Chapter Text
Shelly had been staying in Vee’s room for the last couple of days since her recovery. Of course, Vee didn’t mind Shelly’s presence, and it was less awkward now that they were officially dating, but it did beg the question as to when Shelly would return to using her own room.
Vee wasn’t upset at Shelly for using her room, especially after all they’d gone through as of late, but she did miss having a space all to herself. So, as was characteristic of her by now, decided not to wait for it to come up and ask her upfront. “Shells?” Vee asked while they were both in her room, “Do you know when you’re moving back into your room? I heard Tisha cleaned it up a few days ago.”
Shelly, who was previously somewhat zoned out (probably thinking about dinosaurs, Vee reckoned), frowned slightly. “Oh… I’m not certain. I guess I’m still a little shaken,” she paused “Am I bothering you?”
“Of course not,” Vee answered calmly, making sure Shelly wouldn’t get too in her head again, “But you do have to go back there eventually. I was just wondering.”
Shelly didn’t respond after that, worried that Vee simply wanted her to leave. So, after a few minutes of silence, she quietly excused herself and exited the room. Vee was only a little bit worried, knowing that Shelly would probably be upset with herself for “annoying” Vee (which she wasn’t, just to be clear). Regardless, Vee convinced herself that Shelly knew that Vee wouldn’t lie to her by now.
Cut to about an hour later, when Vee, after spending some time helping Brightney with something in the computer lab, returned through the wooden gates to the mains’ rooms to see Shelly standing outside her own door - the door was opened, but Shelly seemed to be paralyzed.
“Shells? You alright?” Vee asked, unsure of what to do. Shelly quietly shook her head ‘no’.
Vee walked up to her and tapped on her shoulder once, to which Shelly responded only by looking at her without moving. Vee, recognizing the problem, slowly closed Shelly’s door, after which Shelly finally exhaled (as she had apparently been holding her breath).
“Vee, I’m so sorry,” Shelly said as she turned to face the mentioned toon, on the verge of tears, “I just… I can’t do it. I’m… I’m scared.”
“It’s okay,” Vee responded, holding Shelly’s hands, “You’ve been through a lot. But you will be okay.” Shelly was still frightened by all that had happened in the past few weeks, but the definiteness with which Vee spoke made it easier for her to calm down, as if Vee knew that she would be okay, rather than just hoping for it.
Vee thought for a moment, before asking, “Would it be easier if I walked in with you?”
Shelly smiled as she said, “Yeah, that’d be great, actually.”
So, Vee slowly opened the door with her right hand, still holding Shelly’s hand with her left, and they both walked in. The first thing Vee did when they entered was turn the light on, hoping the light would differentiate it from the last time that Shelly was in here in her memories.
Luckily, it seemed to somewhat work, as Shelly was visibly calmer with the light on. Calm enough, in fact, to sit down on her bed without Vee in her immediate vicinity.
Vee walked around for a moment before grabbing Shelly’s light green jacket off a nearby shelf and handing it to her. “Here,” she said, “I believe Tisha just washed this.” Shelly put it on as Vee sat down next to her. They held each other's hands again and smiled.
Of course, it was hard for Shelly not to think about her recent near-death experience, but she knew that it would be okay.
She would be okay.
Shelly looked over at Vee, and then back down at her green jacket. She was liking the color more as of late.