Work Text:
The dictionary definition for a book club would be a group of people, generally small, who meet regularly to discuss one or multiple books read by the members. The meeting place is, of course, set by the members, although most people would imagine a room in a freezing library. A quiet place, in which its people with their luxury cloaks, soft pants, loafers, and kept hair would arrive with a book in their hands, and ideas to share. Since it is conflicting in people’s minds about the idea of communication and the library, they would be imagined as quietly closing the door once inside, and using comfortable chairs, or perhaps some sort of bean bags, to simply sit and continue with their reading. The silence and peers are the company of each other, by a soft light that would be enough to read the text, but not to overwhelm the eyes. Time would pass, and out of politeness, no one moves, and are probably dismissed by the first person who must go to attend their business.
Intellectuals would have the use of a book club not for the sole purpose of reading. Maybe a book club would be good to conduct research, debates, discussions, or to rest from the hardships that come with living the life of an intellectual. This meant that, without the library, the meet ups would vary between rooms or the house of the members, because the value of the information was considered superior to the place where such information was shared. Although it was thought that this among other elements related to society were exclusive to humans, a group of thinking beings, called toons, were able to mimic humankind by their own conditions. Toons were created with the use of an ink-like substance called Ichor, reminding many scholars of the definition given by Greek Mythology. However, there was only one place that produced them, and this place eventually shut down due to some factors. It is rumoured that the created beings are still living inside the building. For these poor beings, being trapped for years has been a real challenge, so, naturally, they had to rely on their existing groups. It is so amusing how these creatures, created by men, have the ability to think and act for themselves. Thus, some could conclude that Ichor is a great human achievement that would have been good to see more. And it is unfortunate to know about the incidents produced by it, which made the legality of the product to be still in debate.
However, while debates over the past are taking place, inside of what was once Gardenview Center, there remains a literary group that exists and properly functions. Brightney, the leader of this book club, going by the name of “Brightney’s Book Club,” is the toon who started with the idea. It is to imagine a desire to gather with other toons of deep intellectual capacities to read and discuss whatever they could. Stepping into her club meant to offer personal space to welcome others; this through a book, insight, and personal bedroom as a location for future meetings. The use of a bedroom for these meetings does not mean eroticism, but rather the use of a quiet place for ideas to flourish. Nonetheless, the main room used for everything was Brightney’s, as she is a woman full of occupations and limited time to rest. It is plausible to say that the book club served as her time to rest since conversations were limited, and it was permissible for other members to rest, translated into naps, mostly.
Brightney’s bedroom sometimes would be set on freezing temperatures, which made most of its members arrive with anything that could offer warmth. And they were reunited in what was some sort of triangle, each one with the use of a bean bag. Their bodies were molded into the soft cushion, embracing them in a way that was so relaxing it felt intimate. For instance, one of the members were the conjoined twins, Razzle and Dazzle. Dazzle was the most interested in the club, while Razzle would succumb by the feeling of the bean bag, easily falling asleep to it. The second member, Astro, depending on his tiredness, would either read or take a small nap. However, because of his timid persona, he would do so while pretending to read or having a book open over his head. Brightney, as the leader, always made sure not to fall asleep, although there were a few instances in which she could not help but to succumb to the weight of being overworked. Poor young woman. It was more difficult for her to pretend to be awake, as she was a nightlamp-inspired toon. This meant that she had a lightbulb built in her, and falling asleep meant for her light to turn off. Although another way to turn it off would be by removing the lightbulb herself. Nonetheless, with the first mentioned feature, it was obvious for the members to notice when Brightnet fell asleep, as the light irradiating the room would suddenly become a bit more obscure. But, of course, they would not say anything, as Razzle, Dazzle and Astro knew that Brightney was an overworked woman. Unfortunately, they were not the best at waking her up during book club, or even pretending at all to notice.
It was one of those cold days at Gardenview, where strangely enough, no toon had the responsibility to go down and work on the machines. Their job on said machines remains unknown even to most of them, and the few who know the reason have kept it to themselves. The nature of the free day meant that other regular daily tasks were not performed at a precise time, which meant that the toons had all the time to start and finish as late as they pleased without falling behind schedule. Brightney, on the other hand, saw this as a day of yeah, to not take personal people arriving late, but to also doing as much as she could during the day, this mostly to not fall behind her usual routine. This meant that she had already completed a variety of tasks before the book club. For instance, she visited Vee right after waking up from bed, which explained why her room was disheveled all day until book club. Then, she moved towards Rodger’s room to help organize his documentation, although it ended up with her just cleaning his room. Then, she walked towards the lobby to help in organizing supplies, and also took advantage of taking some spare lightbulbs and “double a” batteries. Between the supply organization and book club, there was a gap of free time she could enjoy, but her overachiever heart could not let her. Therefore, she volunteered herself to help Tisha finish up with the cleaning of the elevators, which was the principal reason for the day off.
