?MoonShell?

Chapter Title 20 - The Stars Dont Lie

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Astros POV

It was 4:13 AM.

The sky outside was dark, silent. Not even the stars were shining at me.

I hadn't really slept. Just laid there, staring at the ceiling while Shelly slept beside me, curled up in those dino pajamas like she was trying to shield herself from something I couldn't see.

My eyes drifted to the nightstand. The plushie Brightney gave her sat there, still smiling.

Too stiff. Too perfect.

I sat up slowly, careful not to wake her. She looked peaceful, finally. But me? I couldn't shake this tight feeling in my chest. Like something was off, crawling under my skin.

I picked up the plush and turned it in my hands again. I'd done this a dozen times since we went to bed. I don't know what I was looking for—until I saw it.

There. A tiny metallic shine. Tucked under one of the threads.

What in the stars...?

My stomach dropped. My hands clenched. That wasn't just a cute little gift.

I stood up and stepped out of the room, my heart beating faster. Every step away from her felt heavier..

Once I was far enough—somewhere quiet and alone—I shut the door behind me and looked at it again.

I wasn't imagining it. There was definitely tech in there.
Wired. Buried. Watching.

I clutched it tighter.

Brightney. It had to be her. Vee, too maybe. They'd been cold. Distant. Acting weird ever since the ichor incident.

They were spying. On HER. On me..

Not Shelly. Not after everything she's been through. Not while she finally started to feel safe.

I held the plush in both hands and muttered under my breath.

Astro: They think I won't notice... but I'm not letting them hurt her. Not again.

Not while I'm here.

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Vee's POV

I hadn't slept either.

4:16 AM, said the dull corner glow of my screen.
No audio. No video feed. Just... static.

I sat still in my chair. Wires unplugged. Headphones off. My hands rested in my lap, curled into loose fists like they were trying not to shake.

Vee: (thinking):
Signal's gone. It got turned off and shut down. Or he found it.

I stared at the screen like it might blink back to life, even though I knew it wouldn't.

I should've stopped this. I should've listened to Shrimpo. I should've known he'd find it.

My code said this was a risk. My system flagged it as dangerous. My logic whispered:
You knew this would happen.

I blinked hard.

Vee: I didn't want to hurt him...

Until I heard it—
That voice. Raspy. Annoyed. Unmistakable.

Shrimpo: Still awake, toaster?

I jumped. Okay—not jumped, but like... twitched. A lot.
He was standing there, arms crossed, wearing the same hoodie he always wore.

Vee (quietly): ...Shrimpo?

Shrimpo: Tch. Didn't know you could look guilty. Guess there really is a bug in the system.

I frowned, looking down at my hands again.

Vee: I think I messed up...

He walked over, not sitting yet. Just... hovering like he always did. Ready to leave. But not really leaving.

Shrimpo: You think?
He finally sat down on the edge of the bed, arms still crossed. Spying on Shelly and Astro? Real subtle.

I winced. And yeah, okay, it hurt. He wasn't even yelling. That was worse.

Vee: I didn't want to spy. I just... wanted to know why things were changing. I wanted proof.

Shrimpo: Proof of what? That they're not made of metal and emotional suppression?

I didn't respond. Couldn't.
My screen buzzed. Warm. Fuzzy. Glitchy.

He sighed, softer this time. He looked tired too.

Shrimpo: ...Come here, dumbhead.

I blinked at him. Then, finally, stood and sat beside him.

When his arm wrapped around me, I didn't resist. I leaned into him like I always wanted to. Like I needed to.

(thinking):
Why is it so easy with him? Why is it so hard with everyone else?

After a minute of silence, I whispered—

Vee: Brightney's gonna lose it when she finds out we lost the signal.

Shrimpo: Then don't tell her yet. And tomorrow? Maybe stop pretending you're a walking firewall and start acting like someone who actually cares.

Vee: I do care...

Shrimpo: Yeah. I know.

He tugged me closer and I let him. And for once, I didn't feel like a machine. Just...
Just me.

And in that moment, I just wanted to rest finally.