#alien romulus reader insert

You watched as he sat, hands folded in his lap, waiting for you to speak.

But how could you? Words felt too small, too fragile for the weight of the situation.

"There was an accident," you finally managed to say, your voice barely above a whisper. "The section your mother was overseeing in… it collapsed during her check. There weren’t any other casualties but…"

The rest of your words had faded into the air as Tyler he stared at you. His expression didn’t change immediately.

It was as if the words didn’t land, as if some part of him was still waiting for you to take it back and say something different.

When he did react it was with the smallest nod, his jaw tightening as he processed the reality.

No tears. No outward display of grief. Just a quiet acceptance that made your chest ache for him.

For a while neither of you spoke. You felt completely out of your depth, helpless in the face of such loss.

What were you supposed to say to make this better? Could you even?

Instead you had offered him the standard protocol—paperwork, procedures, grief counseling if he wanted it.

He refused the offer with a shake of his head. "It’s...just no life here isn’t it?" you could hear the pain he was trying so hard to keep inside.

"...I'm sorry," you whispered, meaning it in ways that went beyond just doing your job.

He said nothing. Just simply got up and left.

After that day you couldn’t stop thinking about him. Maybe it was because you understood loss, having losing your parents when you were seventeen.

Maybe it was because Tyler reminded you of yourself—alone, trying to carry a weight too heavy for one person.

Or maybe, somewhere in the quiet spaces between your brief meeting, you began to notice how his presence stirred something inside you.

You reached out to him in the days that followed.

At first it was professional; checking in to make sure he was managing with the loss. But those conversations quickly became more.

Tyler had a way of looking at you, of really seeing you, that made it impossible not to want to be around him.

He wasn’t just some grieving son; he was kind, resilient—strong in ways you didn’t expect.

Weeks passed and with each interaction the distance between you shrank.

Sometimes you'd find yourselves talking after work, just the two of you walking through the dimly lit corridors of the colony, shoulders brushing every now and then.

It felt easy with him.

He made you laugh in those rare moments when you’d let yourself forget where you were or what life had taken from you both.

Yeah you found him attractive, but it was more than that. Tyler had a quiet charm, a steadiness that drew you in.

He didn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve, but when he smiled—really smiled—it was like the room brightened a little.

And as the weeks turned into months you realized your feelings for him weren’t just out of sympathy. They had grown into something real.

It wasn’t long before he felt the same.

One night, after a particularly long shift, you sat together in one of the colony’s communal areas sharing stories of the people you once were before the weight of loss settled into your lives.

He listened with a soft gaze as you spoke, and when it was his turn he opened up in a way that surprised you.

"I’ve never been good at this," he admitted as his fingers absently traced the rim of his cup. "Talking I mean. About things that matter. But you...you make it easy."

You smiled at that, feeling the warmth of his words settle into your chest. "You make it easy too."

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was comfortable. A natural pause that led to Tyler reaching for your hand across the table.

His fingers slid across your palm warm and tentative, as if he was waiting for you to pull away.

You didn’t. You never would.

From then on your relationship with Tyler changed.

You found yourselves seeking each other out more—lingering together in the hidden corners of the colony where you could talk, kiss, and be.

It wasn’t long before you officially started dating, falling into a routine of stolen moments amidst the shift changes and other responsibilities.

Tyler became your constant—a presence you leaned on, someone you could be vulnerable with.

It wasn’t just about comforting each other anymore.

You had both found something more even in the middle of all that darkness.

It was love.

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

Your mind often lingered on those early days with Tyler.

The bond you’d built felt so natural, so inevitable—two people finding each other in the chaos of life on Jackson's Star.

But as the memories swirled, reality crept back in, pulling you from the haze of nostalgia.

A faint headache throbbed at your temples, the familiar sensation of fatigue weighing you down.

"Still not feeling well huh?"

You blinked, startled by the familiar voice breaking through the quiet.

Looking up you saw your supervisor Mary-Anne standing at your desk, her brows knitted in concern.

The older woman had been watching over you since you first started working here—almost like a mother figure always checking in and making sure you weren’t overworking yourself.

You offered her a weak smile and brush it off with a shrug. "It’s nothing. You know I always get sick this time of year. I’ll be fine."

Mary-Anne didn’t seem convinced. She crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing slightly as she studied you.

"It’s been nearly a month now," she pointed out with a gentle firm voice. "And you’re looking worse, not better."

You opened your mouth to protest to offer another excuse, but the words faltered under her knowing gaze.

She wasn’t buying it. And truth be told neither were you.

The exhaustion, lightheadedness, the constant dull headache—they hadn’t gone away.

They lingered, gnawing at you day after day, but you didn’t have the luxury of slowing down.

Not with everything going on. Not with your brother to look after.

"Look," she softened her tone as she uncrossed her arms, "at least think about going to the colony infirmary. Have them run a few tests, maybe even take a few days off. You’re no good to anyone if you push yourself too hard."

You let out a sigh knowing she wouldn’t let this go until you agreed. "Yeah...okay. M-maybe you’re right. I’ll think about it."

Mary-Anne gives you a pointed look. "Matter of fact you should take the rest of the shift off. Start your break early. I’ll handle everything."

A teasing grin tugged at your lips. "You’ve got to stop babying me Mary-Anne. I’ve been working here for what, four years years now?"

Her eyes twinkled with a hint of playfulness despite the undercurrent of concern. "Four years or not, I’m still your supervisor. Now do you want to go home or do you want me to keep you here until you drop?"

You couldn’t help but laugh. "Okay okay. I’ll go."

"Good." As you stood from your desk gathering a few things, Mary-Anne gave you a fond but stern look. "And make sure to actually rest this time."

With a playful salute you waved her off, murmuring quick goodbyes to the few coworkers still nearby.

Stepping out into the corridor, the cool air of the colony brush against your skin.

Even when the low hum of the machinery and distant echoes of workers filled the background, your mind was elsewhere, drifting into the memories that tugged at your heart with every step you took.

Tyler.

It had been a little over a year since you two had broken up, but the weight of it still lingered like a bruise that refused to fade.

You hadn’t meant for things to end the way they did.

In fact when you’d first met you never imagined you’d get to a point where you couldn’t even look at each other.

But life on Jackson’s Star had a way of weighing people down until there was no energy left to give.

Your thoughts circled back to February of 2141—the month everything fell apart. You had recently turned 22, Tyler nearing his 23rd birthday.

For two years you’d been together, navigating the colony’s harsh environment as best you could. But it was never easy.

How could it be with the constant grind, the pressure of survival, and the burden of responsibility weighing on both of your shoulders?

Tyler had been slowly drowning under the weight of his family’s expectations.

His father grew weaker by the day, forcing him to step up as the head of the house to care for both himself and his younger sister Kay.

And you? You had your own responsibilities.

Your younger brother, who was just 16 at the time, depended on you since the day you’d both lost your parents.

You were only 17 when it happened after all. Having been placed into the role of caretaker at such a young age forced you to grow up faster than you wanted to.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault, not really.

The stress, the exhaustion—it chipped away at your relationship bit by bit.

Neither of you had the time, energy, or the space to take care of each other the way you used to.

Tyler had been overwhelmed with his responsibilities at home and you had been too wrapped up in your own struggles.

Somewhere along the way you both drifted apart, like two ships in a dark endless sea.

You still loved Tyler—of course you did. But love didn’t change the fact that Jackson’s Star was slowly tearing you apart.

You could still remember the night you broke up.

It wasn’t a decision you’d made lightly, but at the time it felt like the only way to survive.

You couldn’t keep pretending that everything was fine when deep down you both knew this was coming for a long time.

And so, you called it off.

Tyler had been quiet. He didn’t argue. He just simply nodded, eyes dull.

After that there had been silence. Weeks passed without a word between you two. That was until...

Your steps slowed, breath catching as the memory washed over you.

Two months after the breakup Tyler had shown up at your doorstep in the middle of the night.

You’d been surprised, standing there in the doorway staring at him.

He looked different—older, more broken than before. He barely managed to speak before the words tumbled out.

His father died.

You’d let him in without a second thought. He was shaking, barely holding it together as you led him inside.

That night you didn’t need words. He didn’t need to explain anything. He simply fell into your arms and you held him close, comforting him the way you used to.

The pain, the grief, the love you still held for each other—it all blurred together.

It was so easy to fall back into the intimacy you’d shared. Before you knew it you were kissing, the heat of it familiar, pulling you both under.

Didn’t take long before you ended up in bed tangled in each other, the lines between comfort and passion mixing until they were one of the same.

But the morning after reality settled back in. You didn’t speak of it. He left your apartment quietly and you let him go.

No words were exchanged, no promises made. You hadn’t spoken since.

And now as you walked through the dim corridors of the colony, the weight of that night pressed on you.

Three months. Three months since you’d seen Tyler and part of you wondered if you ever would again.

The guilt gnawed at you—had you made the right choice? Should you have fought harder for him and the relationship you’d built together?

Or had you both done the best you could in a place that seemed designed to break you?

Your heart ached at the thought. There were no easy answers nor clean resolutions.

Turning the corner toward your living quarters you froze.

Standing outside your door, looking as nervous as you’d ever seen him, was Tyler.

Your breath caught in your throat.

The world around you faded—the hum of the colony, the distant chatter of workers—leaving only the sight of him standing there.

His hair was a little longer and there was a weariness in his posture that hadn’t been there before. But he was still the same Tyler you’d fallen for all those years ago.

When he saw you his eyes softened.

"Hey," his voice was barely audible over the hum of the corridor.

"Tyler..." You try to keep the surprise from your voice but it was there and you both knew it.

The air between you was thick with everything left unsaid. You weren’t sure what to expect.

Was he here to talk about that night? To explain why he’d disappeared afterward?

You swallow down the flood of emotions rising up and force yourself to stay calm. "What are you doing here?"

He scratched the back of his neck, eyes darting around before finally settling on you again.

"Can we talk?" He sounded unsure like he half-expected you to say no. "I uh...I didn’t mean to just show up like this."

Not trusting your voice you simply nod. Stepping past him to unlock the door, it slides open with a soft hiss before you enter.

Tyler follow behind all the way to your bedroom, his presence filling the small space with an odd tension.

“I just need to check on my brother,” you muttered. You needed a second to breathe, to collect yourself.

He watch as you disappear down the narrow hallway.

The familiar hum of the colony’s systems thrummed beneath your feet as you knocked lightly on your brother’s door.

“Everything good?” you asked softly when he opened it. He nod, already dressed in his uniform ready for his shift.

“Yeah just heading out now,” he offer you a small smile. Giving you a farewell kiss on the cheek, he brushes past you and make his way out the house.

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding and make your way back to your bedroom.

When you returned Tyler was looking at pictures taped on the wall.

