Chapter Text
Lime had, understandably, not wanted to take the trip whatsoever. The domesticity that they and Blue had going was good, even if Lime had to hear about Blue's medical rambles that they definitely did not believe in, and in turn Blue had to listen to Lime's government conspiracies that didn't make an ounce of sense. Despite their blatant differences, they both had their soft spots for each other, and between Blue's calm and Lime's chaos, they created a balance made with care and love. Amongi typically bond with one or more partners for life through intimacy, and Blue and Lime had just made that pivotal step before both were called in, told that they were needed on a small cargo ship called the Skeld, supposedly making a several month-long journey to Industria. While Lime argued against it, saying how they should have time to explore their new union, Blue ultimately decided that their careers were more important, and Lime has never been one to deny their partner. Besides, maybe the trip could serve as a bonding experience.
There's no night in space for Blue to wake up in, so when they do awaken and see that their other crewmates are still fast asleep in their bunks, they concur that it still must be early, or at least what everyone has unanimously decided is early. Whenever Yellow and Brown got up and begun cooking breakfast was the typical waking time, when the scent of spices would whisper through the air and greet the crew, but Blue only smells the stale air of the ship and some faint incense from Cyan's bed.
They might as well start going through that stack of paperwork. After the first stack of 422 that hadn't taken them long, Blue thinks that if they put their mind to it, they could finish the rest by the end of the day. Luckily it had been a night where Lime had actually listened to them when they said that they weren't allowed to share bunks due to it being a work trip and went off to sleep in one of the vents instead, so Blue doesn't have to worry about waking their partner while they get up.
The walk to the medical bay is quiet other than the gentle patters of Blue's feet against the floor and the hum of the uppermost engine down the hallway. The doors swish open automatically, and they can't help the sigh that escapes once they're in more familiar territory. While the scent of sterilization may make others go mad, Blue finds it calming — likely because the smell of isopropyl alcohol is proven to help with nausea and panic attacks. They think it might be a reason that people become so relaxed around them, as their coat usually carries the scent wherever they go. It's a better thought to them than it just being their face that affects everyone. They'd rather be acknowledged for their hard work than their looks, though it rarely ever seems to happen.
Blue scans through the papers, diligently signing their name on each one. They're not sure where Orange keeps getting them all, as by now they're two months into the trip, but Blue can't complain about staying busy. It's not like Orange is secretly collecting every signature Blue writes, even if they're not exactly subtle about their attraction.
At the 50th page, Blue has their pen down to sign, but a sudden weight pressing into their back has them swiftly dropping the pen and gasping in surprise. It doesn't hurt, but it's certainly not normal, and their species' backs are vulnerable parts of their bodies that should always be taken seriously when health issues arise. They're how they mate and a large factor in how they reproduce, after all. Blue reaches a hand back and shifts their backpack around, wondering if maybe it was just an odd cramp from sitting badly, and frowns in confusion. For the last couple of weeks, their backpack seemed to be steadily getting heavier, and Blue was convinced that it was just from the amount of pizza they'd been eating, but now as they move it around, it almost seems to feel noticeably rounder too. Nobody had said anything about it, so was Blue just imagining things due to being tired?
It's probably not what a doctor should do, but Blue shrugs it off. They can't start getting paranoid over little things happening to them when they need to conserve the supplies in the medbay for the rest of the crew. They still have about three more months left until Industria, and having to ration medical equipment is never a good plan. Besides, Blue can ignore a back cramp or two. Even if they've never had to before.
“Blue, are you feeling okay? I sense an odd energy in your aura...” Cyan asks a few days later during breakfast. “You seem conflicted.”
“Get your witch hands away!” Lime exclaims, frantically waving their own hands in front of Cyan and blocking them off from Blue.
“Lime, please calm down dear. There's no need for all of that.” Blue takes Lime's hands in their own. “I feel perfectly fine, besides a stomach ache or two. I'm not used to eating mostly pizza and baked goods. It's likely doing numbers to my digestive system.”
“Dang, is that why your backpack looks like that?” White scoffs.
So it is a problem.
Blue and Lime turn to White at the same time, Lime already beginning to shake with anger.
“You take that back-”
“No, they're correct. It's a fair question, and it is... odd. No one else seems to have this issue, despite being on the same diet. I've been keeping my own eye on it, no need to worry,” Blue cuts in. “If it doesn't resolve itself soon, I'll take a body scan. Can I trust you to help me with such a task, Lime?”
Lime grumbles, removing their hands from Blue's hold. “Mira better've not put some life-sucking bug into you. I'll storm their headquarters if I gotta.”
“I'm sure you would, but you needn't worry about such things. I'm quite certain that it's just a stomach bug that'll pass in time. Thank you for being concerned over my health, my dear.”
“Don't say I didn't warn you,” Lime mumbles, leaving the table and wandering in the direction of the reactor. Blue has noticed that they tend to work on it when they need to focus on their thoughts.
As they watch them go, Blue can't help but feel guilt already start to eat at them. They'd just lied to their partner about their health. Blue was not at all sure that it was "just a stomach bug", and if they end up being horribly incorrect, they don't want any responsibility for their health to have to fall on Lime for their mistake.
Blue decides that they'll monitor their health over the next couple of weeks, and if the symptoms don't go away or worsen, they'll do that scan. Surely. While they're still in the cafeteria, though, they help themselves to their third serving of breakfast. It probably doesn't help with the extra weight in their backpack, but their hunger has been never ending recently.
“I'm sorry for scaring Lime, I didn't mean to!” Cyan has tears welling up in their eyes as they make their way back over to Blue. “I just swear I feel something off about you. It's not bad, but... it's weird!”
“Cyan, don't try preaching your "weirdness" to the literal doctor.” Black deadpans. “And I'm sure White is just being a typical asshole.”
Black glances behind Blue, as if to confirm that the doctor's pack is in fact normal as ever, but a subtle grimace falls onto their face that, if Blue hadn't frequently worked with patients, they probably wouldn't have caught.
“I assure you two, all is perfectly well with me. As I've worked in my profession for several years now, I am rather positive that I'd be able to pick out any abnormal symptoms of illness or general concern. I thank you both for your outstanding support in such a thing! It's a caring attitude that I believe more of society should possess in this trying day and age,” Blue says, trying to end the conversation there and go back to their meal.
Cyan and Black share a look, but return to their respective plates, leaving Blue to wipe a bead of sweat that had begun to form across their brow.
So it wasn't just a White problem, either. If three crewmates out of their small group have noticed peculiar signs, maybe Blue should confide in their partner. Lime knew them better than anyone and wouldn't hesitate to be honest. Really, Blue should head off to the reactor room now so that they can bury whatever this problem may be and relieve the slowly building stress off their shoulders.
Blue finishes their breakfast, makes sure to kindly return their plate to Yellow, and starts through the hallway leading to the reactor.
...If they end up making a small detour to the medbay instead, is it really a big deal?
As Blue sits down in their desk, they put their head into their palms and sigh.
It could wait another day.
No biggie.