Tower of Thorns Tower of Fangs Volume 5 Chapter 28 True Love's Kiss

 "anyone who knows what love is will understand"

Chapter 28  True Love's Kiss

The world had never seemed so beautiful. Or perhaps it had always been beautiful. Perhaps Moon had simply never had a reason to notice before. Now he noticed everything. The endless sky stretching above the Forest of Fangs. The soft drift of clouds across brilliant blue heavens. The way sunlight poured through leaves in golden rivers. The songs hidden inside the wind. The scent of wildflowers blooming along the lakeshore. The gentle hum of insects among the grass. The glitter of silver light dancing across the water. Life existed everywhere. And suddenly every piece of it felt precious. Worth protecting. Worth remembering. Worth loving. Moon stood barefoot at the edge of the lake. Soft grass brushed against pale ankles. The warm summer breeze tugged gently at the layers of white silk surrounding his slender frame. His impossibly long black hair flowed behind him like liquid midnight, reaching almost to the backs of his knees. Sunlight painted silver highlights through the dark strands, causing them to shimmer whenever the wind moved. Tiny fairies drifted around him. Dozens of them. Small creatures woven from moonlight and starlight. Some perched upon blooming flowers. Others nestled within his dark hair. Several rested lazily on his shoulders and wrists. Their tiny wings scattered silver dust through the air. The entire scene looked unreal. Like a painting brought to life. Like a dream. Moon smiled softly. Because Nico was here. And somehow that had become enough. The realization still amazed him. Once, Moon had measured time differently. He counted centuries. Watched kingdoms rise and collapse. Observed civilizations bloom and vanish beneath changing skies. But now days felt short.' Far too short. Each moment with Nico and small sweet gestures,  Small treasures hidden throughout the day. Treasures he secretly carried inside his heart. The thought made him smile.

How wonderful is it to be truly alive, like summer would never end and love is real and real is love. The world had never seemed so beautiful. Perhaps it was always beautiful. Perhaps Moon had simply never noticed before. The sky stretched endlessly above the forest. Blue. Bright. Infinite. Clouds drifted lazily across the heavens. Wildflowers danced beneath warm summer winds. Sunlight spilled across the lake in silver ribbons. Everything glowed. Everything lived. Everything felt precious. Moon stood barefoot among the grass. Tiny fairies circled around him. Silver lights dancing through the afternoon air. Some perched upon flowers. Others rested upon his shoulders. The celestial smiled. Because Nico was here. That was enough. Somehow that had become enough. Moon no longer measured days by sunrise and sunset. He measured them by moments. Moments with Nico. Every laugh. Every conversation. Every touch. Every glance. Every smile. Each one became a treasure. Something to protect. Something to remember forever. The thought made him happy. And sad. Though he didn't understand why. 

Nico approached from behind.

Moon immediately knew it was him. He always knew. The sound of footsteps. The rhythm of breathing. The warmth of his presence. Moon turned. And smiled. Nico's heart stumbled. As it always did Because Moon looked beautiful. Not in the way flowers were beautiful. Not in the way stars were beautiful. Something deeper. Something impossible. Moon looked like hope. Like spring. Like every good thing in the world gathered into one person. The celestial walked toward him. Silver fairies following behind. A procession of tiny stars.

"What are you thinking about?"

Nico laughed.

"You."

Moon blinked.

The answer seemed perfectly reasonable.

"Oh."

Then he smiled. The smile grew. And grew. Until he laughed. Actual laughter. Bright. Musical. Beautiful. The sound echoed across the lake. The fairies immediately joined him. Tiny bells of silver laughter filling the air.

Nico stood frozen. Because he realized something. Moon was happy. Not merely content. Not simply peaceful. Happy. And somehow Nico had become the reason. The realization felt overwhelming. Wonderful. Terrifying. Moon sat beneath a tree. Patting the grass beside him. Inviting him closer. Nico obeyed immediately. The celestial rested his head against Nico's shoulder. Without hesitation. Without embarrassment. As naturally as breathing. The future White King stopped moving entirely. His heart hammered. Moon simply sighed happily. The sound carried complete trust. Complete comfort. Complete love. Though neither of them said the word. Perhaps they didn't need to. The silence between them already knew. Time passed. The sun slowly drifted lower. Golden light painted the forest. Everything glowed amber. Dreamlike. Unreal. Moon watched sunlight dance across the lake. 

Then quietly asked:

"Do you think this will last forever?"

The question surprised Nico.

Moon sounded almost uncertain. Almost afraid. The celestial rarely feared anything.

Nico turned toward him. Moon's eyes reflected the sunset. Black becoming gold. Beautiful. Vulnerable. Hopeful. The sight hurt. Because Nico wanted to answer honestly. Wanted to promise forever. Wanted to believe it. Instead he reached for Moon's hand. Holding it gently. 

And said:

"I want it to."

Moon looked at him. Studied him. Then smiled. The answer seemed enough. Because Moon wanted the same thing. The celestial moved closer. Very close. Their foreheads touched. Warm skin. Shared breath. Shared heartbeat. The world disappeared. The lake vanished. The forest vanished. The sky vanished. There was only Nico. Only Moon. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else existed. Moon closed his eyes. Feeling strangely nervous. A new feeling. An unfamiliar feeling. One he secretly enjoyed. Nico gently cupped his face. The touch made Moon lean into it immediately. Trusting. Always trusting. Their eyes met one final time. Blue. Black. Summer sky. Midnight. And both understood. Without words. Without explanation. Without doubt. The distance disappeared. Their lips met. Softly. Tenderly. Not rushed. Not desperate. Not hungry. Simply love. Pure. Sweet. Innocent. The True loves kiss of two people who truly believed nothing could separate them.

Time seemed to stop, Moment of pure bliss, true loves kiss 

Moon's breath caught. A strange warmth exploded through his chest. Brighter than sunlight. Softer than moonlight. More beautiful than anything he had ever experienced. The celestial glowed. Literally glowed. Silver light spilled gently from his skin. The fairies erupted into delighted spirals. Flowers bloomed. The lake shimmered. The forest itself seemed to celebrate. As though nature recognized something sacred. Something rare. Something worth remembering. The kiss ended. Eventually. Far too soon. Moon opened his eyes slowly. Looking dazed. Happy. Completely happy. Nico laughed softly. Moon immediately smiled. Then laughed too. And suddenly neither could stop. The joy felt endless. Weightless. Like flying. Like standing beneath the stars. Like spring beginning. Like summer that would never end. They remained together as sunset painted the world gold. Watching light slowly fade. Watching stars begin to appear. Neither speaking. Neither needing to. Because everything important had already been said. Through smiles. Through touch. Through trust. Through love. And as darkness finally settled across the forest Moon rested his head against Nico's shoulder once more. Certain. Safe. Loved. For the first time in his existence the celestial believed he understood happiness.

And far away hidden within the shadows a black fox watched silently. Watching the kiss. Watching the smiles. Watching the happiness. Then turned. And ran. Carrying the memory back to Eemil. Who sat alone beneath a moonless sky. Listening. Growing colder. Growing darker. And deciding what must happen next. Because perfect happiness cannot survive forever. Not in stories. Not in life. And certainly not in this one.