I don't need no light to see you SHINE

14

TWs: Brief yelling, higher being/authority, mention of past coercion, phantom injury. Stay safe :)

The Rocky Planets were there first, voices low as they talked between each other. Mars stuck close to Earth, evidently hesitant to move away. Earth didn't seem to mind, or even notice that his friend was hovering, smiling at the company absentmindedly. Mercury took a break from talking to the Rockies and instead spoke to Luna.

Jupiter and Saturn emerged from the asteroid belt, the latter ignoring any attempt the former was making to form a conversation. Jupiter sighed, giving up as he shifted away from the other to stand on the opposite side.

Sun eyed his planets, eyebrow raised slightly as he looked between the Giants, 'Odd.'

Uranus came shortly after, clumsily tumbling out from the asteroid belt. He stretched his arms out, using them to keep his balance as he stopped beside the Rocky Planets. A few murmurs of greetings were exchanged between them before Uranus focused his attention on Saturn, floating over to talk to the ringed Celestial.

Sun squinted his eyes. A few minutes had passed and there was no sign of Neptune. That was strange since the blue Celestial would always arrive seconds after his cousin.

"Uranus," Sun spoke, eyeing the cyan artist, "Where is Neptune?"

"I haven't seen him much since he's been off trying to find a gift for Nine," Uranus responded, making the other two Giants look at him incredulously.

"A gift...?" The Sun uttered, "What kind of gift?"

"A NovaStar, I think."

"What!?" The Guardian scowled before twisting his head around, his eyes scanning the atmosphere as if expecting something to be there.

"Are you okay, Sun?" Mercury asked, noticing how erratic the other had become.

The Sun laughed, a wry smile on his face, "Hahahahah! Of course, I'm okay, Mercury! Nothing to worry about here!"

"But-"

"Everything's fine!" With a tense expression, his voice echoed throughout the solar system.

Mercury bolted behind the other Rocky Planets, a wide-eyed look on his face. Luna clung to the other's arm, trying to comfort him.

The Sun blinked, realizing he had yelled at his best friend. Bringing his hands up, he rubbed his face, huffing tiredly, 'I am the worst Star ever... why did I do that?'

"Heyoooo~, everyone!" A voice rang in the distance, "What'd I miss?"

Everyone turned just in time to witness Neptune bombard Uranus with a hug. The latter's eyes widened, trying and failing to keep balance as he returned the hug.

"Other than the Sun yelling at us, nothing much," Venus responded, crossing his arms.

"Oooh, fun! When will it be my turn?" Neptune beamed, shifting in place as he stood beside his cousin.

"Mate..." Uranus shook his head lightly, mentally facepalming.

"You... want to get-"

"Anyway!" The Sun interrupted Mars' sentence, "Onto the mee- wait, we're missing one."

"We are?" Earth looked around, mentally counting, "But everyone's here..."

Neptune shook his head, still smiling, "Not Nine!"

The other Celestials grew wary, looking at each other.

Sun grinned, "Exactly, Neptune! Now, do you know where Nine is, or...?"