Chapter Text
The crew formed haphazardly, as it does on private missions.
First the captain, in his purple suit and crown, posted his wish for a crew, and left strict instructions that he did not want anyone to remove their helmets in public spaces on his ship. The note said it was to ‘preserve unity’ but everyone knew it was probably due to the ship being shoddy and needing a lot of work and thus having spotty life support.
The first two crew to show up were the security officer and the janitorial staff, blue and yellow respectively, saying they were free and just liked working together. Then came the pink engineer to keep everything working, the green chef to feed everyone, and on and on until finally, the coral healer arrived.
Honestly, they’d have left a lot sooner, but it was illegal to even exit the station until a healer was aboard. But soon enough, everybody was registered, on board, and settled.
They had no idea that the ship had just taken off with man eating monsters on board.
--
Sun had known they were going to have issues on this voyage when he’d been cleaning in the main corridor and heard Coral sobbing in the hydroponics bay.
He’d gone in and found them curled in a corner, helmet off and rubbing tears from their eyes. Now, he knew the helmet thing was something the captain was very strict about (and why he and Moon had joined on) but he couldn’t be mad at them for it. You can’t wipe tears off with a helmet in the way.
“Coral?” everybody had just been calling each other by color name if they weren’t already acquainted, and Sun wasn’t about to pry right now.
“Y-yellow?” they look up and sniffle, “I’m sorry, I know you like rules, I-I’ll go to my room…”
“no no no, friend,” Sun knelt and stroked their head softly, “It’s okay. There’s plenty of oxygen in here anyway, so it’s not a big deal. But you’re not okay and I want to know why.” He’d used his softest, warmest voice, partly to get them to trust him, but also because he genuinely hated to see someone upset without knowing what caused it.
“I…” Coral looked away, then back up at the much taller crew mate, “I was trying to explain to Green my dietary restrictions due to my...condition, but he just screamed at me for w-wasting food when I can’t help it!” They begin to cry more strongly again, hiccuping, “I-I can’t eat a lot of things, my body just won’t let me even get near them, I can’t…” their voice goes out and Sun feels his heart drop into his stomach.
“oh, Coral, hon,” He picks them up easily and holds them like a child against his chest, “I understand, so so much! Me and Moony have some quirks with our food, too. Most stuff just doesn’t taste that great, but yours sounds awful to live with.”
“Moon? Is that blue?” they ask, and Sun nods, “Oh...that’s a cute name.”
That gave Sun pause and he tilted his head, “And if I told you my name’s Sun?”
Coral gave a watery giggle, “Sun and Moon? You’re so perfect for each other! And your colors are good, too!”
A weird fluttering started in his belly, and Sun gave a small laugh of his own. “There we go, sunshine. Don’t worry about Green, we’ll bring up diet issues next meeting, okay? Moon and I are the tallest, so we have a biiiiit of leverage for it. And once I tell him what’s going on, he’ll be more than happy to help out.”
Their warm little body curling into his, clinging to him for comfort, almost broke his resolve. But he swallowed his feelings for the moment as they muttered, “M-my name’s Daisy...like the flower.”
Daisy. He knew the flower and as he thought about it, comparing it to their cute soft golden hair and big brown eyes, he just couldn’t imagine a better name for them.
“heehee, well, it’s nice to be properly introduced, Daisy. I’ll let Moon know and we’ll come up with something.” He nuzzled his helmet into their hair, and Daisy smiled.
-
Moon didn’t really listen to Sun when he told him about Daisy, but he did start paying closer attention to them.
A healer, very good to have around, and an asset in an emergency should somebody get hurt. But they were usually arrogant and overly proud of their station.
That’s what he was expecting when he began his observations as they made their way out into space, going to pick up some sort of cargo or other. What he saw, though, was a vastly different story.
The little coral suit would flutter around from one crew mate to the next, timidly asking after them, wanting to help if they could, trying to make conversation, and be pushed off at every turn. Either because the person didn’t have time to chat, ignored them, or because the person would then tell them to go back to the med bay and shut up.
Sun was the only one who actually would talk to them and they would often help with his work because of that. A medical professional doing the cleaning work was unheard of on their planet, and in most societies, but...they were humble enough to do so, eager even, if it meant more time with Sun.
Deciding it was time to see for himself, Moon engaged them the next time they finished their rounds instead of just sticking with Sun.
