Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Darkness had always been such a terrifying thing for the stars. 

The stars were mighty, radiant and powerful beings. Their warmth so overwhelming they could bless those around them with heat, power so strong it could crush up their own kind, their light so bright it could be seen from galaxies away. 

These stars were mighty. 

But they weren't careful. 

They shone so brightly they blinded each other, they became so hot they became red giants before it was their time- they became reckless, mindless beasts, trying to fight off the darkness they could never outshine.

Their biggest strength became their greatest weakness.

No matter how brightly they shone, and no matter how warm they became- the cold and the dark never went away.

In the end, leaving the galaxy in complete darkness once more when they burned themselves out. A generation of newer, smaller baby stars rising from their ashes. 

Sol hated the dark.

But he was more terrified of the beasts that came before. 

The tiny star shivered despite being made up of heat- breath hitching when the little rocks that had been floating around him almost crashed into each other when he moved. "No no- I-... I'm sorry..." He hiccuped, carefully pulling the rocks apart.

The rings of asteroids around him had been acting strange recently. 

Sol was well-aware that it wasn't just asteroids that orbitted him- whatever had been left of his creations, perhaps something stuck around from the Super Nova he barely survived? All of it. Why it stuck, he didn't know. 

But it was something other than darkness. 

So he treasured it. 

The other stars did not care for things or beings smaller than them, from what Sol had understood. Having been the smallest star amongst them, none of them had respected him as an equal- oh, they had been cruel. 

But then again, the constant burning to remain bright as well as the isolation had droven the older stars mad. So that could also be it.

The little dwarf star did not understand why.

They'd had each other. Hadn't that been enough? Why did it matter how big or bright someone was? 

From the corner of his eyes, Sol couldn't help himself as he stared at a distant point far away, at the three little lights that shone brighter than the rest. Perhaps that was why? So the stars could find each other and not be alone? 

He wanted to join, he did but-

...His surroundings had him trapped.

Moving meant damaging his treasures. And Helios was not about to do that. 

His only other solution was to try and shine brighter, just as he had seen the other stars too- but everytime he tried, it hurt. His body screamed, his head protested, his core felt like it would go super nova or white dwarf as soon as soon as he attempted to increase the heat. 

Sol was too small for such a feat. 

So, instead... all he could do was wait. 

Wait, all alone.

"..." The star looked away from the light, and instead focused on the rocks that had started feeling heavier ever since his last sleep cycle.

Just him and his treasures. 

The heavy feeling in his gravity had only increased. 

A specific spot had become bigger, stronger, heavier, disturbing his orbit and taking him off course. Sol had started orbitting weirdly... he was spinning? As tiny a change as it was, it was still there.

Why? 

Change was often without reason. Sol knew that from experience. Everything was always changing, adjusting, disappearing or arriving within the blink an eye. His empty solar system did not need a reason to change. 

But after having lived in the same dark and quiet for so long- Sol found it difficult it was 'without a reason'.

Whatever this change was, it had started to tire him about. The Sun needed sleep more often, which also didn't make sense- because why would he be losing energy? He wasn't doing anything! All he did was burn. He even gave up on trying to shine brighter! So what could possibly be so signifigant that it tired him?

Grumbling, the star looked around again, hoping to spot whatever it was that was disturbing him. But as always, nothing. 

The other stars had gotten harder to see. Smaller. Further away, he realized with a heavy heart. So it couldn't be them. But there wasn't anything else.

Just the rocks that had been surrounding him, left behind from his creation. 

...Looking... bigger than the last time...

Sol frowned. 

He leaned in closer to get a look, narrowing his eyes. Yes, the... debris? It was getting pulled into one specific spot... a huge chunk of rock getting bigger and bigger. Why..?

Was that it, perhaps? The asteroids had never done that before. Was his gravity pushing them away? Sol knew he'd gotten slightly bigger and brighter, but he didn't think it would impact the little rocks that much.

Oh, he hoped they wouldn't be pushed away.

Sol was tired.

His light was turning hydrogen into helium, he'd come to realize. The more complex molecules that had been left behind in his system were changing too- reacting? Whatever it was they were doing something.

For the first time in his short life, the little Sun saw ice.

He couldn't touch it, he found out. The moment he got too close the ice melted away. Another reason to stay put in his orbit. That's fine. He could admire the shiny crystals from afar.

The more gassy molecules were pulled into the strange mass next to him. Of course, that 'mass' was tiny compared to the star- but it was bigger than everything else.

It got bigger than everything else.

With heavy eyes, Sun looked over the strange mass, giggling weakly at the molecules that got pulled into its orbit before being absorbed. It wasn't funny. Nor was it entertaining. But there was literally nothing else to do other than watch his treasures. So he picked the most interesting one. 

The big one that seemed to devour anything that came on its path. Or the gassy materials anyway. The heavier materials were pushed closer to the Sun.

Was it pushing the rocks out? Without Sun's help? Just how strong had its gravity gotten?

...It had started gaining color, for some reason. A very pretty red the Sun admired.

Sol yawned, blinking slowly. He found that when his eyes slipped shut, he couldn't open them again. 

With a hum, he settled so he could lay more comfortably, but made sure he didn't slip from his spot. He would hate to accidentally crush the stones that were orbitting him.

Sun woke up to gravity.

That in itself wasn't new. Everything had gravity, including the objects that were left behind from his creation. As small as they were, together, they formed one mass the Sun could feel no matter what. 

But he had never been able to distinct individual gravity before.

Nothing had ever been heavy enough to pull on him enough for him to notice. 

The little one woke up slowly, at first almost not opening his eyes at all. Stars he felt exhausted, his nap not having done anything to aid his tiredness. But the source of the heaviness begged for him to take a look, to question what was going on-

If this was a new change.

Why?

In the end, Sol needed to blink a couple times to shake himself awake, slightly dazed. He yawned and stretched his body, opening his heavy eyes to see- what was that.

He froze mid-stretch, his focus locking onto the abnormality ahead.

This was the same heavy mass from earlier, he quickly realized. It had become huge. Whatever it had consumed had made it heavier, strong enough to insistently pull down the Sun.

It was glowing.

Why was it glowing? 

Sol leaned down carefully, making sure not to get too close out of fear of destroying it- but he quickly found he didn't have to worry about that at all, considering he could feel the gravity collapsing in on itself, pulling anything that got too close into its destructive path. Sun included.

It wasn't big enough to do such a thing of course. 

And yet, he could feel light tugging, as if trying to consume the Sun the same way it had devoured the atoms and debris all around.

This was new. 

The light intensified. Pulsed.

Stronger.

Consuming, devouring, spreading collapsing and rebuilding, again and again until-

It stopped.

The light vanished before he could blink...

And something else took its place. 

Sol's eyes widened with shock.

A pair of tinier, teary eyes returned his gaze. 

Planet. Unfamiliar calls started in his mind, startling him even more than he already was. His breath hitched, and his core started beating faster. What is happening, what is-

Planet. 

Your planet.

There was a planet in front of him.

...

There was a what in front of him?!

"...H-hello?" Sol stuttered out in shock, needing to blink again to make sure his mind wasn't deceiving him, that he hadn't gone crazy like the others before him- but no. The tiny source of gravity remained. Something small kept pulling him down. 

The tiny creature was looking around in confusion. They were still weak, Sun could tell. Their surface hadn't even developed yet- or no, wait, they didn't have surface. The little thing was still forming. 

The planet wasn't done forming. 

And it finally dawned on him.

'W-wait... you're... you're a planet." The star whispered- and finally, grinned widely in disbelief. His breathing stuttered as he took a step back, and lifted his hands to hold his head. "I... I have a  planet?!"

Planet.

The little thing grumbled softly, clearly in discomfort. It must be because they weren't done- did that hurt them?

Him.

That works too. 

He had a planet. He... he wasn't alone anymore!!

"Who..." The tiny planet looked up at the star- his star, Sun thought with joy, narowing his eyes when looking straight at the source of light seemed to hurt his sensitive eyes. Well. That wouldn't do! Sun would need to stop burning so much. "Who am I?"

"You're a planet! My first planet ever!"

My planet.

His core was singing with joy. 

Oh Sol could cry, he really could. "Y-you were born from the stuff I-I came from!"

So that had been what had been tiring him out? This treasure developing right under his nose without him realizing? But that meant...

"O-oh!" Much to the Sun's horror, the planets expression shifted into guilt. Why would he feel guilty? He was his star! This baby could take whatever it wanted from him! It gave him life! "...S-sorry."

Absolutely not. He was not about to have his first planet be sorry for existing.

"N-no no don't be!" Sol was quick to reassure, shaking his head with a smile. His face lit up when they made eyecontact again, because oh my stars my planet is looking at me!! And not with hatred!

Seriously. Why couldn't the bigger stars have been like that? 

...Actually. "In fact, you could even be a star!"

Why not? Who knows! Apparently anything could happen! Oh wouldn't that be cool? "Y-you're mostly made of hydrogen, aaand... helium! Like me!"

Because that had been the first thing he'd noticed as soon as his eyes fell on his surface.

The little planet was made out of gas. 

He's like me.

...So that was why he had been burning more hydrogen into helium. Maybe? 

"But..." The planet raised his eyebrow as he looked his star up and down. "I'm too little... you're too big!"

...Oh.

Right. Right!

That felt weird.

Sun had never been too big before. 

Too small? Always. Being a dwarf star amongst a bunch of violent giants had always made him feel tiny.

But Sun wasn't tiny, he came to realize. 

This precious thing thought he was huge.

Oh stars, did Sun scare him? The bigger stars always scared him. No no no no way nuh-uh nope nope nope-

"I-I know I know but thats okay!" He quickly corrected, along with lowering his voice near the end as he remembered he didn't need to shout. "You don't need to be a star."

He was a gas planet, Sun finally came to realize. So cool! 

He would have been happy no matter what of course. Because he had a planet.

"My first planet..." He giddily whispered under his breath, and covered his mouth with a hand. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the planet wander- while still staying close to Sol, much to his joy. 

The planet didn't go far. His breath hitched oh-so-softly when he looked at the darkness the Sun had rotted in for eternity, taking a step back towards the light in fear. "...It looks scary out there."

Sun's smile fell.

Well. Yeah. Sun was scared of it. How could something so small, without any light to burn, not be?

"...I-I know- hey!" His voice softened, and the smile was back on Sun's face when the tiny planet turned towards him. It was Sun's job to protect him, was it not? After all... he was Sol's planet. Not near as big, and without any light or warmth to keep him safe.

