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Swoon!
Blue gets that a lot. No, really, a lot. They are so used to hearing this word fall from their crewmates' lips it became a natural occurrence. The doctor didn't mind. If anything, their charming personality and the power to persuade were quite powerful weapons, especially in Blue's field of work. It took almost no effort to comfort a patient after a serious procedure or reassure them before taking a scan.
Blue would be lying if they said their crewmates' attention didn't flatter them. Endless compliments, gratitude for their service, sometimes even gifts – who would say no to that? It seemed like everyone had got an eye (a visor?) on the kind, dependable medic.
And that is exactly why the predicament Blue had found themself in made no fricking sense.
Blue felt like a fish out of water. Seriously, this was getting ridiculous. They could have anyone on that godforsaken ship but the one they truly wanted. How very ironic. It's like the fate was openly laughing at them, playing a cruel game with their heart. Unfortunately, no part of that game was amusing, because for the first time in their life Blue was the one to fall head over heels for someone. And that someone wasn't paying them even half as much attention the other crewmates were. Unbelievable!
Blue knew Lime was a loner, a stubborn one at that. The engineer spent all their time in the vents, climbing out only to take a single slice of pizza before disappearing back into the vents again, muttering conspiracy theories on their way. But even so, during the short time they had spent together Blue knew they found the one: bold, strong, someone with unshakeable principles, truly a master of their craft when it came to fixing the ship's reactor or a simple clock on a wall. How the others were so clueless about Lime's alluring character traits was a real mystery for the Skeld's doctor. Nevertheless, they were grateful not to have any competition.
The plan was simple: win Lime over with smooth lines and impeccable looks. Blue was sure it'd be a piece of cake, considering the fact that they already had everyone else under their spell. Really, how difficult could it be? Surely Lime wouldn't say no to Blue's advances.
Unfortunately, it wasn't as simple as they thought. Blue really didn't know what they had gotten themself into. They didn't know what was worse, the fact that their natural charm was powerless against the grumpy engineer's clueless personality or the fact that Blue liked it. Lime was making them feel like a real person, not an object, and now the medic was quickly entering a neverending cycle of trying to flirt, getting rejected, and falling in love even harder than the first time they faced each other. Could it get any worse than this?!
Sigh. No matter. If words and looks couldn't sweep Lime off their feet, Blue had just one more trick up their metaphorical sleeve.
"Alright then," Blue fixed the tie around their neck as they turned to face the vent's opening, "it seems like the time has come for desperate measures."
—
Blue figured there weren't many of those who tried talking to Lime willingly. Most of the time they were on their own, minding their own business in the vents. Maybe Lime liked it that way, but Blue decided it would be beneficial to try to understand the hermit.
They didn't know what they were thinking. It was probably the worst idea Blue had in a while, barging into your friend's space without any invitation, but hey! That was solely for researching purposes. If Blue got more information about Lime this way, then maybe it was worth a stained medical coat and a few bruises on their knees. Studying the vent's layout before going was a smart move, considering the amount of twists and turns it had. Maybe if Blue found Lime in there, the latter would realize that there is actually someone who is willing to risk their comfort zone for a chance to create a special bond between the two. They could spend some long-awaited quality time together. That would be nice.
Blue didn't have the same flexibility Lime had, but they were careful enough not to get stuck. They took a few turns to the left, reaching the part of the vent that looked a bit more spacious in comparison to the rest of it.
"It must be the place where Lime spends most of their time," Blue mused out loud as they stood up straight, letting out a sigh of relief.
There was no Lime in sight, but the doc still decided to take a good look around, curiosity taking them over. There were used candles on the floor, some water supplies, and... a wrench tied to a toothbrush – the objects resembling a cross. Huh.
"Fascinating," Blue whispered, their interest unfeigned as they examined the handmade cross in their hands. It was probably some kind of a tool to scare off those aliens Lime kept mentioning. Blue saved the thought for later. It would be an exciting topic to discuss with the engineer over a cup of tea and Yellow and Brown's delicious pizza once they find them.
Blue continued their journey deeper into the vents despite the growing ache in their limbs. Damn, how did Lime do this on a daily basis? Maybe they could share some yoga lessons with the doc. Another date idea.
Blue's train of thought broke as soon as they realized they weren't making any progress anymore after taking a turn to a particularly tight area. The doctor tried moving their legs, but to no avail. They were squeezed tightly between the vent's walls, preventing Blue from moving any farther.
