each other’s and in Mars’. He knows the Galilean moons used to meet up in theirs (at least… they did before Ganymede and Europa got ban–)

Luna has even spent time with Titan (and Phobos and Deimos) in their shared mindspace before, but those events were always accompanied with Trivia’s laughs over how “whipped” he is.

A mind is something so precious. So personal. You don’t offer to open yours up to anyone. And he knows it’s something too vulnerable for some. And Trivia has always been one such person. So for them to do this–

“Are you sure?” He asks, pulling back on the other’s hand, them guiding Luna towards the wall separating their minds after Trivia briefly left and returned, bringing over those that they invited to their own space before going back to Luna’s.

The amount of care that went into it simultaneously warms Luna and adds to his guilt because he doesn’t deserve this.

Trivia didn’t bring people over to Luna’s mindspace or even have them enter their mind at all without asking first. And when they did they proceeded to keep them on Trivia’s side of the wall, likely understanding the need for quiet and privacy.

And they say they aren’t kind–

Sure, Luna would ask the few times he brought Titan and the others over, but it’s weird to see the same courtesy extended to him.

(Probably because Trivia has never had the chance to extend the courtesy. Because they’ve never invited anyone over before. Because Luna is always the one in control, not letting them talk to anyone.)

“Are you?” The darker dressed of the two asks, looking back at him.

Part of Luna wants to say no. That he would rather hide away longer. That the idea of talking to anyone. Of someone having to perceive him after knowing what he knows sounding absolutely exhausting. He wants to go back to his bed and sleep until he can forget. Forget everything.

But…

But he also doesn’t want to be alone. Even if it’s what he deserves. As much as the idea of looking Titan in the eyes terrifies him– the idea that those beautiful, teal eyes could become filled with disgust or hatred or something worse … the idea of never seeing Titan again would kill him.

And the others! It would be awful to never see the others too! Phobos and Deimos and Titan and Io and Callisto and Titan…

Stop thinking about Titan.

But that becomes incredibly hard when Luna walks through the hole between the wall meant to separate their minds and sees sea green hair in a braid with orange streaks. Tan skin with gold scales going up the neck. Olive green jacket with the familiar symbol of a certain ringed planet printed on the chest. The same symbol that is hanging on a golden necklace on the figure.

Titan.

The shock of seeing the other causes Luna’s mind to freeze for a moment as his heart races in his chest. 

“Hey, Luna.” He softly speaks, a compassionate smile on his face that makes Luna want to simultaneously run to him and find the nearest mind-cliff and jump off of it.

WHY IS HE LIKE THIS????

The distraction of the larger moon and Luna’s immediate emotional turmoil causes him to not immediately notice the other figure in the room, one that Luna has never specifically seen in this form before but looks familiar.

A bit shorter than Luna. Pale. Goatee. Bomber jacket. Beanie with the symbol of a trident on it.

Sunglasses.

If the sunglasses didn’t give it away, the beanie definitely did. All moons seem to carry the symbol of their planet somewhere on their person when in their mind space. Titan’s necklace that all of Saturn’s moons seem to have. Luna’s bracelet. Trivia’s… well, Luna never really sees Trivia’s but he assumes the moon has a bracelet too. 

The beanie makes sense, given how cold Neptune’s orbit is, and Luna wouldn’t be surprised if all the other Neptunian moons had beanies too. Especially since they looked handcrafted and Neptune has never been described as one for favorites…

But the figure’s size. All of Neptune’s other moons are much smaller, still bigger than Phobos and Deimos but not by much. If they were in the mindspace Luna would think they’d be much shorter (even if there definitely a buffer on the size differences in their metaphysical forms compared to their physical ones…)

Plus, Triton is the only moon of Neptune that Trivia is particularly close to. 

Still… why is he here?

“Triton?” He asks, although he’s already pretty certain of the other’s identity. 

Still, it’s all but confirmed when the shorter figure gives a nod towards Luna.

“Hey, kid.”

Kid is relative because Luna is over 4 billion years old (over four billion years old, similar to the rocky planets are… how long did Theia really get to live before she died…) but it is Triton so…

“Hey.” He waves back as the taller of the two figures approach.

“How are you doing? Trivia wouldn’t tell me much but… are you okay?”

Titan.

He wants to run into the other’s arms and say no, no he isn’t okay. No, it feels like everything is falling apart and he feels too much and also nothing at the same time. 

He doesn’t seem to need to say that though, because the glance Titan gives him is enough. He knows.

Titan always knows. Titan has always been able to see Luna. In a way no other person he’s met does. He may have a joint mind with Trivia, he may have orbited the Earth for billions of years, but Titan? A moon Luna only met this year ? Titan sees him.

“You’re here.” He whispers, words getting choked as he pushes them out. Stars, he can’t cry again, can he?

“I am.” The other nods, close enough that Luna can now see the slits in the other’s eyes. Serpentine. Like he’s sure the other moons of Saturn are too…

But even then, none of them could compare to Titan. Not because of his atmosphere or because he’s Saturn’s biggest moon, or Saturn’s favorite moon, but because he’s Titan.

Titan’s cool hands grasp Luna’s shoulders, and the taller of the two leans down so they can press their foreheads against each other for a bit.

The cold helps, Titan’s cold temperature from his cooler surface leaching heat from Luna’s warmer skin. It draws him back into the moment, back to Titan.

Titan and…

He slowly looks past the larger moon to see Trivia now off to the side, smug look on this face as they sit with Neptune’s largest moon, who seems to be trying to look at anything else.

Titan seems to pull his head to glance in that direction too, seeing the quiet figures off to the side. 

“Right. They want to talk to you.”

Well…

“Aren’t you here to talk to me, too?” Luna asks, immediately reverting it because that sounds so needy.

Titan just shakes his head though. “Not really, not unless you want me to. I was just— I wanted to see you. Wanted to check in. Wanted to be there for you. I- I missed you.”

Stars above, Titan doesn’t even know about Theia yet, and Luna’s discovery has already hurt him. He never meant to worry him, Titan has so many more important things to deal with.

“Don’t go feeling guilty. I care about you. I want you to be okay. I- you’re always a priority to me, Luna.”

How? How does he always know exactly what to say? How does Luna even respond to that? How—

“I care about you too.” He whispers back lamely, not even able to verbalize how much this means to him. How Titan makes him feel.

“Hey lovebirds! You guys coming?!” He hears Trivia ask, and Luna is both thankful and mortified for the other’s interruption. 

Hopefully Titan just ignores that “lovebird” part…

Luna’s hopes seem to be in vain though, if the growing red color on Titan’s face is any indicator.

Trivia…

Part of them wants to strangle their other half, but also…

But also this teasing is one of the most normal things Luna has felt in a while.

He sends a glare towards the other as he rushes towards the area Luna and Triton are now sitting at. A crater, likely similar to one of Trivia’s surface (although it’s not like Luna has ever gotten a chance to see their surface.)

Sitting down across from them, Luna notices other details of Triton’s form. The artificial light of Trivia’s mindspace hits his skin in ways that cause it to shimmer a bit, allowing Luna to see faint… scales? Pale white-silver patterns going up the other moon’s neck in a way similar to Titan’s but subtler. Less flashy in a way that matches what Luna knows about the other moon. 

Poking out from under the collar on Triton’s neck he can also see lines…

Gills. A part of Luna’s mind supplies, vocabulary from one of Earth’s info dumps about his Earthlings echoing in his mind.

“ It’s how creatures that live underwater breathe! Like fish! There are also some amphibians that have them too! It’s how they extract oxygen from the water so they can survive!”

It’s odd, because it’s not like there is any water in space or they even need to breathe but…

“I remember Jupiter was storms, Saturn had something to do with time, Uranus was sky (ironic since Neptune was the one with the fastest winds) and Neptune was sea.”

The information Mars had given them regarding the planet’s titles had previously slipped Luna’s mind, given the amount of other things that came out of that conversation. But… it made sense. If Mercury or Hermes or whatever was once the planet of speed and messages, maybe that’s why he had wings! And if Jupiter was the planet of storms maybe that’s why his moons have avian features! Although that wouldn’t explain why Saturn’s moons all had serpentine features since he was supposed to be the “planet of time” or whatever… was Saturn somehow connected to snakes–

But Neptune being connected to the sea, it makes sense why his moons would have fish-like features, even if Triton’s are a lot less noticeable than what he would expect from a Neptunian moon…

He wasn’t always a moon though, remember? Before this he was a dwarf planet.

Right, a dwarf planet…

Things suddenly make a lot more sense in Luna’s mind. Why Trivia invited Triton here, because even if the two were friends before then they didn’t seem that close. Why Triton’s relaxed posture has a bit more tenseness in it than usual…

Part of Luna wants to run, because even if Triton used to be a dwarf planet or whatever that doesn’t mean he understands what Luna is going through. How can he? It’s not like his existence is dependent on the deaths of someone else?

“I’m starting to get the sense you know why I’m here.” The smallest of the four says, glancing at Luna over the rims of his sunglasses (why does he have sunglasses? Isn’t Neptune’s orbit supposed to be really dark–)

Titan sits down next to Luna, positioning Luna between Trivia and Titan and across from Triton, before offering his hand in support.

Luna shakily takes it.

Breathe in, breathe out.

“I think so.” He nods, Titan squeezing his hand in response.

“Trivia didn’t give us any specifics.” The teal and gold moon softly explains. “Just that after finding Venus you learned something and have been having a rough time… we aren’t here to corner you. Or force you to talk. We just wanted to show that we care. I- Trivia thinks Triton might have some insight into whatever happened, and he’s willing to share if you want to listen.”

Oh.

“But if it gets too much we can leave.” He continues to explain, as the pressure in Luna’s chest lessens as his non-existent heart starts to warm. “You don’t have to explain or share anything if you don’t want to. Just… you’re not alone, okay Lu? And- and I can leave if you want. I don’t have to stay if you’d rather have this conversation with Triton privately. It won’t hurt my feelings or anything. I just… wanted to be there in case you needed– or wanted me to be.”

