luvscarlylee

A weary breath escapes your nose as you scan your badge across the card reader. It flashes green before the door clicks open with a loud buzz. The sound of your thick boots clicking on the ground echoes throughout the room. Scanning the rows of lockers, your voice bounces on the tiles as you call out, “Hello?”

Closing your eyes, a sigh of appreciation escapes your lips as you reach your locker. Sitting on the bench, you hunch over, rubbing your face in exhaustion. Your tense body protests at the position, but you ignore it. Massaging your shoulder, you silently pray that a shower will provide some relief.

Roughly rubbing your burning eyes, you push yourself up. Unlocking your locker, you mechanically proceed to prepare for your shower. With a lazy slam, you close the door and take a deep breath before heading to the shower stalls.

Your feet silently pad across the floor. The frigid tiles bleed through your socks, sending a chill up your spine.

Entering the stall in the far corner, you hang your towel on the metal hook. Carelessly dropping your soap onto the damp floor, you reach for the flimsy gray curtain. It shuts with a loud clink.

The bright fluorescent lights dull slightly as you pull the curtain closed. You twist the knob of the shower, and it sputters on, a few drops of lukewarm water catch the skin of your hand before fully springing to life.

Flicking away the stray droplets, you begin to undress. Slowly peeling off each layer of your sweaty uniform, you pile them haphazardly in one corner of the stall. Stepping under the hot spray of water, you close your eyes. You let out a sigh of relief as the warmth cascades over your tired muscles.

Leaning forward, you rest your forehead against the cool tile wall, letting the water run down your back. After a moment, you push yourself away from the wall and bend down to grab your soap. With a firm squeeze, you release a glob into your palm and raise it to your hair. Your fingers work through each strand, massaging your scalp and releasing any tension that lingers there.

Rinsing your hair, you can feel a familiar tingling sensation spreading through your body. Swallowing, you allow your mind to drift. There’s no one here. You could just listen and stop if someone walks in.

Biting your lip, you scrub your soapy hands along your body. Your breath catches in your throat as you experimentally brush a hand over your erect nipple. Slowly, your other hand follows suit, tracing a path down to your core where you tentatively press a single finger to your clit, eliciting a sharp gasp.

Your anxious eyes dart around the stark white walls, hyper-aware of any noise outside of the stall. But you don’t stop. The thrill of being caught only fuels your desire and you continue to explore your body with growing confidence.

Stepping out from under the warm spray of water, you bend over and place a hand against the cool tiles of the shower wall. Your legs spread wide, and your fingers begin to trace slow circles around your sensitive clit, quiet moans fall from your lips.

Despite the temptation to tease and prolong the pleasure, you resist and slowly insert your fingers into your dripping core. You release a desperate moan, but you quickly stifle it by pressing your cheek against the tiles, providing some relief to your flushed skin.

You thrust your fingers in and out of yourself, feeling the slick walls of your pussy clenching around them. Each time, your palm grazes over your swollen clit. The sound of wet squelching mixes with the steady stream of water.

With eyes clenched shut and thighs trembling, you risk letting out a louder moan. Moving your hand from the wall to your mouth, you muffle your noises as you quicken the pace of your fingers.

Tears form a misty veil over your eyes, blurring your vision as you watch your hand plunge into yourself. Fingers curl tightly and disappear, your palm slaps against your clit with loud smacks.

The overwhelming pleasure consumes you, making it almost impossible to hear the loud buzz of the door. Your gasp is stifled as you freeze, every muscle tense.

Heavy footsteps reverberate through the room, each one causing your heart to race faster. You strain to listen for any indication of who walked in, fingers still buried deep inside of you.

With your legs pressed tightly together, you can feel the desperate ache pulsing through your body. But you don’t move.

“Hello?” Tyler's accented voice breaks through the silence, sending shivers down your spine.

Your walls clench around your fingers and your eyes roll back in pleasure. Swallowing hard, you try to regain composure as you reply with a slight crack in your voice, “Hey.”

You can almost see him furrow his brows from behind the thin curtain, his deep voice calling out your name in question. “You good?”

You nod, clearing your throat with a wince. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good.”

The sound of metal clanging echoes through the room as he opens his locker. His footsteps draw closer to your stall as he asks, “Good… Mind if I take a shower?”

Your fingers twitch as you answer, swallowing past the lump in your throat. "No, of course not."

There is no response, and you press your forehead against the cold wall, trying to calm your racing thoughts. Your mind races with the potential consequences of being caught. Pushing your worries aside, you decide that you can be quiet. Really quiet. And careful.

Just as you come to this resolution, the sound of running water fills the air as the shower next to yours turns on.

Your whole-body tenses and you turn to face the wall that now separates you from him. Chewing on your lip anxiously, you slowly begin to grind your fingers in and out of yourself, careful to keep your movements silent and undetected. A mix of guilt and desire washes over you as you touch yourself.

“How was your day?” The timbre of his voice breaks the silence of the room, sending shivers down your spine. You imagine him running his hands along his body as he talks to you, just as you had done to your own earlier. The sound of his voice intensifies the sensations coursing through your body.

With a sigh that he mistakes for exhaustion, you reply, "Long." You rest your back against the wall and lift a hand to your chest. You palm at your breast, as your fingers scissor into you.

Your eyes fixate on the wall in front of you as he grunts in agreement. With each thrust and touch, you feel yourself growing more confident and lost in pleasure. Nibbling on your lip, you loudly gasp out his name, "Tyler."

For a moment, there is only silence as he pauses. You can feel the burn of his eyes on you through the wall. His voice is low when he responds, "Yeah?"

Leveling out your voice, you speak. “Tell me about your day.”

His movements are hesitant as he starts moving again. “Went on patrol and was partnered with Alex again.”

You hum in response, and he continues, his voice rumbling in your ears as you press your fingers deeper into you. You shove two fingers into your mouth as you try to muffle your whimpers. “-can’t stand Alex. Told you they should partner us up again…”

You hope, pray, that his voice drowns out the noise of your messy pussy as you speed up your fingers, unable to restrain yourself.

He pauses on the other side of the wall, but you can still hear the faint sound of his hands moving. “Thought about you… Was thinkin’ about you a lot.”

A surge of desire and anticipation runs through you as you feel yourself approaching your release. Your fingers leave your mouth with a wet pop. “Yeah?” Your voice is breathless and eager.

“Yeah.” Tyler’s voice is like velvet, deep and alluring. A low chuckle rumbles in his chest, “Daydreamin’ about you. Your mouth. How tight you’d feel around my cock.”

Tyler's voice sends shivers down your spine, its husky depth drawing you further into him. Your mind races with images of his mouth on yours, and the tightness you know would come from him being inside you.

As you rub circles over your swollen clit, you try to muffle your screams, but the effort is useless. "Oh fuck! Tyler!"

The sound of the curtain being roughly pulled open and closed goes unnoticed as you scramble to steady your trembling body against the wall.

Suddenly, you feel a strong hand on your hip, as his other engulfs your cheek. You gasp as Tyler's lips press against your ear. His growl echoes through you, sending chills of desire through your body. "Thought I heard somethin’ in here," he says, his hands trailing over your slick skin. "Couldn't resist touching yourself, could you? ‘Spose I couldn't either."

You sneak a glance downward and feel a surge of desire as you take in his swollen, red cock. The flushed head beads a translucent pearl, just for you. A low moan escapes your lips as you realize that he had been pleasuring himself while talking to you.

Tyler’s large hand move down your skin before he slowly pushes two thick fingers inside of you, the slickness and tightness engulfing them easily. Your body responds immediately, arching toward his touch. "Tyler, please," you gasp out.

"Shh," he whispers against your neck, nibbling at the sensitive skin. "Gotta stay quiet, remember? Can't risk anyone else walking in on us."

Your hand folds over his, feeling each flex as he thrusts into you. You tug on his hair as his other hand raises to knead at your breast. You bite your lip hard, struggling to contain your noises.

Tyler’s erection presses insistently against your thigh, begging for attention. You squeeze his hand as his fingers curl into you before grasping him. His skin is slick with sweat, and he feels heavy and thick in your hand.

As he lifts his head from your neck, his brown eyes search yours. They darken with intensity as he finds whatever he was looking for and he presses a harsh, possessive kiss to your lips. He explores your mouth with his tongue, eliciting a soft whimper from you. With a low groan, he withdraws his fingers and turns you around, your hands instinctively falling to the wall for support.

Your head spins as you look down, catching a glimpse of him dropping to his knees. His throbbing cock bobs up and down as he bends over. He spits into your clenching core before spreading it with his thumb. Tyler lightly presses into you before withdrawing to press his lips against you.

Tyler's tongue delves between your folds, eagerly lapping at your slick heat. Despite his attempt to shush you, the sound of his mouth on you is unmistakably loud. The wet slurping of his tongue against your skin sends shivers through your body, and you gasp and push back against him, craving more of his touch. His big hands grip your thighs, holding you steady and open for him.

"Fuck, you taste lovely," he growls against you, sending vibrations throughout your body as he speaks.

You bite down on your knuckles to muffle your cries of pleasure. The shower continues to beat down on your back as Tyler devours you from behind. His tongue swirls around your clit before dipping inside you, fucking you with quick, firm strokes.

"Oh god, Tyler," you whimper, your legs trembling. You're so close.

He grunts and hums against you. His large hand slides up to squeeze and knead your ass, sucking hard on your sensitive clit.

Your orgasm crashes over you suddenly, like a wave breaking on the shore. Letting out a muffled cry of his name, your body trembles and shudders with each intense wave of pleasure.

With a final, languid lick, Tyler rises to his feet. He gives your ass a light slap and seeing the mark it leaves, he groans. “We’ll have to save that for another day.”

He spins you around and in one smooth motion, he lifts you up and presses you against the cool tile wall.

Tyler’s cock throbs against your stomach, and your breasts are crushed against his chest. As he leans in, your hand reaches up to caress his feverish cheek, bringing his face closer to yours. His breath is warm as it brushes against your face, “If anything gets to be too much, you let me know.”

His brown eyes meet yours and you nod with a smile. Kissing him, your hand trails down his chest. Feeling the familiar weight of him, you circle your thumb around his head. He gasps as you lightly stroke him.

His hands firmly grip your thighs as he pulls back. His breath catches against your lips as you guide him inside of you, feeling yourself open up to accommodate him.

Tyler's eyes lock with yours as he slowly pushes into you, stretching you. You both let out low moans as he bottoms out, filling you completely. For a moment, you both still, savoring the feeling of his thick cock pulsing inside of you.

Then, he begins to move, setting a steady rhythm. The water from the shower cascades over both of your bodies as he drives into you again and again. His hips snap against yours, driving his cock deep with each thrust. You wrap your legs tighter around his waist, changing the angle slightly. A gasp escapes your lips as he hits that perfect spot inside you.

"Fuck, you feel amazing," Tyler groans, his accent thicker with arousal.

You cling to his broad shoulders, nails digging into his skin as he pounds into you. Tyler's lips find your neck. The sound of skin slapping against skin echoes in the small stall, the running water doing little to hide your noises.

"That's it, love. Your takin’ me so well.” Groaning into you, he continues. “D’you think about it? About how I’d feel inside of you?”

Your breath hitches at his words. "Yes," you gasp out. "All the time."

His thrusts become harsher at your admission. One hand braces against the wall, raising your leg higher and giving him more leverage to drive into you harder.

"Tell me,” He demands, his voice rough with need. "Tell me what you’d think about when you stuffed yourself with your fingers."

"Imagined they were yours," you pant, struggling to form any coherent thoughts. "Filling me up, stretching me out. Imagined how you’d feel inside of me. How you’d make me yours as I screamed your name."

His grip on you tightens and he nudges you with his nose. Meeting his dark eyes with teary ones, he growls possessively. "You are mine. Aren’t you?”

The intensity in his voice sends a shiver down your spine. You're there, right there.

"Yes. Fuck! Yes. I’m yours Tyler. O’ly yours, please, ‘m so close," you babble, clinging to him desperately.

"Cum for me, love," he urges, his voice strained. "Let me feel you."

Your body responds immediately to his command. The tension that's been building inside you reaches its peak, and you come undone in his arms. Your inner walls clench tightly around his cock, and you bury your face in his neck to muffle your cries of ecstasy, your nails digging into his back.

Tyler groans deeply as he feels you pulsing around him. His thrusts lose their rhythm as he reaches his own release. With a final, powerful thrust, he buries himself deep inside you and cums with a muffled shout against your shoulder. You can feel the warmth of his release filling you as his cock pulses within you.

For a long moment, you both stay still, panting heavily as you come down from your highs. The water from the shower continues to cascade over your intertwined bodies. Tyler presses his forehead against yours, his eyes closed as he catches his breath.