He looked up as you re-entered, and the two of you just stared at each other, neither of you knowing how to begin.

"I...I know it’s been a while and I...I'm sorry. I’m sorry I disappeared after that...night. I should have reached out I know that. I just—” He paused, searching for the right words, his eyes flicking to yours. “I didn’t know what to say.”

The rawness in his voice cuts you deep. You hadn’t expected an apology, not like this.

For months you had told yourself it was just the way things had to be; two people who couldn’t make it work even though they tried.

But hearing the regret in his voice made it all feel real again, like a wound being reopened.

"It's fine. Plus it's partially my fault," you admit quietly. "I shouldn't have assumed that night would...I don’t know fix things?" Your eyes lower as you avoid his gaze. "But then you left and I realized how foolish it was."

Tyler fiercely shook his head. "No. No it's not fine. I never should have left. Not like that."

He took a breath to steady himself before continuing, his words coming faster as if he was afraid he might lose the nerve if he didn’t say it all at once. "I was a coward. I should have told you then but I couldn’t. I couldn’t admit that I never stopped loving you."

Your heart stuttered in your chest. The weight of his words hit you harder than you expected, and suddenly it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room.

Tyler’s eyes were searching yours now, desperate—almost pleading.

“I was an idiot for letting you go. I thought I was doing the right thing but all I did was make everything worse. It’s been hell without you and I didn’t realize how much I needed you until it was too late. I just—” His voice cracked slightly as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I don’t know how to fix this, but I need you to know that I love you; always have and always will..”

Your breath hitched. You didn’t realize you were crying until you felt the tear slide down your face.

Everything you buried—the emotions you had pushed down after your breakup, rose to the surface.

Without thinking you closed the distance. Your hands reached for him before you could stop yourself and pulled him into a kiss.

The kiss was hungry, desperate as if the months of silence had all been leading up to this.

His lips crashed into yours with the same intensity and you could feel the pent-up emotion behind every movement.

It wasn’t soft or gentle; it was years of love, loss, and longing that you couldn’t put into words.

Tyler’s hands found your waist, pulling you closer as you tangled your fingers in his hair.

You kissed him harder, trying to pour every unspoken feeling into that moment, your breaths mingling as you both lost yourselves to the kiss.

Tyler suddenly pulled away, his breathing heavy as he rested his forehead against yours. Hands still gripping your waist, his body trembled slightly.

“I—” He swallowed. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

Your heart is still pounding in your chest as you look up at him. “What is it?”

His gaze drop to the floor for a second before he look back at you. "We found a way to leave Jackson’s Star. And I want you to come with me."

You blinked. "What?" your voice was barely above a whisper.

You weren’t sure if you heard him right or if your mind was still reeling from the intensity of the kiss you just had.

"There’s an old Weyland-Yutani station me and the others found. Bjorn, Navarro, and I...we’ve been working on fixing up a hauler, Corbelan IV. We’re planning to leave for Yvaga.” Tyler's eyes searched yours, watching the realization wash over you.

It took a moment for the gravity of what he was saying to fully hit you. Leave? You had spent years on Jackson’s Star.

The idea of leaving—of escaping to somewhere else, somewhere better—was almost too overwhelming to grasp.

You shook your head slowly as disbelief settled in.

“I—what?” Your voice cracked, barely able to keep up with your thoughts. “Tyler. H-how...how is this even possible?”

“We’ve been working on it for a while now,” his hands moved to gently cup your face. “Kay just needs to convince Rain to use Andy to access the ship-mother's systems so we can get to the hyper-sleep chambers. Once that’s done: You, me...we don’t have to stay in this place anymore.”

The way he said it so full of hope made your heart flutter.

For the first time in a long while you saw a future outside of Jackson’s Star, a way out of the endless cycle that had worn both of you down.

But then reality came crashing back.

Your brother.

He was still too young, barely begun working.

The colony had strict rules about who could leave and when—everyone had to meet their quota of hours to even be eligible for a transfer.

It could take years before he would be able to leave and you couldn’t abandon him. You and he were all each other had left.

"My brother. He doesn't have enough hours to transfer yet. It could be years before he's able to leave." You step back slightly, pulling yourself out of his grasp as your thoughts raced. "I can't just...leave him here."

Tyler’s face fell, but he wasn’t giving up that easily.

"We’ll figure it out," he pleaded. "Andy. H-he's a synthetic! Yeah—he can stay behind and watch over him. You know he’s capable of it. Once we’re safe, once we’ve settled on Yvaga we’ll come back for him."

You could hear the desperation in his voice and it tugged at your heart.

You wanted to believe him, to trust that things would somehow work out, but the uncertainty was gnawing at you.

Your brother was all you had left after everything.

Could you trust that it would work out? Could you really leave him behind even for the chance of a new life?

The hesitation clawed at you making it hard to breathe.

Seeing that you weren’t convinced, Tyler stepped closer again, his hands finding yours as he pulled you gently toward the bed. “Please just...think about it.”

He sat down, eyes locked onto yours as he spoke. “If I wake up tomorrow and you’re not beside me, I’ll know you’re not coming. But if you are...” He let the rest of the sentence linger in the air.

A small smile tugged at your lips despite the turmoil inside you.

“Is this how you trick your way into my bed?” you teased softly, the tension easing just a bit. “You didn’t even ask to spend the night.”

Tyler’s lips twitched into a small grin. “Can I stay the night?”

You pretend to consider it. “Hmm I don’t know. Maybe you’ll have to work for it first.”

His grin widened, and before you could tease anymore, he leaned in capturing you in a kiss.

Tension melted away as his arms wrapped around to pull you closer.

It was both tender and longing—full of everything you both had been holding back for months.

Tyler’s touch was familiar; his lips soft but filled with the desperation of someone trying to hold on to something in fear it might slip away.

Your fingers tangled in his hair, body responding to his in ways that felt like fire burning within your veins.

His hands slid down your waist, fingers gently brushing against your skin as he began to pull at the fabric of your shirt.

Kissing back with equal fervor, your hands move to his shirt, pulling it off in one fluid motion.

Clothes fell to the floor, forgotten in the heat of the moment and as you sank into the bed together.

For now the decision could wait.

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

Tyler woke slowly the next morning, the faint hum of the colony's machines working in the background as he stretched beneath the covers.

Eyes still closed, for a brief blissful moment he thought about last night, the memory still fresh in his mind.

But as he reached out for you his hand met only cold air.

His eyes snapped open, panic flooding his chest as he realized the bed beside him was empty.

You weren’t there.

His heart raced as he sat up to scan the room. Empty.

The space next to him where you had been was cold and untouched. For a long moment he sat in silence, staring at the space beside him.

The weight of your absence pressed down on him like a heavy stone in his chest. You were gone.

He didn’t move. He couldn’t. The hope he had held onto so tightly the night before was slipping through his fingers.

All that remained now was a empty space, silence—the painful reality that you had made your choice:

Warmth.

A hand wrapped around yours firm but gentle.

You blinked, exhaling shakily as you turned to see Andy sitting beside you calm and reassuring. His other hand held onto Rain who looked just as uneasy as you felt, her grip visibly trembling in his grasp.

Andy gave you a gentle smile, his fingers squeezing yours ever so slightly. The tension in your chest loosened just a little as you squeezed his hand back.

It was funny—out of everyone on this ship, Andy was the one person who probably had nothing to fear. He could handle a crash better than any of you. His metal frame would withstand more impact than human bones ever could. And yet, he still sat here, offering comfort.

Your lips twitched into a faint smile.

Andy had always been a source of light in your life. Even after everything—after the breakup with Tyler and the fracture in your little group—he remained.

Back when things were simpler you would spent all your free time from Tyler and work with Rain, Kay, and Andy. He was sweet and kind in a way that reminded you of your younger brother when he was smaller. There was an innocence to him despite everything he had seen...despite everything he was.

And though you weren’t an expert on android anatomy, you always tried your best to update his systems when you could. Fixing him up whenever.

Even after things soured you still found time to be with Rain and Andy. Because the truth was Rain had needed you just as much as you had needed her after breaking things off with Kay around the same time you had left Tyler.

'The cost of loving a Harrison I suppose.'

Your quiet amusement was cut short when Bjorn moved into your line of sight. He had unbuckled himself to stand between the seats, taking full advantage of the ship’s ascent.

You watched with mild disbelief as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, placed it between his lips, and lit it with a flame that nearly licked the ceiling. Taking in one deep inhale, he sucks down the smoke in a single go when—

He coughed violently.

The sound was so rough it rattled his chest causing him to double over slightly, wheezing as the smoke burned his lung as he double over with a fit of coughing.

You scoffed while Kay, Rain, and Tyler all burst out laughing at the sight.

Andy, however, simply blinked at Bjorn with a tilted head, brows furrowing in confusion like a puppy trying to understand human stupidity.

"You’re an fucking idiot," you rolled your eyes.

Bjorn grinned through his wheezing fit. "Yeah yeah," he coughed, waving you off before flopping back into his seat between Tyler and Kay.

Your retort was cut short by the sudden violent jolt of the ship as a loud CRACK of thunder roared outside.

The Coberlan shook harder than before, metal creaking and groaning under the force of the atmosphere. You could feel the sheer power of the storm raging outside; the deep gut-wrenching sense of being at the mercy of forces far larger than yourself.

Then—

Light.

It was overwhelmingly blinding at first. A golden brilliance that poured through the windows, catching against every reflective surface as if the ship had been kissed by fire.

Your breath hitched.

Grip loosening from Andy’s, your body pulled forward instinctively. You didn’t even bother shielding your eyes. You just sat there completely entranced.

"Is that…?" The whisper came from Rain, her voice just as breathless as you felt.

"Yeah, that's our sun."

You gaze flicker to Tyler only to see he was already staring at you.

His expression was unreadable. Honey-brown eyes growing more intense with every passing second.

You swallowed, feeling heat prickle at your skin. He looked at you as if you were something otherworldly, something untouchable...

But how could he not?

Your skin seemed to glow under the light's golden embrace. It was as if the warmth had seeped directly into you, wrapping around you like something alive. Your hair, your eyes—everything about you illuminated in a way that felt surreal.

Tyler’s jaw tensed.

He physically forces himself to look away with a sharp clear of his throat, choosing to instead focus on Bjorn who had started talking about cryo-sleep.

But you? You closed your eyes, deciding to relish in the feeling of something you had only ever dreamed of. As the sunlight washed over you, for the first time in what felt like forever, you let yourself breathe.

Then—

Darkness.

The light was ripped away.

Your eyes snapped open in time to see the shadow of a massive structure that was looming in the distance.

The Weyland-Yutani station. It hovered before you like a monolith, jagged and wrong, hanging in space like something ancient.

Navarro's voice was low as she muttered, "There she is..."

