"Aria, come with me," Lucian repeats impatiently while I stay rooted in place, wondering if I am seeing things.

He grabs my wrist and tugs me forward. I turn to Luna only to see her sharing a look with Lucian.

They stare at each other and she nods her head subtlety, understanding him without any words spoken.

"Where are you taking me?" I sputter in confusion and cast her a pleading look but she just grins at me wickedly.

"Have fun you too and play safe," She winks at me and then shuts the door. My lips purse at the person who was supposed to be concerned about keeping watch over me.

It's now glaringly clear that she's Lucian's wingwoman more than my roommate or protector.

"What is happening?" I complain as Lucian drags me to a small metal contraption that resembles a glider. "Lucian, where are we going?"

"There's someplace I really want you to see," He says adamantly.

I dig my heels into the ground but my weight makes no difference. He pulls me to the glider effortlessly.

"I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore," I grumble even though his touch is creating fire works in the pit of my stomach.

I glare at him but inside my heart melts when he smiles at me. His cheeks are still tinged pink and his eyes are light, he doesn't look like the commander of the Plutonian army and rebels.

Right now he just looks like a mischievous boy who wants to have fun.

"I know. But I used to think of you whenever I came here on missions. There's this place I've always wanted to show you," Lucian explains, ignoring my grumpy expression.

"What place is this?"

"Aria, stop being such a buzz kill and sit down," He stamps his feet in frustration looking like he's throwing a fit and I can't help the smile that forms on my face.

I sit down hesitantly and he gets on in front. This smaller glider moves much slower than the ones he owns on Pluto. Our ride is long and our pace is slow but it is much easier to talk to him this way.

"Why are your cheeks so pink? Have you been drinking?" I ask him.

He jerks forward and I instinctively grab him from behind. My arms tighten around his waist and I peer up at him only to see him smiling to himself.

Really Lucian?

"We guys carried on for awhile and then I remembered this place and came to you immediately," He says.

I look up at his profile and my stomach does subtle flips as I stare at the sharp outline of his nose and his soft hair that has flown back to reveal his forehead. Every muscle in my body aches for me to rest my head against his back. I want to breathe in his scent and feel every inch of him.

My want fills me with conflict. I told him about myself and I expected things to end between us and this isn't how I pictured the end.

This feels like I am going out with him for the first time. The uncertainty and excitement I feel is exactly how I felt when I traveled with him to the Western border after my second fight and Michael's death in the pits.

The Western border became our safe space for us to confide in each other and the memories make me feel soft.

I loosen my hold around Lucian, not wanting to give into my hopes. I don't know what he wants but I don't want to have any expectations anymore. Not after everything I've done to him and everyone else when I left Pluto.

Lucian notices my reaction and I wince when he jerks again. I fly forward and grab on to him like my life depends on him.

"You're doing this on purpose," I grumble.

"Whatever are you talking about?" He says innocently.

I can feel my self restraint slowly dissipating into the cool air around us. Every second I lose more to wind and soon my head is resting against his broad back as I stare at the three moons in the sky.

There are stars littered all over the periphery of the dark jungle, it feels like I am staring at the prettiest picture.

"We're here," Lucian says and we come to a halt.

I release him quickly and jump off the glider. I was enjoying that ride too much and I don't want him to know.

I look around only to see large towering trees everywhere. The only light we have comes from the abundance of stars dancing in the sky. They twinkle at us as Lucian takes my hand and leads me to a small clearing among st the trees.

"Lucian," My hand tightens around his when the darkness engulfs us. I can't see much and I don't understand how he can either.

"Watch your steps," He says and my breaths quicken as my feet trample across the grass making the dry leaves crack under the pressure.

The sound of rain soon fills my ears and it becomes louder by the minute. We seem to be walking forever.

"Did you bring me out here for a hike?" I complain. This feels like a workout and my legs have started to ache.

"Don't be impatient," He patronises me and I role my eyes even though he can't see it.

I see some light poking out from another clearing up ahead and the deafening sound of rain is now all around us.

I walk faster until the light from the moons hit my face as we leave the dense forest. Nothing prepares me for the beauty that lies ahead and my mouth hangs open in awe at the sight.

