Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 75

Xena's POV

"I would stay with you, but you seem like you need space. Logan said to give you space." Ryder's voice carried uncertainty as he stood a few feet away.

I bit my lip, emotions churning inside me. What I needed wasn't distance, but

understanding. “Not that kind of space. Just... physically be near me, but wait for

me to

reach out for comfort when I'm ready."

"Oh."

I caught the flash of hurt in his eyes and immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"I'm just learning how to help you. Really know you. Don't apologize," he said, his green eyes sincere as he carefully sat beside me, leaving enough room between

us.

I gave him a small smile. "You're doing fine."

We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the gentle evening breeze rustling through the trees surrounding the training field.

"How's your arm feeling?" he broke the silence.

"Hurts a bit, but it's okay."

Ryder sighed, interrupting my thoughts. "A birthday party on Friday seems inappropriate given everything."

I forced myself back to reality. "It'll give people something to look forward to after Samuel's funeral." Even saying it made my heart ache. Life and death, joy and grief, all coming so suddenly.

"I didn't send flowers," I frowned, the realization hitting me suddenly.

"Logan took care of it. I asked," Ryder replied.

He always thought of things I missed. "Thank you."

1/5

Chapter 75

funeral's tomorrow at

"Yeah..."

"Ama got you.a dress."

she did." I let out a small laugh, thinking about how Ama always took care

these details.

separately. Ama will pick you up early, you can sit together as

I genuinely appreciated that he wasn't insisting on staying

back to me after," Ryder

"Okay," I agreed softly.

eat something before bed." Ryder stood up but didn't reach for my

of food made my stomach turn. Grief seemed to swallow

His eyes were full

sighed and stood

stars beginning to appear in the night sky. When we entered the pack house, Ryder led me straight to the private dining room where two

"I'm done."

Surprisingly, Ryder didn't argue, just

directly to the bedroom, where he

the bathroom. When I came out, Ryder had chosen a

2/5

Chapter 75

was wearing only shorts.

into bed. The TV had been moved to the foot of the bed. Ryder adjusted the pillows so he was half-reclined. He held out his arm and I curled up beside him, my head

The next morning, I woke to the sound of text messages on

it?" I mumbled

"Dad."

"What time is it?"

"S:10."

to wake myself up, feeling the heaviness

get up

thirty minutes,"

phone down, I started to get up, but he

"Not so fast."

looked at

completed the

to ask."

to assess my emotions, finding them too complicated to sort through. "I'm not sure. Sad... confused. Maybe guilty too." Each emotion ebbed and flowed like waves, making it impossible to settle on just

Ryder cupped my

I avoided his gaze, guilt still clinging to