You could see Rain and Andy exchanged a look. "That's...not a ship." The words seemed to have left her lips before she even realized she had spoken them.

Bjorn immediately went to the comms, his voice sharp as he called in. "Fuck that’s big. What is that?"

A second later, a deep voice with a thick accent answered. "Decommissioned outpost? I don’t know. Probably got dragged into our orbit."

Tyler’s posture straightened immediately. "Navarro," he ordered. "Get us in closer."

The moment she did, the Coberlan’s alarms blared through the cockpit.

"Shit," Navarro hissed, hands flying over the controls.

Bjorn and Rain jumped from their seats, eyes narrowing as they hovered over the dashboard. "What's going on?" Rain demanded.

Tyler’s expression darkened as he and Navarro exchanged looks. Tyler exhaled. "The station is crashing into Jackson Star’s rings. We’ve got thirty-six hours to get what we need before it’s gone."

You felt the unease creep up your spine.

"Relax," he reassured, catching the look on your face. "We’ve got time. We should be in and out in thirty minutes. "

You forced yourself to breathe.

Still tense, Rain took the chance to pull Andy aside to speak to him quietly, likely something personal. Tyler, meanwhile, made his way toward where you were still seated and buckled in.

He didn’t say anything. Just simply leaned down and reached, his fingers brushing against your stomach as he unbuckled your harness himself.

You swallowed, your breath hitching as his face hovered near yours.

Tyler smirked.

"You know..." he mused, tone deepening. "When we make it to Ygavga there’s a lot we could do with all that...free time."

Your eyes flickered up to his as a knowing smile crept onto your lips.

"Oh?" You tilt your head up, closing the distance until your noses brushed. "Is that so?"

Before either of you could push it further—

Bjorn groaned. "God get a room."

Tyler scowled at his cousin as you pulled back with a laugh. "Bjorn I swear to—"

Bjorn was already backing up, hands raised in mock surrender, his smirk never fading. "Hey mate I'm just saying. If I gotta be stuck on a ship with you two I at least deserve hazard pay."

Tyler, annoyed, flipped him off. "Get the fuck out of here."

Bjorn snickered but did as he was told and heads to the cargo hold.

The laugh escaped before you could bite it back and Tyler immediately turned to you with narrowed eyes. "Oh so you think this is funny?" the annoyance was soft now, edged with something fond.

You grinned and playfully nudge him in the side. "A little bit."

He huffed but let it slide, choosing instead to  lean in and press one last kiss—lingering just enough to make your stomach flip. "We’ll finish this later," he murmured lowly.

Then, with reluctance, he straightened, running a hand through his hair as he turned his attention back to the mission. "Navarro, load her up."

Navarro, already several steps ahead, didn’t even look up from her console as she scoffed, "Yeah yeah keep your pants on." Fingers flying over the controls, she begins to guide the Coberlan toward the Weyland-Yutani station’s docking clamps.

Tyler snorts, shooting you one last glance, he follows after Bjorn as they made their way down to the cargo hold.

You let out a quiet breath as you sink back into your seat. It was then you noticed Kay sitting across from you. And based on the wagging brows and impish smirk you knew she had been watching the entire exchange.

You barely had time to glare as she stood up and sauntered her way over, plopping into the seat beside you. Her arms wrapped around you before you had the chance to protest.

"Missed you ya know." she muttered, squeezing you tight. "And your little brother too."

You smiled and return the embrace. "Missed you too. And..." You pull away just enough to meet her gaze to throw in a little tease. "You do know he still has a crush on you right?"

Kay lets out a mock gasp, placing a hand over her chest as if the revelation had physically struck her.

"Of course he does. I mean look at me." She flipped her curly hair over her shoulder, giving a dramatic coy wave of her hand. "I am just too irresistible after all."

You scoffed with a shake of your head. "Yeah yeah, and tragically unattainable."

Kay sighs theatrically. "I know. So sad for him. Especially since I’m a taken woman."

Your brows shot up. "Taken?" You playfully gasped in exaggerated shock. "By who? Is it Garett, the guy from maintenance?"

Kay’s nose scrunched in disgust.

"Or Caleb, the one with the bad hairline?"

Kay gagged.

"Wait...what about Arthur?! Ya know? The one who talks about engine oil like it’s fine wine?"

Kay physically shuddered. "Okay ew stop. You know I have standards."

Your laughter softened, watching the way the humor dimmed just enough for you to notice. She hesitated for only a second before she spoke again—this time softer as she finally admits the truth: "Rain and I...we got back together last week."

Your eyes widened, excitement bursting in your chest as you nearly jumped out of your seat. "Are you serious?!"

Kay laughed, but before she could stop you, you were already twisting to get up. "That little shit!" you huffed. "I was literally at her place three days ago fixing up Andy and she didn’t say a damn thing—"

Kay grabs your wrist, laughing as she yanked you back down into the seat beside her. "Damn calm down! You’ll scare her off!" she giggled.

You grumbled but couldn’t stop the grin pulling at your lips. Just as you settled back down the ship shuddered—a harsh jolt rattling through the cabin. You gripped the armrest, blinking as Navarro’s voice came through.

"Docked."

Your gaze snapped up just in time to see Rain emerge from the back, hesitating at the doorway. She offered a small polite smile as a flicker of nervousness went across her expression. She didn’t move to sit—she just stood there, as if waiting for something.

You were about to speak when the sound of static crackling filled the room.

The cameras connected to Tyler’s headset had activated.

Immediately, you, Kay, Rain, and Navarro crowded around the screen, watching as the live feed revealed what he were seeing.

Navarro, ever the stress smoker, flicked open a lighter and lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag. She held it out toward you in silent offering. 

You shook your head. "Trying to go cold turkey."

She snorted, taking another long inhale. "Good luck with that."

Silence fell as everyone focused on the screen.

The station was eerie, its long corridors stretching into darkness. The gravity generators flickered on and off creating a disorienting effect; one second the trio walked normally, the next, they floated mid-step before slamming back down.

Then—a sudden jolt.

While mid-flight, the generators cut out completely sending Bjorn flat onto his ass. "Fuck me," Bjorn groaned through the speakers, his grumbled curses making Kay snort into her hand.

You, however, felt your stomach twist. Your muscles coiled tight as unease settled deep in your gut.

What if something went wrong?

The feeling didn’t leave.

You needed a second.

"Be right back," you muttered, rising to your feet. Kay barely acknowledged you, her attention fixed on the screen. "Yeah," she responded automatically.

You could still hear Bjorn’s grumbling in air as you slipped down the narrow hallway to the small restroom. The second you stepped inside you stared at your reflection in the dimly lit mirror.

Your heart was pounding.

Maybe some cold water would help.

Maybe, just maybe, you could shake this feeling.

*.·:·.☽✧✧☾.·:·.*

You cupped your hands beneath the icy stream to splash cold water onto your face after what seems like the hundredth time, letting it shock your skin and bring you back to the present.

The chill seeped into your pores, grounding you, forcing your rapid breaths to slow as you held on to the edges of the sink.

In...Hold...Out. Again.

But your mind refused to settle.

Tyler, Andy, and Bjorn were out there—walking through the unknown, blind in the dark with nothing but their instincts and a couple of flickering lights.

A shoddy abandoned station, a countdown clock ticking above their heads....

Then came the nagging thought you tried so hard to push away.

Your brother.

Back on Jackson Star.

Your grip on the sink tightened, the metal biting into your palms. 'What if this is a death wish?'

What if—despite everything you’ve done, every risk you’ve taken—this was all useless? What if he makes it to Yvaga and finds out you lied?

That you never made it?

The thought alone sent a wave of nausea through your stomach. The doubt became suffocating, sinking into your bones like lead—

You snapped out of it with a sharp inhale; forcing the fear down and burying it deep.

'No....No time for this.'

You have to keep your mind on the positive. You have to believe this will work. With one final handful of water, you rubbed your face, forcing yourself back into focus.

The door suddenly opens.

Kay stumbled inside, barely making it two steps before she buckled forward and vomits violently.

"Shit!" You jerk to the side as bile splattered onto the floor where you had just been standing.

Kay gasped between heaves, her entire body trembling as she clutched the toilet for support. A second later Rain appeared in the doorway, eyes blown wide with panic.

Your gazes met—her confusion and concern mirroring your own.

"Kay?" Rain stepped forward hesitantly, but Kay just shook her head weakly, one hand limply waving her off as she wiped at her mouth.

Navarro appeared in the doorway next, arms crossed, eyes flicking over the scene with mild worry. "I’ll check on the pods," she muttered before turning on her heel and disappearing.

Neither you nor Rain acknowledged her leaving—too focused on Kay. You didn’t hesitate, moving to her side and looping an arm around her waist.

"Alright come on," you glance at Rain. "Help me get her to one of the bunks."

Rain nodded quickly, taking Kay’s other side. Together, the two of you half-carried-half-led her out of the restroom, Kay leaning heavily against you both.

Her skin felt clammy under your grip, curls sticking to her forehead as her body slightly curled in on itself when you placed her down.

You fretted quietly, hands moving to check her forehead and tuck the damp strands away from her face. Rain, however, was an absolute mess. Her panic started bubbling over, her words spilling out fast and frantically.

"It could be something in the air—maybe food poisoning—could be an infection. Did you eat something we—?"

"I’m not sick." Kay’s voice was weak, but firm enough to cut through the brunette's anxious rambling. Letting out a shaky breath, she then grabbed Rain’s hand and pressed it against her stomach.

Rain blinked. Her fingers curled slightly, pressing against Kay’s abdomen as if trying to process what she was feeling beneath her palm.

Your eyebrows shot up in realization. "...girl."

Kay let out a weak laugh, though it faded quickly as her gaze flickered back to Rain.

"I was...going to tell you," she whispered softly, "the moment we got back together. I just—" She swallowed hard. "I didn’t know how."

You stayed silent, absorbing her words.

Kay had always been bold—never afraid to speak her mind. But now? Now she looked vulnerably small, her fingers tightening around Rain’s as she blinked back tears.

"I love you," her voice trembled. "I really love you Rain. And I know I—what I did was so fucking stupid."

She sniffled, voice breaking.

"If you want to leave me again, I’ll understand."

Silence.

It was so quiet you could hear the hum of the ship beneath you.

Then, after a long moment, Rain spoke up. "Who's the father?"

You watched as Kay’s shoulders stiffened. She hesitated then looked away. "Some asshole," she muttered. "A rebound that’s all."

Rain’s jaw tightened slightly but she didn’t press.

"And before you ask," Kay quickly adds, eyes darting between both you and Rain. "Please...don’t tell Tyler. Either of you. I mean it. I only wanted to tell you two. Rain—"

She took Rain’s hand again, squeezing tightly.

"—because I love you. And ____…" She turned to you. "Because you’re like a sister to me."

