Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I woke up with a massive headache. 

I probably should’ve seen this coming, since I had only been back in the Somewhere for a few days now, but my body still hadn’t adjusted back to its cyclical patterns of metabolism and sleep that it did not need to rely on during the quest into the Nowhere. To be honest, I hadn’t ate much in there besides some rations and the occasional fruit that Chet and I snacked on across the Nowhere’s fragments, and my stomach was growling for some algae fries. Sipping on the glass of water that Jorgen had left for me near my bed, I tried to gain clarity and get my bearings straight. 

It still felt surreal being back on the DDF’s Platform Prime, hovering above Detritus, which was now orbiting a completely new planet, which Jorgen said was named Evershore. Scud, that was gonna take some time to get used to. And Jorgen still hadn’t fully explained what I’ve missed, and how this came to be. Jorgen. I thought, I can’t believe I actually made it back to him. Back to my family, and to my friends. It had only been 6 weeks, M-Bot made sure to keep track, and it was confirmed by Jorgen after I arrived back. But I just needed to see them again. 

Checking the time and seeing it was mid-afternoon, I made the decision to leave and got up way too quickly. I had to lean on the cold metal walls of my old room for balance as my mind steadied itself, before exiting out into the expansive hallways of Platform Prime. My memories were safe now, but I felt a little bit out of place in these rooms and hallways, even though for the past year I’ve considered it my home. 

Walking down the metal-lined corridors, my body was full of nerves, waiting to be released once I saw my friends again. It had only been approximately 2 months, but here on Detritus things could change just as you established a routine. 

I turned a corner that led to the infamous cafeteria, and bumped into two familiar faces, that of my Skyward flight mates FM and Kimmalyn. “Spensa! It’s so good to see you, Jorgen told us you were back but that you needed to rest. I can’t believe you’re home again!” Kimmalyn beamed, embracing me in a hug which I returned, hugging her tightly. Scud, I missed her and FM so much. We’re finally together, once again. 

“I can say the same for you two, it’s been so long.” I replied, looking up at the two of them. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you all out with ReDawn, or what happened here to get to Evershore, but I’m glad you’re safe and alright.” I felt terrible, when I contacted Jorgen during my time in the Nowhere, I felt so lost not knowing what would happen to my friends, and everything regarding Alanik’s people and the Superiority. 

“Spin, you don’t have to worry about a single thing. You were out in the nowhere doing more than we ever could to save us, and that means more to us than you could ever imagine. You gave us the key to unlocking space travel, who knew those slugs were a huge key in saving us from the Superiority?” FM responded, her smile as radiant as I remembered it to be. 

“Actually, I was heading to the dining hall for some algae sticks, would you want to come? I think we have a lot to catch up on.” I asked, knowing they couldn’t resist informing me on all of the gossip I had missed during my time away. They locked arms with me on either side as we made our way to the cafeteria. I started zoning out as I gazed at the both of them. They looked the same, but they’ve gone through so much since I’ve been gone, I guess we all have in our own ways. I know my quest was important, but it still was discomforting feeling out of place back in the group where I first felt like I ever belonged. 

“Oh FM, you have to tell Spensa about you and Rig!” Kimmalyn squealed to the two girls next to her. “What?!” I exclaimed, stopping in place, right before clashing with the sliding doors in front of the Cafeteria.

“Oh, right. Well, while you were gone, Rig and I were assigned to deal with the Taynix together and everything, and well, you know we just, clicked?” FM half-heartedly smiled, giving off a wave of nervousness that I almost never felt from her. Was she nervous because of my past with Rig? “Seriously? I would’ve never believed he would actually act on his feelings towards you, finally!” After one too many conversations about FM to Rig, I’m glad it came to fruition. I tried convincing him to admit his feelings earlier, but although I’m all for diving headstrong into situations, Rig is more of a wait-and-see kind of guy. 

“Hold on, you knew that he liked me?” FM asked. “Yeah, he’s had a crush on you basically since we started as Cadets, back when we were fixing M-Bot in the cave by Alta.” I chuckled at her. I was so relieved that he finally made a move. Who am I kidding? It was probably her that did it. But to me, they were together and happy, and that’s all that mattered. 

“Speaking of relationships, how is Jorgen?” Kimmalyn asked me, with a knowing, sly grin. “We heard that you fell into his arms, quite an impressive move if I do say so myself” FM added on, as we sat onto our bench with our metal trays full of algae fries. How did they know? Were there new security cameras? Did I not notice them in the debriefing room?“What? I did not swoon into his arms! Who told you that? Was it Jorgen? I swear if it is he’s gonna rue the day-“ I exclaimed, raising my voice. 