As Brightney finally arrived at her bedroom, she did not miss a bit in cleaning. First making her bed, as she left it undone as she had woken up in a rush. The rest of the room was in the same state as the bed, but who is to blame? With the many responsibilities she had, it was impossible for her to keep the room neat. Taking supplies from the shared utility closet, she shook off the dust from overall surfaces, taking extra care with her wooden bookshelves. As the bookworm she is, she then proceeded to organize in such bookshelves all of her scattered books across the room. Then, it was time to sweep the floor, it is not an easy task to clean a carpet with a broom. For that task, she had to use her strength to be able to get such an enormous flat thing out from under her bed, for then to step outside from her bedroom to take care of it before returning it to its place. And again, perhaps almost all of her current energy was consumed from the task. And even with that tiredness, she still had to sweep through her room, as her focus on the carpet made her forget about the rest of the floor. After solving the floor issue, it was time to move her three bean bags to the center of the bedroom, aligning them in a triangular way, for them to proceed to take the cleaning items back to the utility closet.
Naturally, after all the tasks and the cleaning, Brightney was exhausted, but it did not mean she could stop. She did not want to see the book club as another task, although it certainly that is what it became. However, she dismissed the thought as she left her door open, waiting for the club members to arrive. In the process, she fixed her lamp head and stretched a bit, trying to get the fatigue out of her system. She inhaled, then exhaled, and proceeded to wait for the members of the club outside of her door. Razzle and Dazzle were the first to arrive, and, as usual, Razzle being the first in saluting.
“Hello, Brightney. Good to see you.” Razzle said in his characteristic excited voice.
“Hi…” Dazzle followed.
Brightney, with a smile on her face, adjusted their bean bag in the form of etiquette. Then, she looked at them to greet them back.
“Hi, Razzle and Dazzle.” She said in her soft voice, perhaps a mask of tiredness.
The conjoined twins looked at her with a soft smile, and gladly sat at the cushion.
“Let us wait a few more minutes for Astro.” Brightney said, adjusting her lamp head.
“Good idea,” Razzle and Dazzle said in unison.
It was common for Astro to come late to the meetings as he was one of the mains. Being a main toon meant more responsibilities, including helping with the decision on the management of the place.
Brightney, a little tired of waiting, walked towards the door, looking for any signal of Astro. As she did not see any, she leaned her back into the opened door, still waiting for him. Razzle and Dazzle, inside, they could not help but focus at the door with the curiosity of when Astro would appear. And that is how these people spent the next four to five minutes. Brightney, tired and a little annoyed, adjusted her posture and reached for the door handle to finally close the door and start with the meeting. However, a rushed voice detained her from closing.
“Wait!” Was this agitated voice saying.
This voice was absolutely recognizable by Brightney, definitively being Astro’s voice. Already with her tired face, she opened back the door and stayed outside, anticipating to see him running towards her bedroom, apologizing, then collapsing into the bean bag while heavily breathing. And it happened just like that. He stopped from running once he was close to the door, mainly to greet Brightney.
“Hi, Brightney…” Astro said while panting. “Sorry..” He added in what would be considered a soft murmur, something inaudible to her.
Then, as also predicted, he walked around the room before tossing himself into the bean bag, adjusting his weight against the cushion.
“Mhhh…” He murmured, as he let himself sink in further. A pleasant feeling for himself.
Brightney finally stepped inside and closed the door, the sound of the creaking filling the room. The club members, as a sign of respect, sat upright, waiting for her to start discussing the plans for today’s meeting. But, Brightney this time did not start with the usual, but with something else.
“Astro,” She started. “Do you mind if I ask you something?” She asked as politely as she could. She knew that Astro can be sensitive at times, but she really wanted to confirm her speculations.
