"Get it through your goddamn skull! That vent is strictly off limits! Fully fuckin' collapsed inside!" 

It was safe to say that Swansea was pissed. Daisuke, just released from the emergency foam he'd accidentally triggered, was awkwardly shuffling in place as he received yet another earful from his mentor. He messed up, sure, but really? His legs hurt already from being trapped not too long ago, he didn't want his head to follow suit.  

"You looking to get impaled, electrocuted, and cooked?!" Swansea's usual scowl was far more intense than usual; it was obvious to Curly, at least. As captain, he knew he'd have to intervene soon. Before he could, however, Daisuke spoke out: 

"Yeah, but like, you can't fit in there to fix it, right? So I can totally handle it." 

An uncomfortable silence filled the utility room. the three men stood in as the younger's words marinated. Swansea's eye twitched, clearly agitated. Curly really needed to say something - if he doesn't, who knows what Swansea would- 

"Captain." 

He stiffened slightly, worried what the older man was planning.  Swansea extended his hand out to the captain, demanding the axe. Curly saw Daisuke twiddling his fingers from the corner of his eye. Both their heads moved in unison with Swansea's arm. "Swansea," Curly started, handing the mechanic the axe, "this could've damaged the pods. You can't let something like this happen again." 

"Yeah, yeah...I got it." Swansea took the axe and swung it to rest on his shoulder. "Loud and clear." Slightly less tense than before, Curly placed his hand on his hip. "Keep the axe until you've cleaned this all up, yeah?" Swansea nodded with a huff, shifting his attention to his intern. Who was still fidgeting his hands. He looked up shyly as he spoke: "It's ok to be big, boss! "My gramps was super huge! And he lived until, like, 60!" 

Oh shit. 

Curly nervously looked to Swansea, who had an unreadable expression on his face. Daisuke, unaware of the weight of his words, smiled softly. Curly's attention shifted when he noticed Jimmy standing by the utility room door. He saw it as a reason to excuse himself from the heavy tension between the two men before him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Curly swiftly made his way towards his co-pilot. Daisuke, finally noticing Swansea's mood, silently cursed at his captain for abandoning him. And as soon as he did... 

Swansea went off. Yelling all sorts of nonsense about safety and protocol that Daisuke didn't care to hear for the thirteenth time that week. Instead, trying to focus his attention on the conversation taking place behind his mentor. Unfortunately, he found it to be quite difficult. Something about being sane, psych evals, Anya - what was that about cartoon horses? 

Just as the two men started to walk off, Swansea yelled louder, noticing his intern not listening. This brought a new wave of lecturing, and Daisuke was *not* having it. He didn't even care if Swansea said the winning lottery numbers, he just wanted him to shut up. Much to his dismay, that wouldn't be happening anytime soon... 

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Curly just sent Jimmy away after receiving a letter from the higherups. He reread its contents again, confirming what it said as if he had somehow misread the whole thing. Pony Express is shutting down? How could this happen? How will he tell the crew? Although instructed to not break the news until later, Curly was unsure if he could do that. Sighing heavily, the captain decided to get some fresh air. Well, not exactly - just whatever was breathable outside the weighty air of the cockpit. 

Ready to open the door at the end of the hallway, Curly was stopped by Swansea's presence behind it. He noticed something off immediately; his familiar frown replaced with a more concerned expression. Curly questioned it without a second thought, to which Swansea replied: "It's about Daisuke. After you left, I kind of went off. I...I think I went too hard on him. I've lectured him a bunch of times before, but he seemed more down this time." 

"Oh? How so?" Curly asked, putting a hand to his chin. Swansea shifted his weight before continuing: "After I run my mouth to him, he usually puts on this dramatic act and pouts when I dismiss him to go somewhere else. This time seemed different. I don't know how to explain it, but I think I hurt the kid." 

Swansea ended his explanation with a deep sigh as he lowered his head; he clearly felt guilty, and Curly understood as much. "Have you tried talking to him?" 

