s t a r l i g h t

He remembered, he probably wouldn’t ever forget, the gunfire, not to mention what he had said. If he could just take a long walk off a short pier to get that out of his head, to take that back and do it right? Mako would have done it in a heartbeat. As it were, no chance. Move forward, keep trying, all that shit.

But damn, he’d wanted it to be something else. Special.

Sensing her closer, Mako instinctively started to relax, even when his hands trembled a little under hers. Peeking open an eye, there was a second when his breath caught at the sight of her. Truth be told, since that first uh-oh moment, that’d been happening consistently. Then his expression melted and he put the glasses on a nearby bookshelf, wrapped his arms around her. Just a full embrace, cheek to her hair and unsteady hands on her back. “I’m so sorry, baby.” An echo of his previous words during the chaos, although he let out a steadying breath, pushing away guilt in favor of something, anything she’d need. “Are you okay? Anything you need, you got it; all that sucked and you.. alright, you look damn cute in my shirt but what can I do?”

It all felt like a fever dream, one that even Mako’s comforting embrace couldn’t make a reality. This had really happened. She’d almost died. And Mako...he’d saved her. He’d...he’d told her something. She didn’t imagine that in all the pain, right? “It’s not your fault,” she told him softly, nuzzling into his broad chest. Luna took a deep breath. It felt good to be here, alive and in his arms. She couldn’t help the small chuckle at his compliment. Never a guy to miss an opportunity, this one. “I’m...okay. I just need you right now.” Her body was healing, if not healed already. The rest would take time.

I love you, I’m sorry, I love you. The words echoed in her head, over and over again. Did she ask about it? Did she let the words stay in the forest? “Are you okay?” she asked, pulling back just enough to really check him over. He was so worried about her, that she didn’t want him to forget about his own well-being. “I watched you...I remember seeing all those bullets hit you.” She swallowed, tried to keep it together. Luna looked up into his eyes, oh so thankful there was life behind them. What would she have done if something had happened to him? What regrets would she have? She lifted a hand to his face, palm to cheek. Did he know how precious he was to her? “Do you need anything?”

He was starting to get those thoughts, those forbidden thoughts when it came to friends. The ones about leaning in, holding a breath from her to see if she’d close a distance, the ones about wondering what that’d be like and just for a few moments, just a few moments longer than her heartbeat, he was tempted as her accent faded and his throat remained drier than the Sahara. He wet his lips with a quick swipe of his tongue and let his head hang, a sigh falling at the cough.

Mako couldn’t tell if he was grateful or pissed at the interruption and his cowardice. Was it being a coward if he avoided kissing a friend? A really, stupendously, emotionally, mentally, and physically attractive friend?

He caught her hand and pressed his lips to the inside of her wrist. There was intimacy there, he knew that, but he didn’t regret the action. “Question is what can I get you? You need some help ‘round here? I’ve got two good hands, a pretty smile, and a day to help you out if you need it.” He was back as Mako and thusly loosened the tie to dangle, unbuttoned the suit jacket and let the vest stay as it was.

She’d almost - almost - gotten back into the swing of things. Until he’d kissed her wrist, that is. Okay, friends didn’t do that, right? That wasn’t just her imagination? That wasn’t just her pulse quickening for no reason? She tried to push the thought aside, even if it tried it’s hardest to stay and make a home in her mind. Mako was definitely...easy on the eyes. But she couldn’t let that get her all twisted up when he probably didn’t see her that way.

“Well, we are a little short-staffed today,” she said with a nod, looking around the bakery. It wasn’t terribly busy at the moment, besides the slowly growing line behind Mako, but nothing she couldn’t usually manage. Not that she was up for sharing that at the moment. If he wanted to help, then she couldn’t seem to make herself turn it away. Not when it meant he could stay instead of turning around and walking out the door. And looking like that, she noticed, clothes loosened now that the act was over, she found herself trying to look pointedly at his face, and not...everywhere else. “I could use some help cleaning up the tables, maybe lifting some bigger boxes in the back so we have more room. I might even have an apron big enough for you.” She grinned, trying to look casual as the offer was made. “That sound okay to you?”

