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The colourful lights of the space illuminated majestically on the sole curled up figure that belonged to Cosmic, which remained on the deck for the whole night. His cheek was squished on his knees, pulled tightly against his chest in attempts to keep himself as warm as possible. Around his shoulders, to stop his body from shivering ferociously, there was a thick black blanket, that was decorated with little golden stars, draped over him.
He couldn't sleep well last night, with his guilt keeping him up ‒ but he eventually passed out.
A rough hand touched his face so tentatively like they were scared. Fingers were brushing the fluffy silver-like hair, tucking his bangs behind his ear. Being a light sleeper, the gentle movement was enough to startle him fully awake, blinking his eyelids upwards. It took him a while for his congested brain to finally register who was in front of him ; a familiar face inches away from his, holding a warm smile.
Soras asked in a hushed tone, ❝ How's my sleeping beauty doing? ❞
❝ Sleeping beauty? ❞ Cosmic echoed back with disbelief as the corner of his lips quirked up, ❝ I'm not even close to being beautiful when I'm awake... What makes you think I'm beautiful when I'm asleep? ❞
❝ You don't know how ethereal you were from afar already ‒ so enchanting that you took my breath away. Being this close to you makes it all the more surreal, ❞ Soras complimented like a poet, making Cosmic laugh softly and the sound had her lips curving even higher. ❝ Why are you here anyway? The deck is freezing cold compared to our rooms. ❞ Her smile sunk into a frown, and her thick eyebrows furrowed. ❝ What did that bitch do this time? ❞
❝ It was nothing... I'm going back to change before I do my chores, ❞ Cosmic informed, stretching out his sore limps.
Soras said nothing at the answer provided by the male, wordlessly offering Cosmic a hand to which he gratefully accepted. The signs of hard work with metals and crystals were shown on her palms and fingers, but even though Cosmic's work was considered more rough and dangerous, there were no traces at all because of how soft his hand felt in her own. After she gingerly pulled him onto his feet, she did a 90° degree bow and straightened back up to do a silly salute. Delighted at the instant response, she couldn't help but show a toothy grin when Cosmic giggled ‒ the boy looking like an utter angel to her indigo eyes. She couldn't stand the other being upset, as the boy was normally so confident and untouchable in so many ways.
Hugging the blanket around him that made him look smaller than usual, Cosmic hummed, ❝ Thank you. ❞
❝ For what? Waking such a handsome face up and lifting your spirits will always be my pleasure, my cute sir, ❞ Soras smiled with a wink.
❝ You wonderful dork, ❞ Cosmic leaned his head against Soras' shoulder, hearing a chuckle. Arms wrapped around his blanket-covered self. The two stayed like that for a while, and he whispered, ❝ Thanks for grabbing my blanket too. ❞
❝ Oh... Right, that. Your welcome, ❞ Soras replied stiffly.
How peculiar.
Obviously, her tone screamed out uncertainty to his ears, and he could tell right away that the arms holding him tensed up lightly. Cosmic was an expert at reading body language and listening along the lines of spoken words ‒ the skill was required in his field of work, of course. From what he could pick up with these little clues which could have been missed out on, he didn't quite like his findings. Though the issue concerned could be considered small by most but Cosmic honestly felt a bit disappointed at the behaviour. In spite so, he pretended he didn't notice these signs as he let Soras embrace his form in silence.
It proved, Soras wasn't the one to bring him his blanket.
She lied to him. Why ?
✨
The scent of a thousand flavours filled within the ship's walls. A savoury aroma roaming freely around would cause anyone's stomach to roar out in absolute hunger. Interestingly, not everyone's nose picked up on the exact same smell that kept their appetite on their toes. It could be pungent, spicy, flavoursome, salty but not sweet, pleasantly fresh or plainly odourless, depending on the person.
For Cosmic himself, his nose would whiff up this rare gamy and heady fragrance ‒ having the distinctive and tangy nature-like smell enter his nostrils that he pretty sure have never picked up on back at their old home of crystals. It was strongly aromatic, pungent, almost intoxicating ; making it rather piquant. This was definitely not a mild, ordinary scent. Unfortunately, no one apparently shared his ability to smell this.
While most of the crew never really believed Cosmic for being innocent about their planet's demise, they apparently entrusted him more than enough to serve up their four daily meals. It was ridiculous honestly, yet he simply knew that they just didn't realise how much danger they had put themselves in if he actually did have this supposed strong intent to wipe off their species' existence. To them, it was like an unspoken punishment ; basically giving him more chores to do. Despite so, saying that he was this ruthless planet-destroying psycho as they called him, Cosmic could have "accidentally" sprinkled his poisonous powder he always had on him for his missions on their meals.
