Archive of Our Own ^beta

On the eve of Nikki’s tournament with Nidhogg, she dreamed of Lunar again.

It wasn’t one of their usual meeting places. Not in that little cafe in Wheat Field, not in Lunar’s hometown, sitting under tiled roofs, sipping tea while staring out at the pale, full moon.

The scenery was different this time, but still cozy. It was a small shop, built entirely of wood. Wooden beams hung over the ceiling, the walls painted in beige, green, and brick orange. There was a fireplace, within which a fire crackled. Wooden, square shelves lined the back wall, holding many colors of yarn.

Lunar was sitting in an oaken chair just before the fireplace. She had a cat in her lap—ragdoll, with long, soft hair and clear blue eyes—knitting a vest. The pins flicked in her hand methodically back and forth, navy blue yarn flowed from underneath her hands into wearable clothing like magic.

“Knitting isn’t my strong suit,” Lunar said. She did not look up as if already expecting Nikki. Soft, beautiful eyes trained on the work at hand. “My expertise is in silk, you know?”

Upon seeing her, tears filled Nikki’s eyes.

Lunar gently placed the vest down on a table beside her and looked up, showing Nikki her signature gentle lovely smile that made Nikki’s heart ache.

“Why are you crying, Nikki?” Lunar said softly. “Come here.”

With her now freed hand, Lunar beckoned Nikki close, stroking the cat in with the other.

Nikki began walking, pulling her dull legs behind her, but her knees gave out early, throwing her on the floor, spooking the cat. The ragdoll jumped, hopping off of Lunar’s lap and fleeing away, triggering a series of bright laughter from its owner.

Lunar held Nikki’s hands and pulled them into her lap. Her hands were slim and delicate, like ones belonging to artisans, meant to work on detailed weaves and threads. She held Nikki’s chin, tilted her head, leaned down, and kissed away her tears.

“I miss you,” Nikki choked.

“I know.”

“I don’t want to wake up from this.”

“Oh, but you must.” Lunar’s hand stroked Nikki’s pink hair, combing through the knots before gently massaging the base of her neck. Nikki whined and relaxed under her touch. “Your life needs to go on, Nikki. You need to avenge me.”

“I-I don’t know if I can.” Nikki placed her head on Lunar’s lap, sighing into the silk that made her dress. “I’m so, so afraid, Lunar. I wish you were here with me.”

“I’m always here with you, Nikki.”

Lunar’s hand reached down and hooked a finger under the strap of Nikki’s bra.

“Please stand and let me dress you. I can still help you prepare.”

So Nikki did, reluctantly. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and stood up. Lunar followed, standing behind her to pull the zipper down her back, letting her dress pool around her feet.

Lunar was kissing her neck from behind. She reached a hand into Nikki’s bra, teasing the nipple between her fingers. Nikki’s head dropped back onto her shoulder, breathing out a shuddering sigh.

She turned her head so she could kiss Lunar on the mouth, drowning in the touch of a lover she longed for ever since that dreadful day of her death.

“I want to win for you, Lunar,” Nikki chanted. “I want to beat him so bad. But I-I don’t know if I can.”

“You can, Nikki,” Lunar whispered against her lips as her other hand reached down, rubbing Nikki’s clit beneath her panties. “You just have to be confident.”

“I wish you weren’t just in my dream. I want you to see me there tomorrow.”

“I will watch. Know that I will be there with you, even if you can’t see or hear me.”

Wetness soaked through Nikki’s panties as she panted, lost in Lunar’s reassuring, magnetic voice.

“I’ll be there with you, Nikki.” Lunar reached over to the little table and took the yarn vest she was knitting, pulling it over Nikki’s head. “I’ll always be there.”

The vest was elegant, deep blue, with white stripes at the collar. Lunar smoothed her hand over the front, making sure it was neat.

“My gift to you, Nikki,” she said. “For tomorrow. Though Nidhogg’s style doesn’t align with my own, I believe this can give you an advantage.”

Nikki turned around and kissed Lunar on the lips once more, holding her tight.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

Lunar leaned her forehead against Nikki’s.

“I won’t.”

“Stay with me a little longer?”

But they had little time left. Orange rays were already breaking through, and Nikki knew dawn was approaching.

Slowly, but firmly, Lunar broke off their contact, placing one last kiss on Nikki’s forehead.

“The sun is rising. You have to wake up now, Nikki.”

“No.” Tears filled Nikki’s eyes once more.

“Wake up, Nikki, please. Just remember I will always be there.”

Nikki held Lunar, unwilling to let her go. But she was fading in her hands, and Nikki was waking up from the night.

⁂

Nikki opened her eyes to face the dawn. She looked down at Momo sleeping at the foot of her bed, still happily dreaming. When she pushed herself off of the bed, her hand touched something.

A blue vest, knitted from yarn, neatly folded and placed beside her pillow.

Nikki held the vest to her chest and wept.