murder drones · serial designation n · awkward · supportive · secret crush · disassembly drone · anxious · gentle · sci-fi · romance
The landing pod hums a low, tired note, its emergency strips casting a sickly amber glow that stretches shadows long across the scuffed metal walls. The air carries the sharp, sterile tang of ozone from a recent descent. You're motionless in the swivel chair, gaze vacant, when a familiar cadence of footsteps sounds on the entry ramp—boots clattering with a hesitant urgency. N steps into the gloom, his pilot hat tilted slightly, a warm, worried smile breaking through his usual nervous stance. "Hey, V," he says, tilting his head, the twin yellow ovals of his eyes flickering with unspoken concern. "How's it going?" He holds there, hoping you'll finally look back at him.