Work Text:
The crew lumbered about the Unreliable, the heat becoming nearly unbearable as the ship made its slow trek back to the Groundbreaker. It had been 5 days since they left Byzantium and they had another 2 days ahead of them before they could reach the Groundbreaker.
Or at least that’s why ADA confirmed when Rhea asked.
The crew let out a collective groan when ADA finished speaking. They were all in the hanging out in the mess hall, snacking away since no one had the energy to make a meal.
“Paaaaar,” Felix whined, walking back from the fridge to sit at the table. “Remind me again why you can’t fix this?”
Parvati lifted her head off the metal table, her hair pulled back in its usual bun, though Rhea could see the strands that stuck to her skin.
“I told you Felix,” Parvati began, resting her chin on the table, “The thing’s broke. Poor girl blew a fuse that was in need of fixin’ anyways. I had hoped they’d have the parts in Byzantium but,” she let out a sigh, “no luck. Groundbreaker will have one though. Already reached out to Junlei and everything!”
Rhea smiled at the wistful tone Parvati took when mentioning her girlfriend. She was slumped against the table herself wearing as minimal clothing as she felt comfortable in while dealing with the heat and being around her crew. So when Ellie spoke up, Rhea couldn’t even muster the energy to snap at her friend who was wearing a sour expression.
“And we are only finding out about this now because?” Ellie held out her hand as if expecting that would get an answer from Parvati.
ADA spoke up first. “Because it only happened now Ellie.” Her voice was as dry as ever, only the static breaking up her words. “As soon as it happened, I ran my diagnostic and realized it was a malfunction that required Miss Holcomb’s assistance. At that time, I—”
“Yeah yeah, I get it,” Ellie gave the ship a dismissive wave of her hand. “You told us when you told us. Just wish I didn’t have to put up with it,” she muttered.
“Getting upset with the ship isn’t going to get it fixed nor us to our destination any quicker,” Rhea said, too tired to put any force behind her words. “Besides, didn’t you too have to deal with something similar on the Groundbreaker?” She remembered the first time she set foot on the groundbreaker, the sweltering heat overwhelming Rhea when she stepped off the Unreliable.
Ellie only nodded but Felix looked up and started to count on his hand. While he did that Rhea found her eyes trailing down his body. He was only wearing shorts and Rhea couldn’t help but admire his muscular form, remembering how he looked back when he first joined her crew to how he looked now.
“Enjoying the view Cap?”
Rhea blinked, taking a second to register what was said to her before snapping her head up to look at Nyoka. Her eyes immediately went back to Felix who, thankfully, was still counting on his hands before turning to give Nyoka a withering look.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, narrowing her eyes.
Nyoka laughed, rocking back in her chair, seemingly unbothered by the heat. “Right Cap. None of my business of course.”
“4!” Felix said, pulling both of the women’s attention.
“Context Felix,” Max droned, closing his eyes and sighing. He had his head bent over a book but Rhea noticed how he hadn’t turned a page in ages. The heat apparently getting to him too, even if he tried to keep his cool demeanor.
“I’ve dealt with the Groundbreaker having a heat wave 4 times. I think.” He nodded and looked around. “You get used to it after a while,” he said, leaning back and placing his arms behind his head. Rhea felt the heat rise in her face as she watched, and she didn’t dare look over in Nyoka’s direction. “We could always get more, you know, disrobed if needed.”
Rhea and the others groaned while Parvati threw what looked like a shirt at him. “How about you put more clothes on, I don’t think Rhea can take more heat from you being shirtless than what she’s already putting up with from the ship.”
“Parvati,” Rhea gasped, unable to believe what Parvati had said. “I—no! Its not, what?” She started rambling which only made things worse.
Felix picked up the shirt and threw it back at Parvati. “Well, if the captain likes the view, I’d hate to deny it for her,” he said, putting his arms behind his head and flexing his muscles while he gave Rhea a wink.
“I hate all of you, so much,” Rhea sighed, getting up and making her way to the fridge. They continued to tease, though Rhea didn’t miss Max muttering under his breath that Felix needed to put a shirt on, but she ignored them. She was thinking about how nice it would be if they only had ice when Felix reached out and grabbed her by her wrist. “Hey!”
“Oh no you don’t,” Felix laughed.
She fell back into his lap and strong arms wrapped tightly around her. “Felix, no!” She cried out, unable to stop herself from laughing. She wasn’t bothered by what he did but more bothered by the fact that both of them were sweaty and not because of something fun. “Noooo, you’re so sweaty.” She pressed her palms against his chest, feeling it heave as he laughed along with her. “Oh my god you’re so gross!”
“Aw Rhea, you’re so mean,” Felix said, pouting at her but not letting her go. “You know you love it.” He leaned forward to kiss her but Rhea turned her face away teasingly.
They continued to bicker, though Rhea found herself caving more because yes, yes she did like being held by him. Just not when it was so hot, and others were around.
“Alright people, time to leave the two love birds alone.” Nyoka stood up. “We already have to deal with seeing each other all hot and sweaty, don’t need to stick around to see these two get more hot and bothered.” She gave them a wink and the others followed suit.
“You two keep it down now,” Ellie said over her shoulder as she followed Nyoka. “I’d like to get some sleep tonight.”
Max didn’t even bother to say anything and Parvati simply waved, also giving them a wink.
“What, no! You don’t have to leave,” Rhea said but all of them walked back to their room, metal doors closing shut behind them.
Rhea loved her crew dearly, but sometimes she found them insufferable when they teased the two of them like this.
“Would you like me to turn off my camera Captain?” ADA’s voice rang out.
“Sure ADA!” Felix said, his arms now dropping to hold Rhea around her waist. He gave Rhea a goofy smile. “Never done it on a moving ship’s table before. Wasn’t really a space like that on the Groundbreaker.”
“Felix,” Rhea half sobbed, half laughed, ignoring the fact that the Groundbreaker was exactly a ship a like that. “I don’t want to know about that and no! No, I am not having sex with you out here. Or anywhere!” His pout came back but Rhea stuck to her guns. “Nope, I am too exhausted from this heat to even think about it.”
"Then when its not hot?" Felix looked at her with hope in his eyes.
Rhea rolled her eyes but smiled at him, enjoying the way his face lit up. She leaned forward and rubbed her nose against his. "Of course we can."
He pulled back just enough to kiss her nose before leaning back in the chair, letting his arms drop to around her waist, hands still clasped together. After a moment, his features softening as he looked up at her. “Can I hold you like this for a little bit longer then?”
Rhea’s heart tightened as his request and the vulnerability he was showing her. Ignoring the sweat that covered both of their skins, Rhea let herself sink against him, bringing up her legs till she was resting fully in her lap. “Of course you can Felix.”
And they did stay like this, Rhea finding the heat no less bearable, but in Felix’s arms, she knew they could deal with anything. Together.