Curly was a good leader, intelligent and cautious, a guy you can follow and trust with your life because he is a talented pilot, in a world dominated by machines it was already difficult to stand out, the fact that he achieved it spoke for itself.
The complete package, attractive and kind, it was difficult not to fall for those blue eyes and golden curls, he was committed to his work and planned to achieve more in his career, there is nothing wrong with that of course, everyone takes care of their own safety in today's world where technology advanced and scaled in such a way that there was no longer room for humans.
Before you arrived he was convinced that his part of the job was a top priority, keeping everyone sane on that ship for months without a break was like having to hold them up on a cliff with a weak rope equal to a thread, they would slip and The rope broke more and more, but as the captain he had to keep everything together, everything working.
They were his responsibility.
Remember to read your form after the company confirmed your participation in the tulpar cargo ship, you had previous experience, with another ship retired for some time for reasons that the company refused to share, such as a dirty secret swept under the carpet, Curly was not surprised, the stress of leading was not only due to the weight of their responsibilities, but also due to the irresponsibility of the company they worked for.
There wasn't much personal information about you, you said you were in good condition to return to work after the short break you took, or at least that's what it said in your supposed interview.
"Cargo maintenance and security" seemed meaningless to the curly-haired man, he did not discredit any work, but it was like telling him to his face that they did not trust his hands to keep the cargo safe, which has no basis, because not only had he done it well until now, he had done it impeccably.
Then his eyes went down "assistant and administrative support", that was more interesting, although I can't get more details from the company about your work on the ship, I don't need it, because the next day right behind a man from the staff, I came to confirm some things about the shipment and other details you went to.
There was no conversation, Curly had to make a great effort and concentrate to pay attention to the maintenance man who was pointing out some things in his file so as not to look back at you, you stood with your arms crossed, probably waiting for the guy the captain was talking to.
His first observation of you was your tired appearance, it was as if those vacations, instead of helping you, had crushed you with tons of stress, your empty look was complemented by the mask that did not allow you to completely see your face.
Curly already knew what you looked like, the form had a photo of you at the top, with a bright look and a jovial smile, a young adult with attractive features full of audacity and confidence that was no longer seen in your exhausting present, it was A disconcerting change, the captain couldn't help but wonder how such a drastic change happened.
The most tortuous thing for the curly-haired man was the silence that was created when the man in the cap left for a moment after forgetting something from his folder.
After a few minutes the captain gathered his courage and raised his gaze, immediately meeting yours, without shame or pride you stared at him in silence, the one with blue eyes did not know how long they were looking at each other, he felt suffocated in your deep brown eyes. And he swears the silence lasted like a millennium until he came out of his stupor when he saw you tilt your head and narrow your eyes with what looked like a smile under the mask.
Curly, a little tense, rushed to move, raising his arm and politely offering his hand for a shake towards the brown-eyed man -…hello!..y/n right?...- he said quickly with his characteristic friendly and kind smile, always professional -…they told me that tomorrow you will join the team, it is a pleasure to have more support on the ship…-
The patient man saw how you took a few seconds to analyze the handshake and then gently took it in a friendly manner -…a pleasure too, captain…- you said with a lazy voice, moving your other hand to your mask to lower it out of respect for the soon-to-be your boss-…I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable a moment ago, I was actually trying to remember your name…- you explained, having to wait a few seconds in silence and looking confused at the man in front of you, who still hadn't left your hand.
As if he were stuck, the man kept squeezing your hand and moving up and down repetitively, you sweated uncomfortably because of his piercing and familiar blue eyes -...captain?...- you exclaimed, feeling how he was startled by your voice, he left your hand quickly and let out a nervous laughter scratching the back of his neck.
-..yes?...I mean-…no problem…if you have any questions, don't hesitate to let me know, tomorrow you will be introduced to the others and we can start with the order as soon as possible…-said Curly in a friendly manner, you decided putting the mask back in its place and looking away to the hallway, making the captain do the same in the process.
The staff man ran back with the missing papers, Curly turned around completely helping the other man who was tiredly handing him the papers, and told him other things that honestly Curly was not interested in.
When he turned around again, hoping to see you and talk to you again, he found the place empty, you had left while he wasn't looking.
The entire way back to his apartment, Captain Curly had his head bowed in shame.
….~•~….
The introductions would be made before boarding the ship and beginning to take off, so everyone gathered in the metal hallways that guided the ship at the request of their captain.
Curly waited patiently watching Swansea arrive first with Anya, after that you arrived with the characteristic gray uniform of the pony express workers, the only difference is that you were wearing a black shirt underneath and the unique mask covering your face.
You stood in front of the two individuals who looked at you with confused eyes, Anya was the first to speak-…captain…who is-?…-she was interrupted by the distinctively louder voice of the curly-haired man.