Stars above.

It’s times like this where it’s very hard for Luna to ignore the more-than-friendly feelings he has for Titan. Times where his mind resets and he feels that rush that he did when he first met Titan, or when Titan first called him by his name, or when Titan–

Okay, so Trivia definitely had a point. But the urge to tackle Titan is restrained by both the petty knowledge that he doesn’t want to prove Trivia correct right in front of them and the worry that…

What if Titan does like him back, will he still after he knows the truth? Will he be disgusted? If Titan likes him now, when he thinks he’s a normal moon, would doing something like kissing him take advantage of that fact?

He cares about Titan.

Cares so much.

And it’s for that reason he shuts those feelings down again, because above all he doesn’t want to hurt him. Or ruin anything. Or worse.

In another situation Luna may have crawled on top of Titan and kissed him. Might have run his hands through the soft, curly tendrils of green and gold hair falling out of the braid. Might have–

But here… now , he squeezes Titan’s hand back and gives a thankful, teary smile in his direction and pretends that’s enough. Enough to express the love and gratitude that is about to explode from his core.

He takes another breath. “Okay.”

Okay.

“You can stay. I…” maybe this is selfish but- “I want you to stay.”

There’s another squeeze of the hand that Titan is holding, followed by the larger moon shifting closer so their thighs are touching. If Luna leaned back a bit he would be able to rest his head on Titan’s shoulder.

Looking back to Trivia, he’s expecting the usual smug look on their face. That “haha I told you so”, but instead Trivia just has a soft smile. They look… happy.

Some of the stress that Luna has noticed in the other moon’s eyes since The Conversation is gone.

Wow, have they really been that worried about me?

Trivia’s dark eyes meet Luna’s pale ones, and without even hearing each other‘s thoughts they both know the other noticed the slip in Trivia’s mask. Some of the softness is brushed away by a roll of Trivia’s eyes, before they turn to the other guest.

“Right.” The Neptunian moon says with an awkward cough, and Luna feels a bit bad for subjecting him to all this drama. Surely he’d rather be doing something else… but instead he’s here. Visiting Luna in their twin’s mindspace. They weren’t even that close. “You want me to speak, Luna? Cause I don’t wanna go around trauma dumping or anything. Even if Trivia thinks you might be able to relate a bit.”

Well…

“It’s better than talking about what’s going on with me…” Gives him something to think about too, because truthfully he doesn’t know all too much about Triton’s origins beyond the basics (which is still more than what he knew about his own origins until recently…)

"Alright, you guys all know that I wasn’t always Neptune’s moon.” He starts, everyone nodding in response. Luna remembers that brief lore dump Triton gave during the moon revolution, it’s not usually the topic of discussion at moon club meetings, but it’s not a secret. “I used to be a dwarf planet, orbiting in the Kuiper Belt until I got caught in Neptune’s gravity.”

Yes, Luna knows this, although he doesn’t know how Trivia thinks it’s supposed to help.

“I… I kind of always knew, or guessed I suppose. My memories are… weird. And I’m clearly not like the rest of Neptune’s moons. Proteus is the next largest and all things considered he’s still pretty small. And my retrograde orbit… I’m the only major moon, the only spherical moon with a retrograde orbit.”

“That’s what a ‘regular moon’ is. A moon with a regular orbit, meaning it’s not retrograde or hugely elliptical. Moons with such orbits are usually captured objects. While moons with regular orbits like us were likely formed near our orbit.”

Huh, so Triton is a major moon but not a regular moon. That must make him the largest irregular moon in the solar system…

It’s kind of interesting that such irregularly shaped moons like Phobos and Deimos can be “regular moons” while Triton is technically an “irregular moon,” at least by this definition.

Although it makes sense, considering Titan said irregular moons are usually thought to be captured objects…

“We never talked about it.” He continues to say, “I didn’t want the little ones to know. I guess I worried they would treat me differently or be scared or something. And Neptune… back then it was difficult to talk to Neptune about things, and that’s when he was around. So… I kind of just guessed what happened for billions of years, trying to fill in the gaps that my shitty memory failed to– stars, you’d think Neptune’s memory problems are contagious with everything I’m saying.”

Ha, definitely seems that way. Although the more Luna learned about others in the solar system, the more it seemed that memory problems weren’t a Neptune-specific issue.

“Not knowing… I assumed the worst. Put the pieces I had together in a bad way… I started to think Neptune captured by maliciously–”

What? But… Neptune–

“–I know what you’re thinking. ‘Neptune? Malicious?’ But I didn’t have many memories of Neptune before he went crazy… and he’s a big planet. He could have been totally different before then– it’s hard to read him. Even after billions of years with him– the empty joy to random moments of awareness and wisdom… it was easy to think he was just pretending, to make him some kind of villain.”

It… it makes logical sense, all things considered. But also hard to imagine.

Wait– is he trying to make a point about jumping to conclusions? Because this is different! He didn’t know anything before! Now he does!

“I distanced myself from Neptune, from the little moons… even if we all know they don’t deserve that. Neptune? The little ones? They’re some of the most innocent and non-malicious and kind people I know. I’m just lucky they never took it personally.”

That’s hard to imagine too, Triton separating himself from the other Neptunian moons. Because despite the major difference in maturity (or maybe because of it) Triton is nearly always with them. Sure, sometimes all the younger moons will play a game while the older one talks, but even then, sometimes Triton is one of the moons that watches them. The little ones clearly adore Triton, calling him “big brother” more often than not. And despite the larger moon’s occasional sighs and complaints, it doesn’t seem like he’s beating the big brother allegations any time soon.

That begs the question…

“What changed?”

“The moon revolution.”

Wow. Yeah, the moon revolution was a catalyst for a lot of stuff… although he doesn’t see how necessarily it would have—

“Callisto and Io went to the Kuiper Belt to recruit us. They ran into me first and pitched the idea. I wasn’t too interested at first—“

“Why?” Titan asks from Luna’s side, speaking for the first time since Triton has begun his story that Luna almost forgot he was there. (Almost, because it’s still Titan.) “Sorry!” He adds as the moon stops to look at him with confusion, “I didn’t mean to interrupt! Just… why wouldn’t the revolution interest you? If you resented your planet?”

Triton doesn’t look offended at the interruption though, he just sighs. 

“I didn’t resent Neptune because of any of those moon/planet problems you guys were having. You’ve heard from the little ones, all things considered Neptune always treated us really well, when he was around that is. None of that name-forgetting or bossing us around or demeaning us like I’ve heard from moons of other planets. I didn’t resent him because of anything he was currently doing to us… I resented him because of what I thought he did. Me being a ‘captured dwarf planet’... going from dwarf planet to moon wasn’t the problem, those are just labels and all. The problem was the ‘captured’ bit. That idea that Neptune had taken my life from me… imprisoned me in this one.”

Huh…

“I always liked to do my own thing too. And I mean– even as Neptune’s moon then I was relatively free… beyond the kids of course. Joining a revolution? Something organized like that had a huge chance to fail, especially when people aren’t fighting for the right reasons. Stars, even when it is for the ‘right reason’ people still lose focus.”

Luna worries for a second how Titan is going to respond, worried he might go back to being defensive on his part of the moon revolution, blame Ganymede and Europa for everything, but instead…

“That’s actually pretty smart.”

Character growth!

“You definitely thought of the consequences much more than I had,” Titan continues. “But if you were against joining then… why did you change your mind? Especially if the rest of Neptune’s moons didn’t have any problems with your planet?”

That’s… a good question. Sure, Triton can be a pushover for the younger moons (as much as he tries to deny it), so if they had wanted to join the revolution Triton would have gone with them to supervise but… why would they even be interested in that?

“Ha…” Triton says in a voice that has distinctive traces of guilt. “It may have been pitched to me that getting the others to join the revolution would give me the chance to… relieve myself of them.”

What–

“It was selfish! I know! I resented them back then too though! Even if they never did anything wrong! I was… scared. I thought I wanted to be alone. I wanted to… relieve myself of all my attachments, so when I heard that–”

Probably from Callisto, if Luna had to guess, although Triton seems focused on not dropping any names as if to protect her from any backlash. Because it doesn’t seem like an argument Io would make. Callisto and Triton definitely seemed close, understood each other well. She would be the one to see what he wants and make him an offer that was mutually beneficial.

“— it seemed like a better option! Plus, it wasn’t like the little ones would be left alone, there were a lot of other moons that could take care of them! Moons that didn’t resent them or lie to them. And planets too if the ‘revolution’ worked out in some way.”

“It makes sense, Triton.” Trivia nods from between Luna and Triton. “You cared for them mostly alone for billions of years. You weren’t wrong to feel exhausted or want a break. You shouldn’t have had to do that.”

Why does that sound familiar—

“It’s not like it’s Neptune’s fault!” Luna exclaimed, echoes of Trivia saying similar things regarding the Earth circling his mind. “He couldn’t help going crazy— or lost or whatever.” Because even if he didn’t know the blue planet well, from what he’s heard the neglect wasn’t in any way intentional, he probably forgot he had moons.

And that’s because of some extreme case of trauma-induced amnesia— something that seems to be becoming more and more common as Luna learns more about the solar system. Neptune is likely an extreme case of what happened to Earth, and Mercury, and possibly Saturn considering he apparently didn’t know where his rings came from.

Except from Earth’s accounts from Uranus it’s because of prolonged loneliness and isolation, rather than a single traumatic event…

Maybe something did happen to Neptune, so far out in his orbit, but nobody noticed. Stars, that sounds terrifying. Something bad happening to you and nobody knowing, even yourself.

Going around without knowing you’re being followed by ghosts, that the body you’re wearing used to be someone else’s skeleton.