Her words settled deep, and for once, you had nothing snarky to say.

Rain exhaled sharply, shoulders sinking as she processed everything. "I understand," Rain murmured.

Kay’s breath hitched.

"And....I still love you too."

Kay closed her eyes for a moment, something breaking and rebuilding in her expression all at once.

Rain’s lips twitched. "At least now we don’t have to worry about how we’d have a child when we get to Yvaga."

Kay snorted, then smiled. "A baby that’ll get to see the sun," she whispered.

With that, Rain leans down an pulls her into a slow sweet kiss.

You immediately fake gagged. "Ugh please."

Kay laughed, nudging you. "Oh shut up! I had to put up with you and Tyler, so suck it up."

You grinned rolling your eyes as you stood. With Kay feeling well enough to rest, you and Rain left her alone, heading back toward the front of the ship.

Rain used the walk to catch you up, filling you in on what you had missed during your little meltdown—how they had managed to locate cryo-fuel, how it wasn't enough for the full nine year travel.

As you both made it back to the cockpit Navarro was already back in her pilot's seat, her eyes locked onto the small screen as Tyler, Bjorn, and Andy moved through the dark station in search of more.

You and Rain sank into your seats to watch closely.

Then—

A voice.

A calm and sterile, it filtered smoothly through the station’s intercom.

"Welcome to the Renaissance Space Station— The center of Weyland-Yutani Research and Development." "The station is divided into two halves— Romulus and Remus— Each dedicated to our quest to improve mankind’s role in outer space."

A cold chill ran down your spine.

Bjorn muttered through the speakers, "This place gives me the creeps."

Andy, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood with a joke.

It did not work.

Bjorn snapped.

"Shut the hell up Andy!" The words were harsh, sharper than intended. You could hear the raw edge of frustration underneath.

"You do know right?" Bjorn continued, spitting out his next words. "You’re not even allowed in Yvaga you piece of fucking synth!"

The words hit like a slap.

Your head snapped toward Rain—her face had gone pale. You could hear Tyler immediately stepping in, his voice calmer, trying to soften the blow; explaining what would’ve happened if Rain had brought Andy along—how her future would be a grim one.

You saw the way Rain’s eyes glistened, the way she blinked rapidly to push back the tears. "I...I never got the chance to tell him. I didn't have the heart to.

Navarro, however, was less delicate. "You shouldn't feel bad and you’re not gonna throw your whole life away for Andy’s sake." she reminded flatly. "It doesn't matter to him okay? He’s not real."

That set something off in you. Your jaw clenched, irritation flaring hot in your chest.

"Don't say that," you shot back, your voice sharp. "Yes it might not matter to him, but it does to her. May he be called fake, android, synthetic—whatever. But when that’s your family you don’t just dismiss 'em."

Navarro looked away.

Rain gave you a faint grateful smile.

"We found something." Tyler’s voice suddenly crackled through.

Your concern spiked as the camera feed revealed they were stepping into an area inside a dark laboratory. The dull glow of their flashlights bounced off metal walls slick with condensation.

"Water?" Bjorn’s voice was thick with wariness through the speakers.

"Just a little," Tyler muttered.

Another step, a louder splash.

Andy, ever the optimist, piped up, "At least it’s not knee-deep?"

Bjorn let out a low unimpressed grunt.

But then—

"Found it." Tyler’s voice came through sharp with triumph. The screen flickered as he moved forward, his flashlight catching something metallic and familiar. It took only a second for it to register:

Fuel.

“Holy shit,” Bjorn let out a whistle.

"This is it," Tyler confirmed. "More than enough to get us all the way to Yvaga."

The relief was instant.

You felt it rush through your chest like a long breath finally being released. You sat back, letting out a soft laugh as tension slip from your shoulders.

"Finally," Navarro muttered as Rain leaned into her seat with a sigh, her fingers coming up to rub at her temples.

You sat there to let the good news settle in before deciding to get up. "I’ll tell Kay," you announced, stretching your arms over your head.

Navarro barely nodded, too immersed in the live feed, while Rain shot you a small smile of acknowledgement.

You expected to find Kay still curled up fast asleep when you arrived. But she wasn't.

Instead she was sitting up, staring at the small window above her as she gaze out at the sun—or at least what little of it managed to peek through. The golden light filtered in weakly, catching the edges of her curly hair, creating a soft glow around her.

Kay sat motionless, gaze fixed on the warm distant star. For a moment you didn’t say anything and just simply watched her. 

Then, finally—

"You okay?" you ask.

Kay glanced over, blinking as if pulled from deep thought. Her lips curled into a tired smile before she turned back to the window. "Yeah. Just...thinking."

You stepped forward, plopping down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to gently lift her legs and place them across your lap.

"Well, I got some good news for you," you started, rubbing absent circles against her shin. "We found some more cryo-fuel. More than enough to get us to Ygava."

That earned a genuine reaction.

Kay’s eyes lit up, her lips stretching into a bright smile—but before she could say anything, her face suddenly twisted, hand darting to her stomach as a fresh wave of nausea hit.

"Oof," she groaned shaking her head. "Who would’ve thought growing a person would be this damn exhausting?"

You smirked. "Damn. Pregnancy’s already kicking your ass and you’re not even showing yet?"

She weakly laughed. "Seriously. I think I’m cursed."

"Could be worse," you offered, leaning back beside her.

She scoffed. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," you grinned. "At least I’m not the one pregnant."

Kay rolled her eyes when a sly grin appeared, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re next though."

That caught you off guard. "The hell does that mean?"

Kay hummed, giving you a knowing look. "I mean, with how sick you’ve been lately—"

You groaned. "Oh come on."

Kay laughed. "You never know! Maybe our kids will grow up together, play fighting n all," she teased.

You point a finger at her. "You know I always get sick this time of year. My allergies sucks remember?"

She raised a brow, unconvinced.

"Plus," you add, smirking wolfishly, "If I can recall; me and Tyler only banged twice this year so far—months apart I might add. Plus there haven't been a single symptom soooo...better luck next time."

Kay let out a loud exaggerated groan of defeat, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. "Fine. But just you wait! The second you get knocked up I'm gonna to enjoy every second of your suffering."

That actually made you laugh. "Oh so this is revenge now?"

She grinned, watching you with fond amusement. "Damn right."

The moment settled into something soft, something familiar. But then another wave of nausea hit her. Kay groaned, rolling onto her side with her hand pressed lightly to her stomach.

You pouted sympathetically, nudging her shoulder. "Poor thing."

Kay lets out a weak dramatic sigh.  "Yes woe is me, the little poor thing."

Your lips twitched. "You wanna cuddle? I mean, I know I’m not Rain but—"

Kay immediately perked up, arms already outstretched. "If you don’t mind..." Then, with her lips puckering into a pout, she adds, "Can I be the little spoon?"

You snort with a roll of your eyes. "Sure I guess."

With some effort, you shifted onto the bed beside her, clumsily maneuvering until you were lying behind her. Kay let out a satisfied sigh, settling in as your arms wrapped snugly around her waist to rest against her stomach.

The steady rise and fall of her breathing was soothing, and as you both settled into the warmth, exhaustion finally caught up to you.

Eyes growing heavy, your grip slackened slightly and the two of you drifted off to sleep.

With careful movements you slip out from under the sheets, mindful not to wake him. The floor was cool beneath your feet as you padded across the room, a wince pulling at your face as you bend down to dress quickly—the soreness a not-so-subtle reminder of last night.

You had picked something simple. Practical. Didn’t want to give anyone a reason to notice you more than necessary today.

The facility was quieter than usual when you arrived. Most workers hadn’t clocked in yet, leaving only a few scattered employees moving through the lit corridors, lost in their own routines.

Good. Fewer eyes meant fewer questions.

Settling at your workstation, you booted up the terminal, fingers moving automatically over the keyboard. Years of navigating these systems had made you efficient—too efficient.

You knew the system inside and out; knew its weak spots, its loopholes. Every firewall, every security gap, every blind spot left unattended that management either didn’t care to fix or simply hadn’t noticed.

Maybe it was arrogance. Maybe it was neglect. Either way it worked in your favor.

Hacking in was second nature by now. Your eyes scanned the lines of code flashing across the screen as you navigated through, slipping past security protocols with the kind of precision that only came from experience.

A click here, a minor override there—nothing too aggressive, nothing that would trip an alarm. Just a careful dance between what was allowed and what wasn’t.

Then you saw it.

QUOTA MET: TRANSFER ELIGIBLE

The confirmation glowed in green across your account file, staring back at you like a silent invitation.

You had met your quota weeks ago. The option had been sitting there waiting. You hadn’t acted. Not until now.

Not until Tyler.

Your heartbeat picked up, thudding against your ribs as you pulled up your brother’s data. His file flickered onto the screen—his name, his hours, his status, all laid out in sterile formatting.

For a brief second doubt gnawed at the edges of your resolve. What if this didn’t work? What if someone noticed? What if—

No. You couldn't think like that. Taking a deep breath, you began typing.

It wasn’t just a matter of inputting numbers. The system wouldn’t allow a direct transfer under normal circumstances. There were fail-safes in place, redundancies meant to prevent exactly this kind of manipulation.

Luckily you knew the cracks in the armor.

Instead of a direct transfer you rerouted the hours through a dormant worker ID—a name that no longer had a body attached to it, a ghost in the system. From there the hours flowed cleanly into your brother’s account, looking like nothing more than a clerical correction.

The moment you hit Enter your status blinked red.

QUOTA UNMET: TRANSFER UNELIGIBLE

And then—your brother’s turned green.

QUOTA MET: TRANSFER ELIGIBLE

A sharp breath hitched in your throat, your hands were still trembling slightly as they hovered over the keys. 'It's done.'

The thought echoed in your head but it didn’t bring you the relief you expected. Instead your stomach twisted with unease.

With a shaky exhale you forced yourself to focus. You couldn’t afford to sit here in shock. You quickly began to erase every trace of your interference.

You became hyper-aware of the faint hum of machinery and the distant murmur of workers beginning to filter into the station as your fingers moved automatically.

Delete logs, clear access history, reroute tracking pings.

Every file you touched, every lingering breadcrumb that could be traced back to you, wiped clean. It was meticulous work but you had no room for error.

A few more keystrokes... A final scan... Gone.

With a final click you shut off your terminal. You sat there for a moment, staring at the dark reflection of your own face on the screen’s surface.

It was done. No going back.

Your lungs deflated as you leaned back in the chair, shoulders slumping as the tension coiled in your muscles finally unwound—just a fraction.

Because this was only the first step.

Pushing away from your desk, you forced your legs to move through the near-empty halls. The artificial lighting above flickered slightly, casting sharp shadows along the walls, but you barely noticed.

You needed to look the part.

