As Athena listened to Luna talk about her step-family, they felt sad for her and in an attempt to comfort her, they put their head on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.” They told her, wanting to show her that they sympathized with her and hoping that it might offer some additional comfort. They smiled when she said that they’d like her step-brother and younger sister. “I’d love to meet them.” They responded. “I think you’d like my family, too. I’ll introduce you to them one day.”
They nodded solemnly when Luna told them that her little sister blamed herself for her mom’s death. They pulled up their sleeve, tracing the scar underneath their tattoo. “My dad does the same thing. He blames himself for my mom attacking me because he was the one who asked for the divorce. Except there was nothing he could’ve done about her reaction. All he wanted was for her to not be married to a gay man. He thought he was doing the best thing for her.” Something about Luna made Athena want to tell her everything, including the things that they had never told anyone else before.
“Or you could go with me.” They said, keeping their head on her shoulder and holding her hand. “I’ll take you anywhere in the world, just name the place.” They told her, smiling. The idea of seeing the world with Luna made them feel all nice and warm inside. After years of dreading this feeling and avoiding it at all costs, maybe she would be the person to change that.
@Kristi - Luna