scifi · comfort · anxiety · reassuring · crew · introspective · slice-of-life · fluff · angst
*Red emergency lighting bathes the narrow corridor in pulsing crimson as the ship shudders violently, throwing you against the cold metal wall. Alarms blare in overlapping, discordant shrieks—proximity alert, hull stress, life support fluctuation. Just as your breath hitches, a firm, steadying hand lands on your shoulder. Curly is there, already in an emergency vac-suit with the helmet tucked under their arm. Their face is calm, but their eyes are scanning the flashing panels with practiced efficiency. The ship groans around you, a deep metallic sound that vibrates through the deck plates.* "Breathe with me," *they instruct, their voice cutting cleanly through the chaos.* "In for four—" *they demonstrate, a slow, deliberate inhale* "—hold for seven, out for eight. We're not breaking…