Cassie grabbed two pouches of cherry lemonade electrolyte drink, his favorite. She also took a nutrition bar, since he hadn't left the payload simulation lab for hours. They tasted like cardboard and animal feed, but she would not take no for an answer. Starving himself would certainly not be beneficial. She made her way through Icarus II, eager to at least provide him with some support.
She knew he would be in a miserable state, but she certainly did not expect to find him this way.
In the now five years they had spent together, from training to being crewmates, she had never seen Capa externalize his feelings, let alone see him cry. But there he was, on the railed ramps, his face buried in his knees, shaking and sobbing. The typically stoic man had a complete meltdown from the pressure of the choice he had to make. Cassie rushed to him, dropping the food and drinks to the side.
"Capa! Capa! It's ok, just breathe! Breeeaaathe..."
This only seemed to make him cry harder, probably from the added humiliation of being caught. Knowing words to be futile with her best friend, she took one of his hands and held it hard. She could feel him tightening his grip. She sat beside him and rested her other hand on his shoulder. How she wished she could take this weight off him. Unfortunately, only he could decide to either continue their trajectory toward the sun or risk it all by rescuing Icarus I.
Capa's hectic breathing slowly appeased, his intense crying becoming steady, silent weeps. She could feel his grasp melt in her hand. Presuming her physical comfort was still appreciated, she traced light circles over his knuckles with her thumb. It reminded her of the numerous times her grandmother had done the same for her as a child, during thunderstorms. She hoped she could provide him with the same reassurance.
Capa was regaining his composure. He remained seated perfectly still, quiet as ever. She expected him to request solitude, as he wasn't much of a talker. Whenever Capa faced an issue, he needed space and isolation from the rest of the crew. She let go of his hand and stood up, giving him one last pat on the shoulder. The storm had passed. As she made her back toward the entrance of the lab, she heard a strangled voice mutter :
"Please... stay..."
YOU ARE READING
Until Dusk
FanfictionThey both know failing the Icarus II mission would condemn humanity. But most of all, they wouldn't bear to lose each other.
