pleasedonttouch-me

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lunes little hands reached to Nero’s face. She stared at him for a couple seconds. “What’s this?” Lune asked as she pointed to his beard or whatever. Lune started to fidget with said beard

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“…why?” Lune seemed a bit confused. “How will we know not to do things?” Lune asked as she looked around the area of the place they were in as if watching the workers

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“Ohhh…” lune nodded “will that happen to me and Zeno if we don’t behave?” Lune asked. “Cause I can behave real good” lune said innocently

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“Ohhhh” lune nodded understanding what he was saying. Which in reality, maybe a kid her age shouldn’t understand what that means. “How do you know which one is more obedient?” Lune asked tilting her head the other way

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“Why?” Lune tilted her head in confusion. She looked at the workers “but how do you know which ones safer to be around and will need less punishments?” Lune asked curiously

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lune pouted, she then looked at some of the workers. “Why are there so many people?” She asked tilting her head. “Don’t you usually have to separate the good from the bad?” Lune asked innocently. “That’s what they did! When you were less dangerous you got free time, and you got a bed, I saw one of those rooms when they were moving me one time. I wish I was able to do that..” lune said with a small frown

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lune quickly caught up and grabbed his hand. She smiled at him. Such innocent eyes for a child who has been through so much. “I wanna be like you when I’m a big girl” lune said happily.

Everytime Nero turned around BOOM there lune was, watching him. Anytime he walked around the palace her little feet could be heard scurrying from behind. From the time she woke up to the time she went to bed she was following him. Once in a while asking to be picked up, but she usually just followed him. She would sometimes wait by the door of his office and fall asleep waiting for him to come out. Sometimes if he stood for long enough lune would even copy the way he was standing.

Currently lune was scurrying after Nero, trying to keep up with his walking that was a bit faster then her own.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Most of the time Nero didn't seem to mind the child basically shadowing him (no pun intended), going about his days as he normally would, screaming at workers who would get in his way and disappearing into his office for hours on end, but something always tugged at his heartstrings when he saw the little girl had fallen asleep waiting for him by the door, and every time he'd pick her up and carry her to her bed, because she deserved nice sleep.

He looked back at Lune, seeing her not being able to keep up with him, he involuntarily slowed down, so she wouldn't have to hurry so much.

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“Can you stay with me, Papa Nero? I don’t wanna be alone…” Lune’s voice was barely a whisper, the words muffled as she nestled her face against his side. It wasn’t just a request it was a plea soaked in quiet vulnerability, the kind of thing that slipped out only when a child felt brave enough to hope.

She pressed herself in closer, curling even tighter into his side like she was trying to make herself part of him like that was the only place she felt safe. She tucked her face further into him, lashes fluttering against her cheeks, and let out a soft sigh a sound that was both relief and exhaustion.

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“…No, I’m always cold…” Lune murmured, her voice airy and distant, like it was just a thought that had slipped out. She tilted her head back to look up at Nero, her big eyes searching his face with quiet curiosity

Her small frame shifted closer, and then gently, deliberately Lune curled into his side. Her arms tucked in tightly between them, and her head nestled beneath his arm, just over his ribs. Her body molded into the space like she was made for it, seeking safety in the stillness. Her touch was feather-light, as if she didn’t want to take up too much space or make him regret letting her close.

A soft hum rose from her chest, low and content, almost like a purring kitten. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t meant to be heard, really. Just a sound of comfort, a signal that for the first time in a long time she felt safe enough to let her guard down, even if just for a moment.

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lune shifted on the oversized bed, the blankets rustling softly beneath her as she hesitated for a moment. Then, slowly almost cautiously she began to crawl toward Nero, her small hands pressing into the mattress for balance. Each movement was deliberate, quiet, as if she wasn’t sure she was allowed to be this close but was willing to risk it anyway.

She reached his side and paused, sitting down gently beside him. Her legs tucked beneath her, knees drawn in close, and her little fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve as she glanced up at him.

She rested her head against him, light and tentative, like she wasn’t sure how long she’d be allowed to stay like that. Her hair tickled against his sleeve.

