✧⁠*~ Chap 10 - Lingering Orbit ~*✧⁠

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱The Next Morning05:00꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠

Curly stumbled out is his room early that next morning. He gandered a look back before closing the heavy metal door, spotting the chef still fast asleep under the covers.

A dumb smile spread across his lips - joined by a lovestruck glitter in his oceanic eyes - before he closed the door with a quiet click. The captain was still somewhat disoriented.

His denim jumpsuit wasn't properly zipped up exposing his neck and the hickies that marred the pale column of skin. Not to mention the bite marks...

But just as the captain was about to travel down the hall to the cockpit, Daisuke just about crawled out of Robyn's quarters. The captain's eyes widened as he took in the young electrician's appearance - scratch marks along his arms and chest, tousled hair, bleary eyes, a shirt that's barely even on him.

Him and Sage clearly weren't the only ones getting frisky on this vessel... Curly shook his head, rattling those thoughts out of his mind but alerting Daisuke in the process.

The electrician squeaked in surprise, trying to buckle his belt dangling from his denim belt loops. Curly awkwardly cleared his throat, turning away.

"G-good morning, Daisuke.."

The captain mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. A shameless attempt at hiding his embarrassment. Daisuke simply managed a mumbled of acknowledgment before disappearing down the hall. He thought it best not to speak up in front of the equally disheveled captain.

Curly decided the same, loping towards the cockpit, where he was headed towards originally.

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Robyn emerged a little while later, a devious smirk twisting her lips. She was dressed as always in her janitor's uniform and Pony Express badge, her uniform decorated with her signature studded belt and multiple bracelets and layered necklaces.

She marched down the hallway as if nothing had occurred the night prior, her short coppery hair bouncing with every step.

She arrived at the engine room somehow, spotting Daisuke getting interrogated and questioned by old Swansea. The middle-aged man seemed less than impressed by Daisuke's shoddy appearance.

"Boy, what were up to last night?! Were you bangin' a damned werewolf? Look at ya!"

Robyn had to stifle the most obnoxious guffaw of her life, clapping her hand over her mouth. Daisuke whined on the other side of the wall, hiding his hot face in his hands.

The young Japanese-American looked up at the elder gentleman, his brows knitted together in an apologetic peak on his forehead.

"Sorry I'm late, Swan. I was just-"

"Don't call me Swan. It's Swansea, or Sir."

He hissed, the word 'Swan' rolling off his tongue like a barely motivated retort.

"Y'know what, boy? Just go get some food. I expect you lookin' presentable when you get back here."

Swansea huffed, trying to mask the fatherly care he felt towards the boy - betrayed by a persistent smirk that quirked the corners of his thin lips. Daisuke hugged the grey gentleman before speeding out the door...

Only to run face-first into Robyn. More specifically, her chest. A surprised 'oof' escaped Robyn's lips, followed by a muffled grunt from Daisuke. His hands flew up to Robyn's shoulders, pushing himself away - his face red as a tomato - before stammering and inevitably barreling down the hall again.

Robyn simply chuckled, continuing down the winding corridors towards the janitor's closet to get her supplies. Daisuke's flustered face flickered in her mind's eye, followed by memories of that exact same expression in different positions the night before. She smirked, stepping into the closet.

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Sage arose later that morning... WAIT- DAMNIT! She Olympic-lunged out of Curly's bed, pulling on her clothes with the haste of someone who clearly forgot to make breakfast for the crew!

The brunette woman sprinted down the hall, skidding around a corner while hastily buttoning her chef's uniform. She stumbled onto the kitchen, leaping over the counter before crashing onto the floor with an audible 'THWACK!'.

Sage rummaged through the cabinets, grabbing pots, pans, ingredients and a.. A ROACH?! Sage screeched, dropping everything with a clatter.

Sadly, Anya walked in at that moment. The nurse with ebony locks blinked a few times, her down-turned eyes wide with surprise and concern.

"...Sage? Are you ok?"

She called out quietly, her flipflops clip-clopping with each step towards the kitchen counter. Sage spun around like a spooked cat, her eyes equally opened, her hair frizzy.

"ANYA THERE'S A FARTING ROACH IN THE CUPBOARD! HOW THE FREAK DID A ROACH GET ON THE TULPAR?! WHERE'S ROBYN, GET HER TO KILL ITTTT."

The woman hollered, almost screaming. She ran out of the kitchen, grabbing Anya by the shoulders - using the poor woman as a shield - while she hid behind her.

"Sage, it's just a roach."

Anya tittered, rolling her eyes at Sage's antics.

"C'mon let's ju-"

At that very moment, the cockroach started flying. FLYING. Both women immediately shrieked in absolute terror. The ruckus obviously alerted Daisuke, Swansea and Robyn - who then came running into the mess hall - while Curly was probably still working in the cockpit.

Swansea approached the shrieking women, genuinely concerned until he saw the culprit behind their loud howling.

"Seriously? A roach?"

Robyn took a few cautionary steps back from the bug, Daisuke leaping into her arms at the sound of little feet scuttling across the floor. Swansea looked over at the two of them before he frowned deeply with a disappointed sigh.

"You all are pathetic, ya hear?"

He grumbled, simply stomping on the bug once it landed. Curly finally came trotting into the kitchen, his brows lifted in concern.

"What was going on?? Is everyone ok? I thought I heard screaming-"

"THERE WAS A FRICKING ROACH-"

Sage squawked, jumping to Curly before violently grabbing his wide shoulders and shaking him like a ragdoll. Curly grunted before stopping Sage from rattling him any further.

"But it's dead now, yea?"

"...Yes-"

She mumbled, looking away, slightly embarrassed. Curly snorted softly, shaking his head in mild exasperation. Swansea walked over to a wall, reaching out to balance himself as he scraped the crumpled cockroach carcass off of his leather boot.

"Robyn? Ya might need to clean this up."

He uttered roughly, wiping off his hands before leaving the kitchen area... Only to turn back around.

"Oi, Sage? Where in the HELL is the food? It's almost noon and no breakfast?"

Sage cleared her throat, nodding before heading back to the kitchen with a quiet breath.

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Lunch was served a little while later, everyone sitting down at the large wooden table in the centre of the mess hall. Curly was at the head of the table - as always - while Sage sat to his left. Robyn sat next to her, followed by Daisuke, Swansea and Anya.

The air was calm, filled with idle chatter. Curly's hand found its way to Sage's knee, gently stroking the fabric of her pants. Daisuke was talking animatedly with Robyn, blushing every time she looked at him or affectionately adjusted his hair. Anya shared the occasional joke or managed a chuckle out of Swansea.

All was well for the Tulpar. And all would hopefully stay well on that freight ship until they reached their destination.

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠Thank you so much to everyone who read my stupid fanfic <3

It was so much fun writing this for myself and my friend! It was a great experience too lol. I hope everyone who read this will look at my other fics, or simply simply enjoyed this silly story.

Love ya, Critters!Sage