You Said She's What!? The Revolutionary Leader!?

Ren's POV

Three days had passed since Luna's first shower with the robotic arm, and they'd settled into something that almost felt like a routine. Ren found himself looking forward to their meals together, to the way Luna's face lit up when he solved another practical problem for her, to the comfortable silences that had replaced the initial awkwardness.

When was the last time I enjoyed someone's company this much?

"Are you sure about this?" Luna asked, eyeing the hamburger on the plate in front of her with a mix of hunger and apprehension.

Ren had decided to move beyond soup and soft foods. Luna was healing well, gaining strength, and he figured it was time for something more substantial. Plus, he was getting tired of feeding her nothing but liquids and mush.

"Trust me," Ren said, settling into his usual chair beside the bed. "You need the protein, and I'm getting better at the whole feeding thing."

Though a hamburger is definitely going to be more challenging than soup.

He picked up the hamburger that was already cut into manageable pieces, and held the first bite toward Luna's mouth. She opened hesitantly, and Ren carefully maneuvered the food past her lips.

"Mmm," Luna said, chewing thoughtfully. "This is really good. Where did you get it?"

"Made it myself, actually. I've got a pretty well-stocked kitchen."

"You cook too?" Luna asked after swallowing. "Is there anything you can't do?"

Ren felt his cheeks warm slightly. "I'm not that good at it. Just basic stuff."

Basic stuff that probably costs more than most people in Sector 7 spend on groceries in a month.

The hamburger proved to be messier than expected. Sauce dripped, lettuce fell, and more than once Ren had to pause to dab Luna's chin with a napkin. Each time, she'd blush and look embarrassed, which only made him more conscious of how intimate the whole process was.

"Sorry," she said after a particularly messy bite. "I feel like such a child."

"You're doing fine," Ren said, wiping sauce from the corner of her mouth. His fingers brushed her skin, and he felt that now-familiar flutter in his chest. "Besides, hamburgers are messy food. Even people with arms make a mess."

Luna smiled at that, and Ren felt ridiculously pleased that he'd made her feel better.

She has a really nice smile.

"Can I ask you something?" Luna said between bites.

"Sure."

"What do you do for fun? I mean, besides building impossible robots for people you barely know."

Ren considered the question. Before Luna, his idea of fun had been working on projects alone in his workshop, maybe playing games online with people he'd never meet in person. Now that seemed kind of sad.

"I like games," he said. "Strategy stuff, mostly. And I've been working on some entertainment tech that might be interesting."

"Entertainment tech?"

"Want me to show you after we finish eating?"

Luna nodded eagerly, and Ren realized he was looking forward to sharing his latest project with someone who might actually appreciate it.

After they finished the meal—which took twice as long as it should have, but Ren didn't mind—he retrieved a sleek pair of glasses from his workshop.

"Aperion's latest prototype," he said, holding up the device. "Voice-controlled gaming interface. Still in development, but functional."

Luna stared at the glasses with the same expression she'd worn when he'd shown her the robotic arm. "Those look like normal glasses."

"That's the point. All the technology is integrated seamlessly." Ren held them up to the light. "Micro-displays, spatial audio, gesture tracking, voice recognition. The whole system can also just respond to voice commands and the AI will distinguish if its a command or not."

(A/N: They don't really say voice command when using it)

"And these aren't available to the public?"

"Not for another year, at least. Maybe longer." Ren settled the glasses on Luna's face, adjusting them carefully. "How do they feel?"

"Light. I can barely tell I'm wearing them." Luna blinked, and Ren saw her eyes widen as the system activated. "Oh! There's... there's a whole display!"

"Voice command: Start game library," Ren said clearly.

A list of games appeared in Luna's field of vision, and she gasped. "I can see the menu! It's floating in front of me, but I can still see the room too."

"Augmented reality integration. What looks interesting?"

Luna studied the options, her head tilting as she read. "What's 'Kingdoms of Aethermoor'?"

"Turn-based strategy game. You build armies, cast spells, manage resources. It's like... commanding a fantasy war, but with wizards and knights instead of modern weapons."

"That sounds complicated."

"Voice command: Tutorial mode, Kingdoms of Aethermoor," Ren said. "The AI will walk you through it."

For the next hour, Ren watched Luna's face as she learned to play. Her initial confusion gave way to concentration, then excitement. She picked up the voice commands quickly, and her strategic thinking was surprisingly sharp.

She's really good at this. Better than I expected.

