Summary: Being stuck in space with ARES was not your plan, especially when a certain someone finds out you haven’t been intimate with anyone in your life.
Notes: Virgin Reader x Chris Beck, swearing, NSFW (18+)
six months.
one hundred and twenty eight days.
You had been here already much longer than you had planned, but you were trained for the unexpected. In fact, most of the time someone like you knew it was bound to happen at least once in your career. When you were a little girl, there was something that always fascinated you - the stars. You would dream about them, hoping one day you could touch one - feel the energy they gave off. Now here you were, six months - one hundred and twenty eight days. You were picked for this mission by some kind of miracle, it didn’t happen often for someone who had just graduated. Then again, you were top in your class - that might have had something to do with it. There was five other people who were highly trained in this type of field on board with you, six other people you had gotten to know very well in the past six months. It was described as an elite team. There was Martinez, who was trained originally trained as a fighter pilot - he was more on the humorous side. There was Watney - trained botanist and chicago native. Vogel - he didn’t say much but he was both genius in chemistry and astrophysics. Johanssen - she was your favorite, the two of you had bonded over the months, she was incredible with software engineering, as were you.Commander Lewis. She was someone you had definitely heard about - and looked up to. She graduated with honors at the US Naval Academy, you knew she was a badass. Finally, there was the one person you’d known longer than anyone else aboard the spacecraft. Dr Christopher Beck. You met him long before the rest of the crew, in graduate cum laude Yale university. You’d like to say that the two of you were friends, but your paths hardly ever met unless it was in class every so often. In all honestly, you thought he was handsome. He was highly trained in flight surgeon detail, and you also knew his extensive training in aerospace medicine. The team was set for a six month mission. Typical EVA space walks to be done. But in recent light of events, although NASA explained little at the moment, your mission had been extended. It almost felt like part of your DNA, knowing just how much you had to sacrifice for this kind of life. But having the people around you here in space, it helped ease the wanting of going home. You watched carefully, the team surrounded at the table in the spacecraft. Martinez had already started up a conversation.
“What’s something you could really go for on earth right now?” He laughed out, his eyes searching the crew.
“I could go for pizza, to be honest.” Johanssen laughed lightly, earning a grin from you.
“I definitely miss coffee.” You sighed out, thinking just how much you could use a starbucks right now.
“Of course you would say that.” Beck chuckled lowly to you, causing you to give him a teasing glare.
“Sex.” Martinez blurted out, causing the team to groan lightly.
“Come on, Martinez. That’s not appropriate.” Lewis smirked lightly to his forward comment.
The team laughed in unison, and you smiled nervously. You heard the low murmurs of agreement, and there was something that popped in your mind. You wouldn’t know. You wouldn’t know if you missed it or not - because that was a void in your life. You thought your nervous reaction was unoticed, but you saw Chris’ eyes on you for just a lingering moment.
“I would say I definitely miss watching netflix.” You coughed lightly, wanting desperately to change the subject.
“Oh definitely. Catch up on Grey’s Anatomy.” Johanssen motioned to you, Vogel also nodding in agreement.
You took a sigh of relief, knowing you were off the subject you knew absolutely embarrassingly nothing about. You looked to Beck once again, he was laying across the couch nearest to the table now. You watched carefully as he fumbled a deck of cards in his hands, you met his eyes in a soft smirk. You wondered if he had taken notice once again of your dodging attitude. You bit you lip quickly, deciding to shake it off, not think anything of it.
It had been a couple days since what Martinez mentioned, and you wouldn’t be human if you didnt think about it. You wondered if that made you look almost childish. You were certainly old enough, it just never happened for you. Being at school, working hard to get where you are now - you didnt have time to even think about sex. There wasn’t exactly a long line either. Your mind let the thoughts fade away into something much more important at this moment. You gripped the small photo, it was completely battered - even a light tear at the top. It wasn’t all that old, you just stared at it so often it had gotten worn down. It was of you and the most important person in your life, your mother. This was another sacrifice. You traced your hands over the worn out photo, thinking of how much she needed you now. She was diagnosed with cancer five months ago, she had been in and out of the hospital through all of this without you. You father passed away years ago - you had no siblings. Your mother was pretty much all you had for her whole life. She had supported your dream from the very start, you could remember her setting up the glowing stars that stuck to the wall in your room when you were little. It nearly killed you knowing you couldn’t be there, hold her hand through all of this.
“How is she doing?”
Your thoughts were abruptly stopped by a familiar voice, Chris.
“I-Im not sure.” You mumbled, your thumb tightening to the photo.
“When was the last time you talked to her?” Beck bent down to the floor, taking a seat beside you.
You waited a moment, staring out into the beautiful view of the earth below you, “About a month.”
“Hey, just think of how happy she’ll be to see you.” Beck nudged you softly with his arm, and you gave him a polite smile.
“I just hope I get there in time.” You sighed, putting the photo back in your pocket.
“Wanna play cards?” Beck motioned, “Might take your mind off things. Just for a little while.”
You smiled genuinely once again, taking his hand as he helped you on your feet, “Sure, why not?”
The two of you sat across from each other, and this wasn’t exactly an odd occurrence. You played cards, board games, you name it. It was always with Beck, the two of you had been the only ones to really get into the games. Words were hardly exchanged, but it wasn’t an awkward silence - not in the least. It felt comfortable. Peaceful almost.
