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ATTEMPT 1 - DAY 1
Blue was a doctor. One very, very attractive doctor—and nobody could deny it. Everyone on the Skeld was always “swooning” over them, doing anything they asked, and even melting in their mere presence.
Blue was grateful for the admiration. But it lost all of its loveliness when that admiration began and ended with just their appearance.
They’d much rather be noticed for their medical expertise—or maybe even their poetry.
Maybe that was why Blue felt drawn to Lime. Sure, Lime may be a bit crazy—no—unusual. But that’s what Blue found charming about them.
Lime never blushed at Blue’s smile, or stumbled over their words when seeing them. If Lime needed to see Blue, it was because they needed assistance, a bandage, or someone to talk to.
Lime had only said it once — “I trust Blue the most out of all of ya.”
And those words meant a lot to Blue. A lot more than Lime could ever know.
Blue had been wondering how to approach Lime for weeks. How to converse with them without making them uncomfortable. The way to get Lime to talk to them more. They knew Lime, but not as much as they wished.
Lime often kept to themself, burying deep down into the ship's ventilation. A great place to start.
Blue had searched almost the entire Skeld. It was late at night, and the rest of the crew was asleep. Lime, however, was different. Blue knew they'd still be awake.
“Lime?” The doctor called out—loud enough for them to hear, but quiet enough to not disturb their resting friends.
“…Who’s askin’?”
“It’s me,” Blue said, their usual soft tone calling back. “Blue.”
Lime didn’t answer.
“May I speak with you?” Blue continued.
“You are speakin’ with me.”
“Oh, haha. I suppose I meant—can I keep speaking with you?”
“It’s late, Doc.” Lime grunted, the sound of metal shuffling below Blue’s feet.
“It most definitely is. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“You don’t need to keep checkin’ on me.”
“I know. I just worry. The ventilation can be quite dangerous. I do not want you to get hurt.”
“Mm.” Lime grumbled. “Are you tryna flirt with me?”
“No!” Blue quickly defended. “Not at all, Lime!”
“Ya sure?”
“I promise.”
Blue needed to shift this conversation before they lost Lime's attention.
“You know. I’ve always found it quite fascinating how well you navigate those vents. I’m certain I'd get lost immediately. It’s remarkable,” Blue complimented.
Silence.
“Do ya really think so?” Lime shuffled inside the vents again.
“I do.”
“It just comes naturally, Big Dog.”
Blue smiled at the nickname. Even if Lime couldn’t see.
“Even more impressive.”
“Alright, I gotta go check somethin’.”
“Oh. Very well.” Blue mumbled. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“Night Doc.”
———
ATTEMPT 2 - DAY 2
Lime was at one of the cafeteria tables. The only occupied one in the cafeteria. Aside from Brown and Yellow, who were in the kitchen.
“Where is everyone?” Blue asked, causing Lime to jump up in surprise.
“Oh, it’s you.” They calmed a bit. “Red was showin’ em somethin’.”
“Ah. They didn't invite you?” Blue seemed upset.
“They didn’t invite ya either.”
“Hm. What was this something?” Blue questioned.
“Some game Red was playin’.”
“Hm.” Blue walked over and sat down next to them. “I was going to ask you this anyway, but can you tell me more about the ventilation?”
“What ya wanna know?” Lime said.
“Everything you do.” Blue responded.
“Everything I do?”
“That is what I said.”
“Are ya sure?”
“Certain.”
“I’d like to know about you and the vents here. If that is okay.” Blue said nervously.
Lime hesitated. Blue thought they’d done something wrong, but Lime pulled out a blueprint of the Skeld’s vents.
“Wow,” Blue muttered. “You did this all yourself?”
“Mm.. I guess.” Lime shrugged.
“This is wonderful.”
“You’re the one that has a doctorate in poetry. And a medical license.”
“That doesn’t make this worth any less, Lime.” Blue grinned, investigating the work of art in front of them.
“Ya always say stuff like that.” Lime sighed.
“But it’s true, you have lots of skill. Especially when it comes to drawing.” Blue pointed out.
“Thanks.”
“Now, tell me more.”
“This right here connects Electrical to Shields. There’s a spot in the vents that makes it seem like there’s a vent in Storage, but it’s sealed tight. I’m sure someone got stuck in there, idiots.”
“I think Red should let me reopen it.” Lime continued.
Lime paused, worried Blue was no longer listening, but they were.
“Everyone on this ship could benefit from how creative you are, Lime.” Blue looked at them.
“You’re just sayin’ that, aren’t you?”
Blue shook their head.
“No.” Lime rolled up the blueprint. “Ya makin’ me sound like i’m no—”
“Hm?”
“Nothing.”
