?MoonShell?

Chapter Title 19 - Still Running Warm
Short chapter about cyberbullying:)

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Vee's POV

I closed the door behind me with a tired clunk, leaning against  it for a second longer than necessary. The room was quiet, dim, and the soft mechanical hum of the building filled the silence in place of my thoughts.

I rubbed my face. My processors were fine. It wasn't a system overload. I was just... tired.

Vee (thinking):
Everyone acts like I'm just a machine. Like my only role is to scan, calculate, and shut up. But I have feelings too. Right...?

I dropped onto my bed with a soft whump, elbows on knees, hands on face. Why did this day feel heavier than usual? Maybe it was Brightney. Maybe it was Astro. Maybe it was...

Click.

The door creaked open. I didn't even look up. I already knew who it was by the heavy, slow footsteps.

Shrimpo: You look worse than usual.

Vee: Gee. Thanks, love of my life.

He sat down beside me.

Shrimpo: If you're gonna dwell, at least do it silently. You're giving the room depression.

I glanced over at him, a smile twitching at the corner of my mouth. He had his arms crossed and his face set in the usual 'everything sucks' look. But he was here. That was the important part.

Vee: You came to check on me?

Shrimpo: No. I just didn't want to be in my room. It smells like soap and consequences.

Vee: You're lying.

Shrimpo: Yeah, I am.

We sat in silence for a second, then I sighed.

Vee: Me and Brightney... we bugged Shelly. Hid a recorder in a plushie. We've been listening in.

He raised an eyebrow.

Shrimpo: Wow. Creepy.

Vee: You're not wrong.

I leaned back, letting my head fall onto his shoulder. He didn't push me away. Instead, he grumbled.

Shrimpo: You feel guilty.

Vee: I don't like it. At first it felt like strategy. Logic. But now? Astro's... I don't know. He's so soft with her. And I—

Shrimpo: Are jealous.

I paused.

Vee: I guess. But not because I want him. It's more like... I don't like seeing him act like that with someone I don't trust.

Shrimpo: And you're afraid he'll get hurt. Yeah. You're super heartless.

He rolled his eyes, then finally looked at me with something gentler than usual.

Shrimpo: You're allowed to feel things, Vee. Just 'cause you don't wear it on your face doesn't mean it's not there. Even if the others don't get it... I do.

I blinked. Static fizzed softly on my screen.

Vee: You're unusually nice today. Did you hit your head?

Shrimpo: I'll push you off the bed.

Vee (smiling): Rude.

He let out a tired sigh and laid back on the mattress, hands behind his head. After a moment, I joined him, curling close. We didn't need to be loud about it. We never were.

Vee: Thanks for coming.

I said softly..

Shrimpo: Shut up and go to sleep.

I'm glad Atleast someone understood me.