We are standing by the periphery of a small pool of water, surrounded by greenery and rocks all around us. The colour of the water mimics that of the starry sky and up ahead of us lies one of the largest waterfalls I have ever seen.

Water crashes into the foot of the pool and streaks of brilliant blue, green and pink luminescent light weave through the crashing waves like dancing lights.

"This is not the best part," Lucian says. He leads me up a set of rocks and my thighs burn from the exhaustion but then we reach a flat rock near the foot of the waterfall and I look out at the view stretched out before us.

The waterfall continues to fall into the abyss below and there is absolutely nothing in front of us except the dark, starry sky. It's as if we are at the edge of the planet and it reminds me of our space at the Western border once again.

"What do you think?" Lucian murmurs from my side and I turn to him.

The luminescent lights from the waterfall cast pink shadows in his silver hair and his eyes are alight with excitement. My heart skips a beat at the smile on his face.

I can't decide which view I find more beautiful.

"I love it," I murmur and his smile widens like I'd just given him the biggest compliment.

We sit down and he dangles his legs over the ledge while I sit cautiously with my feet tucked under me. I resist the urge to pull him back and stare at him cautiously.

"This reminds me of the Western border," Lucian says as he stares out into the starry sky.

"Only more beautiful," We both mutter in unison.

He turns to me and we laugh softly at each other.

"You're different today. More calm, more happy," I state hesitantly.

He leans back and I pull him away from the ledge so that we are closer and I feel more comfortable about his safety. Wouldn't want anyone falling over the ledge.

"I've always liked it here," He says. "I enjoyed tonight as well. Our dinner, everyone getting along, listening to your happy memories."

Our eyes meet when he mentions my memories from Earth and I tense slightly. It reminds me of the night I bared my soul to him. The night I felt like a part of me died.

"You did?"

"Yes, you were always so guarded on Pluto even when we were together. I loved you but a part of me always felt like you were hiding something," He says and I remember the times when I snuck around and looked through his files behind his back. "But you were different tonight. There was no hesitation, no cautious answers. It felt like you finally opened up."

"I opened up to you that night too, Lucian," I reply, my voice heavy.

"Yes, and I've been thinking about it everyday since," He admits. "I hated that you betrayed me, Aria but I've had time to try and see things from your perspective. Granted it was a very flawed perspective but I don't want to blame you anymore. We both did what we thought was right and it has lead us to where we are now."

I suck in a breath and my heart is filled with so much relief, it could burst at any moment.

"I never thought you would say that," I admit after a long moment.

"Maybe it's that happiness drink they gave us," Lucian jokes and I cast him wary look.

"No, I'm recording these words in my mind and I will hold them against you if you snap at me tomorrow." I wave my finger at him in warning. He grabs my hand and tickles my side making me squirm with laughter.

"You dare threaten your squad leader!" He croons in an old man's voice and I laugh hysterically, while I beg him to release me.

He finally does and I poke him in the side. "That was a sneak attack. I wasn't prepared."

"Tell me more about your childhood," He says suddenly. "I want to know more about you."

"Really?" Is it even possible to turn into more mush by the minute.

He nods and I tell him about my regular fights with my brother and all our antics. We exchange memories and he tells me about how he would sneak out with Lazarus and Luna to vandalise buildings when they were supposed to be working.

"Wait, these are supposed to be childhood memories. You're telling me things from when you started working already," I complain.

"I started working when I was six. I used to follow my parents to work and I helped design one of the communication towers in the north city when I was eight," He says it like it's the most normal thing but I just stare at him wide eyed.

When I was six, I used to play hide and seek with my brother and steal freshly baked cookies from the oven.

"That can't be true," I murmur in pity.

"We start young on Pluto, Aria," Lucian explains. "Children's uptakes are the best when they are in their first six years and it progressively lessens by the decade."

"What about school?"

"We have lessons but most of our learning is apprentice based. Our expertise is assessed when we are three years old and then we specialise in the said field while learning the fundamentals along the way. In my case it was obviously ruling a army and running an empire."

I want to reach out and hold him. I feel so bad, it doesn't sound like he had much of a childhood at all.

"Lucian," I say at a loss for words and the waterfall fills the void created by my silence.