Thats okay. Sun could burn enough for the both of them. 

"When you're afraid of the dark... just look at me!"

He would never wish for his infant planet to go crazy like the others anyway. Never.

The planet's mouth parted in adoration while his eyes seemed to sparkle. Not just with awe, making Sun feel warmer... but because of light.

His light was shining back at him through this child’s eyes.

...Huh.

His light could be something other than destructive?

But then the baby's smile fell. What, huh no why, what did Sol too, did he scare him after all- "And..." He started, daring a step forward- away from the darkness. And towards the Sun's light. 'What do you look at... when you're afraid?"

Sun's core skipped a beat.

"I-... don't worry." He barely managed to keep his voice steady. He blinked away the tears that welled up in his eyes, smiling oh so lovingly at his newest treasure- because stars. This child was just born and was already worried for him? Such a caring planet he had.

But he shouldn't be worried for the Sun. He was the big one, after all! The one in control, with all the heat and warmth. 

"I'm the Sun!" he declared, but somehow it felt more to convince himself than anyone. A soft breath escaped his lips, and for a moment he felt... too strong. Too bright. Too close to burning.

Was this what it felt like to be big?

He suddenly couldn’t understand how other stars didn’t feel the same way.

"I’ll be okay." Sol reassured him gently.

Of course he would be. 

He always had been. 

His planet smiled, accepting the answer. Now that his worries had been soothed, his earlier curiosity seemed to return.

The Sun watched as the planet stepped out of his orbit, and wasted no time speeding towards the other side of the empty solar system. Sol spinned in whatever direction his planet went with an adoring smile, both to just watch but also to make sure he wouldn't get hurt. 

But soon enough, he noticed something... the planet kept close to his light.

He wasn’t afraid. Not even a little. And that felt... strange.

Sol had always known to fear stars bigger than him. But this one- this planet- he didn’t even seem to notice.

Instead, he basked.

He soaked in the warmth, and got closer and closer. That sweet little grin widening with every touch of light. 

While the planet was clumsily moving around he kept tripping, falling and bumping into things. This time, Sun did not care for the asteroids that got destroyed- his living planet should get to enjoy the room he had. He did watch to make sure the baby didn't get hurt. 

And eventually, the stormy planet tripped again. 

This time, almost hitting sharp pieces of asteroids bigger than him. 

The little planet screetched in fear- but just before he could have hit the surface, Sol reacted. His large, burning hand slipping between his infant and the threat before he even was aware of what he was doing. 

The second the Sun made contact with the other- his brain short-circuited. 

One part of his mind was screaming with panic and fear, because let go let go you are too big, too hot, too strong, you're going to hurt your planet and be alone again, Sun let go let go LET GO.

The other part of his brain was overjoyed. He'd... never touched anything before. 

The planet pushed himself up again- but to Sun's surprise, he didn't flee. If anything, he seemed to melt into the warmth of his palm, and nuzzled into his fingers while giggling. "Woah... you're so much warmer this close!"

"You're... you're not in pain?"

"Nuh-uh!" The planet confirmed, and squealed when Sun's other hand shakily cupped his body.

...He felt so small.

How was Sun considered small before? How could something so tiny and fragile exist?

Sun forced himself to breathe. Otherwise, he would hurt the most important treasure in the universe. And he didn't want that. 

As carefully as he could manage, the little planet was lifted until he was in front of the star's eyes. He opened his palms so he could get a closer look at the tiny body within, who was too busy ooing over the new view. The planet did not move from his spot. But he did look up in delight.

Sun blinked, realizing they hadn't exchanged names yet. "What is your name... small one?"

"I..." The planet opened his mouth to speak- but no words came out. He hummed, and his eyes narrowed. "I... don't know..."

He frowned. And then, that guilty expression was back. "I... I'm sorry."

"No no that's okay!" Sun quickly reassured, barely managing to stop himself from moving so he wouldn't hurt the one in his grasp. However, he did notice his heat and light increasing with his panic- making the planet freeze. At once, he forced himself to calm down.

Absolutely not.

Sun would not be like the other stars.

"...Maybe, since I'm your star, I could name you?" He offered hesitantly. The planet scrambled to his knees, leaning up as closely to his star as he could to ask. 

"You would do that? I... I'm so small. And I already took your nitrogen and helium..."

Such a selfless, sweet creature. 

"I am your star, and you are my planet!" The Sun lifted him closer, and willed his hands to remain still. "That means you can take my light, and my warmth, and everything! And- and I will always look out for you! And make sure you're never alone in the dark!"

Why would I be in the dark, when you have such a pretty light?"

Sol could cry.

He'd spend centuries cursing at his warmth. The light that wasn't bright enough, the heat that hadn't been burning enough, classifying him as a dwarf and isolating him from the rest of the stars. Too small for the beasts. But too big for the rocks around him, cursing him to remain still for eternity. 

He had never thought that this light could be considered pretty before.

"Now... let's see!" He claimed, then asked for the planet to stand. The child giggled when clumsy fingers poked his body, and the Sun couldn't keep his own grin from his face. 

He's letting me touch him. He's letting me hold him. He isn't afraid of me!

My planet. 

"You need to be careful!" The star warned during his exam, making the younger turn. "You are big, but you are not done forming! You could get hurt very easily!"

"But how can I be big? You are right there!" The planet gasped, not understanding. Before his last sleep Sol wouldn't have either. 

"You are small compared to me. But you are pretty big for a planet!" He claimed. He didn't even know how he knew this, the information was just... stored in his mind. But it wasn't wrong! The stormy planet was the second biggest object in the entire solar system! 

Stormy... 

Hm.

"Since you are my first planet ever you deserve a name as strong as you, don't you think?" He asked. The planned looked at him with that love that made his insides melt again- Sol barely managed to surpress a squeal.

Stars. He loved his little planet already.

"You shall be named after the king of gods- the most powerful of all! Zeus! The God of the Thunder and skies!"

...

...Maybe not Zeus. 

It didn't fit. It didn't sound right.

...hm. 

"But I think I'll call you... Jupiter."

The Sun murmured near the end, no longer able to resist the urge as he leaned down- and pressed a kiss onto Jupiter's head. His little planet hesitantly nuzzled into his his cheek, clearly having taken a liking to his warmth.

"Jupiter... that sounds pretty!" He agreed. The Sun cupped his body again, and pressed him as close as he dared.

His hands trembled again. 

He wasn't alone anymore.

"And what is your name?"

...Oh, right. 

"Well... I have many names!" Sun said with pride, his glow brightening up again. "Just like how your name means Zeus, my name is Helios Ra Apollo Inti-"

Jupiter blinked.

And made a face.

The Sun paused. And chuckled. "...But I guess thats a bit of a mouthful for someone as small as you, huh?"

It had never felt right to call himself by those names anyway, considering how the little star couldn't even burn as bright as the other stars.

But then again... those others lost their minds. And Sun gained a planet.

After a bit of thinking... Sun sighed. And he lifted his precious planet back up to introduce himself again, his tone soft and eyes cloudy. 

Jupiter smiled back. 

Lighting up his surroundings more than any star ever could have done. 

"...But you may call me... Sol."

Chapter Text

Sol could not remember a time he'd been as happy as he was now. 

For centuries, the little star had existed in the dark, all on his own, with only his own light to chase away the gloominess and the debris left behind from his creation for company.

For so long he'd lived, feeling small.

For the first time in his life, the Sun felt big. 

Despite not burning nearly as much as the beasts before him had done, he felt too hot. Too bright. Too dangerous. 

His sweet little thunder bringer did not seem to share that sentiment. 

Jupiter seemed content to just orbit around him, going faster and faster until the Sun could barely keep up. Did he like the speed? Or perhaps the wind? 

Sun would have loved to move from his spot. 

But he preferred to watch the toddler play and have fun instead. 

And such a smart and curious little planet he had!

"Are there more stars like you, Sol?"

How to answer such a delicate question... "...Not like me, no."

"But there are other stars?" Jupiter stopped his exploring in favor of looking up again. His child was shy- but so clearly curious. "Does that mean there are other planets like me too?"

That... was a good question.

Sun had never seen any planets before- but why shouldn't they exist? 

Would the other stars let them exist?

Sun decided not to think about it.

"I... don't see why not?" He answered with a strained smile, his gaze once again snapping up to the three distant points of light he could barely see. Hm... their names were lost to him. He'd been too intimidated by their size. But Sun did not miss those stars. 

Instead, he let himself be glad that Jupiter did not feel the same way about him.

"Why am I a planet and are you a star?" Said planet asked, oblivious to the hurt his star was carrying. Which was good. It was Sol's job to protect his solar system, not the other way around. And his little thunder bringer was now part of said solar system. So of course, Sun would look out for him too.

"Well... stars are mostly made up of helium and hydrogen and are held together by their own gravity!" Sun declared proudly. "We're big balls of gas!"

"But... then why am I not a star?" Jupiter asked, confused. He approached Sun, probably to leech off his warmth again considering the Sun could see him tremble. (His planet kept coming to him for warmth oh stars, isn't that adorable?!) "You said I came from the stuff you left behind!"

"Although you are made of the same stuff as I am- you can not fuse hydrogen into helium on your own!" Sun lowered until he was sitting on his knees- and Jupiter wasted no time zipping towards him so he could curl up against his leg. Sun grinned and patted his head. "You're not big enough! And you orbit around me, a star. So that makes you a planet!"

"Oh." Jupiter pouted. For a second, the Sun could almost swear he saw hurt flash behind those eyes- but it was gone just as fast. "...Okay."

His voice had gone strangely quiet though.

"Is there something wrong?" Sun asked worriedly, trying to look as unimposing as possible as he looked down. Jupiter had made it clear he didn't find him scary, but- you could never know. Why would he be upset? Because he wasn't a star? Well, he did like Sun's warmth, so maybe-

"...Does that make me a failed star, Sol?"

"What?!" Sun gasped in shock. Immediately, his light and temperature increased with a burst, causing Jupiter to push himself up to avoid getting burned. 

Yeah, no, that wouldn't do.

Scolding himself, Sun forced himself to calm down. He squeezed his eyes shut and breathed, forcing the bubbling anger that wanted to shine down, further and further until it was stuffed into his core, where no soul would ever even know it was there. Only once he was sure he could talk without screaming did the Sun open his eyes.

Jupiter looked pale. 

His hands were trembling. 

Sun's heart broke.

"Zeus." The sound of his proper name made the planet flinch and duck his head down. With a single finger, Sun lifted his head back up until they were face-to-face again, making sure to keep his expression soft. "Why would you think such an awful thing?"