Though, he did cook up killer delicious meals.
❝ I see that the rising-sun chow is coming along amazing, ❞ Soras leaned against the counter next to Cosmic with a gentle smile.
Cosmic returned the expression and hummed out, almost hesitantly replying, ❝ Fun fact, apparently on Earth, they call it "Breakfast". ❞
❝ Breakfast? ❞ Soras gawked the word Cosmic introduced in both awe and confusion, ❝ Why would they name the first of the day so weirdly? ❞
Cosmic's midnight eyes twinkled at the question, which caused Soras to swoon a bit, happily providing the answer in a heartbeat. ❝ If you break the word into "Break" and "Fast", they mean it as a way to break their fast ‒ which means a period where they go on without food ‒ after a long sleep once the sun rises. ❞
❝ Wow, sounds so cool but so complicated. Earthlings sure are weird, ❞ Soras snickered before grinning, ❝ I'm not surprised our smart Cosmic knows this. Always so prepared, even though we're due to arrive in a few more bierks. ❞
Chuckling at that, Cosmic carefully stirred the goo in the rounded crystal pot-like utensil. The taste of Xleon Goo was just as magical as its smell. One could feel a different flavour during each meal every day, which correlated to one's prominent mood. In spite so, because of how bewitching the delicacy was, it was very difficult to make, easy to be undercooked or overcooked in a difference matter of seconds ‒ also another reason why Cosmic became the ship's reluctant chef. The three other males of the crew blundered occasionally under pressure for the first few days, upsetting the hangry girls and their stomachs. Pathetically, the girls were so prideful that they spoke out how above they were to do the domesticated task of cooking, just because they were females.
In hindsight, it seriously only meant that the girls didn't have a single clue on how to cook and would inevitably mess up.
At least Soras had some sense to admit that one out loud.
That only left Cosmic. All of the male members inside the ship did a turn when it came to meal preparation, and Cosmic had never failed to put a mouth-watering dish on the table. As much as everyone abhorred him, excluding Soras, no one could outright deny how incredible Cosmic was in the kitchen ‒ at least in a dead-on serious way, some still insulted him for that. Frankly, he was initially forced to do this task by Starling, to which he eventually did so not because of his fiancé's command, but because of how everyone in the ship was famished. There was no use letting the last of their kind to die due to starvation.
He was taught by the best, after all, so his cooking skills were inimitable. Ironically though, it was not his Mamelia that did the cooking back at home, not even the servants but his Pafelin did. His Pafelin took pride in being able to cook for the family, especially since his Mamelia would be too busy doing the other half of the underdog work Cosmic had. That made him undeniably proud to have such parents that defied gender roles, and the memory of their time together made him miss them even more.
Cosmic abruptly paused in the middle of it, detecting a new smell.
This scent wasn't the fresh grassy smell from the goo he was cooking.
Definitely not.
❝ Meda! ❞
❝ Soras, get Perseus. Now, ❞ he ordered before he sprinted off to the source of the scream.
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❝ Meda, are you okay? Shit, you need to go in your room beforeㅡ ❞
❝ Hey guys~ ❞
The boys squeaked helplessly at the husky voice, looking up to see one of the girls stalking towards them with a smirk. Meda was quivering behind the other male, feeling his whole body burn up as if he could melt into a puddle, yet also chilled to the bones that there were frostbites all over him. His friend was terrified to the core with how eager the girl was, as she slowly stepped closer and closer to them like a predator heading over to their prey ; he was scared to death in being a possible victim, but also didn't want to leave the visibly vulnerable Meda behind.
❝ Oh come on, I'll help him out, ❞ she cooed, ❝ And Esther, you should join us, the more the merrier. ❞
❝ Crux, go away! I don't... I don't like you that way. I... I have girlfriend, ❞ Meda weakly rebelled, clinging onto Esther's arm desperately as his legs trembled. He pleaded, ❝ Please. ❞
❝ Meda, but you smell so good, ❞ Crux purred, clearly losing her mind.
Pinned against the wall together by this crazed girl that was high from Meda's rich spicy smell alone, Esther mustered up just the exact amount of little courage he could to raise a hand over the shivering Meda in attempts to protect him. Meda's eyes were filled with tears, feeling cramps shock his body. He closed his eyes when Crux's hand was in front of his face, about to stroke his cheek.
The two did not expect a yelp.
Meda's eyes fluttered open to see Crux dropping down to the ground, seemingly paralysed. He glanced to the side, seeing Esther with his jaw hanging open before following his line of sight to see Cosmic, brushing his hands with a chuckle. It was unbelievable!No, every male in this ship knew Cosmic could knock down a female with ease, despite the girls' disclaimer over that fact.