As soon as he was up, Mako was back in place, although his eyes.. they should have stayed on hers. He wondered why they kept wandering and why he didn’t bother to stop them. Just playing the part as he leaned in. His chest, it felt tight in a forgotten familiar way, like heat wanted to rush on his cheeks and redden the tips of his ears but couldn’t. Could he just look at her for a while longer and not wonder why? Just to enjoy the sight of her, how comfortable he felt, despite the liveliness of his nerves? Damn right, but he was gonna work to make her laugh in the process.

He let the curl dangle, and continued to lean in just dangerously close. “Well, alls you gotta do is ask, I’d be- I’d.. uh..” She had leaned in and he forgot what to say, what to do. Her eyes were so damn pretty and dark, skin looking so soft and.. and he needed to focus because what the hell was he doing? Eyes that, of their own accord, flicked down to her lips shot right back to her eyes and he swallowed the thick lump in his throat. “I- I’d.. I’d make damn sure you got all the best stuffs,” he rasped and tried to school his features. “You just ask, it’s yours. And you ain’t gonna get touched by any of dis, promise.”

This was starting to feel less and less like part of the act. Unless “Carl” was supposed to stare at the prospective dealer in that unnerving way of his. The way that made Luna want to fidget. When he started to stammer, though, a small smile curved her lips up. “You’d...” she trailed off softly, urging him to finish that thought. Why couldn’t she tell if this was part of the game or not? It had to be. No one had ever outright been at a loss for words around her. It was all just some over-the-top acting to flatter her ego. Get her to make this supposed deal. So was it part of the act when her eyes dipped a little lower than they should have? To where his mouth was working to find words? “Just ask, huh?” she questioned, her accent almost gone completely as she grinned. For a moment, her mind wandered as she thought of all the things she could playfully ask for. Would “Carl” stammer some more if she thought of a good one?

A loud, exaggerated cough broke her from such daydreams.

Luna giggled quietly, a laugh shared between her and Mako. It seemed they were holding up the line. “You’ve got a deal.” The facade was over now, a thought that threatened to dampen her spirits. Make her feel how most moments passed often did to someone. Then again, she’d take Mako over “Carl” any day, too. As fun as their games were, it was always nice to see and learn more about the real him. “So...what is it I can get for you today?”

It was weird knowing that Morgan was so close, yet not a threat to her. It terrified her that this all might be part of his plan and then suddenly she wouldn’t be safe anymore. Worse than that though, that Briar wouldn’t be safe. Luna’s text had brought a small ounce of relief. Answering the door she smiled to see the other woman. “You are an absolute angel Luna Shaw, has anyone ever told you that?” Alex said with a wide grin. “Come on in, Briar’s sleeping but she should be up in a bit, I’m sure she’ll be excited to see you.” She stepped aside and let Luna in. “So what did you all bring?” 

“Sometimes, but it never stops being nice to hear.” She smiled and stepped inside. It always warmed her to know someone was happy to have her help. Making people feel better, even if it was just for a moment, was worth whatever she could do. “I hope so. I can never seem to get enough hugs from her.” Luna set the basket on the table and started to unpack it. “I think I almost brought the whole bakery,” she answered with a laugh. “I have little pudding cups that Briar could eat, some rice krispie treats, brownies, cookies, and a few cupcakes.” Given the circumstances, she wanted to make sure Alex and Briar had as much as they could want. Something like this had a way of emptying the cookie jar faster. She turned to Alex with a soft look once she finished getting all the desserts out. “You doing okay? I know things have been...a lot, lately.”

Everleigh sensed rather than saw Luna and very nearly burst into tears at the sight of a friendly face. Maybe it was the muffins. No, she was pretty sure it was just Luna. Either way, she just offered a small, tired smile and fought to keep the ever-buffering load screen that was her brain to a steady pace. “If you believe it might help keep me awake.”

