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Things are pretty relaxing since they defeated Ika Inkblot. After going back to Mermicorno Kingdom, they do nothing much besides hitting the library. It has been weeks and Astra feels like she’s not as half productive as she was before - sure, they research information for how to bring back their memories, but the lack of a deadline and an oceanwide-level threat allows them to take their time. If their past selves look at them right now, they will die of impatience - The Mermicrew takes many breaks between reading sessions for hanging out, baking, telling stories and sharing laughs.
And building up relationships.
Astra knows, after two years of diverging paths, no relationships between them are the same anymore. If their memories are restored right now, she wonders whether they are strong enough to drown out the impressions they’ve had. Will she stop seeing Sharkicorno as a reformed villain, or will Valentina look at the world without a horror filter again, she honestly doubts. That’s why Astra focuses on making the most of their time together before getting her memories back. She wants whatever’s left of these experiences to be beautiful and profound.
She has asked Gwen about what’s between them. It was messy at first, but Gwen joked that what she touched always was. Astra can’t make their relationships the same way it was before the starfall, it’s not like she’ll try either. She wants to build it her way, and whoever Princess Hana is, she’s gonna have to accept that. Long story short, Gwen and she now go on dates. If they feel bold, they sometimes share a bed.
They plan to spend some quality time today, and as Gwen is feeling “uninspired”, she lets Astra to choose what to do for the night. Astra puts huge effort into it, of course.
The crew still keeps contact with Kameko’s dad after their separation, and he sometimes pays them a visit during his trip back to his homeland. Astra asked him if there are any movies that the landtos have. She figures something different will be great for a date night, a change of pace from what they usually do. An art major and land lover as he is, Mr. Reed throws out recommendations immediately. Humans’ appliances don’t function in water, so Astra made several talismans for him to transfer the movies into ocean-made devices, then another pearl to translate human languages into fish’s. In a minute, Astra could understand why the land fascinates him so much - their needs for entertainment are truly endless, and if he’s not born with a lifetime of a turtle he can’t ever explore how far humans’ art has gone. Mr. Reed has a collection across all genres, from the soapy family drama to horror apocalypse (“A virus that turns people into living corpses? We have enough of those with the Squidians.”), and a stack of Kameko’s magical girl movies that they decide to spend on another day.
“Rom-com. Gwen would love this.”
Mr. Reed offers her one with two humans leaning against each other on the cover, with some kind of land flowers around them. Something sweet, cozy, and wholesome. Gwen won’t admit it any other day, but that sure melts her icy heart. Astra calls Gwen to tell her to prepare snacks.
So yeah, it’s decided. They will watch a human rom-com for the date, at Gwen’s place. Gwen will make her food.
It’s a comfortable evening of September, when rain goes away, leaving water cold and lonely. The surface is crystal clear that starlight is able to reach the most shallow layers of the ocean, and even though the Mermicorno Kingdom lies deep behind reefs and trenches, Astra can feel the effect on her.
Gwen’s place was messier the last time Astra hung out there. She must have prepared for the night. Gwen pulls her onto the sofa immediately after their brief greet, causing the flowers she brings to fall to the ground. Thick blankets and hot tea are handed to her. It’s chilling outside, don’t catch a cold, Gwen says. Astra smiles. She puts the flowers in the little vase next to the teapot.
Gwen’s creative force might be icy, but boy, is her cooking fire. Gwen says the muffins all have some cracks, but Astra only notices the sweet scent filling her nostrils. Maybe she’ll clean up the tray before the movie even starts, so she stops. But then if she stops, Gwen will think she hates the muffins, and that’s not true at all. Should she stop? Maybe she can wait for a bit and then pick up another one. Is it too little enthusiasm?
“Where do you send Pearl Girl?” Gwen’s voice cuts through her train of thought.
“Oh? At Val’s place. I intended to send her to Squishella, but it’s late and I don’t want another singing contest.”
Astra opens the shell she’s been bringing along, revealing the tiny pearl inside. It starts swirling when she turns on the projector, and light shines on the screen Gwen has prepared. Gwen takes a look at the cover.