"Voice command: Summon fire elementals to flank the enemy knights," Luna said confidently.

"Nice move," Ren said, impressed. "Most people don't think to use flanking maneuvers until they've played for weeks."

"It's just basic tactics," Luna said, then caught herself looking slightly uncomfortable. "I mean... it seems obvious, right?"

Basic tactics? Where would someone from Sector 7 learn military tactics?

But Luna was already moving on, directing her forces with an efficiency that spoke of genuine strategic understanding. When she won her first battle, she let out a small cheer that made Ren smile.

"Want to try something different?" he asked.

"What else is there?"

"Voice command: Chess," Ren said.

The fantasy battlefield dissolved, replaced by a elegant chess board floating between them. Luna studied the pieces with interest.

"I haven't played chess in..." She paused. "In a long time."

"I'll go easy on you."

Luna's laugh had a slightly competitive edge to it. "Don't you dare."

Oh. She's serious about this.

The first few moves were standard opening plays, but Luna's strategy quickly became apparent. She was aggressive, tactical, always thinking several moves ahead. Ren found himself having to concentrate harder than he'd expected.

She's not just good. She's really good.

Twenty minutes later, Luna's queen took his king.

"Checkmate," she said, sounding pleased but trying not to gloat.

Ren stared at the board in amazement. "How did you... I didn't even see that coming."

"You left your king exposed when you moved your rook," Luna explained. "I've been setting up that attack for the last eight moves."

Eight moves ahead. She was planning eight moves ahead?

"Where did you learn to play like that?" Ren asked.

Luna's expression shuttered slightly. "José taught me. The man who... who took care of me when I was younger. He said games like chess were important for..." She trailed off.

"For what?"

"For thinking strategically. Planning ahead. That kind of thing."

There's more to that story. But Ren could tell she didn't want to elaborate.

"Well, José was a good teacher. That was impressive."

Luna smiled, looking pleased with the compliment. "Want to play again?"

They played three more games. Luna won two of them.

She's not just smart. She thinks like a tactician. Like someone who's used to planning complicated operations.

But every time Ren tried to ask about her background or where she'd learned such skills, Luna deflected with a change of subject or a vague answer about José.

Who is this girl, really?

As the afternoon wore on, they settled into the comfortable routine that had developed over the past few days. Ren helped Luna with medication, adjusted her pillows, brought her water when she was thirsty. Luna asked questions about his projects, listened to his explanations of various technologies, and occasionally made observations that were surprisingly insightful.

"You know," Luna said during a quiet moment, "I keep expecting this to feel weird."

"What?"

"Having someone take care of me like this. Being dependent on another person." She looked at him thoughtfully. "But it doesn't feel that weird anymore. It feels... safe? I don't really know how to put it either."

Ren felt something warm settle in his chest. "Thats good. That's how it should feel."

"I've never had that before. Safety, I mean. Not really."

What kind of life has she lived that safety is foreign to her?

"Well, you have it now," Ren said simply.

Luna studied his face for a moment, and Ren felt that familiar flutter as their eyes met.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For everything. I know I keep saying that, but..."

"You don't need to keep thanking me."

"Yes, I do. What you've done... no one has ever..." She shook her head. "I don't have words for it."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, both processing the weight of her words. Outside, the afternoon was giving way to evening, and the room was filled with golden light from the setting sun.

Ren found himself thinking about how natural this had all become. Caring for Luna, sharing meals with her, talking for hours about everything and nothing. Three days ago, he'd been alone in his house, working on projects that only he would ever see. Now he had someone to share his discoveries with, someone who appreciated his innovations and made him want to create even better solutions.

I don't want this to end.

The thought surprised him with its intensity. Luna was healing, getting stronger every day. Eventually, she'd be well enough to leave, to go back to whatever life she'd had before. And Ren would be alone again.

Unless...

"Luna, won't you..." he said suddenly, then stopped himself.

"What?"

I was going to ask her to stay. But that's crazy. We barely know each other.

Luna's POV

"Nothing. Just... are you comfortable? Do you need anything?"

Luna was quiet for a moment, studying his face like she could read his thoughts. Something had flickered across his expression just then—like he'd been about to say something important but had stopped himself.

"I'm comfortable," she said finally with a sigh. "More comfortable than I've been in... a long time."

Another comfortable silence settled between them. Luna found herself staring out the window, her mind drifting to places she'd been trying not to think about.

Viktor, Zara, Diego, Ana... they must think I'm dead.