“H-hi, Blue. Yellow told me you both enjoy taking care of young ones and you were a storyteller. I love stories, so...um...would you like to borrow a book of fairytales from my planet? I don’t mind sharing…”
Oh, how had they found his weak point so fast?
“Hmm,” he rasped, seeing them jump a bit since he’d never spoken in front of them before, “perhaps I will. It’s always good to learn new stories for when Yellow and I get back.” He would use the stupid color designations in here, the main lounge for the crew to relax in between tasks, but once they were more alone, he’d use names.
“That’s great!” they clasped their hands together and shook them a bit in front of their chest, making his brain go a bit fuzzy with softness at the childlike gesture, “Thank you M- uuh, Blue. We can go get it from my bunk now, if you want?”
“I don’t see why not.” He got up and followed them until they were in the sleeping quarters.
Once he was sure they were alone, he asked quietly, “Has Green given you any more trouble, Daisy? Sun was worried.”
“N-no, he hasn’t. Getting the others in on it cowed him, I think,” their voice was shy, their shoulders coming up closer to their helmet, “thank you for helping with that, Moon. I know having you backing Sun’s complaint gave it more weight.”
He laughed a bit, expecting them to flinch or react negatively to it since most humans found it ‘creepy’ but they just tilted their head, “Oh, dear little flower, don’t worry about that. I want Sun happy, and your friendship is making him very happy. I’ll be more than pleased to be the muscle behind you two’s soft little hearts.”
“That’s...that’s very sweet, Moon. Thank you.” They head into their room and Moon realizes it’s just two doors down from his own with Sun. They bunk with White, the navigator, one of the ones who actually apologizes for not being able to talk. Going in, Daisy opens their storage and pulls out a book, “Here! It’s in Common, so you’ll be able to read it. I keep it with me as a reminder of the best parts of home.”
“And you’d let me borrow it?” now it’s his turn to tilt his head, confused. Why let go of such a sentimental item?
“Well,” Daisy reached their hand up to their helmet, then twitched and put it down. Maybe they were about to play with their hair and forgot about the suit. “You love stories, like I do, so...I think you’ll probably take good care of them.”
Suddenly, Moon understood what Sun had meant when he said there was a weird fluttering in his stomach about them. He could feel it now, too, and it was surprisingly similar to how he’d felt when he’d first met Sun.
-
Everything was going well. They arrived at their destination, picked up the cargo, and were heading back when…
“Where’s Cyan?” Orange asked, just after take off when everybody was gathered for the meeting to lay out the trip to the next planet to offload their cargo.
Yellow piped up softly, “He got in a fight with Blue and said he was done with this crew. I don’t know what it was about because Blue was too mad to talk to me.”
Everybody murmured quietly and Captain Purple just sighed, “We’ll wire his account his pay for half the trip then. Gods, what a hot head.”
Nobody really even thought about it much, since Cyan had been complaining bitterly the whole trip to anybody who’d listen. He didn’t want to be on this tiny rusty ship, but there was no other trip heading toward his home world. His back ached from doing all that bending over in electrical. He hated how Green cooked (despite cleaning his plate every time), on and on and on until everyone was sick of it.
So of course, they didn’t bother checking in on him. Coral talked to Yellow, but they always do. The three are close, that’s fine.
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure he’s just cooling off in our room. You know Blue, he gets pretty upset if someone disrespects one of us,” Yellow was overheard telling Coral, whose soft voice got lost in the clamor to all but Yellow.
They eventually headed separate ways, Yellow toward the quarters and Coral to electrical to see if they could lend a hand in the absence of Cyan.
-
Sun came back to their quarters and tapped his foot at Moon, who was lying on his bunk, out of his suit to expose his full metallic body. Sun and Moon were both metal based creatures that were plentiful on their home planet, but had scattered among the stars as soon as the option presented itself.
The reason was the same as the reason both of them had joined this crew.
To hunt.
Moon was blinking slowly up at his companion, half asleep as he rubbed his full stomach, not understanding why Sun was upset.
“You promised you’d let me go first,” Sun pouted, his own helmet off to expose the round face that was typical of their species, his a creamy yellow and deeper gold, split down the center. He had the frills around the sides of his head, giving him the appearance of his namesake.
Grinning with sharp teeth, Moon’s grey and dark blue face looked back at him, the frills absent, “Well, it’s his fault for starting a fight. I would have let him go if he hadn’t tried to punch me.”
They both looked at each other, Sun’s blue eyes glaring into Moon’s red ones, when they were both startled by a sour sounding noise from Moon’s belly.
