Avi let herself relax for an hour longer and decided to read a book titled 'Soulless' from the Hanged King system, in an attempt to understand the differences in the interpretation of teachings about nether souls. She was interrupted by knocking at her door, though, and had to leave it for later.

“I guessed you wouldn't be sleeping...” Luna began as she sat on the edge of the bed. - “...I kind of wanted to be with you today. Just the two of us, alone.” - She moved her hand closer to Avi's and gently intertwined their fingers.

Avi was anxious because she wasn't prepared for it. She didn't know how to react, or if she wanted it at all.

Luna snuggled up to Avi's side, resting her head on her friend's shoulder and closing her eyes. She peacefully relaxed next to her partner, gently rubbing her neck and enjoying her fragrance.

“I was aware that Eva wasn't bothered by us being close...” - Luna spoke. - “...but you were right. It's a whole other experience when it's only for the two of us.”

Avi continued to be silent.

Luna's eyelids slowly moved. She studied Avi's expression in detail. - “Are you nervous?”

“Slightly...”- Avi uttered hesitantly.

“Then let me take care of everything.” - Luna whispered to her ear, then leaned in to kiss her below it, gently pushing her on the mattress. Just like before, Luna's hair concealed the world around Avi, isolating them in a shared dream. Luna closed her eyes again, then moved closer to Avi's neck.

Avi was panting. Her eyes weren't gazing at the moon's daughter, but elsewhere, as if she tried to disconnect herself from the experience. She let Luna continue, but once she moved her lips closer and their gazes met, Avi couldn't hide her tears.

Luna, slightly surprised, withdrew. At first, she was embarrassed, then a bit worried, then finally asked. - “I'm sorry. When it comes to being this close, I don't have too much data about your people's emotional reactions. Should I continue, or did I do something wrong?”

Avi moved her knees closer and shifted to a sitting position, then began to cry.

Luna, although her heart was aching and she felt lost, knew that she had made a mistake. She didn't know what it was, though, but she still felt guilty. - “Should... should I leave?”

Avi shook her head, then threw herself at Luna, wrapping her arms around her neck. - “I'm sorry!”

Luna froze. A strange tingling at the back of her neck told her that something was seriously wrong. - “I don't understand, Avi. I won't understand if you don't explain it to me.”

“I-I can't. I j-just can't!” - Avi sobbed. - “I don't want to!”

Luna's heart stopped, but she kept her cool because of her friend. - “Is it... about me? Were you wrong back on Goliath... when you said...”

Avi hugged Luna tighter. - “No, and no. It's me who is broken.”

Luna lowered her eyes with sadness. - “When did it happen?”

“I think I was always like this.” - Avi admitted with honesty.

“Why didn't you tell me earlier?” - Luna asked calmly. - “I would've looked for a solution.”

Avi also froze, but let Luna go a moment later, then moved back. - “I wanted to tell you... It's just...”

The pain in Luna's chest grew. - “You didn't have to, because you had Eva.”

Avi's face was painted with guilt. - “Are you angry?”

“No...” - Luna uttered quietly, then corrected herself. - “...maybe a bit. Eh, maybe even a lot. You had so much time and many occasions to do it. I've trusted you, Avi...”

It was as if a bullet pierced Avi's heart, making it burst.

“...and I still trust you. If it was, and still is, difficult, then I won't put pressure on you.” - Luna said as she smiled through pain. - “You'll explain it to me once you calm down and recollect your thoughts.”

“I'm sorry.” - Avi uttered. - “I'm so sorry.”

“Do you need a moment to be alone?” - Luna asked.

“...but what about you?” - Avi asked. - “I had hurt you...”

Luna sighed, forcing herself to smile. - “Don't worry about it. I'll think rationally and try to find an answer that satisfies us both.” - She got up, adding. - “Try to sleep, and then rest in the morning. Once Eva and I are done, we'll talk it through and figure out how to deal with our current situation.”

Avi nodded. - “Luna... I care about you and I don't want to lose you because of this...”

“You won't.” - Luna assured as she helped Avi to get into bed. After covering her with a blanket, she kissed her on the forehead and asked if she should leave the lights on. Avi nodded, which suggested she wouldn't fall asleep too soon either way. Once Luna closed the door to leave Avi with her own thoughts, she teleported to the bridge and gazed at the stars afar.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

She didn't remember when she had started crying or when she had damaged the control panel with her fist. Her night of loneliness, although long, had to eventually give in to the light of a new dawn...

---

Eva and Avi sat at the table together. Avi was wearing pajamas, was still drowsy, and wasn't in a very good form. Although Eva could tell, she still studied her introduction to the training and didn't bother her friend, giving her time to decide if she wanted to talk.

It all lasted too long for Eva, though. - “Luna isn't in a hurry.”

Avi curled up, wrapping her arms around her legs. - “I think it will be better if we all eat in our rooms today.”

“What happened?” - Eva asked.

“I'll explain it to you later.” - Avi said, then got up. - “Can you bring Luna her smoothie while it's still warm?”

Eva picked up the mug. The hot mix of oats and milk had a pleasant aroma of dark chocolate and ripe banana.

“Her favorite recipe.” - Eva noticed. - “She'll know you think about her.”

“Thank you, Eva.” - Avi said, then returned to her room.

---

Eva knocked on the door leading to the bridge. She was aware that if they were shut, then Luna was there. Although there was no answer, Eva invited herself in, finding Luna half-kneeling with her arms and torso resting on the control panel.

“Eva. I didn't tell you to come in.” - Luna uttered.

