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“Captainnnn…” Mark whined. “Why do I have to share a room with him?”
“You’re both Co-Head Engineer. And we don’t have enough rooms for everybody. You’re lucky I put you both in the same load as me.” The Captain stated for what had to be at least the fifth time.
“But he hates me!”
“I can confirm that.” While Mark was up close and personal next to the captain like always, Mack sat back in a chair, spinning every now and then. “Captain, if you can’t even chose people who get along to spend time together, are you really that good at managing others?”
The captain had learned to just ignore Mack at this point. “You two need to work through your issues anyways. Consider it the closest thing to therapy we have.”
Mack scoffed at that. “I don’t need therapy…”
The captain checked their watch. “You two are out of time to complain. The shuttle to the new planet is leaving now.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Mark was the first to enter the room, giddily exploring like a toddler. His excitement stopped, however, when he looked over at the . . . sleeping situation. “Mack? There’s a problem…”
“What? Is there a bug in the corner?” Mack dryly replied, walking into the room as his face dropped. “…oh no.”
“Should we tell somebody?”
“How am I supposed to know?!”
“I was just asking!”
“This is all your fault!”
“How is there only being one bed my fault?!”
“I don’t know!”
The bed was king sized, at least. It was just small enough to where they would have to touch.
“I’m not sleeping next to a captain simp.”
“Well I’m not sleeping next to a Walmart version of myself!”
“Ouch, I’m so pained.” Mack rolled his eyes, dropping his stuff off in a corner.
“…I’m sorry.” Mark seemed… genuinely apologetic?
Sorry? He was… sorry? Mark realized it was sarcasm, right? Why did he have to be so nice? “Whatever… we’ll figure it out…” at least, Mack hoped they would figure it out.
~~~~~~~~~~
It was late at night when the two had finally gotten into night gear. The day was exhausting, endless paperwork for both of them. Mark wanted to curl up into a ball on the bed and Mack wanted to flip face first onto it. Neither of them did this, instead they both got in as if mirroring each other, slowly getting closer. And closer. And now they were touching. Mack desperately tried to look anywhere but Mark, feeling a tingly feeling rise up inside of him that he thought he had shoved deep down years ago. Meanwhile, Mark couldn’t help but look at Mack. Had he always been so… handsome? …wait, no, this is Mack we’re talking about. Mark tried to shoo away his own thoughts.
They stayed like that for a good ten minutes, Mack breaking the awkward silence with a, “I don’t think I can get to sleep…”
“Me neither… I wish I could help…”
“I don’t need your help,” Mack was quick to retort. He paused for a moment, as if debating what to say next. “But, hypothetically… what would you do to help?”
“Oh, nothing much, just..” Mark moved closer to Mack, running a hand through his hair. Mack almost instantly felt relaxed and it showed, if the way he melted into the touch was any consolation. It didn’t take him too long to fall asleep. He looked so cute asleep… Focus Mark!
Mark stopped messing with the other’s hair, instead just looking at him with a small smile. He was eventually able to relax as well, falling into a deep slumber.
About 30 minutes later, Mack stirred. “mmm…”
It had woken Mark up, his voice sleepy but tone annoyed. “What? What is it?”
Mack hadn’t stirred enough to be awake, it appeared, and Mark’s words hadn’t woke him either. Instead, Mack just pulled himself closer to Mark, cuddling up to him.
It made Mark feel warm and fuzzy inside. He cuddled back, after a good few seconds of debate.
Maybe sharing wasn’t so bad of an idea…