After stifling a yawn against her hand, Everleigh pulled out bills to pay for the refill and muffin, the menu nearly memorized and the change, as always, allocated towards any tips she could persuade the staff to accept. “A child lost their pet. A highly active and talkative one.. at six in the morning.” She waved away the offers and stifled another yawn. “We just found the little rascal thirty minutes ago.

Hello,

Perhaps on all accounts you’re right. Perhaps I am also just sulky and childishly temperamental today to believe otherwise. A drink should help clear such possibilities, I think.

Some are not meant to be parents or live past what they do to their children, I suppose. They are, yes, for each. They’re keen on getting more money from me and might make promises. I have a few weeks to decide if I will meet them or not and what to do if I do. I.. I’m terrified of what will happen either way.

Do you have any advice? Don’t suggest the police, they’re useless and far more at risk.

Sincerely, G

P.S. Ugh

Hola,

That’s okay. We all have off days where we need time to feel it all. Get a drink or two if you need it, just try to remember that things can get better, no matter how long it takes. 

I don’t know how anyone could look at a child, especially their own child, and be like they are. It isn’t right, and the fact that they’re asking for more money is beyond me. If I can’t suggest the police, though, then that takes a lot off the table. I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing, one way or the other. I’ve never had to deal with people like them, and I’m worried I’m not properly equipped to hand out advice.

I know this has to be stopped somehow, though. Obviously. I just don’t know how to do that. You can’t spend the rest of your life getting demands like that from them. They have to be cut off somehow, and it might have to get ugly before it gets better. What do you think the outcome will be if you don’t meet them? And what do you think it’ll be if you do?

Always on your side, A friend who cares

A keen eye, a gaze that had been sharply looking out for any kind of amusement on her part, caught those quick grins and the effort put in to hide them. As much as he wanted to do a victory dance, delighted that something he’d done had taken away that somber expression he’d spotted when he passed the threshold, Mako turned the toothpick clamped between teeth to his cheek and tilted down his sunglasses. He told himself that long look-see over was just being in character and the truth of it wasn’t relevant, even as fun danced in his eyes. “Does it?” he flirtatiously purred and leaned on the counter as well - and promptly crashed to the floor when he slipped, landing in a well-dressed heap, only to rush up.

The kid behind him, sensing a long delay before his cupcake, sighed heavily.As though he hadn’t heard the boy sigh and that he hadn’t fallen, Mako leaned in and offered a smirk.

When it fell across his brow, Mako puffed out a breath and blew the curly locks that had fallen out of his bun away. They fell right back where they were, but he had a loose script in his head. “Dey calls me.. Carl.” That same damn-the-devil grin stayed in place and he tapped a finger to the underside of her chin. “The boss says you can douse us a favor and sent me to make sure you gonna do the right thing'n say yes. So what’s your price of doin’ us a favor?”

Luna, for all the seriousness she tried to play, could not hold back the snort that tore from her when Mako slipped and fell. She checked to make sure he was okay, of course, but the initial sight of it broke whatever grasp she had on the character she tried to portray. He shot up again like a jack-in-the-box, and she tried to compose herself at the equally funny sight of that. Maybe it was for the better that the imaginary banana peel had wiped him out and broken the hold his gaze had over her. He might’ve been in character, but the way he looked at her, the way he talked...something about it almost made her forget she was supposed to play a part. Made her want to smile and remind herself that this was all just pretend and Mako was naturally charismatic. He’d be like this with anyone.

Which made it all the harder for her not to reach out and move the stray curl away from his face. They were getting back into character, and that could’ve thrown this whole charade off. If he wanted to move it, he could move it. The kid behind Mako would probably appreciate her not taking up anymore of his time, anyway.

So she wiped the smile away and got back to business, pretending to study “Carl” as he gave her all the details. “You’s guys, you’re all the same. Never wanna tell a gal what all these favors are they’re askin’ for.” She rolled her eyes, then placed a hand on her lip, looking him over again. Finally, she sighed and leaned on the counter so she could get closer. “Look,” she said with a sigh, “I’m gonna need a lotta heavy sugar, for one thing. No dough, no favors. Next...ya gotta make me a promise, Carl, ya hear? You promise me ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to me for gettin’ my hands dirty.” She gave him a meaningful look. “Do ya promise?”