But Ceres in the asteroid belt also points to isolation making someone bonkers. The fact they’re the only dwarf planet in there, the only one in the inner solar system, and nobody noticed…

(If that’s the case then why isn’t Trivia bonkers too? You left forced them to be isolated, didn’t you?)

Someone should really do a study regarding the psyche of astral bodies. Luna would ask Astrodude if the Earthlings have done any research but…

Right. Earthlings don’t think they’re sentient (although Luna doesn’t know how they explain away things like the Earth losing its moon, or the Earth moving to Mars’ orbit, or all the moons of the solar system suddenly going to the asteroid belt, or Mars and Venus’ injuries, or Venus disappearing, or planets leaving their orbits or Earth heading towards the Sun- okay, maybe they just choose to be ignorant, to not think too much about it. That’s probably better for them to be honest.)

“I’m not saying it is!” Trivia argues back, “But I am saying that it’s a crap situation that Triton shouldn’t have had to deal with!”

“Whatever.” Triton says, cutting between them. “You’re right. You’re both right. Whatever. But even if I was in the right… I shouldn’t have tried to pawn them off to some revolution I didn’t even have confidence in. I shouldn’t have gotten the kids involved with something that ended up getting violent and ended up injuring large, astral bodies. They could have gotten hurt… or killed.”

Oh…

Yeah, the moon revolution- it could have ended a lot worse than it did. It’s amazing that nobody was killed. If someone had… not only would that be a tragedy on its own but Luna’s also sure the trial wouldn’t have ended with the banishment of only two moons.

So many people could have gotten hurt. People who never should have been a part of it. The little moons… stars, Mars and Venus did get hurt.

It enrages Luna just to think about it, but he knows he needs to calm down. Getting upset about something that has already happened and been dealt with won’t change anything.

“Anyways.” The ex-dwarf planet says, pushing forwards, although Luna does think this should maybe be discussed more at some point. “After the revolution we went back to Neptune’s orbit, joined with Pluto and Charon.”

Pluto and Charon. It was really weird to see them during the moon revolution. Their sudden appearance definitely turned the tide and saved the Earth. Especially since the last time Luna caught sight of them before that was when Earth delivered the news (rather insensitively) to Pluto about his “demotion.”

Demotion. Because somehow being something other than a planet makes someone lesser than.

“Talking to Pluto… he noticed the similarities between us, knew what I was. He told me the dwarf planets had a group of sorts in the Kuiper Belt, then he and Charon went back while I stayed.”

Oh, that’s the dwarf planet club Luna has heard Triton mention (a club that now includes Ceres somehow? (Honestly, that’s probably for the best, Ceres probably needs friends.))

“After that… after that I started to have more dreams of what happened. More fragments of memories slipping into place. But it was still hard to remember and Neptune always acted like nothing was wrong so I asked and—“

And Triton just trails off, going quiet for a moment, and Luna doesn’t want to push too much but…

“…and?” He softly asks, leaving room for Triton to not divulge any further if he didn’t want. Because this was a lot.

“And he told me he didn’t remember.” Triton explains in a low voice. “I didn’t believe him at first and then I got angry and then left.”

“Didn’t believe him? But doesn’t Neptune not remember a lot?”

Stars, why is he questioning Triton? Triton is trying to tell a story to help him and Luna is here questioning his choices, likely making him feel bad.

Triton doesn’t look offended though.

“Neptune knows more than he lets on.” He further explains which… huh. Given how Neptune was when he was in Jupiter’s orbit that does make some sense but still… “Don’t get me wrong,” the moon continues to say. “His memory is horrible but… but I think he finds it easier sometimes to smile. To play the fool than deal with his own issues.”

Oh…

The Earth is kind of similar in that way, Luna realizes. He was always more comfortable putting on a confident, shiny facade than talk about what he was really feeling. But it just led to others getting hurt and pushed away. Does Neptune also-

“Plus,” Triton continues, breaking Luna’s train of thought regarding the connections between their respective blue planets. “Even if he does forget a lot , he doesn’t forget his moons.”

But…

“Sorry just… didn’t he forget he had moons?” Titan asks from Luna’s side, their shoulders now pressing against each other.

“He did…” Triton explains quietly, voice a bit quiet and sad as he speaks of his planet. “He forgot he had anyone… But he always knew our names. Always knows our radii and surface features and chemical composition and orbital radius and orbital speed and favorite fucking color.”

Wow… Luna’s not even sure Earth knew all that.

He doesn’t even know he sort of has more than one moon.

(Whose fault is that though?)

“It just seemed odd that the only thing he would forget was our origins.” The moon finishes, and to be fair Luna can see his point. If Neptune has so much knowledge regarding his moons, why would it end at their origins?

Although, if it was traumatic… it’s not like the Earth knew about Luna’s origins either.

But something about what Triton said is-

“Our ?” Titan asks, catching the detail that had started to ring in Luna’s mind too. Although that could just be an error in speech… “But… you were the only captured one, right?”

“Even if I am…” Triton says, now noticeably tensed up from the question of his fellow moons’ origins. “The rest of the moons are too irregular, have such different shapes and sizes and orbits and spreads to have all been formed purely due to Neptune’s gravity.”

But… there are a lot of irregularly shaped moons with eccentric orbits… right?

“But whenever the little ones asked he gave them the same story of things from his formation coalescing to form bigger things. The basic moon creation story. Like yours, Titan.” He finishes, nodding towards the tallest of the four.

“Wow, so I’m basic now?” Titan jokingly huffs, bringing some light back to the situation. “Thanks.”

On the other side of Luna is a snort.

“As if you weren’t already basic.” Trivia loudly whispers causing Luna to sharply elbow them as Titan makes an affronted noise.

“Wh- Trivia!” Titan stumbles to say as Luna’s twin lets out an indignant squawk at Luna’s physical chastising.

“Why are you hitting me? I’m right!”

“You are not!” Luna fires back, because the idea that Titan of all moons could be basic?! What does that even mean?!

“Umm…”

Right, they were actually talking about something important.

“So, you left?” Luna asks, trying to remember where Triton left off before Trivia’s unnecessary interruption.

“I did.” The moon nods, “I went to the Kuiper Belt searching for the dwarf planets and found them.”

Huh, that must have been cool. Luna doesn’t even really know how many dwarf planets there are or what they’re like. Obviously, there’s Pluto. And Ceres. Then there was another one, right? A female one? And one the Earthlings called the “Easter Bunny” (whatever that means)?

An Easter Bunny, an asteroid-wielding maniac, and an ex-planet. This group is already off to an interesting start, and that’s without including the captured dwarf planet/current-moon with fifteen adopted siblings.

“They were… interesting. It was nice to talk to them honestly. We hung out for a bit but… more of my memories started to come back the longer I spent in the Kuiper Belt and then… then it all just hit me.”

Oh.

“I went back to Neptune immediately and we talked. I apologized. He apologized. It was… rough. I never really see Neptune like that— but… we definitely understand each other better now.”

Of course, talking.

Neptune and Triton fixed their problems by talking.

Because talking fixes the fact that Luna is only alive because a rocky planet died.

Talking fixes the fact that Earth is stuck with him. A useless, unhelpful moon, when he could have had a planetary neighbor.

Stars, Theia could have eventually had the capacity for life. Venus did at some point apparently. So did Mars. If she had the chance maybe…

Talking fixes the fact that Luna thought that maybe he was friends with the rocky planets, when they likely only ever saw him as a ghost.

Talking fixes the fact that this was kept from him for over four billion years. That nobody thought to tell him.

“You don’t understand.” Luna whispers standing up as he pulls away from Titan’s faint hold. Because he understands where Trivia was coming from. He understands how Trivia wants to help but…

“Luna, listen-“ the other side of the Earth’s Moon tries to say, standing up next to Luna so they’re eye to eye. But stars, Luna just needs them to listen.

“None of you understand.” Luna says, looking from Trivia to the still seated Titan and Triton, who both just look confused and awkward. “And I don’t get it T, I don’t get how you can be so… unbothered by all of this! How it isn’t affecting you?!”

Because how can Trivia expect him to just talk and move on. How can they think all of this is okay?

“Luna, I’m not saying it isn’t horrible because it is.” The other says, moving closer to Luna and reaching out towards him. “But at the end of the day it already happened. There’s nothing we can do to change that. Beating yourself up about it and feeling guilty will only hurt you. It isn’t worth it.”

Isn’t worth—

“THEIA DIED, TRIVIA!” Luna shouts, suddenly exploding as he pushes the moon away, because he’s just so mad and angry and tired and— “A rocky planet died. To form us. We wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the fact she and the Earth collided! We are made of her remains! And she isn’t just some hypothetical planet or foreign concept! She was their friend. Mars and Venus remember her. They got upset talking about her. ”

“I get that! I get—“

“Do you?! Because I don’t think you get what that means! Why would you? It’s not like you like the Earth! Or any of the rocky planets! This is just unnecessary drama to you! Why would you even care?!”

“Guys…” Luna can faintly hear Titan say, but Luna refuses to look at the larger moon. Refuses to see whatever look is now on his face now that he knows. Besides, Trivia is yelling back now.

“I care because it hurts you! It affects you! Luna—“

“I thought you’d be happy! Spending time in control without the Earth bothering you! You’re getting everything you ever wanted! Stars, the whole Theia thing is probably hilarious to you considering all the times you talked about crashing into the Earth.”

“Guys…” Someone else is standing up now, but Luna refuses to acknowledge it, focused on their twin who is now glaring back at them as the yell back and forth in their mindspace. 

“That was a joke! Besides, I’m the one who tried to stop you from crashing into him when you fell asleep! ”

“Right, because you’re all talk and no bite, right? Can threaten people. Can talk all big and say you’ll do stuff, but in the end? I’m the one who does everything!”

“You do everything because you never give up control! You don’t rest!”