Slowly, he lowers you back to your feet, keeping a steadying hand on your waist as your legs wobble beneath you. You lean against him, watching as his cum drips out of you onto the floor before disappearing down the drain.

“Why are you so hostile?” He slammed his hand on the metal wall behind you.

You flinched.

“Because, because…” You stumbled over the words that struggled to come out.

He smelled differently, especially right now and in these last few days, he had seemed so far away. It hurt.

“What?” His eyes appeared darker.

“You have that bloody thing around your neck and…and you are not my Tyler. There is something different.”

“Oh? And how am I different?”

You shrugged. You couldn’t say definitively but he was.

“I don’t know.” You whispered.

“Well, that’s great.” He shouted. “Yet you don’t even know why.”

You chewed on your bottom lip.

“Well, this…this is in case something fucking happens to me. So you’ll know its me.”

He tore it off and threw it at you.

“Here, take it. I don’t need to wear it if it upsets you so much.”

“What is wrong with you?” Tears filled your eyes.

An alert, chirped to life filling the silence.

“Fuck.”

You heard him mutter, you looked at him. As he looked at his watch.”

“Not fucking now.”

He cleared his throat, his eyes slid to you. You didn’t move.

He tapped his communicator.

“Yes, Reid.” There was a strain in his voice.

“Is closer. Leaving now. Bring your protection.”

What you had heard, made the unease in your stomach churn. Now you felt ill.

“Understood.” He tapped the screen off. A loud sigh came from him.

“Tyler?” The argument, the upset you had felt was now replaced by whatever this was.

“Look. I said I got big things. This is it, or it will be. I gotta go.”

You nodded. His features were sharp, strained. He never looked this way with a simple salvage.

He brushed past you and went to his room.

You bent down and picked up the dog-tag,

His name, birthday etched in the glowing glass. You immediately followed him.

You only saw him tuck something way by the time you reached his door.

“Tyler, I’m sorry…” You began, you held up the dog-tag.

His words sliced through it.

“Stop. Doesn’t matter.” He came over cupped your chin, tilting your face up. “I’ll be back. I don’t know when. But I will. I’ll explain then. I should have earlier. Stay here. Not in the bunks.”

He felt especially warm as you felt his lips press against yours before he enveloped you in a tender squeeze. Your eyes barely met his brown ones before he spoke once more.

“Coming back to you, it will make the vast emptiness of space tolerable.”

******

You had brought down from the cabinet the amber liquid that had wonderfully warmed the two of you a mere few days before, now it barely softened the ache of his sudden departure.

His dog-tag now sat nestled around your throat. You couldn’t even imagine, what he was doing or why the sudden departure with no warning.

*******

You woke, face deep into one of his pillows when you heard the arrival of the others. So they didn’t suddenly leave either. He was alone.

Tears that had made your eyes raw came back with that realization. He was all alone up there. You reburied your face.

Inhaling, his crisp scent wishing you were miles away when you heard Kay call for him.

You would have to tell her, you would have to tell them all.

*******

They had finally managed to dock at the cargo ship. On the outside, it looked like it had gone through a few space battles, possibly with the pirates they had expected in taking it over.

At the moment, the gravity was in its on its cycle.

“And gravity will remain on.” Xano informed looking up from the only working screen, they had came across.

“Good.” Nodding, Tyler finally pulled off his helmet. Running a gloved hand through hair, he came over and looked down at the cracked screen.

Xano’s fingers were a blur as they continued to slide and tap over the keys.

“Only one life signature appears to be on board with us.”

Tyler tapped at the screen. “What’s it doing in the sterile room?”

Xano shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”

Tyler looked away from the screen, swallowing as he did. The argument was still fresh in his heart. On the corner of the screen was a faded snapshot of a couple during happier times, it brought fresh pain from the argument he had prior to leaving.

“You’ll see her again.” Xano patted him on the shoulder.

“I plan on it.”

*******

The doors groaned, and slid open in the dark their boots crunched on something.

Perhaps broken tile or glass; he could not be sure. The lights after a delay flickered on.

Tyler’s eyes grew at what he saw.

Reid, took off his glasses and rubbed at one of the lenses. Looking up in a dismissive manner.

“The sarcasm isn’t needed between us.”

Tyler shrugged.

“To be honest, you are not even near the danger zone and neither is your girl. She’s healthy. Her womb is strong. It will carry your seed very well.”

“And how do you know this?“ A stillness came over him.

“Harrison, don’t be naïve. You don’t think we didn’t check her out as well?”

“But why?”

“That’s classified.”

He closed the distance, then placed both hands on his desk as a flash of annoyance ignited in him.

“Classified, huh?”

“Harrison, now calm down.”

He rose his eyebrows. “I am very calm. I thought I was the only who mattered.”

“You are.”

“Then why do they know about my girl’s womb?”

He chair creaked as he rolled back to look up at him. “Her evaluation was up close to when yours were so when we tested you, they tested her.”

“I don’t like that.”

“You don’t like knowing you got a prime girl there? You have quality.”

“I know I do.” He stepped back once again.

Reid lurched back to his desk. “Such a romantic. Well, now you know medically.”

All he could do was roll his eyes.

“Oh yeah here. Now get out of my sight.”

Tyler caught the sliver of metal. “Dog tags?”

“If the hostiles take you out, we need to know who to send back to your family and girl.”

“Love you too Reid.”

The man sighed. “You are truly insufferable.”

Tyler, let a smirk play on his lips. “That’s why you chose me.”

“Maybe. Now get out of here.”

“Alright.”

******

He hovered over the open side of his chifforobe. He figured that was the safest place to store the hand gun, they had him go back to the hauler with.

Absently, he tapped his fingers on the dog tag that now hung from his throat. The acrid smell of this gun and the other ones he had handled today clung to him, his clothes. He had handled so many. The sheer number of them was far greater then he could have imagined. He had held the infamous pulse rife. Colonial marines had made them famous. They had great aided in the acquirement of a new colony here or there in one of the many far corners of space. Up to that point, he only handled a a simple hand gun, he had pawned it years ago for extra credits.

There was always his trusty volt charger. He had refashioned it from their ability to restarting engines to keeping one safe. He had never needed it. Not even against a twitchy artificial person or anything else that may be lingering in the dark depths of space.

The hand gun, they had let him go home with felt heavy in his hands as he held it once more. The black metal easily could disappear into any shadow he could find himself crouching in.

His wrist chirped to life, a smile curled his lips when he realized it was you.

Placing the hand gun down, he slipped it back into the thickly lined sack they gave him to store it in.

He cinched it, then tapping the small screen. The small screen was framing your face. “Hi baby. What do I owe pleasure?”

A smile spread across your lips. “With my recent discovery is they are now rewarding me. Are you home?”

“Yes. Come on over.”

“See you soon.”

There was a flicker and his watch was blank again. Unease shot through him as he closed the door to his chifforobe, then tucked the dog tags under his shirt. His fingers danced down the worn edges of memories captured from days, cycles past.

With a genuine smile on his face he went to the hauler’s perch and waited for you. From where he stood, he was just out of the reach of the sheets of rain. A few we t splatters splashed him here there but he was not soaked.

As he leaned against the thick metal frame of the opening, the conversation he shared with Reid about you played back in his head.

You had a strong womb, images of you and your belly full with his child oddly enough aroused him. His breath quickened. He would have done it. A future of you and him, growing. Little imaginations of that or him holding you protectively close, a hand splayed on your belly; the two of you sharing a smile made his heart pick up speed.

“High up in your tower I see.” Your sweet airy, voice reached him. Bringing him back to reality.

He chuckled. “And there be my fair girl.”

Without a moment for a breath, he leapt down. It wasn’t terribly high up and he easily made a clean landing.

“Oh! Oh my!” You gasped.

He only chuckled and pulled you right up against. His heart pounding, his breath still shortened.

“Damn, how are you mine?”

He kissed you then. You wiggled against him before he felt you melt against him. The kiss lasted and the rain , did fall down on you and him and once again it was easily soaking him.

“I like this.” You managed, when you broke for air however and heavy with soot and whatever else swirled around.

He saw how the kiss had made your cheeks rosy. It made him smirk, fill bigger then he was. “So do I but let’s go…” His voice trailed off as he saw your bemused expression drop.

“What is this?” You tugged gently on the dog-tag, as your nose twitched.

It must have popped free of his shirt when he jumped. He pressed his lips together. In the back of his mind, knowing he had not had a chance to clean up he wondered if you could smell the training he had done.

You remained a little rooted where you stood but after a touch of hesitation you let him pull you close.

“Do you still trust me?” He brushed some wet strands from your face.

You nodded.

“Come inside and I will tell you.”

Though right now his only intention was to relieve you from the final quarter of your duties for the day. He could not get sloppy and let a simple fall possibly ruin all he had already accomplished. One little injury could do that.

Reid, the balding man who had volunteered him for all of this had been incredibly pleased with all he had accomplished. He had suggested as a reward; he could spend the rest of the day with one of the speciality girls. He had even got out the catalogue. But he assured him, you were his. His destiny. No one in the pleasure catalogue could answer his needs like you did.

He had been rehydrating after finishing a round of sparring with Xano; when Reid arrived with the catalogue and a new card of fresh credits for him to use. Reid, was more awkward then usual, artificial people made him nervous.

Xano; was one of the good ones. Never had he malfunctioned. He kept to his directive without the use of cold impersonal methods. He could truly pass as a human. Though, he did begin to sweat white when the sparring grew more intense.

He had given him good instructions on how to do one on one fights. The methods he showed him on how to improve his ability to fight and how to stop his body from cramping while remaining crouched for extended periods of time.

Reid, had dismissed Xano. Once gone, Reid told him in his usual measured voice how he deserved a reward for doing so good. His achievements were higher then anyone had expected. Though, he had quickly assured him that new goals had been set.

“Harrison.” Reid, clapped him on the back. “You’re a good man. Making me very proud.”

“You’re welcome.”

Tyler grimaced, scratching the back of his head. He truly didn’t know how to respond. Being gracious wasn’t something he had a knack of being.

“It’s actually more fun then I thought it would be.” He slid the man a look.

“Good. Now run along; go see your girl. But if there are ever any other girls on planet from the pleasure catalogue you would rather have a taste of, just shout.”

He fiddled with the cuff of one of his gloves. “Can’t you enjoy one of them on my behalf?”

“Nah, I’m certain that none of them would want someone like me looking at them from over the rim of my glasses.”

Tyler shrugged. “Never, thought mine would have looked at me.”

Reid, rose an eyebrow.

“Yeah. Seriously.”

Reid, shrugged. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good.” He eyed the card Reid gave him. “So I give the person at main control this?” He held up the card. “And my girl is free from the final quarter and there will be no shortage in her credits?”

“All taken care of with that card, Harrison.”

“Great.” He gave him a nod and then headed off into the swirling soot and rain.

*******

The door whispered close behind him as he remained standing close to the building. The rain did not hesitate to smack him in the face. He made a face. He really hated this planet.

Pressing his lips together, he began to make this way over to headquarters that monitored the portion of the mine you worked in.

He barely looked around as he walked. There were some food vendors, the queue to speak with a company representative was very long today, he noticed. People were not happy. He didn’t linger. He saw people playing some dice. There were muttered curses and sour faces.

Finally, outside of the door of the head quarters, he kicked some of the excess mud that clung to his boots on the wall outside, before going inside.

It felt like someone had flipped a switch. The silence was almost deafening in its own way. The constant sound of the rain and the groaning machines had left him buzzing as he walked in.

Going over to the desk, there was behind a pane of glass, as he drew closer he saw that it was quite thick. Upset people could grow angry, angry people could turn violent. The glass was necessary. Where the glass ended began a wall of metal. There was a barely noticeable difference in the medal that had been worn, scratched where a door was. Some of the scuffs on the tile went up to it and surely continued onto another side.

He swallowed. He had only been here one of other time. He had gone to receive Bjorn’s mother’s; his aunt’s belongings from her locker after the accident. He had wanted to spare Bjorn that pain.

He lowered his hood, and gave the very tired looking man who sat at the desk one of his winning smiles. The man barely flickered a look at him. The screen in front of him illuminating his face.

“Inquiry?” He finally spoke.

Tyler pulled off a glove, shoved under his heavy coat to slip into a pocket and that held the card within the second layer of his clothes. He couldn’t let the elements; weather, human or otherwise get to it.

He held it up. “I have this.” He placed it in the spot where documents were usually passed.

“Oh? It’s you.” The man’s eyes were less drowsy. “I was told you would be arriving.”

He tapped a few key strokes the computer which made bleeping and bopping sounds which filled the small space.

“She will be up in;” He appeared to be reading a message. “Forty five minutes. After decompression and sanitization. You can come back or you can head over to where they disembark from the elevator.”

“I’ll wait.”

