Winter and Jacin (A Lunar Chronicles FanFic) ONESHOT

Earthen Winter

Winter jolted awake as the ship landed.

It was her first official trip as her cousin's-Queen Selene- ambassador. She had been to Earth a few times to help with delivering the antidote of the disease that nearly killed her and Scarlet-friend, but never on formal terms like this. She was in the American Republic, to sit in on a meeting about weather or not to readdress the Cyborg Laws. She knew this was something very important to Selene, and she was determined to do her best. But that didn't mean she wasn't nervous.

She looked out the window. The sky was clear and blue, and a bit of fog was already clinging to the glass.

The reality of it all struck her like she had just tried to escape a cage in the menagerie with Ryu's electric collar on. This was VERY important. Her breath hitched and turned ragged.

Jacin's voice pierced her ears.
"Princess? Princess what's the matter? Are you having a vision?" He was in front of her, gripping her shoulders, giving her a slight shake.

Winter stared at him. She tilted her head slightly and the corners of her mouth lifted at the edges. Jacin, her guard. Sweet, reliable Jacin.

"We both know I haven't had a vision since the chip was implanted. We both know it was the correct choice in me being the first to test it." She fluttered her lashes and yawned, stretching with her arms over her head, her back arched. "I'm just considering the possibility that there are other Earthens like Scarlet-friend. Headstrong and non-withholding of their tongue. I'm not sure I could convince a whole room full of them to have faith in me if they are like her." She offered a shaky smile, but her words sang louder than the action.

Jacin eyed her warily. "Princess, it's a little late to cancel now." Reaching up to cup her face in his hands, he tilted her head down and gently kissed her forehead. "I have faith in you, as does everyone else. You can do this."
Heat crept up Winter's cheeks, so unlike the ice that would cocoon her body. She tilted her head up and-

A whistle sounded through the room "Sorry to intrude, Romeo and Juliet, but it's time for you to make your final departure." Captain Thorne stood in the doorway of the small quarters Winter had been given for the journey through space.

Cress stood next to him, looking uncomfortable at interrupting them. She gripped the Captains arm and tugged on it, blushing.
"C-Captain please s-show a bit of discretion." She was fidgeting adorably, and when the Captain wrapped an arm around her waist she complied and fitted herself against his side. He whispered something in her ear and she flushed, her gaze falling to her already slightly rounded stomach.

They had married a few weeks ago, shortly after learning that they where expecting a child. Despite his bravado, it was obvious that the Captain was very nervous about this new addition to his crew. Cress, however, seemed to be quite ecstatic. Winter, Selene, Iko, and Scarlet-friend had commed her via video link for hours, asking about what they would need, name options, how the Captain was taking it. They where all very happy for them, and Selene had already been asked to be the Godmother of the child, and Scarlet-friend and Winter and Iko would be considered Aunts.

Her thoughts where brought back to the present as Cress stammered out instructions.

"They are waiting for you outside, and your luggage has already been loaded into the maglev train.  B-but you'll need to move quickly, it's very cold outside. If it wanted to, it could snow." She looked up at Winter and smiled. "Please be safe. We will be back to get you in two weeks-" She paused, before rushing on. "If you need anything at all we're just a comm away." She walked forward and wrapped Winter into an embrace, then directed a timid smile at Jacin. The Captain nodded at them both and took Cress's hand, smiling down at her, and her at him. They both had a twinkle in their eyes.