(After Luna found them together)
The peaceful glow of sunset wrapped Nexara in warm colors, painting the skyscrapers in gold and violet. From the rooftop, the city looked distant—small, quiet, almost harmless.
Raze stood near the edge, the evening wind brushing past him, while Astra hovered nearby, relaxed for once. The moment felt strangely normal. No tournament. No villains. No expectations.
Then—
"Okay, okay."
The voice snapped into existence between them.
"Your little date is over."
Raze startled so hard he nearly lost his balance.
Astra blinked.
Luna Arcwell stood in front of them, arms crossed, expression sharp, eyes locked onto Astra like a laser.
"…Luna?" Raze said. "How did you—"
"Not important," Luna replied instantly. "Astra. Put him down. Right now."
Astra looked confused.
"He's… already standing."
"Then step back," Luna said. "Emotionally."
Raze pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It's okay, sis," he said carefully. "We were just—"
Luna turned toward him so fast the air cracked.
"Just what?"
Raze opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"…Talking."
Luna stared.
"Talking," she repeated slowly. "On top of a skyscraper. At sunset."
"Yes?"
Luna nodded once.
"…Suspicious."
Astra crossed her arms, amused despite herself.
"If it helps," she said calmly, "nothing romantic happened."
Luna glanced at her.
"That does not help."
◆ ◆ ◆
Before Astra could respond, Luna grabbed Raze by the sleeve.
"Come with me. Fast."
Raze stumbled half a step as she started pulling him away.
"Wait—Luna—what's going on?"
She didn't slow down.
"Today," Luna said sharply, "we promised Lily we'd take her to a kids' movie. Remember?"
Raze froze mid-step.
"…Oh."
"You forgot," Luna said flatly.
"I didn't forget, I just—"
"You forgot."
Raze sighed, shoulders slumping.
"…Okay. I forgot."
Astra tilted her head slightly.
"A movie?" she asked. "What kind?"
"A kids' movie," Luna replied immediately. "For kids. Featuring kids. Watched by siblings."
Raze hesitated.
"…Should we invite Astra too? Lily would love that."
Luna stopped so abruptly Raze nearly crashed into her back.
She turned slowly.
Looked at him.
"No."
Raze blinked.
"…No?"
"Today," Luna said firmly, "is siblings only."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"And I am Lily's big sister."
She jabbed a thumb toward Raze.
"And you are Lily's big brother."
She glanced at Astra.
"And you are—"
Astra raised an eyebrow.
"…Not invited?"
Luna nodded.
Astra paused.
For just a moment, something flickered in her eyes—disappointment, maybe—but it vanished just as quickly.
She smiled gently.
"It's okay," Astra said. "You should go."
Raze turned toward her.
"…Are you sure?"
She nodded again.
"Family plans matter. Lily's important."
Luna sniffed approvingly.
"Good answer."
◆ ◆ ◆
Raze hesitated another second.
"Sorry," he said quietly to Astra.
She waved him off.
"Go," she said. "Before your sister decides to carry you home at sonic speed."
Luna smiled sweetly.
"I would never."
She vanished.
Raze sighed.
"…She absolutely would."
◆ ◆ ◆
By the time Raze reached home, Lily was already waiting.
She stood in the living room wearing a tiny jacket that was clearly too big for her, dragging sleeves over her hands, clutching a plush toy like it was a sacred relic.
"BIG BROTHER!!"
She ran toward him at full speed.
"YOU'RE LATE!"
"I know," Raze said apologetically. "I'm sorry."
Luna appeared beside Lily instantly.
"He forgot," she said.
"I DID NOT—"
"You forgot," Lily repeated solemnly.
Raze knelt down.
"…I forgot."
Lily stared at him intensely.
Then nodded.
"Okay. You are forgiven."
Raze exhaled in relief.
◆ ◆ ◆
They left the house together shortly after.
No guards.
No heroes.
No attention.
Just three siblings walking through the city.
The movie theater was crowded with families, kids running around with oversized popcorn buckets and glowing excitement. Lily dragged Raze forward eagerly.
"I want the blue seat!" she declared.
"There is no blue seat," Luna replied.
"Then I want the red one!"
"They are all red."
"…I WANT THAT ONE."
They got that one.
◆ ◆ ◆
They sat together—Lily in the middle, Raze on her left, Luna on her right.
The lights dimmed.
The movie began.
It was loud.
Bright.
Ridiculous.
Talking animals. Overdramatic villains. Songs that made absolutely no sense.
Lily laughed at everything.
Raze laughed at Lily laughing.
Luna pretended not to enjoy it, arms crossed the entire time, foot tapping slightly whenever a joke landed.
Halfway through, Lily reached into the popcorn bucket.
Then stopped.
"…Big brother."
"Yes?"
"…Are you okay?"
Raze blinked.
"…Yeah."
She studied his face carefully.
"You got hurt."
"I did."
"…But you're here."
He smiled.
"I am."
She nodded, satisfied, and returned to the popcorn.
◆ ◆ ◆
When the movie ended, Lily clapped enthusiastically.
"That was AMAZING!"
Luna yawned.
"It was… acceptable."
Raze laughed.
They walked home beneath glowing streetlights, Lily skipping between them, holding both their hands.
For once, the city felt peaceful.
◆ ◆ ◆
Later that night, Raze stood by his bedroom window, looking out over Nexara.
He thought of Astra—alone somewhere above the skyline.
Then—
Luna appeared beside him.
"…You like her," she said quietly.
Raze didn't deny it.
"…She's important."
Luna sighed.
"…Just don't forget who was here first."
Raze smiled.
"I won't."
Luna nodded once.
"…Good."
She vanished toward Lily's room.
Raze leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes.
The world was still dangerous.
Nightveil was still watching.
Storms were still coming.
But tonight—
He was just a brother who went to a movie.
And that was enough.