Codie lays flat on her bed, sprawled out like a starfish as she makes a low groaning noise in the back of her throat, trying to make sense of her thoughts.

'So maybe I like the boys...or love? But-but maybe I just like the things they do? Like how Sun can make me laugh anytime anywhere...or how Moon helps me fall asleep, running his fingers through my hair...' Codie scrunches her nose.

'Or maybe that's just who they are! Affectionate. They'd have to be for being such good caretakers! But then I think about how they help with all my problems without wanting anything in return.'

Codie throws her arms into the air in frustration. 'Think about the things that you don't like! Like-like how Sun's stupid adorable smile makes me smile... Or Moon and his adorable tiny specks of freckles on his crescent side of his face.'

She groans again. "Ugh, I can't even think of stuff I don't like about them... Actually, the only thing that sucked was their overbearing nature, but even then! We communicated and they stopped being so anal about it!"

'Why do they have to be so perfect?! But what does this mean for me? It's not like they return my feelings. They would have told me if they did...right?' The ginger's face sours as she thinks back on Halloween night.

'And then Moon could like Chrissy...I mean, what the heck was all that about!? Chrissy should have told me she liked him...' Should she tell Chrissy about her feelings? Maybe not, because what if Chrissy really did like him? Codie wouldn't want to ruin her friendship with either of them.

'But Sun doesn't appear to like anyone like that. Maybe he isn't interested in the dating scene?' Codie rolls her eyes at herself. 'To be fair, I didn't think I was interested in the dating scene...'

'But...I like both of them...and if Chrissy likes Moon...I wouldn't want to date just Sun, I love them both evenly and...wait-is it even allowed to date more than one person??' Codie sits up at the realization. Maybe she's getting too far ahead of herself! Maybe dating more than one person is taboo, or-or illegal!

She quickly hops out of bed and boots up her computer. Her thighs stick to the cold leather of her computer chair but she ignores it, instead frantically clicking her left mouse button to wake it up faster.

When it comes online, she boots up her web browser and quickly types in: 'Can you date more than one person?' The immediate results take her by surprise. She reads each little answer in the drop down section before coming across a word- Polyamory.

She begins searching for that word, finding out what it means. "Huh..." Codie leans back in her chair. "So it has a word..." She frowns, continuing her research to clear her mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later in the day, Codie busies herself with work, thoughts still running wild but she's able to work swiftly regardless, making and sending out drinks without thinking about it. Shen works beside her, eyeing her periodically and wondering if he should speak up.

He decides he probably should now that the rush of customers they served are all done with. "Hey, Codie?" he tries.

"Hmm?" she hums, turning around to face the lanky boy.

He wrings his hands together on a rag, drying them and asking, "You doing okay? You've been awfully silent. I even said something about a new hero on Overwatch but I don't think you heard me."

Codie tilts her head and looks away sheepishly. "Ah, yeah sorry I've been a bit...spaced out. Just a lot on my mind I suppose." She gives him an awkward laugh so as to not worry him. This is one person she can't exactly tell her problems to as it'd only make things between them rough.

She doesn't want to upset him by finding out she likes two other guys so quickly after turning him down. Shen nods in understanding and goes back to cleaning some blenders. Grateful for him not prying, Codie turns to greet a customer when she hears the door chime.

Of course this customer turns out to be Jason of all people. Codie hasn't actually seen him since Sun saved her from his harassing comments from before. She was hoping he'd be too uncomfortable to come here if he knew animatronics would visit, but, alas.

As soon as he sees her, Jason gives a toothy grin and Codie almost swears she sees it shimmer in the light. She does her best to be professional, though, and gives him a smile, asking what he'd like.

"A couple of those new peppermint hot chocolates, Sweetheart." The ginger hides an eye roll and puts his order in the system. The door chimes again and of course, in walks Linda.

'Just my luck!' Codie groans to herself, dreading taking her order and dealing with both of them at the same time. Linda walks up next to Jason. "Did you place the order yet, Sweetie?"

'Sweetie?!' Codie shouts silently. 'No way, is Jason and Linda...together? No way Linda is way too old!' Codie opts in staying silent and listening to their conversation as she readies their hot cocoas.