“No, no Spensa, it wasn’t Jorgen who told us!” Kimmalyn interrupted and started giggling. I swear, it’s not that funny! But I couldn’t resist a smirk appearing on my face. “One of your space companions actually mentioned it to us. The little fox-gerbil, Hesho is his name, right?” Kimmalyn commented. After I nodded that she was indeed correct, she continued on. “While you were recovering, Jorgen invited FM and the others to meet with Hesho, especially after our adventure with the other Kitsen.” When did they meet the others? And were they safe, at least for now? Scud, I had a lot to catch up on. 

“He’s very charismatic, and he told us all about how you saved him from a Delver. You have to tell us more! C’mon!” Kimmalyn pressed. “You’re so good at stories Spin, if you feel comfortable, do you want to share any bits about your so-called ‘quest?’” FM asked me gently. I want to, but I don’t even know where to begin? “I don’t know, you two. Remember that night where I told you the story from my gran-gran about a hero in a far away galaxy with a laser sword?” Luke Skywalker. Such a cool name. “Except instead of having an old green frog hit me with a stick, I had a blue and yellow slug who just repeats what I say and an AI who was trying to figure out what emotions are.” I paused. 

M-Bot. I’m so, so sorry. I know I have to go back to him, and to check on Peg and the other pirates, but Detritus needs me. My people need me. “Spensa, are you okay? Do you need us to help you back to your room?” FM asked as she slowly waved her pale hand across my face, trying to rid me away from my thoughts. 

I didn’t have the time to say that I would be fine, as the sliding cafeteria doors opened to reveal a comforting face. Jorgen! I didn’t need to stand up, as he quickly strode across the sleek tiles and benches to where the three of us sat. “Hey FM, Kimmalyn, is it alright if I talk to Spensa, in private?” He asked with a tone that indicated his statement was less of a question and more of a command. “Of course. We understand.” FM and Kimmalyn responded, and they both gave me a goodbye hug and I promised to check in with them later. 

“Sorry to interrupt you, but I just needed to talk.” Jorgen told me, as we left the cafeteria and headed towards the Admiral’s office. Now, his office. Out of all things she came back to, Jorgen being promoted was the least surprising. He always had a knack for leadership, didn’t he? “No worries Jorgen, you came at a perfect time.” I smiled up at him, and interlaced our hands together. It felt surreal being able to be near him at last, and I wouldn’t take moments like these for granted any longer. 

Once we had entered his office, he let his aura of leadership crumble away as he grabbed my hands. In broken up sentences, he uttered “Spensa, I’m trying my best, I’ve wanted this position all of my life, and I love my people, but even with Alanik’s and your grandmother’s instruction, I just can’t be a Cytonic like you, or one that our people need me to be. I just don’t know what to do anymore. And I need your help, Spensa.” With slow tears falling and short breaths, I had never seen Jorgen look so afraid, so scared. I held out my arm and cupped the side of his face in my palm as I responded. “Jorgen, you know what my answer is. I will help you, and we will figure this out. Together.” 

Chapter Text

Two days after his plea, I walked down the sleek and streamlined hallways of Platform Prime to meet Jorgen in the Admiral’s office, his office. Wow, that’s still going to take time to get used to. After Jorgen asked for my help, I couldn’t find the power to say no. I was only gone for a few weeks, but things had drastically changed. While I was traipsing through dense jungle fragments and flying foreign ships, the Superiority had slaughtered dozens of officials from countless planets, including our own Detritus. Officials like Jorgen’s parents, Jeshua and Algernon Weight. Ever since then, Jorgen’s been teetering on an emotional cliff from the pressure of commanding the DDF and dealing with the trauma of losing people who were cherished. 

I know how that feels Jorgen, and it’s something that never goes away, no matter how much you try to forget. I never felt like I got closure with my father, as it wasn’t welcomed to grieve about a coward, a traitor. I thought about Jorgen, something I’ve been noticing myself doing more of lately. We were the only two known Cytonics on Detritus, not counting Gran-Gran, who is much too old to do any fighting. Not like I’d let her try anyways. 

Who else could teach him what he needs to know about who he is, about who we are? If my trip through the Nowhere has taught me anything, it’s that we’re something that nobody else could’ve ever imagined. When we go up against Winzik and the Superiority, they will need me, us. I thought. Alanik, Jorgen, myself, and the rest of the Cytonics across the vast Somewhere. We’re the ones destined to end the tyrannous reign of the Superiority, but that’s too much to think about now. It was time for the first lesson. 

“Hey, Spensa.” Jorgen greeted me as I entered the meeting room, with a soft smile spreading across his face. “Hey. Ready for what I have planned for you?” I said grinning back. “Ready as I’ll ever be, Spin.” He stated, clasping his hands together across his abdomen, staring expectantly me. “What do you have on the agenda today?” 

