Work Text:
It was hard to tell what time it was in space.
The lights dimmed, the other crewmates likely sleeping soundly in the cafeteria, sleeping bags blessing them with the bare minimum of comfort. It wasn't like MIRA had prepared beds for them (because of course they hadn't), so they had to make-do with what they had. Sounds of snoring could be heard from all the way across the ship.
In storage, Green was woefully mopping the floor once again, staring blankly down at a pink stain in Storage. It wasn't like they weren't appreciative of their job. I mean, of course they were! They got to spend time with the captain, eat pizza crusts, and hopefully make their way up the corporate ladder! However, they would be lying if they said the job didn't come with it's downsides. They frequently got stuck with working during the night, leading the poor crewmate to get barely any rest. Not to mention the amount of work that the others thrust upon them on a moment's notice. But it's not like there was anything they could really do about it, especially not in the middle of a space mission, so they just sucked it up and continued to work.
Their musings were interrupted by someone clearing their throat, and a cheerful voice from behind them that caused Green to flinch.
"Hey there! What 'cha doing up so late?"
Green instinctively let out a startled yelp as they turned to face the other crewmate. White, of course it was. Green wanted to be on good terms with everybody, but White made the other crewmate feel like they were constantly on trial for some reason. "Oh, uh-! Hey there, White! I'm just, y'know... mopping up... as usual..." They mumble, voice going quieter as they continue, realising how pathetic that sounded to someone as rich as White.
The other crewmate simply let out a scoff, eyeing Green's mop with barely-concealed judgement. The wine glass that they carried sloshed around as they shook it lightly, a small act of mockery. "Mmhm, and isn't that good for you? I sense an entrepreneur in the making!" White paused for a minute, as if thinking how to sell their proposal: "Y'know... Once this trip is over, you could come and work for me! I'll pay ya way better than the scraps they're giving you here!" A lie, a bold one, but one that would no doubt entice the younger crewmate.
Green's visor seems to almost sparkle with naïve hope. "Wow, really!? That's amazing!".
Green stopped for a moment, thinking over the proposition more deeply, but before they could they could continue, White interjected over them "Awesome! Great! No need to overthink it-!"
Another interjection, this time from Green: "-But I really like my job here! Everyone's been so nice, and I can't throw away everything my town saved up for! I'm sorry, White, but I'm going to have to reject your offer. I can't throw away my dream to become a captain for you."
White visibly stiffened, someone talking back to them? It was impossible to comprehend in their mind. There had to be some rule against that! They're rich, so they should get everything they want! It's simple math! After a few moments of uncharacteristic silence, White took their wine glass...
And dumped all of the contents onto the floor, red staining the surface that Green had just mopped. "Here! Since you so clearly love being an unpaid intern, why don't you be a good servant and clean up this mess, hm?" they ordered, tilting their head mockingly.
Green simply stared at White, visor wide with disbelief. Did they really just do that? Sure, they wouldn't say that they were best friends or anything like that, but the open hostility from the other was something that they hadn't seen coming at all, and from a job rejection, of all things? White could hire anyone they wanted, so why was Green's refusal what sent them over the edge? They didn't have time to think any further as they stared into White's intimidating expression, grabbing the mop and beginning to wipe up the mess. 'Just think of the future, just think of the future...' they repeated to themselves as they worked.
White watched as Green cleaned up their mess, forcing their hostile expression to soften into a more friendly one, acting like they didn't just purposefully humiliate the poor unpaid intern. One thing they missed about home? Someone who would clean up all their messes, just like Green did. "Haha, woah! Sorry about that! Guess I'm just feeling extra feisty today!"
If Green had lips, they would be biting them right now. They wanted to say something about how unfair it was, how mean and petty the other crewmate was being, how they were going to tell the others, but... Oh, what's the use? Who would people believe? The rich, well-liked crewmate? Or the intern nobody talks to unless they need something? "I...it's fine, don't worry about it. It's what I'm here for, after all...!" They exclaimed, but it was weak, and the other could tell.
"You know, your whole 'internship' thing? It's cute, but I do think... You would be so much better off with me by your side. You could move into my mansion! My butlers could attend to your every desire! I have power, money, fame! Everything you could ever want! You are missing out!" White practically pleaded.
Green sighed, looking up at White, "Wait, but... what would my job be, then?"
White laughed, as if that was the funniest yet stupidest thing they've heard in weeks. "That's the best part! Absolutely nothing! Rich people don't work! We just let everyone else do the work and take credit for it later! I'm just trying to make you see how much better your life would be if you stayed with me, and not this... tacky ship."