“I don’t rest because when I do bad things happen! Like the near collision! Like the dinosaurs!”

And suddenly all the anger in Trivia’s face just vanishes, them now frozen as they stare back at him in horror. And Luna doesn’t get it— dinosaurs are always a sore topic for the Earth, but Trivia? Why would they even care?

“We were never supposed to exist, Trivia.” Luna states mournfully, fire leaving his core as he voices the painful truth he’s come to understand.

But what Trivia responds with turns the receding fire into knives because…

“So? What does that change for me? You didn’t think I was supposed to exist before this.”

No.

No.

No, he never thought—  

“Guys…” Titan softly says again, moving between the two of them, putting one arm on each of them as Luna just looks away. 

Because how can he look at Trivia after what they just said? How can they look at Trivia after Luna shouted at them when they were only trying to help?

And then there’s Titan and Triton… they know now. Know because Luna angrily announced it after everyone was just trying to help.

“Luna, you’re one of the best astral bodies I know. If you’re awful what does that make the rest of us?”

Sure. One of the “best”… he’s sure Titan regrets saying that now. How couldn’t he after what he must have heard? After Luna just exploded at someone who was only worried about him? After Luna yelled about–

“We weren’t the first set of moons Neptune had.” Luna hears Triton say as the shorter moon also stands from his seated position on the ground.

“What?” Luna whispers, because he doesn’t even understand what Triton is talking about.

Looking towards the ex-dwarf planet he seems noticeably uncomfortable. His arms are crossed tightly around his body as if he’s trying to simulate a hug (or many many smaller bodies hugging him). He doesn’t say anything further though, and Luna is almost ready to write it off as an auditory trick when…

“There was a system of different moons forming around Neptune a long time ago. A system probably more like Uranus’. There were at least two major moons being formed, and I’m sure over time the system would have looked even more similar to the other giants. A group of moons with relatively normal orbits, a bunch of small moons with several larger ones grouped in.”

“What do you mean by normal orbits? You said that before… how different are you guys?” Titan asks from behind Luna, although Luna still refuses to look at the other. “I mean… beyond you being the only major moon with a retrograde orbit, and being so much larger than the rest, what other differences are there?”

“Titan, Saturn has a lot of moons. The most amount of moons of any planet in the solar system, do you know how far the outermost one orbits?”

“Uhh… S8353a I think, with an orbital radius of about 26 million kilometers from Saturn.”

“Yeah, 26 million kilometers from Saturn. Jupiter’s furthest out moon Autonoe has an orbital radius of about 23 million kilometers. Uranus’ moon Ferdinand is less than 21 million kilometers from his planet.”

TWENTY MILLION KILOMETERS?

Luna and Trivia’s orbital radius is about 384,400 kilometers! Which compared to Phobos and Deimos is still pretty far! At least… it was until he met Titan, who is over a million kilometers from his planet.

Although… the outer planets are much larger, and much further from the Sun. They would have a stronger gravitational influence so that makes sense…

“Neso, Psamathe, and S/2021 N1 are the outermost moons of Neptune. Do you want to guess how far they orbit?”

“Uh… logic would suggest something like Uranus’ furthest moon? Or a bit more?” Titan starts to say, only for Trivia to jump in.

“But guessing from the way you’re talking that’s pretty far off…”

Yeah…

“Ha, a bit. Try over 45 million kilometers.”

45–

“S/2021 N1 is the furthest with an orbital radius of 50 million kilometers.”

What–

Mercury orbits an average of 58 million kilometers from the Sun.

The Sun.

And Neptune is far smaller! 

That’s double the distance of Uranus’ furthest moon!

“Which is just one example of how odd our spread is.” Triton continues to say. “Most moon systems have the moons relatively close together, all things considered. The next closest moon's orbit to Neso is Laomedeia with an orbital radius of 23 million kilometers. About half of Neso’s orbital radius.”

Oh.

Wow. 

“How is that even possible?” Luna asked, because he definitely understood what Triton meant now. That difference… a moon being that far out…

“That’s what I always wondered. For billions of years. And when I finally figured it out I– part of me wished I hadn’t.”

…what?

“There was a previous system of moons forming around Neptune, a system that would have been more like Uranus’ probably but… it never got to.”

Wh–

“Why not?” Titan whispers, now standing on Luna’s side as they face the Neptunian moon who pushes his sunglasses further up on his face. Looking around as if he was trying to find somewhere to hide-

“Triton.” He hears his twin call out, passing Luna (and Luna tries to ignore the sting of the fact Trivia seemed to have avoided making contact with him) to offer his hand to the moon.

There’s a deep inhale, then…

“They never got to form. The system never had a chance. Because of me. Because I destroyed it. ”

What?!

“I didn’t mean to.” Triton says, voice shaking despite his clear efforts to keep it level. “I didn’t even know. I- Neptune’s gravity pulled me in. I was moving too fast. I hit them. Both of the major moons forming. And they shattered. I killed them. ”

“Triton…” Titan starts to say, only to be cut off.

“So, when I found out I asked him! How- how could he possibly have kept me?! Treat me like he did all his other moons?! For Neptune… for Neptune moons are like an Earthling’s children. I killed two of his children before they ever had a chance to speak. To fight for themselves. They were probably younger than S/2002 N5 and S/2021 N1 and I killed them.”

Holy shit–

“And it’s not like he couldn’t have punished me! Because he could have. I was a captured dwarf planet. I was beholden to Neptune’s gravity like all moons are to their planets, he could have forced me to remain in my orbit. Could have hated me and punished me like all the ways I made up he had in my mind and worse . But he didn’t.”

Oh…

“Neptune cared for me. Somehow even loved me. Gave me the independence and freedom I needed while still giving me a fam– somewhere to come home to. Stars, he left me alone with the kids. The kids. And I had killed Neptune’s first ones.”

Luna… Luna was not expecting this.

“So I asked him why. And he told me- told me he couldn’t hate me because it wasn’t ever my fault. It was his gravity. He couldn’t hate me because if he did he would be hating the reason many of his other moons exist. Because the kids? A lot of them came from the debris of the destroyed moons.”

Wait, like Luna was–

“He couldn’t hate me because I was his moon. We were all his moons. And– and yes, it was a horrible tragedy. But there was still an after. We were his after, and even with all the pain he experienced because of the event, there was also a lot of joy. A lot of life.”

Oh…

“You said earlier that you weren't supposed to exist.” He had, but he didn’t think- “Well, by your logic neither were most of the little ones, and I just don’t see how they could be a bad thing.”

Triton is looking away now, staring into the simulated void of space in Trivia’s mindscape. And Luna can just feel tears building in his eyes after hearing everything Triton had just said.

“He said… he said that he couldn’t think about what could have been, because it’s already happened. And even if it was horrible, even if he’ll always remember and mourn them, he can’t completely hate it. Because without that, without me, there wouldn’t have been his current moon system.”

“Luna…” he hears a voice call out to him as a chilly hand touches his own.

“He said that he had room in his core to mourn his old moons and love his current ones.” Triton says quietly, and with that Luna breaks.

He’s sobbing again because… can it really be that simple? Can he truly exist without stomping on Theia’s memory? Of hurting the planets he cares about?

Can he really be allowed to exist? Can he actually bring others joy?

The cold arms move to wrap around him, before someone pulls his head into their chest.

Titan. By the height alone he can tell it’s Titan, even before gentle hands start combing through Luna’s hair. Even before he speaks.

“And I- people do. Love you that is. We all do. And I know for sure the Earth does. Remember when he went straight into the asteroid belt for you during the moon revolution? Luna, he loves you. And I don’t think this is going to change that.”

“But- but- Theia.”

“I’m sure whatever happened to Theia was awful. And I’m sure the people that remember her miss her deeply, but… but out of that horrible tragedy came a wonderful gift! Like-”

“Like a phoenix.” Luna hears another voice say. Trivia. “New life coming from her ashes.”

That…

Venus had said something like that, hadn’t he? A while back?

“I thought you didn’t listen to planets when they talk?” Luna sniffles and asks, wanting desperately to repair the divide between them after everything Luna said. “I thought you hated them?”

For a second he worries if he messed up, again. But then another hand reaches towards Luna’s own. Same size and shape, with nails seemingly painted black.

“I guess they can’t be too bad. I mean… they made you after all.” 

Luna slowly unwraps himself from Titan, looking past the taller moon to see Trivia awkwardly standing nearby, faint smile on their face as their eyes meet.

“Made us, you mean.” He says, before pulling the other half of the Earth’s Moon into a hug. This one not desperate like the last two that have been initiated in Luna’s panic have been but instead… hopeful, warm, loving.

“Thank you.” He whispers, and the response given to him is a faint nod followed by a sniffle.

Oh, oh, Trivia.

“Thank you.” He repeats, squeezing his twin tighter, trying not to draw too much attention to Trivia’s emotional slip. Thankfully it seems like Titan and Triton have occupied themselves by talking to each other again.

“I think it was mostly Triton… and kind of Neptune.”

No.

“It was you. You. Thank you. ”

There’s another muffled sniffle.

“Whatever. I just- I wanted to do something. Needed to do something for once.”

For once.

“Right, because you’re all talk and no bite, right? Can threaten people. Can talk all big and say you’ll do stuff, but in the end? I’m the one who does everything!”

“You didn’t think I was supposed to exist before this.”

Maybe… maybe it is time for a talk.

“Trivia-” He starts to say, only to be interrupted by a voice ringing in the mindscape.

“T-T-Triton? Ne-Neptune is b-by the asteroid belt! The little moons went to join him!”

Io?

“You guys probably don’t want to take too much longer. It won’t be long before the Earth starts looking for you guys either probably, Via. And Luna.”

Callisto.

Trivia untangles themself from Luna and looks around, likely tapping back into their senses for a moment before looking back at Luna. Any evidence that they felt anything during that hug is gone which is… impressive? And concerning. Definitely concerning.

