Ronnie wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. He couldn't help smiling into the kiss. His heart was attempting to hammer its way out of his chest, and he wondered if she could feel his pulse racing. Her hands in his hair drove him a little nuts, and a small noise escaped the back of his throat.
It took a conscious effort to keep himself in check. He hadn't asked Arriss's boundaries, only to violate them immediately.
He pulled back from the kiss eventually, getting his breathing under control, his eyes still closed as he rested his forehead against hers.
…………
Romulus gently nudged her back onto the floor in mock offense. "Excuse you! I'll have you know that I only flirted with the girls on this ship, and there are only 2 of you, and one is taken! Hmph." He frowned, an exaggeratedly angry expression. "Every girl in existence, my foot!"
She felt a warm blush creep onto her face as she let her fingers trickle down his face. She had held off her first kiss as long as possible, but now that she had shared one with him, she felt like her heart was going to explode. After he broke the kiss, she stayed silent for a moment, her hands on his shoulders.
“I love you so much, Ronnie,” she said softly. “So, so much.”
Mercy laughed, pushing herself to her feet. Her blonde waves were a mess as she stared down at him, her pillow in hand
“Pssh! I’m sure you could flirt with more if you could,” she teased.
His smile grew, and when Ronnie opened his eyes, they were full an emotion Arriss had seen him trying to hide before.
"I love you too, Arriss. So, so much."
He sat up, sliding his hands down her arms and eventually holding her hands.
"How, uh… how long have you felt this? Just out of curiosity…"
……..
Romulus grinned up at her. "Maybe, but… I'm more than just a flirt." He was working very hard to keep the conversation light. The mention of his flirtatious ways had made him laugh, but if he wasn't careful, he was going to dredge up… more hurtful topics.
"Besides, you both flirted back, so I don't see why I'm the only one getting labeled a flirt!"
Arriss leaned back into her partner’s arms, closing her eyes as she listened to the sound of his breathing. She knew that things would be difficult for them, but she would try her hardest to ensure that they lasted.
She squeezed his hands and intertwined their fingers as she noted how well her hands in his. “Oh, a long, long time,” she whispered. “I thought you were incredibly attractive right when I met you, but as we worked together and talked, well… I developed a major crush on you.”
She turned, resting the side of her head on his chest. She loved the sound of his heartbeat. “How about you, my love?”
“I did not!” she retorted, laughing as she sat down next to him. “I’m pretty sure that’s all in your imagination, sweetheart.”
His arms tightened, without Ronnie really meaning to. Arriss just felt so right, like she fit here. Her answer was a bit longer than he'd anticipated.
"I, uh…" He swallowed hard. "It's not been that long, actually, since I realized it. I'd been… in a bit of a mess when I came onboard, so… it took me a while to figure out my emotional state, and longer after that to really open up. But. It's been a bit now that I would honestly say I've loved you." He hoped that answer didn't bother her.
…………………………
"First off, it definitely wasn't." He winked at her as he moved his massive legs to make room for her on the couch. "And secondly, sweetheart? That's a prime example right there!"
She nodded. She figured that would be his answer. For a while, it seemed that Arriss was doing most of the flirting; he either wasn’t reciprocating or was simply oblivious to it. However, things changed, and they eventually used up at where they were today.
She laid down again, resting her head on the pillow with her hand still in his. “I’m glad we’re together now,” she whispered. “I hope we last. I really do.”
Mercy smirked, placing her hand on his. She knew very well that she was flirting, but hey. It was nice every now and then.
“Mm, I call everyone that,” she teased, knowing very well she did not. “It’s nothing special, I assure you.”
Ronnie squeezed her hand. "I mean… that's kinda up to us." To be fair, he'd not been in a relationship with the kind of physical boundaries Arriss had. It would push him to build something more meaningful, certainly. But even so, every relationship lasted based on the efforts of the people in it. "We can make it last, if we're willing to work at it."
…………
"Oh. Well then." Romulus wasn't sure whether or not to believe her, but he turned his hand over so she was resting her hand in his palm.
"….. you feeling a little better?" That had been his whole point, and he didn't want to gloss over what she might be feeling by assuming she was ok. It could just be a brave face.
“Good.” She pressed her forehead against his, her fingers tracing designs on the back of his neck. “Now, why don’t we get some rest? We have a long day tomorrow.”
She smiled faintly before she gently kissed him and let her fingertips trickle down his cheek. Eventually, after a long while, she broke it and laid down with her back facing him.