The man, gave a half smile mumbled something he could not make out and the man tapped the card before passing it back to him.

“They will want this back.”

“Thank you.” Tyler took it and put it back in the pocked it had been nestled into.

He slipped his glove back on and then went over to where the hub of elevators were.

Standing there, he leaned. The numbing of space travel would make this time waiting feel as if it was nothing; especially since he’d see you at the end of it.

*******

An orange, lanky and very wet cat caught his eye. It was walking along the buildings across the way. It made him inwardly smile, realizing the cat found the balance between being rained on constantly and just partially. Though a a few large drops from the building would catch him. His collar hung low but his tag still swayed above the mud.

If he had a cat on this planet, he’d keep it inside. No need to it to be miserable like the rest of us. Though pets like this were rare. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw a cat or even a dog. Hamsters and the canaries were owned by group leaders. Since they were small it easier to look after them.

He had always wanted a dog, a faithful hound fun and always loving. At least that is what he had heard they were like. They’d welcome you home, sniff your hand and stay close to your heels. The would be nice. Maybe if you two would get to that shake and bake colony.

*******

“Ooooh.” The voice was raspy. It sounded as if it had scrapped its way through the owner’s mouth. “Sugar, if I had known you were so handsome, I would have slipped on a dress and some thermals.”

He barely had time to flinch and pull away from a hand that gently tugged on his arm. Unable to draw back fast enough, he felt as cold lips pressed against his cheek.

“I’m sorry. I did not hire you.” He immediately said.

He was relieved to finally move. Looking her up and down, he realized it was Holi3721A. He remembered her from the catalogue that Reid had offered to him. When it had flopped open in his hands, it had gone to her page. His sharp memory remembered.

********

You pressed and unpressed your lips together. You may have even bit the inside of your cheek once or twice. You were barely aware.

All you had been told was that you had an excused leave. Someone was waiting on the other side to pick you up. The seconds, as they counted to zero with sanitization were excruciating. You could only sit or stand till it was over.

Despite, having done most of your shift today, you should have felt worn out. Especially, since in your free time you stayed awake longer. You held onto whatever time you could have with Tyler.

During those moments, the minutes easily fell through your fingers like grains of sand you could barely hold onto. Where now the minutes felt like mini lifetimes.

The anxiousness that rushed in your body made sitting and standing the only thing that helped in making the minutes go by faster.

Relief filled you when the alarm sounded and you could finally head over to the elevator. A smaller group was with you then a few days prior but that didn’t make it any more comfortable. You just wanted out and back onto the surface.

At this point, even a heavy rain would be welcome if you just knew what this was all about. Now, safe in the elevator you let yourself remember that the last time this happened, your mother had collapsed and had been rushed to the medical station two quadrants over. Now the only ones you cared about was Kay, Navarro and Bjorn. You would not even allow yourself to imagine anything taking place with Tyler.

*******

A small pout, came over her too red lips.

“But, but you are so handsome. I’ve never had one so handsome. Can’t I cancel my booking and go with you?”

He gently as he could removed her hand from his arm.

“You don’t want to end up in a 4 x 6 with q week suspension and garnished credits. Do you?” He tried to be reasonable. He couldn’t help but notice that she looked like a mere shadow of the person she had been when they had catalogued her.

“It’ll be worth it. I will make you see stars.”

He barely was able loosen her hand.

“Tyler?! Is that you?”

Hearing your voice made him stop and look in its direction. Spotting you a ghost of a smile reached his face.

He turned back to Holi3721A. “That’s my girl, I was waiting for her.”

“Tyler? What is going on?” You were closer, he could see you from the corner of his eye.

“Well..” He began, glancing at you and then back at Holi3721A.

“Hey! You! I placed an order for you. I didn’t order extra company.” A gruff voice hollered from the direction you had come from.

Tyler looked at the man as he drew closer and then back at Holi3721A. He was a large, tall man. His scraggly mustache was the only thing visible from a hood that hung over his eyes. He beckoned to Holi3721A. Tyler gave her a quick glance.

“Coming, sweetie.” Her voice was much higher then it had been mere moments before. “Didn’t know where to wait. Was asking for directions.”

Holi3721A quickly moved and was soon in front of the man.

Tyler, swallowed. He could hear the silence between the two of you, as he turned to face you. He wanted to smile, pull you close. This was not how he had imagined picking you up early.

“Is everything ok?” You squinted up at him in the falling rain. “Is Kay? Bjorn? Navarro?”

He could see the worry plain on your face.

“Yes.” He chewed his bottom lip. “They’re fine, great probably…” His voice trailed off, as he shifted his hat.

“Are you?” You pointed at his face. “That girl’s red lipstick is sliding off your cheek.”

“What? It is?” He immediately rubbed at his cheek. He glanced at his glove. Sure enough a little clung to it.

“I was waiting for you when she approached.”

“Oh?”

He shrugged. “She must have thought I was the one who ordered her.”

“And she kissed you.”

He nodded, he grimaced. Not knowing what to say. In a time before you, he never had to care about such things and nor did anyone was he with care.

“She saw me, thought it was a good idea.” He rocked on his feet. “Enough about her. I came to come and grab you. I wanted to see you.”

“Why? My day is not even close to being over.”

He blinked. He thought you would be happy. There was an edge to your voice that he had never heard before.

“Because they are happy with my performance.” He scratched the back of his head. “Would you rather be in the mine?” His voice could be just as sharp.

Annoyance began to build in him.

“No.” You stuffed your hands into your pockets. “But the company being this generous worries me.”

A smirk curled his lips, thinking of the special mission. He had a flash of a possible future in his minds eye from all the commercials that advertised that perfect life. Realizing, the stress of it all is what had made him tense. He didn’t want to put that on you.

“Baby. I’m amazing, I’m good at what I do.” He closed the very small distance between the two of you.

You finally had a hint of a smile.

“You are that.”

“They’re just rewarding me.” He chuckled. “Come now. Let’s go and eat.”

******

As the two of you walked to the mess hall closest to the hauler, he glanced your way.

“How was down below?”

You beamed at him. “I found a new vein in the rocks.”

“My sharp eyed girl.”

“I am.”

Your mood seemed to have brightened.

“If its as big as I believe it to be,” You continued. “It might give a few days worth of energy.”

He reached out and wrapped an arm around your shoulders giving you a squeeze.

“We are both very good at what we do.”

You nodded.

“They were more then pleased to let me leave. Though they had remained quiet as to why I was.”

“That’s how they are.”

“Yeah.”

The door with a swish, slid open. Easily with a hand on your back, he guided you over to a table in one of the corners.

“I’ll grab our food.”

“Oh?”

He nodded.

“I may not be cooking but you know I still enjoy taking care of you.”

His gloved finger tips grazed your cheek.

“Relax and I will be right back.”

“Alright.”

He gave you a quick smile as he watched you shrugged out of your heavy coat. He pulled off his gloves and stuffed them into his coat before he placed it on his chair. co

Rolling his shoulders, he went over and grabbed one of the larger ones. His lips curled as he looked at the steaming kettles that offered stews. He stirred one, it looked a little better when he did that. Making sure he got you both some hearty portions of it. He tore off some bread, it felt fresh so at least there was that. Then he poured the two of you some fermented Kefir.

As he walked back to you, he smiled watching you quickly neaten the utensils on the table then slide the infinity loop beside the illumination bulb.

*******

“At least this was decent.” You moved your head from side to side.

You snagged a small piece of bread from Tyler’s plate and popped it into your mouth.

“Hey!” He chuckled. “I was eyeing that last piece of bread.

You stood a little closer to him, eyes playful and smile bright. “Opps!”

He smirked. “Good thing you’re cute.” He chuckled.

******

You grumbled as you pulled up your hood. “Is the rain actually falling harder?”

“Probably. Well, let’s not linger.” He looped his arm with yours.

******

Once in the warmth of the hauler, you went into the little kitchenette to pour Tyler and you some liquor he had managed to snag from a few salvages back. It made the tummy warm and made some of the harder edges of life a little fuzzy when you and him had a few servings.

After putting the bottle down, you unscrewed its cap. You inhaled, it was so rich and spicy. It gave you warmth from a sniff before even sip.

Glancing over to Tyler, you saw him settle in one of the chairs after he placed yours and his clothes into the cleaning cycle. You knew he had not wanted that woman’s lip stick to leave any permanent stains. You frowned as you saw him chew on his thumb. He only did that when he was anxious.

Something was on his mind, you were convinced. He had begun researching a new salvage that he had been very quiet about it. You wondered what it was. Usually, he spoke of them.

Going on your tip toes, you took some glasses down from the cabinet above you.

“Tyler, do you want yours with a cooler glass?” You called out.

“I’ll have it how you’re having it.” He murmured warmly against your bare shoulder.

Tyler, you gently jumped against his him. A soft chuckle came from him. One of his strong arms wrapped around your middle pulling you close.

“When you hold me like this, I don’t need anything else.”

“I don’t either.”

*******

Entangled with each other, he held you close. Your kisses and hands knew what to do. Taking him deeper into your mouth, he inhaled sharply above you. He leaned on his elbows, on his bed as you remained nestled between his legs. You gasped a little as he tickled the back of your throat but you enjoyed how he filled your mouth. His slender fingers entwined tighter in your hair, as you felt his body tighten.

“Baby,” His voice strained with his passion. “Come up here.”

As a final tease you slowly, pulled your lips up his length. Your heart was thudding hard in your chest, as you got up and to go over to him. He shifted so he was further back onto his bed as you crawled over.

His chest rose and lowered as you both looked at each other. “You are so beautiful.” Reaching, he pulled you over him and into a kiss. You settled, just above his hardness on his lower stomach.

He brushed your hair from your face. His eyes met yours and you nodded. Holding, him just so you slid down his hard length. A soft moan broke your lips as you did.

“Oh, Tyler.” The pleasure of this pulled a moan from deep within you, mingling when you spoke.

No more words were spoken. Just sounds of pleasure you gave each other filled the room. He moved exquisitely under you, how his fingers dug into your hips felt almost too good. Your passion was reflected in his face. Your body arched as your hips rolled as you rode him. The memory of how he showed you how to do this still fresh in your memories; it only made your pleasure grow within you.

*******

Blinking, gasping as you clutched at your chest you woke once again with a terrible fright. This was the second time, since his return from the salvage of Omega 17 that a nightmare had filled your sleeping hours. Your heart was pounding. This time the image of his shock, anguish was very clear in his eyes before he was ripped away from you into the darkness.

Gazing down, still breathless you were able to calm yourself and seeing he was right there beside you. He was deeply asleep. His usually handsome features as sharp as a razor were soft with slumber. The terror of the dream once again, began to fade.

Tyler’s gaze immediately shot to the two siblings, then back to you, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Fuck!!” He screamed, his fists banging against the glass of the door before he walked over to Andy, getting on his knees as he held onto the synthetic’s hand, crying as he begged him to open the door. 

“Please, Andy, please,” Tyler sobbed. “Don’t let her die, man, please.”

And in a moment of sheer miracle, he didn’t.

The door slid open and you fell into the hallway, right into Tyler’s arms. Everyone pulled you away from the open door as it shut at the last moment, helping you narrowly escape the alien. 

However, there wasn’t much time for you to recover despite the many injuries you have suffered from falling down stairs and platforms, crashing into cold, hart metal. All four of you sprinted along the curved hallway towards the next best hiding place, eventually finding a small, empty office. Andy locked the door behind him while Rain helped you to the desk, shoving the clutter off of it.

“Fucking hell, Andy!” Tyler shoved the synthetic. “How could you risk letting her—“ 

“Tyler,” Rain warned him, looking over her shoulder as she tended to your injuries. 

He scoffed, running a hand through his hair as he paced through the office, visibly trying to calm himself down. His eyes landed on you, and yours found his, all the physical pain forgotten. All the emotional pain coming back. 

The dam you’ve been building so carefully now broken beyond repair, and all the water flooding back in. Nausea was rushing through your body when his voice turned to you

“When were you gonna tell me?” He echoed from the furthest corner of the office.

“I do not think this is the time to be having such a conversation,” Andy instantly stepped in, blocking him from your view. “Calm down, Tyler. And let her calm down, too.”

But with your throat constricted, you had no way of saying anything. Not even to Rain as she sent you a compassionate look that said ‘I am so sorry.’

“How bad is it?” You asked her to deflect from the commotion on the other side of the office.

“Pretty tough bruising, but I don’t see any broken bones,” she noted. “You think you can make it back to the Corbelan on foot?”

You swallowed hard, letting out a deep, compressed breath in an attempt to calm your nerves just enough to remain level-headed. At least for the moment. You gave her a nod, which she acknowledged with a small smile.

“You got this,” Rain said, though you didn’t know what exactly she meant. Only felt that she probably wasn’t referring to your bruises. 

