Work Text:
September, 2000
You dragged yourself out of the cockpit with small steps; your usually clean and bright face now dark with tiredness. You were the navigator of the ship, which meant you stayed up the latest out of the crew to check out trajectories.
You passed the utility room and turned to the left, walking up the metal staircase. You made it to the lounge and walked down a few steps so you could settle onto one of the sofas. You collapsed into the cushion and groaned.
The usually bright and blue day screen was now navy and dark. It had a large digital moon and small white dots that resembled stars. The lounge was dark and in a tint of dark blue. It was a miracle how you could manage to find the lounge with how dark it was during the night.
You rolled onto your back and just thought about the day. It was the usual. Sit in between Curly and Jimmy in the cockpit, do math, eat, go to bed, and repeat. Life in space wasn't as fun as you thought it would be.
But you could say that it was nice to be alone for a little bit. You were often dealing with long exasperating arguments between Daisuke and Swansea, or Curly's loud snores in the room you two had to share. (Due to Pony Express's lack of thought when building the Tulpar)
The automatic doors opened. You perked up and sat up, the thin blanket that was over your body now in a heap on the carpet. "Oh. Didn't mean to wake you, Y/N." Anya spoke apologetically. You shook your head and beckoned her closer, wondering what she wanted at nearly midnight.
"It's no worries. I wasn't even sleeping. What's up?" You asked in a sleepy murmur. Anya cleared her throat once and spoke up, "Do you ever think about how simple life was before going abroad on the long hauls? I've been putting thought into it lately, and I think I really want to talk about it."
You smiled softly and nodded, patting the seat on the cushion beside you. "Of course! You can always be open with me." Anya smiled back and sat next to you, crossing her legs. "It's just nice thinking about how there wasn't much work to do back on earth. I mean, I'm not a great example. I've failed medical school plenty of times, and I binge eat and watch sappy reality TV shows. But it's much better than being up here.'
She gestured to the ceiling of the Tulpar and sighed, leaning back against the arm rest. "Yeah, I guess I agree." You responded. "I kind of just stayed at home most of the time. I never really worked outside of the Tulpar. I live in the forest in some small town in Oregon. It's relaxing. I yearn to go back." You spoke quietly, thinking of the relaxing rainfalls that occurred every day, and the streams that surrounded your cabin.
"Is that why I hear the sound of rain coming from your quarters every night?" She asked out of curiosity. "Does it remind you of home?" She added. You just nodded and leaned over to rest your chin in your hands. "Yeah, it does. It's peaceful, you know. Real great for people who get homesick--like me."
The automated doors opened once again, a yawn coming out from the other side. Daisuke shuffled in with his rubber ducky boxers on, one sock on his foot, and his sleep shirt on backwards. He stumbled to the kitchenette and searched for something in the recipe book, desperately looking for a snack. You and Anya had to stifle in a giggle.
"Daisuke? What in the world are you doing?" You ask, pure amusement in your voice. "Ughhhh... getting a snack." He grumbled, ditching the kitchen to join you and Anya down below on the couches. He flopped onto the other side of you, landing on his stomach with a groan.
"Food? At this hour?" Anya whispered. She quirked an eyebrow and rubbed her chin. "That isn't healthy, Daisuke. We ate dinner only a few hours ago. You need to let your stomach settle." She spoke in a worried tone.
Daisuke waved a hand in her direction and scoffed. "Oh, who cares?" He exclaimed, rolling onto his back. "Let a man eat if he wants to." He stretched his limbs out and stared at the day screen, growing even more tired.
"And we have to save it anyway." You spoke up, raising a finger. "We can't waste it on midnight snack. Daisuke, you're just eating because you're bored. I mean, we've all been there. I don't blame you, but we all need to eat, Daisuke." Daisuke just groaned and buried his face into a pillow, trying not to care about your words.
Footsteps came again, except they were larger and louder. It was Swansea. You hate to admit it, but it was easy to point out Swansea from the way he walked. His weight often caused his steps to make loud rattling sounds against the metal floors.
"What are you kids doing up at this hour? You should all be in bed." He grumbled, groaning as he lowered himself down onto the carpet. "I was JUST trying to get a snack. But then the girls started flaming me for it." Daisuke complained loudly.
Swansea glared at you and Anya, his eyebrow quirked. "I don't exactly blame Daisuke." Swansea spoke, stretching his legs out in front of him. "I mean it's hard to resist food under all of this stress. There's nothing better to do in this tin can."
"Oh, we can tell you don't resist food." You spoke without a warning. You realized what you said as Daisuke laughed loudly, pointing at Swansea as Daisuke held and clenched his stomach. "Ooh!" He exclaimed, "Y/N just called you fat!'
Swansea just shrugged and smirked, patting his beer belly. "You think I'm not used to it by now? Did ya hear what Jimmy said about me last week?" Daisuke shook his head and leaned in closer. "No! What did Jimmy say--"
"What about me?" You all turned to look at the entrance, where Jimmy was standing, still in his work clothes. "Oh... Hey, Jimmy." You spoke quietly, slightly tense with him. You always thought something was up with him.