Mercy smiled faintly, gently closing her hand around his. She then moved up beside him, still holding his hand as she stared blankly up at the ceiling.
“Yeah. The thought of him is still painful, but…” Mercy sighed, but gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I think I’m slowly getting through it.”
Ronnie twitched, just a little, when she traced along the back of his neck. Arriss seemed intent on teasing him in all the ways he liked.
"I'm down for some sleep." he said quietly. He'd been unconscious, sure, but it wasn't the same.
She kissed him, and Ronnie didn't want her to pull away this time. Her hand on his face, the curve of her lips as she smiled… he could have lived in that moment forever.
Still, she pulled away and turned around, and he took a second to collect himself, before snuggling up to her.
He was out like a light.
…………….
"Good." he said quietly. "I'm here for that." He looked at her for a moment, before his gaze turned more far-away, more distant. "Here to help…"
Meanwhile, Conner was still sitting out in the living room with Valiel, half asleep as they watched the movie. Alien movies were… interesting, to say the least, and he wasn’t quite sure if he liked them. But still, being able to spend this much time with Valiel was nice, but he’d never admit that to her.
“Enjoying the movie, dearest?” he teased, his voice drowsy. “I might get to bed soon. Today has been exhausting.”
Mercy noticed the change in his demeanor and the distant look in his eyes. Did something she had said upset him?
“Hey…” She hesitated before reaching out, cupping his cheek, and turning his head to look at her again. “Is something wrong…?”
Valiel was also half asleep, though she immediately sat up and looked at him. "Me too, but… would you… could you…" She was trying to lead up to him sleeping in her room, or him in hers. Her loneliness had begun to subside, here in Ronnie's room with her crew around her, but the thought of Conner leaving had caused it to spike again.
……….
Romulus smiled and briefly leaned into her touch, before shaking his head. "No, everything's fine. Just thinking." He looked at her for a moment, some unreadable expression in his eyes, before his smile widened and he nodded towards the bed. "You should get some rest. It's late." He stretched, his muscles rippling under his skin, and Mercy was struck with the reminder of exactly how big he was. 6'6" of blonde muscle stretching within arms' reach leaves a bit of an impression.
However, that smile assuaged any nerves his body brought on.
He smiled at her before he finally gained the strength to stand up. He took her hands, pulling her up along with him, before he began to walk her towards the door. He could feel his hands shake slightly, and he was hoping that Valiel hadn’t noticed. She had always managed to make him rather anxious.
“Stay with me?” he said softly. “That sounds good. I would be afraid to leave you alone in this ship anyways.”
Mercy watched him for a moment before looking away, her face slightly red. When did she think it was ever okay to stare? Besides, her staring would probably boost his ego, which was already too big as it is.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll get to bed.” She sucked in a breath before standing up and heading over to the bed on the other side of the room. “Just… let me know if you get uncomfortable. You can always come over here.”
Valiel smiled and nodded happily as he filled in the blanks for her. She squeezed his hands and followed him out the door.
"Thank you, Conner."
……….
Romulus had to grin at her slight blush, and her choice of words. "Oh don't tempt me. I don't think you want me crawling into bed next to you." He was pretty sure she'd meant they could switch, but the chance to tease was too good to pass up.
“Hey, no problem.”
He led her to his room, and when they got inside, he immediately headed towards his bed. That day had been… a lot. He was so exhausted that he could barely stand anymore. After he got comfortable, he smiled at Valiel.
“Goodnight, dearest.”
She smiled and rolled her eyes. Gosh, he was annoying, and he had the biggest ego she’d ever seen. But he could be adorable at times.
“You can,” she said. “Just don’t get any weird ideas or you will go straight back to the sofa.”
Valiel watched him get comfortable, her expression happy, gentle. "Goodnight, Conner." She didn't curl up next to him this time though. Rather she jumped and shifted in mid-air, to a strange octopus looking thing with fur. Her legs, or arms, or tentacles reached up and suckered her to the ceiling, and she hung there, sleeping upside down like a bat.
………….
Romulus's eyebrows shot up, and he had to laugh.
"Wow. Um, I'm going to pass." He shook his head a bit. "I might not have weird ideas, but my body does its own thing. I'll stay over here."
He laughed, staring up at her. Valiel’s whole shape shifting thing would take a while to get used to, but he found it pretty cool. Aliens were just… something he hadn’t seen a lot of yet. But he was sure that would change soon.