“Now hold on, before we even get started I need to see what you’ve learned before I can teach you new things. What exactly has Alanik taught you?” I asked, curious to know what the UrDail girl knew about cytonic powers. I had two weeks of experience impersonating her, and I still don’t know a clue about who she really is, and who I made her out to be back at Starsight. Now, she was off busy gathering her forces back on her home planet of ReDawn.

“Umm if I’m being honest, not much. I can communicate with you and her cytonically! But you already knew that..” Jorgen trailed off, and I could feel a sense of loss in his voice. “Well, that’s a start!” I responded, hoping to keep him from getting more downtrodden about this than he already was. “Are you sure I can do this Spensa? You’re out of this world, you can transport yourself anywhere you need to be or reach out and feel anybody, but I can barely sense anybody who isn’t cytonic, and I still struggle communicating with someone who is.” He told me, hesitation weighing heavily in his words. “When I asked you for help Spensa, I really meant it, you know? These people need me and I can’t just let them down, let us down.” Jorgen stepped towards the office’s wall and gazed out of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down on the horizon painted with a beautiful gradient of blue on the planet of Evershore. I walked up beside him, careful to put myself close but not touch. Jorgen and I were never really the touchy-feely types, were we?

I looked towards him, hoping to meet his gaze. “I know that Jorgen. Did you really think I would just let you figure this out on your own? I came back here to help our friends, to help our families! And most of all, I came back for you.” I exclaimed, stepping closer to him. “This isn’t going to be easy Jorgen, even I don’t know what I’m fully capable of. But every step we take, we’re going to do it together okay?” I told him, gazing up at his dark brown eyes, and slowly intertwining my hands with his, mine rough from adventure versus his smooth ones from always putting on lotion during one of his meticulous routines. “I know that Spensa, and there isn’t anyone else I’d rather do this with.” He gave me a faint, but genuine smile before our hands parted. 

“You ready for our first lesson? Let’s start with small steps. Where’s one of your slugs that you’ve been busy training so much?” I asked, as I smirked remembering what FM told me about her adventure with Rig and Jorgen training the wild Taynix. If we were going to test the basics of teleporting, we needed the bright blue and yellow slugs. I wasn’t going to dare risking the Delver’s attention so soon after what happened on the Solitary Shadow, especially since I had bonded with the delver that went by the name of Chet.

Just after I said that, Doomslug suddenly appeared by my side, fluting a greeting of “Slug!” “As much as I love and adore you Doomslug, I really need Jorgen’s right now. Can you bring him to us?” I asked as I squatted beside the loaf-sized Taynix. After what appeared to be a few moments, another Taynix appeared by Jorgen’s side. “Gill!” The slug softly replied. “Gill! Oh is it good to see you!” Jorgen gave a bright smile, and picked him up, holding him close to his chest, and then putting the slug on his shoulders. 

“Okay, now that we have your slug, try and grab my hand and teleport us to the hangar bay. That gives us plenty of space and room for error right? Not like you’ll have any.” I eagerly said, trying to encourage him. “You’re right.” He responds, just as Gill flutes out “Right!”. He gently grabs my hand and closed his eyes in thought. I stood patiently for a few moments, but nothing happened.

“Hey Jorgen? You know we’re still here right?” “Well I can obviously see that Spensa!” “Okay, okay! No need to get frustrated, it was just your first try!” I exclaimed. I know Jorgen’s used to being a natural, always been at the top of all his classes, so ready to take on anything, but this wasn’t going to be easy. It took me weeks after I first got to Alta base to even realize what I was experiencing, and I’ve spent months since then trying to hone any abilities I’ve figured out about myself. 

“Just breathe Jorgen, think about where you want to go. Don’t let anything else obstruct your vision. Close your eyes, and picture yourself standing at the bay, next to your ship. Tell Gill where you want to go, and we’ll get there.” I coaxed at him. “Ugh, I just can’t seem to do it! I was able to when I was in my ship, even during the heat of battle. Why can’t I do it now?” He cried out in frustration. “Jorgen you got this, just imagine the hangar!” I pushed him, squeezing our hands together. “Hangar!” Gill trilled, and before I could register what was happening, we popped in and out of the dark expanse of the Nowhere under the distracted Delver’s eyes and landed straight on top of some cargo crates on Platform Prime’s expansive hangar. 