Reaching the nearest restroom, you slipped inside and locked the door behind you. The mirror reflected back a face that didn’t look nearly as weary as you felt.

That wouldn’t do.

Digging into your bag, you pulled out your small kit of waterproof makeup, your hands steady as you selected the palest shade you had. You apply it strategically to make your skin appear almost ghostly: dabbing it under your cheekbones, around your eyes—anywhere that would make you look sickly.

Then came the red liner, a precise application around the rims of your eyes to mimic irritation and exhaustion. You blinked a few times to let the moisture build naturally.

The effect was haunting—you looked drained, on the verge of collapse.

Perfect.

Satisfied, you straightened, adjusted your shirt to appear slightly rumpled, and took one last breath before leaving the restroom.

Now came the hard part.

The walk to Mary-Anne's office felt much longer than usual. Your hands felt clammy, your breathing slightly uneven, but you forced yourself to stay calm. This has to work.

Reaching her door, you raised a trembling hand and knocked softly.

A rustle of papers. A chair shifting. Then—

"Come in."

You pushed the door open and stepped inside.

She was at her desk (as usual), glasses perched on the bridge of her nose as she worked through a thick stack of paperwork. The soft glow of her monitor illuminated the wrinkles in her forehead as she worked, but as soon as she saw you she paused.

Her face brightened upon seeing you, her lips parting in the start of a warm greeting—until she saw you up close. The warmth drained from her expression and was replaced by deep immediate concern.

"____...sweetheart, I—" Mary-Anne's brows knit together as she stood up slightly, leaning forward. "What’s wrong? What happened?"

You lowered yourself into the chair across from her, your hands clenching together in your lap, curling into yourself just a little as you gave a shaky sigh.

“I—I listened to you,” you murmured. “I went to the infirmary. I...I just thought maybe I was run down, you know?" A weak humorless laugh escaped you before you inhaled sharply as if bracing yourself. "But after some tests, they—" Your voice caught.

Mary-Anne was already on the edge of her seat. "Tests?" she echoed. Her own hands pressed against the desk, her knuckles white.

You lifted your gaze to hers, your eyes wet, the red lining enhancing the illusion of someone who had cried too much already. "They found something growing in my brain. They don't know what...but the tumor's developing fast."

Mary-Anne's face went slack. For a moment she just stared, uncomprehending—like her mind refused to process what you had just said. Then the color drained from her face.

"Oh honey…" Her voice broke, eyes glassy with unshed tears. "No...no that can’t—"

You let out a shaky breath, blinking rapidly as if you were trying to keep yourself together. It wasn’t hard—because underneath the act real emotions swirled, tangled with the lie.

You could feel the weight of it pressing on your concious.

She reached forward, grasping your hands in hers, squeezing them tightly as if that alone could will reality into something kinder.

You let your head dip slightly, eyes burning as you let out a trembling breath. "I—I don’t have much time."

Her grip on your hand tightened. "No no don’t say that. There—there has to be something they can do. Treatments—"

You shook your head. "It’s too late for that."

The first tear slipped down her cheek and it nearly shattered you.

She saw you like family. A daughter, a niece—someone she had taken under her wing long ago. And now? Now she was losing you.

You hesitated before speaking again, letting the tension stretch just enough. Then you carefully squeezed her hand. "I...I need you to do something for me."

She sniffed, blinking rapidly. "Anything."

You took a breath. "I need you to approve my brother’s transfer to Yvaga III."

Her brows knit together, confusion flickering across her grief-stricken face. "...What?"

"I gave him all my hours," you admitted lowly. "He has everything he needs to leave. But if anyone checks the records, they’ll see the numbers don’t add up and they’ll start asking questions."

Silence.

Mary-Anne's entire body tensed as her hands pulled away. "You—what?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, almost like she was afraid of the walls listening in. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done?! If they find out—"

You cut her off with a hollow laugh. "I’m already a dead woman."

That stopped her cold.

The room fell silent except for the faint hum of machinery beyond the walls. Her lips parted but no words came out. She just stared at you, at the emptiness behind your eyes, at the acceptance.

The truth (at least the truth you had crafted) settled between you both like a lead weight..

“There’s always one final screening before transfer off Jackson Star.” You spoke again, voice softer now, raw with the emotion you needed her to see. “If you approve it no one will think to look deeper. No one will question it."

Tears spilled freely from your eyes now, your breath coming out uneven. "I...I can’t leave him alone. I'm all he has. After the death of our parent's I can’t—" Your breath hitched and the dam broke.

Your body shook as sobs wracked your frame. The grief, the fear, the desperation—it all poured out in a way that felt real. Maybe because some of it was.

Maybe because you knew, deep down, you weren’t just crying for your brother. You were crying for everything.

For the life you never got to have... For the choices forced upon you.... For the lies you had to tell to ensure the only family you had left would be safe....

Through your blurred vision you saw her; you saw the war waging in her expression, the way her hands curled into fists, the way she fought against the rules, against logic, against everything she was supposed to do.

Then, with a heavy shaky sigh, she shook her head. "You…" She let out a choked sound, somewhere between frustration and heartbreak. "You absolute fool."

And then she nodded. "Okay."

Your breath caught.

She sniffled, wiping her face. "I’ll do it. I’ll make it official."

A broken sob tore through you as you surged forward, wrapping your arms around her. She let out a strangled sound of her own before hugging you back tightly, squeezing you like she was trying to hold you together.

You had done it.

Your brother was safe.

And nothing else mattered.

*.·:·.☽✧✧☾.·:·.*

You sat in the dimly lit living lounge, your knee bouncing uncontrollably as nerves twisted like a knot in your stomach. The faint hum of the ventilation system filled the silence but it did nothing to settle the unease gripping your chest.

The clock on the wall ticked louder than usual—or maybe it was just your heartbeat roaring in your ears.

Your fingers tangled together in your lap, gripping tighter than they needed to as every so often you'd glanced toward the front door.

'He should be home soon...'

You had gone over this conversation in your head over and over. What you would say...how you would say it.

But now? Now you weren’t even sure how to start.

Then—

The front door slides open with a soft hiss, the faint shuffling of boots against the metal floor signaling his return. Anticipation and dread coiled inside you as you shot up instantly like a tightly wound spring.

Your brother stepped inside, his uniform slightly wrinkled from another long shift. A tired but genuine smile formed on his lips as he shrugged off his jacket. "Hey! You won't believe the kind of day I had—"

The easy smile falters the second he sees your face. "What’s wrong?" The usual warmth in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a cautious edge.

You hadn’t realized how serious you must have seemed—hands clenched, eyes trained on him like you were bracing for impact.

You didn’t answer.

Instead you closed the distance between you in a few quick strides and pulled him into a hug.

His body tensed at first, caught off guard by the abruptness of it, his arms hovering uncertainly before finally settling around you. He was taller than you now, but the way you clutched him and forced his head down to rest against your shoulder said otherwise.

"Okay...?" His voice was muffled as he let out a confused chuckle. "Now I know something’s up."

He shifted slightly, trying to pull back, but you only tightened your hold for a moment longer, now cradling his head under your chin.

His breath hitched. "Hey...what’s going on?" His voice was softer now. More careful.

You could feel his unease, the way he hunched slightly, letting you hold onto him like you used to when you were both younger—when the world had been scarier and he had needed you to shield him from it.

Taking one last shaky breath, you finally pull back. His hands lingered on your arms as you reached up to gently cup his face between your palms.

His skin was warm beneath your touch, [eye color] eyes searching yours for answers as his brow scrunched deeper. "Seriously. What’s going on?"

You met his gaze. "You’re leaving, [Brother's Name]."

He blinks. “What?”

"You’re getting out of here." Your voice became firmer. “You’re leaving Jackson Star.”

His expression remained frozen for a second, like his brain was still catching up to the words you had just said. Then his eyes slowly widened.

A beat of silence.

"...What?" His voice was barely a whisper this time.

You didn’t waver. You repeated yourself as you give a steady and reassuring nod. "You’re going to Yvaga."

For a moment his lips parted but no sound came out. He just stood there blinking at you, the reality of your words sinking in.

Then—a grin.

It started small, creeping onto his face. Then it grew bright and full of disbelief.

"Wait. Wait are you serious?" His voice pitched higher, excitement bleeding into every syllable. "You’re not messing with me? This isn’t some kind of cruel prank right?"

You didn’t need to answer. The look in your eyes was enough.

"Holy shit—are you serious?! No wait—" He spun around, running a hand through his hair as a sudden burst of energy rushed through him. "I— I’m actually leaving?! I can finally—?!"

He turned back to you as he started rambling, his words coming out in breathless waves.

"I’ll actually get to see the sun?! And real trees?! And—actual grass?! Like real growing grass? And the air—God bet the air doesn’t even smell like metal and recycled filth over there—"

But then he stopped.

His words cut off mid-sentence as he looked back at you. And just like that, the boyish wonder vanished, replaced by something raw as the light in his eyes dimmed.

“Wha....what about you?”

You had been waiting for this. You forced a reassuring smile, shaking your head as if his worry was misplaced. "I’ll be there too."

He didn’t respond right away. His eyes searched yours as if trying to find the lie beneath your words. When he found nothing to doubt, his shoulders eased. "Okay...yeah. Good that's good."

Relief softened his features, and just like that the light returned. He grinned again, bubbling back up as he started pacing, hands gesturing as he talked.

"God I don’t even know where to start! Do I need to pack everything? What should I bring? What’s the first thing I should do when I get there? Do you think they have real food? Like not this rehydrated crap?"

His energy was infectious and you couldn’t help but let out a laugh as he spin in circles like a kid on their birthday. “Relax. The transport doesn’t leave for another week. You have time."

"Yeah but still—!" He waved his arms, his mind clearly filled with preparations. "I gotta be ready!"

Still grinning, you reached out and ruffled his hair, messing it up just to hear him groan in protest. He batted your hand away with a playful scowl.

You hesitated for half a second before adding, "You’re gonna be staying with Mary-Anne for the time being."

His excitement dimmed again, his lips pressed together. "...Why do I have to stay with her? Aren't we just going together?"

There it was—that little sliver of doubt creeping back in.

"Because I need to handle some things here first. But I’ll be there right after." you said, pinching his cheek exaggeratedly in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Besides, you like her. She makes those weird cookies you love."

The teen scrunched his nose but didn’t argue. He still looked uncertain.

"You promise?"

You smiled, lifting your hand and holding out your pinky; a silent vow.

He stared at it for a moment before huffing, a grin tugging at his lips as he looped his pinky around yours. "You better not make me wait too long," he muttered.

"Do I ever?"

"Yes. Constantly."

You laughed, bumping your forehead against his before pulling back.

For now the moment was safe. For now he was happy. And for now that was enough.

