Tilted Severed Lines (Solarballs AU)
The newborn moons orbit gently around Earth, glowing faintly in the darkness like tiny stars. Earth keeps his distance, watching them with a mixture of awe and concern. He reaches out cautiously with his gravitational pull, nudging one of them slightly, testing if it’s safe.
Earth (quietly, almost to himself): "Are they really… okay? They feel different."
Planet X stands nearby, watching with his arms crossed. He smirks but notices Earth’s hesitation.
Planet X (casually): "Yeah, they’re fine. Just need time to adjust. You’re good with them."
Earth glances at him, frowning slightly. There’s a tension in his gaze, something guarded. He’s not quite ready to accept X’s presence or his words at face value.
Earth (warily): "How do you know? You barely even know what they are."
X’s smirk falters for a moment, caught off guard by the suspicion in Earth’s tone. He scratches the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish.
Planet X (shrugging): "I’ve dealt with moons before, okay? I… had some of my own back when I was still in the solar system."
Earth narrows his eyes, still watching the moons but with a glance toward X now, suspicion lingering in his voice.
X pauses, his usual cocky demeanor faltering. He lets out a small sigh, avoiding Earth’s gaze for a moment as the memory of his past seeps back in.
Planet X (more quietly): "Yeah. Before I got thrown away, I don’t know. They stayed behind when I got kicked out."
Earth’s suspicion deepens, his frown growing more pronounced as he processes what X is saying. He doesn’t soften like before, still uncertain whether to trust X’s intentions.
Earth (flatly): "You were?"
Planet X (grinning, but a bit more forced): "Yeah, long story. Got into a bit of trouble with Jupiter and Saturn. He wasn't too happy about it."
Earth stiffens at the mention of Jupiter, the bitter memories flooding back. He takes a step back, clearly uncomfortable, his eyes still fixed on the moons but his guard higher than before.
Earth (cautiously): "I see."
The atmosphere shifts, the playful banter they had earlier replaced by tension. Planet X notices Earth’s discomfort, realizing he’s hit a nerve. He raises his hands in a placating gesture, trying to ease the tension.
Planet X (awkwardly): "Hey, I’m not here to cause trouble. I just… saw you, and I figured you could use some help with these moons."
Earth remains silent, still unsure. He doesn’t look at X, his focus on the newborn moons instead, as if they’re the only thing he can trust right now.
Earth: "Help, huh? You don’t even know me."
X rubs the back of his neck, looking a bit uncomfortable now. He wasn’t expecting Earth to be this guarded, but he tries to roll with it, keeping his tone light.
Planet X (lightheartedly): "Fair point. But look, I’m not the type to leave someone stranded. I’ve been there, wandering alone in the dark. I thought maybe… I don’t know, we could look out for each other, at least for a while."
Earth finally looks at him, his expression unreadable. There’s a long pause, as if he’s weighing X’s words carefully. He’s been betrayed before, forced to leave, and trusting someone so soon doesn’t come easily.
Earth (softly, but still wary): "Maybe."
X senses the hesitation and decides to back off, giving Earth some space. He tries to change the subject, pointing at the newborn moons, hoping to shift the focus away from the uncomfortable tension.
Planet X (grinning): "Guess we’re their parents now, huh? You, the cool, experienced one, and me, the… dad?"
X’s attempt at humor comes out awkward, and he winces as soon as the words leave his mouth. Earth blinks at him, taken aback by the weird phrasing. There’s an awkward silence, and for a second, Earth doesn’t know how to respond.
Then, despite himself, Earth’s lips twitch. He tries to suppress it, but a small smile forms, and a faint blush colors his cheeks.
Planet X (flustered): "Wait, no—I mean, I didn’t mean it like that! I just—"
Earth finally lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. He doesn’t fully trust X yet, but there’s something about the way X stumbles over his words that breaks through his defenses, if only for a moment.
Earth (smiling, a little teasing): "Really? The 'dad'?"
X looks at him in mock offense, eyes wide with amusement.
Planet X (grinning): "Hey! Are you laughing at me?"
Earth tries to hold it in, but the absurdity of the moment gets to him. He bursts out laughing, the sound surprising even himself. It’s the first time in a long while he’s laughed, and it feels strange but good.
X watches him, a bit stunned at first, but then he joins in, chuckling alongside Earth. The tension between them melts away, replaced by the warmth of shared laughter. It’s still tentative, fragile, but for a moment, it feels like maybe things don’t have to be so cold and dark.
Planet X (grinning): "See? I knew I’d get you to laugh eventually."
Earth shakes his head, still smiling, but there’s a guardedness in his eyes as he looks at X. He’s not ready to fully trust him, not yet, but maybe, just maybe, he can let his guard down a little.
Earth (quietly): "Maybe."
For now, they stand together in the darkness, surrounded by the glowing moons, a strange and unlikely partnership slowly beginning to form.
(A/N): There.. I... need... water...