"Oh, nothing!" Daisuke said nonchalantly, "We were just talking about how FAT Swansea is. Isn't that right, Y/N?" Anya glared at Daisuke, before giving her full attention to Jimmy. "Jimmy, what are you still doing up? You're usually the first one to fall asleep." She questioned him.
He shrugged and plopped down onto the ground next to Swansea, bringing his knees to his broad chest. "Couldn't sleep, I guess. It's just insomnia." He avoided Anya's gaze and stared down at his feet.
"We should all go back to bed before Captain see's us. I don't want to get in trouble with him..." Anya spoke anxiously. She tried to stand up to walk to her quarters, but Swansea stopped her, gripping her wrists gently to pull her back down onto the couch.
"Oh, screw Captain. Who cares about what he thinks? We should enjoy the free time we have, and our time to act like normal people! It's not like he's awake anyway. Knowing him, he's PASSED out." Swansea grinned, rubbing his hands together.
As a coincidence, Curly walked in shirtless with his pajama pants, seeing that his crew was all gathered around in the lounge like it was some sort of ritual. He wanted to join, but he knew it was best to order his crew to flee to their quarters.
"Why are all of you up?" He asked, slightly annoyed. Anya grew flustered and fully sat up to face him. "Oh, gosh. Sorry, Captain. I was up trying to keep Y/N some company. I found her awake. As we were talking, all three of them came in. I don't know how it happened."
Curly raised an eyebrow and crossed his strong arms, watching as Daisuke tried to discreetly roll of the couch and act like he was never there. "I see you, Daisuke." He spoke with amusement, a hand coming up to run through his blonde messy hair.
Daisuke froze and climbed back onto the cushion, covering his face, clearly in a state of mortification. "Sorry, Captain." He sat up and crossed his arms under his head, staring at the ceiling. "Why are you up, Captain?" Swansea asked. "Aren't you some sort of deep sleeper?" You decided to add.
Curly chuckled and glanced at you, sitting next to you and stretching his arm out on the couch behind you. "Usually, but I heard a lot of chattering in here tonight. It woke me up and worried me, so I decided to check on it."
Jimmy nodded in agreement, his hands coming up to rub his face. "It woke me up too. We should all blame Daisuke. The kid talks loudly in any environment he's in, yeah?" You couldn't help but agree, giving Daisuke a deadpan stare.
"Well..." You started, "If anything it was Swansea. He walks as if he's some sort of giant. He never has a care in the world!" Swansea scowled and looked up at you. "And what's with everyone being mean to me for? I didn't do--"
"Enough." Curly said with a sigh, scooting closer to you. "It's too late to be arguing, Swansea. Just give it up. And yes Daisuke, lower your voice down. We can ALL hear you. We're only 7 feet away from each other, kid."
"And you," He pointed a finger at your chest, pressing ever so slightly. "You need to stop making fat jokes about Swansea. What if they hurt his feelings?" Swansea snickered, which earned him a sharp glare from Anya.
You shrug and throw your hands up. "I mean it's hard not to. He's just... easy to joke about." You spoke slowly, choosing your words carefully. "Seriously, Dude!" Daisuke shouted, standing up on top of the couch to prove his point. "All of my sweetener just happens to be gone! I think Swansea took it. I agree, Y/N. It's hard not to joke about him when he's always stealing our rations."
Curly clicked his tongue and stood up, stretching his arms behind his back. "Well, I think I'm going to head back to bed. I have to wake up early tomorrow, so I want to make sure I don't wake up exhausted."
"Me too," Anya agreed. She stood up and brushed her hair down with her fingers, making sure she looked well-kept before she went to bed. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay Y/N? Thanks for letting me--you know--talk." She gave you a small wink and walked away.
Jimmy didn't say anything. He just stood up with a sleepy groan, his hands on his knees. He walked away towards the other direction where he could find his sleeping quarters. It was oddly satisfying to see him excuse himself.
Daisuke watched everyone leave and shook his head, making himself comfortable on the couch. "Ahhh... This is the life. I'm staying out here." Daisuke said with a smirk. Swansea groaned and grabbed him by the collar of his backwards shirt, dragging him off of the sofa. "No, you ain't. You're comin' with me."
Daisuke yelped but obeyed, letting himself get dragged by Swansea. "You coming, Y/N?" Swansea asked as he turned around to face you, still holding a wriggling Daisuke in one hand. You shook your head and remained on the same spot on the cushion. "Nah. Not right now. Tell Curly I'll be there in a few." Swansea nodded and continued to walk, Daisuke sliding against the ground while he screeched.
You stared at the day screen, the darkness of the pixels making your eyes glow ominously in ways you didn't know were possible. You remained curled on the couch, picking at your nails. your eyes darting to the places around you.
You could see Daisuke's empty sweetener packets on the carpet. You could smell Curly's cologne. All of the crew members just seemed to leave a trace of themselves that made you feel at peace, which is something you haven't been able to feel in a long time.
Finally, a conversation without the mention of work. A conversation that didn't involve questions about trajectories, or where the bandages were, or where the wrench was. You all were able to gather around like normal people and joke around. You were all able to be yourselves. Without a word, you got up from the couch, walking to the sleeping quarters where you slept in a bunk across from Curly. The lounge was empty, the earlier fun fading as the day screen changed from displaying moons and stars, to a sun surrounded by clouds in the color of orange and red.