*.·:·.☽✧✧☾.·:·.*

The low hum of Corbelan IV ’s engines vibrated through the metal walls, a subtle but constant reminder that they were really leaving. The air inside the ship was thick with tension—excitement, unease, the weight of the unknown.

Navarro was already in the cockpit; flipping switches, checking dials, her voice crisp and efficient as she called out checkpoints.

In the main cabin Rain and Andy moved around, taking in the ship’s interior with quiet awe while others moved frantically, checking cargo, double-checking straps, ensuring everything was in place.

And then there was Tyler.

He sat in the co-pilot’s seat barely registering the checklist Navarro was rattling off. The faint hum of the ship, the occasional flicker of a dashboard light....it all blurred into the background.

His fingers tapped restlessly against his knee, shoulders slightly slumped as his entire body carried the kind of tension that only came with waiting for something that wasn’t going to happen.

He should be happy. They were finally leaving this cursed place. They were finally free.

But you weren’t here.

"You alright mate?"

Tyler blinked, turning to see Bjorn staring at him from where he stood near the console. The scavenger's arms were crossed, his expression unreadable but sharp with observation.

Tyler forced a grin with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Yeah. Yeah—I will be."

Bjorn made a noise in the back of his throat, half scoff, half knowing grunt. He smacked his lips and muttered, “Women. Can’t live with ‘em...can’t live without ‘em.”

Tyler let out a breathy laugh, though it held no real humor. But before he could respond—

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A loud pounding rattled against the metal door causing everyone to jump.

"Shit!" Bjorn hissed, his entire body going rigid.

Kay sucked in a sharp breath, eyes going wide as hands instinctively move to her stomach. "Think we got caught?" she whispered as panic crept into her voice.

Navarro whipped around in her seat. "No fucking way, I cleared us. There’s no—"

Tyler’s pulse spiked as he turned toward the console. With a quick press of a button, the external camera feed flickered onto the screen.

And then—

All the tension in his body evaporated.

A slow disbelieving smile stretched across his face.

He shot up from his seat, barely giving the others a second glance before bolting for the door. His heart was hammering, his throat tight as he slammed his hand against the release button.

The door hissed open.

And there you were. Standing just beyond the threshold, a bag slung over your shoulder with a warm smile tinged with nervous energy. "Got room for one more?"

For a split second Tyler just stared.

His breath stuttered, eyes scanning over you as if he needed to make sure you were real—that you weren’t some cruel hallucination conjured by wishful thinking.

In an instant his arms were around you.

You barely had time to react before you were engulfed in his warmth, your feet nearly lifting off the ground as he held you tight against his chest. His breathing was uneven, almost ragged, like he was forcing himself to believe this was happening.

"You here," he muttered against your shoulder.

You let out a soft laugh, muffling the way your throat tightened. "Didn’t actually think I’d let you have all the fun did you?"

Tyler pulled back just enough to look at you, his hands still gripping your arms like he was scared you’d disappear if he let go.

His eyes searched yours.

You could tell—he wanted to say something else. Something bigger. But instead he just huffed a breath and shook his head. "Get inside idiot."

Grinning, you stepped past him, dropping your bag onto the floor as you took your first steps onto the ship.

The others were staring.

Bjorn let out a low whistle. "Well look at that. Drama’s over folks. Guess we can all breathe now."

Kay let out a choked laugh, one hand clutching her chest as if trying to slow her racing heart. "Almost gave me a damn heart attack that's for sure"

You just shot her a wink.

Navarro’s voice came through the intercom, cutting through the moment. "Last call. We’re clear for launch in two minutes. Strap in or get left behind."

This was it.

Tyler exhaled, running a hand through his hair before glancing back at you, a different kind of smile on his face now. "Come on," he said, nodding toward the seats. "Let’s get the hell out of here."

You grinned.

Your parents were never meant to be here, that much you knew. They were once something else—Weyland-Yutani engineers and technologists, people who made things better.

Specifically, they worked with androids.

Seeing first-hand the abuse and mistreatment of the synthetics, they tried to change the way they were treated. They spoke out against the horrors, fighting to stop the androids from being nothing more than tools and trash.

But the world doesn't like change, not when it threatens the order of things.

And so for their efforts, your parents were stripped of everything: their titles, their work, their lives as they knew it. Sent away to this death trap of a planet where they could be forgotten.

They never spoke much about the past. But in the quiet moments, when they thought you were asleep, you'd hear them whisper about it—about the life they once had, about the things they lost.

And you'd feel the weight of it, heavy and suffocating, until it was hard to breathe...

Hard to remember what life was before.

════════════════*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═════════════════

You were already half asleep when your mother tucked you into bed, her hands gentle but worn from the day's work.

The faint hum of the machinery outside your small window was a lullaby you'd grown used to, a constant presence that wrapped around you like a blanket.

As she leaned down to kiss your forehead, the shadows deepened the lines on her face.

"Sleep tight, my little Byte," she whispered, her voice tinged with a weariness that you couldn't quite place. "Dream of better things."

You nodded, your eyelids heavy from the weight of the day. Yet your mind was still awake, filled with thoughts that always seemed to follow you into sleep.

Why were you here? What had happened to the life you once had? Why did it all feel like a nightmare you couldn't wake up from?

But soon sleep came, as it always did, pulling you under with the promise of oblivion.

Until the whispers woke you.

At first, you thought it was part of a dream, the murmurs blending with the darkness. But then you heard it: harsh whispers and a heavy thud that filtered through your half-open door.

"...please...have to help me..."

The voice was unfamiliar, but there was something desperate in it that sent a shiver down your spine. Your heart pounded as you slipped out of bed, your feet barely making a sound on the cold, metal floor.

Creeping towards the door, you peer out, straining to catch more of the conversation.

"...can't keep here...it's too dangerous..."

"...kept hidden for this long...don't know where else to..."

There, in the small dimly lit sitting area, stood your parents with their backs to you; instead facing a man who looked as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

He was tall, deep lines etched into his face. His eyes were dark and tired, pleading and desperate. There was something about him that tugged at your memory, a vague recognition.

Mr. Carradine. You'd heard your parents mention him a few times in passing.

He was the man you'd occasionally see walking with your father, their heads bowed in conversation as they made their way back from the mines.

But seeing him here, in your home, with that look in his eyes—it was different. He seemed older, more worn down, as if whatever burden he carried had finally become too much to bear.

Your father's voice was tense as he spoke, "Carradine you know we can't... it's too risky."

"Please," Mr. Carradine interrupted, his voice breaking. "I'm begging you. She's all we have. I can't do this alone."

The room fell quiet, air thick with the weight of unspoken words. You saw your father glance to your mother, his expression torn as his shoulders sag in defeat.

Deciding you've snooped enough you move to go back to bed. But your arm brushes against the door as you did, causing it to creak. Three pairs of eyes turns toward you.

Your mother's eyes widened at the sight of you. "Sweetheart," she whispered, trying to keep the panic out of her voice, "you should be in bed."

You stepped forward, unable to keep the question from spilling out. "What's happening?"

Mr. Carradine fumbles. You immediately catch his movements, his hands swiftly pulling down on a tarp to cover whatever's underneath—a tarp you don't recall seeing before bed.

Seeing your interest piqued, your father hesitates for a moment before ultimately letting out a resigned sigh.

"Sweetheart," your father starts, voice cracked. But he stops, glancing at Mr. Carradine.

The man's gaze softened in understanding before nodding. "It's alright," he said quietly. "She deserves to know."

Your father meets your mothers gaze once more, another silent conversation passing between them.

"Alright, sweetheart," he motions for you to come closer, a weariness in his voice you couldn't refuse.

You approached them slowly, your eyes flicking between the three adults before landing on the tarp-covered object on the kitchen table.

When you were close enough, your father gently placed a hand on your shoulder, as if grounding himself before he spoke.

"Mr. Carradine found something," he explained, his words heavy with meaning you didn't fully grasp. "Someone, really. He... he's an android, one that was meant to be scrapped."

Your heart skipped a beat. An android?

You knew what androids were—machines made to look like people, to work like people, to serve people...but weren't people at all.

They were always treated as less than human, as nothing more than tools. You'd seen the way people talked about them, the way they were discarded when they were no longer useful.

"Why is he here?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Carradine gave a nervous hum as if to keep himself from crying.

"Rain...my little girl....she has no one but me an' her mom," he said, voice cracking on the words. "I've been hiding him, but I can't do it alone. I need your parents' help to keep him safe...to keep her safe."

He steps forward and pulled back the tar—

your breath catches in your throat.

There, lifelessly sitting in one of your dining chairs, was the most beautiful android you'd ever seen.

The synthetic skin that covered him was a soft, smooth and flawless warm shade of brown that almost glowed in the dim light.

His hair was short and tightly curled, sitting perfectly in place with each strand meticulously crafted to maintain its natural look.

His broad shoulders were relaxed, but there was a strength in his posture. Large hands rested on his lap, fingers curled as if they might twitch to life at any moment.

If you didn't know better, you'd think he was human.

His face is what got you, it held a sort of softness that was disarming: full lips that were slightly parted as if caught mid-breath, closed eyelids framed by dark lashes that rested against his cheeks like shadows.

It made his appearance oddly serene —like he was simply sleeping, not powered-down.

He made your mind fuzzy in a way that it shouldn't, but it did.

"What's his name?" you whispered, awe and confusion trembling your voice.

Mr. Carradine's expression softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Andy," he said quietly. "His name is Andy."

Andy...

The name echoed in your mind. The longer you looked at him, the more something stirred in your chest—a spark, a connection you couldn't explain.

But in that moment, none of it mattered.

All you could do was stare, your eyes fixed on his face. Your heart pounded as you whisper his name under your breath

Bjorn was already there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. You didn't say anything to him, and he didn't speak to you.

You noticed a young girl sitting off to the side, barely a teenager.

She was too young to be working in the mines, and yet, here she was: her wide eyes darting between you and Bjorn.

You recognized her—she was supposed to start her training soon, but hadn't officially begun working yet.

Why she was here only made the situation even more unsettling.

The three of you exchanged uneasy glances, wondering what was going on. Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last.

Until finally, an official walked in. The man's face was solemn, he didn't bother with introductions or small talk.

Eyes swept over the three of you before speaking, his voice so flat it sent chills down your spine. "There was an accident in Sector 7 today. A gas leak."

Your heart sank. Sector 7....

That was where your father had been working. The knot of dread in your stomach tightened.

You wanted to believe it wasn't as bad as it sounded, but the look on the official's face told you otherwise.

"The leak spread rapidly," the official continued, his tone grim. "The android supervisor for that division on-site—Model HY-471—made the order to seal off part of the sector to contain it. In doing so, three miners were trapped inside... and sacrificed to save the rest of the team."

The first name was your father's. It hit you like a physical blow, the breath leaving your lungs as you tried to process what you'd just heard.

