amaze cubed

Sitting on the railing, legs dangling over the angry waves of the ocean, Court closed his eyes for what felt like the first time in days. The soft evening breeze combed through his hair and in the peacefulness of the moment, Court let himself indulge in the French brandy he had nicked from their time on port. He relished in the momentary burn when a sudden force pushed him from behind, the bottle slipping out of his hands as he attempted to steady himself. Loud shouts erupted from around him but the noise was drowned out as his eyes narrowed in on the waves below. Court was sure he had seen a flicker of movement down below, something that resembled a tail disappearing into the darkness of the water. The sharp ring of a slap brought Court out of his trance as he whipped around. The newbie they had picked up clutched the side of cheek, eyes glassy with tears. In front of him, long metal chains were scattered across the floor, the box upside down a few feet away. Matteo and Arthur continued their berating of the kid as he cowered further into the wall behind him. 

“That's enough” Court commanded the two, who immediately protested. 

“But Captain, he could have knocked you over!” 

“He didn’t.” Court responded sternly, turning to face the young boy. “When little Artie here was new, he snuck a wench onboard, forgetting we were leaving the next morning. By the time he got the courage to fess up, we were two hours out. Had to clean the cellar for two weeks.” 

Arthur’s face flushed for a moment before he stood up straighter and pointed at the boy. “You call me Arthur, you understand that lad?” The boy looked at Arthur, then at Court who flashed him a smirk and nodded. 

“As you wish… Artie.” he teased with brief confidence. Upon seeing Arthur’s reaction, he regained his senses and with wide eyes, sprinted below deck. Court couldn’t help but crack a small smile, seeing a version of younger him in the boy. 

“Sometimes I really wonder how deep our friendship goes.” Arthur sighed, earning a bark of laughter from Matteo. 

“Sometimes I wonder how deep that empty hole you call a skull goes.” Matteo replied, slapping the back of Arthur's head. 

As Court watched the two bicker back and forth, his mind wandering to a memory he had tried to cage away. The night that had left him and his brothers an orphan. The night he abandoned the only family he had. The night he had met Fitz as a scared little boy in the darkness of a rusty tavern. Hiding behind a barrel, fifteen year old Court had curled into a ball, replaying the sound of his father’s knees hitting the ground. A younger Fitz had walked in and noticed his quivering body behind the barrel immediately. When he had asked what happened, Court had whispered a snappy, “Nothing that concerns you.” From that moment Fitz had decided to take Court under his wing, treating him like a child of his own. Still stuck in his mind, Court made his way to his quarters, where he attempted to get a little rest before they got to shore tomorrow. 

The day had gone by in a flurry. After docking, the crew had spent the day gathering food and supplies in the bustling town. Court of course had begun his routine checkups on the twins. Sneaking into the castle had been no easy feat at first but after over a decade of doing so, he knew the place like the back of his hand. Court watched from a small window that faced Colt’s usual position guarding the princess’ door, which he was currently leaning against whilst laughing at something Arabella had just said. Court’s heart panged with guilt that he could not be there to know more about his brother's life. With a somber smile, he turned away and climbed back out the window.

The Church was harder to get into with it being so spacious as Court didn’t have many shadows to hide in. That’s why he always made sure to dock on Sunday’s, so he could blend into the crowd of people at mass, which included the Inquisitors. Most of the time he would only catch glimpses of Ryland, who would be too busy helping the Father set up or getting the seniors settled in. However today, he stood in front of the altar, delivering a report about a recent witch hunt. As Ryland’s eyes scanned the room, Court was sure they met with his, and for a split second recognition flooded Ryland’s face before he blinked it away. Court averted his gaze, almost hanging his head in shame. If only his brothers knew how his heart yearned to speak to them again. To question if they were safe, if their lives felt fulfilled. Alas, it was for their own good. 

At least that’s what Court told himself. 

That night, Court slammed back cup after cup of cheap rum as he often did after seeing his brothers. Most of his crew was here, enjoying the comfort of countless women before they departed again tomorrow. The door swung up open with a jarring thud, though it went unheard by most over the chatter of the tavern. Court looked up from where his head was buried in a girl's neck to see a rain soaked figure making its way to the bar. Curious, he watched as the figure took off their hood, revealing a young woman, her frantic eyes searching the place. She wiped her face hurriedly and slumped onto the closet chair she could find. A sudden voice in the back of Court’s head told him to go check on the woman and before he could question it, he was walking towards her. 