Lime got up and crawled into the cafeteria vent. Blue was left confused.
———
ATTEMPT 3 - DAY 3
“Lime..” Blue knocks on the vent. Lime crawls, poking their head out of the tiny metal hatch.
“Haha, there you are. Could you help me?” Blue asks. “It seems my Medbay scanner has stopped working. I’m unsure how to fix it. I suppose you would have an idea or two.”
“Ya need my help?” Lime skeptically questioned.
“I do.”
“Shouldn’t you know how to fix your own materials?”
“Unfortunately that is not my strong suit, Lime. Please, could you help me?”
“I dunno.”
“You don’t have to if you’re busy. I thought you’d have a fix.”
“Okay. Fine, Doc.”
Blue helped Lime out of the vent, and took them to Medbay.
..
Lime was crouched beside the scanner, pulling tools from their pockets. Blue watched intently. Not in a strange way, but in a way that only could be described as pure fascination.
“Can you hand me the screwdriver?”
“Yes.”
…
“Should be good now.” Lime said. “Are ya staring?”
“No. I am observing.”
“Okay..”
“Sorry, is that weird? I was just trying to see how you do it. So I do not have to annoy you next time.”
“I don’t mind, Big Dog.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
“Nobody else on this ship will do it anyway.” Lime mumbled.
“Oh. Do you not like doing this?”
“It’s fine… Just sayin’.”
“Know you are not alone.” Blue mumbled. “About not liking something.”
“Huh?”
“Nevermind. Thank you, Lime. Amazing job.”
“Ya don’t need to keep complimentin’ me…”
Blue felt a bit embarrassed, going quiet. Lime wiped their hands on their overalls, putting their wrench away. They waved goodbye to Blue and wiggled their way back into the vents.
———
ATTEMPT 4 - DAY 4 (SUCCESS?)
Another night on the Skeld.
Lime is not in the vents this time, however. They are looking for Blue. They’d scraped their hand while crawling around, causing a bit of a bloody mess. The Medbay door is shut—an unusual occurrence.
“Doc?” Lime called out. They almost just decided to ignore it—it would dry up and scab anyway—but a part of them wanted to see Blue anyways.
With no response, Lime decided to head inside through the vents. One time their skill comes in handy.
They popped out to see Blue at their desk, head down.
“Blue?”
Blue’s head shot up in surprise, letting out a vulnerable gasp. A side of Blue nobody had ever seen.
“Lime-! Haha. Do you need something?”
“Do you need something, Blue?”
“No. Not at all, Lime.”
“Ya look tired. You overworkin’ yourself?” Lime asked, concerned.
“Lime—” Blue protested.
“No.” Lime hissed. “Don’t do that. Talk to me.”
“It’s a lot to handle, Lime. I am tired.” Blue sighed. “Everyone expects so much of me. And I am tired of being treated like I'm no more than my looks.”
“Doc, that’s not true. You’re a hardworkin’ doctor. Where would the ship be without ya?” Lime replied. “I’ve never read your poems, but I'm sure they’re nice too.”
“Do you really think so?” Blue asked.
“I do.”
“Thank you.” Blue smiled. “For seeing me
as more than what I look like.”
“Oh. You’re your own person, after all.”
“I feel so alone, sometimes.” Blue confessed. “The crewmates don’t like me. They like the idea of me.”
“Don’t,” Lime said. “I'm here. ‘kay?”
It felt so odd to Blue. Not in a bad way, of course. It was just a conversation they never thought they’d have. To be seen by someone.
“I feel ya. Sometimes it feels like people just think I'm crazy. First to care about the vent system. You’re the first person who tried askin’ me anything at all”
“The moon has plenty of stars to keep it company, but it still waits for the sun.” Blue spoke. “That is what I think.”
Random..
“Sounds a little sad. That one of your poems?”
“No. I just now thought of it.” Blue fixed their jacket, a little embarrassed. “Sorry.”
“Oh. You should show me your poems someday then.” Lime shrugged. “It’d be cool.”
“Really? If you are interested, then of course.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Okay. You’ll stay, right?” Blue asked.
“You mean here? Tonight?”
“Yes. But you do not have to.” Blue took off their head mirror, and sat down on one of the examination beds—the blue tissue texture uncomfortable.
“Oh.” Lime blushed. “Sure. I’ll stay. Do you want me to sit here with ya?”
“That’s fine. You can sit in the vent here if you want. I know that is what you like.”
Lime showed a wrinkly smile. They didn’t say anything, but Blue understood well enough.
“I will see you tomorrow, Lime.”
“…Love ya, Doc.” Lime whispered. Blue didn’t respond. They didn’t know how. It was genuine. A bright flush filled Blue’s cheeks.