The Lost Moon [COMPLETE]

6: The Tranquility of the Moon

"I will tell you. But I'm not ready yet. I just want to spend time with you for now. Give me some time, days."

I sighed as I remembered Shen Yue's words. They were circulating through my mind for what seemed like the fifth time in half an hour. After we had that emotional meeting earlier, we migrated to the couches where we both settled in with each other. Somehow, we both ended up lying on the couch not speaking, just enjoying the presence of the other.

I felt Shen Yue shift as I sighed again. I looked down at her laying on my chest, having fallen asleep somehow. I frowned at the dark smudges underneath her eyes, signalling some sleepless nights she might have had-clearer now without her makeup on than usual. My poor moon. But even with those, she seemed at peace, her face relaxed as she took even breaths.

A narcissistic part of me thought that it was because of my presence. But of course, that couldn't be true. Maybe she just hasn't had restful days before coming here. I admit, she even had me fooled. I knew there was something off about her, but she always said she was fine-but that should have been my first clue. I wish I talked to her and urged her to tell me the truth then. But she asked me this one little thing, and who am I to deny my moon anything?

I sat there transfixed on her face, she was so beautiful. Even without makeup, especially without makeup. I always look forward to those days we spend at her condo or mine, because we didn't have to wear any makeup, we didn't need to dress to the nines.

I sighed for what felt like the millionth time tonight and finally closed my eyes. I adjusted myself and my moon a bit, snuggling her closer to me to prevent her from rolling away and falling on the floor. I know we should move to a proper bed, but somehow the couch was too comfortable to move and trek to the rooms.

I'm just glad to have found my moon. And with that, I drifted off to sleep.

---

I woke up to some pitter patter of bowls and utensils. My eyes fluttered open and I squinted at the sun glaring through the glass doors and windows. I forgot about those last night, I groan as I cover my eyes from the blinding light. Then suddenly, I realize the lack of weight on me. I bolted up and heard the sound again, and snapped my head towards the hallway connecting to the kitchen and dining area, just in time to see my moon go through it with 2 bowls in her tiny hands. I got up from the couch and stretched my limbs, hearing them crack. I quickened my pace to the dining area and paused just at the entryway, leaning on the wall, observing my little moon so engrossed in arranging the array of breakfast foods on the table.

I noticed she changed into another very familiar hoodie and it made me laugh, which startled her and caused her to look up from what she was doing. What greeted me was a blinding smile. She skipped over to me and grabbed my hand to drag me over and sat me down in one of the chairs facing the glass doors, overlooking the winter wonderland outside.

"Good morning! Sao zi brought over some food yesterday morning and helped me stock up on supplies for our stay here," she said as she served me some steamed buns and as I replied in thanks, "and I wanted your first day to start off right! Just like the old times at the Inn."

I chewed my food slowly and gave her a thumbs up.

She laughed, "You were almost always the last one to arrive and eat breakfast with us."

I gulped down some coffee before I spoke, "That's because I had to do some chores before hand."

"Is that so? You weren't just primping yourself up for me?"

I gawked at her, "Excuse me, I was not."

She sips her tea and winked at me over the rim of the cup, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."