"Yup! Placed it with my favorite barista." Codie can just see the smirk on his lips as he says that, earning yet another eye roll from her. What did she do to deserve his pervy fascination with her?

"Ugh," Linda sneers in response, "That's the girl you've been yapping about? You know she's..." Linda puts her hand on half her face, leaning in to whisper, "an advocate for the animatronics? She's the one that won the last meeting and got their rights." Linda scoffs as if the robot's existence offends her very being.

The two finally decide to take a seat near a window, making Codie unable to eavesdrop anymore. Though with the way they were talking about her, she's not sure she'd want to hear anymore. The girl sighs, applying chocolate whipped cream to finish their drinks.

She places them on the counter and calls out Jason's name. She makes sure to turn around and return to work before he can come up and take them, lest he says something to her again. While wiping the counter tops, Codie can't help but watch the two as they drink.

Shen walks out from the back, holding a mop and holding it out. "Hey, Codie, Lois needs you to mop the floor, it's been sticky all day." Codie takes it but furrows her eyebrows.

"Why's she asking me?"

With an annoyed smile, Shen jabs a thumb behind his shoulder. "Because I have to empty every trash can and then take out all of the trash."

"Oh, yeah no, I'll mop." Codie scurries out from behind the counter before Shen could trade jobs with her. She goes to the little side closet that holds the yellow mop bucket and takes it out. She fills it with water and dips her mop in.

Codie lets it drip for a moment and then smooshes it down onto the tiled floor. The ginger mops for awhile, taking solace in it for the time being, feeling as if she's on break. She takes a big huff when she finishes, looking back at work. Satisfied, she places a big 'Wet Floor' sign on the still wet part and heads back to the counter.

Codie quickly leaves the front unattended to return the mop when she hears a shrill scream. She drops the mop and runs back out, eyes wide and looking for what happened. She sees Jason standing up and taking his phone out and as Codie walks closer to the counter to peer over, she spots Linda on the floor, flat, and groaning in pain.

She rushes out and asks what happened and if Linda was okay. Jason sighs haughtily, holding his phone up with his wrist bent. "My Aunt! She slipped and fell on the wet floor!" He then looks down at his supposed Aunt, telling her, "Don't worry Linda, I'll call an ambulance!"

At this, Lois had come out from her office to see what all the commotion was about. She gasps at the sight of a customer on the ground and seemingly in pain. "Oh goodness! Are you alright! What happened!?" Lois helps the woman onto her feet, the latter moaning the whole way up.

"I-I slipped and fell on the wet floor! Your incompetent worker didn't put a sign up! Ow...I hurt my back!"

"W-well I'm sure there's no need to call anyone! We can settle this!" Lois tries to placate the woman.

Linda growls, shaking her head. She sits on the booth chair and continues holding her back. "Absolutely not! She-" Linda angrily points at the ginger as she stands to the side, trying not to shake, "didn't put down a sign and now I'm going to sue!"

At that, Codie does begin to shake. She knows she put a sign down. She's sure she did! A big yellow one right on top of the last place she mopped! At a visual cue from Linda, Jason begins dialing on his phone, somewhat dramatically.

Lois panics, pumping her hands down in an attempt to deescalate. "W-wait! I'm sure this is a mistake, surely you wouldn't want to sue your favorite coffee shop! Codie, dear, did you put a sign down after mopping like you're supposed to?"

Codie nods her head vigorously. "Y-yes! I did!"

Linda butts in, spitting, "You calling me a liar?!"

"N-no! Of course not!" Lois cries. She looks in between one of her best customers and her sweet worker.

"Either I call the police or you fire that inept worker!" Everyone goes silent after Linda's demand. Codie's heart pounds in her chest as she ponders what's going to happen next. Hands tied, Lois sighs and looks at the ginger.

"Codie...why don't you head home for now while I figure this all out."

"W-what? Am-am I fired?" Codie asks meekly.

Lois looks from Linda to Codie, nodding her head to the latter. "Just...just stay home for now and I'll give you a call later." Codie nods, avoiding eye contact with everyone and trudges to grab her things, refusing to let any tears fall before she's out of view of prying eyes.

She sniffles as she gathers her stuff up and removes her apron. She shoves it into her locker and shuts it. Instead of walking through the front doors, she takes the back, not wanting anyone to see her. She dodges view of Shen and makes it outside, scurrying to her car and making it inside.