The other names barely registered—Bjorn's mother, and Marcus Harland, another miner you vaguely knew.

You felt like you were floating outside of your own body, watching everything unfold from a distance.

The young girl crumpled to the floor, her uncontrollable sobs tearing through the otherwise silent room.

You saw the color drain from Bjorn's face as he stared blankly ahead. He didn't say a word, didn't move, as if the news had frozen him in place.

The rest of the meeting was a blur. You didn't remember leaving the room, didn't remember walking out of the building.

It wasn't until you stepped into the cold night air that the world started to come back into focus. The streets were in full movement, thrumming with life as if yours hadn't just ended.

You took a few steps, your body moving slow and mechanical as if on autopilot.

Shoulders of passersby bump into you, jostling your frame, but you barely feel it. You just need to keep moving, to do something...anything, other than stand there.

Staring at the ground as you walk, a pair of shoes came into view. It was Bjorn.

His face was blank, his nose raw from the cold or from holding back tears—maybe both. His steps were slow, almost mindless, like he didn't know where he was going.

When your eyes met, there was no need for words. You both understood.

You fell into sync, walking side by side in silence for what felt like eternity. It wasn't until you neared your homes did Bjorn suddenly stop.

His shoulders began to shake, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to hold back.

You hesitate for a moment before stepping closer, reaching out to him. The moment your hand touched his arm, it was like something inside him broke.

Bjorn fell to his knees as he finally let go of everything he had been holding back. He buried his face into your shoulder, his body wracked with sobs as he clung to you for support.

You held him tightly as your own tears surfaced, the loss of your father hitting you with a force that left you breathless.

"I-I don't know what to do," Bjorn choked out, his voice barely audible between his tears. "She's gone... m-my m-mom's gone..."

"I know," you whispered, your own voice trembling as you try to stay calm. "I know, Bjorn. I'm so sorry."

The two of you stayed like that for what felt like hours, your arms wrapped around him as he poured out his heart.

It was a sight to many who considered it a regular day; no one stopped to console or empathize, instead just continuing with their own lives.

When Bjorn's sobs finally began to quiet, you gently pulled back with comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You'll get through this," you said softly, though the words felt hollow in your mouth. "I know you will..."

Bjorn nodded, though his eyes were still filled with a sadness that seemed too deep for words. He didn't say anything, just looked at you with a mixture of gratitude and something else—something you couldn't quite place.

The rest of the walk home was quiet, both of you lost in thought. When you finally reached your door, you hesitated, turning to Bjorn one last time.

"If you ever need to talk..." you began, but he cut you off with a nod.

"I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you." With that, he turned and walked away, his figure blending into the crowded street.

In the days and weeks that followed, you found yourself slipping deep into a depression you couldn't seem to escape from.

It was a struggle to get out of bed each morning, to find the energy to face the world. You rarely went out unless you had to.

Work had became your only salvation; a place where you could lose yourself in the monotony of tasks that required no thought—no emotion.

The grief was always there. It lurked at the edges of your mind, threatening to pull you under if you let your guard down.

What happened that night was never brought up, the vulnerability that had been shared left unspoken.

But even so, something shifted between you and Bjorn. He seemed to act...differently.

He wasn't as brash with you, not as quick with his teasing. There was a gentleness inn the way he spoke to you, something that hadn't been there before.

Still the same impulsive and headstrong person, there was now an undertone of care in his actions toward you.

Yeah he still teased you, but it was different—less biting, more affectionate, almost protective.

And the way he looked at you; at times where no one paid attention, the softest lidded eyes would stare your way.

Bjorn (unbeknownst to you) had even began to badger Rain with questions about you, trying to learn more about the person who had comforted him in his darkest hour.

He may not fully understand these feelings: the grief of losing a parent, a newfound hatred for synthetics, the hope and excitement at getting out of this mining hellhole.

A part of her wished she pushed you to come with her, hating the thought you being alone in your workshop. But she knew it would be useless.

You rarely left home, so making you spend the night out of it would be impossible.

At least Andy's there with you. Even if it took some convincing on her part.

"Do you think we'll find what we're looking for on Yvaga?" Rain suddenly asks, voice cutting the silence.

Bjorn shrugged, his gaze drifting to where Tyler and Kay were laughing over something Navarro said. "I hope so. Just know it'll better than this shithole."

Rain nodded, noticing a subtle change in his posture as the conversation lulled.

Then, almost hesitantly, he ask "So...have you talked to her lately?"

Rain's eyebrow quirked. "Her?"

Bjorn shuffle uncomfortably, trying to sound casual. "You know...her...____."

She quickly picked up on the way his demeanor changed, how his attention seemed to sharpen at the mere mention of your name. "Why do you ask?"

Bjorn shrugged trying to play it off.

But the way he glanced at Rain betrayed his true feelings. "No reason. Just curious is all. Wondering how she's doing."

"Bjorn..." Rain's voice took on a knowing edge, causing the brunette's eyes to widened slightly.

Before he could say anything Tyler's voice rang out from across the way. "Hey! Come on you two! Group photo!" he calls out, waving them over.

Kay stood beside him, her eyes lingering on Bjorn with a small shy smile when they made eye contact.

Bjorn quickly brushed off Tyler's invitation with a wave. "We're talking. Be there in a bit." Tyler grinned teasingly. "Must be talking about ____, huh?"

Kay's smile faltered at the mention of your name.

She quickly looks away, pretending to focus on the camera to hide her disappointment.

Rain watch as Bjorn's face flushed, his expression tightening as he try to dismiss Tyler's teasing.

"Nah, n-nothing like that," He mutters, pushing them away with a forced smile. "We'll be there in a bit. J-just...just go on ahead."

Tyler chuckled, giving him a knowing look before turning back to Navarro and Kay to take another trio selfie.

The brash scavenger waits until they were out of earshot before letting out a sigh, his face still slightly pink.

Now alone again Rain turned back to him. "So...what's really going on, Bjorn? What's your deal with ____? Been noticing you asking a lot of things about her lately."

Bjorn hesitated, glancing at the others to make sure they weren't listening before he spoke.

"I just...I don't know," he admitted, his voice quiet.

"It's just...after everything that happened, she was there for me ya know? And now, I just...I keep thinking about her. I guess...I wanna know more about her. Like...what does she like? What would make her happy when we get to Yvaga?"

Rain's face softened, but then a memory flashed before her eyes—one that made her heart sink.

════════════*.·:·.☽✧𝑭𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑯𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲✧☾.·:·.*════════════

It was a quiet evening, the air thick with anxiety and thoughts of the future.

Rain had come to you, torn and uncertain about leaving Andy behind.

The weight of knowing that if she ever had the chance to go to Yvaga III, Andy won't be able to come pressed heavy on her heart.

She had hesitated, unsure how to ask, but you had already sensed her unease.

"Rain," you had said gently. "You don't have to worry about Andy. I'll stay with him."

Rain blinked in surprise. "What? But..." Her heart sank as she realized the depth of your words.

"No... like... you can't mean that," she had said, her voice shaky. She looked at you, trying to understand.

You gave her a small smile, one that didn't quite reach your eyes. "I don't mind."

Opening her mouth to retaliate, you simply shake your head.

A serene smile decorated your face as you hold her hands in yours. "Rain...I'll be okay. I was actually planning to do so anyways."

Rain had felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of your words hitting her deep.

You had made her promise not to tell the others, and though she agreed, the burden of that promise had been crushing her ever since.

══════════*.·:·.☽✧𝑬𝑵𝑫 𝑶𝑭 𝑭𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑯𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲✧☾.·:·.*══════════

Rain snapped back to the present, her gaze locking onto Bjorn's earnest expression.

He was waiting for an answer, his curiosity and growing affection for you clear in the way he hung on her every word.

She knew she couldn't keep this from him, not when he was clearly struggling with his feelings.

"Bjorn," Rain began, her voice tinged with reluctance, "there's something you need to know about ____."

Bjorn frowned at the change in her tone. "What is it?"

.*.·:·.☽✧✧☾.·:·.*

You were deep asleep, the peaceful rhythm of your breath in sync with the gentle hum of the electronics in your room.

Andy was seated in a chair near your bed in sleep mode, eyes closed as he rested.

The day had been long, spent modifying a code that was causing a glitch in Andy's hand but the work had paid off.

The glitch was gone and you'd fallen into a well-deserved rest. But then, the peace was shattered.

BANG BANG BANG

A frantic banging echoed through the quiet of your home, jolting you awake.

You shot up disoriented with a racing heart. The banging continued, urgent and relentless.

Fumbling to turn on the hanging bed-lamp the soft light casted long shadows in the room.

Andy remained in sleep mode, oblivious to the disturbance. So you slipped out of bed.

Feet cold against the floor you way to the front door. Opening it you found standing there.

His face a mix of despair and heartbreak. His eyes were wild, chest heaving as if he'd been running.

"You're not coming with us?!" he demanded in a mixture of accusation and pleading.

Before you could speak Bjorn pushed past you and stormed inside.

Stunned, quickly closed the door and followed him, heart racing as you try to process what was happening.

You found him in the middle of the living area pacing the floor like a caged animal.

His lips moved as he muttered to himself, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

"Bjorn?" you call out trying to get his attention.

He didn't respond. Still pacing, still muttering.

"Bjorn," you say again more firmly this time.

He finally stopped and turned allowing you to see the tears in his eyes.

He looked on the edge of breaking, his voice cracking as he asked, "Is it true?"

You frowned confused and a little alarmed. "What are you talking about?"

"Yvaga III," his voice rose slightly in desperation. "You're not coming to Yvaga?"

Your heart dropped. Rain must have told him.

Face blank you turn away in attempt to avoid his gaze as you began tidying up a nearby coffee table cluttered with papers. "I don't want to talk about this, Bjorn."

"Yeah well you need to!" Bjorn shot back as he moved around the table to get into your line of sight.

"I-Is...there a p-problem?"

There Andy stood at the doorway, his head tilted innocently to the side in that way he did when trying to assess a situation.

His eyes flickered slightly like his systems were processing multiple inputs at once.

"Andy! You're awake?" you blinked in surprise, momentarily distracted. "Wait—how did you awaken from sleep mode?"

Andy blinked rapidly, his voice glitching. "I was... programmed to... p-protect." The words came out stilted, his speech broken and uneven.

Bjorn's lips curled in disgust, eyes darkening with contempt. "What's that thing doing here?"

Before you could respond Andy's head jerked again.

Limbs twitching as if he were struggling to hold his position steady, his gaze sharply shift between you and Bjorn. "Is m-my... presence... an issue?"

"Hey!" You step forward before anything else could be said with raised hands.

Turning to Bjorn with a raised brow, you gesture around. "First off: I can do whatever the hell I want in my own home. And second: Rain asked me to update him."

