Wings of Fire One Shots - Slow Updates

Moonbli #4 (Alternate Storyline)

“Umber?” Sora asked timidly. “Are you sure you can do this? You're completely over him? Or at least over the idea of him… loving you?”

“It's okay,” he assured his sister. “I know he's an impossibility. Don't worry. You'll be fine here, at Cricket's hospital?”

She smiled. “Don't worry, Umber. I'll see you in a few weeks.”

“Bye, sis,” he said. He hugged her one last time, then started towards Pyrrhia.

“Umber!” Kinkajou cried from the entrance. “I can't believe you're joining the new winglet this year!” Her expression turned serious once he'd landed. “And your crush…”

He pounced on her. “Shush! Don't let anyone hear!”

She laughed. “Don't worry, I'm just teasing you.”

“Umber?” a quiet voice asked. “Hi.”

He turned and saw Moon, alone for now. “Hey.” He hoped she stayed alone for the time being: he still needed some time to adjust to the idea of her with him. “What’s going on?”

She looked down. “I’ve been watching this little kid for his mom while she finds a job. They’re new here. His name is Peacemaker, but… I think I might not do it over breaks,” she admitted quietly. “It’s just… hard.”

He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out why it would be so hard to watch a little kid, but then he saw an amber and gold earring on her ear. “Why are you wearing that earring?” he asked. “Didn’t Turtle’s permanent release spell work on you?”

She blushed. “I never had any spells on me in the first place. I… was his friend. But I wear it because…” She trailed off awkwardly.

“Because it reminds her of Qibli,” Kinkajou put it. “Who she looooooooooooooves!”

“Kinkajou! Shut up!” Moon said quickly, looking mortified.

“Hey, guys,” said a voice behind Umber, a voice that made his heart speed up instantly. “Umber! You really came back?”

He tried to not to freak out. “Y-yeah. Sora’s in Cricket’s hospital, so…” He trailed off as he saw Moon’s face. Her eyes lit up like two dark green stars, and a smile crept across her face like she couldn’t help being happy when he was around.

She loves Qibli as much as I do. Maybe more.

“Come on,” Kinkajou whispered, tugging on Umber's arm. “They haven't seen each other in months, and I'm sure they're dying to kiss. They're just too polite to do it in front of us.”

“I heard that,” Moon and Qibli said together.

Kinkajou shrugged and yanked Umber away. He looked back and saw them smiling shyly, and he knew: I have to know exactly what's between them.

“Uh, Kinkajou? I'm going to go find Clay,” he lied, before slipping away and finding a little hole in the wall to hide in. A second later, as he was sure would happen, Qibli pulled Moon into the room by the hand.

“Hi,” he murmured.

“Hi,” she said back. Both had slight grins on their faces. They stepped closer. Like, really close. Close enough that Umber was sure kissing would follow.

“So… Peacemaker?” Qibli asked.

“I tried watching him, but… it's weird, Qibli!” She shook her head. “It's weird thinking that he was Darkstalker, and now he's not, and he never will be again. It's so weird! And he was my friend and I feel awful!” She stopped and took a breath. “Okay. Sorry. Hasn't even been five minutes and I'm ranting to you.”

“At least it wasn't about a book character,” he joked. She laughed. Umber resisted the urge to laugh alongside her, though he didn't get the inside joke. Qibli just had that effect on people.

“How's life at the stronghold?” she asked.

He smiled. “I'm associated with you and Darkstalker and the prophecy. Paparazzi everywhere. A constant stream of near-death experiences. You?”

“Same. Also a constant stream of near-death experiences.” She stepped a bit closer. “Was that an acceptable amount of small talk?”

He grinned. “Acceptable to me. I've been dying to kiss you all summer.”

So Kinkajou was right about that.

But before he could, Moon pressed a finger to his lips. “Hold that thought.” She turned and faced Umber. “Umber, I know you're there. Please come out.”

Umber blushed and came out of the crevice. “How'd you know?”

She sighed. “I have the lost mind-reading power. I heard you.”

“Why didn't you hear him before?” Qibli asked.

“You were taking up all the space in my head,” she teased, swatting his earring. He batted her hand away, grinning at her in the way boys in love with a girl grin.

“Then why'd you hear me now?” Umber added.

“I get a lot of emotions, too,” she explained. “And when Qibli said he wanted to kiss me… I felt a flare of jealousy so hot I knew it was close by. And then I listened… and you know the rest.”

“Jealousy?” Qibli echoed.

“Um… I want to let Umber explain,” she said. She pressed a kiss against his cheek that made Umber jealous again, then stepped to the side.

“Do you like Moon?” Qibli asked once she was gone.

Go with that. He wants to believe it, right? And it'll save the embarrassment.

But… she'll know that I lied to him. And she might tell him.

I don't have a choice.

“No. I'm gay, Qibli, and I like you. Really like you,” he admitted.

Qibli blinked. “Okay. Wow.” He sighed. “I'm sorry, Umber. Bu-”

“I know. I've seen the way you look at her, now and before. I've seen the way she looks at you. It's probably killing both of you to be dealing with me instead of kissing.” He ignored Qibli's deep blush. “So I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.”

“So.” Qibli glanced at the door. “Have you been spying on us?”

Moon showed herself, blushing. “I had to see what happened, since I can't trust you not to add embellishments of your own bravery,” she teased, poking a finger into his chest.

He pulled back, faking a wounded look. “You're so mean.”

“I'm sorry,” Umber promised. “Okay, I actually really want to go find Clay.” And he left.

So, I think I might continue this instead of the last one. I shall leave you with this:

"I been reading 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine.
Some men say that I'm intense or I'm insane.
You want a revolution, I want a revelation!
So listen to my Declaration.
'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
And when I meet Thomas Jefferson?
Imma compel him to include women in the sequel!"