❝ Surprised I've come to your rescue? ❞ Cosmic voiced out their thoughts and his lips twitched to form a small smirk.
Esther gasped, looking back down at the still body with wonder and somewhat fear, ❝ ...What did you do? ❞
❝ Pinched some of her pressure points, ❞ Cosmic explained as if it was nothing, shrugging slightly, ❝ Crux is a little out of it but she'll be fine. We should head over to your room, Andromeda. I asked Soras to call Perseus over. ❞
Cosmic first delicately propped Crux up against the wall, before he signaled them to move. All three of them headed over to the room down the hallways in hasty footsteps, with Meda carried on Cosmic's back to speed things up. The pained male didn't utter a word, probably way too exhausted to even care but he unconsciously was rubbing his cheek against Cosmic's shoulder. It was probably because Cosmic had a tint of Starling's scent on him, especially because he slept with their bedroom blanket. Either way, Esther also mentioned nothing of it and walked closely next to Cosmic's side.
❝ Why... Why are you so kind to us? ❞ Esther shyly asked once they arrived in Meda's shared room.
Cosmic hummed, opening the door as he guided Meda's hand on top of the scanner to cause the doors to slide open. ❝ Even if you guys did all those things, I've handled worse as the "royal's dirty underdog". ❞ From the corner of his eyes, he spotted the guilty frown on Esther's face and the uncomfortable flinch at the sharpness of his words, shaking his head. Going towards the bedroom with Esther right on his tail, he then gently laid Meda on top of his already built nest of pillows, two large blankets and clothes. ❝ Plus, I know how hard it is during that time of the verga. ❞ Cosmic watched as Meda curled up, slowly burying himself underneath the warm scent of his girlfriend and his friend.
Before Esther could respond, the doors slid wide again with a heavily panting girl.
❝ Meddie! ❞ she cried out in complete worry, making Meda whimper.
Drowned in the heavy scent of Meda, Perseus instantly stormed into the room, straight for the bed. Cosmic simply stepped to the side, out of the girl's way before she dived into the nest. Wrapping her arms around her boyfriend's waist, she pulled him closer to her chest in a protective manner. Letting out reassuring grumble-like sounds, the girl cuddled the boy in her arms, feeling the shivering cease. Once Meda calmed down, she glanced up and finally seemed to notice the presence of the two males.
❝ What are you doing here? ❞ Perseus growled once her eyes fell on Cosmic. ❝ If you fucking did anything to Meda, I will tear you apart! ❞
Before Cosmic could say or do anything, Esther stepped up, coming closer to his side. ❝ Wait, Perseus. He saved Meda from Crux when we were out in the open. He also was the one to get Soras to call for you. ❞
Perseus' eyes softened and her voice appeared to be lost. In a split second though, her eyes darkened and she was about to get up, causing Meda to let out a small whine. She stopped as Cosmic began to speak though.
❝ Thanks, Esther, ❞ Cosmic patted the boy's shoulder, ❝ but it wasn't Crux's fault. Her thoughts weren't straight. Plus, I can tell if I'm not wanted here. Let's just go. ❞
Shrugging a bit when their eyes widened as if they realised something, Cosmic shortly left the room, not wanting to disturb the lovebirds. After a while, Esther trailed after him, just as he expected.
He had some goo to get back to.
✨
Starling bellowed, ❝ You dried up the goo, so you expect us to delay our rising-sun meal because of your mistake?! ❞
❝ You're not perfect after all, ❞ a male scoffed.
A girl added on with a mocking laugh, ❝ What a failure. ❞
Thanks to being stuck in this ship for weeks, Cosmic mastered the arts of tuning the useless voices out, focused on finishing up the new batch of Xleon Goo. When he returned to his station in the kitchen, he wasn't flabbergasted to notice his goo all shriveled into a wrinkly, rock-hard form. It was actually his first time seeing the goo in its overcooked form, but he could guess that this meant he left the goo by itself for too long. Cooking Xleon Goo required unwavering focus, after all. He knew his choice to go after Meda would cost him his goo, so he long accepted the case of him being scolded by the crew, again.
Esther was shifting from one foot to the other in the crowd of hungry crew members, afraid to shout back in his defense with the girls using their Inner Voices. All he managed to do was nudge the male beside him for his comment.
While Crux should be fully conscious by now, she wasn't here.
❝ Cosmic left because Meda was having trouble, so shut the fuck up! None of you guys seemed to be able to handle making meals. ❞
Soras must have appeared, Cosmic noted but he didn't look up from the goo in front of him.
After a long verbal battle between the girls and him announcing he was almost done with the goo, Soras went ahead and shooed away everyone into the dining room.
Almost everyone.
❝ Why aren't you saying anything? ❞
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