✧⁠*~ Chap 7 - Radial Interference ~*✧

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱3 Days LaterThursday꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠

Only a day had passed, yet it had been the most awkward and clumsy 24 hours the Tulpar had ever experienced. After Wednesday's events, both couples were.. cumbersome. They were together, yes, but were they officially together? Daisuke, Curly, Robyn and Sage all shared one thought, simple yet profound -- Now what?

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That Thursday morning, Sage accidentally walked in on Curly who was still in his pajamas! Though she wouldn't admit it, she couldn't help but stare at his chest and arms - It didn't help that the captain was wearing a form-fitting short sleeve! The cook blushed from head to toe, clapping a hand over her mouth and dashing away before Curly could spot her - or so she thought.

"How could I forget to knock!? Since when did my manners get thrown into the mincer?!"

The brown-haired woman whispered harshly, chastising herself around the corner while clutching her uniform right above her hammering heart.

Curly just.. sat there in his cot, back facing his sleeping quarters' door. His hands were steepled, resting his nose against his finger tips. Lips pursed and cheeks a brilliant strawberry red, Curly mechanically got up and properly shut his barrack's doors.

-"She saw me, didn't she..?"-

He proposed, gears visibly turning in the Captain's head.

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Robyn on the other hand, had been lifting weights that morning like she always did. She sat on one of the chairs in the living quarters, performing seated bicep curls as Daisuke walked in, still groggy and hungry for breakfast. However, when Daisuke spotted Robyn, he couldn't help but gawk. He'd seen her exercise every morning - it was nothing new. But this time.. seemed different. More.. intimate, even.

The janitor's muscles - especially her toned biceps - shifted like liquid iron beneath her warm skin. Quiet grunts and laboured breath left Robyn's parted lips, every whisper of breath casting shivers down Daisuke's spine. The young man almost caught himself drooling, snapping out of his dazed ogling and looking away.

-"Why did bird have to be so.. ~muscular~ Daisuke, no! Control yourself.."-

"Oh! Morning, Daisy!"

Robyn chirped, getting up with a heavy exhale after her workout. Shaking out her arms and wiping her forehead with the back of her palm, she stretched her upper arm over her chest and did the same with the other.

"Come for breakfast?"

The muscular janitor queried, resting a hand on her hip. Daisuke was blushing furiously, his nose on the verge of bleeding. Beside himself, Daisuke couldn't help but mumble something diabolical under his breath.

"Yea.. you-"

"What was that..?"

"Gaah!! Nothing!"

Daisuke back-pedaled, his hair on-end. The electrician spun around on his heel, trying to flee - but not before Robyn grabbed him by the shirt collar and yanked him into her sculpted arms.

"Where do you think you're going, Daisy?"

The strawberry blonde woman purred, arms encircling Daisuke's waist and making him swoon within her hold.

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Sage practically burst into the mess hall/living quarters, diving behind the kitchen counter like a woman escaping a war zone. Hands covering her head, the chef muttered incoherently, scrambling to prepare breakfast for the crew.

Robyn and Daisuke both just looked at each other before looking back at the kitchen, the same thought passing through each other's minds. Robyn hoisted Daisuke over her shoulder, setting him down on the kitchen counter before she piped up.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Robyn teased, witnessing Sage's weekly spiral - which had turned into a daily spiral, recently. The chef peaked over the counter, getting up with a resigned groan.

"I think I screwed up again-"

Robyn almost snorted, already seeing where this was going.

"Screwed what up?"

Daisuke chipped in, looking over his shoulder at the skittish chef.

"I walked in on Orion-"

She whispered, immediately hiding her face in her hands in shame. Robyn's eyes widened before shifting into a mischievous grin.

"Was he naked?"

"WHAT- NO-! If he were, I'd have combusted-"

"Com-busted?"

"Robyn, shut up!!"

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Just then, Curly walked into the mess hall, followed by Swansea and Anya. The moment the Captain noticed Sage however, he blushed - yet he waved at her...

Sage felt her heart stutter, her eyes wide and cheeks rosy. Robyn and Daisuke saw this as a fit moment to retreat to the dinner table, Daisuke cradled in Robyn's arms like a little otter.

Sage spaced out, distracted by Curly's friendly greeting before noticing that he was coming closer! Sage squeaked under her breath, hastily busying herself with breakfast. But before she could even get a pan on the stove, Curly's kind voice rang out behind her.

"Hey, Sage!"

The chef flinched, a nervous smile on her lips.

"Oh.. H-hey Cur-Orion! Uhh... Didn't see you there!"

-"That was so stupid-"-

She thought to herself, only for Curly to chuckle softly, looking down at her with those endless ocean eyes.

"Good morning, nightlight"

He smiled, Curly's eyes searching Sage's gaze.

"I know it might seem silly, but I wanted to help you with breakfast this morning. Take a small load off of your shoulders?"

Sage froze, her cheeks feeling like they had caught alight. The chef soon snapped out of it, clearing her throat.

"Ah- Thank you, Orion... That would mean a lot."

She smiled, her eyes flickering up to meet the captain's as he nodded, turning away to help the brown-haired woman cook.

However - not even five minutes later - the Captain ended up burning the scrambled eggs. But to his surprise, Sage could only gush at his thoughtful attempt at helping her feed the rest of the crew.

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The last two days, Swansea and Anya had been observing the couples' strife and awkward moments - the two of them hatched a plan. Anya, of course, being the mastermind behind it and Swansea simply playing along.

"We need to get them to go on a double date!"

The medic proposed, her down-turned eyes glittering excitedly. Swansea only snorted, arms crossed as always.

"Daisuke and Robyn in the same room? That kid'll fold within seconds!"

"And that's why a date would be so cuute!"

Anya swooned, her hands clasped over her heart, imagining the adorable scene play out before Swansea simply barked with laughter. Anya frowned, tapping her foot against the steel floor in an irritated rhythm while she placed her hands on her hips.

"At least Sage and Curly can be in the same room together!"

She grumbled, but Swansea only laughed harder, slapping his knee in emphasis. The old man wiped a stray tear from his eye, wheezing while he spoke between chortles.

"Sage and Curly? Hah! Lord knows they can barely look at each other without both of them havin' a stroke!"

Anya huffed in displeasure, growling beneath her breath. She sighed, crossing her arms and turning away from Swansea with a huff.

"I still think planning a date for them would be nice! Have the four of them actually bond together."

Swansea's laughter died down, catching his breath and clearing his throat before he spoke, seemingly sobered.

"Yea, yea. S'pose you're right."

He conceded gruffly, genuinely honest for once. Anya couldn't help but break into a joyful smile, happily clapping her hands as she turned back to face the old mechanic. Swansea only rolled his eyes, yet unable to hide the smile tugging at his own mouth.

"How do you plan on gettin' them together in the same room?"

"Easy! We trick them."

"You're plannin' on lyin' to em?"

"Nooo! Just.. persuading them to our benefit.

Swansea only shook his head in exasperation while Anya rambled on about some plan on getting them all into the mess hall or something - Swansea wasn't really paying attention, but seeing the Tulpar's nurse in high spirits was a comforting sight.

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