As today was a free day, she suspected that the elevator cleanup was not the reason for the free day, but rather because, perhaps, today was one of those extensive meetings between the main toons. For her, it is important to know of those, as they are the ones taking the decisions behind what happens at the now closed Gardenview. She knew about the meetings because, a long time ago, what started as Brightney looking for one of Rodger’s documents ended with her eavesdropping a conversation that apparently was a whole meeting, this later confirmed by Vee. Of course, given the nature of Vee, she felt unable to ask of her if some of her ideas could be discussed in the meeting, but, with Astro confirming the meetings also, perhaps he could do the favor. Out of strategy, if this turned out to be true, she would ask him some other day, bringing the present conversation into that future.
Astro, to the fortune of Brightney, answered oblivious of the extensive river flowing on Brightney’s mind.
“Not at all, Brightney.” He shook his head softly. “Does it have to do with why am I la-”
“Yes!” Brightney cut off Astro by accident, too excited to ask him the question she always wanted to ask. “My apologies,” she tried to correct herself rapidly. “It has to do with your lateness.” It seemed as if all of the tiredness of Brightney went away in this instant.
Good enough, this part of the interaction made the rest of the conversation go smoothly.
“No worries,” Astro’s mouth curved slightly, “I was in a meeting of those us mains do. I should have asked to leave early.”
“No, Astro,” Brightney also shook her head, a bit energetic, “It is okay. I do not mind waiting for a couple of minutes.”
Finally, after this interaction, the group settled. Brightney started the meeting by introducing ideas of what would be the books they could read, given that the ones they are all reading are about to close. Then, Dazzle would step in to give the group the idea that before introducing new books, it is best for them to discuss the books each of them read, so they can compare and contrast between the different novel genres they have read. After that, it would be, then, a good idea to introduce the new book, new strategies and goals. For Astro, as a man who goes with the flow of things, accepted everything discussed between Brightney and Dazzle.
Eventually, each of the members finally sinked into their respective readings, and the atmosphere settled. Razzle fell asleep, Dazzle took control of their body to read his book. Astro decided not to sleep this time, and read his book at a rapid pace in the fear of not finishing his book by the time they would discuss the books. Brightney, however, had a bit of an unusual story that day. First, while she was reading the book, she started to notice that she would read the same lines on multiple occasions, or she would skip through two to three lines. Her first thought was to blame her lightbulb, as perhaps it is time to change it into a new one. Then, she noticed she would entirely stop reading to pay attention to her slow breathing. To this, Brightney shook her head and forced herself into reading. While turning the page, she felt the upper part of her eyes heavy, so she squeezed her eyes for a few seconds before continuing with the reading. Finally, Brightney succumbed to her tiredness.. She did not notice when everything went obscure, and all the sound she could hear was her own breathing, along with the feeling of her stomach rising and falling, her hands losing the grip of the book, and such a book falling a bit delicately in her lap.
A few minutes passed, perhaps, and the other members were immersed into their respective readings. Eventually, what would be distracting for the duo that were still awake were the flickering of Brightney’s light that eventually resulted in it turning it off. Dazzle looked at Astro, and vice versa. Today was one of those rare moments in which they looked at Brighney allowing herself to rest. In a silent agreement, both Astro and Dazzle resumed with their readings. As time passed, Astro looked at the clock, and noticed that the club was supposed to end twenty minutes ago, so he, using his magic, closed his book and set it aside to get up from the bean bag, so he could wake up Brightney. He, as the gentle man he is, sat down next to her bean bag, his movements and presence naturally quiet.
“Brightney…” Astro said, softly.
No response as expected.
“Brightney.” He raised his voice a bit to see if something would change. But again, she was probably deep at this time.
Astro was too timid to reach one of his hands and try to touch her with hopes of waking her up, so he stayed with his vocals.
“Brightney,” now with his regular tone, proceeded to call her name over and over again.
However, instead of waking up Brightney, he woke up Razzle.
“Hey there…” Said Razzle, first looking at his brother, followed by looking at the scene in front of him. “I can try waking her up if you would like… I do not mind at all.” Added Razzle to then yawn and stretch from the long nap he took.
“No.” Said Dazzle and Astro simultaneously.
Because of the loud nature of this ‘no,’ Brightney finally woke up.
“What? Yes! It is an interesting perspective,” Brightney immediately says, pretending automatically not to be asleep, adjusting her posture, head, and trying to reach her book with her hand before realizing it fell to the floor, given how fast she woke up.
“I got it…” Astro said calmly while reaching the book from the floor, then placing it in one of Brightney’s hands.
Brightney nodded to quietly say thank you, oblivious of the time.
“Hey there,” said Razzle, “we gotta go right now, Brightney. Thanks for everything,” he added as they got up.