"I..." The little planet blinked, but did not fight it as his head was tilted up. Instead, he squinted his eyes at the bright light while blinking back tears. "I... I already took your hydrogen and helium. I reside in your system. I took so much and... and I couldn't even be as big as I should have been..."

"..Jupiter." Sun leaned down so he could get a closer look. "Do you want to be a star?"

"I... No, I- I like being y-your planet, but-"

"Then that is all that matters."

"But Sunny-"

"Zeus." The Sun gently slipped his hands underneath his tiny body so he could lift the other up, successfully getting the planet to quiet. "I do not care if you are a planet, asteroid, comet, or a star- you are mine."

With his thumb, he gently stroked Jupiter's cheek- who, much to his delight, leaned into his touch. Good. "And I take care of what is mine. Understood?" 

"I..." He started- but Jupiter didn't finish the sentence when he caught sight of that warning yet loving look again. "...Okay, Sol." He muttered, bowing his head. 

"Good," Sol said, sounding pleased- and then couldn't help himself as he leaned down to press a kiss into his hair. Absolutely delighted when giggles were the only response he got.

How could such a sweet and caring creature be anything but perfect?

"Sol, why am I orbiting you?"

"Because my gravity is more than yours! I keep you in your place and make sure you don't get hurt!"

"Oh!"

"..."

"...Does that mean the thing pulling me down is a planet too?"

Sol did not know how he possibly could have missed their new companion before. 

His solar system was empty, other than the rocks and Jupiter of course. All he had done for the short past couple of years was talk with his planet, play with him, protect him- love him.

Make sure Jupiter never felt as he did.

...Perhaps, getting so used to having gravity pulling him down... he simply didn't notice a second source of gravity forming, right under his nose. 

"A planet?" 

Jupiter asked, curiously eyeing the new ball of gas from afar. This one was forming slightly further and remained smaller- but Sun could not care about that one bit. 

Now that he was able to recognize what this was, he was doing his best to control himself before he burned too bright, and scared his sweet gassy planet.

A planet! A second planet!! Sol had a second planet forming!!!

"It appears so!" Sol squealed with glee, his thoughts already racing. Just like with Jupiter, he could feel his helium and hydrogen be taken away and absorbed in small doses- and he didn't care! "A second planet! I have a second planet!"

"...Not yet." Jupiter mumbled for some reason- but the Sun didn't get to ask, all his excitement coming to a halt the second his planet stepped forward.

Gravity. His core jumped at the thought, suddenly horribly aware of the fact that his oldest was bigger than his new child. Gravity, gravity, G R A V I T Y -

He pulled Jupiter away before he could even think.

Jupiter yelped as he was suddenly pulled away, turning back to look at his star with wide eyes. It took Sol a moment to realize those eyes looked scared- and he let go of his hold on Jupiter's gravity at once. "S-Sunny?"

"I..." Sun tried to speak before he stopped, needing a moment to blink away the adrenaline that had suddenly taken over his senses. "...Forgive me, Jupiter. I didn't want either of you to get hurt."

"Why would we get hurt when you're here?" His little-... big planet asked, tilting his head to the side with confusion.

Oh... how would he even explain that?

"...Our new friend can't regulate their gravity like we can, Jupiter." Sun tried after a moment, carefully looking his new and old gas giants over. Seriously, why did his oldest suddenly look huge? "While you know how to get close without getting hurt, they don't yet. If you get too close you could crash."

"Oh." Jupiter... took that surprisingly well. "Do they still need to learn?"

The star nodded quietly, relief making his shoulders sag. The fear had disappeared just as quick, it seems. Good. Sun scolded himself mentally. He had to keep reminding himself he was big, as hard it was to believe, over and over again because he kept forgetting. 

He wasn't small. He had to remember that. 

...But why did Jupiter look so big, suddenly?

"..." Sun had to look away when he felt himself tearing up.

How could such a big body still not be enough to contain all the love he had for his planets?

Sun had just managed to get Jupiter to settle for a nap when he felt the sudden increase in gravity.

"Tears are falling endlessly~"

He'd been quietly humming while rocking his darling baby, gently swaying left and right in sync with the melody in his mind. "They drop, drop, drop, drop, scatter all around~"

It had taken a lot of bouncing and playing to finally get Jupiter to lie down for a nap- but in the end, Sol managed to tire him out. Which was good. 

Sol loved his planet, truly. But his second gem taking more of his hydrogen and helium had started to exhaust him again. 

"They keep going, until the next morning- they drop, drop, drop, drop-"

Which is when an abrupt pull had cut him off, startling the star enough to stop mid-song. 

A quick glance down showed he hadn't woken Jupiter, much to his relief. But that left the Sun confused and looking around wildly, trying to figure out where the disturbance had come from. 

His first instinct was to brighten up. To burn, to become blinding, to stun whatever it was that dared to disrupt his solar system. But that idea was snuffed out just as quick, when a soft weight pressing into his chest reminded him that his beloved Thunderbringer would not be able to handle his light in all its glory either. 

So instead... he held his planet close, sat straighter, and sharply looked around to try and find out what caused the tugging at his gravity. 

Which... was surprisingly gentle, now that he paid attention to it.

So overcome with protective instinct... Sun almost forgot.

He had a second planet forming.  

The moment Sol had that realization his gaze snapped down, and sure enough-

Just like with Jupiter. The mass had seemingly doubled in size- although they were still significantly smaller than Jupiter was. The mass was glowing, expanding, collecting- 

Gravity collapsed. It rebuilt itself. 

Its tug on Sol's gravity became more insistent- before it softened. 

And the glow dimmed down. 

Sun had to stifile a gasp when a pair of tiny, golden eyes suddenly met his gaze. 

This planet had his eyes.

At first, all they did was stare.

Sun did not dare look away, awe-struck by the sight in front of him. He admired their- his features from afar. Unlike Jupiter, this one had no stormy atmosphere. Nor was he as bright.

And yet... he was beautiful.

Also unlike Jupiter, the small planet did not ask. Where Jupiter had questioned him about his identity the moment he'd spotted his star, this one seemed content to just... stare with those beautiful eyes. The star had trouble reading what he felt. 

His eyes are like mine!!

"...You're awake." Sun whispered. Eyes lighting up when it finally dawned on him. "You're awake!"

With his squeal, there was a burst of light as well as increase of heat.

At once, the little planet backed away fearfully while shielding his eyes, the quiet hitch in his breath making Sun freeze at once. In his arms, Jupiter grumbled- but did not wake. 

Oh dear. Oh stars. Oh, no. No no no-

"-Oh, oh, I'm sorry!" The poor star quickly tried to save himself, gently setting Jupiter down before he leaned forward- but the planet backed away even more, away from his light and into the cold, those sweet eyes filling up with tears. Right. Right! He was big now. And this wasn't Jupiter who knew him either. Get it together, Sol.

Before he gets lost in the cold.

The star almost panicked at the thought alone, just barely managing to stop himself from pulling him back by taking some deep breaths... before Sun took a step back. 

It hurt to separate himself from this little planet. especially considering how he seemed ready to flee into the darkness instead. But clearly, he needed some space (Ha! Get it?! Oh puns were growing on him) to get used to the burning beast in front of him, just like how Sun had needed time to get used to the stars before. So he allowed the smaller some room. 

"I'm sorry I scared you." He apologized- and against his better judgement, gently tilted his head down. It was ridiculous to bow down for a planet- but he'd scared the infant, so he owed his creation that much, didn't he?

When he slowly dared to look up again, he was pleasantly surprised to notice his sweet little planet no longer seemed close to tears. Instead, his eyes had widened further, the two locking eyes once more when Sun carefully straightened his posture. 

But he remained quiet. 

Could this one not speak?

Sun tried to ignore that thought. "...I am the Sun." He decided to say instead, unsure what he was supposed to do. With Jupiter it had been easy, his oldest had asked. But this one didn't even seem to-

"Are you in pain?" He heard an unfamiliar, delicate voice ask, startling him out of his thoughts. Looking down again, he couldn't help but notice the little planet looked concerned- for him? But why-

"You look really hot." He mumbled, worriedly looking him up and down... before the wetness rose in his eyes once more. "Cause- cause being hot is making me feel weird, and you are really warm, and that m-means you must be in pain and I-"

...Oh, his precious. 

Sun's expression softened when the planet started hiccuping, trying and failing to keep the tears at bay. He stood straighter while clearly trying to refrain from fidgeting with his hands, and casted his gaze down. 

He wasn't afraid of Sun.

He was afraid for him. 

Sol covered his mouth with a hand, heart lightly cracking at the sight of his new and already kind-hearted planet get more and more upset. An emphatic one, it seems. 

...Even if it still confused him.

Jupiter had also worried for Sol, the first moment of his life. Which he did not get. Why would such an itty bitty thing worry about him? He was fine!

"Oh, oh, no no." He spoke with a tender voice, at the same time kneeling down so that he wasn't towering over the infant as much. The planet hiccuped before focusing those tearful, golden eyes back on his parent star again, lip quivering. "Its- its okay! I'm a star! I'm meant to be warm."

"But I feel warm inside." The planet sobbed. "And it feels weird. And you are much hotter! Doesn't it hurt?"

...Hot inside?

Did he mean his core?

...Jupiter never mentioned his core burning.

Sure, Sol had noticed Jupiter defintely felt colder than when he had been born- but he never mentioned the heat bothering him.

Making a mental note to ask later, Sun smiled reassuringly. He was used to the burning. And unlike the stars before him, the little star did not purposfully try to burn brighter. He wasn't in pain.

He was the Sun. He could never be in pain. 

"That's your core, love." Sun gently told him, almost pressing a finger into his chest before remembering this wasn't Jupiter. He couldn't scare the little planet yet. "It will cool down. But I promise I'm fine! I'm the Sun!"

He almost faltered. But still managed to force the words out. "I'm okay."

"..." His child nodded through hiccups, and lifted shaky hands to try and wipe the tears away. All the star wanted to do was to scoop him up and do it himself- but he held back. Not yet. The planet did not know him, and he could not risk scaring his newest little one.

He would not be like the stars before. 

It took the planet a big to collect himself enough to try and look up again- but Sun allowed him all the time he needed. He waited patiently, at some point having started to softly hum the tune he'd been singing earlier under his breath. At the same time, one of his hands went to Jupiter's hair, warm fingers combing through the messy locks. His oldest stayed asleep, thankfully.