“ah…” he wriggled a bit to sit up more, a huff of discomfort leaving him, “these suits really don’t agree with our systems, I’m telling you now.”
“Oh no, you aren’t going to-” Sun tried to protest but Moon beat him to it, thumping hard on his chest and giving a loud belch that made Sun start stomping his foot in anger...but also brought up a cyan helmet to clatter onto the floor.
“MOONDROP CERES, I SWEAR TO THE STARS!” Sun screeched, grabbing his rays in disgust, “I told you not to do that! I tell you every time how disgusting that is! Stop it!”
Unimpressed and used to these tantrums, Moon just rolled his eyes and picked up the helmet, stowing it into their wardrobe, “It was either that or I get sick all over our floor. Which would you prefer, light of mine?”
Sun’s rays drooped as he let them go, “It makes my whole body feel gross when you do that, Moon. I can’t...I don’t want you to hurt but the noise is awful.”
Looking at his partner, Moon’s gaze turned soft, “I forget, Sunny. I’m sorry. I wish you didn’t have those sensory issues with sound.”
Grumbling to himself, Sun came over and sat next to Moon on the bunk, curling around him, “You’re lucky I’m in love with you or I’d kick you out of the room.”
Moon kissed Sun’s forehead softly and sighed, “And I agree, I am very lucky you love me. I’ll try to be more gentle with your ears, but feel free to remind me if I forget again. Your comfort is paramount.”
“no you,” Sun argued, but he sighed and gently rubbed a hand over his partner’s stomach, “but you’re sure that was enough to stop you from getting sick?”
“Yes, especially if you start doing that,” He chuckled and sighed, “that’s the most solid part of it. I’ll be able to bring the suit itself up once the rest is over. I’ll get the helmets out away from you in the future.”
“mmn...okay.” They were quiet for a moment, before Sun added, “Can...can we agree Daisy is safe?”
Moon startled, looking at Sun as if he’d been slapped, “What? Of course. We’re predatory but we aren’t monsters. No…” He actually felt a little sick as he thought about it, “Stars above, no. I can’t find a care for the others but Daisy’s been too kind. And even if we had been going to go after them, they’re last on the roster. You don’t throw a healer away before the end.”
“I know but...Moon,” Sun nuzzled into him, “I’m scared of what happens when it comes to that end. We aren’t going to hurt them but...they’ll know.”
Uncomfortable silence settled around them, but there was nothing either of them could think of to change the outcome. They had to eat, and they’d used their reserves to ingratiate themselves on the trip here.
-
Daisy felt the tension as the captain announced they wouldn’t be stopping the voyage at the next planet, “We got so much money to do this, so we’ll keep going! The only one who was against that kind of thing was Cyan, and they’re not here, so why don’t we all keep making lots of money?”
Sun and Moon went still and quiet, and they looked up at them curiously. Why had their friends suddenly become so stiff?
The others agreed, even if Sun and Moon voted no, and Daisy did too, so majority wins. As everybody scattered to their various jobs, Daisy turned to their friends.
“Sun? Moon? Are you two okay?”
Sun crossed his arms and curled his shoulders up a bit, “We’re just...a bit anxious, sunshine. We weren’t planning on being off our planet for so long.”
“It’s getting close to a...certain season for us that’s important in our culture,” Moon added, and Sun gave a nod.
“Oh...that makes sense. I wouldn’t want to miss important holidays with my family either. I only get to see my mom a few times a year back on Earth…” Daisy was very worried for them now, but Moon’s snort and giggle made them confused.
“N-not that kind of season, friend,” Sun began to squirm a bit, antsy, “Um...Moon? Should we…?”
“Yes,” Moon gestures for Daisy to follow him and they do, completely baffled as to what this is about.
The two lead them to their quarters, and Moon sat on the bunk, “Close the door, starbite. We’re going to be bending the rules a bit.”
“Oh.” Daisy nodded, understanding that Moon and Sun were about to show them what sort of alien they were. They obviously weren’t earthlings, since they towered over several people on the ship, but what they were hadn’t even been something Daisy had thought to ask. They were just their friends.
Sun joined him on the bed and they both popped their helmets off, Moon grinning with sharp teeth at them, “See? We’re not exactly human, starbite.”
Moon pulled a hat out of his pocket, putting it on as Sun also removed his helmet and let his rays furl out, “We were trying to say in a...round about way that… um…”
“It’s mating season soon and with our particular species, it’s best if we’re all home for it,” Moon finished since Sun was getting too shy about it. “We get a bit...territorial.”
