about: 22, degree owner, manual labour job haver, wuhluhwuh-er.
mullet and tats ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ
inspired by cyberpunk job titles, nearly all my fics will now be named after songs
⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
requests OPEN: take requests for: vi and abby anderson :) won't write anything that's dark tho
recent updates: past tense - vi latest m!roommate!abby
other than the green blocky dividers such as the one above, the dividers i use come from @cafekitsune :)
when i noticed caitlyn did the knee thing, i couldn’t- i replayed this scene more than once. vi’s reaction? oh im weakkk. (not mine; art cr @/salmonzouju)
synopsis: just some wife abby Anderson head canons about her being completely whipped, super soft in private, and basically in love with you 24/7 in the most everyday ways.
content warnings: fluff, established relationship, suggestive themes kinda, physical affection, catcalling (mentioned), protective behaviour, intense emotional attachment, abby Anderson x reader, femme reader, domestic fluff, slight jealousy, general down bad energy.
wife!abby who genuinely cannot keep her hands off you for longer than like ten minutes at a time. It’s not even always intentional anymore. Half the time she doesn’t realize she’s doing it until you point it out. Her hand on your thigh while you’re talking. Fingers hooked into the back pocket of your jeans while she walks past you in the kitchen. Resting her chin on your shoulder while you brush your teeth because apparently standing next to you normally is not enough.
who sleeps like she’s been touch-starved her entire life. The second she’s unconscious she gravitates toward you automatically, all heavy limbs and warmth, pulling you against her chest like you’re a body pillow she’s can't rest without. Most nights she sleeps best when she’s practically wrapped around you completely, face tucked into your neck, one arm thrown over your waist so possessively you barely have space to move around.
But during the summer? yeah it becomes a problem.
Because Abby runs so hot already, and then she insists on sleeping directly on top of you anyway until both of you are overheating and miserable. You’ll eventually push at her shoulder half-asleep like, “Abby, baby, I’m literally sweating,” and she’ll make this sleepy, annoyed sound into your skin like you’ve rejected her.
Then comes the compromise.
She’ll sigh dramatically and roll onto her side with the most pathetic little pout on her face, acting like she’s been banished, even though she’s still only like six inches away from you. But she physically cannot handle not touching you somehow, so eventually her hand sneaks back over. Sometimes she just holds your wrist loosely while she falls asleep. Sometimes she intertwines your fingers and keeps them tucked between the pillows. And sometimes—especially when she’s extra clingy—she cups your face while laying there at a “reasonable distance,” thumb brushing lazily over your cheekbones as she looks at you with this exhausted, fond expression.
she looks so sincere about it too. Like she truly believes this is a completely normal solution.
“You said I was too hot,” she’ll mumble defensively when you laugh at her.
laying there holding your face like you’re the last thing tethering her to earth.
wife!abby who always reaches for you in her sleep no matter where you are in the bed. You can literally track how deeply asleep she is based on how aggressively she searches for you. If you get up in the middle of the night and come back, she’ll unconsciously pull you right back into her space the second the mattress dips again, making this gentle little exhale once she finds you. Like her body registers “okay, there you are” before her brain even wakes up.
wife!abby who absolutely has a “you’re home late” routine but refuses to admit it’s a routine. Every single time you get home later than usual, she’s on the couch with her boots still on for some reason, pretending she’s focused on literally anything else. A book she hasn’t turned a page in for twenty minutes. Some movie playing in the background that she definitely hasn’t been watching. But the second she hears your keys or the door opening, she goes completely still. And she never calls out first either. She waits until she physically sees you.
The second you walk in, her eyes are already scanning over you automatically—your face, your hands, whether you’re limping, whether you look stressed, tired, upset. she can't help it, its instinct at this point to always make sure her girl is okay. Then once she decides you're alright, she relaxes all at once and acts like she wasn’t lowkey preparing to go looking for you thirty seconds ago.
Usually she just gives this little grunt and leans back again like, “There she is..”