Well, that was unfortunate.
—
Cutting their hand wasn't on Lime's list for today. Purple called them to check on the Skeld's engine, just in case they bump into an asteroid again. As if this day couldn't get any worse, the only person who could help with treating their hand – the infamous charming doctor named Blue – was missing. Just great.
Lime was really running out of patience at this point. They searched the whole Skeld and found nothing, as if the doctor vanished without a trace.
Entering the medbay for seemingly the millionth time this evening, Lime groaned as they looked inside the still empty room.
"I'm startin' to get real mad here, doc," Lime tapped their foot impatiently before a dull sound of a very familiar voice caught their attention.
"Lime?"
"Blue?" Lime did a quick double check of the medbay before finally looking down at the vent's entrance. It was open. Lime wasted no time to run towards it, taking a look. "What the- how did ya get in there? What are ya even doing down there? Wait, no, don't tell me. Did those alien assholes try to get ya?"
"No, I, ah," Blue's voice carried a hint of embarrassment. "It's my fault. You see, I was just trying to, well... I was trying-"
"What?" Lime shouted down the vent, trying to make out the words Blue was saying.
"I'm stuck!" Blue snapped, trying to be as loud as they could. "I can't move my legs. I can't get out!"
"Don't worry! I'll get ya in no time, hold on, big guy!" Lime jumped into the vent swiftly, following Blue's voice. After a few turns the engineer noticed a flicker of a visor in the distance.
Blue's visor widened with joy as soon as Lime came into view. "Oh, you have no idea how glad I am to see you, dear Lime."
"There's no time for that mushy stuff, grab on!"
The medic grabbed onto Lime's hand, and the latter pulled. Blue grunted, their visor squeezing in slight pain.
"Almost there- gotcha!"
With a loud pop! the blue doctor was released from the confines of the vent's tight walls.
—
It's been a hot minute after the rescue. The two got much needed medical attention, but Lime didn't want to leave the medbay just yet.
"No, seriously, how did ya even end up there?" Lime asked again, their visor blinking in confusion. "It's not every day I get guests. Ya shoulda at least warned me or somethin'."
Blue's back was turned to Lime as they closed the first aid kit with a sigh. "Would you believe me if I said I really just wanted to visit you?"
Lime laughed, their short body shaking with amusement.
When the silence set again, it dawned on the engineer that Blue wasn't laughing.
"Oh. Um. Ya serious," Lime scratched the back of their head awkwardly. Well, damn. Was the local hottie really willing to spend a whole day in a dirty vent just to see them? The realization made them feel a certain way. Butterflies in their stomach and everything. "Why would ya waste your time like that? Coulda just asked me to meet you up here."
"You see, Lime," Blue started patiently, taking a seat beside their friend on a hospital bed, "I wanted to get to know you better. The things you like, your passions, how you like your surroundings. I admit, I was a coward to have not asked you personally. I went behind your back and ended up making a complete fool of myself. For that I'm sorry."
Lime blinked, staring at the person in front of them. That amazing, kind person who actually treated them like someone important. Someone who was worth their time.
"Blue, that's-"
"Also, I've been flirting with you for the past four weeks and two days."
Huh. What.
"What," the engineer voiced their exact thoughts.
"You heard right."
The silence filled the room again. There was tension, so much tension. Lime almost squeaked when they suddenly felt Blue's hands tighten around theirs.
It's almost like the dam was finally broken.
"Lime, you are truly one of a kind," the engineer's heart fluttered, beating loudly in their chest. No, wait, this is too much- "You are the smartest, most capable person on this ship. No one can compare to your beauty," Their smooth voice, it's gonna drive me crazy- "I've had my sights on you for quite a while now, darling. Now I must ask you, Lime, would you grant me permission to take you out on a-"
Swoon!
"BAH!" Lime jumped off the hospital bed, their suit quickly turning various shades of red. "Swoon, swoon, swoon! Curse you, hot doctor, curse you! Fine, whatever! Tomorrow evening or somethin'! Just stop talkin'!"
Blue didn't even have time to process any of Lime's words before the engineer dashed out the medbay.
The doc blinked a few times, their breath hitching at the realization. They really did it. It's a date.
Blue's visor fogged up as they tugged at their tie and gulped.
Ah. Swoon, indeed.