SHEDLETSKY X BRIGHTEYES!!!
「 The bedroom was warm and cluttered in that lived-in way. BrightEyes had left her hoodie draped over the desk chair, next to a pile of item designs she’d been sketching earlier. A soft yellow light glowed from a lamp on the nightstand, illuminating half-finished code logs, a decorative cat plush, and an old trophy from one of Shedletsky’s ancient chicken-eating contests. 」
「 The room was quiet, wrapped in the glow of a faint nightlight shaped like a tiny Roblox logo on the dresser. One window was cracked open just enough to let in the cool hush of the evening outside—city lights distant, the world slowed to a crawl. 」
「 Their bed was a tangle of oversized blankets and body pillows, with one fuzzy one shaped like a Linked Sword that BrightEyes kept threatening to throw out. The sheets were rumpled from restless cuddles and poorly hidden wrestling matches earlier in the evening. Shedletsky lay on his back, arms folded behind his head, while BrightEyes lay half on top of him, one leg thrown lazily over his. 」
「 BrightEyes was draped across Shedletsky’s chest, her legs tangled with his, the sleeves of her oversized hoodie pushed up to her elbows. Her purple hair was tied into a messy bun, strands falling over her cheek as she blinked drowsily up at him. 」
「 Her cheek was pressed against his chest, and his ridiculous “BLAME JOHN” shirt had bunched slightly where she’d curled her fingers into it during sleep. She was still half-dozing, eyes closed but brow twitching, like she was mid-dream—or mid-argument in her head. 」
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “You’re staring.” She shifted slightly.
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “I’m admiring,” Shedletsky replied smoothly, his voice low and a little smug. “Big difference.”
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “Mmh. Feels like staring.”
「 He tilted his head to grin down at her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with two fingers. 」
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “You’re lucky I’m too tired to wax poetic about how the moonlight hits your face.”
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “Since when has being tired ever stopped you from talking?”
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “Excuse you,” he said, mock offended. “I am eloquent, charming, and deeply in love.”
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “You’re exhausting,” she sighed.
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “And yet here you are,” he whispered, tugging her closer, “wrapped up in the arms of chaos itself.”
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “You’re lucky I like warm chaos.”
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “You’re lucky I haven’t set your sunglasses to animate sparkles yet.”
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “John.” Her head shot up.
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “Kidding. Mostly. They’re already cute enough. But a sparkle trail would be legendary.” He laughed.
「 She rolled her eyes but settled back against him with a small smile. Her fingers idly tracing patterns on his chest. Her laugh was sleepy now, trailing off into silence as she melted into him again. And for once, he didn’t need to be clever. Or legendary. Or heroic. He just needed to be hers. 」
「 BRIGHTEYES 」: “You’re ridiculous.” BrightEyes laughed, muffling it against his shoulder.
「 SHEDLETSKY 」: “And you’re perfect,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Let’s call it even.”
「 She didn’t reply, not with words. Just the way her fingers curled into the hem of his shirt again, pulling herself impossibly closer like she could tuck herself into the curve of his ribs and stay there forever. She shifted against his chest, finding the rhythm of his heartbeat with her ear. He didn’t speak. Didn’t tease. Just ran his hand gently up and down her back in a slow, calming pattern. 」
「 The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—it was golden. Soft. The kind of silence that filled the space between two people who knew each other so deeply, so fully, that words were often unnecessary. 」