The thought made her chest ache. Her four commanders—her family—were probably going through the contingency plans they'd drilled so many times. Taking over leadership, keeping the revolutionary army together, continuing the fight without her.

They're strong. They can handle it. But for how long?

"Luna?" Ren said softly.

"Mmm?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Luna's expression flickered. "Just... people I know. People who are probably worried about me." She shook her head. "But there's nothing I can do about that right now, so..."

People who are worried about me. If they only knew where I am. What I'm doing. What I'm feeling.

"Maybe when you're stronger, we can figure out how to contact them," he offered.

"Maybe," Luna said, but she didn't sound convinced.

Contact them how? 'Hey everyone, I'm alive and living with some rich guy who's building me impossible prosthetics'? They'd think I've lost my mind. Or worse—they'd think I've been compromised.

Ren was about to ask more when he seemed to remember something.

"Oh!" he said, looking suddenly excited. "I've been working on something else for you."

"Another robot?" Luna asked with a small smile.

"Better. I've started designing prosthetic arms that will look and feel completely natural. Fake skin, full range of motion, strength capacity of about double your original arms."

Luna's eyes went wide, and she let out an excited shout that made Ren jump. All thoughts of the revolutionary army vanished instantly.

"Are you serious?! You're making me actual arms?!"

"Well," Ren said with a small smirk, clearly pleased with her reaction, "I wasn't supposed to mention it yet. It's still in early stages."

Luna was practically bouncing with excitement despite being bedridden. "That's amazing! That's incredible! How is that even possible? The technology for that doesn't exist!"

"It does in my workshop," Ren said, unable to hide his satisfaction at her enthusiasm.

"You're unbelievable," Luna said, beaming at him. "Absolutely unbelievable. I can't believe you're just casually making me arms that are better than anything that exists in the world."

She paused, studying his pleased expression, and her voice dropped to a murmur.

"Showoff," she said under her breath.

Ren's hearing was better than she'd expected. Without warning, he reached over and gently bonked her on the head with his knuckles.

"Hey!" Luna protested, but she was giggling.

Then, without thinking, Luna stuck her tongue out at him in response.

Did I just...? When did I become so comfortable with him that I'm acting like a kid?

But seeing Ren's delighted smile made her realize she didn't care. This felt natural. Right, somehow.

"Very mature," Ren said, trying to sound stern but failing completely because he was smiling too hard.

"I learned from the best," Luna shot back, then sobered slightly. "But seriously, Ren. Arms that look and feel natural and are yet stronger than normal ones? That's not just genius engineering. That's revolutionary."

Revolutionary. The word made something twist in her stomach.

"It's just problem-solving," Ren said modestly. "You need arms, so I'm making you the best arms I can design for your daily life."

"Just problem-solving," Luna repeated, shaking her head in amazement. "You're going to completely change my life, and you talk about it like it's no big deal."

He really is going to change my life. In ways he can't even imagine.

"When do you think they'll be ready?" Luna asked.

"A few more days for the basic framework. Maybe a week for the full integration system. I want to make sure everything is perfect before we try fitting them."

"A week," Luna said softly.

A week. And then what?

The question hung in the air between them, unspoken but heavy with implication.

"Luna," Ren said carefully, clearly gathering up courage, "what will you do when you're healed? When the arms are ready?"

Luna stared at where her hands should be, her mind racing.

What will I do?

The obvious answer was return to the revolutionary army. Find her people, resume leadership, continue the fight against Vaelthara's corrupt system. That was her responsibility. Her duty.

But sitting here in Ren's comfortable room, feeling safer and more cared for than she ever had in her life, that obvious answer felt... complicated.

What if I just... stayed?

The thought came unbidden, and Luna felt her heart race.

What if I just stayed here with Ren? What if I let Viktor and the others handle the revolution? They're capable. They could do it without me.

She imagined it—waking up every morning in this soft bed, maybe cooking meals for Ren, watching him work on his impossible inventions, playing games and laughing together. A normal life. A peaceful life.

What would be so wrong with that? Why can't I just be happy for once?

But even as the fantasy played in her mind, Luna knew it was just that—a fantasy.

Because people are dying. Because the system is corrupt and someone has to fight it. Because José died believing in this cause, and I can't just abandon everything he taught me.

Because you can't build a peaceful life on top of other people's suffering.

The revolutionary leader in her reasserted itself with familiar conviction.

