the moon [h.s.] - EDITING

forty-five.

LUNA

ONE WEEK LATER

The day has finally come around. It's Wednesday in the evening and she's waiting for her brother at the airport. After her morning shift from work, Luna was able to get out of her work uniform and change into something much more flattering. Her hair is curled and she's wearing fitted jeans, a cropped tank, and Harry's favorite cardigan. It was her favorite cardigan, too. It was soft and beautifully knitted with fun colors. Plus, it smelled like him. It felt like she had Harry's arms around her in the middle of the airport. Even though she had spent the last few nights in a row with him being in his arms, she just can't get enough of his cuddles.

He offered to come, but she decided it would be best to pick up Santi alone. She knows how her brother could be sometimes. So unfiltered and outspoken. She's worried about Thanksgiving dinner, truthfully, but she still can't wait.

She's eyeing the airport escalators just waiting for Santi to appear. She smiles wide the moment she sees his messy mop of hair. She covers her mouth, laughing when seeing her younger brother being escorted. She then waves when he looks around. "Over here!"

Her brother spots Luna. He smiles and rolls his luggage the moment he steps off the escalator. He then turns to the man escorting him. "Alright, Benjamin... You can stop following me. I found my sister!"

"Aw, you needed someone to hold your hand through the flight?" She teases him just as he hugs her. She mouths a 'thank you' to Benjamin for escorting her younger brother.

He groans. "Shut up. Mom wouldn't let me come without that unaccompanied minor service thing..." He then pulls away from the hug to look at her. "Mom also wanted me to tell you hello and that she hopes you're doing well."

Luna feels a small pang in her chest at the mention of her mother. She swallows. "Really? Wow. I'm doing well. So well," she tells him. She then hugs her brother again. "Alright! Let's go. Welcome to New York, baby brother."

Santi smiles and follows Luna after parting from their hug again. He's looking around.

Luna leads him out to a cab. The driver puts Santi's belongings into the trunk as the two get into the backseat. She tells the driver her address the moment he gets into the car then she turns to Santi. "So, how does it feel to be in New York City?"

He looks out the window and he shrugs. "So far... there are so many people. Gross."

Luna laughs and nods in agreement. She then watches him for a small moment, taking in the fact that her brother is sitting next to her. "How did it happen? I mean, did mom tell you to come?" She's curious.

"I asked," Santi tells her. "I asked if I could visit you. Of course, she was iffy about it. She got mad at me for a while, you know, for asking. Then I kinda convinced her. I told her that I wanted to see if you were safe for myself. She finally agreed."

Luna could imagine her mother's reaction to Santi asking if he could visit her. She knows how she could be, too. So snappy and short-tempered. "I'm glad you're here," she tells him. She watches as her brother looks out the window and he catches a glimpse of Manhattan.

"I've seen this all in movies, you know?" He says as he recognizes the city and its tall buildings.

"I know," she says. She's smiling.

»»

Luna is leading Santi up to her apartment and she's nervous. She hasn't told him who she lives with yet. She's worried about his reaction to her living with a man a couple of years older than her. "I have an amazing roommate and honestly, this apartment is in a perfect location. All the cool places are nearby," she tells him as they step off the elevator.

"Cool, cool. Listen, can we test out my fake I.D. sometime during my visit?"

"What? No! Where the hell did you get a fake I.D.?" Luna frowns as she inserts her key into the knob. She twists the knob open and steps inside. She smiles at Zavier who is watching a movie. He's completely sober and he promised her he would be while her brother is in town.

Zavier stands up. "Hey, Luna," he says. He smiles as he's ready to greet her brother.

Santi rolls in his luggage behind Luna and stops by the door. He doesn't have time to look around because he's looking straight at Zavier. "This is your roommate?!" Santi asks and looks at Luna again. "You live with a man?!"

"Santi! Santi, this is Zavier. Yes, he's my roommate, but he's also my friend," Luna says. She closes the door and then walks towards Zavier. "Sorry, this is my brother, Santi."

"Santiago," he corrects.

Zavier lets out a small laugh. He puts his hand out for her brother to shake. "Santiago, hello! Don't worry, I'm just her respectable roommate and friend. It's nice to meet you," he tells him.

Santiago eyes him and then shakes his hand. He hums. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-seven," Zavier answers.

"Oh, god... Wow, okay. I wasn't prepared for this. I thought my sister was rooming with a hot college girl and not you," Santiago tells him. He's shaking his head. "Be honest with me, do you find my sister attractive?"

"Santiago! C'mon, let's go take your stuff to my bedroom." Luna reaches for her brother's arm. She tries to drag him along, but he doesn't move.

"Wait! So, do you?" He's looking at Zavier.

"Uh, I... Well, yeah I think she's pretty... You know what, I think you're grilling the wrong person. Looking for someone to put on the spot, try her boyfriend, Harry." Zavier says and laughs. He looks over at Luna and he gives her a grin.

"Harry?" Santi throws a look towards Luna. "You're telling me fish and chips is still around?"

Zavier laughs at what he called Harry. He tries to tame his grin after Luna glares at him. "He's still around. He's always around."

"Oh, my... Alright, enough! Santi, it's Thanksgiving tomorrow, let's get some rest," Luna suggests. She tries to drag her brother out one more time, but he's strong enough not to move. He goes over to sit by Zavier on the couch instead.

"Tell me about this guy? I've only met him once. Personally, I think Luna could do way better, but I tend to judge harshly," Santi tells Zavier.

Zavier voluntarily sits down next to Santi and he laughs again. "Well, Santiago... He's actually a really great guy. Take it from me, he was my roommate before your sister. He's also my best friend. He's kind, such a gentleman, and he seems to like your sister a lot, and I mean a lot."

Luna listens to Zavier and she hugs herself in Harry's cardigan. She looks down at it and something about the way Zavier emphasized around the word 'a lot' makes her wonder what he knows. Has Harry told him something about just how much he likes her?

"Hm, I might have to judge him a little less lightly if that's the case," Santi says. He then looks over at Luna. "Are we seeing him tomorrow over Thanksgiving dinner, Luna?"

She smiles lightly. "Yeah. We're all going to his place. So don't embarrass me."

"Me? Embarrass you? Please!" He looks away from Luna. "Well, nice meeting you, Zavier. I'm gonna get some rest."

"You too, Santiago. Have a goodnight."

"Santi," he says, allowing him to call him by his nickname. He smiles at Zavier.

He leaves both Luna and Zavier smiling from his sudden approval. Luna laughs. "Night, Zavier," she tells him after Santiago gets off the couch to explore. He's heading into the hall and Luna follows after him.