“So, rom-com huh? Didn’t know you’re into this one.”
“You seem not to like it,” Astra smirks, “We can change it if you want.”
“Okay, okay, I’m kidding. The cat is probably several nautical miles away from the bag by now.” Gwen hesitates, “Thanks for… choosing what I like.”
“It’s the least I can do,” Astra nuzzles up against Gwen’s side, pushing her to lean back on the couch. The pearl squeaks slightly, distorted images projected onto the screen. It takes minutes for the record to actually start. Several introduction clips follow with names of many humans’ film distributors that they’re not familiar with.
When Astra buries herself into the couch, only pillows and blankets rub her skin. Gwen is not a sly bastard. Though Astra isn’t sure since when do they grab a handful of each other. The softness is overwhelming: velvety fabric around her, Gwen’s soft mane scratching into her right cheek, and the buttery texture from the muffins filling her mouth. Those muffins are hot, but they’re nothing compared to the burning sensation that is Gwen’s breaths by her side. Even her breaths sound soft. Astra must have fallen asleep was it not for Gwen’s existence pumping dopamine into her every second. Astra doesn’t tear her eyes off the screen. She’s afraid that if she catches a glimpse of her girlfriend, her mind will sink deep into the image with no escape. Instead she lets her other senses feel Gwen’s presence and enjoys the hold of the other mermicorno.
A loud sound interrupts the opening credits of the movie, the windows slam against the wall. They don’t have time to get startled, pillows already get tossed in a corner and the flower vase is knocked down. A cold ocean current just changes its way toward the Kingdom, carrying its freezing stream into the room, pushing them off the couch.
“Uh… I should lock it,” Gwen scratches the back of her head. Every inch of Astra’s body screams in opposition when the warmth breaks contact with her skin, leaving the biting water arround her. She picks up the pillows while Gwen freezes the window frame with her power. Astra rewinds the movie as they return to the couch - this time they both sit up straight. Gwen holds her hoof when the opening credits run the second time. Her hooflet feels warm.
They keep it like that. The movie starts with several humans in outfits they’re not familiar with. The flora is different, many plants on land are crazily huge, having a thick brown structure for stems. It’s also drier, of course, the sun shines unapologetically at them with no obstacle. Humans move around in a device they call “cars”, and contrary to the popular beliefs, they cannot fly. The male lead is a young man with dark hair, he comes from a rich family or something fancy like that. The girl has the exact same hairstyle as Kameko (Astra wonders if all human girls have the same cut). And because it’s a comedy, there are jokes and slapsticks thrown out here and there, some are human inside jokes she doesn’t get. Anyway, two protagonists meet next to one of those brown plant stems - also the boy’s favorite place to sulk - going on not-dates and falling in love. That is like the first one-third of the movie. A very typical plot.
“My guess is that the bearded uncle will be the villain,” says Gwen. Astra’s body finally has a chance to stop stiffening.
“Huh. How so?”
“It’s the common kind of twist. The guy is kinda friendly and unremarkable enough. I doubt humans’ movies are any different.”
About ten minutes pass, and the bearded uncle reveals his wicked plans to separate the couple because he believes the girl is being a gold digger to his nephew. Astra still doesn’t look at Gwen but she must have been so smug. The second half of the movie is a mood whiplash when the female lead gets into a, what is it called, “car accident” orchestrated by the evil uncle. The series of events raise the stakes high enough to distract Astra from the tight knot of her guts. That girl fortunately survives, but is missing, which makes her boyfriend think she’s dead. The B-movie annoys her with its most overly-dragged plot and nonsensical details, the kind that Ika Inkblot might use to justify his hatred for creativity, though Astra must admit that it got her hooked. She stops picking more muffins for a moment - until the numb feeling on her hoof pulls her focus away from the movie.
“…Gwen?”
Only when the numbness turns into pain, Astra notices Gwen’s grip on her has grown tight. And shaking. Astra turns to her for the first time during the movie.
