After everything-the dust, the blood, the chaos, I needed a break. The chirping of birds outside my window finally woke me. A soft breeze wafted in through open curtains, blowing them open for sunlight to start warming the room. I opened my eyes, letting them focus after a few blinks, and for a short second, it almost felt like I was back to being just a college student again. Almost. Moon had crashed on my couch the night before, claiming he needed a "proper rest" after all the "fun." I'd stopped trying to figure him out a long time ago. There he was, sprawled out-one foot dangling over the edge of the couch, softly snoring, when I entered the living room. It was almost… normal. Shaking my head with a sigh, I headed into the kitchen and started making the coffee. But the low whir of the coffee machine was somehow more comforting than anything else, drowning the din of the last few days. The taking of Ren, the disappearance of Caelith, and me still trying to find my place among everything. Now, however, all I wanted was a simple cup of coffee to center myself. As I sat with my mug, Moon stirred. He stretched his arms dramatically before groaning, "Ah, mornings are so boring." He turned to me and, after sniffing the air, grinned. "Coffee, huh? Got some for me?" I lifted an eyebrow but poured him a cup. "Here," I said, sliding it across the table. He sat up, took the mug, and sipped. His eyes lit up instantly, and he gave me an approving nod. "Not bad, Crownless. Not bad at all." "Don't call me that," I muttered, shaking my head. "Shouldn't you be somewhere else, stirring up chaos?" Moon smirked. "Oh, Toru, you underestimate the art of doing nothing. Besides, I told you, we're friends now. I couldn't leave my old buddy all alone when there's so much to see and do here." He waved his hand vaguely around my small apartment. "Fine," I said, sighing as I rolled my eyes. "How about we actually go out instead and see something new, rather than just sit around the apartment? The face lit up. "Now this is more like it! Off we go!" We emerged into the morning air, crunched with crisp coolness amidst an awakening city, people in a rush, cars humming down the streets. Moon's eyes whipped about like a kid seeing the world for the first time. "So, where to first?" I asked as we strolled. Moon tapped his chin thoughtfully, then pointed out a bakery on the corner. "How about there? I've heard good things about pastries. And let's be real, I deserve a treat after saving your sorry behind." I snorted. "Sure, let's get you a pastry." Inside the bakery, the scent of fresh bread and sweet pastries filled the air. Moon’s eyes went wide, and he practically pressed his face to the glass display. "I’ll take. one of everything!" he announced with a grin, earning a bewildered look from the cashier. "Uh, maybe just a couple to start," I said quickly, shooting the cashier an apologetic smile. We ended up with a few croissants and a fruit tart. Moon took one bite of the tart and his face lit up like he'd just discovered the meaning of life. "This is amazing!" he exclaimed, crumbs spilling everywhere. "Why didn't anyone tell me about these before?" I couldn't help it, laughing and shaking my head. "You really don't get out much, do you?" I chuckled, shaking my head. "You really don't get out much, do you?" Moon shrugged, his mouth still full. "Too busy with all the celestial drama, I guess. But this," he said, holding up the tart, "this makes it all worth it." We'd spent the morning wandering through the city, Moon stopping at every little thing that caught his interest. Street performers, food stalls, even a pet store where he insisted on playing with the puppies. I'd had to drag him away before he tried to adopt one. Soon, we came to a small park. Moon plopped himself down on a bench, stretching his arms out as he looked up at the sky. "You know, Toru, I think I could get used to this. Just. being here, without all the chaos." I sat down beside him, watching as people walked by, families, joggers, couples holding hands. "Yeah, it's not so bad," I said. "But you know it won't last forever. The Light and Dark aren't just going to forget about us." Moon sighed, a rare moment of seriousness crossing his face. "I know. But that's what makes this important, right? Moments like these, where we can just. be." I nodded, taking in his words. Sure, Moon was a bundle of chaotic energy, but he also had a way of seeing things, things I hadn't expected. He wasn't here to have fun, he was here because he wanted more out there, beyond the battles and power struggles. Afternoon slowly converting into evening, we saw a small arcade and approached it. Moon's eyes gleamed bright with flashing lights and the sound of game machines. "What is this place?" he asked, to say the least. "It's an arcade," I told him, smiling. "You go around playing games here for fun." Moon’s grin widened. "Games? Say no more!" He darted inside, immediately drawn to a fighting game cabinet. He watched the demo screen for a moment before turning to me. "Toru, you’re going down." I laughed. "We’ll see about that." The next hour was a blur of competition, clip game after game, with Moon entering a fierce streak. Surprisingly good, for having never set foot in an arcade, his laughter echoed throughout the room every time he won a round. I couldn't help but get caught up in his enthusiasm, it was a rare opportunity to actually just have fun, not think about