“Don’t blame me if I wake up in the middle of the night and have a panic attack from seeing you hanging over me,” he teased.
Mercy laughed softly, surprised at his response. Normally, he would’ve jumped at the opportunity to be close to her.
“Your body does it’s own thing, huh?” She smiled and rolled her eyes. “Sounds like something you would say.”
She rolled over on her back, staring at the ceiling. It felt weird to be away from her room, but she liked being with him. It was nice.
“Good night, Romulus.”
"Shorry." Her voice hadn't changed, but her mouth was no good for English like this. "I chan schange, ifv iyou wand?"
…….
Romulus grinned at her. "That's because I did say it." He rolled into his side, his face falling once he was at an angle where she couldn't see him.
"'Night, Mercy."
He fell asleep thinking troubled thoughts.
“Nah, nah. You’re all good, my love.” He grinned up at her. “Just try not to drool, okay? I’m right below you.”
He turned over on his side, and soon he was out like a light.
Early the next morning, Conner was still asleep even though the rest of the ship was already awake. He had stayed up late that night, and he had been so tired that he completely forgot to set his alarm clock. Arriss, however, did remember to set hers, and she woke up to buzzing from her phone.
As she sat up, she stared down at Ronnie, smiling. She felt flustered when she recalled their confession from the day earlier, and she gently stroked his hair as he slept.
Mercy, like Arriss, woke up early, her curls a mess from tossing and turning all night. She smiled when she saw Romulus on the sofa, and she wandered over to his side, sitting down next to him.
Valiel laughed quietly, and shuffled over so she wasn't directly over him. She was asleep soon as well.
……….
Valiel's circadian rhythms were different, and she woke up before Conner. She dropped onto the floor and sat there, watching him, but just for a moment.
She had research to do.
…..
Ronnie's earpiece didn't buzz like Arriss's had. He figured he'd wake when she did, and he was right. Her movement woke him, and he smiled up at her sleepily. Though he was gonna fall back asleep quickly if she kept stroking his hair like that.
……….
Romulus was lying there awake, thinking, and when Mercy came and sat down, he sat up, smiling at her. "Morning. Sleep ok?"
“Good morning, my love.” She leaned down, peppering his face with kisses. “We’ve got a lot to do today.”
After cuddling with him for a few more moments, she stood up, pulling him out of bed with her. Arriss was incredibly anxious for their first day on the ship, but the excitement in her eyes was clear as she began to get ready.
She pulled her hair over her shoulder and watched him for a few moments, thinking deeply to herself. Eventually, she decided to speak up.
“What’s been on your mind?” she whispered. “You seemed… troubled last night.”
Ronnie made a sleepy noise, more of a grunt than anything else, that turned very pleased as Arriss kissed him. He kept his arms wrapped around her till she seemed ready to slide out of bed and get ready.
He lay there for a few more minutes, just watching her, his eyes still dozey.
……..
Romulus smiled at her, his eyes tired. "Just thinking about a lot of things. I'm glad I was able to help you, though, that was the main thing on my mind."
…..
At that moment, Moro-12 kicked on in all of their rooms. Conner, Kirk, Arriss, Ronnie, Romulus, Mercy- all got the same message.
"Commander Verrick is requesting your presence in ten minutes in Briefing Room 1C. Please make all effort to be there."
……
Ronnie blinked, and scrambled to get ready.
Romulus just went to freshen up, not bothering to change per se. He could shower later.
Valiel heard the message, and woke up Conner, shaking him gently. "Wakey wakey, sleepyhead… you're needed."
Mercy and Arriss finished getting ready fairly quickly, but Conner was hard— if not impossible— to get out of bed. He managed to make it to the meeting, but he was a few minutes late. He slid into the seat next to Kirk and exchanged a few whispers with him before turning his attention to the leader.
The rest of the team was gathered around the table, all looking equally anxious and excited. Arriss was holding Ronnie’s hand underneath the table, stroking the back of it with her thumb. Mercy was sitting beside Romulus, silent. She had a much more sympathetic and loving demeanor when they were alone, but now that they were around the other crew mates, she immediately went back to her usual stern and professional behavior.
Valiel had helped him and hurried him along, though she was sad to see him go. She wound up going back to her room and doing some more studying.
Still lots of necessary research.
……….
Ronnie and Arriss had hurried up to the briefing room, hand in hand, and had gotten there about the same time as Romulus and Mercy. There was a tense moment as Romulus and Ronnie locked eyes again, before the literally bigger man nodded at the door. "We better head in."