She slumps in the driver seat. 'Did I really not put a sign down?' She smacks her head as if it'll help her remember better. 'May-maybe I didn't? But I thought I did! I-I remember going into the closet to grab it! I had trouble opening it before placing it down... Right?'

Codie slams her hands on the steering wheel a few times.. What is she going to tell the boys?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sun comes sauntering out of Codie's room, whistling, before approaching Moon on the living room couch. "Moonie~"

"What is it, Sun."

"What's poley-mory?"

Moon looks up from the T.V., unamused. "Sun, you're literally a walking computer, complete with wi-fi, look it up!"

The yellow jester puts his finger to his chin with a mischievous grin, "Yeah, but it's funner when you tell me."

"Maybe for you...where'd you see this word, anyways?"

"It was in the recently searched bar in the browser."

"On Codie's computer?"

"Yep! So what's it mean?"

Moon sighs and mutes the television, giving Sun his full attention. "What was it again? Spell it.."

"P-o-l-y-a-m-o-"

"WHAT?!"

"What? I wasn't done yet. R-Y."

Moon is standing now, eyes locked on to Sun's. "Yes, I know what the word is!! What, exactly, was searched with that word?!"

"Um, I think it was 'what is polyamory'.." Sun trails off, noticing Moon's blank stare. "Moon...Moonie? Earth to Moon? Well fine, if you won't tell me... " He huffs and turns around, resigning to just search it up for himself. His arms fall to his sides. "Oh... OH!"

Sun whirls back around, grabbing his brother by the shoulders and shaking him. "Gah!" Moon startles.

"Moon! Do you know what this means? Codie might actually like us back! Both of us!"

Moon splutters, putting his hands on top of Sunny's to try and stop the shaking. "It could mean anything!"

Sun glares at his brother, ever the pessimist. "Why else would she search that word?"

Moon's red eyes dart back and forth. "It could be-uh, maybe it could be between her and Shen and Chrissy! Who knows!"

Oh Sun could just smack his other half right about now. Wanting to believe anything other than the facts right in front of him. "You call me a fool but look at you now! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd be skeptical, but she searched it, Moon! P-o-l-y-a-m-o-r-y, the practice of engaging in multiple romantic relationships, with the consent of all the people involved." Sun rattles off the dictionary description.

Moon points at him. "You left out a part."

"IknowwhatIleftout! That's not the point!" Before the two could argue anymore, the front door swings open. In walks a depressed and disheveled Codie. Sun stands up straight, both bots surprised by her sudden presence. "O-oh! Sunbite! You're home early!" He claps his hands together, a smile plastered on his face.

Said Sunbite ignores their gazes and silently trudges to her room, squeaking out a, "Be right back."

The brothers share a look that could only say, 'This can't be good...'

Codie throws her bag onto her bed before flopping down face first. She groans and squeezes her eyes shut tight, willing the tears not to come out. She did enough crying in the car, thank you!

A light rap on the door alerts her. She covertly wipes her eyes, hoping they aren't red, before turning around. Sun, and a Moon in the background, has a knuckle against the door. "H-hey, Sunshine...since you're home so early...why don't Moon and I take you out for dinner tonight? I don't really feel like cooking. Too fidgety today, ha!"

Codie watches as Moon elbows Sun, seemingly hard but he doesn't flinch a bit at it. Though she doesn't really want to go out, she can't help but want the distraction. Maybe telling them she may have lost her job and might have to move back in with her parents won't be so bad if they're at an Olive Garden? Though, with the prices at that place... I wonder if they really do make people wash dishes if they can't pay for their meal... An involuntary shudder rips through her at the thought of touching dirty dishes, with left over food, that other people possibly spit back out onto their plate. Ugh! Let's not go there!!

"Um...sure." She stands up, gesturing her hands to shoo them out. "I need to get ready, though, so shoo." She makes sure her voice is light as to not tip them off.

Sun backs out of the doorway, allowing Codie to close the door. She takes a deep breath and goes to change her clothes.

"Dinner, Sunny?!" Moon throws his hands up as he watches Sun pick out a nice shirt from the closet.

Sun disregards Moon's question, asking, "Something's definitely off, right, Moonie? I'm not the only one who noticed?"