“I asked them to keep a lookout for when we need to get Titan and Triton out of here, which I guess is now.” They explain.

“Yeah, I should probably get going.” Triton says, nodding towards the twins. “Make sure the little ones didn’t maim Io too badly. They can get… excited.”

Yeah that’s… probably a good point.

“Okay,” Luna responds, giving a small nod in return. “It was good to see you. Although I wish it could have been under better… just, thank you, Triton. Seriously.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He shrugs, before his metaphysical form turns into a bright blue silhouette that sinks into the ground before vanishing.

“I should probably be going too then.” The remaining guest says, causing Luna’s eyes to jump back to the Saturnian moon’s teal ones.

Yeah, he probably should.

But…

“Thank you.” Luna whispers, grasping the larger moon’s hand as he realizes just how grateful he is for everything. Titan knows. Titan is still here. Titan came here, to Trivia’s mindspace, for him.

“ Thank you,” he repeats. “For being here for me.”

“Of course. Luna, I’m always there for you. I care about you. Even… even when we were on different sides of the moon revolution or you freak out over your origins. That doesn’t change anything. It couldn’t.”

Stars above.

It’s been a long day. And for a moment Luna wants to lose control, to feel something he has purposefully denied himself because he felt like he didn’t deserve it. And now, looking into the eyes completely void of any disgust or judgement, he notices they’re just full of one thing:

… love?

Luna lets himself hope for a moment, lets himself feel joy, joy that he’s apparently allowed to feel and pulls the other moon down to kiss him.

And Titan kisses back.

It’s perfect. It’s everything. 

It’s–

“Guys? The Earth and Neptune are talking. I think he’s looking for you.”

Triton. 

“Triton? Why are you talking to them while they sleep?”

“That’s not very nice, big brother! What if they wake up?”

He must have gathered up Neptune’s other moons.

Titan pulls away now, “I should definitely go now then, if your planet is looking for you.”

Yeah.. Earth…

As if seeing Luna’s uncertainty, Titan gives him one more peck. “After you talk to your planet we could meet up? Regardless of what happens? I- if you want to anyways.”

A smile grows on Luna’s face at the reminder that Titan will be there afterwards. That this is something he can have now. 

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

The other moon gives a nod, giant smile on his face. “Okay then, see you soon! Bye Luna! Bye Trivia!” He calls out before fading into a cloud of golden dust that dissipates.

Luna watches the gold fade, and for a moment there is nothing. Just quiet and joy and–

“Ouch!”

And then Luna gets a shoe thrown in at his head.

“Trivia?! What the heck?!”

“No PDA in my mindspace!”

Oh shit, yeah, they definitely saw all of that, and they were unbearable regarding Titan before the kiss.

“I don’t see a sign!” Luna shouts, taking the discarded shoe as they want back towards the wall. Back to his side.

“It’s common courtesy! There doesn’t need to be a sign! And give me my shoe!”

Hey! They’re the one that threw it at him!

“If you liked it you shouldn’t have gifted it to me!”

“I didn’t gift–”

Wait, what are they even doing? They’re acting like Phobos and Deimos for stars sake!

Luna takes a breath and passes the shoe back to his sibling, amused smile leaving his face as something more pressing begins to occupy his mind.

“We need to talk to the Earth, work things out.”

“Finally!” They say, with a roll of their eyes. “That’s what I’ve been saying! You and the Earth need to talk!”

No…

“No. I mean- yes, the Earth and I need to talk but… Trivia, we need to talk to the Earth.”

And then there’s a total shift on the other’s face, smugness turning into something Luna has never really seen on Trivia before.

Fear.

“Luna, what are you talking about?”

“I’m saying you were right, we need to talk to our planet.”

“...your planet, Luna.” They argue back, as if they didn’t also orbit the Earth.

“Trivia–”

“Your planet, Luna. Go talk to him. Get things back to the way they were!”

But…

“What if things can’t go back to the way they were before.”

“Luna–”

“This isn’t working! Nothing is! Isn’t that clear? Everything is falling apart! The moons revolted and there was a trial and Venus left and nobody ever talked about the past! About Theia or- or about anything! That’s why the moons revolted! And why everything else is a mess! Because people aren’t communicating with each other. Telling each other how they feel or the whole truth!”

“Luna–”

“We need to be open. We need to be honest. And I think that starts with us stop hiding the fact you exist.”

“Luna, I- you don’t need to do that.”

He knows that. He knows he doesn’t need to do this for himself… but Trivia might need him to.

“Trivia, you always go on about me standing up for myself and being happy. Isn’t it time you got that too?”

Their eyes just stay fixated on the ground, looking from one crater to the next as they respond.

“It will be a mess.”

Well…

“Things are already a mess if you haven’t noticed.” He says, motioning around to their general vicinity. 

Silence.

And then something in Trivia’s expression just cracks.

“I can’t. He’ll hate me. And- and that could make him hate you too…”

No. No. Absolutely not.

“He could never hate you!” Luna responds, putting a hand on each of Trivia’s shoulders. “Him finding out he has another moon? He’ll be overjoyed!”

“I hid from him for over 4 billion years. ”

“I hid you from him too.”

“I’m just weird. No other moon has a sentient dark side.”

“First of all,” Luna starts, sort of shocked by the level of self loathing the other is now displaying. “It definitely makes us unique. Special. And you know how much the Earth loves to feel special.”

“Wasn’t that back before he stopped being such a dick?”

“Second,” Luna continues, skipping over that particular question. “You aren’t just my dark side. You’re my sibling. You’re my family. And the Earth– the Earth is part of that family too. He’s my brother too. And knowing he has you? He could never hate you.”

“But–”

“Remember what Triton said about Neptune loving his moons? Them being his family? I know the Earth feels the same way. T, he wouldn’t–”

“He could! He doesn’t know me! You’re the side the Earth always sees. You're the side that keeps him company. That Earthlings fly to. What do I do? Besides make useless remarks?”

Useless–

“You keep a look out! You warn me if anything is coming close to the Earth! The amount of asteroids that haven’t hit the Earth because of you warning me–”

“And what about all the asteroids that did hit the Earth because I wasn’t fast enough?”

Well, it’s not like the Earth could hold much of a grudge for that. All things considered most of those asteroids are relatively small, except–

“I don’t rest because when I do bad things happen! Like the near collision! Like the dinosaurs!”

Trivia froze up when Luna had mentioned the dinosaurs. Trivia had frozen up.

No…

“You know that wasn’t your fault right?” He whispers, looking towards his counterpart who only seems to flinch back at Luna’s words.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I do.” Because maybe he wasn’t awake at that time but… “I know enough to know that you protect the people you care about. I know enough to know that if there was anything you could have done you would have done it. I know you, T.”

“He’ll hate me. ”

“And he told me- told me he couldn’t hate me because it wasn’t ever my fault. It was his gravity. He couldn’t hate me because if he did he would be hating the reason many of his other moons exist.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” He whispers again, and he because he can already tell Trivia isn’t going to believe him… “The dinosaurs dying– it was awful. I know. But- but look at the life he has now!”

They suddenly look straight up at Luna, calculating look in their teary eyes.

“Are you using me and Triton’s arguments against me?”

Well…

“Depends… is it working?”

And Trivia still looks unsure, still looks like the idea of talking to the Earth will make them spontaneously combust but…

But there is enough hope in their eyes for Luna to keep going.

Because Trivia already helped him, now it’s his turn to help them.

Besides, he won’t really have a chance to start feeling joy until he’s sure his sibling will too.

They’ve been stuck in their minds long enough.

Chapter Text

“I found out that someone– or multiple someones I guess– have been keeping things from me. That I may have been someone totally different and just forgot and that who I am today was born out of… something really bad. And… I just don’t know what to do. They kept this from me and… who even am I now? Was anything I knew real?”

“You’re allowed to feel however you’re feeling about it. But it’s important to also remember that they care about you. Because knowing some things... or not knowing the full story… can make it easy to forget.”

“But, not telling him made it worse. He thought my other moons would hate him. He thought I didn’t think of him as one of them… then when we finally talked, I wouldn’t tell him and he left. But then he started to remember and… and I wasn’t there when he did.”

He needs to talk to Luna.

He needs to talk to Luna. 

He expects part of him to want to run away at the idea of this interaction. At actually talking but if it does then the bigger part of him forces him to stay.

They need to talk.

Venus and Mars hid the truth from them for billions of years. The planets didn’t know about the moons’ grievances until some of them were getting asteroids thrown at them.

Neptune didn’t talk to Triton about anything and Triton apparently thought Neptune didn’t want him. Triton was left alone and Neptune wasn’t there for him when he started to remember.

Remember.

Mars and Venus’ words opened some kind of barrier, and old memories. Memories that aren’t his have slowly been returning. A female voice laughing, calling Mars’ old self, Ares , an idiot. Her voice and a deeper one talking before there was just screams and–

Pain. So much pain.

The Earth had always been in pain. Even before Earthlings started to crawl on his surface. He remembers the ache when he first woke up. An ache that either duller or he got used to but never fully went away- for so long he didn’t even know pain wasn't typical for other planets. How could he? It was all he remembered.

But the collision- could the initial pain he felt be from that?

Was his pain the result of the tragedy that befell Terra and Theia?

He never thought much of the origins of his pain before, marked it up to his creation, then his Earthlings. But maybe that wasn’t the case. Maybe he would remember–

And if he was starting to remember, there was a chance Luna would too.

And Luna didn’t deserve to go through that alone. Luna didn’t deserve to go through any of this alone.

“Did everyone know and were just laughing at us behind our backs? Oh silly Earth and Luna, not knowing they came from fucking corpses.”

Earth had been mad. Rightfully so. Maybe it was like Neptune said though, it was allowed to hurt. It was his pain anyways, his feelings. He could feel how he wanted to regarding what Venus and Mars kept from him, even if they maybe had their reasons.