When the child calmed down enough to look at him without crying, Sun positively beamed. "Hello."

"...Hi." The planet said with a raspy voice, his sad expression finally turning into something happier- curious. Good. "...I... who am I...?" He questioned, as if only now realizing he had no clue about his identity. He looked down at his body, felt his long hair- 

And almost panicked again. 

Sun put an end to it before he could.

"You are my planet!" He said excitedly. "My second planet! I didn't name you yet!"

He had a second planet.

Sol had a second planet!!

"...Oh." He blinked, and calmed down again. His head tilted left, then right- made a face at the darkness he witnessed, and quickly turned his head back towards his star again. Clearly, he did not like it.

Ohh, what kind of name could Sun give him?

He was Sol's planet. And they had the same eyes. So obviously a powerful god. 

"...Your name is Sun?" He dared a step forward, into his light and warmth. A weight seemed to be lifted off his shoulders when he did, taking another step when Sun nodded in encouragment.

"I have many names!" Sun almost lifted all of them again- but remembering how that had been too much for Jupiter, he decided against it. "...But Sun is fine, yes. I'm Sol. And I'm your star! You came from the stuff I came from!"

"Oh!" Thankfully, this one didn't seem to feel bad about it, like Jupiter had. Instead, he seemed to think... and hesitantly reached up with a hand.

Sol almost melted on the spot. Yes yes yes he was NAILING it!

He took his time as he cupped his hands together, and slowly reached down for the planet. Despite being given enough time to back away, the brave little one allowed himself to be picked up, and be lifted until he was face to face with the giant star. Just like Jupiter, he didn't look afraid.

He had never learned to be afraid. 

If anything, the child giggled when a kiss was pressed onto his face, followed by a happy sound when fingers carefully poked and felt his body. Sun observed, admiring how different this planet was. 

He was made from the same stuff Jupiter came from. And yet so different.

Unlike his oldest, this one wasn't all that colorful- his entire form being brown or beige instead. He also had long, wavy hair that seemed too big on that tiny body- but it somehow fit anyway. He adjusted to sit more properly, as if trying to show manners without even knowing what they were. 

"...I've been waiting a long time for you to wake up, love." Sun murmured lovingly. "But I think you chose the perfect time to join us! I'd just gotten Jupiter for a nap."

"...Who is-"

"My other planet." Sun was quick to explain, motioning with his head towards the still napping bigger one. The smaller carefully leaned over for a glimpse- Sun gently pulled him back towards the center of his palm before he could fall.

...Stars Jupiter looked big.

"You can go rest right with him! Get energy! And then explore together later!" Truly, such perfect timing.

...

Time...

Sun couldn't help but grin when the idea suddenly came to him, and lifted his planet up to gain his attention again. "You deserve a name that will fit you just right."

The little planet curiously stared, but didn't say a word. He was waiting for Sun to finish, he quickly realized. So respectful... he stroked his cheek with a large finger as a reward, delighted when the child responded by leaning into it. "You will be named after the God of Time..." Sun started- but caught himself just before he could finish.

Just like with Jupiter, Cronus sounded too formal. Not right. 

So instead...

"Saturn."

Much better.

Saturn's response delighted Sol immensely. The planet squealed and flapped his hands- that was a good reaction, right? What else could it be? It was perfect! 

"My second planet!" The star couldn't help himself, and finally swooped the child up to nuzzle him as close to his face as possible. In response, he gained a happy giggle from his youngest and a sleepy mumble from his oldest, causing him to freeze before quickly looking down. 

Thankfully, Jupiter remained asleep. If anything, he cuddled closer, lightly adjusting before he settled back down... loudly snorting when he was disturbed.

Sun had to stiffle a laugh. 

Saturn clearly couldn't tell if it was okay to laugh- he snorted, and immediately covered his hand with a mouth again. 

Then yawned. 

Right...

Now that it was brought to his attention... Sol felt pretty tired, actually. Which made sense, Saturn had been taking his hydrogen and helium, just like Jupiter had done. And sure, he wasn’t used to holding such heavy little planets yet- but he didn't mind! He definitely wasn’t tired. No way. He was the Sun.

The infant had only just woken up though.

And Jupiter had slept a lot the first short moment of his life.

"I can explain the rest and introduce you two later..." Sun murmured, moving Saturn to one hand so he could pick up his oldest with the other. The younger did not mind, sleepily curling up into his palm. "I'm sure a nap will do you good, huh?"

Taking the gentle nuzzle into his hands as a green light, Sol started singing again.

This time, for two planets instead of one. 

Chapter Text

"Suuun, Jupiter is being mean again!"

"I am not mean! You are just ANNOYING!"

"No I'm NOT!" Saturn burst into tears.

Next to him, Jupiter grumbled, crossed his arms, and turned away with a huff. 

Sol, for the life of him, could not figure out why the two of them weren't getting along.

Saturn had been fine. He'd smiled, tried to play with Jupiter, and listened to anything the older had to say. 

But Jupiter, strangely... hadn't.

His behavior had been... odd. 

Sol sighed, picked up Saturn who no longer fit into one hand, and gently rocked him while making shushing sounds to soothe him. But his eyes remained on his oldest- who's expression shifted. 

His eye twitched. 

He turned his back towards Sun's light. 

Normally, he would always turn back to his star when he did. Jupiter disliked the surrounding darkness just as much as Sol did, and always felt so bad for looking away. 

This time... he didn't.

What is going on?

"Why are you so mean to me!" Saturn sobbed, burying his face into the Sun's shirt while clutching fistsful of his clothing. "I don't like you!"

"Well, I- I don't like you either!" Jupiter turned back to yell, his eyes tearful and wide.

Oooh stars.

Great. He only has two planets and they already hate each other.

What was he going to do when that number became three?

Sol made a face, his gaze drifting towards the chilly mass that had started forming between his two giants.

This one was... different.

Unlike his older two, this one did not mainly consist of hydrogen and helium. Instead, its main components seemed to be sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen. Heavier elements. 

Its core was cold.

Made up out of icy elements instead. 

At first, Sun had doubted this was a planet at all- but what else could it be? It was forming the same way both Jupiter and Saturn had done, it was pulling and consuming everything on its path, it was big and it was orbiting him. If not a planet, what else could it be?

An ice giant. Still smaller than his oldest two, but bigger than everything else.

Sun had started calling Jupiter and Saturn gas giants in his mind. With a bit of luck, this third one separating the two should stop their fighting. 

"Well- I don't wanna orbit next to you anyway! I'm leaving!"

"Good!" Saturn's sob as well as Jupiter's alarming words made the Sun look away, gaze turning back to his oldest. No time to worry about a hypothetical third one. He had to go deal with these two first. 

Seriously. Jupiter had been an angel before. 

"And where exactly do you think you're going, Zeus?" 

"I'm leaving the solar system!" His child shouted, turning around to do just that- but paused when he witnessed that now familiar, scary dark again. 

Sun raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And how do you wanna stay warm?"

"..." Jupiter huffed. Crossed his arms. But then, angrily, returned to his own orbit instead. 

Sol shook his head. Oh, what would his idiot children do without his light?

"What happened, Cronus?" He gently asked, shifting Saturn slightly so he could kiss his beautiful hair. Saturn sniffed and bowed his head. 

"...He doesn't like me." 

"That's not true." Sun automatically said despite not being sure. Jupiter had adored Saturn before he'd woken up. He'd been nice the first time they spoke. And then Jupiter just either went quiet or angry. 

Was he hurt?

Maybe it was Saturn's gravity that annoyed him? Jupiter wasn't exactly used to something smaller pulling on him yet. 

But that didn't mean he had to be mean about it either. 

"..." Sun sighed, already getting a headache just by thinking about it. He wondered if a nap could fix their attitudes, perhaps.

Maybe he should take a nap too. He felt so exhausted already... neither Jupiter nor Saturn had taken this much energy from him when they'd been developing. And this one wasn't even taking his helium or anything! And it was smaller too! 

So why did his gravity feel so, so much heavier?

Sol was worried he wouldn't be able to touch this one. 

He had obviously not even dared to do so yet- his newest child was still developing after all. It would probably be bad if he disturbed that, right? They needed room and time.

If he conveniently used that excuse to keep Saturn and Jupiter separated for now, they did not need to know that. But that wasn't the point!

His planet's main component was ice.

The very thing Sun kept hurting and melting when it got too close, no matter how much he tried to keep his temperature low. It worried him beyond belief. What if he wouldn't be able to touch this one? What if they couldn't get too close because their bodies clashed so much, and they would be forced to remain in darkness? 

Sol would not wish that upon anyone.

Not to himself, and certainly not to his planets. Not even to the beasts that had come before. No one deserved to rot in the darkness, and be forced to burn themselves out.

Not again. 

But then what could the Sun do, if he couldn't even let the new, chilly planet into his light? 

He supposed Jupiter and Saturn could approach them- neither burned near as hot as he did. Stars, they didn't burn at all. But for that to work, he needed the two to get along.

Which meant Sun had to figure out why his oldest was so against their new companion. Fast. 

"Jupiter?"

"Go away!" He winced at the shout, but tried not to be offended or react to it. Don't be like the beasts, don't be like the beasts- "I don't like anymore!"

"You can go find another star to keep you warm if that is how you feel, Zeus." Sol scoffed, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. He didn't really mean it, and was so sure his little planet knew that too.

But he could physically feel he had said the wrong thing from the planet's reaction alone.

A look of fear passed Jupiter's face, cracking Sun's core even more than it already was. But why? Jupiter- Jupiter knew he didn't mean it! 

...Right? 

"Maybe I will!" His oldest huffed tearfully, turning his back to the light once more. But that only caused him to catch sight of the expanding mass between him and Saturn, and his expression turned more sou- wait a minute. 

......Jupiter started acting this wat when Sol started paying attention to Saturn. 

It had gotten worse when he discovered the third planet developi- oooohhhh.

As the realization dawned on him, Sol's expression softened in understanding.

Jupiter already had been having issues about being a "failed star".

"...Zeus." 

"I don't wanna talk to you Sun-"

"I did not get Saturn or our new friend because you're a failed planet, Zeus." 

Jupiter flinched. Bingo.

Now he was getting somewhere. Sun kneeled until he could sit with his legs crossed, not wanting to tower over his planet as much at the moment. He thought he'd dealt with this already. Did something change? Yes, he'd been having trouble dividing his attention between his two new planets- but Sun had done his best! And Jupiter knew he could tell his star! "Jupiter, my light, I need you to know that I-"

Pull.

