stars & moons - jean kirstein

part 8

Lunar

Falco's satchel bag is strapped to his shoulder as I enter the gate of the ceremony.

"Hey Falco!" I call to him. He looks my way at the call of his name and waves, grinning from ear to ear.

"You look happy tonight." I say, ruffling the top of his head gently.

He nods, "I'm really excited Miss Magath." He looks over at the crowd, "I was actually wondering if before the ceremony starts I could go and say hi to my friend over there?" I follow his fingers to look to where he's pointing, my eyebrows raising.

It's the man from the hospital. He's still wrapped in a head bandage, a crutch in his right arm to assist him to walk without his missing leg. His familiar stare sends chills up my spine.

"Is that the man from the hospital? Did he have clearance to be out here tonight?" I ask, concerned.

Falco nods his head quickly, "Yes! The doctor at the hospital told him he's okay to go back to his family now, he just wanted to see Willy Tybur in the flesh first."

I nod along, not entirely convinced. Something about this doesn't seem right.

"Okay, don't go too far. I'll save you a seat near the front." I assure him.

He jumps up in excitement, giving me a quick hug around my waist and makes his way over to the man.

My gaze follows them to make sure everything seems normal. After they've chatted for a few moments, I make my way to my seat.

I pace through the crowd as people begin to file through the rows to get the best view of the stage. A whole block of the stands is filled with Marley army officers all in uniform. I scan the crowd, my eyes looking for the Warriors and the kids. I don't dare show it on my face, but some ease of tension is what I need right now.

As if on cue, I hear someone calling, "Lunar! Over here!" Zeke's voice travels to me from about ten metres away. Colt is with him as he dangles a lit cigarette in his mouth. I wave, stuffing my hands in the pockets of my uniform as I make my way over to them.

"Hey, you two." I greet as I approach them. Zeke offers me my own cigarette out of his half full packet. I accept gratefully, hanging it out of my mouth, allowing him to light it for me.

"How's your ankle?" He asks me, inhaling and releasing the smoke from his lips.

"It's on the mend, I think." I take my own drag, "How are you?"

Before he has a chance to answer, Colt pipes in, "Have you seen Falco at all?"

"He said he saw someone in the crowd and wanted to go say hi." I reply.

Colt's eyebrows knit together, "Hm, I hope this doesn't make him late."

Porco's familiar chuckle fills the air as he wraps his arm around Colt's shoulder, "Hey man, you need to learn to loosen up without booze." Pieck and Reiner follow behind him. I take in just how handsome he looks in his uniform, the way the material hugs tightly to his arms. It's the first time I've seen him since he stayed the night after he came to me in distress. His eyes still look as tired as I'd ever seen them, and his smile I've loved in the time I've known him is nowhere to be seen. I can see the ring I gave him sparkling slightly still on his finger, causing my heart to warm within me. When we make eye contact, I give him a small wave, my eyes asking if he's okay. He gives me a knowing nod in return. An unspoken understanding between us.

It's not long before Udo, Zofia, and Gabi join us in the group. Both Zeke and I put out our sticks on the ground when the kids approach.

"Hey guys." I say to them, "How are you all feeling after all the food you ate?"