And maybe Earth hadn’t been the best planet to Luna in the past, not with the ignoring, with the way he called Titan “just a moon”, with the Luna was always talked about as “His Moon” or “The Earth’s Moon.” Maybe Luna did have solace in the other moons now, maybe they would help. But…

But even if he wasn’t the best option, even if maybe some of the others in Luna’s life could help more, even if he had a chance of hurting the moon like he constantly seemed to, he could still try. Because to leave it like this– that could just make things worse. If there has one thing the best few events have taught him is that ignoring stuff doesn’t make the problems go away.

“Hey, Luna.” He says as he watches the pale satellite approach him, having returned from the asteroid belt after a moon club. Luna seems… different now. More… at peace? But also with some spark of conviction in his eyes.

They must have helped him after all, does Luna even need him? Will talking to him now just make things worse?

The reflexive urge to shift plans to talk about literally anything else is strong but…

“Hey, Earth. We need to talk.”

Yeah, they do.

He knows they do.

“Yeah,” he starts, but falters because where do you even begin a conversation like this? Talking to Neptune, a planet who he didn’t know well and who orbited billions of kilometers away was one thing. But Luna? His brother?! His best friend?! He couldn't mess this up! He’d already messed up so many times. And what if Luna finally decides to stop forgiving him this time– “I, uh, what Venus and Mars told us. I- I didn’t know.”

“Yeah… I figured given your reaction.” Luna says, just as awkwardly as the Earth must have spoken, stars, why are they so horrible at this? “I- I didn't know either, you know.”

Why does it seem like Luna is trying to convince of this fact? Earth wasn’t trying to imply–

Shit.

“No!” He stumbles to say, cutting Luna off before he could make things any worse by making Luna think he suspected him of lying or anything. “I know you didn’t! I was just saying– we both just found out about this and… I wanted to check in on you, how are you?”

Ugh, this is awful.

There is awkward silence for a moment, which only reinforces the Earth’s knowledge that he is failing miserably at this whole “talking” thing.

“I…I’m doing better, Earth.” That’s good, that’s good. “How are you?”

How is he? 

Maybe he shouldn’t be surprised by the question… he just asked Luna how he was after all.

“I- I-” He wants to say he’s fine. That he’s a-okay. Because after the moon revolution, after everything it’s become clear to him how much Luna takes on for his protection. And he doesn’t want to do that. He doesn’t want to keep burdening Luna with his feelings when Luna surely has his own things going on. He wants to say things are good, but instead… “I don’t know.” He whispers, the admission forcing its way out of his mouth like a volcanic eruption.

“...yeah?” Luna asks, and something lifts in Earth’s core because Luna doesn’t just sound worried for him, he sounds… understanding (which- of course he does!) Like this was something he needed to hear.

Stars, maybe he is doing something right.

“This is all so weird!” Earth blurts, letting the words he had only thought about tumble out. “There was another planet?! I used to be another planet and I don’t even remember– Venus and Mars knew– I- it’s…”

“It’s a lot.” Luna finishes.

“Yes!” Yes, exactly . “I don’t even know how to think! Or feel! And I want to be mad at them for keeping it a secret but I also want to run over and ask them as many questions as possible!”

“Yeah! Because who was Theia?! And what was Terra like?!” Luna continues with the Earth’s same frenzy and energy.

And bringing them up just makes him think…

“Do you remember anything?” Earth asks quietly, calming his voice down so it’s hopefully clear he isn’t trying to interrogate the moon. He’s just curious.

“Remember anything?” Luna asks with confusion, “I told you I didn’t know-”

“No! I know you didn’t!” He scrambles to say. “It’s just… since I was told I’ve been seeing… things. Things that aren’t-”

He must have said something wrong, because a pinched look enters Luna’s expression, his eyes now shifting over his surface with worry.

“Earth- I- was it like with…”

With…

“ Honest? Who needs honesty?”

 “I deal with your fits! I deal with your earthlings on my surface, I help you when you get in trouble!

“Well you know what?! I’ve had enough of you, AND I'M NEVER COMING BACK!!”

“No! No! Not like that- like… I don’t know! Memories? A girl and a guy and I swear I’ve heard Mars’ and Mercury’s voice and maybe Venus’- it’s hard because his voice isn’t as rough. But-” But no, he isn’t thinking about- he hasn’t considered. He’s not back there. “I’m okay-” well… “-maybe not like perfect !” He doesn’t want Luna to think he was lying earlier- “But I’m not where I was before! I was just- I think maybe some of their memories are in me? And was wondering if you…”

Because he’s not back there! He’s not! He doesn’t feel like he’s at the end- like there is nowhere else for him to go. Even if he still has doubts, even if he’s still in pain, there is also the good he can remember. The knowledge he isn’t alone. His friends. His brother. His Earthlings. 

As long as he doesn’t lose that…

“If I…” Luna says, repeating the Earth’s utterance before trailing off as he waits for him to elaborate.

Right! Uhhhhh….

“If you were having anything like that too!” Shoot! Maybe he’s the weird one! Maybe this is like back with fake Mars and Venus and Luna! Maybe he shouldn’t have brought up- if he wants Luna to think he’s better, because he is better , he shouldn’t mention the fact that he’s having false memories. But it just seemed like maybe- if Luna was remembering like Triton had with Neptune he shouldn’t have to go through that alone. 

But now he probably just looks like a mental case.

Shit, now Luna is probably going to run and get Mercury- his Sun Sanctioned Therapist and they’re going to have another talk and he isn’t even finished talking with Luna!

Maybe this is too much though! Maybe Luna shouldn’t have to put up with-

“Earth…”

Shit-

“Sorry. Just- I’m probably imagining things. Or- don’t worry Luna, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about-”

He’s derailing this and making it all about him again. Stupid Earth-

“Earth. I- I haven’t been going through that. I haven’t remembered anything but- but that doesn’t make you crazy necessarily. And either way we still need to address it.”

“I know that! It’s just… I wanted to check up on you. Let you know I’m there for you. Like you’ve always been there for me.”

Because Luna has. Always been there. Even when he said those things to Titan Luna had run off to try and amend things. Amend them after Earth had just insulted his entire kind. He was there for his fits. And kept him in check. And helped with his axis. And protected him from asteroids (and those things fucking hurt!)

He should be able to do this. Be the stable one. Just once.

“...Earth I think that’s the problem.”

What?

Earth knew he took much more than he gave. He shouldn’t be surprised that Luna is agreeing with him. But to hear it so blatantly hurt.

“Right. S-sorry. I can just… I’ll be better. What can I-”

“No! No! Earth! Not- I want to be there for you! That’s not the problem- the problem is that we always try to act fine. Pretend our problems don’t exist! And instead of dealing with them they just build up and then we have an avalanche later! You try to act fine so nobody worries about you! Venus and Mars tried to keep everything in the inner Solar System together for billions of years! I don’t know about Neptune and his moons! I don’t know about Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus but they probably have skeletons in their closet too! And their moons were willing to revolt against them because of problems that had likely been building for billions of years. But we never talk about it!”

Oh.

“I- I talked to you and Mercury. Remember? After I tried to fling myself into the Sun.”

The unspoken after he tried to commit suicide, lies between them. The meaning clearly ringing loudly not just in his core but Luna’s own.

Stars, he never meant to scare his moon like that. He’s awful.

“I know you did. I remember.” Luna says with a nod, “And that was huge! I don’t know if you would have done that before and I’m so grateful you did! And you shouldn’t feel guilty for that!”

How did he-

“But it’s just… after the moon revolution you said that all the rocky planets had talked about being real friends, about opening up to each other.”

Yeah.

“We did!”

“Did you?”

Of course they did! They met up regularly! Not just him and Mars but also with Venus and Mercury! They played cards together all the time! They-

“ Earth, it wasn't only you. I also refused to pay attention to how you felt! When you met Titan, I gave you a whole explanation on how Titan is so similar to you, and it never crossed my mind that you could feel insecure about it.”

Never crossed Mars’ mind. Like it had never crossed their minds that Venus–

“I... well I don't know. I don't like my orbit at all, or my atmosphere, or... myself. All that much.”

Venus had said he didn’t like himself. He had said it. And they all had just… moved on. 

Moved on like they did when…

“I tend to act as if I have the moral superiority, but... I probably don't.”

“I don't like being the smallest planet! I'm afraid of becoming like Pluto, and getting kicked out of the planet club.”

“I'm not sure which parts of who I am were the problem. I don't wanna say the wrong thing, or for you to leave me, or- or... to make anyone feel bad.”

Did they ever really address anything? They kind of just said their problems and moved on.

Moved on until things got too much again. Until all their problems just exploded in their face.

“...you’re right, Luna.” He admits. Because he thought that things had gotten better, and maybe they had. But in the end they still never really talked. It was always cards or jokes until someone took it too far and-

“Neptune was right.” He whispered, although the Earth really shouldn’t be surprised. From the few interactions he had had with the large, blue planet it was becoming clear Neptune tended to be right about a lot of things.

“Y- wait?! Neptune?!”

Oh, right!

“Before you got back Neptune was by the asteroid belt hanging out with his moons. I talked to him for a bit and he said-”

“I talked to Neptune’s moon Triton.” Luna says, cutting him off.

And huh. That’s kind of funny. That while Earth was talking to Neptune, Luna was talking to one of his moons.

He wants to ask Luna what they talked about, but Neptune was pretty light on the details. Maybe it was a sensitive topic. It definitely seemed that way despite the way the ice giant had tried to keep the conversation light.

“How did it go?” Earth asks instead, leaving the question open so Luna can give as much or little detail as he likes.

“It went… good.” Luna says slowly, almost as if he has to consider it. “It was more of an intervention than anything.”

An intervention?! Did Triton host a one-person intervention or was there other people- probably Titan. Definitely Titan. 