"I'm not too sure how thrilled he'd be to see me right now. I don't wanna scare the poor thing any more than I already have.  Plus, I don't know where he's at." 

Curly nodded before Swansea spoke up again. "Do you think you can talk to him?" The captain thought for a brief moment before reaching out to the worried man, patting his shoulder. "Of course I can. I'll go look for him and cheer him up, promise! You can go rest if you'd like, just make sure the foam in utility gets cleared up later, yeah?" 

To this, Swansea relaxed, wearing an uncommon smile. He nodded as he thanked Curly and walked off. The now determined captain headed off with a mission in mind; he was going to get Daisuke to smile, no matter the cost. 

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If you disregard the sobs, the cargo room was quiet. The vast space left a slight echo on Daisuke's cries. He sat on the stairs, head between his knees and arms around his shins. His mind ran as fast as the ship he resided on. Why was Swansea so much angrier than usual? He was just trying to help; he was his intern after all. Then again, he practically called him fat and kinda sorta maybe implied he would die at 60... 

Damn, why would he say that? 

At this point, Daisuke's thoughts were racing a million miles a minute. The grip on his pants tightened as he cried. God, he's a screwup. No wonder his parents sent him away on this internship. He was annoying at home, and he's annoying in space. Will he ever learn to keep his mouth shut? He was so lost in his head that he didn't hear the door open behind him, or the footsteps that followed it. 

"Daisuke?" 

Said boy jumped a foot as he frantically wiped his eyes. He turned to face the source of the voice, trying to put on an act and forced a smile. But that smile shook, and Curly noticed. "Hey, captain! What's up?"  

"I should be asking you that. Are you ok?" 

Daisuke flinched slightly, his fake smile faltered as his shoulders began to tremble again. "I...I-I just...Swansea..." He didn't get anything else out after that, nothing that was intelligible, at least. He broke down again, turning around and placed his head back on his knees. Curly frowned as he made his way to Daisuke. He sat to his left on the stairs, rubbing the boy's back as he tried to soothe him. He let him cry it out until he was left only sniffling. Only then did he decide to speak out. "C'mon Daisuke, talk to me. Swansea found me earlier and said you were down. What's wrong?" 

He let out a small whimper upon hearing his mentor's name. Shakily, he started: "I-I don't know, I should've just listened to him. I just wanted to help! B-but I screwed up...I-I could've gotten myself seriously hurt, o-or killed, or broken the pods! Those are like, s-super important! Even I know that, yet still acted c-carelessly. N-not only that, I totally offended S-Swansea! H-he probably hates m-me, I c-can't believe I said that...I'm a t-total f-failure, I-" He was getting more panicked as he spoke, voice as shaky as ever. Curly cut him off as he stopped rubbing his back and pulled the boy to him by his waist. Daisuke yelped slightly at the sudden change of contact, yet melted into the side hug.  

"Kid," Curly started, "do you know why Swansea talked to me?" He felt a slight head shake on his shoulder. "Because he was worried for you, Daisuke. He told me he went too hard on you; that he feels bad he might have hurt you. I've never seen a more guilty face on him. And trust me when I say that means a lot. I've worked with him for I don't even know how long. He didn't mean to - Daisuke?" 

His speech was cut when he heard small chortles from the boy in his arm. Curly glanced down, seeing his shoulders tremble once more, differently this time. "Did I...say something funny?" he asked, a confused smile on his face. Daisuke shook his head again, a hand over his mouth. "Nohoho, it's just - your hahand-" Curly's gaze shifted to where his hand resided on the intern's side; it had started subconsciously rubbing him there as it was on Daisuke's back. "What about my hand? Are you hurt here? Oh no, I'm so sor-" 

"No! No, it's not that. I'm not hurt." 

"Oh? Then what is it?" 