Sun got cut off by the sudden, unexpected yet awaited pull of gravity increasing, stretching beyond its limits, and then collapsing again. 

Both Jupiter's and Sun's expression twisted to the icy mass at once, and sure enough- 

Expanding. Consuming. 

Pulling. Collapsing. 

Brightening. Dimming down. 

Sol's expression brightened up at once. 

The little star couldn't help the squeal that escaped him at the sight, hands immediately flapping as his eyes sparkled with excitement- his planet his planet they're waking up his icy planet is-

Jupiter.

He stopped. 

Sun's smile was gone at once, replaced by a look of panic. He quickly turned back to his oldest again- who was in tears. Oh no. Oh no no no-

"J-Jupiter, I-"

"It's fine, Sun." Based on the tone in Jupiter's voice, it definitely wasn't. Guilt was overshadowing Sun's joy, but at the same time he couldn't help but notice the expanding light. He had to be there for his new planet. He had to welcome them. Sun refused to let any of his celestials wake up alone. 

But he couldn't let Jupiter feel this awful for much longer either. This wasn't okay.

But Sun couldn't be at two places at once. Which was stupid- he was a star! Why couldn't he be!? How dare Jupiter even question his love for his oldest, this wasn't- No.

Sun blinked. He hadn't even noticed the way his temperature was rising- and quickly took some deep breaths to calm down.

Don't be like the beasts.

Sol kept his eyes on his hands, watching as the glow dimmed and the warmth went down with it, not stopping until he was as cool as he could manage. It hurt to purposely dim himself- but for his planets, he would.

Now, what to do...

When he looked away again, he found Jupiter hadn't moved from his spot- eyes no longer on the Sun, but on the new mass between them. Hm...

"...Would you like to welcome them with me, Jupiter?"

Jupiter blinked, snapping out of his trance to stare at him in surprise. "I... what?"

"They're waking up." Sun said gently, tilting with his head towards the icy bundle further ahead- yep, the glow was dimming down, any minute now. "Would you like to welcome them with me?"

Clearly, the stormy planet was surprised. But Sun was more than delighted to see that familiar sparkle return- even if it was less than it should be. "...Really?"

"But why of course!" His hands clapped together, more naturally this time, as the Sun grinned. "Who better than my first planet to greet the new one?"

"..." Speechless, Jupiter quietly nodded. 

After a few, quiet seconds of nothing, his oldest hesitantly came back into his light. 

Sun internally cheered- oh we was great at this! See! Who says stars need to be angry and ruthless?! He was doing amazing! 

As the light and gravity started collapsing, Sol couldn't help but take note of the cold that started to spread. His smile fell, for just a moment, back to that worried frown as he gazed upon his own, burning body- but that was quickly gone as his gaze snapped back to his newest arrival. Not now, Sol. 

Not now. 

The light was completely fading away. 

The star gasped when something else took its place. 

The new being in front of him was small- much smaller than Saturn, to his dismay. Their body was dark- so dark, Sol would have completely missed the- him, had it not been for his own, burning light. 

A very, very dark blue, with even darker stripes decorating his surface. 

But more than that... this one didn't have ears. 

This one had fins.

On their ears, their elbows, their back- and a shark-like tail that wrapped around one of their legs instinctively. 

Siren?

When the new planet opened his eyes, it was like staring into two voids. Completely and utterly  black.

...oh. 

He was so.... 

A hand raised to cover his mouth, his eyes sparkling. 

Beautiful. 

...Darkness could be something other than terrifying? 

"H-hello...?" The planet's voice shook, probably overwhelmed by the Sun's presence alone- or was it his warmth? Sol hoped not. They looked terrified. "I... where am I-?"

"Hello." Jupiter spoke before the Sun could, stepping forward at the same time. The planet's gaze snapped back- and visibly relaxed with the new revealed presence. But... why? "You're in the Solar System!"

"Solar... system...?" The child blinked. He looked around slowly- for some reason, relaxing at the sight of darkness instead of the light. What?

Was it because he was much colder than the gas giants? That won't do. Darkness is bad. Sun should correct this behavior before it became an issue.

"Indeed!" He cheerfully called with a clap, his light brightening once again- but froze when the planet yelped, and quickly hid behind his largest. Who... didn't even look surprised. 

His heart cracked. 

Sol ignored it. 

It's fine, you're fine. Don't be like the beasts. 

"That's just Sol!" The star heard Jupiter say, twisting his body until he could look at the celestial properly- and finally smiled, the first one in a long while. It made him feel... bad. But that was a problem for later. "He's the Sun! The center of the Solar System. He's super nice."

"But he's so... big." The child whispered, looking his form up and down until the light hurt to look at. He hissed, covering his eyes. "And... warm." 

"Stars are supposed to be warm." Jupiter nodded along. "But he's trying to stay as cold as he can for you right now!"

Sun flinched. 

...Jupiter knew about that-?

"Really...?" The little planet peaked, just a little- that sparkle Sol had grown familiar with making the little dark voids that were his eyes come to life. "For me?"

"Yes!" Talking with the new celestial seemed to lift Jupiter's spirits, even if just a little- oh, hopefully this would mean he was nice to Saturn too. "Because you're different! You're so cold!"

"I feel really hot..." the planet made a face. 

Jupiter looked up at his star and waited. It took Sol a moment to realize- he was being given the chance to talk now. He sat straighter, that excited smile coming back now that the smallest wasn't afraid anymore- Jupiter was a natural! 

It made him feel weird though, to not be in charge. But he wasn't willing to let it bother him. For now. They still knew to listen to the Sun, after all. 

"That would be your core." Sun told him. "But it will cool down!" 

"..." The little planet stepped forward, into his light, just as Jupiter and Saturn had done- and Sun couldn't help but freeze, breath stuttering in his throat when he became aware of his own heat again. 

Please let me be able to touch him. Please.

"I-I... I am the Sun." He spoke softly, lowering a shaky hand in front of his newest child. Jupiter stepped back- but the star wasn't able to catch sight of his surprised expression. "And you are my planet. My third one, in fact!"

"...There is another?"

"Don't worry." Jupiter quickly reassured- before he seemed to hesitate. Sun watched the guilt that seemed to start to grow. "...Saturn is... really nice."

...Perhaps there was hope for his celestials after all. 

Normally, this would be the moment Sun reached out. Instinct told him to open his hand and offer it so the celestial could climb in, the star could lift him up, and admire his features from close. 

But part of him was afraid. This one was even colder than he'd expected him to be- what if he got hurt? Small steps. 

"You are... new..." the Sun whispered, this time only offering a finger to test the waters. He saw the planet flinch and hide behind Jupiter again- but his oldest encouraged him forward with a gentle push.

The little planet's tail uncurled from Jupiter's leg.

The closer he got to his light, the better Sun could see his features. The little stripes of dark blue and black across his surface, the way this one had sharper features than his older two-

The fins and tail.

Those were new. 

He was pulled from his trance by something tiny and cold pressing against his finger- and Sol fought every instinct that screamed at him to burn, burn it away, overpower and burn it away-

The planet didn't get hurt. 

Sol's eyes sparkled. 

Two, tiny hands were gripping his finger as innocent eyes bored into his- unhurt. Not melting. Not injured.

On the outside, he remained calm. But internally, Sol was screaming and cheering.

He could touch him.

See?! His worry was for nothing!!

"Yet so... perfect." The star whispered, slowly pulling his hands apart so he could cup the celestial in his hands. The planet did not fight, and allowed himself to be picked up until he was face to face with someone who must have been so terrifying for someone so young.

He felt freezing in the Sun's hands- and suddenly, his earlier fear against his star made sense. Of course he was afraid! This one, other than already worrying about size, had the added fear of his heat!

That won't do. 

"You do not have a name yet, do you?" The Sun softly asked, at the same time stroking over his tail with a finger- overjoyed when the limb wrapped itself around the top of his nail. The celestial shook his head politely, causing the fins at the sides of his head to twitch. Aww. 

"How about we fix that then?" Curious, Sun pulled the planet closer to his face so he could press a kiss onto his head. The sensation was weird... purposefully welcoming the cold? It stung a little bit. 

But that wasn't his planet's fault of course. 

"Let's see... what to name you..." Both Jupiter and Saturn had Greek names- so it only made sense this one was named like that too, right? But what kind of god could he choose? 

There was one name Sol had in mind- a name that had popped up the second he'd witnessed the dark planet, but...

He hummed, and let his gaze wander the surrounding darkness- and shuddered at the sight.

It felt suffocating to look at. 

Especially now that the three distant dots in the skies had become barely visible from his spot.

He... he didn't want to name his precious planet after something as awful as the dark.

If felt cruel. To name someone new after what had always terrified him.

But what else then? The planet's very defining traits were everything stars had lost their minds over. A bit troubled, Sol looked at Jupiter hopelessly. 

Jupiter looked away as soon as they made eye contact, cheeks flaring red and clasping his hands together. Great. Thank you, Jupiter. 

At his troubled expression, he caught the little planet starting to look sad- expression becoming hurt, ears drooping- causing his light to flare for a second. No no no no. 

Ugh. 

Fine. 

"...I have it." He whispered against his will, then smiled gently at his child again. He didn't like the reason behind the name- but what other choice did he have? It was, sadly, perfect. And the only one that came to mind. 

At the sound of his voice, two pairs of little eyes looked at him again- and Sol's expression softened as he leaned down, voice tender, and whispered. 

"You, my light, will be named after one of the Gods of Darkness and Shadows."

He heard a soft gasp. 

The star closed his eyes, pressed his lips into his planet's hair and whispered, while cradling him closer. 

"Your name will be....."

Sun had a couple tiny problems he had to deal with. 

One of those problems, right now, was his constant exhaustion.

He was tired- so tired. But why? He only had three planets! And they were all tiny!

So were the asteroids that were much closer to him..... that were growing bigger, for some reason. But that couldn't be it!

Was it because his newest was an ice giant? But what did that matter? His cold was nothing compared to Sun's warmth! 

Another problem, currently... was Jupiter. 

Their talk had sadly been left unfinished- and originally, Sun had wanted to talk right after he'd finished welcoming his new child. But Jupiter had ran... so the star had let him be.

Right now, he was searching for his oldest. Because he wasn't in his orbit. 

His younger two were though.

Which got him to problem number three...

"Planet X?"

Said planet flinched at the call of his name (or the name he hadn't told the star about yet...), but didn't waste time as he quickly bowed politely- Sun didn't know where he got that habit from. But he wasn't complaining.

"Yes, Sol?" 