⋆𖤓⋆ 

Back on the Corbelan, the rest of the crew all let out relieved sighs at the sight of their unscathed friends. “Oh, thank God you’re safe,” Kay let out a breath she'd seemingly been holding ever since you left the space ship. “We should get you to med bay just to be sure you’re all okay.”

It wasn’t more than a good amount of bruises for all of you, and trauma for the rest of your lives, but everyone made it out alive, and was ready to leave, which was the only thing that mattered right now.

“We’ll take care of everything at home, and then we’re out of there for good,” Tyler announced, and Rain nodded in agreement. 

“I’ll set course for Jackson’s Star,” Navarro said and left for the cockpit. 

“Come on guys, let’s get buckled in for the ride,” Rain said, pushing everyone else out of the exam room. Everyone except for you and Tyler. She gave you one last apologetic look before mouthing the word ‘talk’ and walking off.

With everyone gone to the cockpit, leaving you and Tyler in med bay, the room suddenly felt a lot less comfortable than it already did by default.

His stare was ice-cold, his arms crossed in front of his chest, moving up and down with each deep breath that filled his lungs and calmed his nerves. You knew this look, you’ve seen it enough times.

“I just can’t do it anymore,” his British accent bounced off the walls of the trailer.

“What are you talking about?” You asked. A beat. No reaction. “Tyler!?”

The silence sucked all the oxygen from the small mobile home, leaving you nearly gasping for air as the first wave of nausea engulfed you. The final telling sign that this is where it ends.

“This!” He spat, arms spread as he gestured around the room. “This whole me and you thing!”

But words failed you, and the silence gave him courage.

"This hasn’t been going well for months, and you know it. We keep pretending that everything’s fine, that somehow everything will magically get better once we do this, once we do that, but it won’t. I can’t fix this. I can’t fix us. I’m just trying to survive here, trying to make it through another day without losing my mind. And your expectations, your— your… plans and hopes and dreams, they’re just… exhausting. This is exhausting.”

⋆𖤓⋆

His arms had been the ones to hold you tight all night long as you broke down once and for all. His thumbs had been the ones to wipe away your tears despite them already having formed into an endless stream of salty liquid. His ears had been the ones to listen to your heartbroken attempts at understanding how he could so suddenly throw it all away when he’d been the one to promise you over and over again that he would rather die than live a life without you.

And his mouth had been the one to shut you up and make you forget about everything. Even if just for the night.

“Stop looking at me like that,” you said as you got up into a sitting position, pulling your shirt back down and crossing your arms in front of your stomach as if hiding it from him. As if doing that will save you from having to deal with the implications of a small human being growing inside of you.

“How am I looking at you?” Tyler retorted in a hissy tone. 

“You know exactly how you’re looking.”

He uncrossed his arms, letting them fall to his sides in a dramatic gesture of annoyance as his eyes glanced around the room, then back at you.

“Well, care to have a conversation now?” He asked expectantly.

You huffed. “I don’t know why I should.”

“Uhm, well, I don’t know,” he shrugged. “Maybe because you’re pregnant and didn’t tell me.”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Tyler.”

“Oh, so you suddenly forgot how babies are made?”

“Haha, so funny,” you said with a stern look on your face, cocking your head to the side. “Patronising as ever.”

“So what?” He huffed in response. You were just gonna get rid of it? My child! Make that decision for both of us?”

“Who the hell said it’s yours, huh?” You snapped, the pain turning into anger and frustration.

“Yeah, cause there are plenty guys to choose from on the colony,” he scoffed, a pained grin on his lips.

That shut you up. You looked to the side as if avoiding his eyes would take the rising feeling of guilt away. As if it would undo what you did.

“You know what? You’ll never change,” he mumbled, turning around and storming off. 

On his way out of med bay, his shoulder bumped into that of his cousin. Annoyed at everything and everyone, he shoved him against the wall. “Get out of my fucking face, mate!”

You wanted to follow him, not giving him the satisfaction of blaming everything on you and then leaving you in silence. But upon rushing after him — or, attempting to — a sharp pain jolted through the side of your body, forcing you to stay behind after all.

“Fuck!” You hissed, then shouting after him before he disappeared into the hallway. “You’re one to talk, Tyler!”

It hadn’t been just one night.

It had become a habit. A nasty, disgraceful habit that left you ashamed of yourself, of what you’d become.

Of what he’d turned you into.

“We have to stop,” you said as you sat on the edge of the bed, turning your back to his laying frame on the other side. 

“What’cha mean?” He asked, his voice rough. 

“I mean exactly what I said,” you huffed. “This,” you gestured between him and yourself, “is not okay. We can’t keep doing this.”

“Come on, don’t— Let’s not have this conversation, alright? Don’t make this complicated when it doesn’t have to be,” he groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“He’s your cousin!” You cried out. “And my ex! How is that not complicated?” 

You jumped up from the bed, hastily putting on your shorts and tee, ignoring your discarded underwear as you made for the door of his trailer, slipping on your shoes, and storming off without another word.

“You’ll come back anyways, luv. Just like you always do,” he shouted after you before you slammed the door to the trailer shut.

“You alright?” Bjorn held onto you before you stumbled. 

“Yes!” You hissed, aggressively pulling your arms back. “I’m fine. Just fine.”

A chuckle rumbled from his chest. “God dammit, is everyone on this bloody ship on their period or what.”

“Just shut the fuck up, Bjorn!” You near-shouted. “Not everything’s a fucking joke.”

Despite the pain in your side, and the inability to storm off, you made for the door when, suddenly. his hand grabbed your wrist, pulling you back forcefully. You landed in his arms, chest to chest, face to face, your eyes pulling each other in like they did that one fateful night.

“Kinda tragic you always end up in my arms when he fucks up,” Bjorn mentioned. “Always me who has to pick up the pieces.”

“Let me go, Bjorn,” you said, your voice calm despite.

“Only if you tell me what that was about,” he motioned towards the hallway where Tyler had just disappeared.

“Nothing,” you replied shortly. 

He tsked, shaking his head. “Still the avoidant type.” His grip on your arms loosened, yet he moved closer to you, his lips grazed the shell of your ear.

“If only you were as open as your legs were two weeks ago,” his whispery voice echoed through your entire body.

“Oh, fuck off!” You hissed, shoving him back which did not amount to much because a) he was too strong for you and b) the sharp pain shooting through your side held you back. 

“Hey, sorry to interrupt you guys, but we wanna leave,” Kay timidly walked into med bay, letting the two of you know you needed to come to the cockpit.

⋆𖤓⋆

“Did something happen on the ship?” Kay asked, clearly having to force herself to bring up the topic that surely was on everyone’s mind at this moment. “I don’t know, there’s just this… this weird vibe ever since you guys came back.”

What followed was an even more awkward silence than before. Half of the crew didn’t know what to say, and the other half didn’t want to risk accidentally revealing one secret or the other. 

Tyler’s eyes landed on you, his gaze still dominated by that look of vexation and resentment. Bjorn looked from you to Tyler and back again, ultimately deciding to just stare at the ground. 

Like the rest of the crew.

“Great. Now you’re not even saying anything,” Kay tried again. “Which proves my point by the way.”

The oppressive silence was a clear admission of your guilt, and gave her trust to keep digging.

“Tyler? Care to explain what happened?” She turned to her brother. “Cause I know damn well something did happen on that ship.”

“Why don’t you start with the person who’s clearly the cause of it all,” he hissed, blaming you so aggressively you had trouble keeping your composure.

“Me?” You scoffed.

“Yeah, obviously,” he hissed.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest, shaking your head. “Oh, that’s rich, coming from you.”

“You stop acting all high and mighty, alright?” He raised his voice, so you did too.

“What happened to the guy who fell to his knees begging Andy to save my life in there, huh? Where did he go? Why did he do such a 180?”

“You know exactly why,” he scoffed, shaking his head.

“I know,” you retorted, “but I’m asking why you think that.”

He shrugged, and you kept shouting at each other, a constant stream of accusations and insults bouncing off the metal walls of the Corbelan.

“I’m my own person, I don’t need to fill you in about every single thing that happens in my life,” you fumed.

“Ah, yes, here we go again.”

“What?”

“Your whole ‘none of your business’ attitude,” he mocked. “Like no one’s involved in this, eh?”

“Yeah, because this has nothing to do with the mission!” You yelled, your tone gaining a desperate edge, just wanting him to drop it altogether.

“Course not,” he laughed. “Cause the mission’s not putting you in danger. Or the baby.”

But of course things always had dire consequences for you. The two lines looked up at you from beside the sink like the insides of a snake’s eye. Like they were a mirrored image of what you had become.

“You alright in there?” Rain’s voice sounded from outside the bathroom. 

“Uhh… Yeah, yeah, all good,” you reassured, and before she could say anything else, let alone do something, you stormed out of the room, bumping right into her.

“Oof— You had me scared there for a second,” she admitted with a tense chuckle, but you immediately played it down.

“You know how it is… Girl stuff. Such pain in the ass.”

A set of blue eyes immediately shot up from beside you. You could feel his stare on you, switching from your face to your stomach, burning into your skin.

“Tyler,” Rain said, her voice with an edge of disappointment. 

“What?” He exclaimed, gesturing with his arms held out in front of his body and his shoulders raised.

“Yeah, really not cool, mate,” Bjorn agreed. 

The fact that even Bjorn started defending you when he’d always been the shit stirrer of the group spoke volumes. And did not go unnoticed by Tyler.

“You,” he pointed at his cousin. “Don’t even start. None of your goddamn business!”

“Oh, really?” He accepted the challenge. “‘Cause you made it my business, mate.”

“Bjorn, don’t,” you warned, shooting him an alarming glare.

“No, no, no, he needs to hear this,” Bjorn stopped you. “You know what your girl did the night you dumped her like some piece of rubbish? You wanna know?”

“Bjorn!” You snapped, but he wouldn’t listen.

“You wanna know whose name she screamed that night?”

The seat creaked as he sat back.

He felt his heart pick up speed.

“Me sir?”

The man nodded. “One of our bigger cargo ships has gone missing. It’s beacon recently came back online but no one is answering any of the coms we sent.”

The man gave an indifferent shrug.

“Perhaps, space pirates took it, raided it and killed the crew; we can’t be sure. But we want you to go and look into it.”

“When sir?”

“Fifteen days, Harrison.”

“If I may, depending on where it is why not send me now and perhaps I’ll come back faster then planned like with the Omega 17 salvage I just came back from.”

For a moment, a smug expression fell over his face. The pay day and his efficiency was superb. But he caught himself, and went back to a blank expression.

The man behind the desk chuckled.

“Told you guys, my boy is motivated.” The glanced at the two other men. “And he’s good. My best.” He gave him a smile. It made his stomach churn.

The military man stepped forward. “We believe, this time you will encounter hostiles.”

He pressed his lips together.

“Alright. I’ve never dealt with hostiles or anyone for that matter.”

“What about the few fights that led to a late night, dawn in one of the 4 by 10 rooms?” The man’s razor thin mouth cracked into a smirk that spread across his face.

This was beginning to sound like something he may not walk away from. He felt ill.

“Easy. You will get some training. You don’t get it, it doesn’t sink in before we need to ship out; we replace you.

“Hey, you said it would be my man we’re using.” The man behind the desk genuinely rankled.

Tyler never would have guessed that he cared one way or another.

The military officer shrugged. “My men will give you a rundown on how to handle yourself.”

“What about my crew?”

“Honestly? We are well aware of how important your family is to you, they can stay on the Corbelan IV, your cousin doesn’t need any help from us. Or we can give you a different crew.”

The man’s tone was as flat and as unforgiving as he looked.

“We don’t care as long as you accomplish what we want you for.”

“How’s the payout?”

The man behind the desk let out a chuckle. The military officer glanced down at him and back to him.

“If it all works out you will be able refit uthe Corbelan IV with the repairs its been needing and more.”

“Alright done.”

“Go to quadrant twenty seven at eight hundred hours tomorrow.”

********

Tyler, moved through throngs of people. Another miserable day in Jackson. His mind was a jumble. Did be really say yes?

“Baby want a good time?” Hand reached out, he grimaced and shook his head barely stopping.

He had to get out here. You all did. Damn, you had never even see anything else.

He was grateful, when he got to the Corbelan no one was there. He needed some time to think.

He plopped down in one of the chairs. It barely gave under his weight. But it would have to do. Looking out of the shuttered smudged window, he saw more dark clouds had rolled in bringing more rain.

He raked his fingers through his hair. He could do this. If he felt strong enough he’d bring the others along. How would he even explain using another crew.

He smirked to himself, at the idea of making some solid credit. They had wanted him. His eyes moved over the small sitting space. Grungy, cramped. Far too small. He rested a boot on the table.

