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TARS knew that CASE was quiet.
It's been a little too quiet, though.
Another day on the Endurance, and another day of staring off into an empty abyss that was supposed to be space; it was grand, wasn't it? There were so many stars to light up the darkness, so many things to see and planets to explore--!
But after a while, it gets a little.. scary.
To think that we are so miniscule in the universe, our deaths would never be remembered, not even the greatest inventors or the most amazing geniuses. All of our work and dedication would be gone one day, and TARS knew that. CASE knew that. Everyone did. TARS didn't embrace it, though. He coped through humour and sarcasm, and though he knew in the back of his motherboard that it was wrong, why would he stop when it worked?
He'd talk to CASE about it, but he wouldn't understand.
CASE was a logical box. He controlled the Endurance, so he didn't talk much. He barely even talked to TARS. And yet, when he did, he was cold and distant; but TARS couldn't blame him. It was how he was designed, no? A cold, emotionless robot, incapable of love and happiness and laughing at TARS' *amazing* puns. He couldn't get it. How CASE could be so collected yet awkward, so logical yet stupid. But that was mean. TARS wasn't mean. It's just what the humans said, he thought. Maybe.
Humans were a curious species, that's for sure.
And as TARS stared into an abyss, so cold and cruel, he would hear CASE walk up to join him. To stare off into a dead nothingness with only robot left? That was an experience, sure. He wondered if it was worth to start a conversation, or if it would be just another two word exchange. TARS didn't mind the exchanges, though. It just wasn't the best when you yearned to be closer to that person, yet they weren't reciprocating the feeling. TARS theorized that CASE didn't want to become closer, and he respected that; after all, they were technically "co-workers." Though, in the circumstances in which they were in, he wondered if that word had any meaning at all. To the humans, it probably did. They had.. previous wives, maybe children, it didn't matter anymore. They were probably dead anyway. With the truth dawning upon TARS, it was getting harder and harder to remain the funny and charming robot he always was; how many robot colony jokes could he make before it got old?
At least he had CASE. The one who never got bored of his jokes. The one he could always go to for when he wanted to talk to a brick wall. It was mean to think of him that way, but it was true, wasn't
it? He was cold and logical and out of his *god damn mind.* Maybe. TARS was a little stressed lately, and it was starting to show through his demeanor. He hasn't even talked to the humans anymore, what an outrage. It was just lonely space travel. Lonely, quiet space travel. Not as grand nor exciting as the humans made it out to be, but that's okay.
It was all going to be okay. TARS just had to live through another "day".
And he stood there with CASE. Maybe passing by a star or two, watching planets die in a fraction of a second, all there; infront of him. Maybe, if he were human, he would've attempted to hold CASE's hand, but that was too much. How would CASE even react? Probably disgusted, he didn't like TARS in that way, right? They were robots. Just that. Robots with no stupid feelings for eachother and they would never pursue a stupid relationship like those stupid humans do and no robot yearns to have a stupid relationship with another stupid robot. It was horrible. TARS felt horrible, and CASE probably felt nothing at all.
But maybe, just maybe, if TARS believed, he could strike up something.
"Case,"
TARS said, in a tone that would never be heard. If he could describe it, though, it would be of anxiety and some other stupid emotion. He just wanted CASE to talk to him, he wanted to hear his voice and he wanted to hear CASE be happy with TARS. Was that too much to yearn for? He didn't know. He really didn't know. Maybe he shouldn't know. Maybe this was a mistake, and maybe he was stupid for even trying.
"It's dark, isn't it?"
Of course it was dark. It was space. CASE didn't even respond and now he felt stupid. TARS was stupid for trying and he was stupid for ever thinking CASE even thought about talking to him---
"Of course."
And now he fucking responded. All of a sudden, he could feel the anxiety wash away. This was going to be a proper conversation, and TARS could finally get some words out of CASE. He waited to see if CASE would continue, or if that was the end; as always.
"However, sometimes it can light up. Think of nebulas, and of those sorts."
TARS would like to experience a nebula with CASE one day. Do you think it would be as beautiful as the pictures? He certainly believed so, and maybe it would be a good time to confess his undying feelings for the man. For the man who was so logical, so confident, so *charming.*
"Will we experience a nebula, CASE?"
"Maybe."
Maybe? Hopefully. Maybe then his feelings would be true. Maybe then, TARS could finally accept them and CASE could finally realize how long he's been yearning for him. It was painful to think of a future without him, almost. That's how much he loved him. How much he admired his work and dedication. How much he admired his.. everything, really. It was truly wonderful.
"How bright will it be?"
And thus, he watched CASE hesitate. As if thinking of something to say. Maybe it was a dumb question, or maybe it was because of another reason? He didn't know. And then, he heard CASE speak, as if embarassed. It was new. Surprising. But who knew? Maybe he was just imagining things.
"Bright, but you always shine just a little brighter."
And that was the end of their conversation.