Summary: Sunday, the former head of the Oak Family, now trailblazing across the galaxy with the Astral Express. You were his follower, a Shadowmite who began living in his shadow after he caught your eye.
Warnings: Slight stalking.
loud notes: Not really sure what warnings to put here, but I can say that this is the longest one I've done so far!
You never understood Sunday’s vision, not truly. There wasn’t a possibility in your mind where everyone could truly be happy, where the strong wouldn’t crush the weak instead of helping them. You’ve seen your fair share of people in your time, and it was a one in a million where the strong would voluntarily help someone weaker than them.
You remember Penacony all too well. Where the Harmony was being pushed out by Order, where Sunday was trying to revive the fallen Aeon, Ena. You remembered fighting to stay in reality, to not fall into an eternal dream. Eventually, you succumbed, but your world was wrong. But selfishly, you continued to stay in that peaceful land. To indulge in the dream that would never become reality. As life was unfair, something you knew all too well.
Like all things, that dream didn’t last. You couldn’t bear to live in that eternally happy place. You couldn’t bear being that selfish. So, you awoke to the aftermath of it all. Where you found out Sunday had been kicked from being the head of the Oak Family, imprisoned and being punished for his crimes.
While you believed that what he did should be punishable, somewhere in your heart, you believed he should hold onto that dream. That precious motivation to make the world a peaceful and eternally happy place.
So, you made a few calls with the IPC who owed you a favour, and Mr. Sunday was released.
While he did try to conceal himself with the power of the Harmony, you saw through it and followed him. Every stop he visited, you were ten steps behind him. When he was talking with a thing he called “Wonweek”, you let neither see you.
You don’t know when the decision to follow him crossed your mind, but neither did you care. You were curious. You were bored. You were entranced.
When you learnt that he was boarding the Astral Express, you were bound to follow. Though you were like a shadow. Literally. Sunday’s shadow was the perfect place to stay for the time being. Especially when no person would really be focusing on a person’s shadow.
So, you waited, and watched, and learned.
The Astral Express was weary of Sunday at first. Who wouldn’t be? After he tried to put everyone in an eternal dream land against their will, even lying to his sister and all of Penacony. But as time passed, you could see they were becoming less worried.
Your heart warmed as you could see Sunday slowly beginning to unwind, trying to change from being a control-freak to allowing himself to not always be so sprung up. Yet there was one problem that was constantly on your mind. Your stalker-like tendencies had gotten you put on a journey with the Astral Express with no way out. As well as the fact Sunday had no idea of your existence as you lived in his shadow.
Though that was a thought for another day, as the trailblazers were preparing to go to a new planet. An unknown planet that hadn’t even been explored by Akavili themself.
Now that worried you. Going to a place that was completely in the unknown, with Sunday perhaps trekking into a dangerous world. You weren’t going to let him get hurt on this unknown planet.
While he slept idly, with the rest of the Express having gone to rest, you emerged from his shadow. You wanted to reach out. To touch his skin without just clinging to his shadow. You needed to know what he feels like. But you pulled away as soon as your fingers brushed his skin.
The most you ever did was take food and water from the Express to keep on living. Even your species needed nourishment to survive. But you were so tired of not having anyone to talk to. Despite being right by his side, you were lonely. So awfully lonely that you couldn’t help but need just a shred of physical touch.
So, you tried again, and this time, when you touched his hair, you didn’t reel back.
His hair was unbelievably soft. You never believe someone’s hair could be so soft before, but it was. It was like running your hand over a soft blanket, curling around your hand. You couldn’t stop the soft gasp that left your mouth.
You kneeled beside him, resting your chin on the edge of his bed, continuing to caress his hair. You vaguely thought that it was a bad idea, letting your guard down in a place like this, in front of a person like him. But the selfish part of you wanted to stay here. To admire Sunday every moment you could.
You stumbled back away from the bed, landing on the floor with a dull thud. Your heart raced as those beautiful yellow eyes pierced through the darkness, landing on you. A part of you thought that you should have been more scared about being caught, but all you felt was the rush.
“Sunday,” you whispered, moving to sit on your knees.
You had wanted to talk to him for so long. The days you’ve waited to be face-to-face with him, to converse with him, all led up to this. Yet you couldn’t utter anything else but his name. Just like a coward.
“Who are you?” Sunday demanded. “Why have you infiltrated the Express?”
“Sunday,” you repeated. “I’m not here to hurt you. I could never you.”
Your breath was shaky as you crawled towards him, sitting at the edge of the bed. You didn’t dare touch him again. Not while he was awake. You needed his permission to touch, to caress, to feel.
Sunday stared at you with furrowed brows, expression unsure as he looked like a spring that was about to pop. What surprised you was the calculation in his eyes. Sure, you had seen it before when he studied the Trailblazers, but it had never been directed toward you before. Because until this day, he hadn’t known you existed.
“So, you’re the little Shadowmite that’s been clinging onto me ever since I departed Penacony.”
His words broke your illusion, snapping you back to reality.
Your pupils blew wide, your body feeling rock-solid as you gape at the Halovian man. You couldn’t believe it. Even with the power of the Harmony, it should have been almost impossible to detect you. Even for a man like Sunday. You were sure you had been extremely careful, even for how undetectable your species was.