Two small hands that had rough softness covered his eyes. A broad smile curled his lips.

“Guess who?”

He chuckled, tilting his head to one side. “My annoying sister.”

A peel of laughter came from above him.

“Guess again?“

“Oh! Oh! I know Navarro.”

“No!!!” You slipped to the side of him, hand on your hip.

“I knew it was you.”

He chuckled but as he looked you up and down, a smirk curled his lips. Damn. Even in your faded, torn company shirt and cargo pants you looked good.

“Looking good baby.”

You shrugged. “May I?“ Your eyes fell to his lap and back up to his eyes.

“Please.” He smirked pushing against the chair, it was unforgiving. So he could happily make room for you in his lap.

You easily made yourself comfortable. It relaxed him after what he had just gone through, good or bad. It had filled him with unease filled confidence if that was even possibly.

You wiggled more and then giggled.

“Tyler? Are you off world?”

Another giggle came from you.

His attention coming back to he rose an eyebrow as he saw you giving him a playfully serious look from under the shield of his cap. You were far too cute sometimes.

“Just the meeting I had.”

He made a face, mentally shrugging the feel off. He looked at you, cocking an eyebrow.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“What? Oh this?” You playfully placed your hands on his cap.

He motioned for it. “Give it back.”

“Nah, its comfy. I like it.”

He made a swipe for it. You avoided his hand and squealed.

Wrapping his arms around you he held you close. Easily snatched it off your head, pulled it onto his.

You were beginning to protest, when he dipped close and pressed his lips against. He felt a soft push before he felt you melt against him.

*******

Eyeing your reflection in the scrapped, mirror. You frowned. Even though the rain had let up and you all could walk to the bar with just ash and soot hanging in the air, your hair fell flat.

You had never been one to use taming spray. But it just looked so boring and dull. You had wanted to look good for Tyler.

Kay came bouncing up behind and gave you a tight embrace. You could smell the soft scent of the drinks she had been enjoying. She endearing, pressed her head against yours.

“What’s the matter? Is my brother being insufferable?” Her eyes met yours in the mirror.

“No.” Your shoulders slumped. You patted her arms. “He’s great. I just don’t think I’m enough.”

She pulled back and turned you to face her. “What is this?” Her eyes were sharp with concern. “He adores you. I’ve never seen him so happy.” She chuckled. “So full of himself. He’s like I got the best so I am the best.” She smiled.

“Truly.”

“Yeah. I’ve never seen him so confident.” She looked playful. “If I didn’t like you so much, I would have pushed him out of the Corbelan long time ago.”

You smiled then. “If you say so.”

“I do.” She offered an arm. “Now, let’s get back out there! We have to get a few more dances in and have a few more drinks.” She gigglee.

“Yes!”

******

“One more.” He gave you a wink, taking the glass. “You gotta finish yours too.” His gestured to yours.

“Oh! I almost forgot.” You hopped onto the stool beside him, grabbing your own glass.

You glanced over at the small very jammed dance floor Kay was shimmying with some random blonde guy you once or twice saw in your sector of the mine. You had lost track of where Bjorn and Navarro were.

You looked back at Tyler in time to see him bringing the glass to his lips. In the hazy, warmth the drinks you had distantly made you jealous of the glass. Looking him over, you noticed how sweat prickled his dark strands, his cheeks were flushed and how he tilted his head back as easily drank the entirety of the glass.

A loud sigh came from him, slamming the glass down he wiped his mouth the back of his hand. “Ready?”

You nodded, happily took his hand.

His hands were firm, as he held you to him. You fingers grazed through the shorter strands of where he shorn some of his hair. It was a wonderful contrast to the longer, soft strands.

You giggled softly as he leaned in close, his lips grazing your throat. He nipped at you. It made you wiggle against him.

“Man, I want you.” His voice rasped in your ear.

Moving just so. Loving how his scent enveloped the two of you. It pushed away the others or even the place.

“I will always be yours.” You whispered in his ear.

He pulled you even closer to him.

******

He rubbed his temples under the water beating down at him. He really shouldn’t have drank that much last night.

But then again, it was the night before the company owned more of him. He was doing this for you and the others. He had to keep telling himself this.

******

He swished the water and the paste in his mouth after scrubbing at his teeth. Might as well not look and smell like he had danced and drank the night away.

Going into the kitchen, he opened one of the containers and snatched up two blocks of the corn bread. Sighing, he munched on one. By the time he came back to his room. He placed the one he grabbed for you by environment gauge and time giver.

Carefully, he pulled on his long sleeved, thermal shirt leaving the buttons undone, always felt strangled otherwise and then he pulled on a pair of his heavier socks. He looked back at you. He had wanted to tell you, more then he even wanted to tell Kay or Bjorn but right now, he couldn’t he had to get the feel of things.

A soft sound came from you, still asleep as you moved and settled onto your back. You had snagged one of his shirts. Seeing you in it, made him smile.

Looking away, he reached out and pulled over his boots. Another soft sound came from you. Maybe he should leave a note, but you and the others knew how sometimes he would leave early if he had a good lead on a new salvage. But this was different. He chewed the inside of his cheek.

“Tyler?” Your voice was soft, still heavy with sleep and he felt your hand on his back.

He put on a brave face, a winning smile

“Hi sleepy.”

“You are already leaving?”

He nodded. “Got to.”

“Ok.” He felt your hand leave his back. He shuffled a bit to face you more.

You looked back at him.

“Look you trust me right?”

You nodded.

“Good.” He chuckled softly. “Look I got some good things ahead. I promise.”

You pressed your lips together. “Good. Just be safe.”

“Me? Always.” He pointed at his table. Look, I even nabbed your favorite. The corner of the corn bread.”

You smiled then. “Thank you.”

“Nothing but the best, I can give.”

You moved fast and hugged him tight. You tucked in under his chin.

“Baby?“ He without hesitation hugged you back.

“Had a nightmare.”

He squeezed you. “Nothing will get me.”

He felt as you nodded.

“Now you are one that’s gotta to be safe in the mine today.” He rubbed your back. “Take a tablet before you head out, to clear your head. I’ll get us some good rations for tonight.”

*******

“Oooooouch!” The voice called out and instantly let you go.

You turned around, your heart beating harder since you knew the voice.

“Tyler!” You scream and slapped his arm.

A large smile spread across his handsome face before he howled with laughter. Easily, he pulled you close and this time you wrapped your arms around him. Happily, you pressed yourself even closer against him.

“My strong, feisty girl.” He said breathless against the top of your head.

Easily, you forgot the wind or the rain pelting the two of you.

“You weren’t supposed be back for three days.” You managed to mumble out against his heavy clothes. Your body beginning to relax knowing you were now safe.

“We did good. Found more then expected and came back.”

You blinked up at him. “Really?”

“Yes.” He nodded, he was so soft and His warm. “Let me take you home.”

*******

He took your hand as you walked up the steep steps into the hauler he shared with the others. You couldn’t help but notice no one was there.

“Bjorn and Navarro, left in a blink to get their drink and dance on. And Kay barely told me she was going out, when I heard the door shut.”

Leaning against the wall, you were relieved to be out of the soot cloaked air. You pulled and tugged, till you were free of your heavy boots. Once in your heavy socks, you were relieved the boots had kept your socks dry.

“Can’t blame them these last three weeks had felt long despite you coming home a week early.”

You said with a fleeting smile. After you pulled off your gloves, you began working on the buttons of your heavy coat. Seeing, two of the buttons had been undone by him you glanced at him.

He winked. “What? I missed the feel of my girl.” You didn’t know how he could look cocky and sheepish at once but he did.

His cheekiness always made your heart flutter. In the few books, you managed to get your hands you figured you shared that with the girls of the past long gone.

“To be fair, I scrubbed up as fast as I could and headed out to find you.” He scratched at the back of his head. “Was going to check at the mine and the sleeping bunks.”

His mouth twisted at the last bit. You went over and gently tugged on his shirt. “I only do it when you’re not around, I’m cautious.”

“That’s what worries me.” He looked down at you and smiled, softly.

You could swim and lose yourself in his dark eyes, as the two of you looked unwavering at each other. No words were needed as the emotions welled up at his return. You swallowed. There was always chance he’d crash during reentry. Heck could during take off too, but Navarro was a pretty good pilot so you didn’t worry too much about take off.

He rubbed your arms. “Why don’t you go and wash up and I’ll make us something to eat.”

“Alright. Just don’t burn it this time.”

“Don’t invite me into the shower cubicle and I won’t.”

“I did that didn’t I?”

He smirked. “You certainly did.”

“Alright. Maybe this time I will behave myself.” You giggled.

******

The water from the shower head fell on you with a good pressure. Since Tyler and the others were known as pretty scavengers the company allowed them some nicer things. Water pressure and rations were among them.

You stood there not worry that warm water would run out too fast. You just let it melt the cold from the mine and outside that remained in you. The water around your feet obscured with the soot that had clung to you, your hair.

Stretching, you sighed as the crisp scent of his soap comforted you. Turning the knobs, you finally stepped from the shower onto the rough mat which had become a welcome feel under foot as opposed to the cold tile in mass shower rooms.

You smiled, seeing that Tyler had hung up a fresh shirt and the pair of cotton pants, you usually stole when you stayed there. They had shrank in one of the laundry services so they fit you better. Seeing the bundle of yours gone, you knew he must have taken them to put into cleaning cycle.

After slipping on the fresh clothes you reached up and grabbed his towel, it was still faintly wet from his using it earlier. The thought made you smile as you rubbed your hair with it.

*******

You gently slumped against Tyler’s side. Reaching, you placed your fork with a clank on the plate in front of you, only some cornbread crumbs remained.

“You did it. You made a half way decent meal which you didn’t burn.” You said with a half smile on your face.

“Well, I got to do good by my girl.”

******

His sheets were softer, his pillows fuller and they smelled liked him. His bed, softer then the bunks easily gave under the weight of the two of you.

He was partially on you, your arms around him. His hair soft, as your fingers entwined in the inky strands. Your lips had met and not wanted to part. They were much softer now, then a few month intervals after discovering that softening ointment. It beat away the chapping the wind whipping at your faces did and made the kisses all the more enjoyable. They were far sweeter then any candy you could save up for with your credits.

Pausing, as you felt his hand slipping under the hem shirt you wore up; you excitedly letting your fingers leave the softness of his hair pulled up on the shirt and more of yourself was revealed to him. You happily tossed it without worry. His room was always clean and fresh, once he had peaked into his cousin’s room and they couldn’t be anymore opposite.

It puzzled you that Navarro could even tolerate it. But then again the two of you were also very different.

You were soft compared to his toned torso. It excited you and made you feel safe. You had seen him handle himself more then one time at the Bar. Whether defending your honor, his sisters or some stupid fight by the tempers flairing.

Opening, yourself you did so with a warmth and love that you would never allow the company steal away from you.

His lips, grazed your cheeks as he drew close to ear to whisper soft words only spoke between the two of you. Never to be shared.

“Are you well, is now a good time?” You could practically feel his heart thudding in his chest.

You nodded.

The first time or at least the aftermath of it had been right on the cusp of your cycle. Your excitement of him reciprocating your feelings and sharing first touches, kisses had stolen your body’s cues to its soon arrival. When the of you had awoken the next day, worry had clouded your mind, believing it had ruined any chance of continuing things. But he had been kind, warm not just the cheeky guy who had made your heart squeeze with a wink or a smirk.

“I could barely focus these last three weeks, all I could about was this. I needed to fuck, my sweet girl, remind who I am after being off world for so long.”

The contrast to his sweet nature and razor sharp lust, made you moan and make your desire sharpen for him.

“I’m all yours.”

A soft moan broke from your lips and his, as he entered you. You arched against him, you had craved him as well. It had been hard to not answer any of the wanton calls from your body in his absence. Together you found your rhythms and moved. Your breathless moans became louder, sharper the closer you drew to cumming hard under him. You always felt so wonderfully wilted liked the dried flowers people once would keep in those books you had read from that had spoken of love and dreams.

Clutching him hard, your fingers gently pulling on his soft strands you arched against him once again. Your body tightening with pleasure he was giving you. Before you could hold it; it all shattered into moon dust. You softened and wilted under him. He was and would only be the only to ever make you feel like this.

You met his hungry kisses, whimpering at the well placed love bites, he loved leaving. You felt how his body tightened above you. His deep, pleasure filled moan that filled the small room, you knew he had felt what you had. You relished making him feel just as good. His breath hot as he panted, a soft peppering of kisses as he rested his forehead against yours.

*******

“Hey! Where are you going?”

You had thought you could safely grab your discarded shirt from earlier and curl back up to his side before he even noticed. But that wasn’t the case.