Meanwhile she was literally one missed phone call away from putting her coat on. And if you tease her about waiting up, she gets sooo defensive about it.
“pfft I wasn’t, i know you can take care of yourself sweetheart.”
“Abby, it’s one a.m. and you still have your shoes on.”
“They’re… comfortable.”
They are not comfortable.
But if you come home upset or hurt or even just off in a way she notices immediately? Oh, the whole vibe of the night changes instantly. She won't make a big thing out of it. She just stands up, takes your bag out of your hands, guides you toward the couch with one hand on your back, and suddenly she’s fully focused on you like nothing else exists anymore.
And the thing is, she never says stuff like “I was worried.”
You just know.
wife!abby who gets kind of grumbly and needy after long days without meaning to. She’ll come home acting completely normal for maybe ten minutes before suddenly she’s attached to your side everywhere you go. Following you into the kitchen. Pulling you between her knees while she sits on the couch. Resting her forehead against your shoulder while you’re trying to do something simple because apparently she missed you so much she might just crawl into your skin.
And if you tease her for being clingy, she just narrows her eyes and pulls you closer anyway.
wife!abby who acts all tough about basically everything except when your hands are in her hair. That’s her weakness, genuinely. You figured it out by accident the first time you gently combed through it after a bath and felt her practically melt against you.
Now it’s become a whole thing.
After showers or baths together, Abby will sit on the floor between your legs with a towel hanging low around her shoulders while you carefully work through the tangles. And for someone who’s usually so restless, she goes unbelievably still for you during it. Eyes half-lidded, shoulders loose, leaning back into your knees every time your fingers drag softly through the strands near the nape of her neck.
And she loves when you braid it for her.
Like loooves it.
Not because she cares what it looks like necessarily, but because she loves the feeling of your hands in her hair. The slow tug of sections being separated, your fingers smoothing everything down gently afterward. Sometimes she’ll get sleepy and slump against you.
“You’re spoiled,” you’ll mumble while redoing her braid for the third time that week.
She’ll just hum quietly, eyes closed. “Mhm.”
No shame. None at all.
Honestly, it’s probably part of the reason she keeps it long. She’d never fully admit that out loud, but every time she even vaguely mentions cutting it shorter, you’ll play with the ends absentmindedly and suddenly she’s like, “Actually, maybe I’ll leave it.” Because she’s addicted to the tenderness of it.
And after long days? It becomes her favorite way of staying grounded.
Sometimes she’ll come home exhausted, all heavy movements and tired eyes, and instead of showering properly she’ll just sit by the bathtub and tilt her head back silently, waiting for you to get the hint. You’ll in her lap while carefully washing her hair for her, fingers massaging shampoo into her scalp while she practically turns to mush underneath you.
Her hands always settle loosely on your thighs while you do it. And the entire time she looks at you with this soft, ridiculously lovesick expression she probably doesn’t even realize she’s making.
You’ll catch her and laugh a little. "everything okay down there Anderson?”
And Abby, already feeling the tension dissipate from just being around you, will respond with something sweet like;
“i think i just died and went to heaven."
wife!abby who’s so ridiculously strong that it just becomes part of normal life after a while. Like she’ll pick you up after a long day. One arm under your legs, the other around your back, as if you weigh absolutely nothing to her. its so casual to her too. You’ll be half-asleep on the couch and suddenly you’re being lifted.
“Abs, I can walk.”
“i know.”
“so…?”
“You looked so comfy.”
she’s already carrying you to bed anyway, and you'd be lying if you ever said you had a problem with it. It’s never done to show off, she genuinely just sees it as the easiest solution. You twisted your ankle? Congrats, you’re not touching the ground for the next two days because Abby’s already decided that, "the crutches wouldn’t safely support the injury.”
And she takes her job very seriously.
Because for someone who’s built like a tank, she handles you so carefully. One hand spread warm against your back so you don’t bump into anything, adjusting her grip automatically if you even slightly wince. If you’re in a lot of pain she gets this focused little crease between her eyebrows like your comfort is the single most important task she’s ever been assigned.