“So you planning on getting a latte as soon as we get home?” Beck chuckled lowly, dealing out cards.
“You bet your ass I am.” You grinned at his comment meant for teasing.
“I think I’m going to find a nice restaurant, and buy a steak.” Chris smiled, his eyes meeting yours.
It was something you recognized right off the bat with him, his eyes were almost piercing blue. It was the kind of eyes that you could tell all your secrets to. It was the kind of eyes that would get any kind of woman in trouble. But of course, you never lingered too long on his eyes. Otherwise thoughts would enter your mind that would break countless rules aboard a spacecraft.
“Steak sounds amazing right now.” You grinned softly, looking away from his gaze.
“Martinez wasn’t lying the other day about some others things to miss, huh?” Chris smirked lightly to you, and suddenly you felt your heartbeat pick up.
“Uh- sure.” You stammered, feeling your cheeks redden lightly.
“Why do you do that?” He leaned forward, his brow knitting in confusion.
“Do what?” You flickered your eyes away from his.
“You get all…weird.” Chris chuckled out, leaning back once again, “kinda twitchy almost.”
“Come on, I do not.” You laughed it off nervously.
“See, That. right there. You just got all weird.” Chris nudged you playfully.
“Chris, I dont know what you’re talking about.” You shook your head, trying to think of anything to change the subject, “I really want a burger to be honest.”
you shook your head at your words, seriously. that was the best you could come with.
“Okay, see theres the other thing. You changed the subject.” Chris shook his head in laughter, “Why are you so weird about the subject of sex?”
When he finally said it, you decided you weren’t going to be apart of the conversation anymore.
“Im feeling really tired.” You mocked a yawn, quickly collecting yourself.
You left before he could say anything, and you could almost the confusion he was in.
You avoided him as best you could, but you were inside a small compact spacecraft. So of course it was bound to happen, you running into him. But not if you had anything to do with it. You hung out with Johanssen as much as you could, knowing that Chris wouldn’t bring it up with anyone else around. You could almost feel the quiet teasing he was giving you, by each smirk and soft chuckle each time he saw you. You definitely hadn’t told anyone on board you’d never had sex. It didnt seem like vital information - or even appropriate information you needed to share. You were back at your spot, reeling through your mind trying to think of anything but all this nonsense. This was your spot, almost like your safe haven. Most of the crew would head into their own private quarters - the only place on the spacecraft that didnt have microphones or cameras. But you enjoyed this space. There was cameras here, no microphones surprisingly. But you didnt mind. They never really disturbed you unless they had to. Communications in this spot was only through the software on the other side of the room. It was your favorite spot mostly because of the view. As the spacecraft would float around, the window gave a perfect view of the space you loved so much.
“Hey you.”
You heard the familiar voice, and you instantly began to shuffle to leave.
“Whoa, hey sport. Don’t even think about running this time.” Chris chuckled lowly, sitting down next to you.
You shifted uncomfortably, hoping he wouldn’t bring it up. But you knew Chris Beck well enough, he most definitely would.
“Whats up?” You sighed out, hoping you deter him.
He laughed softly, his eyes placed on you, “Really? come on, talk to me.”
“Nothing to talk about.” You bit your lip, keeping your eyes to space.
“There clearly is.” Chris chuckled out now, nudging you softly.
“Seriously, Chris. Just drop it.” You huffed, bringing your knees to your chest.
He was quiet for a moment, and you looked quickly to see his eyes traveling you in realization, shit.
“Are you a virgin?” He merely whispered, even though he knew there was no microphones in here.
“Chris I dont want to talk-“
“Oh my god you are.” He bit back a grin, nudging you again.
“I…Didn’t have time.” You mumbled quickly, shifting once again.
“Oh come on. Even I had time.” Chris grinned widely to you, clearly taking amusement in this.
“You really think this is funny? It’s not like I had a long line of suitors.” You mumbled again, rolling your eyes.
“I find that very hard to believe.” Chris smirked, looking away from you finally.
“Yeah well. Believe it. Okay? I get it. Im a virgin. Im a prude.” You sighed heavily, slightly annoyed this came to light.
“I never said you were a prude.” He defended, “It’s actually really refreshing. You didn’t just do it because everyone else was, its nice.”
You looked to him, and you could see a small smirk on his lips. You couldn’t help but smile to his genuine compliment. You began to fumble with your hands.
“Thank you.” You mumbled, biting your lip.
“Whoever gets that privilege is lucky. You’re beautiful.” Chris smiled to you, his eyes meeting yours.
You suddenly wanted to kick yourself. Your eyes traveled to his lips, without your permission or thought. Your lingering gaze stayed much longer than it should have, long enough for Chris to notice.
“There is cameras in here.” Chris whispered out, a smirk forming on his lips.
“I know.” You choked out, flickering your eyes away.
“I should probably go.” Chris bit his lip, his hand falling to your knee.
In that moment, you noticed everything about him in a much different light. You’d been in a small confined space with him for months, but right now - he’d never looked so good. Your eyes stayed at his hand on your knee, and you felt the warmth radiate. His hand looked soft, his slender fingers almost encasing your whole knee. You took a deep breath, you couldn’t think about this. You couldn’t think about him.
Your thoughts would’ve broken about 32 rules by now.