One of his strong arms wrapped around you and held you tightly against him. You turned easily in it to face him. “Was just grabbing my shirt. I had taken a small chill.”

“You’ve got me.” And soon, he was pulled the blanket and himself closer around you. You were enveloped by him, almost completely.

You pretended to think about it. “This is so much better.”

“It had better.” And he gave you a quick kiss.

The rain streaked down his window. The brightness of the fluorescent lights that lined the roads of the colony were muted from where he was.

“How long do I have you this time?” You whispered after a few beats of your heart.

“Long enough.”

You wanted to reply with the snappy answer that it never was but you learned this, right now was long enough. Every moment the two of you were together was.

A commotion, peels of laughter and a door slamming shut; drifted through his closed door.

“They’re home.”

You could practically hear him rolling his eyes.

“Hey, hey you’re here lady. Missed you! We need to catch up and have some girl talk in the morning!”

“If she’s awake.” Tyler called back.

“Hey! I wasn’t talking to you.”

You giggled against his chest. “Sure! Sounds like a plan.” You finally called back.

“Great.” She called, her voice further away and then you could hear the one creak in the floor that you knew meant she was now by her own room.

“Here we go.” Tyler whispered.

As the exaggerated laughter came closer flowed by a thud as either Bjorn or Navarro bumped his door, by tipsy accident or deliberate. When they had a few drinks one could never be sure.

“Tyler, now you better be treating that girl of yours in there right. No funny business.”

“Hey, hey now.”

There was a smack and a similar oww, must run in the family you mused.

“He used to be a brute my cousin. He had to learn to be nice and charming.”

“He was always charming and nice to me.” You spoke up.

“Good.” His cousin replied.

“See she confirms. He’s been good to her.”

“Do I give him a gold star then?”

“Come on, let them have some peace. I want to get out of these high boots.”

“Now, I like hearing that.”

And there was only muted muffled sounds, if at all.

“Now that the circus passed.”

You giggled and shook your head. “You love them.”

“I do. I do.” He stretched, but still kept an arm around you. He gave your hip a squeeze.

“So you used to be a brut huh?”

"I found you a little something."

Opening the bag, he angled it toward you so you could peek inside. The crisp scent of lemon rose up to greet you.

"Lemon drops," you breathed. "I haven't tasted those in years."

When you reached in to take one, Tyler whisked the bag out of reach with a playful gleam in his eyes.

"Now hold on a minute. It's not easy to come by sugar on Yvaga."

You shoved his shoulder.

"Don't be a fucking tease, Tyler. You know how much I love lemon drops."

He fished a piece of candy from the bag and popped it in his mouth, pushing it into his cheek with his tongue. You crossed your arms.

"Now you're just rubbing it in."

He shrugged.

"Yeah, a little. It's fun to watch your nose get all scrunched up when you're annoyed."

You huffed a laugh and lunged for the bag of candy. You almost caught it, but Tyler managed to snatch it away at the last second. You stumbled forward to catch your balance.

"Come on," Tyler said. "You'll have to try harder than that if you really want a taste."

No matter what you did - standing on tiptoe, stretching as far as you could reach - Tyler was still taller than you.

Narrowing your eyes, you glared up at him. He smirked down at you in response.

"Asshole," you said.

His eyes brightened and he put a hand to his chest.

"Is that a compliment? I'm blushing."

Your stomach gave that weird fluttery-twist it usually did when you were in close proximity to Tyler these days. At some point, you would have to admit that you were developing feelings for him, but there was no way in hell you would ever say anything out loud. That would be...mortifying. Especially if he didn't return your feelings. You didn't want to ruin your friendship with him.

You hurried to cover the burn in your cheeks.

"Are you going to let me have a piece of that candy or not, dumbass?"

Tyler stepped closer until he towered over you, an inch of space barely separating you. His eyes darkened and his tone softened.

"It comes with a price."

Your breath caught in your throat at the distinct shift between you. The crowded street seemed as if it was a thousand miles away and the only two people in the world was you and Tyler.

"Name it," you whispered.

"For the token of one kiss, you can have the whole damn bag."

Now you weren't breathing at all. You were friendly with Tyler, volleying lighthearted insults back and forth, but you never dreamed he actually liked you back.

"You better not be making fun of me." Your voice was painfully quiet as you haltingly bright your hand up and curled your fingers into his shirt.

Tyler shook his head. When he brushed his knuckles against your cheek, you could have sworn your knees would buckle. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

"I've been looking for an excuse to kiss you for ages."

The next thing you knew, his lips were on yours. The faint hint of lemon sugar still lingered on his tongue. You felt his smile against your mouth. Then he scooped an arm around your waist, tugging you against him.

"Fucking finally," he muttered.

You felt like you had wings on your feet. Sliding your arms around Tyler's neck, you kissed him back, and all thoughts of the candy slipped from your mind.

****

“Y/n?” You paused mid-step as you slowly turned around to garner the attention of Kay. You thanked the vendor and placed the meal inside your bag. Her curly hair wasn’t hard to miss amongst the colony.

“Kay…hi.” You offer her a small grin.

“Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in so long. What’s it been like three years.” You didn’t mind the hug she gave you as she stepped forward.

“Four actually.” You grin with a faint laugh patting her back gently. You can’t stand to bear a second of the awkward silence so you continue. Asking the dreaded question Kay had hoped to hear from you to report back to her brother when she returned home. “H-How is…everyone? Navarro? Bjorn?…Tyler? Yeah, what’s he been up to lately?” You pocket your hands into your coat.

“Miserable, lost without you.” You roll your eyes at her exaggerated confession. “It’s true!” Her grin widens. “He can’t shut up about you not since you broke up.”

“Sure…” You hum in genuine curiosity.

“He misses you. We all do…” You give her a faint smile, it not entirely reaching your eyes.

“When’s the last time you’ve seen Rain?” Thoughts of how her and Tyler had a small thing going flooded your mind. “I haven’t seen her since I left.”

“Rain?”

“Yeah?” You nod.

“I haven’t seen Rain since her parents died.”

“Oh…that's awful.” You gape in shock. “I hadn’t known.” You muttered.

“We didn’t either till the news spread. News around here travels fast.”

“Hopefully not too fast.” You breathe a laugh.

Kay stood back watching how your posture used to be better and how your comfort showed itself amongst the people. You had never shied away from anything apart from public speaking, looking at you now was like staring at your ghost. A hollow version of what she knew you to truly be like. For her, for Kay, news traveled at lightning speed, and you try to play it off as though motherhood doesn’t define your entire being at the moment. Kay was well aware of the secret you thought you did well to keep.

“How is she?” You don’t even look at her to try and understand what she means by ‘she’. You knew you had caught sight of her curly locks all those years ago when you picked Jup up from her lessons. You close your eyes, a heavy weighted sigh leaves you as you fight the urge to cry out.

“I assumed it was you. No one else stands and lingers like a creepy stalker.” You muster a faint laugh.

“Would it have made any difference then, from now, knowing about her?”

“No.” You look off to the side. Watching as the hustle and bustle of your colony’s people flowed and moved. “I still wouldn’t have told you…or him.”

“I think you should.” Kay suggests.

“I think you need to stay out of my business Kay.” You try and shove past her, but she doesn't let up easy.

"Y/n-" She grabs you by your arm.

"He left!" You whip around in her face. "He left, Kay. He was scared to be more and he walked away and got with Rain. I don't hold anything against her for it. She'd be stupid not to fall in love with him...I fell in love with him...and yet I was stuck trying to survive and eat for two on this stupid mining colonization." Your facade falling. “She’s three Kay…She'll never get to see the sun.” Your arms fall against your sides in a slump.

"Then come with us...we have a plan. Tyler has a plan!" Kay pleaded. "But you have to tell him. You have to tell him about her!"

"I don't think I can Kay, not now at least. I got to go!"

"No wait we can figure this all-"

"Kay, I got to go." You pleaded, then took off. Knowing it was never good to leave Jup on her own. She knew to stay, but even then, if you took longer than usual, she'd wake up and begin to wonder where you were.

-

You had pushed through your shelter's door with a huff as your frantic mind gazed at the empty cot. "Jup baby, I'm here!" You call out to her.

"Who goes 'dere?" You whip around. The voice was far from intimidating as the high-pitched tone suddenly appeared from under a sheet on your small dining table meant for two, and two only.

You emit a sigh of relief as you lower yourself to her eye level. You tilt your head at her weapon of choice. A spoon...

"Do okay?" She wonders as she peers past your shoulder. You had taught her in a manner of speaking that only her three-year-old mind could come to grasp and knowing your baby girl she was quick to catch on. Your heart melts at the anticipation behind her eyes. The braved expression she held for you, but it was her eyes, ones you wouldn't dare admit to Kay that you missed, that gave Jup away. Where she tried to be fearless, she was still just your baby, fear hidden behind those brown eyes--like his.

"Just like we practiced..." You haul her up into your arms and press a greeting onto her cheek. "How was your nap?"

"Good..." She murmurs.

"Yeah? That's good. Hey, guess what I brought?" You gasp enthusiastically. "I got us breakfast and dinner for this whole week!" You cheer, bouncing her on your hip. She brings her hands together and claps in excitement. "Maybe, next week we can score ourselves a rare steak. Heard those are hard to come by." You set her down and begin to unpack your bag with the food you were able to trade for scraps and material you had.

While you worked, Jup sat on your bed and began to play with her stuffed toy, a black bear made up from scraps of fabric and stuffed with leftovers of some pants that no longer fit. Jup's long dark hair is tied into a messy ponytail as she mumbles to herself quietly. You smile at her playing mindlessly.

You move around your small kitchen keeping one eye on her and the shadows of those that pass your shelter. You would wonder if Tyler would show up on one random night, knocking. You'd open the door and his gaze would meet yours then slowly meet that of the little girl whose hair and eyes reflected his own. You knew you'd never truly be able to get away from him. From the inevitable introduction of a father meeting his daughter for the first time. You just hoped that if the time ever did call for it. He wouldn't hate you for it like he does fiercely in your dreams.

After a little while, it's almost time to eat, so you go over to Jup and scoop her off of the bed. "Hey little lady, you hungry yet?" You ask her as she nods her head, her messy hair bobbing with her movement. You kiss her head and set her down in her seat at the small table. You give her a little portion of her dinner and a tall cup of water, then you take your seat. You sit in silence. Small sounds of chewing as she does her best to reach the tabletop. You offer her a smile as you poke at another stale cauliflower. It wasn't the best but there was more to complain about than the food on Jackson Star.

Jup begins to drink from her cup, but her interest is piqued when suddenly there's a knock at the door. She takes a small sip as she places the cup carefully back on the table, and looks to you for reassurance.

You were slightly taken aback. You hadn't been expecting anyone. For the most part, the only person who ever came to your door was your neighbor, Sue, she lent you stuff she thinks you'd find useful for you and little Juniper. But the knock sounded different. Heavier. You glance down at Jup then haul her up the seat. You tense hearing another knock before you make up your mind and decide the small closet is your safest bet. You set her down and go to close the door behind you. "Baby, you stay right here and stay quiet, I'll see who it is, okay?" You tell her as you slowly begin to stand up.

With one last glance at her, you close the door behind you. Another knock rings out and you take a small, deep breath in. Though another glance at the table you hastily store her leftovers away on the kitchen counter.

You walk over to the metal hatch door and unlatch it slowly. It opens with a small creak, revealing not your neighbor, nor an unfamiliar face, but Tyler. Your heart feels as though it's about to give out in your chest. You were frozen in place as you took in the sight of him. He never seemed to stray from the whole dark, tall, and handsome stereotype. It almost made you want to laugh, but you kept still as your hand gripped the door handle. "Ty?"

Tyler breathes out at the sight of you. How lovely you are. How beautiful you are. He never stopped reminding you how you'd always find ways to render him breathless. Albeit, it'd get him a punch or two in the shoulder but he would have complimented you over and over if it allowed him to see you smile once more. How he wished for it now, seeing your weary-eyed expression. You were breaking his heart and all you had barely done was look at him and call him 'Ty' after four years.

He didn't know quite how to approach you now. The look he earned from you was one of exhaustion. He could hardly read you, but he'd be damned if he didn't try. Not only was the thought of talking to you after so long terrifying, but the thought of messing it up terrified him further. "Hey." He mumbled through his thick accent, his eyes scanning how you had the door only slightly open. "Mind if I come in?"

Tyler almost grimaced seeing how you had closed the door an inch more, limiting the space between you both. He knew then and there the forward approach had been the wrong approach, especially when it came to you. You instantly put your walls up around you. He could see it from your tensed-up shoulders that you wanted to get him out of here as fast as you could.

The silence was loud between both of you. He wanted to say something. Maybe a compliment would get you to crack, but he wouldn't take the risk. He wouldn't risk scaring you off. Tyler's eyes had a look in them that showed his desperation to keep you from shutting the door in his face. He wouldn't hold it against you if you did. He could tell you wouldn't let him in. "Y/n-" He began.