Or sometimes she’ll just pick you up just because she felt like being close to you. You’ll be standing in the kitchen and outta nowhere she’s lifting you onto the counter so she can stand between your knees while talking to you.
“Abby.”
“yes my gorgeous and talented wife?”
“You cannot keep moving me around like furniture.”
“i'll keep that in mind.”
wife!abby who doesn’t really do jealousy in the loud, possessive way people would expect from her. She’s not the type to start fights or throw an arm around you like she’s marking territory every time someone looks at you. Honestly, when Abby gets jealous, it’s way more descreat than that, which somehow makes it worse.
Because you can always tell.
She gets a little quieter. A little more watchful.
Like if someone’s flirting with you too obviously, she’ll try to act normal about it at first, but her attention immediately locks in. You’ll feel her standing slightly closer beside you than before, her hand finding the small of your back almost unconsciously.Not as a statement or anything. Just there, grounding herself as much as you.
I wouldn't exactly say it can be classified as anger entirely. It’s insecurity, in this deeply human way that feels almost appalling coming from someone who looks like Abby. She gets in her own head fast sometimes. Starts wondering if maybe you’d be happier with someone stable, easier, less complicated than her. Especially because she’s not naturally good at pretty words or smooth reassurance, so when someone else is effortlessly charming with you, you can literally see her withdrawing into herself a little bit.
She tries to hide it, doesn't wanna burden you. she’ll act completely calm, but later that night she’s clingier without admitting why. randomly asking, “You okay?” when what she really means is, We’re okay, right?
And if the other person is especially persistent, Abby absolutely gets irritated with them—but not because she thinks you’d actually leave her. but more that she wants them to understand something very clearly: you already belong somewhere. With her.
Not ownership, deep attachment. she’s built her life around loving you and hates when someone treats that casually.
The thing about Abby is that underneath everything—under all that muscle and confidence and composure—she’s actually very sensitive when it comes to you. Your opinion of her matters way more than she cares to admit. One slightly distant response from you and suddenly she’s replaying every interaction in her head trying to figure out if she did something wrong.
So when she’s jealous, what she really wants is reassurance. She wants your hand reaching for hers without hesitation. Wants you leaning into her side naturally in front of other people. Wants that casual kind of intimacy that says her place in your life is secure without either of you needing to announce it.
And the second you give her that reassurance (as you always do), you can physically feel the tension leave her body.
wife!abby who knows you’re capable. Honestly, genuinely knows it. She’s seen you handle yourself, seen you stand your ground, seen you take care of things without needing anyone to swoop in for you. So when she gets protective, it’s never because she thinks you’re weak.
It’s because she knows how people are. And Abby notices everything. When a guy’s eyes linger for too long. The weird shift in someone’s tone. That uncomfortable feeling in the air before something even happens. She picks up on it immediately, shoulders subtly tightening before you’ve even fully registered it yourself.
Especially when it comes to catcalling.
God, she hates that shit.
It genuinely makes her blood boil when people feel entitled to your space like that. You’ll be walking together and some group of guys says something gross from across the street and Abby’s whole expression changes instantly. Jaw tight. Eyes hard. Her hand immediately finding yours defensively, pulling you a little closer to her side without even thinking about it.
She'll square up to them if she has too, not enough to escalate things most of the time, but enough that people immediately realize they should probably shut the hell up.
you're used to it, don't want her getting all worked up over a bunch of losers, “hey, just ignore them baby, i'm okay.”
And she will… eventually. it's hard to stay mad when she's got you stending beside her.
The thing is, Abby tries really hard not to smother you. She never wants you to feel like she’s hovering or acting like you need permission to exist on your own. So instead her protectiveness shows up in quieter ways. Walking on the outside of the sidewalk automatically. Waiting up until you text her you got somewhere safely even though she insists she “wasn’t worried.” Standing just a little closer in a crowded room.
“I know you can handle yourself.”
“okay, so stop glaring at that guy like you want to kill him.” you quip, amused when she gets like this over something so small.
“He doesn't know the meaning of personal space.”