“Oh… sorry,” her voice is very small, “I got a little carried away.”
She lets Astra go, her other hoof grips onto the blanket. On Gwen’s face a rosy shade has taken over, though its existence only highlights further two skies of stars that are her eyes. Gwen doesn’t feel cold due to her ice nature, and her body shakes like a broken anchor among the waves.
“Those kinds of movies…” she whispers, “Always give us the feels, right?”
What was the movie about again?
“Babe, are you okay?”
“Nah… It’s fine,” Gwen rubs her eyes, and the stars fade away, “It’s just…”
Astra holds her hoof, “Do you wanna stop?”
“I–” Gwen’s eyes shut tight. She sighs.
“Let's get some rest,” Astra turns off the projector. The room turns startling dark without its blinding bright screen. Gwen lies down along the couch, covering her face and biting her lips, then opens her eyes after a brief silence.
“I don’t understand, it just feels so…” she groans. Astra lies down next to her, hesitates for a moment before patting Gwen on the shoulders. The other mermicorno raises her eyebrow at the gesture.
“It’s just a stupid fucking movie. I mean, they’re definitely gonna get back together at the end, right?”
“You know it’s not only the movie, babe,” Astra whispers, her girlfriend’s mane hugs her face as she brings herself closer to her ear. Gwen starts to have a staring contest with the ceiling. The couch feels oddly comfortable. After several rounds, the breathing sound is getting too loud.
“You see, the boy in the movie… It must be pretty rough for him to lose someone he loves. Like when Pearl Girl went missing…”
“This ain’t about me.”
“Right.”
“It’s okay, if you don’t wanna talk,” Astra plants a kiss on Gwen, “I’m gonna… clean this up.”
She leaves the cozy embrace of pillows and blankets to pick up the empty tray of muffins (hoping that’s enough to convey how much she loves them). Astra frowns realizing Gwen doesn’t stop her or hold her back, her face turns into the back of the couch, eyes looking for an unidentified spot before her. In a moment, the house is filled with metal clinking, and the thudding sound of water slamming against the window. Gwen has sat up by the time she returns to the living room.
She settles down next to her. Still silent. Like the time Barb locks them up in the training room, but not as awkward.
“When Dark Pearl turned you into stone, I thought I lost you forever.”
Astra turns to face Gwen. She doesn’t look back.
“I’m probably stupid… In the end, everything is alright, isn’t it?” She continues, “But that moment… It’s not comfortable at all.”
“Sure it’s not, babe,” Astra throws her arms around her girlfriend. Despite sitting next to Gwen sharing her trauma, she can’t help but smile inside.
“And even after that, when you are right here… I keep imagining things. What if Squishella and Sawtooth hadn’t been there? What if you were broken? What if, what if and what if… Like time travel is actually possible! It’s so fucking ridiculous, I’m so fucking ridiculous. Things are okay now, we won, you’re here… Why the fuck am I bothered by a stupid goddamn movie?”
“Hey, Gwen, listen,” Astra whispers, “It’s fine. It’s very normal…”
“It’s not though!” she snaps, “I’ve known this kind of movie plot for the longest time, and it should never… Sorry, I’m not mad at you. This whole thing is just so frustrating.”
“Don’t ever interrupt me again,” Astra grabs her face. Gwen’s rosy cheek deepens.
“I don’t understand anything about this either. But I cannot describe how glad I am knowing you’re afraid to lose me.”
“Sorry. I should get therapy or something.”
They chuckle. Gwen continues, “Just like back when you saved me from transforming into a Squidian. I was panicked at that moment, but now in hindsight - I’m so happy you cared about me.”
“I didn’t wanna lose you.”
“I know. That’s why you chose me.”
“Though you make me wonder,” Astra frowns, “After that, the idea of what if didn’t haunt me like it did to you.”
“I know, I’m a goddamn mess,” Gwen laughs.