"What are you doing here, Tyler?"

He almost visibly winces at the tone of your strained voice. He looks past you, into your home. Tyler's gaze lands on the small table with only one setting and his heart sinks. You notice his look and your grip tightens on the door. He couldn't help it. He had to ask. "Are you…alone right now?"

He almost visibly winces at the tone of your strained voice. He looks past you, into your home. Tyler's gaze lands on the small table with only one setting and his heart sinks. You notice his look and your grip tightens on the door. He couldn't help it. He had to ask. "Are you…alone right now?"

The look on your face doesn't waver. You know exactly where he's going with the question, yet you can't bring yourself to shut the door. You're frozen, but you refuse to answer him. It takes everything in you to keep your cool. You bite the inside of your cheek and avert your gaze.

He had wanted to say so much to you. To apologize for the way he had left you and treated you. To tell you he had missed you and to see you again without the fear of you shutting him out. But he found it hard to find all the words that he wanted to say. "Y/n, let me in." He stepped over the threshold as your hand shot out to stop his entry.

"Y/n-"

"What did Kay tell you?" You asked with grit in your voice. "I haven't seen your face in four years, why now? What the hell did she tell you?" You shove against his chest.

Tyler catches your arm as you shove him, he's holding it between you. He's taken by surprise by your reaction to him showing up. He looks down at you with his widened eyes as he tries to come up with the words. "She didn't- Y/n, just stop." He grabs hold of your wrists, stopping you from pushing against his hold. "I just want to talk to you. Just let me talk to you." Tyler pleads. He was scared. The anger you're releasing was almost unexpected but not unwelcome. Anger was something he could deal with. Anything was better than silence from you.

"Don't lie to me, Tyler." You say through gritted teeth, trying to pull your arm back to yourself. "Why are you here all of a sudden, huh?"

"Huh?" You go to shove him again. He grabs your wrists and uses his strength to shove you against the wall next to your door, pinning both of your arms on either side of your head. You look over in time to see him kick close your door. The slam drowning out your heavy breathing. Tyler looms over you, his chest rising and falling.

The air between you is thick and charged as he keeps you held against the wall. His chest was flush against yours and he held your wrists over your head as he stared down at you. You watched his gaze move from your eyes which burned into his own. He's staring at your heaving chest, the curve of your collarbone before he looks back down at your face. His own heart was pounding, so loud it almost drowned out the sound of your own. You could only hear one another's heavy breathing.

"Get out…" You slump back against the wall.

Tyler's expression falters. He doesn't listen, of course. No, he only grips your wrists tighter in response as he leans in closer. His body pushes against yours more until there's almost no space between you both. "No." He says to your request, his voice is heavy and deep. There's a desperation in his tone. "I'm not leaving till you talk to me." His lips are close to yours and he doesn't miss how your eyes lower to glance at them. "Only if you talk to me."

"The nerve you have to show your face now-" You begin to give it to him.

He takes it as he keeps you pinned to the wall. He almost flinches at the harshness in your voice, but he doesn't say anything about it. This was nothing new. Tyler always seemed to love it when you gave him an earful. He enjoyed seeing the frustration in your eyes, how your lips would get in a pout. He watched as you opened your mouth again only he spoke before you could voice your opinion. "Just shut up for a second and listen to me damn it!"

That shuts you up for him. He almost smirks but catches himself, though you can see him almost enjoying the look of annoyance in your eyes. He didn't miss the way your eyes once again glanced down at his parted lips. "No more yelling. Just listen." Tyler mutters, his head moving slightly closer.

"You're yelling though…" You furrow your brows at him.

He almost chuckles, almost. How stubborn you still were. But he was trying to be serious with you for once. He lifts his hold around your wrists, his nose almost touching yours. "Because you're being stubborn-headed." He lets his voice soften as he looks at you.

"I think you're just being a gigantic dick."

Tyler raises an eyebrow at you now. He almost wanted to laugh at you. What he does instead is tighten his grip on you again as he stares down at you. "And you're being a pain in my arse." He responds to you with a huff. "Always have been, always will be."

"Tyler…what did Kay say to you?"

That stops him and his cocky demeanor suddenly falters. Tyler is silent for a moment, his lips in a straight line as he refuses to meet your gaze. "She said…" He begins to say but almost feels ashamed to tell you. "She said that I have-"

"Mommy…do good?"

Too engrossed by each other you had forgotten about the small human you had tucked away from sight. Her voice was small and curious. You look past Tyler, your eyes instantly falling onto Juniper.

You almost gasped, as did Tyler as both of your heads snapped to look at Jup in the moment of surprise. She was standing by the small little counter you had, still holding her stuffed bear tight in her grip. The sight of her causes Tyler to slowly step back away from you, his eyes are widened in disbelief.

"-a daughter." He freezes, and his shoulders drop as does your heart at the sight of Jup who was supposed to stay hidden, and in that moment Tyler looks back over at you. He watches you as he sees the guilt wash over your features.

You grimace as you go over and haul her up into your arms. Her head laid against your shoulder, clinging to her bear in her little hands.

"Ty, this is Juniper. Your daughter."

Tyler's mind went a mile a minute as he took in the sight of the little girl staring at him from the safety of your arms. He could see the guilt in your eyes, almost as though you were caught doing something you weren't meant to be doing. He looks down at his daughter, her messy black locks and big dark eyes. The girl was a mini version of himself. Apart from her ears, smile, and nose. She was his.

"I almost tore a new one into Kay after she got home and told me. Almost didn't believe her." His laugh fainted. "All this time?"

You had gotten her tray of food and sat her down on her chair. Juniper obliged but still kept a cautious eye on the random man in her home. "Tyler, you didn't want this." You gesture between you both. "You wanted an out, so I let you go."

Tyler couldn’t take his eyes off of the little girl. His daughter. He couldn’t believe it. He knew Kay was never one to lie about something so big, but to see it right before his eyes was a completely different story. “You could’ve told me.” He said, more quietly than he thought possible.

"You would have stayed for her. When I needed you to stay because of her, and because of me. But you didn't want anything serious, and I wasn't gonna sit by and watch you stay for a baby, not when you couldn't even look me in the eye anymore."

Those words hit him hard, almost like a punch in the gut. He wanted to defend himself. You were right. He couldn't deny that you were. He had wanted freedom, he wanted off this colony, a new life. No strings attached. But now standing there, he wasn't so sure anymore. He could've had so much more than what he had settled for. He had pushed you away and ran because he was scared of something real. And as he looked at his daughter, he could see the proof of his cowardice.

“You should have told me,” Tyler repeated, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He looked back at you. “I had a right to know.”

"No Ty, you didn't. Not then." You deny.

"And why not??" Tyler's voice rises. He couldn't believe it. He had a daughter this whole time. He had gotten you pregnant and ran away and you hid that fact from him for almost four years. “You decided that on your own.” He retorted back. Tyler took a step forward, his hands went to his pocket, in a desperate attempt to look indifferent. He watched as you sat down beside Jup, running a hand along her messy hair. "I should have been a part of her life. I should have been with you- Y/n, I had a right to know about her, damn it.”

"You left me. You gave me no other choice." You peer up at him through watered eyes. "I needed you…"

“And I needed space goddamn it.” Tyler snapped. He took a step back, as though to distance himself from you. But when he saw the tears in your eyes, something inside him ached. He wanted to walk over and comfort you, but he didn’t. He stood there like a jackass, watching you fight back tears. “I just needed time to think…I couldn’t breathe when I was with you. You overwhelmed me.” He admits, his shoulders slumped.

"Oh…" Your voice dies down at his words. You muster a nod before you look over at Jup watching the scene unfold before her.

She was watching with big curious eyes, taking in the atmosphere of this new man that was in her home. Tyler could see the similarities between himself in the little girl. How she looked and moved, it was as though he was looking at a reflection of himself in the small child. He watched as you smiled at her, reassuring her that everything was fine.

Tyler’s breath gets stuck in his chest as he watches how you are with his daughter. The two of you looked and moved naturally together. And here he was raising his voice wondering if she thought the worst of him. He notices your change in demeanor and suddenly, he’s kicking himself. He hadn’t meant for it to come out that way. He hadn’t meant for those words to be backhanded. But they were and he hurt you once more.

"I'm sorry." You glance up at him as he starts. "That came out wrong, I didn't mean for it to. Heat of the moment…" He palms his face. Tyler sighs his mind and heart racing. He’s hurt you by saying that. He hadn't meant it in that way, but he knew how it sounded. “Y/n, that’s not what I meant.”

"Yeah, but you still said it Tyler. Such a shitty thing to say too!"

“Yeah, I did and I’m sorry, okay.” He lets out a frustrated sigh as he runs his hands along his face again. It was frustrating. It was all so damn frustrating. Everything about this was. He was frustrated for hurting you, for saying those words and he was frustrated for having a daughter that he should have known about years ago. “Damn it-“ He mumbles, shaking his head.

"You know the more you keep swearing in front of our kid, the more bad habits she'll be likely to pick up."

That shuts him up.

Tyler lets out a huff as he looks down at his daughter. He takes a few steps towards you and Jup. He’s watching you, how you caress back her hair and keep her reassured as you try to act like everything is normal. He stops to stand beside her. He looks down at her, taking in the details of her face now that he’s up close to her. He smiles softly for her, hoping to appear as less of a threat to her.

"You're still a jackass..." You mutter under your breath, but the smirk that grows on his lips tells you he heard you loud and clear.

He snorts softly at that, unable to deny it. Tyler doesn’t hesitate to lean down and whisper a response back to you. “And you’re still the love of my life.”

You still. Frozen from the shock and complete obscurity of his words.

Tyler grins at your reaction. He straightens up, hands back in his pockets. His eyes are almost mischievous as he watches you falter. “Perhaps I should have kept that to myself.” He teases.

"Yeah, that might've been wiser." You huff with a laugh.

“Yeah, I’ve never been one to make smart decisions.” Tyler chuckles. He leans himself against the table, keeping his eyes on you. He’s watching how you still have a hand on top of Jup’s messy hair as a reassuring touch. He nods his head at the sight. “She looks like me, but it’s your ears.” He teases. "You're smile and nose."

"Well thank god, it wasn't your ears."

"Hey, what's wrong with my ears?" He says as he puts a hand over his heart, the other one goes to his ear and acts offended by your statement.

You feign a grimace.

Tyler huffs under his breath at your expression. "Oh, real mature." He grumbles as he crosses his arms, a pout visible on his face. "You never had a problem with my ears before."

You surrender.

Tyler grins at the sight, watching you throw in the towel. He takes his hands from his chest and ear, leaning himself down again so he gets close to you.

“I do mean it though. You are and always have been the love of my life."

"I'm a loss in your life, Tyler." You correct.

His head almost snaps back in disbelief at your statement. Tyler shakes his head. "No, you have never been a loss to me. You are- you have only ever been the best part of my life. I just-" He pauses as he suddenly feels himself get frustrated with himself all over again. "Damn it, can you just stop putting words in my mouth, and listen to the fact that I never stopped loving you! Even when I left to train. Even when we were over. I never stopped."

"Tyler this is crazy-"

"No this isn't crazy!" Tyler snaps again, but his tone quickly deflates as he looks to make sure that Jup hasn't heard him. He takes a breath as he runs a hand over his hair again in frustration. "It’s not. You're everything I want. Everything I have ever wanted. You're the light of my life, and I can’t let you go again. I have spent so many years miserable that-"

"Kay did mention that." He gave you a look. "Sorry."

"-I was never happy when I was away from you, I didn't know how miserable I truly was until I left."

"It's not that easy for me. Tyler, you just told me a few minutes ago that you couldn't breathe around me, that I overwhelmed you. Make it make sense!"

"You do overwhelm me, damn it!" Tyler snaps again, he stands straight now, and he can feel a rush of adrenaline suddenly running through his body. "You make my heart race a million miles a minute. You're the only person who can piss me off and make me like a damn fool in love. You don't take my shit and make me want to kiss you every time we've argued. You make me feel so much all at once and sometimes I can't handle it. But I don't want to feel numb anymore! I didn't know what I had until I lost it. Until I lost you. No one else makes me feel that…god not even Rain."

"Oh god...Tyler." You ran a hand down your face.

Tyler sighs as he watches you, seeing your expression change yet again. "I got my second chance right here with you. With Juniper. Us."

You tilt your head hearing his words. "Ty…"

Tyler reaches over and grabs your hand, it surprises you by the sudden touch. He gently pulls you back up to your feet, getting you to stand in front of him. He’s got a tight grip on your hand like if he lets go you might disappear. "I want us. I want you. I want you and our kid and I-" He struggles for the right words that he so desperately wants to say. "I want this family more than anything."