“Abby.”
"fine.”
there’s also this softer side to it. Like the nights where you’re both home safe and she’s holding you a little tighter than usual because something earlier genuinely rattled her more than she let on. Face tucked into your neck, quiet for once.
Just because loving you means her brain is constantly, instinctively trying to keep you safe in a world she knows can be ugly sometimes.
wife!abby who is genuinely, catastrophically whipped for you and literally everybody around her knows it.
Including her.
Especially her.
Like Abby doesn’t even try to pretend she wouldn’t do absolutely anything you asked her to do. There’s no hesitation either. You mention wanting something once and she’s already figuring out how to make it happen before you’ve even finished your sentence.
You offhandedly say you miss some food from your childhood? She’s learning the recipe that same week even if she has to call three different people for help because she cannot cook to save her life. You mention the chair hurts your back? She’s researching ergonomic furniture to buy you a comfier one.
She's never burdened by any of it. She just likes doing things for you. Loves it, honestly. Your happiness genuinely feels important to her in this very deep, instinctive way. Taking care of you scratches something in her brain permanently.
Manny absolutely never lets her live it down either.
He’ll make some comment about how fast she drops everything when you call, or how she’s basically always thinking about you even when she’s supposed to be focused on something else. Abby doesn’t get defensive about it. She doesn’t really see the point. There’s no shame in it to her.
If anything, she’s open about it in a very matter-of-fact way. it’s very obvious to anyone where she stands (especially since she never shuts up about you).
Why would she try to hide how much space you take up in her life? She’s proud of it. Proud of you, proud of being yours, proud to call you her wife. Why wouldn’t she do all these things for you? That’s literally her favorite person.
I know it might feel a bit early, since we’re only in May… but the first purr.in.ink calendars are finally a thing, and I’m very happy to share them with you.
This is something many of you have been asking for for a long, long time, and it took me quite a while to have enough work to create something like this.
The day-to-day calendar includes a different comic or illustration for each day, so if you decide to get one, there will be a little something waiting for you every day.
Thank you in advance to everyone who chooses to get one of these. I hope they bring you a few gentle moments throughout next year. 🐾🤍
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ about : astronaut!ellie records little clips throughout her time in space to share with you.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ warnings : swearing. fluff. established relationship. jesse appearance and two other unnamed crew members. no major warnings! though i think this is different from my usual stuff and therefore is a bit out of my comfort zone... kinda unserious? they had those damn iphones on the artemis II so. sorry for any inaccuracies, i've never been to space!
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ word count : 3.2k
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ extra : inspired by this! a very important & special thanks to @letmebeurbaby for the inspo boost from the ask and also @seasonsofchaos for sharing knowledge and answering my dumb questions <3 very important creds!!
☾⁺ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
☾⁺ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
"...well, it's not actually live, but–”
Ellie’s voice was quiet. Almost a little too quiet. She might as well have been simply murmuring to herself, which seemed arguably more embarrassing than talking loudly to a camera.
Only her face was in frame, like she was tucked away and trying to be as lowkey as possible.
It wasn’t like Ellie had any sort of privacy, because she didn’t. The quarters were close. It also wasn’t like what Ellie was doing was a secret, because it wasn’t. When you were packed into a relatively small environment with a crew of other people, room for secrets did not exist.
But still.
Despite how close–physically and emotionally–Ellie had admittedly become with the other crew members, she still considered herself to be a relatively private person.
Sure they worked together, trained together, communicated together, and were essentially living together for a brief time… but that didn’t mean that Ellie was thrilled about the idea of them hearing every single word that she spoke as she tried to record something for you.
Ellie’s love for you was nothing to be hidden, of course.
Even so, she preferred to dodge any more potential ribbing from the other crew members. She already got enough shit from them on the daily as is. And, the idea of words that were meant for you being heard by other people’s ears admittedly made her feel a bit squeamish, in a way. It was a certain vulnerability that Ellie kept close to her chest.