Green rubbed their temple, as if actually considering the other's offer. "Look, that's... That's a very sweet offer of you, and I really don't mean to offend you! I just... It's always been my dream to be a captain, y'know? Explore the galaxy, do all sorts of cool things! I want to earn my place! I don't want a life of luxury to just... be handed to me. So I'm sorry, but it's a no."
White lets out an irritated scoff, looking at the other judgementally. They would like to push more, to continue to boast about how awesome a life with them would be, but it looks like the other crewmate had already made up their mind, and clearly wasn't going to budge anytime soon. "I still think it's a stupid decision, frankly," they chuckled nervously, "but fine, if you're gonna be like that, then be like that. Besides, it'll only be a matter of time before I catch your heart..." They added that last part as a murmur, just barely loud enough so that only Green could hear.
"Uh- I'm sorry, did I mishear something? What did you say?" Green tilted their head in confusion.
White stifled another laugh. If they could smirk, it would be so smug right about now. "Don't be shy, little intern. I know how you feel about me, don't even try to hide it... Well, it's only natural, because of my natural good looks and stunning personality and basically everything else about me! I knew it'd only be a matter of time before you'd confess your love to me." They stare at Green, expecting them to do just that.
Their words cause Green to stammer, cheeks going pink in a moment of embarrassment. "Uhm, well-! I think you've misread something- I don't really-"
"Hushhh, hush!" White places a finger onto where Green's mouth would be, shushing them. "You don't have to lie to me, little intern. I know your secret, but don't worry, I won't tell anyone about our little... relationship."
"Uhm..." Green stood there, frozen. They were too nervous to say anything. Sure, they liked White well enough, but they didn't know if they liked them like that. Besides, after the stunt they pulled earlier? Well, it was a pretty bold move, to say the least.
"Ah, overwhelmed by someone as rich as me taking interest in... how would you say it ... someone as... financially challenged as you? Don't worry, happens all the time, I can tell you're absolutely ecstatic, I'm really good at reading people." White boasts, putting a disjointed hand around Green's waist. The mop in Green's hands dropped to the floor in shock, stain from the wine still half-visible on the storage floor.
They begin to leave storage, heading to the cafeteria. White continues to boast about themselves as their grip on the other's waist only tightens. On the way there, they were making outlandish and nonsensical promises about how they'd pamper Green in ways that only millionaires would be able to, constantly emphasising all of their own good traits (which are, according to White, 'everything about them'), and babbling on about some podcast they've gotten into recently. It was a supposedly short walk, but White had the tendency to make two minutes with them feel like two hours.
"White...WHITE!"
White turned around as Green snapped. Their shout luckily wasn't loud enough to wake the others, but there was a still a sense of panic behind it. "I-i'm sorry for my language, but this is absurd! I-i mean, I never even said if I loved you or not! You can't just force me to do this for you-!" Their voice was shaky, pleading for White to just slow down and listen to them for once.
As they processed their words, White could only stare into Green's visor, conflicting thoughts rising in their head. White briefly looked over at the gang of crewmates wrapped in their sleeping bags. Once they find everyone is asleep, they begin to talk. "...But I thought you liked me." Their voice is quieter, different from the White that's usually so arrogant and shallow. "Well, I can't be wrong! I mean, that would be ridiculous, right? You like me, I know you do!"
A brief pause.
"...Do you?"
Green looked at them in shock, this vulnerability, just the two of them...It was unexpected of them, but Green seemed to soften as White's voice quiets slightly. "Yes? No? I..I don't know, alright!? I mean, you're my friend, but... I never considered us anything more than that, so, I...It's... A maybe? I think? ...Can we talk about this tomorrow?"
White huffed, they would very much rather prefer the answer now, but seeing Green's soft expression like this made them feel especially weak. "...Fine, in the morning. But you better have an answer for me then!" they said it cheerfully, putting the mask of their carefree nature back on, but Green perceived it as vaguely threatening, like something bad would happen if they didn't have an answer, or even if it just wasn't the answer they were hoping for.
Without another word, White buries themselves in their sleeping bag. It was hardly comfortable, they quite literally gagged when they saw that this was what the crewmates had to sleep in. But for once, they couldn't find the energy to make some sort of snarky remark.
Green shortly nestles themselves in their own sleeping bag in return, making it a point to turn their bag away from White, setting some distance between the two. They didn't know if they would have the answer they wanted to hear. The prospect of being with White sounded nice, but they didn't just want to be their doormat either. 'Well, that can wait until morning.' they thought to themselves, the tiredness catching up to them quickly.
"...Goodnight, Green!" White's voice, but it was a cheerful whisper now. Green sighed before returning the statement.
"...Goodnight, White... yawn..."