Chapter Text
Metis lightly laughed to herself as she made her way past her home planet. Earth and Luna were certainly acting funny. If Metis didn’t know better, she’d say she just saw a very large, loyal blue moon rambling in awe of its small, gray planet.
As she zoomed past, Metis made eye contact with Kore and Autonoe, who just so happened to be hanging around the side of their orbits closest to Metis. As some of the farthest moons from Jupiter, Metis would often catch up with them as she played messenger between planetary orbits.
Brightly, she called out to them. “Hey you two!” As she neared the two moons, she could hear their enthusiastic hellos back.
“So, where are you going this time Metis,” asked Autonoe. “It kind of looked like you were coming from the inner solar system this time?”
Kore’s eyes immediately sparkled. “Wait, no way! Did you hear anything interesting? I don’t think we’ve gotten gossip from the inner orbits in ages!”
“How about never,” laughed Metis. “You two are such gossipers, I don’t know why I tell you anything.”
“Because you loooove us,” replied Autonoe. “And don’t pretend that you aren’t just as much of a gossip as the rest of us. You literally are the only one that helps us get all that juicy information from other planets’ moons!”
“Okay, okay, you got me. I do have some good info this time though,” grinned Metis. The speedy moon looked around to make sure they weren’t overheard, before all three drifted together in a huddle.
“So… remember Earth and Luna?” Kore and Autonoe nodded. “So I was supposed to deliver a message to Earth’s moon, but when I got there, Earth was acting super weird.”
Autonoe frowned. “I mean, wasn’t he the one that said ‘Moons should know their place’ while his own moon was there? It makes sense that he’s weird. Also Metis, we all agreed to call him Luna remember, he hates being called anything other than his actual name or the name the Earthlings gave him – “Moon” I think? But that’d be confusing with the rest of us moons.”
In response, Kore gave Autonoe a side-eye. “Don’t you remember how Earth apologized afterwards? You’re right about Luna’s name though. Anyway, stop interrupting, I want to hear just what Metis overheard.”
Metis gave a short nod. “Right, right, thanks for reminding me about that Autonoe. And thank you, Kore. Anyhoo… When I got there, Earth was just staring at Luna and showering him with compliments. I think Luna was giving Earth a solar eclipse or something? And Earth kept going on and on about how the lighting looked stunning on Luna, and how “My moon is the best!” and “I don’t know how I got a moon so beautiful on the outside and the inside,” with the sappiest look ever. It looked like he was basically worshipping the orbit his moon went around.”
Kore and Autonoe were speechless. Metis giggling at their reactions. “I know right? It was so awkward to interrupt too!”
“Wait Metis, you know what this means,” asked Kore. He looked around once again before quietly whispering, “I think Earth is in love with his moon.”
…
Silence.
Absolute. Silence. Quiet enough that you could probably hear something even though there’s no sound in space.
Autonoe, in just as quiet of a voice, whispered back, “Metis, you’re not joking are you?”
Vehemently, Metis shook her face in an obvious “no.” “I know what I saw, and honestly, Kore I think you’re right. You guys didn’t even see how in awe he was looking at Luna! I’m pretty sure if Luna told him to start orbiting backwards, Earth would do it right then and there.”
A wide grin broke out on Autonoe’s face at the juiciest piece of gossip she’s gotten in ages. “So are they like Pluto and Charon then? I knew they were different from the rest of our planet-moon relationships but woah, Mr. “Moons should know their place” is in love with his own moon? Didn’t see that coming!”
“Talk about finally acknowledging moons as equals, Earth went beyond that and straight into falling in love with one,” exclaimed Kore.
Metis was about to continue, but upon seeing just how far down Kore’s orbit they all had drifted, realized how much time had passed. “Welp, I should probably go deliver my message to Titan since it takes a while to get there and Earth days go by quickly. But enjoy the news!” And with that, Metis zoomed towards Saturn, leaving two moons to wonder what they’ll do with the latest bit of information they have.
Slowly, the two turned to one another. “Autonoe, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Kore, wipe that manic smile off your face. But yes, let’s go see if we can see what Metis was talking about.”
And so the two began orbiting closer to Jupiter until, just like Metis, they slingshotted their way into the inner solar system, watching Earth and Luna from a distance. Just like Metis said, Earth was looking at Luna, who was casting a shadow on his planet’s surface, with a dopey smile on his face.
“He’s totally starstruck,” said Autonoe in a hushed voice, only to be shushed by Kore. “Shhh, I want to hear what they’re saying.”
And so the two moons attempted to eavesdrop as much as they could from their distance before returning to their orbits, unnoticed. Their excited chatter attracted other Jovian moons into their conversation, and every once in a while Metis and some Gallelian moons would travel to Saturn, spreading the rumor of the unexpected romance even further throughout the system.
This, of course, meant it eventually reached Titan, who was due to have a chat with Luna right about… now.