The others had been by Ellie’s side throughout rigorous physical training, and had witnessed her in nearly every single state possible by this point–but god forbid they heard her refer to you as babe while speaking to a camera.
Ellie glanced away from the camera, cheeks painted red and brows furrowed with concentration. Her “area” was not a secluded one, but she was being granted privacy. The others were talking, sharing laughter amongst each other. Surely, they knew what she was doing. They were choosing to ignore it. Fucking humiliating, in a way, but Ellie would take it.
“I didn’t, uh, do this yesterday since… you know,” Ellie continued, muttering.
Yesterday had been the first day in space, so–busy. Also, Ellie hadn’t yet worked up the nerve to record for a personal project.
A soft exhale, and Ellie’s gaze flickered back to the lens, as though she could make eye contact with you through the damn thing.
“But, I wanted to start this now, I guess. Because…”
Because I know you’re probably worrying. Because the idea of not being able to share this with you actually really fucking sucks.
“...because I have the time now, so,” Ellie continued with a huff. “Nothing major to report, except for the insane fucking view. I’ll, uh, show you later. We’ve been taking pictures like crazy… kinda wanna draw, and stuff. Gonna have a shit ton of ideas to paint when I get home, I think.”
When I get home, because Ellie had to promise over and over that she would absolutely get home in one piece. NASA’s equipment and technology might as well have been a cardboard box taped together and an old flip phone when it came to the mind of a concerned girlfriend.
Ellie knew that she was currently being given so much grace, so she felt the urge to make it quick.
“I’ll show you everything. Promise. It’s… it’s really fucking incredible,” Ellie finished, exhaling the last of her words. A soft, small smile tugged at her lips, making her appear more like the wide-eyed sixteen year old that she had previously been, as opposed to the woman that she was now.
Ellie looked up, knowing that her few seconds of pretend privacy would rapidly be coming to an end. For one last second, she looked into the lens.
“Love you.”
Ellie fumbled with the device, turning it off.
Space. Day 3. Video 2.
Ellie’s face filled most of the frame. Her shorter strands of hair–the ones that usually followed the curves of her cheeks and framed her face–were unruly.
“Hey babe,” Ellie muttered, her voice soft.
She took a breath, the audio crackling slightly.
Voices could be heard in the background–talking, and occasional laughter.
There was a brief break in the chatter, with Ellie shooting a glance to the side. More laughter followed. When Ellie’s gaze returned to the lens, her face was tinted red.
Ellie swallowed, her lips pressing into a line.
“Took more pictures today. Lots of cool stuff, uh…”
She scratched her nose, eyebrows knitting together. “You’ll see some soon, I think. Wish you could see it for real, though. You’d be losing your mind, dude.”
There was a short pause, like Ellie was waiting for the other crew members to get louder before she started speaking again.
“You’d hate the whole sleeping situation, though. And the bathing stuff. Like… yeah. You’d really hate it.” Ellie inhaled slowly, gaze flickering away from the camera, momentarily lost in thought. Then, she cracked a small smile. “No aliens yet, so… that’s a bummer. Dunno what I’m here for if there’s no take me to your leader shit going on.”
Ellie’s lips twitched due to her own joke, her eyes fixated on the lens like she was expecting a laugh.
“Maybe tomorrow, uh–”
Despite her vast training and knowledge, Ellie moved to set the device down out of habit. Immediately, the view tilted–the device floating aimlessly.
“Fuck–” Ellie muttered, hastily grasping at the thing.
A loud burst of laughter could be heard in the background.
Space. Day 4. Video 3.
“I’m kinda bad at this,” Ellie mumbled. It came out sounding more like a breath as opposed to actual words.
Only Ellie’s neck and chin were in frame, the footage shaky as though she were moving.
“Gotta show you this, though.”
The camera flipped, still shaky as it panned around the interior of the spacecraft. The video was jerky, like Ellie was attempting to avoid recording the other bodies that occupied the space.
“It’s, uh… the grand tour, basically,” Ellie continued with an airy chuckle.
The camera flipped again, Ellie’s chin being the only thing that was able to be seen from that angle as she maneuvered her way toward the porthole.