“Little mite, I see what’s running through your head: the confusion you feel, the fear that clings to your darkened soul,” Sunday murmured. He reached out, grabbing your chin and pulling you forward until your chest was pressed against the bed’s frame. “Every time you leave my shadow, I can feel it. The loss, how my shadow feels almost empty every time I gaze back at it. It took me longer than I would like to admit deciphering just what was clinging to me. But now, I’ve finally caught you.”
It was like one groundbreaking reveal one after another. Still, you can’t stop yourself from gazing into his eyes. They were magnetic; drawing all eyes forward to marvel at his magnificence. No matter what conscious thought crosses your mind, you don’t want to pull away. Not at a time like this.
“Now that I’m caught,” you trailed off, “what are you going to do with me?”
You couldn’t help but ask. Your bottom lip quivered slightly, fists pressing into your thighs as Sunday’s thumb traced your jaw. A shaky breath escaped your mouth that you couldn’t control. It was like your body defied you under Sunday’s watchful gaze.
Sunday canted his head to the side, raising his brows.
“What am I going to do to you?” He echoed, an edge of amusement in his voice. “Why would I do anything to you? It wounds me to know that you perceive I am cruel and heartless just like Penacony. You’ve stuck to me for so long, I would presume you had judged my character quite thoroughly.”
You keep repeating his name like a mantra. As if his name was the only thing tying you down to reality, shackling you from falling into the illusory daydream. Though reality seemed too much like a dream come true.
“Are you going to send me away?” You reiterated, watching his face change as he let out a soft ‘ah’. He almost seemed amused with your question.
“Why would I send you away?” He muttered. “It would be courteous to let the Astral Express aware of your presence as you boarded without permission, but I would like to be selfish and keep your secret between you and I.”
“Secret?” You repeated once more. “You shouldn’t do that. It could get you in trouble. I don’t want to have to use up any more favours when you can stay safe and sound by abiding by the rules.”
“So, that was you, little mite?” Sunday chuckled earnestly. “You contacted the IPC? Though I doubt they wouldn’t have collaborated with you if there wasn’t something they wanted in return...”
Your breath hitched as he cupped your cheeks, trapping you within his grip. You shut your eyes tightly, preparing yourself for the worst.
“...I am not going to say that I don’t appreciate your kindness,” he completed.
Your breath caught in your throat, eyelashes fluttering as you looked into Sunday’s softened eyes. They were so different from when he was in Penacony. They were hard, without light, lifeless behind the mask he brandished to the world. Now, the change was slight. Light made an appearance in his eye, in his smile. Though he still had that desire for complete control, he was making an effort to keep it restrained.
“Out of all people, why would you risk your freedom to accompany me of all other people across the galaxy?” Sunday questioned. “A wanted criminal. A betrayer of The Family. Of Penacony. Of all people who wanted to be in a sweet dream. Why?”
The question made you pause.
“Why wouldn’t I?” You answered, puzzled. “You’re magnificent. Before I started living in your shadow, I couldn’t even imagine a world that has that complete peace. To be honest, I still can’t. But I was entranced by your will, your determination, your heart.”
Your limbs felt like jelly as you stood, daring to sit beside Sunday on his bed.
“Most Shadowmites experience the world in complete darkness, unable to see the light. Very rare few of us dare to leave our planet, to see how other worlds work. Because we are not like everyone else,” you explain. “If you were to go Nyx-en, you wouldn’t be able to see your own hand, even if it were right in front of your face. Shadowmites can see, as we’ve adapted to the darkness.
Sunday continued to silently stare at you.
“The point I’m trying to get at is that I like how you make me see something other than pain and strife, where the world doesn’t need to be completely dark all the time,” you mumbled. “And I like looking at you. I can’t help it, but I do. I just can’t take my eyes off you.”
“Is that so?” Sunday nodded, settling his hands in his lap. “How curious.”
You sat beside him, like a devoted follower, waiting for his next words. Yet as time seemed to stretch on, you grew anxious at his lack of response. He seemed to be deep in thought, but you didn’t want to interrupt him. So, you sat there obediently, hands placed in your lap as you waited for his response.
“Do you really desire to live in my shadow for the entire time you are on the Express?” Sunday suddenly asked.
You startled, mumbling out a response. “I don’t want to be a shadow all the time, but I can’t be seen by them. I don’t want to be forced to leave. I am an intruder, after all.”
“Perhaps, while we are alone in this room, you may reveal yourself. Whenever you like,” Sunday proposed. “And when you are ready, you will reveal to the Express of your presence. I will keep you a secret until then.”
“Why?” You asked softly. “Why keep me around?”
“Perhaps, I am rather alone, too.”
You sat cautiously still, leaning back against the headboard, Sunday’s shoulder brushing yours. It took everything you had not to shiver at the sensation. You couldn’t help how your heart raced in your chest, even as you heard the passengers of the Astral Express begin to wake up.
With that, you retreated to his shadow, appearing on the wall behind him.
“Rest for a while, little shadow,” Sunday whispered. “All will be well.”
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