The curly captain approached you with too much comfort, placing his hand on your shoulder to introduce you – he is the ship's new worker! – the captain said quickly, introducing you to each other despite the distrustful glances that he gave you. They threw you, more than anything the oldest of the group, -..t/n.. I present to you our trusted mechanic Swansea and our nurse Anya..- the man exclaimed with energy and then pointed at himself and looked at you wanting to get your attention with a squeeze on the shoulder-…I am Captain Curly as you well know…and there is still another one to go but…it seems to have been delayed…-he said looking through the hallways bewildered.
The oldest man in the group let out an exasperated sigh and his brow furrowed noticeably, he was a grumpy man, that was your first note-…it was a company decision, right? It would be nice if you let us know about these things in advance, captain – Swansea exclaimed with measured rudeness, just enough to get his point across and his displeasure, but still maintaining respect.
The blue-eyed man smiled apologetically-…actually, I found out recently too- he explained to the members of the ship, you took the opportunity to move away from his grasp, his blue eyes briefly landed on you with hesitation. Due to the movement, but it was quickly replaced by that impenetrable confidence – they have done a few renovations to the ship, fortunately nothing that you don't know Swansea – the captain confirmed to avoid any unwelcome surprises later.
You remained calm waiting for the outcome of the talk, the only woman in the group could not hold your gaze so she remained behind Swansea without commenting much, but still taking small curious glances at your figure.
You saw how they finally decided to ask you for an explanation of why this sudden change in routine, and who else but the sensible mechanic-…then boy…what's the trick?...this stingy company would never give us another worker as support and "I would do renovations on the ship without a good reason," objected the most experienced man of the three, you seemed about to speak to explain your role until loud footsteps were heard from behind.
It was Jimmy, the co-pilot of the ship…
-…I'm sorry for the delay!...the traffic was horrible, you see?...- said the man, gasping for air as he ran, putting his hands on his knees.
From his hoarse voice and unkempt appearance, in addition to that scent of alcohol that seemed to want to go unnoticed with the strong men's deodorant, everyone knew that he had fallen asleep from partying the night before and was now hungover.
Again…
Brown eyes met yours almost the same, a tense silence formed between the group of 5 until the man with the scruffy hair spoke.
Jimmy narrowed his eyes -…and this is it? ..- he spoke, making Curly twitch in surprise at the defensive tone of his voice.
The captain seemed ready to go out to call out his disrespectful friend when your voice ended up speaking before him.
-…ah…I'm just personnel for the ship…- you said calmly, watching how the new character left with his companions on the other side, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow in a questioning manner-…I'll be accompanying you on the trip, no. You don't care about me…- you explained humbly without hesitation.
A gleam of curiosity rested in your eyes as you saw him smile with a narcissistic air -…like a janitor or something like that? ..- he exclaimed, making the captain look at him annoyed, it seems that Jimmy had gotten up on his left foot and He planned to take it out on anyone, Swansea next to him shook his head at his partner's childish behavior and Anya lowered her head.
The blue-eyed man took a step forward. "…Jimmy, that's enough…" the captain said as a warning, but again, you didn't seem affected by the words, and that was noticeable when, disregarding the captain's help, you only agreed with the words. Words of the possible most problematic member of the ship fueling his nonsense.
Your hand rested on your hip while you smiled with your eyes-..yes…like a janitor…-the captain and the other two spectators looked at you in disbelief as you encouraged Jimmy's mistreatment, you made a sign with your hands as if you were pushing them. Back-..why don't we go to the ship and I explain better?...I'm sure you're curious to see the new facilities..-you suggested.
Surprised, everyone walked following your instructions. The one with golden hair went ahead of the group but looked back from time to time with his blue eyes tinged with concern when he saw that behind Swansea and Anya you were walking with Jimmy. He was taken aback when he saw the interest. In your gaze.
Jimmy felt them patting him on the back and fixed his gaze on the side where you were, the now newest member of the ship. "…I'm y/n…" you whispered, putting your hand on your face as if you were sharing a secret.
The man with dark brown hair smiled back at you, this time more confident and kind, perhaps a little cocky. "…I'm the co-pilot of the ship, call me Jimmy…" he said back, seeming more professional than before, he raised his hand for a shake. Of hands which you agreed almost immediately-..if you have any questions feel comfortable and ask what do you want?....the captain is usually busy so don't bother him..-
Intrigued you listened to his words, tinged with false camaraderie behind that kind smile.
-…of course…- your words came out slowly, as if you were savoring each letter with your teeth, Jimmy confusedly felt his hand being grabbed with unnecessary force on your part, almost hurting him-…after all you look so trustworthy…-
There it is, the sarcasm, your eyes looked up and down the disdainful appearance of the co-pilot with what Jimmy could swear was mockery, you quickly blurted it out as the disoriented man watched as they had reached the doors of the ship.
And thus began a beautiful friendship.