“This isn’t what I meant to have happen when I was picturing the bay!” Jorgen exclaimed, as we grabbed each other tightly and tumbled down the crates onto the hard ground of the hangar bay. Scud, I was definitely gonna have some bruises. I thought to myself, as I winced trying to sit up from the unexpected fall. “Oh Spensa! Jorgen!” FM and Kimmalyn said with surprise at our unexpected appearance. “Did we interrupt something between the two of you?” FM questioned, looking at the small heap that was Jorgen and I on the floor. “And what’s Gill doing here?” FM asked, raising her eyebrow at the small blue and yellow slug sitting atop one of the metal crates.

“No, no! I promise it’s not what you think!” Jorgen exclaimed, as I simultaneously responded with “We were just training! Jorgen needs more work on teleporting with Taynix!” As we haphazardly got up from the steel floor, staring back at the wide-eyed faces of our friends and flightmates FM and Kimmalyn. “Okay, then we’ll leave you to train!” Kimmalyn winked at me, grabbing FM’s arm and leading her out the doors into the bustling center of the space station. 

I scoffed. “We’ll that’s embarrassing.” “Yeah, nothing like messing up a simple maneuver and ending up awkwardly in front of two of your flight crew. Not to mention that they’re some of the biggest gossips around this station.” Jorgen muttered, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, we haven’t even gone on a date and they’re already jumping to these conclusions about our relationship? Scud, I wish I could’ve seen their faces from our kiss before I left to Starsight!” My face turning pink from the thought of their reactions. 

“We’ve never actually been on an official date, have we?” Jorgen slowly turned around to face me. “Scud, I really am a terrible boyfriend!” He cried out. “Jorgen, don’t worry. We’ve been so caught up with stuff, I’ve been having to deal with Hesho and the Kitsen, and you with your admiral duties. I really don’t mind at all. Any time I spend with you means the world to me.” I smiled up at him. “And hey, we’re not the ordinary sort, are we? We set our own paths, and I say who cares?” 

“I care Spensa. Here, let me make it up to you. Tomorrow night at 18:00, meet me at my quarters. We’ll go on that date, I promise you.” Jorgen ended the sentence quietly, looking at me expectantly. “I would love to Jorgen,” I started to say, “But, only on the condition you teleport us out of here.” I said with a sly grin. We couldn’t end the lesson here and now, we had to finish it the way we wanted it to end, with Jorgen more confident on his first steps to controlling and understanding in his cytonic powers. 

I closed the space between us and looked up at him. With Gill upon the shoulder pads of his rich, dark blue Admiral’s uniform. “Jorgen, take me anywhere. Where do you see us? Home? Not like we’re technically here already. Back on Alta? Hopefully somewhere where people wouldn’t see us and make up more rumors. Flying in a Poco? Really hope it’s one of the two-manned ones. Last time we were squeezed in his ship was one time too many for me. Where do you see us Jorgen?” I quietly pleaded.  

“I know where.” He whispered. And with that, we were off, in the intangible space, beneath the vengeful yet quiet eyes, avoiding their gaze. Before we exited, I smiled at him, seeing him so relieved filled me with pride and joy. We ended back up in his quarters where I first awoke after passing out in his arms when I arrived back in the Somewhere a little less than a week ago. I smiled brightly and hugged him. “I did it Spensa, we did it!” He said quietly in my ear. See, Jorgen? You can do this, I can promise you that. “Wee!” Gill fluted lightly, and when Jorgen and I parted, I looked down to see Gill next to Doomslug on the coffee table. 

“Well congratulations Jerkface, you successfully completed the first part of our lessons. Don’t think that suddenly makes you a pro however.” I told him. Jorgen’s not one to gloat, but I still like to hang these things over him, in a good way of course. Before he could reply to my snarky comment, the alert sensor chimed with a ring, and there was also a knock at his door. “Admiral Weight sir? Your evening meeting starts in 15 minutes, sir.” A gruff voice called out from the hallway. “I’ll be right there!” Jorgen shouted back. 

“Well that’s my cue to leave, isn’t it?” I asked, scooping up Doomslug, as she trilled lightly. “Duty calls, and I have to answer.” Jorgen replied. “But I’ll see you tomorrow night, and I promise it’s going to be perfect.” He brushed back the front strands of my hair and bent down, kissing the top of my forehead. “I can’t wait.” I grinned. After we parted,  I made the mental image of my room and suddenly Doomslug and I were off. 

Once I landed safely back in my quarters, I gently set Doomslug down on her makeshift bed that I had cobbled up from some too-small garments of mine and fed her some mushrooms that I had requested earlier from the station’s dining services. She fluted happily, as I turned and headed towards my mirror. I grabbed my hairbrush and combed through the waves of my long auburn hair. I think it’s time to cut it. Surprise everyone like I usually do, right? I smiled, thinking about what Jorgen would say tomorrow night at our date. Our first date! I glanced up at myself in the mirror. 

“Well, here’s to new beginnings Doomslug.”