Who else? Mars’ moons? He doubts they would be good for something serious like that. Maybe the large purple and yellow moons of Jupiter? They seemed relatively close to Luna.

“He… he said something. That stuck with me.” Luna finishes, peaking Earth’s interest.

“Oh?”

“He said- he said that Neptune had told him that he couldn’t hate Triton because he was his moon. That it wasn’t his fault. And- and that what happened was a tragedy but there was an after. That- that everything now is the after. And even with all the pain, there was joy. Life.”  

Holy shit.

“And just- I was thinking about something you said… about Mars and Venus only being friends with you because of- because of Theia and Terra–”

“Was anything we did real? Or was it a way to mourn your friends? Or a way to play some sick joke on them?”

“-- but I don’t think that’s true. They can miss them. Clearly they do but- but they can still be grateful that you’re- that we’re here. Triton said… said that people have room to mourn the past while loving the present.”

“...Luna.” Earth starts, because he doesn’t even know what to say. What Luna is saying- yes, it’s reassuring him of some doubt he had regarding his friend but more than that… why did Triton have to say this in the first place?

“Luna,” he tries again, using his gravity to gently wrap around his satellite, his brother. “I’m glad you’re here.”

There’s something that freezes in Luna’s eyes. Something painfully, hesitantly hopeful. Something that makes him want to take his moon and wrap him in Earthling bubble wrap (the eco-friendly kind, of course.)

“I- I know that–” Luna starts, but now Earth isn’t too sure of that.

“I’m glad you’re here.” He repeated. “Everything that happened with Terra and Theia- it’s hard to think about because I can’t imagine a world without you in it! And I never- I should have said- I didn’t want to hurt you or say the wrong thing-”

“You’re not, Earth.” The moon says, cutting him off with a choked up voice.

“Good.” Earth says with finality before continuing. Because- because I need you to know that Triton was right. Maybe you already know that. But I need you to hear it from me .”

Maybe it’s selfish or egotistical, to think his words carry such weight for Luna. But he needs him to know.

“And I told you because you should hear it from me.” Luna says with a swallow, soft smile on his face as he throws the words back at Earth. “I’m glad you exist. I know that the others are too.” 

The reminder that the others care for him is good, and something he will definitely come back to later, when they all talk again. But right now he was focusing more on the moon in front of him. On his brother.

Because the fact Earth learned earliest on, moments after he woke up from what he could remember was this: he had one moon.

It maybe wasn’t like that at the beginning, back when there was Terra and Theia. But for as long as the Earth could remember it had been true. And it still was.

“I’m really happy to have you as a moon, Luna.” He whispers, smile on his face as he feels nothing but love and gratitude for his companion. His brother. His family.

A soft smile graces Luna’s face at that, a smile that blinds him with earnest hope.

“Yeah?” Luna asks softly, almost as if he’s surprised this is even being said.

He shouldn’t be. Earth should have said it a lot more.

“You’re my moon. My only moon. My brother ” Earth says before continuing, because he wants to make it clear that he isn’t just grateful to have a moon. He’s grateful to have Luna. “And I couldn’t ask for a better one.”

Something weird happens to Luna’s face.

“You’ve always been there for me! And not just because of your orbit. And you always call me out when I need to be and you you’re crazy smart and kind and loya-”

“ Earth.” Luna says, a stern voice cutting off Earth’s monologue. Which is kind of rude because he had so much to say but-

But Luna’s face looks pained. 

“W-what?” Earth asks, worry filling his core again. “Did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean-”

“No, Earth, you didn’t.” Luna says with a shake, before stopping as if he’s struggling to say something. It doesn’t make sense though. What else could make- “ I did.”

Huh?

“You didn’t say anything?” Earth says, more of a question than anything. Did he miss something? Was he not listening? Shit-

“No! I- I didn’t. Say anything.” Then wha- “And that’s the problem.”

Weird trepidation starts to fill Earth’s core.

“...What?” Earth asks, as Luna almost seems to freeze. There is their weird almost unnatural shift in his expression for a second, almost as if he’s arguing with something, before it’s gone. “What do you mean?”

Did Luna lie? About not knowing about Theia? How could that possibly be–

“You don’t want any more secrets, right Earth?” Luna asks shakily, and this must be a rhetorical question because–

“No. No, I don’t! Luna what-”

“I kept something from you.” Luna forces out quickly, causing Earth’s core to freeze for a second.

What?

“W-what do you mean?” He asks, questions flurrying through his mind. “About Thei-”

“Not about Theia.” Luna answers, cutting him off. “At least- we didn’t think it was about Theia. Not until recently.”

We?

“Luna, what’s going on?” Earth slowly asks, holding steady with his gravity as Luna tenses and clenches his eyes, going silent for a bit too long. 

He’s about to ask again when-

“You said I was your moon. Your only moon. B-but you were wrong.”

… what?

“What do you mean, Luna?” He asks, trying to pass his surprise off with a forced, choked laugh. “You orbit around me? Why wouldn’t you be-”

Luna isn’t big enough to be a double planet situation like Pluto and his moon are. And it’s not like Luna orbits any other planets. So what is he talking abo-

“No- yes. I am your moon.” Luna explains, which clear nothing up. “It’s just… I’m not your only one.”

… what?! What does he mean–

“You- you mean like those Earthling satellites? Because those don’t really count as moons. Or those quasi-moons? I mean, I guess they kinda-”

“No. Earth, I mean an actual moon. Or- uh- sort of you.”

What is Luna talking about?! If he did have another moon surely he would have noticed! He’s not that unattentive, is he? Unless… no, even if they were small like Phobos and Deimos surely Earth would have eventually noticed.

Did he fail that much as a planet?! That he didn’t notice he had another moon?!

“Luna, what-” He starts, as there is more weird shifting on Luna’s face before Luna says suddenly.

“Mindspace.”

…Huh?!

“What are you-”

“This would be easier in a mindspace. We should do this in a mindspace. They just said-” Just said what?! Nobody else is here! “-it would probably just be easier and make more sense.”

“ Luna,” he starts again, “what is going on?”

“We- I- it will be explained. Just… It would be easier somewhere else. Please? We could go to mine if you don’t-”

“No.” Earth says, with some surprising surety in his voice. “You can come to mine. All of you can.”

He says it because he needs Luna to know that despite everything that he’s saying, that despite the fact Luna appears to have also been keeping something from him, he still trusts him. He’s still willing to open the door of his mind to his moon. And that extends to all of his moons. 

It clearly looks like Luna needs it, the way his eyes are shifting and his words keep shaking. 

Despite Luna’s clear distress over the entire thing, he thankfully seems to catch what the Earth isn’t saying, as there is a faint, shaky uptick of his mouth as Earth-

“Okay, I’ll see you in a second.” The planet says as he pulls his consciousness away, focusing not on his surroundings but inside. It makes him briefly aware of the activity on his surface, of the constantly humming of pain he’s in. But then it’s dulled. Dulled as he pulls himself in and-

Green. Forest. Conifers. Boreal forest. Alaska.

There’s a log cabin several meters away, a pale blue sky above him, obscured only by trees and some mountain ridges that Earth knows he’d be able to name if he shifted through his memories–

“Earth?” He hears, and he turns to see a shorter person coming over to him. Straight, silver hair, pale skin, freckles. Traits remarkably human but also… not. Ethereal in a way despite his lack of any obvious inhuman features like the small wings on Mercury’s head or Mars’ glowing eyes, or the pale shimmer in Venus’ scorched hair, coupled with the heat radiating off of him

Or the way Earth’s own blue and green hair in this form flows like the water on his surface.

“Hey, Luna.” He says, waving Luna over towards him as he manifests a table. Even if this does imitate his surface, it’s still his mind. And Earth can still do what he wants.

Instead of chairs he gets picnic benches, because he still doesn’t know exactly how many will be joining.

A question that is very prevalent in his mind. His eyes dart amongst the trees, trying to see if he can see any other figures. Even if these other moons were really small, here they should be scaled to have a less varied size difference. One of the fun things about the mind. 

Mars may be half his size in the real world, Mercury a third. But here? Here they’re just short. (Ha, losers.)

He still can’t see anyone though.

His looks must have been noticed by Luna though, because he then hears from beside him:

“They’ll be here. It’s just… I think they’re nervous. They’ve never met- shoot, they’ll kill me for saying this.”

“Luna.” Earth says, putting a hand on the shorter figure’s shoulder and guides them to the table to sit. “What’s going on?” 

Because he’s confused. He doesn’t get why Luna seems so upset. So guilty. Yeah, Luna kept it a secret, but was that all there was to it?

“We’ve known each other a really long time.” Luna whispers, leaving Earth still confused.

“Uh… me and you? Or you and the other moons?”

“Moon.” Luna explains, “Just one other moon.”

But didn’t Luna sa- oh, duh! Gotcha.

“Okay,” Earth says, starting over. “Are you talking about me and you or you and them?”

There’s nothing for a moment, a large amount of guilt filling Luna’s face answering the question before he even says the words.

“Both.”

Both. 

Luna is saying he knew both him and the other moon for a very long time. He has known over four billion years, is he trying to say he’s known this other moon for just as long–

“H-how come I never noticed?” Earth asks, because yeah, Luna kept this a secret, but how could he have just not ever seen or heard another moon. How could he have never even felt it? Was he that self obsessed? That he had another moon- another sibling and somehow neglected them even more than he neglected Luna?!

“It wasn’t really your fault,” Luna explains, although Earth doesn’t see how that could possibly be the case. “You wouldn’t have thought to- me and them… we don’t work like typical moons.”

…what?

“Is this like that hypothetical sub-moon thing my Earthlings talk about?” He asks, trying his hardest to fill in the pieces. “Like when a moon has a moon that orbits around them ?”

“No, not like- wait do those exist?” Luna asks, shock filling his eyes for a moment.

