"Why's that? Cause she's a cop kid?"

"Nah, cause you're less of a man for beating on a woman."

"So your pride is whats stopping you?"

"Oh no. Morality is."

"Heh, that's rich."

"I get that you don't like me. My own dad doesn't either. But Luna is the only one who doesn't treat me like a mistake."

Demi goes quiet for a moment & her hand starts shaking. She's getting pissed off.

"The last fight I got into was on her behalf. You wanna get at me for fighting stupid & pointless fights, that's fine. But I won't apologize for fighting for her."

"Get over yourself with that prince charming attitude. Last thing she needs is some wannabe knight in shining armor."

"Coming from her mom who wouldn't even let her go to or have a sleepover?"

Demi scoffs, crossing her arms. She's trying to not raise her voice & cause a scene, but it's taking everything she has not to. "I know you've seen what she can do. Hell, do you even know what happened before we came here? Or a few days before I left? Luna is her own protector." I hate how Demi is talking about me... she's technically right, but still. I nudge her under the table; Demi ignores it & continues. "&, still, you somehow think she needs or would benifit from your protection. If she was crueler, you'd be around for conv-" "Mom." she went quiet, holding her temple. Crow takes a deep breath. "You don't think I know all that already? Luna could kick my ass out of existence if she wanted to. But she still deserves someone else who will protect her despite all of that. Just because she can, doesn't mean that she shouold have to." A heat was coming off of Crow's body as faint black sparks pop & sizzle around him. "I deeply care for her & you don't have to like it. But it's not your choice." Demi pushes her food around silently, glaring at Crow, then me. Something she sees when she looks at me, freaks her out; it's for a split second but it's there. I felt like I saw pure terror in her eyes... it was horrible. & not the first time I've seen it. After moments that felt like eternity, Demi forces a cough. "You better be thankful she likes you Crow. I'm gonna find a car." she shovels food into her mouth & leaves. It's silent between us until Crow sighs. "Shit... o-oh, sorry. I-I didn't mean to say all that, I-" I notice the heat from him is gone. "It's fine." I say quickly. "I know what you mean... & she does to, but... it's hard for her to accept that there may be a time where I need someone else to help me." he nods slowly. "Yeah well... I meant it." I give him a smile to put him at ease. "Let's go. I'll get Mom to find you a ride home."

Surprisingly, her car is sitting right outside; she's inside with it running. She's on the phone with someone; when Demi sees me, she hangs up the call & unlocked the doors. "He needs a ride home." I said. With a groan, she nods to me to say it's ok. "Crow. C'mon, you're riding with us." Crow is hesitant, but does get into the back seat. "Keep 'em company." Demi says softly as I tried climbing into the passengers seat; I shut the door & hop into the back with Crow. It's a silent drive, but after a half hour we're outside Crow's house. His little brother ran outside, waving excitedly; his eyes grow wide when he sees me, waving frantically. Crow gets out & picks up his brother, hugging him close. "I'm saying hi." I said before getting out of the car. "LUNA!!!" Rook scrambles out of Crow's arms & gives me a huge hug. "I missed you!" I smiled at him warmly. "Is that your mom in the car? She comes & talks at my school about being a cop!" I chuckle. "Yeah, that's her." Rook grins. "Can you stay-" "Not today Rook. Luna's tired. She was just bringing me home." He looks upset, but nods. "Ok... oh, I wanna say sorry for scaring you & your ghost friend the other day." I give a wry smile. "I-It's ok. I'm ok. In fact, I think you scared him. But... he knows you're a special kid." Crow forced a cough. "C'mon. Tell Luna bye." after another quick hug from Rook, I glance at Crow. He looks ragged & I can tell he's exhausted; heck, I still don't know how he got to us in the first place. & I doubt he knows how either... I can see the stress of it weighing on him. Yet, he still here wanting to help me.

"Luna?"

"H-Huh?"

"You good?"

"Y-yeah. S-See ya."

"Alright... talk later?"

"Y-Yeah..."

I got back in the car where Demi was sitting very still. She didn't look at me, but spoke very softly. "We're going back home..." I nodded. "Are... Are you-" "I'm fine." It was the longest five minute drive back home. The minute we get into the house, Demi quickly runs inside. She's avoiding me now... I sigh & slowly follow her in. Inside, she's sitting on the couch with her heaphones on; I sit beside her & she doesn't move. She's like a statue & is clearly terrified. "Did I freak you out or something...?" Demi still doesn't look at me, but she huffs. "I'm fine... I'm ok now." she says, speaking louder & breathing heavily. We sat there in silence for a while, but she chuckled a little bit. "I know I wasn't the most... supportive of you being around Crow. But... I can tell that he really cares about you Luna." She pulls me to her so my head is resting on her shoulder. "& I can tell you like him." I chuckle, feeling my body relax comepletely while Demi pets my head.

"Am I that obvious?"

"To women, yes. To men, never. They're pretty dense."

"You think he's caught on?"

"Doubtful. His own feelings are front running in his head. But you heard him, he clearly does like you. Probably more than you do him. But if he didn't know how you felt about him before, your face gave it away this time."

"... How bad-"

"I haven't seen that look in your eyes since Maine."

"B-Break in or-"

"You followed me on that mission."

"Oh."

Silence again. "There's more gods now huh..." Demi muttered. "How involved do you want me in this?" I shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not sure... there's a chance that we won't have to deal with many of them. But..." Demi caught the hesitation. "Luna Charelotte, listen to me." I sit up & look at her as she grabbed my hands. "If it's between me & those gods... if I stop you from getting answers, I want you to choose those answers, you hear me?" I was confused. "But-" "No buts. If they can tell you who you are & what you reside over, follow them. I'll always be here for you... but I know that I can't do much with this divine side of you." I sighed as she kissed my forehead. "I'm not saying it'll come down to that, but if it does, pick the ones who can help you most ok?" I nodded. "Good, good." She stands up from the couch, stretching. "I'm going upstairs to just relax. If you need me, just holler ok?" I nodded. "Alright... I love you Demi." she smiled at me. "Love you too honey."