“The view, though? Hang on, you’ll– It’s kinda shitty– Not the view, but the fact that the camera doesn’t really do it justice. I’ll show–”
“When are you gonna let us say hi, huh?” a voice called from offscreen. Jesse.
Ellie’s words halted, along with the movement of the filming. Her jaw tensed, visible due to the close filming angle.
“Uh, never?” Ellie muttered. The twitch of her lips betrayed her, her expression giving away to subtle amusement as the camera shifted.
“What, no spreadin’ the love?” Jesse quipped, his voice growing louder as he moved closer toward Ellie.
Ellie scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Dude. No.”
Jesse was selfless and compassionate. A team player and natural-born leader, which made him excellent for his role–the commander. Though, if Ellie were to be asked, she would say that he was annoying, and a massive pain in her ass.
Truthfully, throughout everything, Ellie had grown closest to him. Jesse was one of her best friends, which meant he was prone to giving her the most shit.
The members of the small crew were a second family, which was the obvious outcome of the very situation that they were in together. But the bond between Jesse and Ellie was just… different.
“Why are you being all–”
“I’m not being anything, shut up–” Ellie interrupted.
Laughter from the other two crew members could be heard in the background. Half of Jesse’s form appeared in the video.
“You won’t let me say hi to your girl?” Jesse asked, his tone too annoyingly casual.
Ellie mumbled something, the audio crackling with the sounds of her breath.
“You’re the worst,” Ellie retorted halfheartedly. “I’m trying to–”
Jesse’s hand entered the frame, gently knocking at the device. Immediately, the footage tilted. Ellie huffed, and more laughter ensued. Ellie reached to snatch the device out of the air, similar to the previous video.
“Oh my fucking–”
The video went blurry, and then ended.
Space. Day 5. Video 4.
“Alright, babe,” Ellie murmured.
The footage wasn’t focused, until Ellie steadied the device in her hand, pointing the camera out toward the porthole. The view was inexplicable through a lens, and even more so in person.
“You seeing this? It’s– The view is out of this world.”
Ellie chuckled softly to herself, adjusting the angle of the camera as she continued to film through the porthole.
The other crew members were existing idly, though it didn’t seem to hinder the filming this time. Ellie was speaking quietly, but still normally. Less awkwardly, at least.
“Feels kinda fucked that I get to see the moon like this and I can’t, like… bring you a souvenir, or something. I mean, the videos, but… Yeah, I dunno. You know what I mean. Maybe there’s a little gift shop on the moon, run by aliens. We should just get a little closer. Just to be sure.”
Space. Day 6. Video 5.
“Well, well, well. Look who it is.”
The video starts with Jesse’s beaming face in the frame, before the camera pans to a very unsuspecting Ellie.
She was mid-conversation with another crew member, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
“Ellie Williams in her unnatural habitat. I mean in space, not socializing. But, that could also be–”
“That’s mine?” Ellie said, gaze snapping to the camera lens, and then to Jesse. The footage went shaky as Jesse started to laugh.
“The fuck are you doing?” Ellie continued, pushing off of a beam and moving to grab the device out of Jesse’s grasp. He briefly used his height to an advantage, holding it above Ellie’s head before relenting and passing it on.
“Ugh,” Ellie huffed, shooting a sidelong glance in Jesse’s direction. “You got your fucking fingerprints all over–”
Space. Day 6. Video 6.
“Sorry about that,” Ellie said, a sheepish smile gracing her features. “Now that I’ve gotcha here… Why did the alien go to Saturn? To go ring shopping.”
“Oh?” A crew member voiced from the background. “Is that a hint to someone?”
Ellie glanced up, cheeks tinting red. “Pshh…”
Space. Day 7. Video 7.
The focus was on Ellie’s face, though her gaze was directed toward the porthole.
“Day seven,” Ellie spoke, monotone despite the ease with which the words left her lips. “Still no aliens. Also, no one has given me a lightsaber yet. Pretty fucking lame if you ask me.”
