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“I'd like to thank my family, colleagues, friends, and everyone else that's supported me through this.” Red makes eye contact with the camera for a split second when mentioning friends, only to then bring them straight back to the interviewer.
Purple stares at their tv, or, specifically Red, eyes locked onto their former friend. Friend? They were never truly friends. How can you consider someone like Red a friend after what they've done? Their grip on the tv remote tightens.
Red was a bootlicker, a suck-up, kissing Mira's ass left and right. Red would rather save their own tail just for some recognition in that damn company rather than doing what's right. Purple tried, they really did, they tried to bring to light what happened. Were they naive to think Red would've wanted the same?
Obviously so, given their current situation. Purple is unemployed, out of money, on their ass in draws they found lying around in their small apartment instead of actually washing, eating a cheap microwaved dinner that tasted more like cardboard than an actual meal. They've had small jobs on and off since being fired from Mira, but could never hold one down. Maybe it was because of their constant outbursts, or habit of taking days off because they couldn't find the strength to get out of bed that day, or maybe it was because it wasn't with Red.
No. That's not why. That is definitely not why. Purple can't even look at Reds face through the screen without the irresistible urge to punch their lights out. Red is to blame for their living situation. And for why so many interns didn't get their stories told. If they just would've… cared about more then themselves.
Red's words have long since been tuned out with Purple glaring at the tv. Everything they said sounded so fake. So artificial. As if there was something else they wanted to say, someone else they'd like to address. Red looked different too. The scar across their face from the incident wasn't visible. They guessed it was because of some special effects done to make Red look more professional, but when they looked closely, squinted their eyes real hard, they could faintly make out the indent in Red's right cheek where the scar lied.
Their hair was straightened too. This part bothered Purple more than anything else. They remember Reds long curly hair, they'd always put it up because it got in the way of task work. But after hours down in the dorms, when Red would let their hair down, falling just above their waist, Purple’s chest would tighten, wondering how it would feel to run their fingers through it and-
What the fuck. What's wrong with them? They were so angry, at Red, for leaving them, and at themselves, for still thinking and feeling these things for Red despite all that happened. At themselves for being so stupid as to think someone as stubborn and neglectful as Red could ever put anyone's needs above their own.
Suddenly, with all their might, Purple hurls the tv remote across the room, shattering it against the wall. The tv cuts off from Reds interview to play some sketchy ad for Mira and their breath hitches. Falling against the couch, they shove their face into the nearest pillow, sobbing relentlessly. The tears stung against their face as they gripped the pillow. The tv shoots one final photo of Red and Purple looks back, vision blurry and sniffling.
“Why'd you have to leave me?” Was all Purple could make out before the tv cut to black, facing them with the reality of themselves.
Reality truly settles back in now, as it's been 2 years since the murders on the Skeld took place. They both told the truth this time, told Mira about the aliens and the Ore+ housing eggs, yet as any big company would do, it lied to the general public. Purple and Red were both fired, now sharing Purple's small apartment.
“I still see them sometimes.”
Purple stares up at the ceiling, the warmth of Red's body closely accompanying beside them. They've been closer, Purple thought, a lot closer.
“Green?” They asked, to which Red nodded.
“All of them. I see all of them. Green, Blue, Yellow, Cyan..”
Purple tenses at Cyan's name. They were probably the closest to them out of everyone on the ship, besides Red. They shake the feeling away as Red continues speaking.
“They sorta just.. stand there. In the corner of the room. I know they aren't actually there but everytime I look away it's as if I can still feel their eyes on me. Judging me.” Red sighs, shifting on the bed slightly, “Even then they still have every right to.”
Purple turns their head to face Red. Red was already lying in their direction, eyes fully trained on them as if there was never anything else to look at.
“You were just doing what Mira told you to.” Purple insisted, “The only thing we could've done is find the alien, and we did.”
Red frowns, turning their gaze onto the wall. “I still wish I could've been better. Not only for them, but for you too. I should've listened to you sooner. Maybe then I would've been able to save… some of them.”
“Red. You can't blame yourself for everything. There was no way of finding out who was killing besides how we went about it,” Purple contemplates their words, reflecting on just how they felt during the entire trip. “There were things I could've done better as well. If I had let up my grudge and worked with you sooner we could've figured things out a lot quicker.”
“I was just a bad leader, Purps, you don't have to make excuses for me. You still have every right to be upset with me.”
Purple now fully turns to face Red, lying on their side. They make an effort to stare only at Red's face and not the pink laced bra they wore.
“I am still upset,” Purple interjects, to which Red looks rather disappointed. “But you know I can't stay mad at you. No matter how bad I want to.”
Purple glides their own scarred hand against Red's cheek, more specifically the scar. It's apparent now that it's not covered by makeup. They run their thumb along the soft smooth skin before the jagged rough patch. It's a nice contrast, satisfying to touch. Real warm too, or maybe that’s because Red's was blushing furiously.
“You're cold,” Red murmurs, and Purple smiles.
“And you're warm.”
Red was beautiful, Purple thought. It took a long time for them to finally admit this to themselves, but god did it feel good once they did. To acknowledge how gorgeous Red was, to notice each dip and curve in their body, to observe each mannerism and enjoy them.
“I'm sorry you got fired. I know being captain was your dream. Even if you sorta sucked at it.”
Red chuckles, placing their own hand on Purple's arm. “So you're just proving my point?”
“No.” Purple's hand caressed Red's cheek lovingly, soon finding its way to their curls. Purple does what they've wanted to do since they met Red, and that's to feel the soft silky texture of their hair.
“You just weren't ready to lead, was all. And I think you've made significant progress since then.”
Red's own hands feel up Purple's arm, up to their throat. Their fingers dance and trace delicately against Purple's skin and they tense ever so slightly. Not out of fear or rejection like it used to be, but rather shyness.
“I missed your hair like this,” Purple attempts to take Red's attention off of them if only for a second. “I… I always wanted to feel it. It's… embarrassing to admit,” Purple snickers lightly. “But I couldn't take my eyes off of it when we were interns.”
Red's eyes don't budge. They're still fixated on the person in front of them, the person they've missed and craved since they were young. The person that ate away at their mind and heart for so long.
“I love you.” Red managed to whisper. It rang throughout Purple's ears like a siren far too loud. It was new to hear that, and it was certainly new to say. Though Purple swallowed down their guilt, their embarrassment, their self hatred, just for one minute.
“I love you.” It was more so a mumble, but Purple knew Red heard them, because their smile widened and eyes softened. They both lied there for what seemed like forever, still cupping and touching one another, before Red leaned in, placing their lips onto Purple's.
It doesn't take long for Purple to reciprocate, running their tongue against Red's. They tasted like berries.
“You use way too much tongue.” Purple states as they both pull away a bit breathless, and Red laughs.
“Yet you were all the way down my throat.”
Purple rolls their eyes and snuggles closer to Red, specifically so their head could lie directly in between their breasts. Red cradles Purple's head and plays with their hair.
They listen in silence to the even heartbeat of their mate, and decide maybe this all wasn't so bad for right now.