Daisuke felt his face heat up. Thank god Curly couldn't see his face. He shifted slightly, unsure how to answer. "I just - it's not - you didn't - uh..." He peeked up to the captain as he trailed off, where he was met with a genuinely concerned face. "I'm afraid I don't follow, you know you can tell me anything, ri-" 

"It just tickled is all..." He mumbled. 

"Come again?" 

With a whine, Daisuke buried his face further into his hand, leaning more onto Curly's shoulder. No matter how many times asked, he didn't say more. Curly, in attempt to get his attention, pinched the boy where his hand still laid; on his waist. What he didn't expect, however, was for Daisuke to chirp at the touch. Now it was Cury's turn to get his mind thinking. Which didn't last long, however, as Daisuke's squeaky voice spoke up: 

"IT TICKLED ALRIGHT?!" 

If he wasn't blushing before, he sure was now. Curly saw the back of Daisuke's neck turn bright pink. Realization struck him shortly after, where a mischievous grin appeared. To confirm the suspicion, Curly pinched his side again, earning another bird-like sound. Oh, he struck gold. 

"Daisuke...are you-" 

"Shut up!" 

Daisuke's neck was now a deep red, his face buried deep in his palms while his fingers grabbed at his hair. His captain walked in on him crying, then he continued to cry *on* his captain, and now this?! Could this be any more embarrassing?! Well, yes, it could. Curly pinched his side for a fourth time. Daisuke whipped his head towards him only to be met with a grin covering half of the blonde's face. "Oh, Daisuke...that isn't a very nice way to speak to your captain now, is it?" 

Fuck. He's cooked. 

"W-w-wait, I-I didn't me-EEHEHEAA!" 

Daisuke was interrupted by his own squeal as Curly opted for pinching at his waist repeatedly rather than in intervals. He instinctively curled in on himself; arms wrapped around his torso while he brought his knees to his chest. While trying to twist away from the offending hand, Daisuke unintentionally leaned into Curly, who went in with his other hand to pinch at the giggling boy's other side. 

He squealed again from the tickly assault suddenly appearing elsewhere. Daisuke started jumping left and right, trying to escape from one hand only to be attacked by the other. Curly switched to poking before long, as this made the younger let out soft snorts as he weakly kicked his legs. The captain chuckled under Daisuke's evergrowing laughter, finding his reactions amusing. "I just cannot believe you told me to shut up. I'm wounded, Daisuke, and your words are the blade. How could you say such a thing?!"  

Said boy could only whine in response, "I dihihidn't mehehean toooooo! C'mohohon cahaptahahahain!"  

"Oh really? And how can I be sure of that, hm?" 

"Plehehehease! I prohohomise! I'm sohohorry, I'm sorryyyyy!" 

"Hmmmm...let me think." Curly pondered dramatically *way* longer than needed as he continued to poke at the intern's torso. Daisuke continued to squeak and giggle as he 'spaced out thinking.' Suddenly, the blonde perked up, "Alright, I've thought about it! I'm not stopping~" He then proceeded to move both his hands to Daisuke's hips, massaging the bone tenderly. 

The reaction was instant. The brunette shot his arms down, body spasming on impact. Grabbing Curly's wrists, Daisuke cackled loudly, unable to control the volume of his voice. His legs now fully kicking out as he spoke, "AAAAAHAHAHA! SHIHIHIT! GOHOD DAMN IT CUHUHURLY STAHAHAHAP!" To this, he gasped loudly; he would've acted out clutching his pearls had his hands not been occupied. "And just who do you think you are?! Talking to me like this...you're awfully ballsy for someone in your position." 

Daisuke could only answer in giggly babbles, unable to get any coherent words out as his hip bones got circles drilled into them. Curly only clicked his tongue in mock annoyance and grabbed Daisuke's left arm with his right, lifting it up. In once swift motion, he left the boy more vulnerable than ever. He gave him a break during this - he didn't want to kill the kid. Taking in big gulps of air, Daisuke had yet to notice the position of his arm. Only when he tried to rub his eyes did he glance up. He knew what was coming. 

