?MoonShell?

Chapter 25 - Wrapped in Warmth

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Shelly's POV

Why would they do that? I thought... I thought Brightney forgave me. I never meant to hurt her or scare her. The ichor thing—it was a mistake, a panic moment... but she acted like it was okay now. Guess not.

Brightney gave me that plushie. She said it was an apology. A way to move on. I wanted to believe her... I did believe her.

Shelly: But she forgave me... didn't she?

I looked down.

Shelly: I never meant to threaten her with the ichor, it just... happened. I got scared. I didn't know what to do...

I felt my throat tightening up again, but Astro gently reached over and pulled me into his arms.

Astro: You didn't deserve any of this. And I don't care what they say. I know who you are, Shells..

I leaned into his shoulder, closing my eyes for a second. The room felt warm. Not because of the lights or the blankets—but because he was here. He believed me.

After I calmed down a little, he asked softly,

Astro: Do you wanna go confront them? Now?

I hesitated. The idea of facing Brightney and Vee made my stomach twist.

Shelly: No... not yet. I just... I wanna stay here. Just us. For tonight.

Astro gave a small nod, his voice gentle again.

Astro: Yeah.. Tomorrow then.

So we stayed in his room. We didn't do anything fancy or big. Just... simple things. But it made me feel better.

We grabbed some paper and pencils, and I started drawing dinosaurs, like always. Astro sat beside me and drew stars and planets - typical Astro!

Shelly: You always draw the same moon!

Astro: And you always draw the same stegosaurus.

Shelly: It's a good stegosaurus!

He smiled. A real smile.

Later, I played some games while he watched. Not in a bored way. Like... he was really watching.

Shelly: Are you staring at me again?

Astro: Maybe.

Shelly: Creep!

Astro: You love it.

Okay, maybe I did. Just a little. Maybe more than a little. But I'd never say it out loud.

Eventually, it got late—10 PM. We both decided to go to bed early for once. I changed into my soft pajamas, the cozy onesie, that made me look like a Dino. Astro changed into his too. The ones I got for him.

He looked so ridiculously cute in them I nearly burst out laughing.

Shelly: I can't believe you actually wear those.

Astro: You gave them to me, didn't you?

He got under the blankets, and I followed. I laid there quietly, facing away from him, not too far but not super close either. I wanted to be near him, I really did—but I didn't wanna make it weird. I wanted to feel safe. Protected. Just a little closer.

And then... I felt his arm wrap around me, gently pulling me into him.

Shelly: Astro-?!..

Astro: ...Y-you looked like you needed it..

My heart skipped. I was so flustered, but I didn't move. I didn't want to. I just stayed there, warm and tucked close.

Shelly: ...Thanks!

He didn't say anything. But I knew he was still awake, holding me like I was something fragile. I felt safe. Safer than I had in a long time.

And slowly, my eyes closed, and I drifted off—wrapped up in stars and comfort.

Tomorrow we'd face them.

But tonight, I just wanted to stay in this little universe, with him.