“Nah… I think… I believe no matter how many times I went back to that moment, I wouldn’t do it any other way. While with you… Well, it’s not in your control, isn’t it? It’s thanks to Squish and Sharkicorno…”
Gwen frowns, “Had I not been too late…”
“Aw, c’mon, babe…”
“It was terrifying!” She sobs.
“Right, right…”
“Stop smiling! You make me feel embarrassed as fuck!”
“I know, I’m sorry!” Astra giggles, tears blend into seawater around. Gwen pouts and crosses her arms, a smile threatens to build on her face.
“I’m no therapist,” Astra says, “You know how I helped Valentina with her trauma.”
“Who’s Valentina? Why do you talk about another girl in front of me?”
“Pfff. It’s you who told me to stop smiling you hypocrite.”
They burst into laughter. Astra rolls onto Gwen. As if she has just been possessed by some evil dark magic, because after an emotionally invested conversation about dying and stuff, it is pure chaotic joy that fills her. Laugh comes to her as naturally as water, and Gwen has to hold her to keep her from falling off the couch. Astra stops to take a breath. It’s Gwen, it’s Gwen who possessed her with that suave smile and those charming eyes, now full of stars again. The thudding sound from the window grows louder. Gwen bites her lips.
“I just can’t afford to go back to the life that doesn’t have you.”
Astra’s eyes open wide. Gwen’s blushy face turns into the shade of ripe tomatoes, “I’m sorry, that’s probably too extreme. I–”
Any attempt to explain is shut down as their lips lock in together. Astra tries to keep her grip on Gwen as gentle as possible, their hooves are all over each other’s body, holding manes and tails, hungry like a prehistoric shark. A scent mixture of cheese and rainbow sprinkles fill her nostrils. Gwen tastes fuller than her muffins, waking thousands of her taste buds to scream for more, their skins burning hot in the freezing seawater like boiling volcanoes among Antarctica. Pillows get thrown on the floor as they lie along the couch, blankets become as messy as their manes. The sound of their breaths drown out every other sound, warm and urgent, and passionate - Gwen’s lips on hers are softer than anything in existence - right now, Gwen is the only thing that exists.
The ringtone pulls them out of their reality. Astra opens her eyes to meet the sight of Gwen all messy and red before her. Her phone vibrates on the table. Astra suddenly wants to smash it.
“I’m sorry… I…” she climbs down from Gwen.
“Eh, it’s fine. You should take it.”
Astra takes a look at the screen, “It’s Val calling.”
“Well, now you really should take it.” Astra receives the call. The screen changes to a video call, and Pearl Girl’s bright moon face pops up.
“Astra! Astra!”
“Hi sweetheart! Is everything okay? What’s the matter?”
“Hi Astra!” Val appears from behind, “Everything is fine don’t worry. Pearl Girl just wanna ask for your permission to be with me for the night.”
“Books!!”
“She’s very interested in my books, she’s a creative one, get it? Will it be fine if you pick her up tomorrow? Don’t worry, I’ll bring her to bed on time. We plan to share some nice bedtime stories.”
“But she doesn’t have her nighttime routine stuff. How about her toothbrush?”
“Nah, don’t worry, I have a few extra ones. I can change her into sleepwear too!”
“Well, if you’re back to bed on time,” Astra shrugs, “You guys have fun!”
“Yaaayyyy!”
“Splendid. This will be fun. Bye Astra, say hi to Gwen for me!”
“Bye Astra!”
The call ends. The room turns back to silent and dark. Astra checks the time on her phone.
She leans on Gwen, “Let’s wrap this up. I have to go soon.”
“You’re joking. Stay, there’s literally nothing for you to worry about now.”
“I don’t want to bother you~”
“Aaand now you’re just straight up lying. It’s freezing outside, babe.”
This is the easiest decision Astra’s made in her life, but seeing Gwen trying to keep her there is undeniably fun.
“Ummmm… Maybe…”
“C’mooon, Astra.”
“Let’s take this to your bed,” Astra plants a kiss on Gwen’s horn. It would be incredibly stupid for her to set her tail outside the cold water instead of the warmest place in the world.