Panicked, he locked eyes with his captor, smile wide and bright as his face matched his complimentary floral shirt. "C'mohohon captain! Y-you knohow I didn't mean ihit right? Rihight! S-so let's juhuhust forget this ever happehened!" Daisuke tried to reason with him, but Curly was having none of it. On the contrary, he was having too much fun. "Nuh uh, kid. You've gotta learn how to speak to your superiors. Tsk, young ones these days thinking they're all that. Even though you crumble the second I do...*this*." 

As he finished, his free hand quickly snaked behind Daisuke, going straight to his ribs. He pinched, squeezed, poked; anything to get the brunette to squeal. And squeal he did; his bubbly laughter echoed in the ample space of the cargo room. He tried to grab Curly's hand with his free one, but the captain kept dodging, scratching a new rib in the process. He chuckled as he felt weak tugging on the arm he held up. " 

"Plehehehease, I'm sohorry! I sweahahahar! I-I mehehean it!" 

"Oh, are you now? And how can I believe that?" 

Daisuke groaned between giggles before he spoke, "I prohohomise! I promihihise I'm sohorry!" 

Curly lifted an eyebrow at the intern, his bright smile showing off the gap between his front teeth. The sight brought his own smile to grow in size. "Okay, let's say I believe you then. You're forgiven, bud." 

"Thehen why aren't yohohou stohohohoping?!" 

He chuckled at the naivety shown before him, shifting so he faced the boy before he answered, "Did you forget why I came here in the first place?" Daisuke whined in response, brain short circuiting as he felt fingers drilling into his torso, letting out a scream at his uppermost rib was attacked. "Oh c'mohohohohOHAHAH -  CURLY! Quit ihihit! That tickles!" 

Curly shook his head slightly, seeing the intern's blush deepen upon saying the word. "Sorry, Daisuke. Swansea said you were being gloomy earlier. We can't have that now, can we?" Said boy threw his head back as Curly formed a vibrating claw against the space between his highest rib and armpit. He snorted loudly from the sensation, barely able to form coherent words. "OKAHAY, OKAY! I'LL CHEHEHEHER UHUP! PROMISE! I PROHOMIHIHISE!" Daisuke ended his plea with a wheeze, laughter getting more strained. Curly saw this as a sign to wrap things up, slowing his fingers until the tickling came to a full stop. He let go of the boy's hand, where it fell to his side as he curled into himself next to his captain.  

Curly once again rubbed the younger's back, hoping he didn't go too far as he giggled between gasps of air. Daisuke held his sides, still feeling the tingly sensation on his body. Once his breathing calmed down a bit, Curly decided to speak up, "Are you alright? I didn't do too much, right?" He received a head shake in return; the redness on the boy's neck showed he was too flustered to speak. 

"You really shouldn't be too hard on yourself, you know? Swansea cares for you. He doesn't show it much, but he really does. Sure, he gets mad sometimes, but that's just who he is. Like I said earlier, he's the one who came to me about you; he was worried sick!" Daisuke glanced up at Curly's speech, eyes widened slightly with curiosity. "To tell you the truth," the blonde continued, "his own kids moved out a while ago. I think he misses them; not like he'd ever admit that, though. I have a suspicion that you remind him of them. Gets his dad-gears turning. His fatherly instincts probably kicked in earlier when you set off the foam. Do you get what I'm trying to say?" 

Daisuke nodded his head, a tiny nervous smile on his face as he took in the confession. Did Swansea really feel that way? "Do you really think that's true?" Curly's gaze met his, flashing him a proud grin; "I know it's true! Don't tell him I said anything, though. He'd deny it to the moon and back." To this Daisuke breathed a sigh of relief, letting a small chuckle slip. He sat up from his ball-like position to fully face Curly, returning the smile. "Thanks, captain!" 

