Lunar Chronicles One-Shots

The Sun and the Moon (Kaider)

Kai stood in the center of the ballroom, conversing with other earthen leaders and every so often glancing over the shoulder of Prime Minister Kamin. It was the 2nd Annual Peace Ball. Two years since Cinder was coronated queen of Luna. Two years since the end of the Lunar Revolution. Two years since Levana was killed. And one year since Cinder turned Luna into a republic.

She had told him she wouldn't make it here tonight. Yet there she was, across the floor, laughing with a man Kai'd never seen before. It had been a full two years since he'd seen Cinder. They had had time to grow apart. She wasn't able to attend last year's Peace Ball in Africa. "It's not in my place as a queen to go off to balls and festivities when my country is in such horrible condition." She had said at an interplanetary meeting shortly after she had been coronated.

Cinder wasn't wrong. Luna needed her then more than ever before. The economy fell, workers were going on strike for safer and cleaner conditions and higher pay, and many earthen countries were demanding more Letumosis antidotes be made and delivered to them. All of which--and more--were fixed. It didn't help her situation that half the population on Luna wanted to keep the monarchy, and half the population on Earth wanted her dead or behind bars.

Kai had told her she'd make an amazing queen and president. And he was right.

After the man left Cinder's company, Kai quickly excused himself from the conversation. Though none of the leaders seemed to acknowledge him. He made his way over to where Cinder stood gazing out the large glass windows at the rain.

"Hey," he smiled.

She turned to him with a surprised look. She smiled. "Hey,"

"You said you weren't coming tonight."

Cinder turned to him and held his gaze.  Unease was etched across her features. "I didn't think I would," she looked at the floor. A small smile tugged at her lips, "but a little someone told me she'd have my metal parts removed in my sleep if I didn't."

Kai laughed. "Well I guess I have Iko to thank for you being here."

"I guess so." She laughed.

As a familiar song began playing, Kai held his hand out. Cinder looked up at him in confusion. "May I have this dance?"

Cinder hesitated but placed her hand in his and Kai pulled her to the center of the ballroom.

"I can't believe it's only been two years," Cinder whispered, looking away from him.

"I know," he replied, "it feels like an eternity has passed since the revolution."

Immediately, Cinder's head snapped up. "Kai, I'm so sorry for not keeping in touch. I feel terrible. All those times you called, I'm sorry for not answering. I just--"

Kai smiled, "It's alright, Cinder. Don't worry about it."

Her eyes hardened. "No it's not. It's very much not alright." A small laugh escaped Kai's lips at Cinder's fret. She looked away.

"Cinder, look at me," He lifted her chin so that she was now looking straight at him. "you were busy reconstructing a broken nation. You were curing the ill. You were regaining your people's trust. You were doing your duty as president. Don't feel sorry for that."

Cinder grimaced. "Kai, I have to talk to you. It's kind of important."

The song slowly died out and they made their way away from the crowds to the back corner of the ballroom.

Cinder looked uneasy; she looked like she did when under pressure and stress. Kai knew the look all to well from their days on the Rampion.

"Cinder? What's wrong?" He asked, picking up her hands from where they dangled helplessly beside her.

"I know that we've been trying to make this... thing work but it just feels too forced, you know?" She was looking away, avoiding his eyes at all costs.

"Well, I mean, I don't know. Is that how it feels to you?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I-I don't know. I just don't think this is going to work out. Between you and me."

All the blood in Kai's body was drained as she said those words. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that it's just too hard to do this right now."

"Cinder, we can make this work. It'll be fine--"

"No, Kai, it won't. Trust me, I don't want to do this anymore than you do, but we're just too different."

He was at a loss for words. But in the end, he knew she was right. They were two very different people, living two very different lives, in two very different countries. Of course it wouldn't work out.

It still hurt to hear her say it, though.

"You're right." He said.

She turned to him and their eyes locked. It looked like she, the girl who couldn't cry, was fighting back tears. It dawned on him. Cinder loved him still, and she was letting him go to save both of them. To save their friendship, their unbreakable bond.

So she hugged him and he hugged her.

He wanted to hold her forever, but he couldn't. For he was the sun, and she was the moon.

And they would never collide.

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