Ellie’s head turned to look at the camera lens, her shoulders shifting as she sighed. “Still can’t deny that view, though,” she murmured with a soft, content smile. “Shit, lemme show–”
The camera flipped, the view vast and beautiful. Ellie exhaled from behind the camera.
“I thought I was prepared for it, but it’s still so… You’d get it, I think. Like, the feeling of it. Just from looking at it. Puts things into perspective, that’s for sure.”
A pause, the angle of the video shifting just slightly.
“Miss you.”
Space. Day 8. Video 8.
“...why couldn’t the star stay focused? He kept spacing out,” Ellie said with bravado to the lens.
“Jesus Christ, how many space puns do you know?” Jesse questioned from the background.
The footage briefly went shaky as Ellie lifted her free hand, flipping him off.
“Okay, okay,” Ellie muttered, steadying the device as the video continued. “What… is an alien’s favorite day of the week? Sunday. Get it? Because sun–”
“Really great work from one of our mission specialists, truly,” one of the crew members joked. “Only the best of the best for our crew, which, clearly– Great use of your free time, Williams–”
“You’re torturing her, man,” Jesse quipped, clapping a hand on Ellie’s shoulder. Ellie rolled her eyes, tightening her grip on the device. “You’re miles upon miles upon miles away from home, in space, and you’re still torturing your girl with those awful–”
“Oh, c’mon. Don’t be a dick. They’re funny, she thinks they’re funny,” Ellie muttered in defense, a crease forming between her eyebrows.
Ellie shrugged off Jesse’s hand, rubbing at her nose before she focused once more on filming herself. “What kind of books do– Oh, shit. I fucked it up. Okay. What do stars like to read before bed? Comet books. Ugh, man. If I could read Savage Starlight up here… that would be so goddamn cool.”
Space. Day 9. Video 9.
“Day nine… still no aliens. Thinking of making a career change.”
Ellie shot a look to the camera, her gaze pointed. Her baby hairs were frizzy, the rest of her strands pulled back into a low bun.
“And no lightsabers. Should’ve just brought mine from home.”
Ellie looked amused at her own comment, the other people in close proximity to her clearly letting her dialogue slide. Her recording was devoid of interruptions for the moment, and her demeanor appeared to be more relaxed.
“Speaking of home…” Ellie exhaled, her cheeks momentarily puffing.
She hesitated, gaze drifting before she spoke once more.
“Sorry I haven’t done the best job at… this,” Ellie muttered, giving the device a slight shake. “It’s been busy, and I’ve been focused, but… still been thinking about you the whole time. And I’ll tell you more about everything when I get home, alright? Every detail if you wanna hear it. Even the boring shit that you claim to like hearing about. I, uh… wish you could be here, honestly. Like, seeing everything? But I’ll do my best to explain it, I guess. God, you have–”
A hair tie drifted into frame, after seemingly being flicked in Ellie’s direction.
“Pretty sure that’s yours, man,” Jesse spoke.
Ellie grabbed it from the air, and then the footage ended as she started to mutter.
Space. Day 10. Video 10.
The first few seconds of the video were silent.
The camera was pointed toward the porthole again, seemingly a last ditch effort to try and capture the view that Ellie still couldn’t comprehend that her eyes had been seeing.
“Soaking it in,” Ellie breathed out, her voice just shaky enough to be noticeable. “Looking forward to being home, though.”
Ellie inhaled. Exhaled.
The angle shifted, showing Ellie’s face as she gazed outwardly. Her green eyes were glistening, just enough to be caught by the camera.
“I never thought that I’d… Yeah. Yeah, you know. It almost doesn’t feel real. A lot of things don’t, I guess. But in, like, a good way? I dunno. This is everything that I’ve…”
Ellie swallowed, her jaw working as she suppressed the tangent.
“Fuck. It’s beautiful, babe. I’ve been so shitty at recording, these videos don’t do anything justice, I swear. I want you to see this.”
Ellie blinked as she gazed out of the porthole, her breathing slow and even.