The captain felt his heart slightly melt at the sight of the joyous boy. Wrapping his arm around him for another side hug, rustling his hair with his other hand. "No worries! I'll always be here. As long as you keep that attitude at bay. Don't think I won't put you in check, young man." Curly poked his side as he finished, earning one last squeak from the previously giggly intern. Daisuke jumped out of the captain's arms before he could try anything again, dramatically taking a defensive stance. He winked in his silly pose. "No promises~" he sang as he walked backwards to the door. It automatically opened, causing him to turn around and jump slightly. Curly stifled a laugh as Daisuke turned around, face slightly dusted pink. He stormed off, grumbling as he left the cargo room for good. Curly giggled to himself, still sat on the stairs, reflecting on his crew and each of their colorful personalities. 

Yup, he was glad to be captain. 

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hai guys ^-^ i hope yall enjoyed !!! i love daisuke sm hes my gf i love my gf ♡

The soft sizzling of melting butter filled the air as you sifted it through the surface of the pan. Once evenly spread, you grabbed a spoonful of the pancake batter, chocolate chips adorning the mixture. You let it fall with a soft 'thump' and carefully shaped it to look more rotund. Sighing quietly, your mind drifted to your boyfriend; he should be waking up around this time. You had hoped to be done with breakfast before then, but him joining you while you cooked sounded just as nice. 

And that's exactly what happened. The creaky door of your shared bedroom opened, followed by the soft thudding of Daisuke's socked feet. You quickly turned your head to meet his sleepy gaze, a soft smile gracing your face as he tiredly made his way to you. He wore a loose-fitting white tank top, contrasted by his brightly colored reindeer sweatpants. He had bought matching pairs for you two, insisting they be worn to "get into the holly jolly spirit!" You turned your attention to the food cooking in front of you, picking up the spatula as Daisuke wrapped his arms around your middle. His chin found your shoulder as you flipped the pancake, hearing him yawn next to your ear before you spoke: "Good morning, sleepyhead." 

You earned a mumbled 'g'morning baby' and a sloppy peck to your jaw. One hand moved the spatula again, lightly pressing the fluffy cake down while the other reached up to rub his cheek. Daisuke purred at the touch, pressing himself closer against your back. The both of you soaked up the tenderness of the moment for a minute longer until he spoke up: "Smells so good, are those chocolate chips?" 

Reaching in the bag to grab one, you nodded with a hum and held it to his mouth. He accepted with a small noise of appreciation, watching as you scooped up the now ready pancake and placed it with the other finished ones. His eyes followed your every move from on your shoulder; scrapping the inside of the bowl to make the last cake, gingerly cleaning up its shape, and going to grab another chocolate chip and bring it towards his mouth. He opened up again, only for you to steer away at the last minute and pop the treat in your own mouth. 

He gasped in mock offense, making you giggle and pinch his cheek. Daisuke let out a small squawk, shaking his head to dislodge your hand. "Cut that out, gimme one!" He practically whined. You only giggled more in response, jokingly letting out a 'nuh uh!' as you stuck your tongue out at him. Grumbling dramatically, his grip on your waist tightening slightly through his mini tantrum. You flinched slightly at the change of pressure, stiffly moving to flip the pancake as you hoped Daisuke wouldn't notice. 

Oh, how wrong you were. Daisuke quirked his eyebrow at your body's sudden rigidness, worried he might have squeezed you too tight. "Oops, sorry love." He loosened his hold on you, quickly rubbing your sides as a way to soothe any injury he may have brought. What he wasn't expecting, however, was for you to tense up more than before, this time sharply inhaling as your grip on the spatula visibly tightened. Time seemed to freeze for a brief moment, until you felt your Daisuke grin against your cheek. "Daisuke. Daisuke no." 

"Daisuke yes~" He sung out, quickly poking your torso. His grip on your body tightened more as he did so, preventing you from wriggling away. You had to bite the inside of your cheek to stop any noise, feeling another poke to your other side. "D-dahaisuke the-the food! Dohon't do this!" Said boy let out an exaggerated hum in thought while ever so slowly drumming his fingers on your waist as he did so. It took you inhuman levels of self control to keep a squeal from slipping out. "Don't do what exactly, hm?" You could practically hear the smile on his face; he knew what he was doing. 

