It was a lovely and cool morning, at least until the sun reached it's peak and started baking the Earth and its residents. For now though, it was cool and breezy and a certain shape-shifter was being rudely awakened by a text message. This text message had disturbed a very pleasant and very wet dream that would have made Offenderman blush. Luna groaned as he sat up and blinked owlishly at the sticky mess he'd made and shook his head, laughing softly. Grabbing his phone, he checked it to see that it was fully charged and the text was from his boss who told him to come-He'd looked at the mess and text and laughed-in at a later time than usual. This sobered him up quickly and his ears lowered. The only time they'd suddenly change his schedule was when one of the children had passed away due to their illness. The hospital wanted everyone to be professional at all times, so they'd tell him to come in later so he would be composed and not breakdown crying.

It had happened once before and the hospital did not want a repeat. It was the only thing Luna didn't like about his species, they were too soft hearted. They could kill and murder others without feeling a thing but when it came to death and the end of a life, they broke down and cried every time. Heaving a deep sigh, Luna got out of bed and headed into the other room to shower and get ready for the day. An hour and 30 minutes later, Luna was clean and dressed, wearing a navy tank top and his tight jeans, he left his apartment. Deciding to fly again, a pair of white and black spotted wings appeared on his back and he took off for Slender's Wood.

 

Once in the clearing with the mansion, Luna's wings disappeared. Feeling slightly vulnerable, he snapped his fingers and his jean jacket in his closet disappeared and reappeared on Luna's body. Walking up to the door, he knocked loudly, not sure what time everyone else got up for breakfast. The one who answered the door was Tenderman. The two blinked and stared, it was Tender who spoke first. "I can see why little brother fell for you. You're pretty handsome and easy on the eyes." "Uh...Thank..You? Heh, Um, I was wondering if I may come in and see Slenderman and the others? I don't have to work till later." Luna asked nervously. Like Slenderman, Tender wore a suit but his tie was black instead of red. Tender also had a British accent and unlike Slenderman, Tender's eyes were hazel with flecks of green in them.

 

Tender also had a smattering of freckles on his cheeks and nose. Tender looked him over once more then stepped aside for Luna to come in. Once inside, Tender shut the door then began to grill the shifter about everything related to shape-shifters. Tenderman had read many books and supposed articles about alien shape-shifters and was eager to learn even more now that Luna had joined the 'family' despite Splendor's warning to keep him at a distance. Luna answered Tender's questions to the best of his abilities and without lying about anything. Luna excused himself several times during the conversation so he could greet Jeff, BEN, EJ, Clockwork, and Jane. He was also introduced to Laughing Jack who gave him a back breaking hug, the same thing happened when Ticci Tobi introduced himself.

 

Luna got a pat on the back from Masky and a "yo" from Hoodie before going back to Tender and apologizing for his bad manners. After some time, Tender left him in the foyer, telling the shifter to stay put till Slenderman came down for breakfast. Luna stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from fidgeting. About two minutes later Luna's ears twitched and turned to the sound of someone grumbling as they walked down the stairs. When Luna looked at who it was, he felt light on his feet and knew he had a goofy smile on his face, as he watched Slenderman descend the stairs. When Slenderman looked up and saw Luna, his heart skipped a beat and he had to resist the urge to run and hug and kiss the other. Luna had no such resistance and moved to meet him. When he was close enough, he hugged the other and used his tail to raise himself up so he could kiss Slenderman on the lips. "Good morning~. Hehehehe, I don't have to work until later so I thought I'd stop by." Luna said as he hugged Slenderman again. This time instead of staying still, Slenderman hugged Luna back a little tighter then was normal and gripped the shifters jacket.

 

Luna knew this type of hug was due to stress and anxiety about something, so Luna moved one hand and began to run it through Slenderman's hair. " You're safe, I am a safe person. If you need to talk, we can go somewhere and I'll listen." Luna told him, using words he normally did on the more frightened children that often came to the hospital from unhappy homes. That was what Slenderman needed to hear. Using his magic, he teleported them to Tender's soundproof room. It was still a wreck from last night. Luna paid it no mind, though he did wonder what happened. Luna used his own magic to change a bench into a couch and finding a chair, brought it over. Slenderman was amazed at how much skill Luna had and without breaking a sweat. Luna sat in the chair and Slenderman laid on the couch.

 

"Sorry if I crossed a line by kissing you. I was just really happy to see you again." Luna told him, breaking the silence. Slenderman looked at him, hesitated, then sat up and moved to kiss Luna, only to end up kissing the others finger instead. " You hesitated, you're also stressed about something and I don't want you to feel pressured to reciprocate when you don't really want to. It's ok. I'm sorry I kissed you before I realized the tension." Luna apologized. Slenderman's eyes watered and he hugged Luna again, his tears falling. Luna held him and waited. "I've got you, this is real, you are safe. I'm here." Luna said continuing to hold the other. after about 15 minutes, Slenderman took a shuddering breath and spoke. "You remind me of her. Of Lacy. She was kind, hard working, she even got on with my brothers eventually. She could fight too and she wasn't afraid of me though that might be because she was blind." He told Luna. Slenderman talked for a while about Lacy and how he'd met her.

Lacy and her family had rented the Hastings property to live in while her father finished transferring jobs. Slenderman had met her one evening by a large pond on the property. She was startled by his presence but quickly got used to him. They had talked, laughed and at one point, made love in the barn. This was their routine for about 3 months and in that time they fell for one another. Slenderman did introduce her to his brothers who didn't approve at first but Lacy soon won them over by appealing to each of their interests. Then the day came when her fathers transfer was complete and they had to move to the city.

The good-bye was a tearful one and Lacy with the help of her mom, who didn't quite approve of this strange man but wanted her daughter to be happy, told Slenderman that she would write him often and she kept that promise and stayed loyal to him until college where when met her future husband. Lacy wrote to Slenderman about him and though it hurt him deeply, he let her go so she could marry the man. She continued to write him until her death and it was this last letter where she told him to move on and find love again. Luna listened to everything then hugged him again. " I'm sorry for your loss. From the way you described her and how she felt towards you, I can tell that she always loved you even as she found new love. I hope talking about her helped ease your heart even if only a little." He said, tears running down his face.

Slenderman stared at him for a moment. "Are you alright? Why are you crying?" Slenderman asked unable to understand why the shape-shifter was crying. "I'm, well, all Shifters understand the delicate balance of life, so that when something dies, even if it's a plant we feel connected and thus feel it deeply. You're sad and hurt still about Lacy's passing and so I feel it as if I knew and was close to her too. That's why I'm crying." He replied.

It took Slenderman a good few minuets to finally understand what Luna was saying. When he did, he took a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and carefully wiped Luna's face while the shifter danced his fingers over the others hand. Seafoam eyes locked with glacial blue and this time he didn't hesitate as he pressed a light kiss to Luna's lips. "Would you like to stay for breakfast?" Slenderman asked, smiling at Luna. Luna sighed happily as he replied "I'd love to. I actually don't have to work till later, so I could stay for lunch too if you'll have me."

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Slenderman replied. The two left the room and when they came to the staircase, Luna asked if he could slide down the banister, and after Slenderman said yes, Luna sat down and road the banister to the bottom, doing a flip in the air before landing. Slenderman clapped and laughed before rejoining him and the two made their way to the dining hall which was to the left of the staircase and through a door. They took their seats and Luna ate and chatted with everyone and Slenderman's heart felt a little lighter.