"No, of course not, but...dinner!?" Sun rolls his eyes.

"Moon, we can't keep walking around in circles, okay? This could be a sign! I believe she returns our feelings! Why don't you?" Moon sighs in defeat, sitting himself on the floor and tucking his knees.

"It's not that I don't want to, Sunny... I just want to protect us. We could be completely wrong and I don't want you to get hurt..."

Sun softens, sitting on the floor across from his other half. "We won't know until we try, brother. We're in this together, okay?" Moon stares at Sun's outstretched hand. He takes it and Sun picks himself and Moon up. Moon looks down, still unsure, when a knock at their door catches their attention.

Codie freshened up in the bathroom after changing clothes. She hopes she looks good for them. She tugs at her skirt before the door opens. Towering over her, Sun and Moon's eyes sparkle at the sight of her.

They gaze at her in awe, having never seen her in a skirt before. She walks away, feeling self-conscious. Realizing their mistake, the jesters catch up to her, apologizing. "You look wonderful, Starlight. Excuse our staring."

"Yes! So cutecutecute! Lovely skirt! So pretty!" Sunny rambles, fidgeting in place and unable to look away. Codie laughs, a red blush forming before she can look away.

"Um, so where are we going?" she asks as they walk down the steps. 'Hopefully somewhere cheap...' Codie worries to herself. 'I won't have much money for an actual restaurant.'

Sun glances off, forgetting about actually choosing a place to go eat.

"You really are a fool."

Sun huffs. "Shush! Help me pick a place!"

"She put on a skirt. You think she's expecting fancy?"

Sun hums as they enter the convertible. "Possibly...maybe...Olive Garden? That's fancy right? It certainly looks fancy on the T.V.!"

Moon agrees with a hum and the Sun starts to drive off. "Did I miss something between the two of you? Again?" Codie asks, leaning in from the back seat. "I swear you two go silent sometimes for no reason."

Moon faces her. "Sorry, Star. To answer your question, we decided to go to Olive Garden. Do you like that place?"

Codie wants to smack her face for jinxing it. "Yeah...I-I like Olive Garden..." She sits back into her seat. She doesn't want to tell them now, so she's going to have to deal with it and pay twenty some dollars for a single meal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After about ten minutes of waiting, a waitress shows them to their table. Unfortunately they were seated near some other parties, but thankfully there are no children around to dampen the mood.

Sun dramatically pulls out Codie's chair for her, earning a giggle as she sits down. After all are seated, they pick up their respective menus and start eyeing the meals. "So many choices!" Sun notes, especially eyeing a particularly delicious looking shrimp dish.

The same waitress returns to the trio's table and holds up her notepad. "Can I get drinks started for you guys?" she asks sweetly.

Sun points to the drink section, happily telling her, "I'll have a peach iced tea!" The waitress turns to Moon.

"I'll have..." His red eyes visibly switch back and forth between two options. "The raspberry lemonade."

When it comes Codie's turn, she stiffens up, trying to figure out if she wants something good or to save money. "Um...w-water?" she finalizes, though doesn't sound too sure. Both bots frown at the same time, confused.

"You don't have to get water, Star. Why don't you get some soda? Sunny won't say anything, right?" He makes a pointed look to his brother who fervently agrees.

"Right! Get whatever you want!"

Suddenly put in the spotlight, Codie shrinks in her seat, mumbling, "Well...uh, I don't..."

"I'll go put these in and don't worry, you can always change your mind and order something else, alright?" the waitress speaks up before shortly leaving.

"You okay, Sunshine? I thought for sure you'd go straight for the soda!" Sun worries.

"Ah, well, you know," Codie tries to sound light, "didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for a glass of something I can have at home, right? Haha..." She regrets saying anything at the looks both animatronics give her. Why do they look so diminished?

"Star," Moon starts, unrolling his cloth napkin and placing it in his lap, setting his silverware aside. "Money isn't an issue. Please, get whatever you'd like."

'Money isn't an issue? As in...they're paying? Why would they pay? Oh gosh...' Her thoughts fizzle out before she could spiral so she quickly responds with, "Wait, but, you guys don't have to pay for me?"

Sun just smiles at her, hand on his chin as he leans on his elbow that is placed on the table. Moon begins to wonder how he fell in love with someone so oblivious and adorable at the same time.

