✧⁠*~ Chap 2 - Whispers ~*✧⁠

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠7:30꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠

Day two on the Tulpar was calm - as expected seeing as it was only a few hours later. Robyn and Sage were once again in the kitchen, the cook busy with breakfast while the janitor cleaned the counters with a cloth and floor with a brush in one corner. The two friends were chatting as always, their laughter and cackles echoing through the metal Hull of the mess hall.

"Do you still watch My Little Horses? My favourite character is Sparkle Dash!"

Sage snorted obnoxiously and cackled at Robyn's comment.

"Yea, my favourite character is Pumpkin Ass."

Sage spat as she caught her breath after laughing. The cook continued to fry the bacon, making sure the edges were crispy before dishing them out onto the six separate plates for each crewmember. Sage then glanced towards Robyn, taking an encouraging breath.

"Hey... Did you notice Curly last night?"

Robyn immediately perked up, grinning as she did so.

"Oh? What about Curly? Something on your mind?"

She drawled dramatically, her eyebrows raised in a cheeky smile. Robyn set down her mop, skipping over to Sage and rested her elbows on the counter, Sage meanwhile hiding her face.

"Uhm- I..No-!"

Sage stammered, mildly defensive. Robyn simply cackled, grinning ear to ear.

"C'mon! Talk to him!"

"Noo!!"

Sage whined, hiding her head in her hands as she laughed with exasperation. Just then, Curly swung by, smiling as he saw the two ladies chatting to each other.

"Hey you two! All set for breakfast?"

Robyn poked Sage in the side with her elbow, causing the chef to cough.

"Uh- ah! Yes, yes we're good-"

Curly simply arched a brow but nodded, turning to leave.

"Good, Daisuke said he was starving."

Just as before, Robyn helped Sage serve breakfast, handing everyone their plate and knife and fork. Around the table, everyone was participating in light conversation, Robyn eyeing Daisuke from across the table while she ate.

Just as Daisuke met Robyn's intense gaze, a metallic clatter sounded from where Curly sat. The blonde man had dropped his fork on the ground and was planning to lean down to get it. Sage, by her own reflex, did the same, only for the two to end up bumping their heads together with an audible thud.

"Oof-"

Curly grunted, rubbing his head with one hand while Sage winced, soothing her own.

"Sorry Curly- Here's your fork though."

She apologized with a smile. Curly however, surprising Sage, chuckled, taking the fork from her hand.

"No biggie, Sage... Thanks"

Sage's grey eyes widened before she smiled sheepishly. She nodded, continuing with her food, her cheeks undeniably rosier.

On the other side of the dinner table, Daisuke was like a deer in headlights, staring into Robyn's turquoise eyes. The young electrician was snapped out of his daydreaming by Swansea's calloused palm meeting his back in a forceful pat.

"Who are you ogling, son?"

Daisuke automatically flushed at Swansea's probing question, the young Japanese man hiding his head in his arms on the table.

"Whaaaah?? What do you mean?"

He muttered in a flustered response, causing Swansea to chortle knowingly.

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠13:00꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠

Sage had been keeping herself busy in the kitchen for the rest of the day, making up work for herself as an excuse to not leave the kitchen. Curly had been doing the same, squirreling himself away in the Tulpar's cockpit, and Robyn had been watching the whole scene play out.

Now sweeping the hallway outside the crew's sleeping quarters, Robyn heard murmurs and chatter emanating from Curly's room. Glancing both ways down the hallway, she tiptoed inside and pressed her ear against the cold door leading to Curly's bedroom;

"Thanks for fixing that busted light, Daisuke."

Came Curly's deep voice, followed by Daisuke's,

"No problem captain! It's my job, no?"

Curly hummed in acknowledgement, smiling to himself as he turned to his desk, resting his palms on the wooden surface. He glanced back towards Daisuke balancing on an old stepladder, fiddling with the ceiling light.

"Hey, uhh.. Daisuke? Do you like anyone here?"

Daisuke blushed but shook his head to clear his mind, clearing his throat before resting a hand on the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Uhhh.. what do you mean, captain?"

Daisuke tweeted, now wringing his hands nervously, fiddling with his silver rings.

"Oh, y'know, like..."

Curly mumbled, resting his chin in the palm of his hand thoughtfully.

"Has anyone.. caught your eye?"

Daisuke blinks a few times in a stunned silence at the captain's words before snapping out of it, his lips parting before closing again a few times like a fish out of water.

"I.. uh- I mean, maybe?"

Curly quirked a brow, turning towards the young electrician with a faint smirk.

"Maybe? Or definitely?"

Daisuke remained silent before slumping with a whine, arms dangling limply in front of him.

"...Definitely-"

Curly giggled, resting his hands on his belt.

"Hoho? That so? Who is it?"

Daisuke hesitated, shyly swiveling side to side before managing a bashful mumble, barely audible.

"It's Robyn..."

Curly's brows shot up, his lips parting in surprise before twitching into a curious and proud smile. Daisuke hid his face before something clicked mentally. He raised his head, looking at Curly skeptically.

"Captain, why did you ask in the first place..?"

Curly felt his cheeks heat up at the confrontation, turning away from the young man, averting his gaze.

"Ah- no reason..! Uhh.. just curious!"

He tried to play it cool, but Daisuke was catching on. The brunette man smirked, stepping forward curiously.

"C'mon captaaain, who's on your mind?"

Daisuke prodded, grinning. Curly grumbled, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer before begrudgingly groaning his answer.

"It's Sage-"

Daisuke's eyes lit up with excitement, the two men continuing their chatter and their occasional laughter filtered down the hallway.

Robyn finally pulled away from the steel door, blushing head to toe. Trying not to giggle, she ran down the hall towards the medical bay; Anya's domain.

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠Feel Free To Point Out Grammar Mistakes And Inconsistencies In The Comments