Ronnie had nodded at him and gone in, and both of them had done the same thing.
They'd placed the girls on opposite sides, so that they were shielded from the other man. Almost like it was on purpose. Kirk and Conner had been left places in the middle, which they filled.
Commander Verrick was sitting at the head of the long oval table. He smiled that awful smile of his, and spoke.
"Welcome and good morning. Have you all met?" When they looked around and nodded, he went on. "Have you talked about backgrounds much? I think it's important we be open here. We're going to go around and mention education, former jobs, major skillsets and other relevant things. Starting with Arriss over here." She happened to be on the end so he settled on her.
The two girls both noticed the strange tension between the men, and they both exchange concerned looks as they went in. If they were all going to a meeting, they would most likely be working together, and they needed to learn to get along.
When the commander asked her about her background, she stiffened ever so slightly. Gosh, she hated being questioned first.
“I graduated high school and went to Harvard to get a bachelor degree in biology,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I led a group of scientists at NASA before being sent out on a military mission. I have no prior military experience, but I do have experience piloting ships.”
Ronnie smiled at her. "Harvard, huh? Nice." The college was incredibly old and very prestigious. He'd known she was smart, but he hadn't known that.
Commander Verrick nodded. "And as a result of your piloting skills, as well as your high credentials, you were selected as Captain of your vessel, so add that to your resume. That's a skill."
He moved on to Ronnie. "Mr. Vale. I believe you've got a list a mile long. Go right ahead."
Ronnie's grip on Arriss's hand tightened, just a bit.
"I clepped highschool at 14, went straight to military training on Luna, and spent three years there as spec-ops staff. I then joined a permanent black ops team and was responsible for the completion of multiple missions over the next 8 years. In the last year, I was reassigned to Arriss as ship's engineer and semi-security. I have certs in sniping, demolitions, insertion/extraction, CQC, piloting, and a background in engineering and mechanics as well."
He kept his eyes forward, delivering his report to Commander Verrick. Not to anyone else.
Romulus, down the table from him, had a hard look in his eyes. It had only gotten worse as Ronnie talked more.
Commander Verrick nodded, and moved to Conner. "You're up, my friend."
(( Sorry for the short reply T-T It sucks being busy but ))
Arriss squeezed her boyfriend's hand gently as the conversation continued.
"I went to school at Tech," Conner went on. "Got a job at NASA and was a cartographer. Pretty much sums up my work experience."
Mercy noticed Romulus's hardened glare at Ronnie and sighed. She didn't know what wad going on with him, but it was starting to bother her.
(you're totally ok! takes me forever to respond anyway)
"Very good. It would seem you potentially have the least education, Conner. Which isn't bad, it just means there's more things for you to learn from us." He smiled, before turning to Kirk. "And you?"
Romulus could feel Mercy's disappointment, emanating from next to him, and he took a second. Closed his eyes, relaxed his jaw, and intentionally put it aside.
When he opened them, he glanced at her apologetically.
“Not much education. Made it through high school, then dropped out.” Kirk gave a simple shrug. “I was in the army with my sister for a while, then I was sent on this mission. It’s where I’ve been since.”
Mercy moved closer to Romulus, placing her hand on his. She had always been told she was bad at comforting people, but she could tell something was bothering him. She just wish she knew what.
Soon, the commander asked her the same question. “I went to school at a community college for a doctorate in psychology. I got drafted in the army, and eventually was pulled into the mission along with Kirk.”
Commander Verrick nodded at Kirk. "So some potential gaps to fill in for you as well." He glanced at Romulus, before skipping him and going to Mercy.
Her description was interesting to him. "Dr. of Psych, huh? Well. Still some gaps to fill where space is concerned, but you're valuable regardless.
He came back to Romulus. "And now you, my hulking friend."
Romulus nodded slowly. "Born an raised on Callisto. Went to graduated highschool and went to straight to bootcamp on Io. Joined a black ops team and a counterintelligence unit and never looked back. Was involved in an altercation in the Kuiper Belt and was sent home. Wound up on a 6 man team, scavenging, and got picked up here. Certs in heavy weaponry, demolitions, vehicular handling, power armor, CQC, and armor design and prototyping."
Ronnie's expression didn't change, but his face seemed locked down during this.
The Commander nodded slowly. "I'm getting some tension from this group. Something I ought to know?"
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