what was waiting around the corner. We finally leave the arcade, the sky a deep shade of blue with stars peeking through now. Moon was holding onto a stuffed animal he had won from a claw machine, proudly showing it off as we walk down the street. "See, Toru? I told you I'm good at this kind of stuff," he says to me, holding it up with a grin. I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don't let it get to your head." We capped off the night at a hole-in-the-wall diner, ordering burgers and milkshakes. Moon looked around at the retro decor, fascinated. "You humans really know how to make things cozy," he said, taking a sip of his milkshake. "I mean, look at this place. It's got charm." I smiled, glancing around at the diner. It was the kind of place I would have walked into with friends back when life was simpler, before all the chaos. "Yeah, it does," I agreed. As we finished our meal, Moon leaned back in the booth, a content smile on his face. "You know, Toru, I think today might have been one of the best days I've had in. well, a long time." I looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "Really?" He nodded. "Yeah. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a good fight, but this. just hanging out, eating pastries, playing games. it's different. It's good." I felt something warm in my chest, something that felt suspiciously like connection, another thing I hadn't realized I needed. "Yeah," I said softly, "it was a good day. We left the diner, the night air cool against my skin as we walked back toward my apartment. Moon looked up at the sky, his eyes reflecting the starlight. "You know, Crownless, no matter what happens next, I think we'll be alright. As long as we have moments like this." I looked sideways at him, a smile tugged at my lips. "You're not so bad, Moon. For a chaos loving maniac." Moon laughed, tossing an arm over my shoulders. "And you're not so bad for a brooding, reluctant hero. Come on, let's get some rest. Who knows what kind of trouble we'll get into tomorrow." Maybe that wouldn't last, this moment of calm in a storm of chaos. But for tonight, that was alright. As Moon and I walked back, something subtly shifted in his demeanour. He looked upwards, this bizarre longing in his eyes. Quieter. More introspective. I didn't ask right away, but finally my curiosity got the better of me. "Moon, you ever think about... I don't know? Where you came from? Before all of this?" I asked, waving my hand vaguely at the city. He let out a heavy sigh, the playful nature was now weighted with something much different. "Yeah, Toru, I think about it all the time. There's something. someone, actually." He paused, and for a moment, his gaze softened, a look flickering across his face that I couldn't place. "Someone?" I asked, curiosity genuine this time. He nodded. "Her name is Tokyo. She's. she's the reason I am who I am today." He faltered, his eyes on mine, weighing whether to go on. "She was with me, back in my realm. We were supposed to follow the natural order, do as our lord commanded. But I didn't want that. I didn't want his borrowed strength, didn't want to be shackled by his rules I had no say in. I wanted to be my own person, to find my own strength." He swallowed, his eyes distant. "Tokyo was the one who believed in me when nobody else did. She helped me break free, but it cost her, she was sealed away because of me, for opposing the natural order." His voice tailed off as his eyes reflected both sadness and determination in them. Sealed away?" I echoed, and with that came a depth of sympathy. "Where is she now? Moon let out a sigh, and his eyes went distant. "In my realm. She is dormant, trapped because of my actions. I've been trying to get stronger, trying to become powerful enough to free her. That's why I left, why I've been on this journey. It's not just about the power for power's sake, Toru. It's for her. I carry even now the box that contains her and my realm, thinking up a way to release her. I watched him closely, finding a side of Moon I'd never expected to see, vulnerable, actually pained. He was more than just a chaotic troublemaker, like the one I came to know. There was depth to him, there was purpose behind all the madness. I reached out, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll get her back," I said with determination. "Whatever it takes." Moon looked my way, his eyes softening, a tiny tug of his lips into a smile. "Thanks, Crownless. You really are full of surprises." We kept walking, the silence between us thick with the weight of Moon's story. There was only this one moment, but for a couple of seconds, we were not two unlikely allies thrown into this chaotic mess. We were something more, friends united by a purpose. As we drew closer to the apartment, the air lightened once more. Moon playfully shoved me. "But hey, enough of the sappy stuff. Tomorrow, we've got trouble to cause and pastries to eat." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yeah, alright. Let's get some rest. Moon paused for a moment, staring at the sky one last time. His eyes were full of determination, but also of hope. “You know, Toru, it doesn’t matter how much they try to bring us down. We’ll find our own way, and I’ll bring her back. Mark my words.” I nodded, a sense of solidarity washing over me. “We will.” With that, we entered the apartment. Tonight the battles and chaos could wait. Tonight, we had just needed rest.