Sun wasted no time. 

"If you did not like your name, I would have appreciated it if you had told me." 

The look of alarm he received told him he'd been correct. "I, I- Sol, I don't know what-"

"You introduced yourself to Saturn as... Planet X?" His tone wasn't accusatory nor mad, yet the ice giant shrank further, his cheeks getting lost in the fabric that was his scarf. He couldn't make himself look his star in the eye- something Sol was sadly growing familiar with. 

He'd been confused when his second oldest had happily told him he'd met Planet X, and thought that although his name was different, it was still very pretty. The Sun had almost panicked- a rogue planet from somewhere else? A new planet be failed to notice?!

But no. Apparently, the ice giant had introduced himself like that. Willingly. 

And although some part of Sol was happy at least some of his planets were getting along... he failed to see why the icy planet just wouldn't tell Saturn his name. Did he not like it, perhaps? 

Under any other circumstance, he would have been offended. But considering the dark origin of the name, he was willing to be understanding. "...If you did not like your name you could have just-"

"No no- its nothing like that!" His planet cried, looking strangely surprised at the understanding reaction he seemed to be receiving. "The name is lovely, my star. Thank you."

"Are you sure?" He narrowed his eyes. Planet X nodded quickly.  "Then why would you introduce yourself with another name?" 

"I..." His tail curled up around his leg automatically. The planet gulped, his gaze cast on his feet. 

But Sun did not break the silence. 

Eventually realizing his star wasn't going to speak... the ice giant sighed. "...I... think you don't like my name, my star."

"Excuse me?"

"You look... troubled, everytime you call for me." He'd noticed that? Sol thought he'd done a good job hiding it. 

It had him growing angry again. Why did every single one of his planets worry about him the second they opened their eyes? He was their star! The biggest and brightest celestial in the solar system! His solar system!

He wasn't weak. "I would not have gifted you that name if it wasn't fitting, X."

"I know you wouldn't!" The planet corrected, his tail now twiching wildly. "And I love it! And the story behind it! ...I think it has a story behind it? Jupiter told me- that doesn't matter." He grumbled. 

But then his expression saddened. His voice barely above a whisper. "...I don't want people to look like that when they say my name. I rather keep it special. Between you and me." 

...Special? 

Sol blinked. 

His planet wanted to keep the name a secret? So it was special? Between them?

His new planet liked him enough to make his name a special thing between them?!

"Really?!" He asked excitedly, completely looking over the lies he was told and the sad truth he let slip between the cracks, remaining unknowing about them for years to come. "Why didn't you say so! That is so sweet, E- Planet X!"

Planet X looked visibly relieved, and finally smiled back at him. Was he that worried for Sol's judgement? That wouldn't do! 

But that's an issue for later. He firstly had to...

"You wouldn't have happened to have seen Jupiter, right?" 

"Jupiter?" Planet X shook his head, but it was clear that wasn't the truth. Sun frowned at him. 

"Planet X." 

He flinched again. Then sighed. "He, uh... left his orbit." 

"...Oh." 

Was he trying to run away again? Sol hoped not. "Thank you, X." 

The icy planet bowed again. Where did he learn that from? Saturn, perhaps? He really should tell them it wasn't necessary. 

What was he, some kind of tyrant? 

Don't be like the beasts. 

"O-oh! Uh- hi, J-Jupiter."

Speaking of Saturn. 

Quickly glancing at Saturn's orbit revealed not only his gentle child, but also his stormy oldest. Jupiter looked... awkward, unable to look Saturn in the eyes as he kept fidgeting with asteroids in his hands. Huh. 

...Maybe he should wait? 

"W-what-" Saturn clearly looked worried and awkward, standing so rigid it looked uncomfortable. Sun half-expected him to turn Jupiter away. After all, his oldest had been quite rude to him. But Saturn was way too kind for that. "What are you doing here, Jupiter?" 

"...I." Jupiter breathed in, then out slowly. "...wanted to apologize." 

"Excuse me?" 

Oh. 

...

Oh!!

Sun quickly covered his mouth before he could let out a squeal and ruin the moment. 

"I was. Very mean. To you." Jupiter finally met Saturn's gaze- and seemed to go speechless when he looked into those golden eyes. Cheeks turning red, he cleared his throat. "And that wasn't nice. I don't wanna be mean." 

"...Oh." Saturn breathed out, shoulders starting to relax. 

"So. I. I got you these!" Jupiter held out the handful of asteroids before he could change his mind, quickly pushing them into Saturn's hands. The younger barely managed to hold them before he pulled back. "They're golden asteroids! They're super hard to find, but I think they're the tastiest."

"..."

Jupiter lowered his head, looking very embarrassed. "...And. uhm. They're very pretty. They're the same color as your eyes." 

Saturn's face went completely red. He tried to stutter out a response, but clearly didn't know what to say.

But then his face softened. 

Jupiter finally looked up when Saturn held out his still-full hands. "You... you don't like them?" He asked hesitantly, only to get more confused when Saturn shook his head. 

"You said they're your favorite." The smaller mumbled. "We... can share them?" 

"..." Finally, his oldest lifted his head again, something other than sadness bringing that light back to his eyes. "Really?"

"Yes!" Clearly, Saturn was happy with the response he got, finally starting to smile. "And we can share them with Planet X too! I don't think he's been able to figure out we can eat asteroids yet." 

"...Planet X?" Ah, so Jupiter didn't know about the name change either. 

"The ice giant!" Saturn happily chirped, already stepping out of his orbit while cradling the asteroids as if they were the most important treasure he'd ever received. "We can have a picnic! And be friends!"

"...Friends." Jupiter murmured, the red of his face dying down as he smiled oh so softly- and finally followed. 

"...That sounds nice, Saturn." 

"Yay!"

"..." Sun turned away when Jupiter suddenly looked towards him, hiding the tearful smile that had appeared. The wetness burned away before it could have the chance to fall. 

Their talk could wait. 

Instead...

His smile fell when he caught sight of the asteroids too close to him again, noticing how the rocks seemed to be pulling harder on him than before. 

He could use this distraction to try and figure out why the debris were starting to exhaust him instead. 

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, the Sun had been completely and utterly alone. 

He'd attempted to burn and failed. He'd tried to shine brighter but couldn't succeed. 

He gave up.

And instead, let himself be left behind with the debris, his rocks, his asteroids, and himself. 

Later, said useless rocks would be consumed. Used to grow bigger and expand by such tiny creatures, the Sun hadn't thought it was possible to be so small. 

They used to barely fit into his hands. 

Now the star could barely hold them at all. 

His hydrogen, helium, and other various materials would be taken against his knowledge- exhausting him, tiring him, until, finally, his precious celestials managed to open their eyes. 

Planets. 

Two gas giants. 

And one ice giant. 

A very, very ungrateful ice giant. 

Who'd abandoned his solar system years ago, right after the destruction of his rocky planets no less. 

Who did Planet X think he was?! Running away from his star! Right after losing his babies too?! After everything he did for that ungrateful ice cube!

Fine! Let him go rot in the darkness, he didn't care! No way! He didn't care that his child was all alone, in the freezing cold, after having chosen to abandon him! Why should he care Planet X had probably gotten lost in the darkness, or maybe froze to death, or got destroyed?! 

He didn't cry himself to sleep, thinking about his dead or lost children. 

He didn't lose it every time he looked at the marks on his arms that started growing in numbers, each representing a planet that had died under his care. 

He. 

Wasn't.

Upset.

He was Helios Ra Apollo Inti! He doesn't get upset!

"Sunny-"

"I told you not to move!" Sun snapped back harshly, wild eyes boring into Jupiter's soul. His oldest froze whole Saturn hid behind him with a squeak. 

Saturn. 

Hid. 

Behind Jupiter. 

Which meant that-

"Why are neither of you IN YOUR ORBITS?!"

He burned. 

He burned, brightly, harshly, painfully so, but he didn't care. His light and temperature increased to the point of blinding, considering his only two planets quickly snapped their gaze away from his hurting form. 

It had been just the three of them again for years. 

Planet X had left his solar system long ago. His rocky planets had started forming long ago.

Maybe. Actually Sun wasn't too sure. His sense of time felt warped. But who cares about that?!

They kept dying. Over and over and over and over again.

What am I doing wrong?

I don't get it...

"S-Sun, forgive us, w-we-" Jupiter tried to stutter out, quickly stopping to bow when they made eye contact again. His posture was stiff, shaky- fearful.

It made a small part of the Sun feel bad. 

Jupiter and Saturn hadn't done anything wrong.

Sure, Jupiter's original orbit had moved- but that wasn't his fault! His oldest had tried to protect the rocky planets before they got hurt! Something the Sun should have been doing! 

And its not like it was either of their faults Planet X chose to leave! If anything, the two had behaved so well, staying in their orbits just as the Sun had instructed. 

For their own safety. 

And for the rocky planets. 

He didn't want to be angry with them, he really didn't.

Why am I so angry?

Oh. Right. One of his rocky planets got pushed into his rogue limit again. 

"Well?!"

Sun shut up. Please shut up.

"J-Jupi, it's okay-" He heard Saturn murmur, already trying to pull his best friend away. Because that happened somehow. Sun didn't know, his planets were old enough to no longer need his constant supervision anymore.

Is this why Planet X left? Is this a teenager thing? 

"Saturn, it isn't." He heard Jupiter hiss under his breath- the worried tone aiding in finally, finally simmering some of that burning anger of his down. He used to be calmer. What happened?

Oh. Right. His planets keep dying, despite his best efforts. Or leaving him after looking after them for millennia. For the darkness no less! 

"It doesn't matter-"

"Something has been pulling on Saturn's gravity." Jupiter spoke before Saturn could beg him not to, much to the youngest's dismay. "But we couldn't see anything from our orbits." 

"Jupiter!" Saturn whined, clearly displeased.

But his words caught the star's interest. 

"...Pulling?" He asked, his voice considerably calmer than before. His light and warmth dimming with it. There we go, don't burn.

Because Jupiter and Saturn looked afraid, and he didn't understand why. They knew Sun wasn't angry at them.

"It- its fine, I can handle it-" the brown planet tried to argue, almost sounding ashamed- his voice shaky for reasons the Sun couldn't understand.

"You said it hurt, Saturn." 

"It just- tugged a bit harder sometimes! It's okay!"

...There was something in his solar system big enough to hurt one of his giants?

.......

THERE WAS A CELESTIAL OBJECT BIG ENOUGH TO HURT ONE OF HIS G I A N T S ?!

