Forever Luna

abatement

noun ~ the act of reducing, lessening, or ending something

NOVA

My gaze drifted across the battlefield before I could stop it, searching amongst the wolves and battered bodies scattered over the blood-soaked ground, wondering what I could do to help. Phoenix had already moved away, throwing commands to those who could help and soothing those who couldn't.

It was at that point that I caught sight of Charlie again before he disappeared behind crowds of people.

Pollux's voice surprised me, snapping me out of my search. "Go on."

"What?" I looked back at him. "I'm not leaving you alone."

"You're not." His tired gaze shifted past me. "Go see Charlie."

I followed his gaze to where Sean was making his way towards us, limping slightly and holding one arm close to his chest. Blood covered the side of his face, but his steps were steady. Relief struck me all over again, because of course, how could I forget about Sean? He had nearly torn through a horde of wolves to get to me when one was chomping on my limbs.

Sean's eyes moved across Pollux first, assessing, before settling on me. His brow furrowed as he took in the blood coating my clothes.

"How badly are you hurt?" He muttered.

"I'm fine." I shook my head. "Cors healed me."

His expression suggested that the answer was unacceptable.

"My body is still catching up," I shrugged. "A little weary, but none of this is mine. Not really."

Sean studied me for another moment, looking for the lie, before finally nodding. He crouched beside Pollux and offered him a faint smile.

"Glad to see you back," Sean offered him his hand, and Pollux met it with a weak laugh.

"I've been imprisoned for decades. I have a great deal to catch up on." My brother mused.

"That sounds exhausting."

"It is. You may carry me if necessary." He smirked.

Sean glanced down at Pollux's limbs, and the humour softened in his expression, replaced by something more solemn. He tried to hide it, but Pollux saw it, and his smile slowly faded.

"I'll stay with him." Sean suggested, sitting down. "Go do luna shit whilst I heal."

I hesitated, but Pollux gave my hand a squeeze, though there was barely any strength behind it.

"Nova," he rolled his eyes. "Go."

Looking over my shoulder, I searched for him again. I may have already cried about his return, but it didn't feel long enough. Luckily, I found him, only to realise Charlie was watching me.

The instant our gazes met, he rolled his eyes, as though he understood what I was going to do. He just had enough time to open his arms before I was before him again, curling him into my arms. The force of it sent him staggering back a step, but he caught me, wrapping both arms around my waist and holding me to his chest.

He laughed lightly. "You've already squeezed me once, now twice?"

"Shut up." I muttered into his neck.

His laughed softened, and he squeezed me. "I wouldn't be gone forever, you know."

I pulled away, staring into his warm eyes with a faint tug in my chest. I couldn't quite believe my luck; not only did I get Pollux back, but the man I saw as my annoying older brother, too. Charlie was just as rough around the edges, and definitely needing a good cake or two for his dinner, but he was here.