“You also didn't tell me to stay outside.” - Eva countered as she put the smoothie next to Luna.

Luna's light appeared pale, and her expression was indifferent or apathetic. Once she sensed the familiar aroma, it quickly reminded her of her pain.

“Avi wanted to make you feel better.” - Eva confessed. - “I don't know what happened between you, and I don't want to interfere, but you deserve my support, just as you supported me. If I can help you in any way, or ease your burden, please let me.”

Luna picked up the mug and warmed it up in her hands, then took a sip. Eva could tell it would be enough for her to remember her bond with Avi. She left, leaving Luna alone with her thoughts.

---

Luna's lessons started late and focused mainly on theoretical knowledge, which didn't require her to be present. Despite this, Eva was a much more diligent student than Avi and actively asked questions, so Luna was forced to spend more time with her than with her gloomy thoughts. Before the girls realized, it was already lunchtime, and Luna still didn't know if she was prepared to confront Avi.

As both girls walked the corridor, Luna felt her heart racing and pressure growing. Could she face Avi and honestly tell her what she felt? Could she keep on going, forced to accept that the world is unwilling to adapt to her wishes?

Her reflections were stopped by a familiar smell. Avi was cooking another of her favorite meals, a vegetable lasagna.

“Mmm...” - Eva sniffed the air. - “...it'll be a feast!”

Luna awkwardly scratched her arm. - “She knows how to pull my strings...”

Eva took Luna's hand, encouraging. - “Let's go!”

Although Luna let Eva pull her, she was still reluctant. When they stopped in front of the recreational room, she took one last deep breath and waited for the door to open. She was greeted by Avi in an apron, smiling and dancing around the table as she was serving the meal.

Deceiving appearances.

The lunch continued, and Luna wasn't talkative at all, even if Avi continued to ask them questions about their first training together, or if Eva liked it, or what their plans were for the afternoon and evening.

Eva answered eagerly, not noticing the illusion that Avi was creating, which frustrated Luna even more. However, Eva was also hurrying to finish her meal, and once she did so, she found an excuse to leave the table and let both girls talk in private.

There was an awkward moment of silence, during which Avi rocked gently from side to side, smiling. Luna wanted to get to the point, even if Avi wasn't ready.

“Was the meal good?” - Avi interrupted their stalemate first.

“Yes...” - Luna confirmed. - “...but are you planning to keep cooking like this every day now?”

Avi got up to sit on the sofa next to Luna. - “I like to do it, and I know you enjoy the results, too.”

“Perhaps I shouldn't judge because not enough time has passed yet...” - Luna spoke slowly. - “...but I feel you're trying to make it up to me for what had happened yesterday.”

Avi's smile vanished, but only for a moment. She quickly adjusted her expression and explained. - “I... I wasn't taking proper care of our relationship. I want you to feel better, so some things are changing.”

“Avi. You're masking the problem.” - Luna replied. - “I don't care about your superficial gestures! O would prefer you to be yourself!”

Avi was no longer in a good mood. Instead, she was thinking intensively. - “Myself? Lazy and self-absorbed? That's what you care about? About a worse version of me?”

“Don't start it, not like this!” - Luna protested. - “We both know it has nothing to do with our situation.”

Tears welled up in Avi's eyes. - “I'm doing my best! Can't it be enough!? Does there always have to be more!?”

Luna felt her frustration growing. To her, Avi's words about being self-absorbed sounded like they were partially true. Despite this, she kept her cool. - “I'm not forcing you to do anything, and I don't intend to. Take a deep breath in, deep breathe out, and then tell me if you're ready to seriously talk.” - Once Avi calmed, Luna asked. - “Are you ready?”

Avi nodded.

“When you said you were like this since always, what did you mean?” - Luna asked.

“I...” - Avi hesitated. - “...I never paid attention to being really close with someone, but when you tried to take the initiative for the first time... I... I... just couldn't.”

“Is it about the initiative, or the act itself?” - Luna inquired.

“The second.” - Avi uttered, embarrassed.

“I didn't notice you being bothered when we snuggle together or touch each other.” - Luna added. - “I assume I'm not making you uncomfortable when we do that?”

“Uhm, no. I don't think so.” - Avi informed.

“Then it's decided. I know your boundaries, and if they ever change, just let me know.” - Luna declared.

“That's it? Just... just like this?” - Avi asked in disbelief. - “What about you?”

“Nothing?” - Luna replied. - “I can control myself, if that's what you ask.”

“...but ...but you're the one who always sacrifices herself. I don't want you to suffer again because of me.” - Avi uttered. - “I don't want you to be the one who has to give up her happiness again. I don't want you to bottle up your frustration and pain!”

“Eh.” - Luna sighed. - “First things first. I won't suffer because of it. It's more like... as if I gave up my chocolate smoothie.” - Luna paused. - “No, that's a terrible analogy. Initially, it did sting, but once I processed my feelings, I think I had overreacted. Avi, the most important thing is for you not to hurt yourself. The fact that I'll be giving up a potentially new aspect of our relationship because of it is a secondary matter. If we both can't enjoy it, or worse, you need to suffer, then it's pointless.”

Avi wiped her eyes. - “If you ever want to break up with me, I'll understand.”

“It won't happen...” - Luna assured. - “...but I'm glad you took it into account.”

Avi moved closer to Luna and hugged her. - “You're the best.”

Luna reciprocated and stroked Avi's hair. - “Remember. I want you to be true to yourself, because without it, it's hard to find true happiness.”