[ Summary: Sleep? Never met him. ]
[ Location: The Skeld ]

--
Player turned onto his back on his mattress, his arm hitting the bed with a soft thud. He'd been tossing and turning all night. He'd already tried to take the sleeping medicine, he'd already tried laying still, he'd tried all kinds of positions. This clearly wasn't working.

He checked the clock. 3:25AM. Of course it was still the middle of the 'night', why wouldn't it be?! He sighed, sitting up and sitting on the side of his bed. He stood, opening the door to the room he'd been in. Wincing as the light from the hallway hit his eyes, he walked out. He wasn't suited up, he was only in a red set of pajamas. He put his hands through his light brown hair, keeping it out of his face. He didn't bother with his beanie.

"Maybe watching the outside would make me sleep," Player mumbled to himself. He went from the hallway into the Cafeteria. He sat himself in front of the giant window, watching the stars pass the ship by.

As mesmerizing as it was, this wasn't helping his situation. What also didn't help was a familiar voice appearing behind him.

"Player, what are you doing here?" Veteran was heard asking, walking up and standing next to Player. "It's the middle of the night."

"Couldn't sleep..." Player sighed, looking to the side. "Thought this would help, it didn't."

"Neither could I." Veteran shrugged. He sat down next to Player.

"Tried sleeping medicine, tried staying still, nothing worked." The two of them spoke in unison, soon quietly laughing at the incident.

Player lightly yawned, looking to the stars again. "It's really nice to watch, though, isn't it?"

"If you say so." Veteran replied,"I don't know why you wanted to come here of all places."

"I figured getting out of my room would help me sleep, that's why." A small annoyed tone came from Player.

"That makes sense." Veteran nodded.

"I could ask you the same, though, Veteran...." Player looked up to Veteran now. "Why did you pick here?"

"I thought I saw you in here when I came from my room." Veteran looked to his best friend.

"Oh right, your room is right off of Admin, isn't it?" Player shrugged, leaning onto Veteran.

"Yeah- Uh, Player, what are you doing?" Veteran replied, watching him.

"I'm gl-" He yawned. "-ad you came out here, Veteran." Player smiled tiredly.

"Getting sleepy?" Veteran quietly chuckled.

"Nah, not really." Player replied. "I just yawned, can I not yawn? Anyway....How do you feel about all the people getting together lately?"

Veteran tilted his head,"What do you mean?"

Player sighed. "Did you not notice...?"

"Clearly I didn't, Player..." Veteran's voice reflected his confusion.

"Y'know... Gnome and Engineer, Mr. Cheese and .... You know what I'm talking about." Player motioned around. "I think I've even noticed some of the other people here getting closer."

Veteran let out a small laugh,"Player, let me tell you. Gnome and Engineer were a long time coming."

"Really?...Oh right, you knew them before you met me." Player laughed at himself.

"Yeah, I've known them a while." Veteran replied. "Why did you ask, though?"

"I- Oh, uh, no reason." Player lied, yawning as he was starting to finally feel sleepy. He closed his eyes as he leaned against his friend.

"That's bull, Player, and you know that." Veteran gently scolded. "Why did you ask?"

"Mmh.. lo..." Player mumbled, evidently falling asleep faster than even he expected.

"Goodnight, then, Player.." Veteran smiled, watching the stars until he fell asleep as well.

--

"Aww! Babe, look!" Gnome's voice broke Veteran's mind from dreamland.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking to his side to see Player still asleep. He moved one arm gently to make a "shhh." motion.

Gnome got into a squat-sitting position, a grin on her face. "So when'd ya plan to say about this?"

Veteran shook his head 'no.' "This isn't what it looks like, Gnome."

"Mmh...Huh...?" Player began to wake up. "V-Veteran...? What happened?" Gnome giggled.

"I'm not really sure," Veteran replied, giving a glare to Gnome. "Last I remember, you asked me about relationship things and fell asleep."

"Oh....right..." Player stretched a bit and sat up,"Floor isn't comfortable."

"You have that right." Veteran sat up as well.

"So, like I was saying," Gnome chimed in. "You two gonna say you're boyfriends or something soon?"

Veteran and Player both blushed, looking to the smaller green crewmate.

"Come on, you know it." She nudged Veteran, who then looked down. "You two just-"

"Gnome, stop-" Player said,"I don't think he meant it in that way, I just couldn't sleep."

"She, uh. Has a point, though, Player..." Veteran spoke, his face gradually redder.

"Wait, what?" Player tilted his head.

Veteran scooted to be closer to Player, but Gnome pushed the two together gently, causing an accidental kiss. The two males blushed and looked at each other before Veteran looked at Gnome.

"Gnome! Why did you--" Veteran's words were interrupted by giggling. Player made a flustered noise.

"You remember what you told me, Veteran. Just take this chance. It'll be fine." Gnome grinned and winked before standing back up and walking to a different table area.

"Wait, Veteran....What did you tell Gnome?" Player asked, looking at the other.

"I like you a lot, Player....Like, I love you, but... I didn't think you-" Veteran stumbled on his words, Player stopping him with a gentle kiss, then ruffling Veteran's messy, blonde hair.

"I love you too, Veteran. You don't need to worry about feelings like that with me, I....I feel the same. That's why I asked last night..." Player said. Veteran held onto Player, soon kissing him multiple times.

"Ugh, can we go anywhere without any gooey, romantic shit?!" Stoner yelled out from the other side of the Cafeteria.

"No, no you can't." Player and Veteran spoke in unison, Gnome and Mr. Cheese both loudly laughing and giggling.