Since Sun isn't going to say anything, as he continues to stare at the positively glowing, even though visibly anxious, ginger, Moon figures he should. "Star, I'm going to say this once." He makes sure her green eyes bore into his own. "We asked you out. We are paying. Please don't worry about money. Get anything you want."

"Asked? Out?" she squeaks, heat going up her neck.

"To dinner, yes?" Moon keeps himself calm, knowing if Sun were to answer that question, he'd blow up in excitement about liking her and then possibly scaring her.

There is no way the two just randomly asked her out to dinner as soon as she realized her maybe possibly romantic feelings for them, right? Codie tries to reason and piece everything together. She's also attempting to avoid looking at Sun as he's creepily silent during this whole thing.

She needs to tell them before anything can continue. "Okay...but I have to tell you guys some news."

Moon and Sun nod, patiently letting her psych herself up before continuing. Both feel their wires tighten up in excitement and anxiety. Is she going to confess? Should they do it first?

"I uh...think I might have to move out...soon," she whispers the last part, dreading their reactions. They don't say anything, so to clarify, she adds, "To-to my parents'..."

This was the exact opposite of what the jesters were hoping for. Moon leans back in his chair in disbelief, his heart plummeting. Sun's left eye twitches as he fidgets in his seat. "What? Nonononono, you can't! Why would you say that!?"

Codie tears up again. "I think I was fired today. I don't have enough money to pay rent soon..." Moon can't help but feel his hope reignite within. 'She doesn't want to move out! Wait, why does she think she's fired?'

Moon sends some calming waves to Sun through their link as he leans towards Codie. "Why do you think you're fired? Tell us what happened."

"Right..." she mumbles, wringing her hands together. She proceeds to tell them what had occurred during work today, explaining why she came home so upset. The boys seethe at what they learn, wanting nothing more than to tell off the horrible people who did that to her.

They knew Linda was awful but they didn't know she could stoop this low. Moon takes hold of her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. "We are so sorry that happened, Starlight." Sun takes her other hand, agreeing with several head nods.

"But..." Sun whines, "What makes you think you have to move back to your parents?"

Codie withdraws her hands, eyes furrowed and mind muddled. "Be-because I might not have a job? I can't pay rent?" Sun laughs, a bright smile returning to his face.

"Sunshine! We've said it before! You needn't worry about finances with us! We can take care of it for as long as we live there!"

Codie shakes her head in fear, eyes wide. "What!? No! I can't just live there rent free! That wouldn't be fair!"

Moon waves his hand, tone bored, "You can go back to your little shopping job. You don't need a full time one." Codie looks surprised at the thought that Moon is on board with all of this. She splutters, unable to get any words to come out. "We care about you, Stardust, and we want to take care of you any way we can."

"Moonie is absolutely correct! Let us take care of you!" Sun grins, an unspoken 'let us love you' on the tip of his tongue. Before Codie could either agree or protest, the waitress returns with their drinks.

"Tea for you, lemonade for you, and a water for the young lady. Did we decide on what to eat?" The trio look around all abashed, realizing they never actually decided on what to eat.

Moon looks up with a sheepish grin, his sharp canine looking dark in the dim lighting. "We'll need a couple more minutes." The waitress nods, but before she can leave, Moon says, "But could we put in for a Pepsi?"

Codie hides her face when the waitress eyes her, a small smile on her lips. "Of course. And bread sticks will be right out as well."

Sun lifts his menu up, flapping it. "We can discuss this later! For now, we should enjoy our dinner!" Codie nods, eyeing the pastas. Sun stares her down. "Whatever you want, we mean it." The ginger nods meekly.

"Why is she so shy and cute? Why couldn't she have told us good news!"

Sun looks up from his menu to look at his brother. "Good news? That was! Well, besides her telling she likes us, but Moon! She gets to stay home with us all the time now! We could love up on her!"

"One, she hasn't agreed with that...yet. Two? Don't say it like that, it's weird..."

Sun grumbles, looking back down. Codie, as the boys bicker, struggles with her own thoughts.

And deciding on what to eat.

'I just can't...fathom why they want to do this for me...

You're so blind. They like you. That's why.