“Thanks…” Added his brother a bit timid.
Because of this, Brightney’s first instinct was to look at the clock, and finally notice what time it was. She was ashamed of the meeting ending twenty minutes later than regular time, but she continued with the flow of the conversation.
“No, no… Thank you guys for coming,” Brightney said, trying to sound outgoing.
“I gotta go as well, Brightney.” Said Astro, then he slowly got up and walked towards where he left his book.
“No, rather, forgive me for keeping you and Dazzle for a bit of an extra time,” Brightney said, looking at the floor, still ashamed. When she felt the gaze of Astro, she slowly moved to look at him. “You know, I sometimes get carried away in my reading.”
“I know…” Said Astro with his warm voice, “I sometimes do too…”
Then, Astro proceeded to leave, using his magic to close the door behind him.
A few hours later, it was finally what the toons could perceive as night. Because of how long time has passed, it is unsure to know when it is daytime or nighttime. Of course, the entrance is the easiest way to tell because it had a part that had a glass ceiling. But because of a large tree and its abundant bushes, it was regarded as difficult to tell day from night. At this moment, there is nothing that the toons can really do, so it would be best to keep going.
Brightney was done for the day, though she did not want to admit she was late for sleeping again. Not giving great importance to the actual hour, she started accommodating her room once again, this time to make it comfortable to sleep. The first task was freeing space around the center of her room, she did not want to trip on anything once she is not able to see. Looking at the bean bags, she remembered how she first externalized her interest for main meetings. But something more embarrassing came to her mind, which is when fell asleep in the middle of the book club.
“Yes! It is an interesting perspective,” She mocked her own voice, then looked at the ground, embarrassed by the situation. “Why am I such an idiot?” She later murmured.
It is true that Brightney loves helping her fellow toons, meaning staying engaged in activities with them. For her to fall asleep meant a lack of respect for the toons who had humbly used a bit of their time to stay with her. It stung to think that she fell asleep at book club, but it stung even more the memory of holding them for over twenty minutes after the meeting was supposed to end. Brightney is supposed to be this bright woman, who can handle multiple tasks a day, and still manage to arrange time to check on her friends. But those instances in which she had started this abysmal indifference from her end brutally shattered her. She, as a result, cannot help but to blame herself for all of this, and this without considering her current increasing workload. To consider this fact was to put on excuses to abuse the kindness expressed by her friends, and she thinks she knows well they have their own issues without having to deal with her.
By this moment, Brightney was too immersed in her thoughts to continue with the cleaning. Eventually, she collapsed on the floor, feeling its coldness embrace her. Defeated, she closed her eyes, but what a mistake this was. By giving herself this freedom of resting thoughts, she also gave herself the fuel of thinking about her mistakes and embarrassing moments simultaneously.
“Shit…” Brightney started. “Idiot, idiot, idiot.” She repeated as moved a little, grabbing her lamp head with both of her hands, as if she tried to tear herself apart.
She would have continued this path of descent if it was not for the sound of someone knocking at the door. As Brightney breathed, she rapidly fixed her posture, first seating.
“Give me a moment!” She spoke clear enough for whoever was to hear.
As Brightney got up, she soon realized something. At no point prior to the knocking she heard footsteps, which hinted something. She had spent a long time in her brain. The reason for giving toons a fixed sleeping schedule does not only have the purpose of making sure they are well rested, but also for Astro to check in on them two hours after what the schedule dictates. Brightney, a woman who was constantly looking at the time, knew that she was pretty much screwed, but probably not because they were friends. As she finally got up and walked over, she thought to herself ‘we are friends anyways, what is the worst that could happen?’
Upon opening the door, her eyes were filled with the presence of Astro. Immediately, she was able to see through his tired features, the current soft glow he emitted, how his head would move from side to side discreetly, how he did not even paid attention towards holding his blanket the usual style, how his shorts were a little rolled up, and his legs were barely holding his posture. It was not the first time she had mentally described his posture, as she had dismissed it as making sure he is okay.
“Hi, Brightney,” Astro said softly, “I can see your glow is still radiant.”
“And still wishing to be as soft as you,” she replied, trying to follow the banter to the best of her ability.
“Shall I pass? If that is okay with you.” Astro asked, thinking about how common it has become for him to find her awake during sleeping hours. Of course he knows he still needs to check on the other toons, but the sight of Brightney raises on him the alarm of her overworked friend being rough to herself again. He does not mind a little delay in his task, as he can no longer ignore her current behavior.
