I don't need no light to see you SHINE

29

TWs: Keeping secrets, a brief confrontation, angsty dialogue(?). Stay safe :)

"Neptune lost his memories...?" Galatea uttered, her face scrunched up in confusion.

"But how?" Proteus questioned.

Uranus averted his eyes, "I wish I could explain everything, but I don't think you all will quite understand what happened..."

"What's not to understand?" Larissa spoke.

"Yeah! It was probably that big meanie- Sagittarius A*!" Nereid frowned, puffing her cheeks out.

Uranus' eyes widened, "You know of Sagittarius...?"

"Of course! Neptune mentioned it a few times, but always ignored us when we asked questions!" Naiad spoke.

"It wasn't like Neptune at all!" Neso waved his hands around, "He always answers our questions!"

"That right?" Uranus quirked an eyebrow, then sighed, "Knowing Neptune, I'm sure he was trying to keep you all safe and out of harm's way."

Triton crossed his arms, huffing under his breath. He made eye contact with the other dwarf planets, who were listening in on the conversation. They were tense, their faces laced with apprehensiveness and concern for their newfound friend. Triton nodded to show he was fine, but deep down he knew he wasn't and they knew too.

"So, I figured that one way we could trigger his memories was to 'introduce' him to you mates," Uranus spoke, knocking Triton from his inner turmoil.

"No-!" He shifted forward, appearing almost scared of the notion.

The tiny moons cast each other glances before looking at their big brother.

"Why not, Triton?" Proteus asked, tilting his head.

"Because, uh... because I, uh..." Triton clenched his hands into fists, eyes averting from the moons to look at the Celestial instead, "Uranus, can I talk to you for a second; alone?"

"Sure, mate..." Uranus nodded, uncertainty crossing his features. Triton led them a few units away, his gaze downcast. Uranus waited patiently for the moon to get his words together.

"Right, so..." Triton bit his lip, hesitating for a few seconds, "Around one hundred million years ago or so, I was formed. Everything was great, y'know? I was free, traveling the Kuiper Belt, and doing my own thing... until I found myself in Neptune's orbit. I tried to get out, but no matter what I did, I couldn't escape. Since I travel in the opposite direction of his moons, I ended up... colliding with them."

Uranus sucked in a breath, eyes going wide.

"Neptune's moons aren't debris that came out of the Kuiper belt... they're fragments of those past moons."

Uranus didn't respond, looking at the moon with an indistinguishable stare. Triton looked anywhere else, avoiding the Giant's piercing gaze. He fiddled with his hands, a nervous habit he picked up from Neptune.

"Does he know?" The Celestial uttered.

Triton looked up, "Huh?"

"Does Neptune know...?"

Triton pursed his lips, "He doesn't like talking about it... or remembering it."

Uranus dipped his head, letting out a sigh, "Poor Neptune..."

For a few moments, nobody spoke. Triton eyed the Giant warily, watching as he took deep breaths.

"Right, well..." Uranus quickly composed himself, lifting his head with a look of determination on his face, "We're still going to go through with this."