Chapter 16 - The Ones Who Stood With Him
Lunaria Café was unusually loud that afternoon.
Not with customers, but with laughter. The kind that didn't ask permission to exist.
Luke sat cross legged on the floor behind the counter, surrounded by crayons, pastry paper, and a suspicious amount of sugar packets he insisted were "supplies."
Perth leaned against the counter, arms folded, while watching closely like this was a high level business presentation.
Luke nodded firmly. "Yes. You must negotiate."
Perth glanced at Santa.
Santa, busy steaming milk, tried not to laugh. "You're losing this negotiation already."
Perth sighed. "I've handled a billion dollar mergers."
Luke did not look impressed.
"Do they have sharks?" Luke asked.
A pause.
Perth lowered his voice. "No."
Santa laughed softly, almost spilling the milk.
For the first time, Lunaria didn't feel like survival, it felt like life happening in real time.
Then, the Café bell chimed.
Santa didn't think much of it at first.
Until he looked up, and froze.
Two figures stood in the doorway.
One tall, broad shouldered, posture instinctively protective like he had never stopped standing in front of people.
The other slightly smaller, sharper eyed, already scanning the room like he expected trouble to manifest out of thin air.
Santa's breath caught.
"...Earth?"
The name left him before he could stop it.
Earth's expression cracked instantly.
"Oh my god," he said, voice breaking slightly. "It's really you."
Before Santa could even move, Earth crossed the room in three fast steps and pulled him into a tight hug.
Santa stiffened for half a second... then slowly relaxed into it.
Behind them, Mix smacked Santa lightly on the arm.
Santa let out a weak laugh. "I was... trying to survive."
Santa blinked.
Santa noticed, and something inside him loosened.
Time had passed for everyone.
It just hadn't stopped for him until recently.
Perth watched from behind the counter. He recognized them instantly.
Not by introduction, but by memory.
The ones who always stood too close when Santa was cornered, and the ones who never left him alone in silence.
Luke peeked out from behind the counter. "Papa," he called loudly, as if announcing royalty, "your friends look strong."
Mix turned immediately.
"Oh?" he said, eyes lighting up. "And who is this small general?"
Luke straightened proudly. "I'm Luke."
Mix crouched instantly, eye level with him. "And I'm apparently your uncle now," he said solemnly. "Nice to meet you."
Luke nodded like this was an official agreement. "Okay."
They then moved to the corner table.
Coffee was poured then forgotten, because no one was really drinking anymore. They were remembering.
Earth leaned forward slightly.
"When things got bad," he said to Santa, voice quieter now, "you always said you were fine."
Santa looked down at his cup.
"I wasn't," he admitted.
Mix snorted softly. "No one believed you, by the way. Except us."
Earth continued, gaze steady.
"I used to stand in front of you when people tried to push you around," he said. "You always told me to stop fighting your battles."
Santa gave a small, sad smile. "Because I didn't want you hurt."
Silence stretched.
Perth didn't interrupt it, he just listened.
Mix tilted his head toward Perth.
"And you," he said flatly.
Perth met his gaze.
"Yes."
Santa tensed slightly.
Perth didn't.
"Yes," he answered again. "I did, and i'll spend the rest of my life making sure no one ever does again."
The room went still.
Even Luke paused chewing.
Earth studied Perth for a long moment. Searching for pride or go, but finding none.
Finally, he exhaled slowly.
"...Good," he said simply.
That was it.
No forgiveness, just acceptance of intention, and somehow, that was enough.
Later, Luke had fully adopted Earth and Mix.
They had no say in this.
He had decided.
Mix accepted it like an honor. "I have been promoted."
Earth sighed. "We didn't apply for this job."
Luke pointed at them. "Being nice to Papa."
Earth and Mix both looked at Santa at the same time.
Santa covered his face, laughing.
"Apparently," Santa said between breaths, "you both passed."
That night, dinner at the Tanapon residence felt less like a formal gathering, and more like something alive.
Perth's mother adored Earth and Mix instantly. "You took care of him?" she asked warmly.
Grandpa Tanapon, however, did what he always did. He observed, asked questions and judged silently.
The old man nodded once.
"...Useful work."
That was approval.
For him.
Luke, meanwhile, declared loudly, "They are uncles forever."
No one corrected him.
Later, on the balcony, the night air was softer. Less heavy than before.
Perth stood beside Santa, shoulder brushing his. "I'm sorry," Perth said quietly.
Santa turned slightly.
"For what?"
Santa was quiet for a moment.
Then he reached for Perth's hand.
Perth looked at him, like he was memorizing something he never wanted to lose again.
Below them, laughter drifted from inside the house. All of it tangled together without pain.
Santa exhaled slowly.
"I didn't lose seven years," he said quietly.
Perth tilted his head.
A pause.
Perth squeezed his hand gently.
"Not back," he corrected softly.
Santa glanced at him.
Santa smiled softly, and he believed both could be true.