It was unusual for Brightney to see this type of request, but since he was her friend, she trusted that he was going to say something quick about her staying up late, then to leave to attend the other toons. So, she completely opened her door and moved away, inviting Astro to pass.
The man nodded, and gladly moved through the door, inspecting every corner of the room, as he did not know the right words to start the conversation. He was not trying to reach perfection, that is never his goal. His true plans involve being effective enough for her friend to hear, and if not, just to be there for her. Astro kept walking, almost in circles, contemplating a bedroom that certainly revealed the current estate of Brightney. However, he was not a man that loved jumping into conclusion too quickly, so he finally stayed in a corner of her bedroom, along one of the bookshelves.
To the point of view of Brightney, seeing how Astro was taking his time, his footsteps were impossible to hear, and it was quite frightening. When she saw him settling in the corner, her smile started to fade away. She soon realized that Astro was not staying for just a couple of minutes, he, perhaps, was looking forward to talking about things… Especially the thing where she is not sleeping enough. So, she was planning herself to try and water down any long conversation. She did not want Astro to waste time on her, especially due to his current task.
Astro knows well which toons sleep on time, early from time, or, in her case, late. Of course, he was the toon that slept last. Due to the nature of his task, he would sleep at hours regular toons would not, and this would also be the explanation for him to almost always look exhausted. Letting him sleep at her club, perhaps, is just Brightney’s way of acknowledging his job. In the end, for the sake of others getting a good night's sleep, Astro might sacrifice his. He knows his responsibilities are targeted towards all of the toons, but how can he avoid, again, the sight of Brightney? Looking at her, at this moment, how her lamp head is barely in the right position, those fatigued eyes that are mostly pointing towards the floor, how the corner of those eyes have darkened over time. Her mouth looks dropped, something he clearly knows she hates doing, and by her tiredness, she probably has not noticed yet. He can feel how Brightney starts to mix her exhaustion with fear, as her right hand started to shake in the particular way he would look each time she felt she did something wrong. Of course, it is not good of him for trying to assume everything about her, he is not entitled to that. But his mind always lingers back to the thought of her, something it is not possible to ignore at times.
Soon, Astro realized that her shaking was a product of his silence, as he remained looking and thinking about her. So he shook his head, trying to clear his mind before delivering the message he intended to share.
“Brightney,” Astro began, “I have noticed that you-”
“That I have been staying up late and not taking care of my sleep.” Brightney interrupted him. Before he could speak, she continued, not realizing what she was doing. “And that you are checking on me because it is fundamental for us to maintain healthy sleeping patterns for the optimization of our tasks. That I must clear up my mind, and to try to breathe slowly or count sheep to keep myself relaxed.”
The room went silent after the final phrase, Astro talked and Brightney assumed. However, Astro did not give up on his initial thought, seeing her reaction as merely nervousness since he remained quiet for a long time before speaking.
“Brightney, I have noticed that you-” Astro repeated, just to be interrupted again.
“Do not, Astro.” Brightney raised her voice a bit. “Do not worry about me. I suggest that you simply finish your task.”
“Why would I?” Astro opened his blanket a bit, only using it to cover his shoulders, completely exposing his four limbs, who were open dramatically.
“You are expected to do so, just as I am expected to complete my tasks.” Brightney, by this point, noticed that her attempt to keep this brief has become something of brushing him away. Trying to not blame herself, she dismissed it as tough love.
Nonetheless, Astro decided to repeat his phrase once again, determined that Brightney would let him speak at some point.
“Brightney,” he cleared his throat, putting his hands behind his back, “I have noticed that you…” Astro gave time to be interrupted, but this time she was completely silent, so he continued, “... that you have been not taking care of yourself, even on free days.” He lowered his tone as well as his head, “I cannot help but worry about you, Brightney. I really do.”
Brightney stepped back a little, she knew what it meant for her not to try to interrupt him again. Now, she felt her body wanting to call for help, and for her voice to tell him how she has been feeling lately. Except that she was forcing herself into not giving him the burden. And, as a result, she limited herself to sitting on one of the bean bags, her gaze never separating from his, and replying with, “go on.”
Astro nodded, and continued talking.
“As said, Brightney. I have noticed how you do not grant yourself free time, and how you pretend to enjoy the hobbies you once loved.” He adjusted his position one more time, “but I would limit myself because my wish is not to invade you, nor fix you.”
Brightney stiffened a bit to the last sentence.
