Solarballs- Breathless

Sleepless Nights

Now-Present. (Highschool.)

It was a cold winter night. Jupiter and Saturn remained in a conjoined house that kept them both sane. At Night it was sometimes hard to put some of the Moons to sleep. Jupiter had just finished cleaning up dinner when he realized the time was getting late.

"Alright everyone, time for bed!" Jupiter called as he finished putting the dishes in the sink.

Ganymede rolled his eyes as he continued playing on his phone resting in a bean bag that was meant for someone else. "Do we really have to go to sleep this early?" Callisto mentioned as she turned to look at the clock. 11:30 pm is what she reads softly in her mind.

"We have a long day with Saturn tomorrow and you don't want to be tired of your friends," Jupiter said, keeping a finger in the air almost like he was pointing at something.

"We aren't kids anymore! You can't tell us when to go to sleep." Europa crossed her arms, clearly fed up with Jupiter's attempt to get her to settle down.

"Just because you aren't kids doesn't mean you don't need your rest. How about we strike a deal." Jupiter asked.

"I'm listening..." Europa said.

"If you go to bed right now, I'll take you to the mall soon." Jupiter smiled hoping that would convince her. Europa quickly dashed to her room happily. Ganymede sighed following behind her, knowing if she went. He went.

"Callisto?" Jupiter said softly.

Callisto nodded.

IO happily followed Callisto to the room where they slept. Jupiter looked at the time hoping they would go to sleep. "Maybe I should read to them like old times? Would they not like that? Saturn told me to try not to baby them.. but I feel quite sad about it. Here I am again thinking about Saturn.." Jupiter softly chuckled before putting a clean plate into the dishwasher to further deep clean.

"I'll check just to make sure." Jupiter walked down the long hallway and looked into the bedrooms softly. Some Moons were still awake but were dozing off. Jupiter smiled gently, rubbing his eyes as he was getting more tired.

He walked past their rooms gently walking into a room dimly lit with stars. Europa was in charge of decorating the room that she thought was fit. Since no one wanted to argue with her. He glanced inside to see Europa having her phone placed on Ganymede's chest as she scrolled on what seemed to be like social media. Ganymede was snoring quite loudly as he was fast asleep.

Callisto was hugging one of her cat plushies. Her eyes were shut as she just was resting. The cat was a deep dark black with some gray spots around it. Then there was IO. IO was shaking as looked at his surface, it seemed to be extremely active. Though he knew he would fall asleep soon.

Jupiter looked down and made a slight face of confusion mixed with concern. "I thought IO got over these. spells.." Jupiter gently pushed the door open. Europa quickly hid her phone and went into Ganymede's shoulder. Callisto made no sudden movements and IO quickly dived under the covers.

"Ever since the doctor's visit. They told me that this was going to change with the medicine." Jupiter thought as he went over to IOs bed.

"You know if you ever have a hard time sleeping, it's okay if you need to wake me up.." Jupiter placed a hand on the covers searching to find where IOs back was. IO quickly peered his small head out, he looked worried and concerned.

"I'm sorry.." IO said gently coughing before covering his mouth. "It's okay." Jupiter pulled him into his arms. "This better?" Jupiter said, fixing his covers, keeping his arm wrapped around tightly. IO looked surprised. "It does! I don't feel like I need to cough anymore!" IO smiled brightly with his teeth. Jupiter always loved his bright smile.

"Here, let's go into the living room and I can read you a bedtime story. I know Europa said you aren't kids anymore, but maybe it'll help you sleep better." Jupiter mentioned. IO looked down, he seemed to be thinking. He then looked up and nodded. "Non-verbal it is." Jupiter thought to himself.

As Jupiter walked out of the bedroom, he gently shut the door fully making sure he had turned out the light. IO was gently coughing. "Do you need to do a puff?" Jupiter said holding IOs inhaler. IO seemed extremely surprised that Jupiter had managed to find it. "I thought you might have been awake, I always bring snacks and sometimes bottles of water just in case anyone wants anything." Jupiter laughed gently.

"He cares..?" IO thought to himself before taking his inhaler gently. He honestly was quite excited to hear a bedtime story again. When Jupiter had stopped reading them.. He had become extremely upset and sometimes would stand outside Jupiter's bedroom door scared just to ask for one again.

Sometimes he would ask Callisto or Even Triton to read to him. It always helped with his activity. Callisto always agreed to help, wanting IO to have some rest at least.

IO gently put his inhaler to his mouth taking a puff. Jupiter gently rested him on the couch before searching in a closet for something. He pulled out an asteroid-themed blanket and gently wrapped IO in it. "Do you want me to read.. how about we read about.." Jupiter put a thumb on his chin.

IO gently pointed towards a book. It surprised Jupiter greatly. "You want to know about me?" Jupiter pointed to himself, surprised. IO nodded.

Jupiter grabbed the book and took out his glasses gently placing them on his face. He sat down on the sofa, softly sinking into it. IO quickly rested on his shoulder pressing into him. Jupiter gently wrapped an arm around him.

IO softly closed his eyes, feeling the comfort of his planet. The geological activity seemed to have settled for now, as did his anxiety. He wasn't alone. He finally was back in his happy place he had left too early. IO felt like he wanted to cry. Jupiter heard soft sniffling.

"IO! What's the matter?" Jupiter quickly looked at him. IO looked up not realizing he had let the tears slip. "O-Oh!" He coughed gently. "I just.. I miss you reading to all of us.." IO said his eyes were gently getting softer.

Jupiter pulled him into a hug. He continued reading while rubbing IOs back. "If you ever want me to read.. knock on my door. No matter what time it is. I promise I'll be there for you." Jupiter said softly.

"I've been absent for too long.. I'll make up for the time I have. I promise." Jupiter thought.

After some time had passed.. IO gently snored. Jupiter looked at the time to see an hour had passed. Jupiter closed his eyes, almost falling asleep right then and there. He pulled IO into his grasp and got up. He gently walked over to the hallway once more walking into the now darkened room which was dimmed due to their atmospheres. One side of the room was a tannish yellow.. while the other was a purple. Jupiter's coral color filled the room as he placed IO back into his bed.

IO snuggled into his sheets and snored gently. Jupiter's face fell saddened as he put both of his arms under his face as he sat on the floor resting on the bed. He softly rubbed IOs back. "I'm sorry for all this time. I never realized any of your feelings. I hope to make up for each minute that was lost due to my ignorance. Me and Saturn will be better. It starts with little things like this. I love each.. and every one of you.. my moons." Jupiter thought to himself. He gently yawned.

It was time for him to rest.