All you could do in whine in protest: "C'mohon, y-you know what!" He let out yet another dramatic hum as his fingers picked up their pace. Your hand flew over your mouth, clamping it shut as giggles threatened to slip out at any second. Daisuke took notice of this, grinning harder than ever before. "Go on, doll, tell me what I shouldn't do." He halted his hands briefly, allowing you a chance to speak. You let out a shaky breath, putting down the spatula directly before Daisuke pinched your hip. A yelp escaped your lips before you could even register it. Your mouth answered his question before your brain could even process what he was scheming. "Tickle me, damnit!" 

...Oh. 

You didn't have time to realize that you had fallen for Daisuke's trap, not when all 10 of his fingers instantly dug into your sides, your hands flew down, grabbing his wrists as you let out a scream before dissolving into a fit of laughter. You felt his chest rumble against your back as he laughed as well. "Aww, see? That wasn't so hard to say now, was it? It's so much better to use our words, isn't it?" His teasing was almost as insufferable as his fingers plucking at your waist, setting every nerve ablaze with tickly sensations. Your legs began to tremble as you subconsciously leaned into Daisuke for support. "Dahahai-Daisuke! The pancahahake ihis g-gonna buhurn!" you managed to chirp out, now fully slumped onto his chest. 

Daisuke reached with one hand to move the pan to a different stove top, turning off the one in use in the process. "No worries, gigglebug!" He resumed his tickly onslaught as he placed a quick kiss to the side of your neck. The feeling made you squeak, slamming your hand on your mouth once more while the other remained grabbing his arm. You heard him hum, the vibrations from it sent a chill throughout your back. He inhaled loudly, before peppering kisses onto your neck; his lips featherlight against your skin. You let out a sharp squeal before melting into a puddle of soft snorts and giggles. Daisuke smiled against your skin, the kissing not stopping as his hands moved higher to scratch at your ribs.  

You screeched, head thrown back on his shoulder. You slammed your arms against your torso, accidentally trapping his hands to nip and poke at your sensitive bones. Daisuke's lip continued attacking as well; kissing up and down your neck, even occasionally blowing on your ear just to get an extra yelp from you. "SHIHIHIHIT DAISUKE! Daisuke, plehehehease! Not theheheHERE-" 

He only chuckled onto your neck, placing a quick smooch on your earlobe before grabbing onto your hips; he turned you a full 180 degrees to face him. You were then met with a goofy grin as he stared at your flushed face. Daisuke watched as you gasped for air, your own silly smile still present as you glared at him through your hair. It wasn't as intimidating as you had hoped, though. Not with your pink cheeks and the "scowl" you tried to express. 

He removed a hand from your hips to boop your nose, giggling at the scrunch he received from it. You swatted his hand away, grumbling as you turned your head to the side. Avoiding his gaze was your only goal; the situation was embarrassing enough as it is, you didn't need his eye contact to further fluster you.  

Daisuke pulled your hips closer to him, his other hand finding your cheek as he gently guided you to face him again. You reluctantly let him move your head, meeting his gaze once more. He offered you a smile, less cheeky now and more lovingly. You smiled back, placing a quick peck to his lips before turning back around to tend to the now cooked pancakes.  

"Alright, alright. Go on and set the table for me, will you hun? It's the least you could do after nearly killing me." Daisuke let out a 'pfft' at your remark, giving your hip a light pat before walking off to the dining room. You watched him grab and place the napkins next to each other, humming a cute tune as he did so. You grinned before opening the maple syrup, joining him in his hum while popping off its lid. 

Neither of you could imagine a better way to start off Christmas day. 

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this was so fun to write ,, had to pause a few times bc i was giggling to myself AA i love him

hope yall super enjoyed what you celebrated today / this season !!!! :3 muahs to all of you muahmuahmuah