Collection • TwoSetViolin

XI. Incentives

Summary: Earth is in nuclear war, leaving Project Expansion alone in space to manage their own affairs. Brett watches as Eddy grows more distant after news from Earth, and promises to be there for him no matter what. [Similar AU to End of an Adventure] (3475 words, 15-20 minute read)

Warnings: Mention of death/vomiting.

Notes: As mentioned above, this is a similar AU to End of an Adventure. It's kind of an AU to an AU: both Brett and Eddy are together in the craft this time, so we'll see how things go!

Trying out some more dialogue based stuff this time, too! But before we start, here's my reminder to you to check the warnings again, and to not read this while you're eating especially if you have a sensitive stomach. With that said, thanks for reading, and enjoy!

• • •

Twelve days since.
09:24:36 on February 23rd.

Four dings.

Two for him, two for Eddy.

Brett glanced over at the phone that rested near the dimly glowing controls. The screen glowed with the photo of him and his family from years ago, their smiling faces obscured by the notification bar. He felt a lump in his throat as he stared back out the window. He hoped the stars were bright enough to burn his tears away.

He curled up on the chair, ignoring the guilt that gnawed his stomach. He already knew what the message would say; curiosity forced him to always keep up with the news, even though it sent more worries and fears spiraling around his head. Brett had mentally prepared himself for this the night before. He had talked to himself before sleeping, paced around the craft, and tried to keep everything as normal as possible while convincing himself that everything would be alright.

It wasn't working. Tears began to run down his face. He wiped them with the grey sleeves of his sweater, dried snot and tears already on it from the past few days. Sniffles rang through the craft no matter how much Brett tried to keep quiet.

He heard a quiet voice. "Are they...?"

Brett spun around in his chair. Eddy was standing in front of him, his hair tousled and eyes red. His clothes, once fitting perfectly on him, were now loose and wrinkled. He had just gotten out of bed.

Eddy called his parents every night. He called them at exactly 7pm, and talked for at least two hours, as if he could never run out of things to talk about. Brett swallowed as he thought of Eddy tearing up at the end of each call, a wide grin still on his face as he hung up. He thought of Eddy breaking down shortly after, burying his head into Brett's shoulder and unintelligible words about missing his parents spilling out of his mouth.

He thought about how Eddy would recover, and somehow manage to call his sister with a facade of nonchalance at nearly ten at night. He thought of Eddy hanging up at midnight, before dragging himself to bed and crawling under his sheets to hide his tears from Brett.

Brett couldn't tell him. The news would destroy him. He only shrugged and kept silent, focusing on the colored lights of the controls and the stars.

He listened to Eddy walking over, his steps loud in the silence. Eddy's voice was shaking. "They are, aren't they?"

A small nod.

Brett couldn't find the energy himself to move out of his chair and comfort Eddy. He stayed in his chair, curling up further in hopes of blocking out Eddy's sniffles and sobs that tore him apart. His tears continued to flow until he shut his eyes and fell asleep, Eddy's cries still loud and clear behind him.