Bjorn's jaw tightened, his eyes shutting tight as he took a deep breath.

He looked as if he was trying to calm himself but his trembling fists gave it away.

"Can you at least get rid of it for a while? I need to speak to you," he said in his voice tight.

His gaze flicked over to Andy, a flash of contempt darkening his eyes. "Without the synthetic around."

Your mouth dropped open in shock taken aback by his words. "Bjorn! What the hell? How could you even say that? You know Andy!"

"Yeah and our parents knew the fucking 'droid that sealed them to their deaths!" Bjorn roared, his face flushing red with anger.

He paused, his expression softening slightly upon seeing the hurt on your face.

"I—look, just...why? Why aren't you coming to Yvaga III with us? With me?" His voice cracked slightly as he spoke the last word.

You never knew he felt this deeply for you.

"Bjorn...you need to understand something." You closed your eyes for a moment, willing yourself to be steady. "The feelings you have...they're not what you think they are."

"What?" Bjorn frowned, the confusion evident as he desperately searched your face to make sense of what you're saying. "What do you mean?"

You hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

"What we've been through—losing our parents, the grief—it messes with us. Changes how we feel, how we see things." You paused hoping he would understand. "What you may think is love, might not be it at all."

Bjorn's eyes widened as his expression twisted with disbelief. "So you're saying I don't really care about you? That what I feel isn't real?"

"No no that's not what I'm saying," you quickly corrected, softening your voice. "I know you care. But...what you're feeling is complicated. It's all mixed up in the trauma, in the pain. You think you love me but it's not love. It's us bonding in our grief together."

Bjorn's anger flared, sharper now, more defensive. "You're just making up excuses just to push me away. That's what this is isn't it?"

"No Bjorn that's not i—" you began, but he cuts you off.

"Then why don't you want to be with me?" He takes a step closer with a trembling voice, "We've both been through the same pain, we understand each other. Isn't that enough? I thought...I thought maybe you would feel the same way. That maybe, after everything, we could..."

He trailed off getting choked by the emotions he was struggling to contain.

His hand lifted slightly as if he were reaching for you, but then it fell limply to his side.

"W-why won't you just tell me what's going on?! Why won't you—" His voice broke off suddenly when his eyes catch something in his peripheral.

A moment of silence passed as he stood there, his head ticking slightly to the side.

His eyes narrowed and then a look of realization wash over his face.

He lets out a dry chuckle, more of a mutter to himself than anything else. "No fucking way..."

The chuckle morphs into a full-on, humorless laugh—one filled with bitterness and disbelief.

"How...how fucking stupid am I?" he spat, shaking his head as the laugh grew darker. "How blind have I been?"

Confusion fills your face. "Bjorn what—"

"It's him, isn't it?" Bjorn cut you off, his eyes blazing with a newfound intensity. "It's the fucking android isn't it? That's why you don't want to come with us! That's why you don't want to come with me! You're doing this because of that fucking machine!"

"What?!" You gasp, staring at him completely taken aback. "No Bjorn that's not it at all—"

"Don't lie to me!" he shouted in hurt and anger. "You care more about that damn synthetic than you do about me!"

You felt your own frustration bubbling up, mixing with the sorrow that had been weighing on you for weeks. "Bjorn, please, listen—"

"No!" Bjorn voice cracked with fury and heartbreak. "My whole life has been shit. I'm stuck on this deathtrap of a plant, I've lost my mom at the hands of these...these garbage synthetics. And now you're telling me that I've lost you too? To the same fucking machines that killed her??"

The words were like daggers, stabbing into your heart.

You opened your mouth, desperate to tell him the truth of why you made the decision to stay behind.

That it wasn't about Andy—it was about your grief, your struggles with depression and fear you'd never find happiness again.

That you didn't want to drag him down with you

But the words wouldn't come, they were stuck in your throat.

All you could do was stand there as Bjorn's anger and sorrow poured out.

"Fine," he spat, his eyes flashing with resolve. "Stay here. Stay with him. I don't fucking care anymore."

"Bjorn, please..." your voice trembled as you instinctively reach out for him. "I'm not trying to push you away. I just...I can't be what you need...what you want. I've accepted that I might not make it, a-and I don't want to hurt you."

But Bjorn's mind was already made up.

His expression hardened as he pulled away from you, the bitterness in his voice turning cold. "You're just making excuses. You'd rather waste your life here, alone, with that...thing, than be with an actual person who actually cares about you."

"Bjorn, it's not like that—"

"I'm done!" he shouts cutting you off for the last time. "I don't want to hear it anymore."

With that he stormed out of your home, slamming the door behind him so hard it rattled in its frame.

The sound echoed in your mind along with the accusations—playing in an endless loop leaving you feeling hollow and confused.

Andy, unaware of the emotional storm that had passed, dark calm eyes flickered briefly before locking onto you.

His head jerked ever so slightly to one side, voice hesitant and glitching. "Are... you a-alright?"

You forced a smile. "Yeah... I'm fine."

You weren't.

In the days that followed, Bjorn's attitude toward you changed.

The warmth and affection he had once shown was gone, replaced by coldness and distance.

He stopped being kind, stopped trying to reach out. When he did speak to you it was with sarcasm or bitter indifference with sharp cutting words.

He even started spending more time with Kay. And soon, the cousins became inseparable—even more so than before.

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You ended up spending a lot of time with the synthetic, learning everything you could from your parents.

They taught you about his systems, his coding—everything they knew—so that you could if they were no longer around.

Soon you became proficient, able to handle most of the routine maintenance on your own.

As for the crush you had on him, it faded as all childhood infatuations do. You grew older, wiser, and understood that Andy was a synthetic being—an android, not a human.

But that didn't erase the fondness you felt for the android. You found yourself flushing at the small, thoughtful gestures he made, even if they were merely a result of his programming.

Life at the moment was getting better...

...until it wasn't.

It was a bitter winter, the cold seeped into every corner of the colony.

Pneumonia claimed your mother and the Carradines; leaving behind you, your father, and the Carradines' daughter—Rain.

As for her, she had become more distant after that, retreating into herself.

The reminders of what she had lost were too much for her to bear, and the bond between your families began to unravel with each passing day.

Your father did his best to fill the void left by your mother's absence, but it was clear that he was struggling. He became a sort of pseudo-guardian to Rain, checking in on her when he could, trying to keep the connection alive.

But Rain wasn't interested in the connection. The only thing that kept her tethered to you at all was Andy.

After your mother's death, you inherited her role of maintaining.

You would visit Rain's home, check up on his functioning and giving her the occasional lesson in how to care for him herself.

These visits were often brief, filled with awkward silences and the ghost of what had once been.

Like now: alone with Andy, muttering to yourself during a tricky repair—a habit gotten from your mother as a way to keep thoughts organized as you tinkered with circuits and lines of code.

"W-why...do you talk...to yourself?" Andy's voice stuttered, catching slightly before he could finish the question.

You blinked in surprise and looked up. He was already staring at you—his eyes, usually still, flickered slightly.

The intensity of his dark gaze seemed to pierce through you, making your heart skip.

"I... uh..." You stammered, feeling heat creep up your neck. "I-I guess it helps me keep track of what I'm doing. Talking out loud, I mean. It's easier for me to...organize my thoughts that...way?"

Your explanation felt clumsy, and you half-expected him to nod and move on, but he didn't. His stare remained unbroken.

"I... see," he said with a noticeable pause between words, voice crackling as if struggling to process each syllable. "C-can you... explain... what you're doing?"

His request caught you off guard, and you weren't quite sure how to respond. It made your stomach flip in an unfamiliar way.

"Um... y-yeah sure," you finally said, offering a small, shy smile as you tried to ignore the way your heart was racing. "Yeah, I think it would help."

So you took a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves as you turned your attention back to the task. You began to explain what you were doing, talking through each step in greater detail than before, as if teaching him as you went along.

It was awkward at first; your words came out stiff. You stumbled over explanations, acutely aware of Andy's gaze on you.

But then, something shifted.

As you got deeper into the explanation, the nervousness faded and was instead replaced by the familiar focus you always felt when working.

The more you talked, the more you lost yourself in the technicalities of the process. And soon enough, you found your rhythm again.

"So that's why we need to adjust this part here," you continued as you worked, "If we don't, it could lead to a power imbalance, which would mess with your central processing unit."

Andy said nothing, simply watching as you spoke. There was no reaction from him, other than an involuntarily twitch of his fingers and the occasional sudden jerk of the head.

Suddenly aware of how much you were talking, embarrassment crept in, he probably didn't understand half of what you were saying.

"I-I'm sorry for rambling! I didn't mean to go on and on like that. I know it's probably boring to hear me—"

"Don't... be," Andy interrupted, his flat and stilted tone cutting through your self-consciousness. "I... like the... sound... of your voice."

The words jolted you.

You knew he meant it innocently—he was an android, after all, and couldn't possibly understand the implications of what he'd just said.

But that didn't stop the shiver of excitement that ran down your spine, the way your heart seemed to flutter in your chest.

"O-Oh," was all you could manage, your face getting hotter by the second.

]You tried to brush off the feeling, to remind yourself that he was just a machine, but it was harder than you expected.

Because, despite everything, Andy was attractive—stunning, even.

The way his dark smooth skin contrasted with the gentle coils of his hair, the way his (kissable) lips parted ever so slightly when he listened—it was impossible to ignore.

Then there were his eyes. Oh, his eyes.

Always seemed to hold more than they should, that he was seeing something in you no one else did. It was enough to make your breath hitch.

To make you wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than you'd known.

But what you didn't know was that Andy was learning. Every word you said, every concept you explained, he absorbed it all with the precision of a machine.

He wasn't just listening to the sound of your voice—he was processing everything, storing the knowledge you shared, and soon enough, he understood coding just as well as you did.

Maybe even better.

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Your relationship with Rain was...complicated.

It was one of those things that fell into a comfortable middle ground—neither too close nor too distant.

You weren't best friends; not the kind who shared secrets and dreams, who leaned on each other through thick and thin.

But you weren't strangers, either.

It was a kind of relationship that only existed because your parents knew each other, a connection formed out of circumstance rather than choice.

And so, most of your interactions with Rain were brief—exchanging greetings in passing, a nod, a polite smile.

Rain had her own life and friends—Tyler and his sister Kay, Bjorn and his adoptive sister Navarro. They were always together, a tight-knit group that seemed to share everything with each other while you stayed on the outskirts.

You didn't mind; being on the outside let you to observe without getting too involved, and that suited you just fine.

You actually got along with them all—except for Bjorn that is. You never particularly liked him.

He was brash, loud, and often rude with a temper that flared up at the smallest provocation. He seemed to delight in teasing you, making offhand comments that would get under your skin.

To you, Bjorn was an asshole, plain and simple. And you did your best to avoid him whenever possible.