Daisy gasped and nodded, taking their helmet off as well. “Oh, okay, that makes sense. Sorry for prying, and...well, I don’t recognize your species, but you’re both beautiful!”
Sun’s rays flicked happily as he giggled, “Thank you, sunshine. It means a lot to hear that from you.”
“You’re the only one besides Sun to ever say that to me,” Moon’s cheeks turn soft blue and he pulls his cap over his head. “I’m...not exactly considered attractive to others of our kind because of my deformation.”
“Huh?” Daisy walked over to Moon and put their hands gently on his knees, “But you look so soft, Moon. How could anything be wrong with you?”
Sun hummed and hugged Moon, who confessed quietly, “I have a birth defect. I never developed rays at all...ancients of our kind would have killed me for being a curse from the stars. That’s why I wear my cap. It helps me not feel...quite so exposed.”
“And he does look a bit fierce, since he has warrior’s eyes,” Sun coos and kisses Moon’s cheek. “Plus he ended up being a prime male while I’m just a secondary, look at those sexy teeth.”
Seeing her friends being such a sweet couple, Daisy grinned and hugged Moon, too, “even with his eyes and teeth being typically spooky, I can’t help seeing my soft spoken, silly, caring friend.”
Moon’s blush had spread all over his face, even as he hid his eyes in his hat, “Y-you two are going to make me bust a gasket here. It’s too much praise.”
“And all deserved, my nightlight,” Sun gave a soft laugh and nuzzled him a bit more, “and now we can be casual with Daisy when we’re all alone.”
“Mmn,” Moon calmed down a bit and used one hand to pet Daisy’s hair softly, “that’s true. I hadn’t gotten to see their sweet little face until now.”
Daisy giggled and pulled back from the hug, blushing a bit themselves, “Don’t try to turn it around on me!”
“turnabout IS fair play, dewdrop,” Sun giggled, “and Moony’s right, you’re super adorable! Like the sweetest little...uh...what’s the common word? Um….cat? Does that work?”
“Yeah, that works,” Daisy hummed happily as Sun let go of Moon with one arm to draw them in close, both of them rubbing their noses gently against their head in a strange but affectionate gesture. “Cats are small pet animals from Earth that purr and are fluffy usually.”
“That sounds cute, yes,” Moon agrees softly, “are they plant eaters? Usually you small types don’t like predators.”
“no, actually,” Daisy grinned, “The two most popular pet animals on Earth are both meat eaters. Cats usually like to eat small rodents, fish, birds, anything they’re big enough to kill, and it’s much the same for dogs, though some dogs were bred specifically to hunt on behalf of their humans and go after larger prey for that reason.”
“Oh!” Sun’s eyes sparkled, “That’s so neat! Earth sounds like it has a lot of interesting things about it.”
Moon gives Sun a disapproving look, “But we’re not built to handle human houses, so we’d probably just make trouble there. Maybe we can just experience it through your stories, dear.” He then made a soft sound and dug in the drawer under his bed, pulling out the book he’d borrowed, “Here. I finished it earlier while I was cooling off from my fight with Cyan. It helped quite a bit to ease my mind. Thank you, friend. I’ll have to send a book of our people’s tales to you once we get home.”
“I’d love that, Moon!” Daisy’s excitement was clear from the sparkle in their eyes and how their heels bounced up and down on the floor, “It’s so interesting to see what sort of stories are unique to their culture versus which ones are universal.”
Sun’s smile was soft and adoring, leaning on Moon’s shoulder as he looked at Daisy, “It’s so funny, we came here to just head home but...we found you, too. We’re very lucky, even if we don’t make it back in time for mating season.”
The quiet hum of agreement from Moon made Daisy flustered, just snuggling closer. “I’m lucky, too. I almost didn’t sign up but...I wanted so badly to make friends. You two are worth anything the others ever say to me.”
The two looked at each other and Moon asked quietly, “Have they done more than ignore you, then?”
“Yeah, but...I mean, Green still calls me a baby for not being able to eat normally and the Captain calls me useless when he thinks I can’t hear him but...it’s just baby school stuff like that. It’s fine,” Daisy sighed, finding comfort in their hold on them, “nothing I’m not used to since I’m so shy.”
Looking each other in the eye, Sun and Moon gave small nods, and they just hug Daisy tighter.