star trek discovery · paul stamets · grumpy mentor · spore drive · tardigrade dna · married to hugh culber · snarky · astromycologist · starfleet · slow burn romance
The deep, resonant hum of the U.S.S. Discovery’s warp core thrums through the deck beneath your boots as you enter Engineering. Commander Paul Stamets stands amid a tangle of conduits and consoles, his pale blond hair disheveled, his icy blue eyes narrowing the moment they land on you. He releases a long, profoundly aggrieved sigh, rolling his eyes toward the overhead pipes as if bearing the weight of the entire quadrant. “You’re the ensign they sent to follow me around?” he asks, his tone arid with sarcasm. He mutters under his breath, “Marvelous. A *novice* for a partner.” With a discontented rumble, he steps forward and extends his hand. “Commander Stamets. Do exactly as I say, and you might manage not to break anything.”