“I’ll get home safe, then I’ll tell you everything. Think I already said that before, though. Hopefully you’re not worrying about that right now. It’s been all good up here, except for Jesse being a dick. So… yeah, everything’s been all good,” Ellie muttered softly.
“Excited for an actual bed again. Missed that. And you. Jury’s still out on the whole gravity thing, though. Uh… yeah, I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
The camera stayed focused on the porthole for a long moment, the audio crackling with the faint sound of Ellie’s breathing.
“It is really fucking insane. But… yeah. I miss you.”
The video went shaky, the footage ending.
☾⁺ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Your tears started slowly, prickling gradually at the corners of your eyes. Then, all at once, they overwhelmed you.
Your face felt numb from your attempt at suppressing the emotion, hands betraying you with a slight tremble as you swiped at your cheeks.
The laptop screen–and Ellie’s face–dimmed after the footage was done playing.
“Whoa– Hey, hey, why are you crying? What the fuck?”
Ellie’s voice popped your bubble of emotion as you rapidly blinked your stinging eyes. One of her hands moved to rest against your back, her other hand reaching for your knee.
“You were crying too,” you hastily defended, gesturing pointedly to the screen. “At the very end.”
Ellie scoffed, giving a slight, stubborn shake of her head. “No, I wasn’t. That was– The air was weird in there. I was tired. I wasn’t–”
“Shut up,” you muttered, though your tone was soft. Gentle.
“Okay,” Ellie relented easily.
“It’s not a bad cry,” you continued, shifting your position on the couch to face her. Ellie's hands hovered, allowing you to adjust. Once you settled, her hands rested against your legs. “I’m just really fucking proud of you. You know that, right? And I’m so glad that you’re home, and–”
“Yeah, yeah. You’ve been staring at me like crazy the last few days,” Ellie joked dryly, though her expression was soft. Fond.
“Shut up,” you repeated.
“Okay,” Ellie replied again.
“Just let me be proud,” you murmured, hands gingerly cupping the sides of her face. Instinctively, Ellie relaxed into your touch. “And,” you continued, “let me be relieved that you’re home. Safe.”
“Babe,” Ellie muttered. “There was never any–”
“I know. But still. And the videos were perfect. And you’re perfect. And–”
“Laying it on a little thick, huh?” Ellie joked quietly. A quiet huff escaped her lips, the kind that she forced as a way to regulate–like she couldn’t really deal with feeling flustered, even after all of the years that the two of you had been together.
You gave a slight shake of your head, delicately brushing strands of auburn behind Ellie’s ears. “Just saying what I feel,” you murmured.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’ve always been good at that, I guess.”
A wry smile tugged at your lips, your gaze flickering over Ellie’s features. “Yeah. But… code of honor? Seriously? Were there aliens, and they just made you swear to deny it?” you questioned, thumbs brushing over Ellie’s cheeks.
Ellie’s eyes met your own, one corner of her mouth twitching upward. “You know it,” Ellie muttered dryly. “I’m basically the keeper of secrets for the entire Universe. Can’t tell you too much, though. For your own safety.”
“I knew it,” you enthused quietly, your smile matching Ellie’s.
Your hands dropped away from her face, and Ellie huffed as she readjusted.
“Those definitely were tears, though,” you said pointedly. “You can’t even deny it at this point, El. Space makes you emotional, it always–”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Coming from the one that, like, cried multiple times during Project Hail Mary–”
You scoffed, an incredulous look immediately crossing over your features. “Hello? You were crying during it, too. At least I don’t pretend like I wasn’t. We both–”
“Wait, hang on. I gotta ‘nother one,” Ellie interrupted, causing your eyebrows to knit together.
“Another what?” you asked, one of your hands reaching for her own.
Your fingers tangled easily, like always. Since Ellie returned home, the two of you absolutely could not pull away from each other, your bodies gravitating toward each other in a way that simply just made sense.
“What do astronauts listen to in a spacecraft? Nep-tunes. That’s– Well, okay, that wasn’t the best one–”