"You do?"

Tyler can hear the uncertainty in your voice. He hates it. He reaches up and cups your face with his hand, forcing you to look at him directly. He gazes into your eyes, almost pleading for you to see that he’s being sincere. "Yes," He answers simply, quietly. He leans in, resting his head against yours. "I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Tyler if you leave us, I will never forgive you-"

"I won’t." He exclaims. He’s gripping your hand in his like a vice. "I’m not leaving. Not this time. I made that mistake before, you’re not getting rid of me." He gently presses his forehead against yours. He’s looking at you carefully. "…do you believe me? Do you trust me?"

Your faint nod had him relaxing.

Tyler lets out a relieved sigh at your nod. He’s got all of this energy, adrenaline, and fear coursing through his body and it takes all of it to not just grab you and kiss you. Instead, he just pulls you against him and wraps his arms around you, holding you tight. He closes his eyes as he buries his face in your hair, pressing kisses into your skin.

You wrap your arms around him and inhale his scent. Your hug only lasts so long when Juniper has you both pulling away again. "Mommy."

You can both hear her soft voice and when you and Tyler pull away from each other, you see that little Jup has come to stand beside you both. Her bear and now a picture you were all too familiar with in her hands. She’s looking up at you with her big brown eyes, and her messy hair. She tugs on your shirt with a soft pout of her lips.

"What do you have there baby? Is this for me?" You haul her up into your arms. Tyler lingers behind you, watching your interactions.

Jup happily climbs up into your arms and she is careful of the picture she’s holding as she tucks her face into your neck. She’s still holding onto it tightly between her little hands as she mumbles something against your skin, but her words are muffled. She pulls back slightly so she can hold up the picture to you.

Tyler registers what is it before you can turn it over. "You kept it."

Your eyes are now fixated on the picture in your hands. It’s the picture you had taken the day you found out you were pregnant with Jup. Your hair was done, and you dawned one of your nicer shirts. Both you and Tyler were looking at each other while his arms were wrapped around your waist and his chin was resting against your shoulder. He had kept the picture in the inside pocket of his jacket for a while. Now you held onto it.

In the picture, the essence of your happiness had been captured. It was one of the happiest days you had ever felt. The month that followed after that day. You tried to forget it ever happened.

Yes, you had kept it. You’d kept it in under yours and Jup's cot all these years.

"You gave it to me remember."

"I would've thought you'd thrown it out by now."

You were both silent for what felt like an eternity as you looked down at the picture, running your thumb over your faces.

"No, I couldn't." You admit, softly. "It meant too much to throw away. Besides, it's the closest thing I got to an ultrasound around here." You shrug.

Jup peers out of your neck as she watches the two of you talk, still not quite registering who this man is. “Who?” She says, with her head at a tilt.

"Jup this is Tyler, Tyler…He's your-" You peer up at him not knowing what to officially label him as.

Tyler clears his throat as he’s suddenly put on the spot. He looks at her, seeing how she looks at him with such curiosity. He feels his heart suddenly flutter again when he hears the word your, like some sort of proof of belonging.

“I’m your dad,” He answers confidently, smiling softly at her and her messy head of hair. "Your daddy." His accent coming through. "I'm here to stay if you'll have me. If your mommy will have me." He peers cheekily into your eyes, where you have to fight the urge to roll your own.

"What do you think Jup. Should we let him stay?"

Jup’s eyes go wide at the question and her interest is perked by the sudden proposal. Her head suddenly pops away from your neck as she looks at you and she nods her head, with her messy hair flailing. It was a rather eager nod on her part. "Yes!"

"Yeah?" Tyler's grin widens.

Jup nods her head. "Yes!" She confirms again, more excitedly this time. She's looking down at Tyler with those big brown eyes, and she's got a smile on her face. Tyler leans in and pecks her curls, grinning from ear to ear, knowing he has her approval. "Looks like I'm sticking around then, Jup's orders," He replies, meeting your gaze.

"Guess so, soldier."

"Guess so." Tyler repeats back, with that damn smirk of his. He can’t take his eyes off you. He’s watching you like you’re something he's finally got to have again. It makes his heart clench.

Tyler takes you by surprise when he’s suddenly close enough to touch you. He brings his hand to your neck, cupping it in the palm of his large hands as he leans in, using the leverage to pull you into him. His lips are on yours in an instant, firm and eager against your mouth. Your surprised gasp has your mouth open to his and he takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

You use one of your hands to pull him closer.

Tyler pulls away, breathing heavily against your lips. "I've been wanting to do that since you opened the door." His chuckle makes your grin widen.

"So stupid…" You shake your head.

Tyler lets out a huff as he grins. He cups the side of your face with his hand, resting his forehead against yours. “Damn you. You drive me mad, woman.”

"Yeah? Well, you're gonna have to get used to it around here."

"I think I'll manage. I'm tougher than I look." Tyler grins as he tucks a strand of your hair behind your ear. He's close enough that you can hear his accent through his words as he peers into your eyes.

"No, you're not…"

"No?" Tyler’s eyes were narrow as he picked up a bit of a teasing tone in your voice. "Oh, it's like that then, is it?" He says as he raises an eyebrow. "You hear this Jup, your mum says I'm not tough." He feigns hurt.

"Tuff." Jup repeats back to him. "Tuff, tuff, tuff."

Tyler grins. "That's right, Jup." He says as he gently reaches out and boops her nose with his finger, earning a little giggle out of her and the sound makes his heart warm.

"Please don't encourage her. She doesn't need to learn bad habits from her dad."

"Oh come on, she’s not going to pick up my bad habits…" Tyler glances between you and her. "Besides, she already has your cautiousness, so it's too late."

"Well, I'd rather that than have her watch your macho tough guy act unfold. Jackson Star knows I've seen enough of it."

Tyler huffs. "It’s not macho. It’s called having a backbone." He snaps back, with a tone that you know is more playful than serious. "I’m teaching my daughter to be strong."

"I think you mean thick-headed, excuse me it's time for her bedtime." You walk around him to get her settled onto the cot.

"Hey! I'm not thick-headed." Tyler protests as he gives you a look of disbelief. He glances over at Jup who is sitting quietly in your arms and suddenly he looks concerned. “W-Wait, bedtime? How early does she sleep?”

"Tyler, It's a quarter past eleven." You gesture to the hologram clock on the small counter. Tyler turns to look at it.

He blinks. "It’s that late already?" He exclaims in disbelief as he looks from you to the clock and back again. 

“Quarter past eleven. No wonder she’s so tired,” He muses as he looks back over Jup. Sure enough, your daughter is fighting to keep her eyes open, and her head is slowly drooping against your shoulder. "Damn, I guess I didn’t realize we had been talking for that long."

You shift her so that her head is on the pillow you share. "I put her down early, but you showed so I really couldn't at the moment. The best I could do is get her to eat her meal."

Tyler steps to your side as he watches you gently arrange her on the cot. He can’t help but smile as he watches you make sure Jup is comfortable before you give her a soft kiss on her forehead. “She’s a big girl.” He muses, softly, as he watches her little head fall back against the pillow and the even little puffs of her breath.

"I wouldn't say that. She still needs mommy to tuck her in."

Tyler glances at you as he grins. He lets out a huff of a laugh. “I’m guessing she inherited that from you, huh?” He teases. "Does mommy need daddy to tuck her in?"

"No." You huff with a laugh, shoving his shoulder.

Tyler laughs as he rubs his shoulder. “Ow.” Despite it being a very soft shove. He glances down at you, his eyes scanning over your features. "You are just as stubborn as I remember you being. I'm telling you, love." He muses as he steps closer to you, using his height to try and intimidate you.

"Just like you remember?" You hum.

"Yeah…" Tyler slowly nods as he takes another step closer to you. He stands in front of you, and you have to have your head tilted back to look up at him. "Just like I remember. Stubborn. And beautiful. A deadly combination, I’m telling you."

"I'm glad you came." You admit. Tyler’s smile softens at your words. He reaches down and takes your hand in his, squeezing it.

“I’m sorry I took so long.” He apologizes, softly.

"Took you about four years...but who's counting." You shrug.

Tyler rubs the back of his neck embarrassed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m sorry it took me a while to get my head out of my own arse." He glances at you, looking sheepish. “I’m here now, though. I’m not going anywhere else.”

"Good, 'cause if you do. I’ll throw you into outer space." You lean in and peck his lips for a sweet kiss.

---

The corridor was a dim, oppressive tunnel of steel and shadows, lit only by the weak, flickering lights overhead. The walls were damp, slick with condensation, and the air was thick with the scent of fear. A reinforced glass door stood between Tyler and you. You were trapped on the other side, face pale and streaked with tears. You pressed your hands against the door, eyes wide with terror as you stared at Tyler, Rain, and Andy on the other side.

“Please! Andy, open the door!” Your voice full of panic, the sound barely audible through the thick glass door. Your eyes darted to the shadows behind you, where something huge and dark moved just out of sight, lurking in the edges of the dimly lit chamber. "Open that door! It killed Bjorn and Navarro."

Tyler’s heart hammered in his chest, a sickening rhythm that made him feel like he was about to explode. He pressed his hands against the door, his brown eyes locked with yours. “Andy, we have to open it! She’s right there!” he pleaded, his voice shaking with desperation.

Rain was beside him, her hands also pressed to the glass, her expression stricken with fear. “Andy, please,” she begged, turning to the man standing at the control panel. “We can’t leave her in there! We can get her out before it’s too late!”

Andy stood back, his hand not moving to the control panel, a grim look on his face. He didn’t move, didn’t breathe, his eyes fixed on the dark shapes moving behind you. “We don’t know what’s in there with her,” he said, his voice strained, filled with emptiness. “If we open that door… we might be opening it for that thing too.”

“I don’t care!” Tyler shouted, slamming his fist against the door, making you jump. “We can’t just leave her to die! That thing is going to take her, Andy! We have to do something, anything!”

You shook your head, tears streaming down your face as you looked at Tyler, eyes pleading. “Tyler, please, please, help me! Don’t leave me here!” Your voice cracked, the fear in your words breaking his heart.

Rain’s voice trembled as she reached out, grabbing Andy’s arm. “She’s right there, Andy. We can’t let it get her. We have to open the door. We can’t let her die too!”

But Andy’s eyes were locked on the shadows, on the faint, sickening movement of something massive, alien like shifting behind you. The Xenomorph loomed in the darkness, it's eyeless gaze fixed on them through the glass door. It was waiting, waiting for them to open that door, to be let inside.

“We can’t,” Andy whispered, his voice filled with dread. “If we open that door, it’ll come through. We’ll all die.”

Tyler’s fists clenched, his entire body trembling with rage and helplessness. “Y/N!” he shouted, his voice hoarse. “We’ll find another way! I promise, we’ll get you out!”

But you were sobbing now, fear overwhelming you whole. “No, no, no please, Tyler don’t leave me here, don’t-”

Before you could finish, the Xenomorph surged forward with terrifying speed, its long, skeletal fingers wrapping around your shoulders, pulling you back into the shadows. Your scream filling the room all around you. It was piercing Tyler’s soul as he watched you get dragged away from the door, disappearing into the darkness.

“NO!” Tyler screamed, his voice breaking as he pounded on the door, his heart shattering in his chest. Rain gasped, covering her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

“Y/N!” Tyler cried out, his voice filled with pain.

“I'm sorry Tyler, but there wasn't anything I could do to help her." Said Andy.

"No, you could save her, but you didn't! You didn't!" Tyler shouted and took a step closer to Andy, ready to punch him. But Rain stepped right in front of him, holding him back. "It's your fucking fault!"

“We couldn’t do anything,” Andy said quietly. “If we had opened that door… we would all be dead.”

Tyler slumped against the glass, his forehead rested against the cold surface, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He felt like the world had just ended, like everything had been ripped away from him in one horrible moment. Your cries echoed in his mind, a sound that would haunt him forever.

"She’s not dead. She's all right." Tyler mumbled all over and over again. Trying to remain clam.

He couldn’t hear anything over the sound of Y/N’s scream, the scream that had been cut short too soon, the scream that would stay with him, echoing in the dark corridors of his mind.

Rain put a hand on his shoulder, her own tears falling silently as she whispered, “We’ll get her back, Tyler. We’ll find her.”

But as they stared into the dark, empty room beyond the glass, where you had been moments before, the hope in their hearts felt as fragile as the glass that had separated them. The corridor was silent now, save for the distant, ominous hum of the ship’s machinery, as they were left to grapple with the terror of what had just happened.

And the knowledge that the nightmare was far from over.

---

A/n: Archie was so fine in the new Alien...I had to write something for him. Lemme know what do you think!

Also! Request are open for him too! So send one! <3