Bringing over a cup of coffee in exchange for a delicious baked good made with Luna love definitely required no thought on Connor’s part. He was proud of her for making such a name for herself in this business of hers - and she was damn good at it.

His eyes grew wide as Luna described his options, pondering what she suggested and pursing his lips. Damn, she made this difficult didn’t she? “I do enjoy the pumpkin flavors, I’ll admit that,” he said with a nod, “but uh - how could anyone go wrong with a fresh out of the oven muffin?” 

“They’re really good,” she sing-songed, smile on her face as she tried to persuade him into all the treats. “There’s pumpkin pie with a flaky crust, a velvety filling, and as much or as little whipped cream as you want on top. We have pumpkin bread that’s warm and melts in your mouth. Pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies, or pumpkin swiss cake roll slices with a smooth buttercream filling, all dusted with some powdered sugar.” She digressed, but she’d waited months for this time of year, and she’d happily paint a picture for him as best as she could.

“Good choice. Just give me one second.” She grinned and hurried to the back to grab a couple warm muffins and place them carefully in the box. Luna came back out front after closing it and slid the goods toward him. “Anything else I can get you? I don’t know if you have a full day ahead of you, but you’ll definitely need all the fuel you can get.”

“Okay, is it totally crazy that I haven’t ever a meteor shower?” Kara questioned, an elbow planted against the table and her chin cupped in her hand as she looked over towards Luna, who was getting ready to close the cafe for the evening. A newspaper was spread out on the table before her, displaying an advertisement about an upcoming meteor shower that was supposed to be visible that night. “Can you actually see shooting stars or whatever in a town like ours? Maybe if we went up Leakey Falls?”

Her lips pursed curiously glancing down at the paper once more before looking back at Luna. “Should we try? Have you ever seen a shooting star?” @itskarasykes

“I don’t think so. I feel like it takes a little scheduling to see one,” she said as she finished cleaning off some counter tops. She knew some people who’d gone their whole lives without seeing a meteor shower. Tragic, of course, but it could happen. These things had to be timed right, and you always had to find the right spot for them. “We probably could. There’s a lot of lights from town, but there’s sparser places like Leakey Falls, too. If we were in a big city like Chicago, that might be a different story, but I think we’re in the clear.”

As she washed her hands and finished arranging everything to be more organized than it had been after the busy day, she slowly nodded. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t. It sounds like fun, and I think I only ever saw one when I was younger, so my memory’s a little fuzzy.” Her parents had gotten her a telescope, and she would camp out and try to find one just so she could make a wish. “I’m all finished here if you want to get going. I say we give Leakey Falls a try and see what we can catch.”

“Come by my office some time. I’ll show you a good time with my stack of coloring books, crayons, and stashed Play-Doh. Sometimes you just need to de-stress in the middle of a hard work day.” Sure, she was an adult; she payed bills and had a real job and went to bed sometimes at super early hours like an old lady. But at the same time, she still enjoyed coloring inside the lines and taking mid-day naps. Damn, she didn’t know how good she had it back in elementary school…

“I spend a lot of time with our dear Mr. DeForest,” Kara said with a wave of her hand through the air, “He’s not such a hard one to crack. Really he’s just a big softie. He’d probably get the ball pit for himself just as much as for Aurora. And ya know, us.” 

“Get me in there coloring, and you may end up stuck with me longer than you’d like,” she teased. Luna could easily spend a whole day walled up in Kara’s office with nothing but coloring books, Play-Doh, and an assortment of snacks. Somewhere away from all the parts of adulthood that made her want to curl into a ball and take a long, long nap.

“True.” Luna didn’t spend as much time with him as Kara, but she knew from experience that his stoic exterior hid a gushy center. Maybe he would consider it. “Do you think it’d be too much of a distraction for the others?” She smiled and turned on her side to face Kara. “I can see all the desks at the station vacant because who wouldn’t want time in the ball pit?”