Well…

“None that have been found in our solar system so far, although you’d probably know more than me.” Technically speaking his Earthlings do think that a couple of Saturn’s moons might have at one point had them, but that’s not for him to talk about. “It’s more hypothetical. But-” Wait! Not the point! “What do you mean then?”

What could this other moon be like if they’re not like a “typical moon” but like something like a sub-moon? Quasi-moons aren’t sentient (right?!?!). And Luna had said they weren’t-

“I- they. We- we’re kind of one moon?”

Huh?

“What do you mea-”

“I mean like- you know how I’m tidally locked to you.”

“...yes?” That’s one fun thing about him and Luna, one thing he took advantage of for far too long. He never had to turn much to have a conversational partner. A friend. A brother.

“Well your Earthlings called the side that faced away from you the-”

“The dark side of the Moon.” Earth finished, having remembered that term be uttered before by the beings that live on his surface.

“...yeah. That .”

 …okay? Why–

“Really, I am! It- it’s a surprise. But… it makes sense?”

“Luna how does it-“

“It just explains some things. Me being formed from two planets? Makes since why there’s dark-“

“Dark?”

“The dark splotches on me! If I’m from two planets then logically I’d have a mixed composition! Although I guess that makes it so you and I are made of more similar stuff then we were expecting…”

Luna had acted so weird at the time. The way the fact he was formed from the debris of two different planets seemed to click so quickly in his mind. The way he seemed like he was going to say something else before taking a hard pivot to talk about the dark splotches on him. A lot of figures in the Solar System have surfaces with a mixed composition or texture, and he doubts all of them are from collisions (at least… that’s what he always guessed-)

And the fact Luna is bring this up now-

“Wait… is this other moon–”

“They’re the other side of me. Or well. Not me specifically. It’s our body. It’s always been our body. It’s just… it’s the side you never get to see.”

The other side-

Earth had another moon, another sibling that close to him the whole time.

“...why didn’t I ever know?” He whispers, confused because not only did he not know of this other person’s existence, it was tied to Luna and he still never noticed.

“Tr- they never faced your direction and- and I know we could have broken free of our orbit or they could have even just opened their mouth to speak but… we didn’t think we were supposed to?”

Supposed to?! Did they both think they needed permission?!

“Luna, you guys don’t need-”

“I know! It’s just- we- I didn’t understand. We had a kind of system in place. It felt like it worked. And- and we thought that’s how things were meant to be. We thought that was normal. ”

Oh-

Like… like how Earth used to think the pain he felt was normal until Luna and Mars told him otherwise?

“And by the time we realized- so much time had passed and they…”

They probably didn’t want to meet him. Not then. Not before the moon revolution. Not when the Earth was still a massive asshole. 

Stars, what would he have even said to Luna if Luna had told him about this back then?

Was this his fault? They never told him because nobody ever brought it up- nobody thought to ask… but why would he think to ask his moon if he had another person on the other side of him?

Ugh! This is just so confusing! He doesn’t know what to even think! He can’t be completely mad because it’s Luna. It’s his moons. And he’s so clearly scared and-

“Where are they?” He whispers, looking around the forest again.

“Uh- I told you, they’re on the other si-”

“No. I mean… where are they now? I- can I meet them? Do they want to meet me? Or-”

Or maybe it’s too late. Maybe they had a preview of watching how Earth treated his other moon and decided to opt out. Earth couldn’t even blame them. And that knowledge- if it turns out he has another moon that just never wants to meet him he’ll of course respect their decision.

“They- they wanted me to talk first. Wanted me to… they weren’t sure you wanted to meet them.” What?! Why wouldn’t- “And I told them I could start us off, I owed them that at least.”

Earth has so many questions. What does Luna owe the other? Was the other moon listening the whole time? What’s their moon’s name? Are they really shy or is this more of a typical meeting-new-people anxiety? Why would they think–

“ Of course, I want to meet them.” He says, and a proud, excited smile crosses Luna’s face, scrunching up the freckles that lie on his metaphysical skin.

“Okay.” The moon (one of his moons, because Earth has two moons!! …sort of) stands up, and walks towards the cabin. Stretches an arm into the space occluded by the walls and out from behind comes-

Oh.

This moon and Luna definitely look similar, with the same features, hair color, and skin color. But their eyes look… darker. Their hair is choppy and asymmetrical with parts that look almost dyed. They’re wearing a tank top that Earth feels would compliment their look and make them look self-assured, but the way they’re hunched over and gripping Luna’s hand makes them look anything but.

Earth rises from his seat, and walks the short distance over to the two, giving them some space in case that’s what the other moon needs.

Other moon. He doesn’t even know their name.

“Hi.” The Earth says, gentle smile on his face as he waits for the other to respond. This moon’s eyes seem to jump all around, from the scenery to the Earth’s figure to the ground, and Earth just gives them a moment. He doesn’t know what to do really, he never was taught how to act when meeting a moon he never knew he had. But he can try. Give them the space to think and open up like Mercury had for him. Like Luna had always done.

“Hi.” The darker dressed moon says, voice deeper than Luna’s. They finally lock eyes with the Earth’s, crossing their arms across their chest as they do so (although noticeably never letting go completely of Luna.) 

“I- I’m the Earth.” Earth explains, although he’s sure they already know that. If they’ve been on the other side of Luna the whole time they have probably heard things. A lot of things.

Maybe that’s why they look so uncomfortable.

“I know.” Ha- yeah. Off to a great start. 

Luna seems to send a quick look to the other moon, to which they just stare back at him for a moment before glancing back at the ground again before…

“I’m Trivia.”

Trivia.

Trivia.

A smile starts to form on Earth’s face, growing by the second. Because this moon- Trivia is here! He has another moon! Another-

The sky starts to brighten as well, light poking through the trees, but Earth can’t even bring himself to care because this is Trivia, he has another moon! He has two moons and-

“Can I hug you?” He blurts out, excitement running through him that only halts when he sees Trivia freeze up besides Luna. 

Shoot- right.

He might be excited about this, to have another moon. But Trivia has been there the whole time. Even if they haven’t heard or seen everything they’ve surely seen enough to-

“...Via?” The quiet voice of Luna whispers, causing Earth to focus back on the duo. Luna giving his… sibling? Twin? A concerned look as the one besides him is just frozen, an almost scared look on their face.

Shit.

“Y-you don’t have to.” Earth stumbles to say, ignoring the agony rushing through him as he does. This is his moon. His sibling. He’d love the chance to hug them. But more than that he wants them to feel comfortable, happy. And if Trivia doesn’t want him to hug him he can more than live and respect that. “I was just excited to meet you.”

He’s about to stutter some more, explain that Trivia doesn’t have to even touch him or look at him or even talk to him if they don’t want to. But-

“I- you. Were excited? To meet me ?” The moon whispers, now looking at the Earth with something akin to surprise on their face.

And Earth can feel both his and Luna’s hearts break.

“Of course!” Earth exclaims. “You’re my moon! You’re- I’m so sorry I’ve never talked to you before!”

“You never knew I existed before-”

“And now I do! And I’m so excited!” There is something fragile appearing on Trivia’s face. Something that breaks as Earth adds at the end. “I’d really like to get the chance to get to know you, Trivia.”

Their arms slacken, releasing their grip on Luna’s hand as they slowly open themselves up almost as if for a-

Yes! Yes!

Earth moves over quickly, unable to contain his excitement but trying hard to make sure he isn’t doing it too forcefully. He wants to give Trivia time to back out, time to make sure this is what they really want. Part of him is fully expecting them to close themselves off or push him away again but-

But he makes contact with the shorter figure, slowly wrapping his arms around their body as he waits for their nonverbal permission. 

He feels them slacken more in his light grip, causing Earth to only wrap his arms around them tighter.

And after a moment–

They hug back. Trivia hugs back.

Earth’s eyes are closed, but he knows if they were open they’d likely be blinded by the light passing through the trees now. Any and all clouds are probably gone, leaving nothing between them and the brilliance of the faux Sun, light imitating the glowing feeling in Earth’s core.

“Aww.” A voice says beside him, and he looks up to see his other moon watching them both with a soft smile on his face. Soft and-

There is a grumble Trivia makes into Earth’s shoulder.

“What was that?” Luna asks, an uncommon smirk starting to grow on his face.

“I said, ‘shut the fuck up.’” Trivia groans as they lift their head from its place tucked in the Earth’s hold.

“ Sorry, I just thought you weren’t a fan of PDA.”

“Keep this shit up and I’ll throw another shoe at you.”

Wait- what- shoe?!

“Am I missing something?” The Earth asks, more amused than anything at the two and their dynamic. Twins. Definitely twins.

“Luna is disgusting-”

“Trivia is a hypocrite-” They say at the same time, causing Earth to cough out a laugh.

Luna sounds… relaxed. Free in a way he didn’t often sound.

Almost as if-

“It was more of an intervention than anything.”

“I owed them that at least.”

“That’s not the problem- the problem is that we always try to act fine.”

Luna had always been there for the Earth, through everything. And as much as Earth hates to admit it he knows he hasn’t always been there for Luna. And besides the newfound guilt, he hadn’t given it too much though before but…

There was someone there. For Luna. The whole time.

Luna had been there for the Earth. And Trivia has been there for Luna.

And the hesitancy in Trivia’s voice. The guilt in Luna’s. The way Trivia gripped on so tightly to the Earth now suddenly made sense. 

If Luna was busy with the Earth, who had been there for them?

Earth squeezes the precious satellite between his arms as he reaches out a hand to have his other sibling join them.

And in doing so there is this new understanding that fills the air, a new truth:

They would always be there for each other. They would talk to each other. They’d listen.

They would support each other. 

Because there were three of them: Earth, Luna, and Trivia. 

And maybe there was a chance that would change… but they would learn to deal with that too. 

Because maybe truths aren’t always rigid. Maybe sometimes things a person holds certain does change.

But that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.