))):

The amount of people that related with (Y/N)'s story made me so sad-- I'm sorry to all that have parents like that. Never let others, especially family, bring you down, because despite what people say, blood is not thicker than water.

Family is who you choose. I learned that a long time ago myself.

I will personally go and whack the kneecaps of anyone who has ever harmed any of you because you aRE ALL MY CHILDREN AND I LOVE YOU-- 👹❤️❤️❤️

YOU ARE ALL AMAZING AND PERFECT BEINGS. YOU'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL AND HANDSOME AND SO KIND AND UNIQUE!! ❤️❤️

I LOVE YOUUUU!

...

..

.

The sky was dark and full of stars by the time (Y/N) slows the row boat to a stop, the boat turning to its side and allowing the perfect view of the kingdom for (Y/N) and Faunus. There were other large ships near the docks of the kingdom, several long boats scattered in the water as well. The two were caught in a comfortable silence, Faunus watching the sky with an anxious expression, hand gripping the edge of the boat tightly as he sighs.

"Hey," (Y/N) softly calls, setting her hand over his as she sits next to him. "Are you okay?"

Faunus looks down, chuckling weakly as he whispers, "I'm terrified."

(Y/N) blinks in surprise, her eyebrows furrowing as she slowly removes her hand. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"Well-- no, but..." Faunus sighs once more, struggling to find the right words as he turns to face her. "It's just... I've been looking out a window for 18 years... dreaming about what it might feel like when those lights rise in the sky."

He looks down for a moment, frowning deeply. "What if... What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?"

(Y/N) smiles reassuringly, her eyes flicking up to the sky. "Trust me. It will be."

Faunus follows her gaze, looking up as well. "And if it is? What do I do then?"

(Y/N) hums lightly in thought, her smile growing. "I guess after, you get to find yourself another dream."

Faunus felt himself smile as he begins to relax, a soft chuckle leaving him.

"How about... How about we try to find a new dream together after this?"

His eyes widen in surprise as he quickly looks to her, (Y/N)'s head turned away from him. She slowly turns to look at him, bashfully smiling as she tilts her head.

Faunus beams back, scooting a bit closer to her as he nods. "I'd like that."

He clears his throat a bit nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as he looks away. "And, uh... your parents were wrong, you know. You... You were a wonderful dancer. It was... really fun, dancing with you."

(Y/N) was caught off guard, staring at him with surprise before she lets out a soft laugh.

"Thank you, sunshine. It was fun dancing with you, too."

Faunus grins giddily to himself, Pascal croaking quietly with an amused eye roll from his seat.

...

..

Queen Arianna stands in front of her husband, King Frederic, a small but sad smile on her face as she adjusts the sun medallion around his neck. She smooths the material under her hand as she traces it upward, fixing his collar for him before pausing when she notices his face.

Frederic was staring down with a defeated, heartbroken expression, tears welling in his eyes. Arianna softly sighs as she reaches up, caressing the side of his face. He leans into her touch, Arianna gently wiping away the tear that fell with her thumb.

His blue eyes flick up to meet her hazel ones, Arianna offering a gentle smile, though it didn't quite meet her eyes. She reaches up with her other hand, cupping the other side of his face and wiping his tear away with her thumb once more.

Frederic breathes out a trembling breath, managing to smile as he grabs her wrist and squeezes it lovingly.

...

The balcony doors open for the two, the royal lantern lit and waiting for them tied on a pedestal. Everyone was gathered below, everyone that wasn't currently in the harbor on ships, that is. The crowd watch silently, some crying and others watching the king and queen sympathetically with sadness.

Arianna looks up at Frederic as they stand before the lantern, Frederic nodding to her as they both take hold of it. His arm wraps around her as they both lift the lantern to the sky, allowing it to fly free.

Lanterns begin to light up in the crowd, following down the winding paths of Corona as the royal lantern floats overhead.

...

..

(Y/N) holds a handful of flowers for Faunus, Faunus having plucked them from his hair. He smiles as he looks over the flowers, picking a (F/C) one and reaching towards her. (Y/N) remains still as Faunus slips the flower behind her ear, making her smile with a fond eye roll as he grins.

He takes another flower, dropping it with the others in the water below.

A golden bright light in the water catches his eye, a soft gasp leaving him as he quickly looks up.

...

All those days... watching from the windows

Faunus softly exhales at the sight of the lantern floating out of the castle, the light reflecting in his eyes.

All those years, outside looking in

(Y/N) glances up as well, exclaiming in surprise as Faunus swiftly rises. The boat jerks around, (Y/N) falling backwards on the seat as the flowers in her hand go flying upward.

All that time, never even knowing just... how blind I've been...

Faunus moves to the front end of the boat, his hand holding onto the wood as he leans out a bit while watching the sky with wonderment as more lanterns begin to rise from the walls of the castle.

Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight...

He lets out a breathless laugh, tears of awe forming in his eyes as he blinks them away. (Y/N) watches him with a small smile, adjusting in her seat as she reaches at her feet and grabs something.

Now I'm here, suddenly I see

Lanterns lift up from the ships in the harbor, as well as from the rowboats of couples scattered around.

Standing here, it's all so clear... I'm where I'm meant to be!

Lanterns swarm along the area, their bright light shining like the sun as they chase away the darkness.

And at last I see the light! And it's like the fog has lifted....

People stand along the side of the ships, releasing their lanterns with sad smiles towards the sky.