How did he miss something that big?! He's the Sun! He's supposed to know these things!  

"...Uh... Sun?" 

The two seemed to be less scared with the reaction they received, instead more and more confused the longer the silence remained. The star didn't understand why until he caught sight of his body- blindly bright. 

Ah. So that was why he was hurting. 

With a grumble, he pushed the light down again until it was back at its usual brightness- his breath hitching when he felt that strange pressure building up inside him again. He didn't know what it was. He didn't care. Planets first. 

"I'm.... fine." He forced out through gritted teeth. Though he almost flared up again when he heard his oldest hiss at the shakiness of his voice. He was the Sun.

The protector of the solar system.

Why are you looking at me like that?

"...I'll see if I can find it, Cronus." He finally mumbled, calmer than before, turning away at the same time before either of them could say anything. 

He didn't have just rocky planets to take care of after all. No matter how old or how far they would get, his giants needed his attention too. 

Giants...

Planet X... 

"..." He blinked away the tears, and focused on the task at hand.

Sun knew he had grown angry. 

He had not only grown angry, but violent too. Brighter. Larger. Dangerous.

He hated it. 

He hated this anger that seemed to consume him the second he got upset, he resented the way his light reacted to whatever he felt- he was the Sun! Why can't he just control himself?! He should be better than this!

He was the biggest object of their solar system. The center. The source of light keeping everything together with his powerful gravity, the one who offered warmth and protection to those in his care.

He should be better than this. 

The worst part was that Sun was aware. He knew how terrifying his anger must look out of experience- oh, how the beasts had been horrifying before. He still had nightmares about those stars. 

He did not want to be one of them. 

But the way Jupiter and Saturn looked at him...

He shook his head when he felt the heat spike again, grumbling under his breath. Seriously? He needed to practice more. 

What if one of the rocky planets woke up and saw him like that? They wouldn't come near him and leave!

Leave his light.

And let him be alone... in this solar system- nope.

He wasn't alone. 

First, Sun looked at his still-sleeping rocky planets, hoping that one woke up, considering the calls of a planet had restarted despite there not being a new one forming... but no. They remained asleep... but still in one piece. For now. 

Its okay. He will keep them that way. 

Next, be quickly glanced to his right to check on his giants. Jupiter was still in his orbit thankfully. Near the asteroid belt. He really seemed to be liking it! Sun was glad about that, he'd put so much effort into it!

It had became neater recently. Maybe thats why? Sun had done his best to push as many of the asteroids away from the rocky planets as possible. Apparently, their forms didn't consume like the gas giants had. 

And finally, his gaze settled on Saturn. His smallest planet seemed to have found a water asteroid and was attempting to wash his hair with it. Sun hadn't understood it- but apparently it made his hair feel better? He did not get the appeal, but whatever made his planets happy.

Saturn still looked uncomfortable though. 

Was it still the mysterious object? Was it bothering him?

Sun had no idea what it could possibly be- he had looked all over Saturn's orbit, but he hadn't seen or sensed anything! He even looked in Jupiter's orbit and the rocky planets, but nothing! 

There was nothing. Other than him, his gas giants, rocky planet, Asteroid Belt and- ...The Kuiper Belt. 

Sun shuddered. 

The Kuiper Belt was the one thing he knew absolutely nothing about. He couldn't feel anything about it other than its presence, felt nothing but cold and when he tried to look, all he saw was darkness. He knew it was messy, with asteroids scattered everywhere, but- thats also where his knowledge ended. 

He didn't know how it was still in his pull to begin with.

Is that what was bothering Saturn perhaps? The Kuiper Belt? But did Saturn's gravity reach that far? Sure, he was further away but... hm. 

He sighed.

No use dwelling on that. There was nothing there. Nor would there ever be. 

If the rocky planets couldn't survive this close to him, how was anything supposed to live that far?

Planet X...

"Ow!" His gaze quickly snapped to Saturn when he heard the cry- the planet looked startled, the asteroid in his hands crushed while he himself looked in pain. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jupiter looking startled- but he didn't leave his orbit. 

"Saturn!! Are you okay?!"

"I-I'm... fine, my dear friend!" He said with a wince, still forcing himself to smile. "I just... got c-caught off guard is all!"

"Then why are you crying?!"

"But I'm not?" 

"Yes you are! I can hear you!" Jupiter looked worried now, and clearly wanted to run towards him. But one glance at Sun was enough to have him stay put. "Please don't bottle it up if it hurt, Saturn!"

"But I'm fine!" Saturn seemed more upset about the fact he wasn't believed. 

Well. Something had clearly hurt. But there was nothing there? Was he injured? 

Growing more worried, Sun forced his voice to soften. "Cronus?"

Both planets froze. But quickly, his polite planet bowed again. Which... he never knew how to feel about that.  "Yes, my star?" 

Not "Sol". Not even "Sun". My star.

"Did you get hurt?" He carefully asked, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling at the title. To his relief, Saturn shook his head, a bit more relaxed when he spoke. 

"I-... no, I didn't, Sun." 

"Are you sure?"

"M-my orbit has just been weird, is all." He mumbled. But panicked as soon as he said it, quickly shaking his head and waving his hands to correct his mistake. "N-not that I don't like my orbit! I love my orbit, I will s-stay! Pleasedon'tbemadI'mnotleavingIswear-"

"Saturn." The star held up his hand. The panicked rambling stopped. Though Sun didn't say anything either. He was too tired to think about it. 

...

No, no, hold on. 

It wasn't quiet. 

Did he hear... crying?

But Saturn wasn't-... neither was Jupiter. And a quick look down proved his rocky planets remained asleep. 

Saturn looked confused as well, glancing left and right- and then winced when he got pulled back. Quickly, he forced himself back into his orbit. Though he wasn't too happy about it. 

But if it wasn't any of them then...

"...Cronus."

"Yes, my star?" 

"Join Zeus in his orbit for the time being."

He heard Jupiter gasp. Saturn looked shocked, taking a moment before he responded. "I...  what?"

"If you are not comfortable in your orbit, you can't stay." That was reasonable, right? Why should he want Saturn to suffer? "Stay with Jupiter until I can fix it." 

"..." Saturn's eyes sparkled. He smiled so brightly it looked like it hurt, before he turned around and started running- as if wanting to go before Sun changed his mind. "Thank you Sunny thank you thank you! JUPITER!!"

"Saturn!!!" Jupiter yelled just as excited, opening his arms- laughing when Saturn threw himself into them in record speed. 

...One problem at a time. 

The crying didn't stop- if anything, it seemed to get louder, more painful and heartbreaking. But Saturn clearly wasn't the source, considering Sun could hear him rambling now. 

...Planet X...?

...

No. Sun would know if it was him. 

But then who... 

He glanced unsurely down again a final time, wanting to be absolutely sure it wasn't someone he knew... 

Before finally, looking at the terrifying darkness. 

All he saw was the Kuiper Belt, as always. He shuddered, but forced himself to keep looking. Sun even narrowed his eyes... but nothing. 

Well. Of course not. It was dark there. He was the source of light. 

Only stars... he couldn't even see the three spots anymore, the little lights long having been swallowed by the darkness.

Expression growing more and more troubled by the minute, Sun sighed. His eyes slipped shut as he lifted his hand, stretching it as far as it could go to try and feel what his eyes missed. 

The Kuiper Belt was pulling on him, as always- but that couldn't be the source of Saturn's troubles or the soft sobs. 

Sun breathed in through his nose... then slowly breathed out. 

The gravity of his two giants was strong. As were the unawokened rocky planets, even if it was weak compared to them.

Sun stretched out his gravity, unconciously leaning in while keeping up with the calm breathing. In, one, two, three, four... out, five, six, seven, eight...

He felt the Kuiper Belt from all around him, so far away its gravity was weak despite how big it probably was. He couldn't tell any of the asteroids apart- but that was a problem for another day.

In, one, two, three, four...

Cold. He felt cold. The star almost retreated from the feeling alone, instinct screaming at him to burn- but forced himself to reach out, stretch, and search.

He slightly twisted his body until he was facing where Saturn was supposed to orbit without opening his eyes.

Out, five, six, seven, eight...

................

Pull.

His eyes snapped open. 

His gravity jerked at the unexpected movement- causing the star to stumble, more out of shock than the force of the sudden mass he's finally managed to locate. He gaped for a few moments, speechless- only snapping out of it when he felt the source tug at him again, followed closely by a heartbreaking cry. 

Sun quickly reached out, stumbling back to his feet and lifting his gravity again to make sure he didn't imagine- and sure enough, the mass remained. 

He'd just been about to turn to Jupiter and Saturn, until the calls in his mind started. 

Planet! Planet! Voices he didn't know called, some sounding overjoyed while others sounded terrified. But they were effective, and it finally dawned on him.

There was a planet out there. 

.............

THERE WAS A PLANET OUT THERE?!

His light flared, uncontrollably so, to the point it hurt to burn, to be so hot, to be so blindly bright- but Sun paid no attention to that pain, stumbling back while covering his mouth with his hands in horror.

That wasn't Planet X. He would have known if it were- this being felt weak.

But that could have also been because they were so far. 

So far in fact- no matter how much he stretched and how far he looked, he could not spot the celestial that clearly had been around for a while. 

Planet! Planet!

Sun gained a new planet. When did he gain a planet?!

"H-hello?!" He called out, hoping the being would hear- but winced at the sound of another cry, followed by the sensation of gravity weakening. Oh no, no no no-

"No wait! Please don't go!" He cried, his light starting to hurt even his own eyes from how much effort he was putting into shining. Maybe, maybe if he got brighter, they could find him, they would stay away from the darkness don't go to the darkness just look at his light- "Please! It's okay! Where are you?!"

"Uhh.... Sun-"

"NOT NOW." His head whipped down, sending a strong source of gravity on the way, eyes wide and fists clenched. 

Saturn screamed, which instantly made the biggest realize just how scary he must look right now, while Jupiter froze, the terror that clouded his eyes making Sun's heart break in new ways he hadn't known were possible before. 

...Oops.

"Sorry!" Tears almost pricked his eyes. They would have slipped down his cheeks, had it not been for the overwhelming heat that was currently scourching his entire being. 

The soft sobs had seemingly turned into hysterical cries, probably because of the Sun's sudden scream- or, oh stars, the gravity he send out... ugh. This planet must have formed far. 

Very far.

So far, in fact, that the star hadn't even known he had a new planet forming in the first place.

Which meant they didn't know light, or warmth. 

And that meant their first interaction with either of those things was... this.