Her voice was barely above a breath when she murmured, “You’re warm,” the little girl that sat next to Nero felt cold, really cold.

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

She sat there for a moment, unsure, her legs crossed and hands resting in her lap. Her fingers twisted the corner of the blanket anxiously. The firmness in his voice had settled something in the air—final, like a wall she couldn’t climb over. It wasn’t mean, but it was… unshakable. He meant it.

She blinked slowly, processing, then tilted her head at him. “Even if I mess up?” she asked, her voice soft.

It sounded like she couldn’t believe that was allowed. Like she was trying to catch him in a lie before she got too comfortable.

She sat back against the pillows, not fully relaxing, but testing the space again like it might vanish if she moved too fast. “You talk like it’s easy. Like beds just belong to people… like me.”

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

“I… I don’t deserve the bed…” Lune whispered, her voice small and heavy, like it was being dragged down by something far too big for her little body to carry.

She knelt down first, smoothing out a corner of the fabric with trembling fingers, then slowly laid herself onto it, curling up on her side she turned her head, resting her cheek against the worn edge of the blanket, and looked up at him at Nero. Her eyes weren’t pleading, but searching. Quiet. Wide. Like she was waiting for him to scold her, or move her, or tell her she was wrong.

“This is better,” she said, barely above a whisper, as though explaining it to him would make it make sense to her. “The bed’s Too soft. I don’t… I don’t belong up there.”

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lune sat very still on the edge of the bed, her tiny legs dangling far above the ground. Her hands were folded in her lap, clutching at the soft fabric of her shirt that was way to bit for her body like it might explain something to her, but it didn’t. She looked up slowly, blinking at the emperor like she was trying to solve a puzzle he hadn’t meant to give her.

“…Is this mine?” she asked, voice small, uncertain. “Like, I sleep here? In the bed? I don’t gotta sleep on the floor?”

Her brows scrunched together, eyes darting from the heavy blankets to the tall desk and then back to him. She wasn’t smiling. She didn’t look happy. She looked confused. Suspicious, even, in the way only a child who’s learned too early not to trust kindness could look.

“No one’s ever given me a bed before,” she mumbled. “Sometimes a blanket. Or a pillow, once. That was when I was good and didn’t show signs.” Her fingers fiddled with the edge of the blanket beneath her. “But this is… big.”

She looked at him again, head tilted slightly, like a kitten trying to make sense of a thunderstorm. “Why’re you givin’ me this? Is it a trick? Am I gonna get in trouble later if I mess it up? ‘Cause I—I don’t mean to, if I do. I try real hard not to mess up, but sometimes I just get so scared a-and I show signs I-i really don’t mean to, and then I get yelled at and the bed gets taken away and—”

She stopped, catching herself, lips pressed into a tight, thin line like she was holding something dangerous behind her teeth. Her eyes were wide now, watching him carefully. Not fearful. Just… ready. Like she was already preparing herself for this to be temporary, already thinking about what she’d do when he changed his mind.

There was a pause, then, almost too quiet to hear, as her voice dropped into a whisper meant for no one, not even him:

“I didn’t think I’d get a bed. I didn’t think I’d get anything. I-I can sleep on the floor! That way it’s not a hassle!” Lune slipped off the bed and dragged one of the thinner blankets with her

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Her little arms stayed tight around his neck, legs dangling and swinging a bit as he walked. She leaned her head against his shoulder, thumb tucked in her mouth now. she didn’t feel so alone. “I don’t care what you did. You’re my papa. And I picked you, so you can’t give me back.” Her voice was soft, but stubborn—an odd mix of gentle and determined, like she was daring the universe to try and take this away from her.

She blinked around curiously as they passed through halls too grand for her to understand.

her voice trailed into a hum, the kind of sleepy noise kids make when they feel safe, when they’ve stopped trying to be brave and just are. She curled a bit closer, yawned, and mumbled something else against his shoulder “You’re gonna be a good papa. I just know it.”