And at last I see the light! And it's like the sky is new...

Faunus' eyes shine with delight as he watches the floating lanterns, relaxing back a bit as he sighs happily.

And it's warm and real and bright!

Pascal looks around before his eyes settle on Faunus, a joyful smile on his face for his friend.

And the world has somehow shifted...

The lanterns spiral around one another above, some starting to crowd around the boat as they were carried with the wind.

All at once... everything looks different...

(Y/N) lightly clears her throat, Faunus perking up as he looks over his shoulder to her.

Now that I see you...

(Y/N) was grinning as she held two lit lanterns in her hands, beautiful designs along the sides. She glances down at them, her eyes flicking back up to Faunus as her eyebrows raise. Faunus lets out a surprised but excited laugh, quickly turning to face her as he steps down.

He sits in front of her, their knees brushing against one another as his leg bounces with nerves.

"Oh," (Y/N) passes one of the lanterns to Faunus, carefully holding hers as she reaches behind her.

Faunus watches as she pulls out a small, wrapped package, a dark blue bow around it.

"You said it was your birthday today, so... I got you something," she smiles shyly, holding the package towards him.

Faunus looks down at the package, his eyes sparkling a bit as he takes it as (Y/N) holds his lantern for him. He carefully unlaces the bow, tugging it off as the brown paper falls open. Inside was a dark wooden box, Faunus opening it before his face softens in awe.

Inside was a golden necklace, Corona's sun symbol hanging presented neatly on the end of it. Faunus slowly pulls the necklace out, setting the box down beside him as he admires it.

"It's not much, but... Happy Birthday, sunshine," (Y/N) softly says, smiling brightly at him.

Faunus looks at her for a moment, bashfully chuckling as he quickly looks away while reaching back and clipping the necklace around his neck. He adjusts the sun so it was perfectly centered, beaming from ear to ear.

His smile drops a bit as he looks over his shoulder, face hardening with resolve as he turns back to her. "I... have something for you, too."

"What?" (Y/N) laughs with a raised brow, tilting her head and playfully speaking, "It's not my birthday--"

She cuts herself off when Faunus pulls out her satchel, her eyes widening a bit as she blinks slowly in surprise.

"I... should've given it to you before," Faunus chuckles quietly, shaking his head as he looks down. "I guess I was just... afraid you'd leave. But I'm... I'm not scared anymore."

His eyes meet hers as he smiles.

"I trust you. You know what I mean?" he nervously says, tilting his head.

(Y/N)'s face warms as she feels herself smile, humming before chuckling as she holds his lantern in the crook of her arm, reaching out and lowering the satchel out of their way.

"I do," she fondly responds, offering his lantern back to him.

Faunus' cheeks turn a soft shade of red as he grins, taking the lantern. The two look to one another before nodding, both lifting and releasing their lanterns up to the sky.

All those days, living without meaning...

Their lanterns float upward, spiraling around one another.

All those years, living on my own...

Thousands of lanterns crowd around the area, (Y/N) and Faunus in their own separate world at the moment.

All that time... never truly seeing things... that made the world

(Y/N) looks down from the lanterns to Faunus, watching as he continues to look around with a childlike wonderment.

Now with him here, everything is brighter

Faunus perks up, his eyes darting to (Y/N) before he looks back ahead while pointing to a lantern falling near them. (Y/N) looks to the lantern with amusement, her face falling in surprise when she recognizes it as the royal lantern the king and queen release, the sun symbol on the front.

Now that he's here, suddenly, I have hope

Faunus leans out as far as he could, catching the lantern with his fingertips before it could fall into the water. He lifts it back up, smiling as he releases it. He looks back to (Y/N), noticing she was looking down with deep thought.

With him here, its crystal clear...

He reaches over, taking her hand as he offers her a smile.

I never want him to go!

(Y/N) looks down at their hands before looking up, her hand curling around his and squeezing it lightly.

"And at last, I see the light!"

They sing together harmoniously, Faunus taking her other hand and holding them tightly between them.

"And it's like the fog has lifted," (Y/N) sings softly, a warm smile on her face as Faunus' expression brightens.

"And at last, I see the light!"

Faunus' thumb strokes over her knuckles, "And it's like the sky is new!"

The lanterns shine brilliantly all around them, slowly starting to ascend towards the sky.

"And it's warm and real and bright! And the world has somehow shifted..."

The king and queen's lantern floats up above the two, (Y/N) and Faunus' lantern remaining close together as well as they rise.

"All at once... everything is different..."

Faunus reaches up, adjusting the (F/C) flower behind her ear and allowing his hand to rest on her cheek as they start to lean towards each other.

"Now that I see you..."

Pascal' eyes widen as he turns a bashful shade of red, curling up and hiding his eyes behind his hands before peeking through them.

"Now... that I..."

(Y/N) tentatively reaches out to Faunus, brushing a stray strand of his golden hair from his face.

"See you."

Faunus hand trails down to the side of her neck before his finger gently hooks under her chin, angling her head towards him as they lean closer to one another. His eyes fall shut, (Y/N)'s starting to slowly close as well as she leans in.

...

..

.

YET ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER EHEHEHE

Don't worry! I'm writing the next chapter as you read this! I'm real sorry about not posting this yesterday, I got a terrible headache like, right after posting those chapters and slept the entire day LMAO--

See you soon, lovelies!