Rising Shards

I was feeling a lot better as we got dinner. Stella not immediately dumping me for everything that went down today was nice on its own, but she was downright cheerful. She had to step outside to get a call from the school about everything right at the same time I got a bunch of texts and emails about our official next steps. The joys of working at a Cani school. Even with lows like this, I wouldn’t trade it for anything though.

After dinner, Stella took me by hand when we got back home.

“Now…” Stella said, guiding me to the couch. She sat me down then darted off toward the bedroom. “Stay there!” She peeked her head back. “Wait, are you in comfy clothes?”

We decided we should both clean up before getting cozy. After showers (no energy for a shower together sadly), and getting in sleepwear, Stella brought me back to the couch.

“OK, now…” She wrapped a blanket around us and nuzzled close, giving me a slight shiver. “Now we relax, because we had a day.”

I hugged Stella close, both of us recharging from the touch.

“You should pick the show tonight,” I said. “I dunno what to pick.”

“Hmmm,” Stella said. “Want some Koz’s Pizza Place? That’s kind of our show.”

“That’s perfect.” I said.

 We watched quietly for a bit, just cuddling. I was getting better at cuddles. Stella was a pro at it too.

“So they said raided students get a week off,” Stella said. “I’m probably gonna bring Zeta to the apartment for that.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” I said.

“I just wanted to say it now,” Stella said. “Mainly so you don’t worry, because I know if I heard that I’d be like ‘oh we’re done,’ but I don’t want to be done. I just need to take care of Zeta for a bit. Once we get her here, it’ll be easier. But for now, I want things to just be very stable for this coming week. I’ll still stop by to move things over, of course.”

“Of course.” I said. “You planned that out pretty quick.”

“Pretty much as soon as I got the call at dinner, yeah.” Stella said.

“And planned it enough to gauge my potential reaction, too.” I said.

“Uh huh,” Stella said. She pressed her forehead to my shoulder. “Cuz I care about you lots.”

“Awww.” I said. “Do you want to wait on big reward then?”

“No, I think you deserve big reward tomorrow.” Stella said. “I know you deserve it.”

“Stel…” I said. I was starting to feel emotionally overwhelmed by how sweet she was, and I think she could tell.

Stella started brushing her hands through my hair, giving me shushes and cooing soft things to me like, “There, there…” or “We’re safe, it’s all OK…” All of it had me melting. I didn’t shed tears this time, but I still felt like I finished a big sob session once Stella and I changed spots, moving so my arm was around her and she was back to nuzzling against me.

“I was really worried about you today,” Stella said.

“About me?” I asked.

“Uh huh,” Stella said. “I was scared about Zeta too, but once I got a hold of her and we talked, I just felt in my gut that everything would be OK.”

“Wait, you got a hold of her?” I asked.

“Yeah, she called me from the void, if you can believe it.” Stella aid.

“Huh. That’s very rare for a regular cell phone to be able to do that, you know.” I said.

“I know.” Stella said. “One more reason it had me feeling like it’d all work out. So I worried then about how you were doing, because…wait, should I have told you that Zeta called?”

“No, I assume she was back pretty much right after,” I said.

“Still, maybe I could’ve given you some info that could’ve helped track her down.” Stella said. “Like triangulated the call or something.”

“I don’t know if it would’ve helped with how the Endorans locked them in.” I said. “Wait, old on.” I grabbed Stella’s cheeks and smushed em a bit. “Don’t beat yourself up about the phone call. It’s fine.”

“Evyyyyy.” Stella whined. Once I let go, she snapped back to nuzzle mode. “It’s kinda weird.”

“The call thing?” I asked. “Or just the whole day?”

“No, well, I mean, yeah, the whole day was weird,” Stella said. “It’s just weird to me that we can mutually comfort. I’m not used to it. I like being the comforter. But then we’re together and you can help me while I’m helping you.”

“Yeah…” I said. “Honestly, I don’t even know if I’m good at comforting. I mean, for students, yeah, I’ve listened to plenty cry about breakups or extra limbs suddenly growing in. But…for us type things. My history there doesn’t have a great record of comfort.”

“Maybe I just unlock the comfort in ya,” Stella said. “Because you’re great at it with me.”

“Hmm.” I said.

“What kind of reaction is that?” Stella asked. “You sound like you think I’m lying.”

“I’m just making a noise!” I said.

“OK, I’m mostly teasing there, but…” Stella said. “You really are good at being comforting.”

“Well, thank you.” I said. “Really.”

“Hmm.” Stella said.

“Still on that, huh?”

Stella giggled. “Maybe.”

“Shouldn’t that also be a ‘hmm’?”

“Hmm.” Stella said, then giggled some more, jeopardizing her cuddle position with all her wiggling about.

“I did not think you would be in the mood to be goofy tonight.” I said.

“Yeah, well.” Stella said. “Hmm.” She burst out laughing.

I had no idea why she found it so funny, but her infectious laugh had us both in stitches, only interrupted by us saying “Hmm,” to each other, which for some reason only made us laugh harder.