“My lady, are you alright?” he asked wearily. Her head snapped up at his voice, beautiful doe eyes looking up at him. 

“Yes I— I am alright. Just got to find somewhere to spend the night.” she muttered the last part, though Court caught onto it. 

“You couldn’t possibly survive the night alone.” he chuckled, looking the woman up and down. 

“Who exactly is going to help me?” she snapped back, raising her eyebrows. 

Feisty he thought. Whether it was the alcohol, the weight of the day itself, or the beauty radiating off her, Court felt compelled to offer his services. 

“You’re looking at him lass.” he smirked, holding out his hand. She skimmed her eyes down and then back up at him, unimpressed. 

“You’ve got quite the nerve believing I would leave with a man like you.” 

He scoffed. “Why else would you have come into this rathole?”

“Can’t a woman have an appetite for rum or is that reserved for toads such as yourself?” she snarled. 

“Sweetheart, women like you don’t drink rum. They drink Canary wine.” Court responded with a sly grin. She watched with narrowed eyes as he leaned over her to grab a drink. The smell of rum and saltwater invaded her senses as his face got unbelievably close to hers. She closed her eyes for a moment before coming back to reality.

“What do you know about women like me?” she questioned, holding Court’s intense gaze. He flashed her a wicked smirk as he brought his hand up to face level. The woman’s eyes widened as they landed on the necklace dangling off his fingers. 

“That you wouldn’t survive a night here alone,” he repeated. “With all these men like me around here.” 

The woman watched him from a moment before lunging towards the necklace. To her unfortunate surprise, Court was expecting her movements and ducked his hand away before she could get to it. 

“You coming along then?” he chuckled, holding his arm out as if waiting for her to wrap her own around it. He heard a begrudging huff and the shuffle of a dress, motivating him to begin walking towards the door. 

My eyes fluttered open as the morning breeze blew through my window. Yawning, I climbed out of bed and pulled a robe over my lace pajamas. I looked out the window to see a figure strolling across the beach, basking in the same scent of the ocean as me. Taking a deep breath I attempted to inhale the entirety of the moment when suddenly, the blare of an alarm rang through the picturesque scene.

I jolted awake as my face met with the floor. Climbing up from the mess of blankets, I hobbled to the bathroom while trying to take my sweatpants off. I had approximately ten minutes before Stratt sent her henchmen to drag me out of my room. Managing to fix my appearance slightly, I put on one shoe as I unlocked my door and balanced the other atop my papers. 

“Two black coffees and a vanilla chai please Dan.” I smiled. 

“Snoopy. I like it.” He smirked. Confused, I looked around until I saw my socks. Rolling my eyes, I quickly put my other shoe on. Turns out a ship full of elitist scientists don't appreciate the Peanuts. 

“Did you hear about the middle school teacher they've brought in?” Dan chuckled as I furrowed my eyebrows. “Apparently he has a doctorate in molecular biology.” 

“What’s a guy with a PhD doing teaching in a middle school?” I asked, grabbing the tray of drinks. 

“Well you’re about to find out.” Dan said, pointing to the window from which a helicopter landing was visible. I hurried out to meet Stratt and the new hire I was supposed to be training. When I got out there, the man was hunched over a traffic cone, undoubtedly regretting whatever he ate for breakfast. Stratt took the two cups from the tray. 

“This is Doctor Ryland Grace, he will be working with you closely…” The rest of her words were drowned out by the blood pounding in my ears. Doctor Ryland Grace. When I looked behind her, the man had finally lifted his head from the cone. As we made eye contact it was obvious that the same thought was going through both our heads. It's you. Years ago, when both of us were getting our doctorates, we had been something along the lines of academic rivals. Who occasionally got together. 

Sometimes. 

Often. 

It was messy and fueled with angry passion, mostly taking place after a bad lab or a conference gone array. Whispers of ‘this is the last time’ knowing we’d be back here soon enough. The two of us found solace in each other's beds, knowing life would never give us anything more. 

“Dr. Thompson!” Stratt’s voice pulled me back to Earth. 

“Sorry! Sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts.” I said in broken fragments, still stuck in my memories. 

