Drift Compatible

4

#### San Diego Shatterdome - Living Quarters###

Jade was lounging in her bunk, a rare moment of stillness in the otherwise relentless pace of the Shatterdome. She was lost in thought, replaying the day's events in her mind, when a knock at the door pulled her back to reality.

"It's open," she called, sitting up.

The door creaked open to reveal Octavia, standing awkwardly in the doorway. Jade raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise crossing her usually composed features.

"Hey," Octavia said, shifting from foot to foot. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," Jade replied, gesturing for her to enter.

Octavia stepped inside, her movements tentative. She looked around the small, utilitarian space before finally meeting Jade's gaze.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Jade waited patiently, sensing that Octavia was gathering her thoughts. Finally, Octavia broke the silence.

"Have you ever Drifted before?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Jade nodded. "Yeah, I have."

Octavia's expression was a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. "I... I don't want you to think that I can't handle being a pilot," she stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I mean, today, it was just—"

"I don't think that," Jade interrupted gently. "Not at all."

Octavia frowned, her eyes searching Jade's face. "But you saw my memories."

"And you saw mine," Jade reminded her softly.

Octavia's mind drifted back to the images she had glimpsed during the Drift: a little girl in an atigi, the blowing snow, the warm glow of a qulliq, and the terrifying sight of a Kaiju breaking through the ice. Those memories had been raw, vivid, and haunting.

"Does it get easier?" Octavia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jade nodded, her expression earnest. "It does. The first time is always the hardest. But with time, you learn to navigate it. You learn to trust your partner."

Octavia exhaled, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. She moved to sit on the edge of Jade's bunk, their fingers inadvertently brushing as she did. The touch was brief but electric, sending a jolt through both of them.

For a moment, they sat in silence, their hands inching closer together, the air between them thick with unspoken emotions. Jade's heart pounded in her chest, a confusing mix of feelings swirling within her. Just as their fingers were about to touch again, she abruptly pulled back.

"Goodnight, Octavia," Jade said, her voice firm but not unkind.

Octavia blinked, the sudden shift leaving her momentarily disoriented. "Goodnight, Jade."

As she stood and walked out of the room, Octavia couldn't help but replay the moment in her mind. Was it just her, or had Jade felt that connection too? The question lingered as she made her way down the hall to her own bunk, her thoughts a tangled mix of uncertainty and hope.

#### San Diego Shatterdome - Hallway###

Octavia's footsteps echoed softly in the empty corridor. She replayed every word, every glance, every brush of their fingers. There was something there, she was sure of it—a spark, a connection that went beyond their roles as Jaeger pilots. But what did it mean? And did Jade feel it too?

As she slipped into her own bunk, Octavia's thoughts were filled with possibilities. Tomorrow was another day, another chance to explore this new and unexpected bond with Jade. For now, she would let the hope of that connection carry her into sleep.