"I don't know, they're kind of cute."

She huffed, sliding them back up her nose bridge "This is humiliating," I muffled a laugh as she blinked, her eyes looking much larger through the lenses "They don't even fit on my face!"

I adjusted them for her and grinned "Well they aren't for your nose are they?"

"Yeah I guess not," She grumbled, turning back to face the mirror "At least I can see," She acknowledged.

Glasses were not a typical thing worn by the people I'd met before or even a common thing in other alien cultures. The only ones I could think of that used such a primitive way to improve eyesight were the Ilsters who commonly gave it to their young who struggled with shifting between different facial features- such as eyes- when they didn't mean to.

It was meant to help them stay in control as they learned to use their abilities and most would rid of them when they were about thirteen, the ones with the most potential could even start going without them from ten.

The person at the door had a small case in their hands and grinned widely at a confused Astra before displaying her a clipboard to sign. I forgot to warn her about the signature but it was too late and he was already frowning at the paper.

"New signature change huh, Callaway?" He joked, but I could tell he was a bit more reluctant to hand her the package.

She was quick to save it by giggling and waving him off "Trying something new you know."

"But your famous hair? I never took you for a blonde."

It took me a second, from my position behind the door and out of his sight to see the slight white curl that was poking out of her helmet. I took this moment to step in and wrap my arm around her shoulder affectionately "I helped her dye it this morning."

He looked up at me, before glancing between us "Really? I'd love to see it."

Astra rushed in "Kinda want it to be a bit of a grand reveal you know," She hurriedly tucked the strand back underneath the metal "It's a bit too blinding right now, want' to try out a few more shades before sticking to something you know?"

"Yeah of course!" He nodded, placing the package in her hands "Sorry for what happened this morning," He gestured at me "This is why Doc over here insisted you stay home but no, big bad Sergeant Callahway," He shook his head fondly "Always the hard ass."

I frowned behind my helmet screen, is he in love with Sergeant Callaway?

Astra giggled and playfully slapped his shoulder "You know me!"

My next strange look was given to her.

"Can't keep me away from trouble I guess," She shrugged, before looking down at the box "Remind me what this is again?-" She glanced at the tag on his shirt "Martin."

"Oh! Of course," He put the clipboard underneath his armpit and grabbed the box from her, opening it to reveal...Glasses. He then took out the black-rimmed eyewear and showed it to her "Just a little something from corporate for the accident this morning, they said your vision might be a bit off for a week or so so this should help but the swelling should typically be gone within the hour."

Astra stayed silent as he snapped the case shut again and put it in her palm again. "Have a great rest of the day though, I heard you guys have the next duty off so I'll see you tomorrow," He dipped his head in acknowledgment at me, "Doctor," His eyes were then back on Astra "Make sure to take it easy though Sergeant, I can't imagine all that stress is good for the baby."

And we were alone again.

"I think that man is in love with you," I commented, staring at the spot he was just standing in.

"Do you think I'd be able to pull off glasses?" She asked taking them out of the case again and running a finger along the black plastic.

"Don't worry dear, pregnant people can pull off anything."

She didn't find my joke particularly funny.

A S T R A

I think they make my nose look a bit fat.

I didn't say that aloud to Sol but I thought it was when I slid the glasses too high up my nose they were too tight but when I let them hang low they would glide off. I chose the latter of the options however as I would rather push them back up every few minutes than have them pinch my skin.

Never did I ever think I'd wear glasses, I never thought I'd look cute in them but they didn't look too bad on me.

I hope Sol didn't think so.

The contrast of the black against my skin wasn't the most flattering but the lens kinda brought out my eyes, in a magnifying glass sort of way...I don't know. I kinda feel a bit stupid but I'd rather be stupid than squint.

"Do you think if I ask nicely they'd give me conta-ah," I turned back around as quickly as I could and threw my left hand across my eyes "You're naked, why are you naked? Omy-I'm so sorry I didn't think you were undressing."

I tried to blink back the vision but I knew the sight of the dip where her narrow waist met her much wider hips would be burned in my memory forever. No one, and I mean, none should naturall look that good nak-what am I saying?

"Did I not tell you I wanted to shower?"

I could just imagine the confused look on her face at that moment, her lips slightly parted and the scrunch between her brows. "Yes but it's usually polite to like," I scrambled for walls as the vision of her naked filled my thoughts "Tell people before you get undressed."

"Does my nudity make you uncomfortable" Her hand went on my shoulder only making me blush harder "I'm sorry, I didn't think I was overstepping. I forget you are not like any of the aliens I have met before, we may have differences in genes-

"No no, it's all the same!" I cut her off quickly before she finished. I swallowed, taking my hand off my eyes but keeping them tightly shut as I frantically gestured to a corner of the room "Just like, put on a towel or something! I think I saw some over there!"

"Astra, I do not shower with clothing on."

"Neither do I-I just," I pinched the bridge of my nose "You know what? Just get in the shower, I'll-I'll sit outside the door."

"Oh," She now sounded a lot more playful "You sure you don't want to hop in too?"

My reply was more of a sharp squeak "I'll pass!"

I waited for the sound of the shower switching on as I sat with my back to its glass. "Astra?"

"Y-yes?" I cleared my throat "Yes Sol?"

"I don't think I can figure out the controls," She told me sheepishly "You mind hopping in and helping me out?"

"Um," I dragged out the M as a bead of sweat built around my hairline "You sure you've tried anything?"

"I've waved my hand over it like three times, nothing."

I sighed "Try pull it, or like twist it to the side," I advised.

After a few seconds, she finally got it but let out a shriek "Too hot! Way too hot! Ah!"

I resisted the urge to turn around and help her "It should have a blue and red dot, red should mean hot and the blue with probably cool the water down," I explained. It took her a minute but eventually, she got the hang of it and let out a sigh of relief.

"But it would've killed you to just get in and give me a hand huh?" She said "Acting like you've never seen a person naked before."

So here I was outside of the glass, very very see-through door of the shower, keeping my head forward whilst my cheeks exposed my feelings. I Ignored the sound of her slight humming and focused more on the sound of the water droplets hitting the glass.

I was not a pervert and I would not take a peep, I repeated to myself as I tapped on the floor. Stars, maybe I should've taken her up on her offer. But maybe she was just joking? It wouldn't be weird, right? Together in there? We were both just ultimately trying to get clean anyway.

It probably would've been a lot more convenient than sitting on the floor with one arm in the air so that she could bath comfortably even with our chains on.

These chains were starting to be a larger nuisance than my broken arm.

The shower suddenly came to a stop and out came Sol, smelling amazing. "There, all done!" She sang, stepping out of it. I kept my eyes on her damp legs as she leaned over me to grab the towel beside my head, refusing to let my gaze wander any higher.

As she tightened the white fluffy material around her body I slowly slid up to my feet. "You can jump in next, I promise it feels amazing."

She said something else but I wasn't listening exactly. Without all the dirt and slight ash from the shipwreck covering her face, I finally began to notice little things that I hadn't seen before. Her skin was amazingly smooth.

From her sharp features, high cupids bow but heavy lower lip it was no hiding that she would fit into any beauty standard wherever she went. But it wasn't just that, her height, a dark ivory waterfall of hair that tickled the back of her knees and strong jawline went behind the beauty I'd seen.

And I'd known no one luckier than the drops of water that got to trace their way down her flesh.

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