Linked AU One-Shots

17. On a Moonlight Night

Prompt: Soft Wars... again

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It was nearing midnight as Wars laid on his bedroll, staring up at the darkened sky. Under the light of the full moon, the stars didn't quite twinkle like they usually did. He had been lying there for a few hours now. When he had gone and laid down, he had closed his eyes, but he willed himself to not fall asleep. He waited until those nearest to him – Wind and Sky– to fall asleep until he opened his eyes. Staring, studying what many described as the wonders of the universe. Maybe to some. Maybe to most. But not to everyone, particularly in this group.

It was about time now, he supposed. He turned his head to get a good look at the camp. It was hard to see through the darkness, as the fire had gone down to only a few glowing embers. From what he could tell, it seemed that there were six or so other figures lying down. Not counting Twi, who was on night watch, patrolling the perimeter, that left one out. He caught a glimpse of their back, faced away from everyone else. He slowly got out of his bed as quietly as he could and sat up.

"You should be sleeping. It's not your turn for night watch." They scolded in a whisper as Warriors approached. Wars merely laughed as loudly as he dared before plopping down beside them.

"I could say the same to you, Mask." He hummed. It may be true that Time no longer went by that name, but it was moments like these he couldn't help but see the old man as just the same kid from back then. It seemed as though Time understood this, since he gave a quiet chuckle.

"Fair enough." He hummed. Under the quiet of the night, it seemed almost wrong to say more than one needed to. And so, the two sat side by side, watching as the moon continued rising as midnight came ever closer.

And as the moment neared, Wars watched from the corner of his eye as his little-old brother held his breath. How his hands trembled ever so slightly. Wars silently placed his hand over his brother's, giving it a squeeze before looking him straight in the eye. It was a look that was firm, yet also gentle. It'll be okay, it said. Nothing bad will happen. Time's own eye seemed to hold warriness, but he gave a small nod and squeezed Wars' hand back. He glanced back at the moon, watching as it reached its peak at long last.

And... that was it. Nothing really had happened. They waited a few more minutes before Time tentatively cleared his throat. "I... thank you. I know it's silly, but..." He admitted in a whisper, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Don't be." Warriors whispered back.

"But..." Time swallowed. "How did you know..?"

"How couldn't I?" Wars raised an eyebrow, smirking almost teasingly. "You had such terrible nightmares of it as a kid, especially on nights like these. Maybe still do. I helped you through them then, and I always will."

Even in the darkness, he could see how Time flushed, like he was a kid that had been caught red handed. "Can... can this stay between us?" he asked, and for a moment, Wars could have sworn that this really was the little Mask that he had gone to war with, not yet grown. He couldn't help but reach out and mess up his hair.

"Of course, Mask. I won't tell a soul."