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lunes wide eyes looked up at him as he picked her up, and for a second, she just blinked. Then she wrapped her little arms tightly around his neck without hesitation, resting her cheek against his shoulder like she’d always belonged there.

“I won’t regret it,” she whispered, barely loud enough to hear. “You’re here, so it’s okay.”

She didn’t know what regret really meant, not all the way. But she knew what it felt like to be left behind, and this wasn’t that. He hadn’t left her. He didn’t throw her away or give her to another caretaker like a broken toy as they did in the facility when you had to change programs when you got too “dangerous”. And then when Nero picked her up, That meant something.

She didn’t care that sometimes when in the palace she’d hear the way people whispered his name like it was a bad word. And when he carried her that meant more to her than any toy or candy or pretty gift she could make for him.

“You don’t gotta like me,” she added softly, eyes fluttering closed against his shoulder. “But I like you anyway.”

She didn’t know he was bad. She didn’t really understand what bad meant, not in a way that counted. All she saw was someone who hadn’t let go. Someone who didn’t leave her outside or call her a disgrace like the others. So she clung to him tighter.

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lune tilted her head, like she was trying to make sense of a puzzle too big for her little hands—but determined to try anyway. Her eyes, wide and soft, shimmered with little tears that had filled her eyes moments before.

She took a small step forward, her shoes barely making a sound. “I don’t wanna go to Commodus,” she said simply, almost like she was stating the weather. Her lips pressed together, uncertain for a moment, then she added, “I wanna stay here. With you.”

The way she said it—so sure, so stubborn in that tiny voice—made it more than a request.

“I know you think you’re scary,” she went on, nodding slowly like she was trying her best to follow his confusing logic, “But I don’t think I’m scared of you. Not really. You’re grumpy and you talk weird, but… you listen to me.”

She paused, rocking on her heels. Her short unevenly chopped hair bounced a bit with the motion, and she looked down at her hands, now fidgeting in front of her. “I don’t need perfect. I don’t even need nice all the time. I just want someone who doesn’t go away when I cry too much. Or when I mess up. Or when I get quiet and hide ‘cause I think maybe I made someone mad.”

There was a hitch in her breath—barely a tremble—but she kept going.

She sniffled once, then stepped closer until she could tug gently at the corner of his sleeve. “You don’t have to be good. You just have to be. Stay. Yell if you want. Say mean things if it helps. I don’t care.”

She looked up at him, eyes glassy but clear, so full of stubborn hope it hurt. “You can say you’ll hurt me, and I’ll still come back. ‘Cause everyone already hurt me. But none of them ever looked at me like I was a person. You do. Even if you don’t mean to.”

Then, softer, a little tremble slipping through, “And I want a dad. I want you. Even if you think I’ll end up with scars. I’ll take ‘em. I’ll still love you anyway.”

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"

[pleasedonttouch-me]

Lune didn’t say anything at first. She just stood there, arms curled around herself like they were the only things holding her together. Her breathing was uneven—tight in her chest, shallow, like she was afraid to take up too much space. Her eyes flicked to him when he sat down, but she quickly looked away again, as if even making eye contact might break whatever fragile thing still tethered them together.

She didn’t understand why it felt like she was the one being punished when he said he wasn’t upset. His voice didn’t sound angry, he sounded calm and patient.

She chewed the inside of her cheek, fighting the sting behind her eyes. “I never asked for a good man,” she said, and even she was surprised by the crack in her voice. “I just… I just thought..” lune stopped herself. She pressed her lips into a small frown

That was the part that hurt. Not the rejection, exactly—she was used to that. But the idea that she might have been foolish enough to think she mattered.

Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears that she refused to let fall, because she had learned—time and time again—that crying didn’t change anything. It just made people more uncomfortable. More distant. It made them leave faster.

“I don’t need you to be perfect,” she murmured. “I just… I just want someone to care”

A little pitter patter of feet and sobs started to approach Nero, that’s when he saw a sobbing line turn the corner with arms full of gifts.

@pleasedonttouch-me

Well, the emperor certainly wasn't expecting to see a crying child carrying what looked like too many things for them to carry approach him. "Hello?"