“You see,” Astro continued, “I have been thinking of helping you since the first time I noticed how little time you gave to yourself, declining your health. But I guess I was not brave enough to tell you how worried I am as your friend. Nothing to do with my tasks, really.” He stepped a little closer. “We all have expectations, Brightney. But if you ever need a shoulder to lean on, you know I will be here, and always will.”
Astro, due to his shyness, and because of wanting to finally give her space, wanted to leave after the speech. What stopped him from doing so was Brightney, who extended her right arm, signaling to stop him from walking.
“Astro…” Brightney spoke, her voice was already breaking, but she still wanted to hold on. “Come…” She asked, a bit timid. It was embarrassing to accept his help after the way she treated him earlier. Perhaps the way she treated him was not taking care of his time. And with this new request, she was definitively using more of his time.
Astro, of course, did not mind. He was rather glad, though surprised, that she would finally accept his help, and how it rapidly happened. So, in still control of his emotion, he came closer to sit next to the bean bag she was sitting on. He did not mind her floor being cold, it was rather soothing. After sitting, crossing his legs, he looked at her, but decided not to reach out yet. His eyes scanned her over and over, as if he were a devoted soldier waiting for the command to give his all.
Brightney, a bit hesitant, opened her arms for a moment, then she shifted her posture, letting her arms fall on her sides. She still felt guilty about how she treated him, she does not even know why she acted that way. How could she be mean to him? Astro, the toon that has been closest to her, the best friend she has ever had. She knew she could trust him, she really did. Perhaps it is a bit exaggerated to say that she loved him, or perhaps not. It will hurt to admit the second statement. After running around those thoughts, she dared to look at him, and she saw in him a gentle man, willing to give his all for those he cares about. She could no longer suppress the want to be held, to trust this weight she had with someone else. Whether a friendly activity, or something that transcended friendship, she knew she needed to be held. Perhaps this would soothe her overworked body, her overworked mind, and her overworked soul.
Brightney opened her arms one more time, inviting him to close the proximity between them, ending it in an embrace. Astro, who understood the request, fulfilled it. Soon, he moved through the floor, leaving his blanket behind on the floor, as all that existed in this moment was his troubled friend. After closing proximity, he used his four arms to hold her against him. The cushion, of course, was not of great help, but he managed to wrap his arms around the shaky body. Brightney shifted her posture, so she could rest her head against his chest. Her arms, eventually, found their way into Astro’s back, holding him tight, mostly so he could not see her face in the state they were in. She was on the verge of crying, even started to sniffle a bit. She trusted him, she just wanted to perhaps keep her face to herself at this time. Astro understood, so he just focused on using one of his left arms to draw circles around her arm. His right hand followed, giving a small massage to her back. The other two limbs stayed in place, securing the grip.
None of them talked, letting time go by. Eventually, Brightney let herself feel the burden of her expectations, making her small sniffles into whole, strong sobs. The right hand that was caressing her back, soon found its way to her lamp head, trying to give her a gentle touch to comfort her in her burden. That is all she needed, honestly.
Who cares about the level of relationship? Who set the rules? Is it imprudent for a friend to need this level of physical company to accept the troubles of life? Each of them had their troubles, each of them had to offer a different image. However, it was also true that those masks of life weighted tons in their backs, especially for Brightney. She had the luck to have someone like Astro, who willingly abandoned everything he was expected to do, just to comfort her. It is also true that Brightney has done this many times for other toons, free days, non-free days, it did not matter to her. And Astro, who is a caring friend, knew that just as she helped others, she also needed to be helped.
And so, after the sobs slowly quieted down, Brightney whispered an apology.
“Pardon me for all my rudeness…” She quietly said, referring to the many instances in which she was rude to him. Asking him confirmation on those meetings, then dismissing his presence.
Astro, even if she did not notice, shook his head. “Do not worry…” After taking a long pause, he continued, “you were overwhelmed, do not blame yourself.”
Brightney took a deep but shaky breath, closing her eyes, allowing her mind to solely focus on the task of breathing. Astro felt this with his body, and he felt this to be a secret she entrusted to him. For a moment, her troubles were eased, as if it was true that someone with just the gesture of a physical touch, could carry with them a bit of the weights of the troubled person. It was a weird peace she felt, but a peace she did not mind. Soon she realized she was finally letting herself rest, so she settled even more, searching for more comfort, and Astro was happy to give it to her. What the state of the relationship was did not matter, as said. All that really mattered was that they had each other at this moment, and that is something that no expectation would take from them.