"It's not that bad. It was normal for us," Lucian says casually and I wonder if that is why he never thought enslaving children was wrong. The Plutonians grew up working, why should they treat us any different despite our harsher circumstances.

"Did you have a happy childhood?" I ask him and his eyes glaze over as he stares at the running water.

"Can I tell you a secret?" He murmurs and I nod silently. "Do you remember the elevated scar on my inner thigh?"

Images flash across my vision. Lucian and I in the sheets naked, Lucian and I showering together. Every inch of his skin has been burned into my memory and I remember the scar on his left thigh vividly. It was one of the most nasty ones.

"Yes, I do."

"Remember when I told you I felt different from the other Plutonians. That I thought differently and used to sympathise easily with other species?" His voice drops ever so slightly and I inch closer in order to listen.

"My father gave me that scar. Over and over again, whenever I disappointed him. He knew I had potential but like Lazarus, he hated the moments when I seemed weak."

"You're father burnt you in the same spot over and over again as punishment?" My eyes widen in horror at his admission and Lucian stares at me, the painful memory evident in his eyes.

"He never wanted anyone else to notice so he did it on the most inconspicuous spot. I used to cry as the pain and the scar grew each time but my mother covered for him and reinforced that the scars only made me more beautiful and stronger. We Plutonians wear our battle scars like medals and we do generally find scars admirable so I of course grew up believing her," He leans his head back and inhales deeply.

"Is that why you found my scarred back beautiful?" My voice is hoarse as pieces of Lucian fall further into place.

"I'm not going to lie. I found you extremely attractive after your introduction during the ball, after you revealed your back to us on stage."

I remember the gasps and sighs of admiration during the introductory ball after my first fight. Who would have thought that something I found so hideous was desirable to the Plutonians?

"Lucian, there's something you need to know," I put my hand on his, wanting to comfort him somehow. "It's not your fault that you think differently. General Lyra, she altered your genes when you were a newborn."

"I know," Lucian's fingers intertwine with mine. "My mother told me when I started having the nightmares. She hid the truth from my father, knowing that he would kill her if he knew she'd made me more human."

"That must have been horrible."

"There were good times. When he used to leave on missions," He admits and then he turns to me. "I know Lazarus got him killed along with his parents. I've never been able to prove it but I would be lying to you if I said I mourned my father's death. I moved out and never looked back."

I squeeze his hand in reassurance and he smiles at me.

"Were your parents good to you, Aria?"

"Yes, they were perfect," I reply and his face fills with guilt.

"I'm sorry," He says and I know he is talking about my loss and what the Plutonians took from me.

"I'm sorry too," I reply.

We settle into a comfortable silence and I am about to lean against his shoulder when the leaves rustle behind us.

We both turn around swiftly and I am shocked to see a group of very young Spicans staring at us with large green eyes.

"Are you two married?" A short pudgy boy asks us in an authoritative tone. He looks like the leader of the group as he stares at us crossly.

"What? No," I say. Why does this kid make me feel like I'm doing something wrong?

"Isn't it past your bed time?" Lucian asks in annoyance.

"You're not married but you're sitting here and holding hands? How come my parents told me that wasn't allowed till I'm married?" Another small sized boy steps up and frowns at us.

"Youngling, take my advice. Girls are trouble. Don't get married," Lucian says and I punch him playfully.

"He's wrong, youngling. Boys are even more trouble," I say to the kid.

"You two are weird. If I can't marry a girl then what am I supposed to marry? A symbiote?" He points at a frog looking creature by a rock.

"Come on, let's leave the weird, naughty aliens to their unmarried stuff," The leader says and the group of kids follow him to the pool. They take turns to jump inside and one of them turns to us.

"Please don't tell our parents," She begs and then she jumps in as well with a loud splash.

I turn to Lucian only to see him staring at me with a cheeky grin on his face.

"This weird, unmarried alien wants to take a dip in the pool as well. Does his weird, unmarried accomplice want to join?"

His words make me laugh and I nod furiously. "Sounds like a good idea."

Heyy, hope you enjoyed the chapter and more of a backstory on Plutonian children as well as Lucian's upbringing :) :) Can't believe this chapter turned out so long.