I have responsibilities. People depending on me. A mission that's bigger than my personal happiness.

But then she looked at Ren—really looked at him. The way he cared for her without asking for anything in return. The way he made her feel like she mattered as a person, not just as a leader or a weapon or a symbol.

But what if...?

"I don't know," she said finally. "I haven't let myself think that far ahead."

"Well," Ren said, trying to keep his voice casual, "you don't have to figure it out right away. You can stay here as long as you need to."

Luna looked at him with an expression she couldn't quite control. "You'd really let me stay? Even after I'm healed?"

Please say yes. Please give me permission to want this.

"Of course. This place is too big for just me anyway."

He means it. He actually wants me to stay.

Luna fen something crack open in her chest—hope, longing, the desperate desire to say yes and forget everything else.

What if I could make it work somehow? What if I could find a way to help the revolution from here? What if I could have both—the mission and... this?

"Ren..." she started.

I could ask him. I could ask if he really means it. If he'd want me to stay not just out of obligation but because... because he might feel something for me too.

The thought made her cheeks warm, but she pushed forward with it.

What if I told him everything? What if I explained about the revolution, about what I am, and asked if there was a way to make this work? Maybe he'd understand. Maybe he'd even want to help.

For a moment, Luna let herself imagine it completely—staying with Ren, building a life together, maybe even using his incredible technology to help the revolutionary cause from the shadows. The best of both worlds.

I could be happy. I could finally just be Luna, not Commander Martinez. I could wake up every morning safe and cared for. I could—

But then reality crashed back in, hard and unforgiving.

No.

The word echoed in her mind with the force of conviction.

People are counting on me. Viktor is brilliant with tech, but he's not a leader. Zara is perfect for infiltration, but she doesn't have the bigger picture. Diego can handle combat, but strategy isn't his strength. Ana keeps everyone together, but she's not a fighter.

They need me. The revolution needs me. José died believing in this cause, and I can't just abandon everything because I've fallen for some rich guy who—

Luna stopped that thought cold, her cheeks burning.

Fallen for? Did I just...?

But before she could process that revelation fully, she forced herself back to the harsh truths.

Hundreds of people in Sector 7 and beyond are suffering under this corrupt system. The government and Aperion Corp are bleeding the life out of the lower districts while the elite live in luxury. How can I even think about staying here, living in comfort, while people like José are dying in the streets?

How can I be so selfish?

The conviction settled in her chest like steel.

I have to go back. When I'm healed, when these arms are ready, I have to return to the fight. It doesn't matter how I feel about Ren, or how much I want this life. Some things are more important than personal happiness.

I'll have to leave him. And he'll probably hate me when he finds out who I really am.

The thought made her heart ache, but Luna straightened her shoulders as much as she could without arms.

But that's the price of leadership. That's what José taught me. Sometimes you have to sacrifice what you want for what's right.

She was just opening her mouth to give Ren some version of the truth—maybe not everything, but enough to prepare him for her eventual departure—when he spoke first.

"What?"

Luna felt all her resolve crumble in the face of his gentle, expectant expression. How could she tell him she was planning to leave when he looked at her like that? How could she explain that she was lying to him about everything that mattered?

"Nothing. Just... thank you. Again."

Coward. But she couldn't bring herself to hurt him. Not yet.

They settled back into comfortable silence, but Luna's mind was churning. The contentment from earlier was still there, but now it was mixed with guilt and longing and the painful knowledge that this couldn't last.

I want to stay, but something's holding me back.

No—not something. Everything. Her duty, her people, her entire identity.

As evening approached and they prepared for Luna's nighttime routine, Luna found herself memorizing every detail of these moments with Ren. The way he carefully adjusted her pillows, the gentle way he helped her with medication, the soft smile he gave her when he thought she wasn't looking.

Revolutionary prosthetics for a girl who is definitely more than she appears to be.

The irony wasn't lost on her. Ren was building her the tools she'd need to return to her other life—the life where she was a leader, a fighter, a symbol of resistance against everything his family's corporation represented.

If he only knew.

But as Ren helped her settle in for the night, as she felt the warmth of his care and saw the growing affection in his eyes, Luna realized that these prosthetic arms represented more than just her physical healing.

They were going to be her choice point. The moment when she'd have to decide between the life she'd built and the peaceful life she was discovering she wanted.

"Starting with the best prosthetic arms the world had ever seen." She started giggling at the thought of Ren's pretentious face again, relieving her anxiety of the inevitable choice.