✧⁠*~ Chap 4 - Impact ~*✧⁠

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The sliding hiss of the cockpit doors opening sounded down the hall, Curly stepping out through the steel entrance. The captain had decided on taking a break, leaving the Tulpar on autopilot while he was away. The blonde man headed down the Tulpar's corridors and walkways, on his way to the food hall when he heard the faint sound of titters and giggles ringing down the passage.

Curly's brown leather boots thudded along the steel-grate floor, his hands resting on his matching brown belt tied around the wait of his denim jumpsuit. Following the sound of chatter and laughter, Curly was face to face with the med-bay entrance. He extended a hand, aiming to wrap his knuckles along the cold surface, only for it to suddenly slide open!

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Sage had excused herself from the gossip-ring she found herself caught in in the med-bay, bidding Anya good-bye.

"Sorry girls, I need to prepare lunch for the crew! See you at the lunch table."

Robyn nodded and soon followed, the two planning to leave together. Sage stepped forward, adjusting her stained but washed apron and turned the door's handle, sliding it open. However, the moment she took a step, her black loafer not even meeting the ground, she ran into Curly. The chef squeaked in surprise, the sound muffled by Curly's.. chest, the Captain himself letting out a stifled grunt at the unexpected impact.

"Woah there- didn't see me, huh?"

Curly chuckled sheepishly, one hand cradling the back of his head while his other warm hand rested on Sage's shoulder, steadying the chef. Sage let out a flustered, disconcerted laugh, her cheeks and tips of her ears tinted a bright shade of Vermillion.

"A-ah, yea- hahaa... E-excuse me-"

The brown haired cook scuttled away, hastily retreating down the hall in the direction of the kitchen to seemingly prepare lunch. Curly shyly cleared his throat, his own cheeks reflecting a rosey wash. Anya and Robyn tried not to squeal, watching Curly disappear down the hall towards the food court, the two women chatting as they loosely followed behind.

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Sage busied herself in the kitchen, buzzing around like a beaver building a dam, but if the sticks were ingredients and the dam was a delicious meal. All the while her mind was occupied with thoughts of Captain Curly.

"Goodness, that was so embarrassing-!"

She groaned aloud, overthinking Curly's reaction. 'What if he thought I was disrespectful?!' she thought, 'what if he now sees me as a weirdo for running into his chest by accident?! What if-'

"Hey, kid, food ready yet? This ol' man's starvin' over here!"

Swansea's voice snapped Sage out of her spiral, the chef dishing up the heat lunch.

"C-coming!"

Sage called out anxiously, bringing out everyone's plate.

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Curly's mind was turning, thinking about Sage. The blonde captain was already sat at the table with everyone else, his chin propped between his thumb and pointer finger in a contemplative display.

'She probably feels awkward around me...' Curly thought to himself, breathing deeply. 'I hope I get to apologise-' Before he could finish his thought, food was placed down in front of him, and Sage was sat to his left. The captain blinked a few times, stunned, before abruptly clearing his throat.

"Ehem- Ah! Glad you're all here! Let's enjoy lunch, yea?"

The crew nodded and ate while Curly glanced towards Sage. The cook was avoiding eye contact, and when their gazes inevitably did meet, Sage almost always looked away, hiding her embarrassed visage. Curly wanted to smooth the tension between the two of them, his thoughts whirring for ideas before he cleared his throat once more.

"Sage? Mind passing me the salt?"

"Huh..?? Oh, sure-"

Sage mumbled nervously in response, grabbing the salt pot and passing it over to Curly. However, when Curly took it from her, their hands brushed together...

Sage's cheeks burned bright red as she quickly pulled her hand back, Curly himself looking away and down to hide his own rosey cheeks. Blonde hair falling in front of his dark blue eyes. The touch was warm and electric, the skin tingling pleasantly where they had touched one another. The rest of the crew seemed oblivious to what was going on, absorbed in their own food and chatter. Sage and Curly were practically in a bubble of their own, solely focused on each other.

"Hey.. Curly?"

Sage started, her voice a sheepish whisper,

"Can I talk to you in the kitchen...? After lunch?"

Curly processed Sage's words with a blink before awkwardly nodding, fidgeting with his hands beneath the wooden table.

"Of course, Sage. Whenever you're ready."

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After a filling lunch of pork chops, vegetables and gravy, Sage coaxed Curly into the Tulpar's kitchen. She placed all the dirtied dishware into the metal sink before turning around to face Curly. The man was already averting his gaze shyly and Sage couldn't help but smile tenderly. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts and words before speaking.

"Sorry about earlier, Captain Curly... I honestly didn't mean to run into you. I was just a little distracte-"

Sage wasn't even halfway through her apology before Curly interrupted, his eyes glittering with something unnamed.

"Please, call me Orion- 'Captain Curly's seems so.. formal..."

He continued, his demeanor and tone immediately shifting into a timid yet gentle murmur, his timber barely audible.

"And I didn't mine you running into me... It was kinda cute and a little funny-"

Sage was surprised, her cheeks a lovely shade of pink and Herr brows raised. The chef smiled a giddy smile, deciding to playfully tease Curly ever so slightly.

"Sorry, what was that, Orion..?"

"N-nothing! Have a good afternoon, Miss Meadowsire!"

Curly waffled flusteredly, waving her off and hastily exiting the kitchen, hiding his face. Sage couldn't help herself, practically giggling and jumping up and down with her hands excitedly clasped together. The chef, needless to say, was giddy out of her mind. Up until she remembered to wash the dishes. Her shoulders immediately slumped again, but Curly's shy reaction earlier was enough to keep a smile on her face while she ran the soapy water.

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