Yeah...I think I realize that now. And I love them! Both! I just need to say it! But how does one go about confessing? What if only one likes me? Or...' Codie shivers, '...neither likes me...'

She begins breathing faster, unknowingly working herself up.

"Wait, wait, wait! Shut up, what's wrong? What's happened?" Moon puts an end to their argument, noticing Codie.

"Huh? What?" Sun looks around obliviously.

"Darling?" Moon asks, reaching out to her. She perks up at the new nickname, her heart fluttering at the sound of it.

She takes a deep breath, avoiding eye contact. "Sorry...I-I don't feel so good..." She puts a hand over her mouth in fear that her churning stomach might cause problems.

"Maybe you need some food!" Sun frowns. "Oh my, you are looking a bit pale..." He puts a hand on her forehead, pouting at the slightly elevated temperature. His scans don't show anything of concern but before anything can happen, the waitress returns.

"A Pepsi for the lady!" She places a tall glass of carbonated liquid in front of Codie, a straw soon after. She then places a platter of bread sticks down. "And finally, bread sticks! Sorry for the wait! Did you three decide yet?"

The three look at each other, unsure if the other was ready. Surprisingly, Codie is the one to speak first. "I uh, I'll get the Tour of Italy."

The boys take her lead with Sun going next. "The shrimp scampi for me please!" He neatly folds his menu and sets it down, smoothing it over with his hands.

Lastly, Moon softly tells the Waitress, "I'll have the eggplant parmigiana, please..." The waitress writes their order down and leaves to put it in.

Codie clutches her grumbling stomach. She really hopes it's just the hunger that's making her feel ill.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Codie begins to think it wasn't just the hunger as her stomach feels even worse after eating almost an entire plate of food. She quietly excuses herself from the table to go to the bathroom. Upon entering, she chooses the first stall and sits on the toilet.

She begins doing the breathing techniques Moon has taught her. She needs to tell them, she has to. Especially if they want to be paying her rent like that. No one does that for just friends, right? That has to mean something, right?

She chews her too-short fingernails, biting into the skin. She's in love, so much so it's making her ill. In fact-

Codie whirls around, feeling the bile rise, and wretches into the toilet bowl below. She can't do it. Thinking about it more makes her spit more acid out. She refuses to look at what she had just eaten, flushing the toilet and wiping her mouth shakily.

What if she confesses and she was wrong? About everything? Sun is just being Sun; friendly, happy, caring. Moon is just being Moon; mysterious, teasing, caring. But the nicknames? They don't call anyone else by those names. 'You're their best friend, maybe that's why?'

The sweet gestures? The cuddling? The sleeping in the same bed at times for Pete's sake! All signs point to at least infatuation.

Codie knows she can't avoid this forever. She laughs dryly as she washes her hands.

Who would have thought falling in love with two animatronics would turn your life into such a mess?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I really wanted to confess tonight, Moonie...It felt like the right time..." Sun slumps on the bed with a sigh. Moon takes his tie off, hanging it back in their closet.

"Yeah..." Moon sighs, he thought they'd do it too. "Maybe it just wasn't the right time. She was really pale after coming back from the bathroom, though, so no point in overwhelming her."

"What about tomorrow? We'll have plenty of time together now since she's staying home from work until her boss calls!" Sun suggests, maybe a little too happy. Moon frowns, turning away and doesn't respond.

He thinks about Halloween night.

"You need to tell the poor girl." Chrissy had fallen behind to walk next to Moon and stepped up onto her tippy-toes, still not even reaching his neck, and whispered into his 'ear'.

"Huh?" He looked down into the girl's brown eyes, confused. "Tell her what?" Chrissy laughs, bending over and putting a hand on Moon's arm.

"Oh. You're serious?" She stands back up. "Uh-dude! You're so in love with her it's obvious! Sun, too, maybe? I'm not sure, he loves everyone..." Chrissy put a hand to her chin as she trailed off. Moon's eyes widened.

"What? No, I mean-yes! But I can't tell her. Sun, yes he likes her, too, and I don't even know if she likes us back! She gets overwhelmed easily, you know."

The noirette rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know, she gets like that at work sometimes." She glared up at the bot. "But you should see how she is about you two. Starstruck. I guarantee she's just as in love with you guys as you are with her."

Moon curled his lips in thought, not really seeing what she's talking about.

