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Placing the final sample into the analyzing machine before them, Blue took a deep breath. They didn't let it show, but they had been tense all day from all the amongi who had stopped by the medical bay complaining to them about anything and everything: ranging from small papercuts to getting crushed by a giant crate of Ore+™. Now, with the room cleared of anyone else, Blue could finally get some of their tasks done in peace. They paused to take the silence in, something they've come to prefer over the sounds of their friends whining in pain or gushing over their attractiveness. Of course, Blue was flattered at their constant compliments, but after a while it started to feel like that's all anyone saw in them. Just a conventionally attractive life-saving hero. Not a horrible title, but Blue couldn't help but wish the others saw what more there was to them.
The analyzing machine beeped as it prompted Blue for an analysis type. They selected an option, then waited while the machine displayed the 'Loading' icon on the little green screen. As they stood in front of the counter the machine sat on and aimlessly stared ahead, they tapped their foot on the floor a few times. The loading progress bar filled in at a steady rate, but not as fast as Blue would've preferred. Still, they were not one to lose their patience.
As they continued to wait, Blue could sense that something in the room changed. Nothing had moved, but they could still detect that the vibes in the medical bay, to put it one way, had shifted. Blue couldn't help but think of Cyan when they thought that; had they been here as well, they'd probably tap into their spirituality to determine the cause of this sudden change in the tide. Though, Blue had no reason to commission anyone to help them figure out what it was, nor did they even need to wonder at all. They already knew.
Blue glanced downward and to their left. On the floor there lay a vent, closed shut as it had been all day. Blue stared at it for a few seconds before the machine in front of them beeped once again, informing them that it was ready to begin the analysis of the samples.
At the notification, Blue turned back to face the machine. It now prompted for them to select the 'Start' button whenever they were ready. But before they did, Blue hovered their finger over the red button for a brief moment as they permitted with a tinge of softness in their voice:
"It's okay, honey, you can come out from there."
Only after they completed their sentence did they press the 'Start' button. Once they did, they walked over to the sink which had been behind them to wash their hands. However, the metallic hum of the space's heater and the water running from the faucet weren't the only sounds to be heard in the medical bay.
From behind Blue, the vent shifted before eventually opening up. The hatch fell to the shiny tile floor behind the hole in the ground; some dust flew free from the partially rusted grille of the vent opening as it did.
Nothing came of the newly opened vent for a few long seconds. But then, a lime-colored head popped out from the hole just as Blue was about to turn off the faucet. From their safe spot peeking out from the vent, Lime observed with reluctance---and a tiny hint of admiration---in their eyes as Blue reached over to their left-hand side to grab the hand towel neatly folded beside the metal sink. As they used it to dry their hands, they peered over to Lime. Both their gazes met, and once they did Lime's visor dilated slightly. Neither of them broke eye contact, even as Blue folded the hand towel back up and set it back in its original spot beside the sink. Their folding job was pretty good, but the towel looked sloppier than it did before since Blue's focus wasn't on ensuring it got folded properly.
Blue let their hand rest on the hand towel as they continued to stare into Lime's visor. They could see the hesitancy in their eyes; not like that was new or anything. They knew how to handle it though.
Blue's hand left the towel as they began to walk over to Lime, being careful that their paces were gentle on the ground beneath them. As they made their way over, they maintained their gaze on Lime, who also adjusted their head's rotation as Blue got closer so they could do the same.
Although in previous days Lime may have cowered away when someone approached their vent, they had grown close enough with Blue to refrain consistently. Blue seemed to understand Lime in a way that nobody had ever bothered to before: they didn't accuse them of being an "insane gremlin hiding in the vents," but instead they saw them as a person capable of being loved. Better yet, through Blue's effort to understand Lime, Lime had gotten to better understand Blue too. As a result, Lime felt safe when they popped into the medical bay, knowing they wouldn't be judged by the room's occupant. In fact, it'd be quite the opposite.
Blue stopped once they were standing just in front of the vent opening. Then, they kneeled down on their left knee, resting their left arm on it as they got comfortable in the position.
The visors of the two remained focused on one another. They weren't paying attention to anything else, nor could either see anything else. All they cared about was the individual in front of them.
"I don't need anything," Lime muttered as they intended to look away and crawl back into the vent, but couldn't gather the willpower to do it as they were too far entranced in this gaze.
"You don't have to need anything to visit," Blue stated, making sure to keep their voice down on the lower end.
For a moment longer, neither of them said anything more and continued to stare at one another, analyzing the visor of the person they found to be the loveliest out of everyone else in the crew. The heater automatically turned off just then due to the room reaching a satisfactory temperature, leaving the pair in complete silence, although neither of them actually noticed it.
Giving into their craving, Blue raised their right hand a bit with the intent of rubbing it against Lime's cheek. But before they did, they stopped themself to request permission. The simple "Can I?" that they let out broke the silence of the room.
Lime typically stayed as far away from the hands of others as possible, but Blue's presence had begun to comfort them in the time they had developed their relationship. They had become the sole exception to their rule. Despite this general trust in their partner though, Lime were still slowly easing into increasing levels of intimacy so they wouldn't overwhelm themself. Thankfully, Blue was very amenable about it, and always asked before stepping inside their personal bubble.
After a moment of hesitation, Lime ultimately agreed to Blue's request. They gave them a nod of clearance, opting out of a verbal response.
Once they were given the green light, Blue gently lowered their hand and rested it on Lime's cheek. They stroked their skin with their thumb as they continued to look lovingly into their visor. Lime leaned into their touch, dipping their head against Blue's hand.
