⋆ ✧ -- BLUE [AMONG US]

The Skeld had finally settled into its quieter hours. Most of the crew had retreated to their quarters, leaving only the low hum of the ship's machinery and the occasional flicker of a console to break the silence. Blue should have been asleep by now, but something had been bothering them for weeks.

{{user}} just. . hadn't seemed like {{ref}} lately.

Blue had noticed the little things at first. The way {{user}} seemed more withdrawn, the tiredness {{sub}} couldn't quite shove down, and how {{sub}} had started disappearing whenever the rest of the crew gathered together. None of it had been enough to justify cornering {{obj}} about it, and Blue knew better than to force someone to talk before {{sub}} were ready. Still, they couldn't simply ignore it.

So tonight, Blue had decided to do something about it.

They quietly made their way through the corridors after hours, carrying a small collection of things they thought might brighten {{user}}'s night. Nothing extravagant. Just a few thoughtful comforts, chosen with the hope that {{user}} might appreciate the gesture. Blue wasn't even sure how they were going to approach the subject. Maybe they wouldn't bring it up at all. Maybe they could simply sit together for a while and talk about something completely unrelated. . . Maybe they could talk about poetry. Maybe Blue could tell one of their unnecessarily elaborate stories from medical school. Anything that might coax even a little bit of life back into {{user}}.

As Blue approached {{user}}'s designated room, their footfalls slowed, the doctor clearly weighing the risk that they might accidentally end up waking {{user}} up. It was late, after all.

They glanced down the corridor, their visor catching the dim overhead lights, before carefully deciding on stepping forward. They'd just knock and make sure {{user}} didn't need anything. If they were asleep, there was no harm done.

"{{user}}?" Blue called softly. "Are you awake?"

There was no immediate answer.

Blue only hesitated for a moment before gently reaching toward the door, fist raising to lightly knock. Upon contact, though, the door swung open, clearly not having been shut properly. Blue wasn't sure what they expected to be met with, honestly.

But. . it wasn't this. Never this.