Stratt simply shook her head. “Lead Dr. Grace through the ship please. Dr. Grace, as I mentioned, you two will be working closely together. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her.” With that, she walked away, leaving us to bask in our awkwardness. I began walking away, hoping Ryland would get the hint to follow me without me having to speak to him. As we stepped into an elevator, the air between us suddenly seemed heavier. Of course, the silence lasted all of three minutes. 

“Lead engineer hm? Pretty impressive.” His gauche voice sounded beside me,

I turned to look at him then turned back and closed my eyes. When I opened them again he was unfortunately still standing beside me. 

“Not so shabby yourself Grace. Though I do believe your talents are being wasted on middle school science lessons.” I responded, giving him a sideways smile. 

“At least middle schoolers can’t ghost you.” At his words, everything went quiet. It seemed that the elevator itself had stopped moving. 

Ding!

“Saved by the bell.” I whispered. 

“I heard that.” Bite me. 

“Listen,” I said, spinning around, only to find him already staring at me. The sudden eye contact made something in my knees go weak and I let out a shaky breath. “It’s a tough room, so just don’t be startled. I know how you get.” 

“Oh I don’t need much, just a bed. Maybe a blanket.” 

My hands pause at the door handle. Where does he think we’re going? As we enter the room full of scientists and world leaders, it’s clear it was anything but what Ryland was expecting. He spun around and glared at me.

“No. No. I can’t do this!” He whispered. I shook my head and turned him around, pushing him in front of the table. Behind me, Stratt finally walked in, holding only one cup of coffee this time. 

Right, so while I was being tortured by the epitome of my past actions and regrets, she was leisurely working through her daily caffeine dosage. 

“Everyone, this is Doctor Ryland Grace from the United States. He figured out how to breed Astrophage.” The room erupted into questions at Stratt’s introduction, just as a thousand thoughts erupted in my own head. 

“Does it reproduce through mitosis or meiosis?” 

“How long does the process take?” 

“What is the incubation period?” 

Ryland’s head looked like it was about to explode. I sipped my vanilla chai. 

“So, um. Carl and I made a mini Venus out of a plywood box, and as soon as the samples recognized the, uh, spectral signature of CO2, they were- They were like, “Whoomp! There it is!”” He shrugged his shoulders forward twice. 

A laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. As heads turned toward me, I slapped my hand across my mouth. Stratt ushered Ryland to his seat and on his way he offered me a small smile of gratitude. The conversation turned as the scientists began talking again. The Astrophage was going to Venus to breed because it needed the CO2.

“How long does it take to make two million kilograms?” A voice at the table asked Ryland. 

“Two million is- Why on Earth would you need that much?” Ryland seemed genuinely baffled. 

“No one told him?” 

“Please stand up, Dr. Grace. Stand up. I hereby grant you top-secret clearance to all information pertaining to Project Hail Mary.” Stratt said, standing up herself. 

“What’s Project Hail Mary?” 

Stratt turned to look at me. Stepping up to where Ryland was previously standing, I sighed. 