"I'm just saying! You or Sun need to confess!"

Chrissy had seemed so sure that Codie liked them back. He wants to confess so bad but the lingering thought of her not reciprocating is just too much for Moon to handle. Sun had planned to do it tonight for the both of them, knowing how uncertain Moon is, but then Codie got upset and ill and now they aren't sure when to do it.

But...dancing around each other like this can't be good for any of them. Moon takes a synthetic deep breath, fists clenched. Glancing back, he finds Sunny already asleep in bed.

He's going to tell her.

~~~~

Codie lays in bed, hands clenched on her blanket tightly as she squeezes her eyes shut. The queasiness hasn't gone away and it'll probably be there until she can get this off her chest.

Her door suddenly pushes open and she freezes. She slows her breathing to try and make whoever came in think she's asleep. Of course, since Moon can just scan and see that she isn't, he approaches her bed. He sits down, noticing the girl going still.

"Star..." He puts his hand on the lump. "Are you alright? I know you aren't asleep." Moon hears a long and deep sigh before the girl turns around. He removes his hand when she does so.

"No..." she whispers, pulling up her blanket so it covers her mouth. She knows he can still hear whatever she says, but it makes her feel safer. "I...I'm not sure what I am anymore..."

The lunar animatronic tilts his head, eyes creased with worry. The two stay silent for a moment, just staring into the other's eyes. Codie opens her mouth, then closes it. She repeats this a couple more times, the ever patient Moon giving her a soft smile in encouragement.

"I, um...I've been feeling sick...and strange lately?" she starts, voice soft and unsure. "My chest tightens up a lot and I get an icky feeling when Chrissy is near you. Your eyes make me feel safe and your voice makes me feel tingly inside. You make me laugh. Whenever I'm around you, I smile. Your touch makes my heart flutter and I never really knew why."

Moon watches her with lidded eyes, his fingers tapping behind him with anxiety.

"I've never really felt this way before... Not even when Shen asked me out, confessing his feelings to me. I didn't feel like I do now." Moon holds back a growl. He never knew that stick of a kid asked his Starlight out.

Probably a good thing, in hindsight.

"I think deep down I've always felt like this but never realized it until recently. It makes me physically ill trying to sort through my thoughts..." Codie laughs dryly, "As you could see back at dinner..." She sits up, keeping the blanket on her. "I don't know how to do any of this. And I...I'm saying all of this without even knowing if..." She takes a deep breath, "I love you...like, a-a lot, and I know I'm not good with this stuff but...I wanted to tell you and..." she blinks, not realizing her eyes had teared up.

Moon reaches out to her but she stops him.

"But I don't just like you, Moon... I like Sun too and I...I don't even know if you or him like me back or... And-and I can't just choose one of you..." Codie hiccups, furiously wiping her eyes, making them red and irritated. "I know you're brothers...and I feel awful-"

Moon grabs at her wrists, pulling them away from her face. She looks up at him, eyes puffy and red. "Hey...none of that now. Don't be sorry for feeling what you feel." The ginger sniffs loudly. "Starlight, you've made my wires tighten up at the sight of you for so long now. You can make me laugh and I smile when you enter the room. No other human has come close to making me feel the things I feel with you."

Moon blushes and looks away. "Chrissy apparently saw me wearing my heart on my sleeve. She told me how obvious Sun and I were back on Halloween. We just didn't know how to tell you. We care about you so, so much, Darling. We didn't want to overwhelm you...or scare you away. We could never tell how you felt so we stayed silent..."

Codie can feel her eyes tear up again. He...both of them liked her back for so long and she couldn't see it? Laughter bubbles up her throat. A half-sob half-cackle comes out as she throws herself into Moon's chest, linking her hands together around him and squeezing tightly.

She keeps laughing in disbelief, shaking her head. She's been so blind. So stupid for so long, missing what was in front of her this whole time. Moon chuckles lowly, running a hand through her hair as she gets it out of her system.

"You guys really-" she hiccups, "both like me back? Sun feels the same as you?" She lifts her head and looks into his red eyes. The sudden light stings but she doesn't look away. Moon grins, sharp teeth and all, and nods. Codie buries her face back into him happily.

Moon holds her tight, his entire being finally being able to relax.