An angry, terrifying beast. 

The second that thought slipped his mind, the flames that he existed out of almost went out. The fire stuttered and cooled, his light dimmed, his body sagged. 

Sun lifted his hand, and stared. 

A beast. 

Don't be like the beasts. 

"..." Sun took a deep breath in, causing his flames to spark to life, before breathing out, making them weaken. He repeated the action a couple times, until he was sure he could talk without getting angry again. He didn't want his child lost to the darkness, after all- but it might choose the quiet if he didn't make his warmth more inviting. 

Planet X...

"...Hello?" He called out softer while looking out, trying to catch even just a glimpse of the celestial he now knew was there. But no matter how far he looked, stood on his toes or narrowed his eyes- nothing.

Just how far were they?

He.

"...I... I know I'm big, and scary." He started, voice softening. "But you're alone and cold out there! And I don't want you to be!"

He waited for any kind of acknowledgement at all- but none came. The crying continued, much to his dismay, and Sun wanted nothing more than for it to stop. Oh, he sounded so upset...

Of course he was. He was surrounded by nightmarish dusk. 

"Please?" He slowly sat on his knees without tearing his eyes away, afraid he would lose the little celestial if he lost focus for even a second again. After a bit of thought, he added. "I promise I'm nice!"

"........"

Pull.

The tug at his gravity felt so weak... Sun covered his mouth again, trying not to start crying himself. How long had one of his children been out there? How long had they been upset, without the star knowing? Were there more?!

Taking the tiny attachement as permission, Sun cradled the being in his gravity as gently as he could, taking his time as to not scare his poor child again. He was confused when he felt limbs he didn't recognize on the planet's... back? But didn't let it distract him, making sure they were secure... and pulling them into his light.

Sun went slow. This creature was far, so far he couldn't tell if there were objects on their way, and he didn't want to accidentally cause them to collide with an asteroid or something else. So he stopped whenever he felt them twitch with distress, pushed away any debris he felt...

And there they were.

His core soared, all his earlier troubles melting away at the sight. He let them go so that his gravity wasn't overwhelming them anymore- but made sure to keep his heat at a minimum when he realized, with not so much surprise but still distress, that this one was an ice giant.

A small giant. Smaller than Planet X had been.

This one was a pretty cyan color... and had wings. 

So busy admiring the planet, he completely missed all signs of distress at first. The poor thing was curled up, still crying while his wings were poofed around his head like a shield... oh, did the darkness scare him that bad? "Oh... hello."

At the greeting, the child lifted his wings slightly, allowing for a peak from those teary eyes. Sun's core hurt at the sight of the frozen tears... but panicked at the sight of red.

It was only then that he realized that the ice giant wasn't shielding his face... but an injury. Oh, oh no...

"Oh- I'm so sorry." He murmured, shakily reaching even though he'd tried so hard not to earlier. It didn't matter anymore, not with the sight of blood coming from their poor body. Did they get hurt? They must have, they were way too close to the Kuiper Belt! An asteroid must have- 

The little planet froze when his hands slipped underneath them, but did not fight it as Sun cupped his hands to cradle them properly- they were freezing! Just how long had they been out there, they were shivering!

Thankfully, his planet did not fight his hold. If anything, they seemed to melt once surrounded by warmth, just as they should have been in the first place. 

At eye level, the child lowered their wings, revealing more and more of their face until the fluffy limbs were just draping behind them, a good sign in Sun's book. But his heart broke at the sight of injury on his face, not letting him enjoy the trust the planet was already displaying. "...Oh, poor thing." He murmured, lifting them close enough for him to press a kiss into his head. 

His light increased from the spot, if only for a moment... and when he pulled away, the injury was gone, completely healed over as if it had never been there at all. He grinned at the asthonished look on the planet's face...

...Only for that to fall when his expression broke. And started crying. 

"No... no no no..." He murmured, cupping the planet close to himself, cocooning him in the warmth he'd been unfairly deprived off. "Shh, shhh. I got you now. You're okay." He cooed, softly rocking while purposfully letting his hands heat up just the tiniest bit, wanting his planet to stop shivering. "Shh."

At first, he got no response other than the cries fading into the tiniest sniffles- could the ice giant not talk? Oh dear. That wasn't good. What if Sun couldn't communicate with them?

He bit back a wince when the cold seeped into his hands, ignoring the slight sting in favor of holding the pretty, fluffy planet. Fluffy! They were new! With pretty wings!

A bit cold- but he was an ice giant, so that made sense.

Just like Planet X- no. 

The star grumbled. No need to think about that traitor now. Sure, this one had also been one with the darkness- but that wasn't their fault! He was born there! For some reason... Sun had to see if changing orbits was possible.

He didn't even leave the solar system and was this horribly off, what about Planet X-

"Puurrrr..."

Sun blinked open his eyes at the sudden, unexpected rumble. His mind didn't process where the sound came from until he felt the vibrations against his cheek- and froze on the spot, it taking all his concentration to not combust into flames on the spot. 

Stop. His child could purr? And was happy enough near his star to do so?!

...Okay constantly thinking of him as his planet was becoming boring. They needed a name. Stat. 

He pulled the child away with a grin on his face, still holding him up so they could look at each other properly. "I'm the Sun!" He introduced himself. Voice softening as he spoke next. "I'm sorry I didn't see you, i didn't know planets could form that far-... do you have a name?"

The planet made a face, at first letting out a low growl. The star grew worried when this caried on, the growls and grunts growing louder in volume, as if struggling with his voice-

"-N-no." The ice giant finally forced out, then seemed startled by his own voice. Sun did not blame him, caught of guard a little himself.

That was... a heavy accent. He'd never heard anything like it before! 

...

Oh well! 

"Thats okay!" He said after a beat, missing the way the child's face crumbled. It was soothed over before he could notice, as the star gently spread his wings, admiring the feathers as he pet them. "I'll come up with the perfect name for you!"

He had absolutely no idea what name he could give. 

With Saturn and Pla-... it had been easy. He'd been aware of them forming, had already brainstormed a couple names, and chose the perfect one when they woke up. Sure, he hadn't been aware of Jupiter, but Sun had named him after his favorite god of all. What could he do for this one?

He had very pretty wings, and was such a beautiful color! Could he do something with that perhaps? 

...Yes, yes!

"I have the perfect name for you." Sun cooed at him, delighted when patting his head got him another purr in response. It was a fitting name. A god so far, but so important anyways. 

Perhaps, if he hadn't been so focused on cheering up his baby now- he would have remembered to explain the origin of the name. He would have remembered to explain that his name was the most powerful god of all, and one of his personal favorites. He would have remembered to explain how important the name is, and how much it meant. 

Instead, he pulled his planet close for another gentle kiss on his head, and whispered the name lovingly, over and over until the soft sobs died and the purrs took over.

A sound Sun hadn't known could mean so much to him.

"Attention solar system members!!"

Sun's voice boomed, loud and commanding- but much happier than it had been for a long time, lacking the anger he'd grown to be known for. He must have caught his two gas giants off-guard, considering he felt them recoil before hesitantly approaching him. Ah. Right. He did scare- well no more!

He wasn't a beast. 

"There... there are only two of us, Sun." Jupiter mumbled, sounding slightly tired which was concerning. But his oldest would come to him if something was wrong, Sun was busy!

"Wrong!" He boomed, grinning down at the two of them. "From today on, we are three!"

He frowned when Saturn visibly paled, and Jupiter choked on his breath. Huh. Weird. "...Three?"

"We have a new ice giant!" He ignored the feeling of wrong in his core, and lowered his hands so he could let the now-youngest be visible to the two. The feeling of the wings spreading when he opened his palms tickled, making him giggle as he announced: "Meet Uranus!"

"..."

Well. That was very much not a good welcome. 

Sun kept his grin even though it faltered slightly, getting more and more concerned the longer the silence went on. Was... was there something wrong? Perhaps Uranus' orbit had affected Saturn more then he originally thought, and Jupiter was concerned about it? Should Sun be worried?!

Clearly, Uranus sensed the awkward air too- because his wings drooped, and he shrank back slightly. "...H-hi." He stuttered out, and gave a small wave. Oh, he must have been shy. "I... I-I'm Ura-"

"BABY!" Saturn was the first to react, startling all of them. Poor Uranus barely had a chance to react before he was scooped up, held in the air, and spun around. "Jupi! Jupi look! He's so tiny!!"

...So Sun had to teach Saturn was boundaries were. Got it. 

"Saturn, be careful-" his more mature child asked, looking worried but still amazed. "He doesn't seem to like it-"

"Oh!" Saturn stopped at once, then quickly knelt down so he could place the dizzy ice giant back into Sun's hands. "I'm so sorry! You're so pretty!!"

He was so much smaller than Jupiter or Saturn, barely reaching their hips. 

But at the same time, the two of them had grown bigger. Older. More mature. 

Sun blinked. 

Uranus' wings fluttered in distress, and he instinctively curled back into Sun's warmth. But then Jupiter kneeled so he wasn't towering over the poor thing anymore, and held out his hand. 

Because his little Thunderbringer wasn't so little anymore. 

"Hi." He smiled, although he was clearly on edge about something. "I'm Jupiter. The biggest planet of this solar system."

"...Hi." The ice giant waved shyly. Encouraged, Jupiter looked him up and down, and nodded approvingly.

"You have very pretty wings, Uranus. Do you know how to use them yet?" 

"..." When the toddler lowered the limbs hesitantly and shook his head, the oldest grinned. 

"Wanna try and figure it out?" 

"Jupiter!" Saturn scolded before Uranus could answer, placing his hands on his hips. "He is much too small for that! Give him a minute!"

"Like you gave him one?" Jupiter raised an eyebrow. Saturn huffed, crossed his arms, and looked away. Something Uranus clearly found hilarious, considering he giggled very softly. 

...Oh wow. 

Sun did not fight it as Uranus finally slipped out of his hand- even if the cold he left behind clung to his flames, making his hand feel strangely empty as he pressed it against his core. 

Of course Jupiter and Saturn were big compared to his new baby. They'd been around for so long! They weren't little anymore. 

They didn't need him anymore.

No! Sun shook that thought as soon as it came with a huff, and got up. No way! Even if they didn't really talk to him anymore- they still needed his gravity, light and warmth! They needed him! They wouldn't leave.

They wouldn't do that to him. 

Neither would Uranus, Sun thought, glancing down a final time to see Saturn had scooped up his child again, before he finally focused on his new problem at hand. 

As soon as he found a new orbit for Uranus, everything would be okay again.