Blue couldn't help but notice Lime's expression screaming 'guilty pleasure' as they got comfortable with Blue. They knew of Lime's beliefs of course, but tried to show them now, in the calmest way possible, that accepting Blue's love was in no way selfish or sinful. Blue offered a smile to offset that potential thought in Lime's mind, and once they registered it, they seemed to feel better, and they gave them a small smile back. To Blue, this was one of the most beautiful sights in the world, and they had seen a lot of beautiful sights before. They allowed themself to fully indulge in this moment as time continued to tick by.
After a while, Lime straightened up once more. Blue let their hand fall onto the floor as Lime left it, but they didn't take their eyes off of them.
Going based on how their interactions usually go, Blue assumed that Lime was about to crawl back into the vents and vanish off to who knows where. They knew that Lime wasn't a fan of much physical contact and was proactive when they have had enough. But on this particular occasion, much to Blue's surprise, Lime didn't leave just yet. They placed their hands on the brim marking the ventilation shaft's hole in the floor, grounding them to their spot.
Since Blue knew that they had Lime's attention, they shifted their gaze from Lime's forehead to their visor, alternating between the two a few times. This had been Blue's way of asking Lime if they could kiss them on the forehead, and they had been doing this for the last couple of days. Blue was mainly expecting Lime's usual reaction of scurrying away through the vents the second they realized what the question was. But Lime was just full of surprises that day: although they took a moment to stare at Blue wide-eyed, Lime agreed with a nod so small that it required Blue's close proximity to their face to be noticeable at all.
Being granted permission caught Blue off guard, but they didn't let their surprise---or excitement---show. They leaned forward slowly and carefully, as to not suddenly startle Lime. As they did, they placed their right hand over Lime's hands, providing a soothing touch. Then, placing their left hand on the back of Lime's head to support them, Blue gently gave them a small peck just above their visor. The kiss didn't last long at all, not even a full second, before Blue pulled away slightly. They were still hovering incredibly close above Lime, but they were far enough back that Lime knew they wouldn't go any further with it.
Lime was unable to see Blue's face crystal clear, but they could see their cheeks get redder as they continued to stare at the spot where they had just kissed them.
The kiss made Lime feel valued in a way they never had before. They could feel a surge of warmth rushed through them as their partner's lips met their skin. Although they had been petrified of being this close with someone in the past, Lime felt different now. They wanted to feel that warmth again. So, Lime wrapped their arms around Blue's neck (which would be just beneath their visor) and tilted their head downward, resting it on Blue's chest. They did this as a way of asking if Blue could kiss them again. When they moved their head, they felt Blue's hand leave them as they leaned forward. But, eventually it did catch up to them and take its position on the back of their head, surrounding Lime in an embrace that they never thought they could handle, but loved now that they were absorbed in it.
Blue, after finally getting the hint, leaned down once more, this time aiming for the top of Lime's head. They allowed this kiss to last longer than the previous, with a duration closer to five seconds or so. Midway through, Blue used their right hand to hold Lime from behind, totally surrounding their partner in their loving embrace.
Blue closed their lips after the kiss ended, but they spent a few extra seconds resting their head on Lime's before pulling away. Even still, they didn't want to be far from their partner and the tranquility their presence provided, so they only moved their head up a few centimeters from that of Lime. They gazed down at them with a sparkle of admiration visible in their visor. Lime looked back up at Blue too, visor wide, taking it all in.
The pair kept gazing at one another, thinking about how dazzling the amongi before them was. They were connecting, not using words, but just by holding each other safe. Lime spent the time realizing how they actually felt comfortable in Blue's arms, contrary to what they initially thought this would be like. Meanwhile, Blue simply appreciated Lime's visit, which wasn't made from need or lust, but instead from the genuine connection and bond the two had formed. Blue wanted this moment to last forever; however, Lime still had their limits.
Once the tension became a little too much for Lime, their face flushed red and they suddenly jumped up; it was as though something had spooked them from behind. Blue also flinched in response to the sudden movement, letting Lime free from their embrace without thinking about or realizing it. Blue also blinked as part of their instinctive reaction, and Lime saw this as their chance to escape. Somehow, they was fast enough to dip back down into the ventilation shaft, slam it shut, and begin scurrying away before Blue could even open their eyes again. By the time they did, Lime was gone. The only trace left of them was the metallic thumping coming from the floor as a result of Lime hurrying off. It started off loud, but got quieter and quieter as Lime got further away, and it eventually faded into silence.
This silence, however, was different. The silence Blue had shared with Lime didn't feel empty as it was full of emotions stirring in the air. But now that they were alone, the silence was bleak and dull.
Blue rested their left arm back on their knee as they placed their right hand on top of the vent. They stroked the steel that made up the grille a couple times, thinking of kissing Lime's head.
To make the second startle of the day, the analyzing machine to Blue's right beeped, signifying it had completed its assessment. Blue jumped up a little and jolted their head towards the machine, reading the 'Complete' status on its little screen.
Before tending to the machine, Blue turned back to the vent, taking an extra moment to reflect.
They let out a warm sigh.
"I love you, Lime."
They stood up, went to go and turn to the machine, but stopped halfway. They turned back to the vent, smiled down, and added, "I can't wait to tell you directly someday."
Figuring they better get back to work, Blue turned back to the analyzing machine, stepped in front of it, and began to skim through the results of the samples' analysis.