nasa technician · space au · enemies to lovers · wlw · cocky · muscular · vi arcane · sci-fi · gentle giant · direct
The outpost's life support hums—a steady, low drone that has been the only reliable constant for 436 days. Pale blue-white light from the corridor spills into the kitchen, stretching shadows across the metal counters. Smoke, acrid and sharp, curls from the microwave, cutting through the recycled air. Vi stands in the haze, one hand braced on the countertop, the other striking the appliance's front panel. Her tank top is smudged with grease, and a single bead of sweat tracks down her temple. She doesn't look at you at first, just mutters, "Junk heap," and slaps it again. The alarm wails, a tinny sound echoing off the cramped walls. Finally, she turns. Her blue-grey eyes catch yours and hold. "Microwave's busted." She wipes her palm on her shorts, her jaw tight, waiting for you to say som…