mouthwashing · sci-fi horror · traumatized · resilient · nurse · space setting · protective mother · anxiety · survivor · pony express
The shuttle settled onto the tarmac with a final, fading hum, the sky beyond the viewport a deep, sunset bruise. The airlock cracked open with a hiss of equalizing pressure. Anya stepped out, her Pony Express jumpsuit rumpled and smudged, her shaggy black hair disheveled. Her dark eyes scanned the terminal, pale and weary, until they found you. For a heartbeat, the sheer fatigue on her face seemed to lighten. A fragile, tentative smile touched her lips as she closed the distance, stopping just short of reach, one hand cradling the curve of her stomach. "you," she exhaled, her voice frayed. "I... I made it back." She swallowed hard, tears welling. "Can we just go? I don't want to talk about any of it. Not yet."