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How long has it been since his mind has been so quiet? Where the only sounds within it were the sounds of his own, labored breathing. The quiet hums the machinery around him as he just lies there. IVs were inserted into his arm and the pain numbed most of his body. Yet the pain he is in can’t compare to his happiness. He’s able to be himself again, something he took for granted, but now he can relish in it again. For years the only thing on his mind other than that parasite was his regrets. So many things he left unsaid when he left everything he held dear. Never said goodbye to his family, never told his friends how much they meant to him, and never told Astronaut Cookie how much he…. But now, he has a second chance. Once he gets back on Earthbread, he’s going to live life to the fullest. Take a break from being an astronaut and enjoy life on Earthbread again, but right now. He’s on the ship that houses the entire population of what was once Planet Xylitol, on a mission to find them a new home and find the rest of Astronuat’s crew. He’ll do what he can when he can. But right now, all that he can do is heal.
Though suddenly his eyes twitch as he turns his head to look at the door. He saw Astronaut's timid expression look upon him from the doorway. Checking up on him with worried eyes.
“Neo? Is that you?” the captain coughed, “Please, come in. I’ve missed you.”
She was never good at showing her emotions. It was something she always had trouble with ever since she was a small child. But even her brick wall of a face sometimes flutters. A single tear shed as a small smile crept its way on her face.
“I… missed you too.”
She left the doorway as it automatically shut behind her. Despite it happening so suddenly, the noise it produced was quieter than her footsteps. Making a quiet floosh noise as she shyly made her way over to him. When she made it across his bed, she couldn’t look him in the eye. Her nervous eyes darted to the corner of the room. It pained Calamari to see her this tense.
“Hey, I’m sorry if Galactic said or did anything to upset you,” he mumbled, “If it means anything, know that I didn’t mean any of it. Sorry that he used my tongue and my hands-,” he corrected himself, forgetting that Galactic took his arm with him, “hand to hurt you.”
She was quiet for a moment, “No, it’s not that,” she paused, “It’s just if I had known you were alive, suffering out there somewhere. I would have tried to find you. I didn’t mean to let you suffer. I’m sorry-”
“Don’t apologize,” he stopped her, “I didn’t want to be found. If I had things my way I would of been-” he glanced at her face, while it might be blank to some, he could tell she wasn't comfortable with this conversation.
“Sorry.”
He was trying to think of ways to lighten up the room. Just anything that wasn’t really about him. Then he thought of something.
“You know, I remembered something curious the AstroNuts told me,” he chuckled, “That apparently Jajang opened a Noodle restaurant. You know anything about that?”
Her rosy cheeks smiled, “Yeah, they told me about that too. That must have happened sometime after I went up here because I have no idea what that is. But knowing her, I bet it’s a part of her mission. I haven’t gotten the chance to ask her or Black Olive about it yet,” she perked up, “Oh yeah, they wanted me to tell you to get better soon. Jjajang said she’s happy to have you back. And Black Olive gives you his condolences.”
“It’s good to be back.” his chest burned as he spoke. His body ached, for it was tired. But, he didn’t mind it. As long as she was here speaking with him, he would gladly writhe in pain as long she was here. Her voice was so sweet, yet controlled. Confident, yet filled with love and care. He could listen to it all day.
He moved his body over to the opposite side of the bed and patted the space with longing eyes. The IV bags clinked and wiggled with the movement.
“Join me please,” he invited, “Only if you want to of course.”
Her eyes lit up. A fuzzy little blush grazed itself along her face. Then her eyes lost their spark a bit, “A-Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you with you being so fragile right now.”
His smile comforted her more than any words he could have said. His gentle eyes were back. The same ones that were always there for her back at college were staring back at her again. Not the twisted version of them like Galactic had or the ones that were drowning in sorrow in the few bits of Clarity that Calamari fought tooth and nail for. But the eyes that comforted her when she was stressing about exams, the ones that encouraged her to meet new people, the ones that stuck by her whenever she pulled allnighters. The ones that were waiting for her when she had too much to drink. The ones that were there for her when she needed him the most, staring back at her again. Oh, how she missed those eyes.
“I’ll be fine,” he grinned, “Space Candy said I should make a full recovery if I don’t do anything but lay in this bed. She never said anything about me not sharing it.”
She lowered herself and slid her way next to him. The bed was only made for one but with enough shimming from the both of them, they were able to figure things out and they got comfortable. The world around them just stopped as she looked into his eyes. They were so bright even despite his lack of health. And he stared back at her. Noticing how beautiful the stars in the sky complimented her. She was at home here. Thinking about how this whole situation, about how this ship with its various aliens in the middle of space with new planets everywhere, but all is doing is looking at him. Something about that thought of him having her full attention out here made him feel… special. His cheeks redden as her smile widens, even if for the smallest bit.
“Astronaut,” he interrupted, “There’s been something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.”
She cocked her head in curiosity, eagerly awaiting his response, “Yeah, go ahead.”
His heartbeat quickened, he always fantasized about what he would do if he ever got a chance to confess to her, though it was always with an undercurrent of impossibility and a parasite in his brain telling him he was stupid for even dreaming for this moment, but now he’s here. And he doesn’t know what to do. But, she can only say no, right?
“I-” the words escaped him, “I… love you,” a huge weight was lifted from his chest, “I loved you ever since college and every day in that escape pod and every day that I was a prisoner in my own mind there wasnt not a single moment that went by where I didn’t regret not telling you how I felt. I wanted so badly to make sure everyone in Earthbread was okay, and I don’t regret my decision a bit, but losing you was like losing a part of myself too. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner,” he stammered “Even if you don’t feel the same, please let me be your friend still. Seeing you smile is enough for me. I just don’t want to lose you again.”
That’s when she grabbed his shaky hand and brought it close to her face. Her grip was firm, yet kind. Her cheek was warm against his skin. This action only made his heart beat faster.
“Calamari, you don’t have to worry about that,” she reassured, “when you left, it was only then I realized I loved you too. When I was told you weren’t coming back, I couldn’t do much of anything. I just lay in bed as I cried over you. It was only with the support of my family and my friends that I found my way back on my feet. Though there was always a part of me that still missed you. I’m just happy to see you’re back, Captain. I love you too.”
His eyes watered as he pushed back his tears, His smile big and his cheeks puffy. She scoots closer as she envelopes him and a warm embrace. She kissed his cheek, drying the salty tears that formed there moments ago.
He chuckled as she pecked his cheeks, “Please, wait for me to walk again before we share our first kiss,” he asked, “ I would rather kiss you at a special place. You deserve a better first kiss with me than me sick in a hospitable bed.”
She giggled, “Of course, I will wait for you.”