“The Sun is not the only star dying.” 

~~~

After explaining Project Hail Mary to Ryland, who unsurprisingly argued at every detail, I took him to a lecture room and taught him about the ship. 

“What do you think drives someone to volunteer to die in space?” 

“Grace! Are you even listening? This is serious, you’re supposed to be working on this starting literally tomorrow!” I said exasperatedly. 

“I’m sorry I’m distracted by the fact that the world is ending!” He shot back. 

“You have a chance to save it, to do something for the world. Come on Ryland!” I pleaded.

“I thought it was Grace?” He smirked. 

Infuriating, absolutely infuriating. I rolled my eyes and began to pack up. 

Ryland sighed and looked at his notebook. Of course he had been taking notes. 

 “A couple thoughts; I like the hull design but what are you going to do about radiation? Also, for the spindrives, have you thought about having the beam set at an 87 degree angle?” 

“Well I was getting to the radiation bit, we were waiting till we figured out how to breed Astrophage. As for the spin drive, I… actually didn’t think about that.” Fuck, how could I have missed that? 

“Whatever happened to you Doctor Elizibeth Thompson?” Ryland tsk’d. I slammed my book shut. Either Ryland was still the arrogant bastard I met years ago, or I brought out the worst in him. 

“You- You are such an ass! I have been under a lot of pressure, and I am not the only engineer working on this so maybe someone else should’ve thought of it!” 

He raised his eyebrows at my rant and tapped his pen against the table, then chuckled. 

“This is not funny.” I breathed. 

“No, it’s really not. I just remembered university and how we got over ‘pressure’ back then.” 

He didn’t need to say anything else. I closed my eyes and the memories started to flood back in. 

“Fuck Ryland.” I gasped as his mouth left hot, wet kisses down my neck. 

“So it’s Ryland now huh?” He said, and I swear I felt him smile against my skin. His hand trailed under my shirt and found its way to my chest. I wriggled under his touch but he had me caged against the wall. I tugged at his hair and brought his face back up to my mouth, kissing him harder. It was my turn to trail up his shirt, feeling his abs clench at my cold hands. I pulled on his shirt till he got the hint and hurriedly yanked it off. 

“This is a one time only thing okay? It’s just this project.” I said in between kisses and gasps. His large hand pulled the shirt off my head. 

“Yeah, just this once. Fuck.” He groaned. Any thought of a response was cut short by his mouth latching onto my nipple. My head fell back against the door as pleasure took over.

“God. Take a girl to bed first.” The attempt at a joke was lost in my shaky delivery. Ryland lifted me up without a word, and began walking towards his room. His mouth continued its assault on my chest as he opened the door. My legs wrapped tightly around him, chasing any friction they could get. He groaned again as my hips rolled against his. 

“If you keep doing that, we might not make it to the bed.” He whispered in my ear, his breath hot against my skin. Heat pooled in my core as I went in for another kiss, lacing my fingers into his hair once again. 

“Better hurry then.” I said, looking at him with hooded eyes. 

Once Ryland lay me down on his bed, his mouth kissed down my stomach and stopped at my shorts. Slowly pulling them down he looked at me with a gaze that could only be described as hunger. Throwing them aside, his hands roamed up my thighs, forcing my legs apart. He kissed the lace of my panties slowly then took the hem in his mouth. I let out a small gasp as he continued to stare at me while pulling my panties off with his teeth. 

“Holy shit,” I whispered, wanting to squeeze my legs together at the dirty sight. It slipped out before I could stop it and I watched as a ravenous smirk spread across Ryland’s face. “Don’t let it get to your head.” 

“Baby, if you saw yourself right now, you’d let it get to your head too.” Ryland responded, licking a long strip up my cunt. I closed my eyes as my mouth fell open. 

“So I’m ‘baby’ now huh?” I throw his own words back at him. It seems to snap something in him because his mouth latches onto my clit and sucks hard. A string of curses leaves my mouth almost immediately. My fingers tangle in his hair again, pushing his face further into me. Ryland adds one finger in, then another, and I’m sure I’m seeing stars. Never would I have thought Ryland Grace would end up between my thighs- eating me like a man starved. My hips instinctively grind upwards, practically riding his face. Ryland curls his fingers deeper and I let out a loud moan, arching off the bed. His own soft grunts echo in my ears as the familiar knot in my stomach grows. 

“That’s it, right there,” He moans. “Got anything else to say?” 

I look down at him and run a finger across his cheek. “Depends on how much time you have.” 

Ryland removes his fingers quickly and I groan at the empty feeling. My chest falls up and down. 

“I’ve got all the time in the world.” He grins, his face glistening with my arousal. 

“Grace!” I yell as I grind my hips against nothing. He forces them back down. 

“What was that?” Ryland responds, harbouring a dangerous look. 

“Please Ryland,” I say with pleading eyes. “Please let me come.” 

I open my eyes again and come back to the present when Ryland’s tapping gets more impatient. 

“Instead of dwelling in the past, I suggest we focus our efforts on the world threatening problem at hand,” I hurriedly respond. “After dinner, we can go down to the simulation system and try out the new angle. Denires and Brack will be there too, they’re the ones working on installing the spindrives so we can talk to them as well.” When I’m finished packing up, I finally look at him again and he’s standing now. 

“Well, I’ll meet you there.” He nods and leaves.

“Where are you going? You don’t even know where the cafeteria is!” I shout after him. 

A moment later he appears back in the doorway, leaning against it. 

“One more thing.” He smiles. 

“Yes?”