Marlos

"Together"

The first night in her new surroundings was quiet for Luna. Snuggled in a cozy dog bed Evie had quickly conjured to be extra comfortable, she slept soundly, the gentle scent of Evie and Jay nearby a comforting presence.

However, as the moon climbed high in the sky, casting long, silvery shadows across the Auradon campus, Luna stirred. A soft whimper escaped her tiny throat. The familiar warmth of Helios, the comforting weight of his small body beside her, was gone. She lifted her head, her warm brown eyes blinking in the darkness, a sense of unease settling within her.

The room was unfamiliar, the scents different. Though Evie and Jay were nearby, their breathing soft and even in their own beds, it wasn't the same. A primal instinct, a newly formed bond, tugged at her. She missed the playful nudges, the shared warmth, the comforting presence of the golden puppy who had appeared alongside her just that day.

With a soft whine, Luna pushed herself to her paws. The floor felt cool beneath her tiny pads. She padded silently across the room, her nose twitching, trying to catch a familiar scent. She nudged Evie's hand, which was dangling near the floor, but Evie only stirred slightly, murmuring in her sleep.

A stronger pull urged Luna towards the door. She whined again, a little louder this time, and then, driven by a growing sense of longing, she nudged the door with her nose. It wasn't fully latched, and with a soft click, it swung open just enough for her to slip through.

The hallway was dimly lit by the soft glow of the emergency lights. Luna, small and a little uncertain, trotted down the corridor, her tiny claws making soft tapping sounds on the polished floor. She followed the faint, lingering scent that clung to her – the magical essence that connected her to Helios and, by extension, to Carlos and Mal.

She reached their dorm room door and, just as she had with Evie and Jay's, nudged it gently. This door was also not fully latched, a habit born of their close-knit group. It swung inward, revealing the dimly lit room where Carlos and Mal slept peacefully, their figures a soft silhouette against the moonlight streaming through the window.

Luna hesitated at the threshold, her nose twitching, her ears perked. And then she saw him. A small, golden form curled up at the foot of Carlos and Mal's bed. Helios.

A joyful little bark escaped Luna's throat, a soft, happy sound that was quickly followed by a rush of tiny paws as she scampered into the room, her tail wagging furiously. She made a beeline for the bed, her mission accomplished. She had found her friend.

A joyful little bark escaped Luna's throat, a soft, happy sound that was quickly followed by a rush of tiny paws as she scampered into the room. She made a beeline for the bed, her mission accomplished. She had found her friend.

With a small leap, Luna landed softly on the mattress, her cream-colored fur a pale contrast to the darker bedding. She padded towards Helios, her tail wagging with gentle enthusiasm. Helios, sensing her approach, lifted his head, his golden eyes widening slightly as he recognized his new companion. He let out a soft whine of greeting, nudging her gently with his nose.

Luna responded in kind, snuggling close to Helios, her small body fitting perfectly beside his. She burrowed into the warmth of his golden fur, letting out a contented sigh. Helios, in turn, curled around her slightly, as if offering a protective embrace. Soon, they were nestled together once more, a small, adorable ball of cream and gold, their tiny bodies rising and falling in sync with their soft puppy breaths. The comfort they found in each other was palpable, a silent language of companionship and connection.

The first rays of dawn painted the Auradon sky with soft hues of pink and gold, filtering gently through the dorm room window. Inside, Carlos and Mal still slept peacefully, their bodies intertwined. At the foot of the bed, a heartwarming scene unfolded. Luna and Helios were curled together, a small ball of cream and gold, their soft puppy breaths creating a gentle rhythm. They were completely oblivious to the world around them, lost in the comfort and security of each other's presence.