Meme was trying to get his tasks done when he heard the voice.
"Prepare to die, human." The hoarse, layered sound of the voice made him shiver. Who... wait, no, what is that?
Meme cautiously walked toward the area he heard it coming from.
When he saw the source of the voice and the scene around it, he had to hold back a scream. A cloaked figure hovered above what looked to be a crewmate, suit stained red.
Tbh? Meme thought in shock. But it wasn't his new friend who lay injured at the impostor's mercy.
"What's going on?" Meme shouted. He felt his heart leap in his chest. What color suit is that...
Oh no.
Socks was the one bleeding out from a wound. Caused by the impostor. Utter helpless panic flooded Meme's senses.
"Humans. Always appearing in the wrong places," the impostor said coldly.
Meme felt claws of fear clutch his chest. He couldn't let Socks die. He didn't know what he'd do.
I can't live without him.
Please, please, don't make me have to. He thought to no one in particular.
"Stop that!" He yelled. "You're killing him!"
The impostor made a noise like a growl. "So I'd hope." Meme strained to see his face, but it was well-concealed under the cloak.
"Never mind, then. Don't think I won't be back." It hissed. Glancing down at Socks, it continued. "And don't think you are safe."
It stood, seemingly reluctantly, and began to walk away. "You won't escape next time." As Socks collapsed and Meme rushed to his side, it made a noise like a laugh. "Then, maybe I don't have to worry about a next time."
"Weak humans. Soon this planet will be mine, as it should be." Meme heard its footsteps fading. Thank goodness.
"Socks?" Meme shook his friend's shoulder, getting no response. "Socks, don't die! I'm getting you help, okay?"
The orange crewmate still didn't respond. But Meme saw the slow rise and fall of his chest, sending a flare of hope into him.
"It's going to be okay." He said softly, not sure which one of them he was talking to. "You're going to be okay."
-0-
"Tbh?" Meme called. "Are you here?"
The red astronaut poked his head out of the doorway to medbay, where he told Meme he was going to do tasks earlier. "Yeah, I'm-holy crap, did you carry him all the way here?"
Meme nodded, laying Socks down in one of the medbay beds. "What are you doing?" Tbh asked, eyeing him skeptically.
"Saving his life." Meme wasn't going to let him die, and he definitely wasn't going to give up. He grabbed a box of medical supplies off of one of the medbay shelves.
Numbness flooded over him. He couldn't even imagine what he would do if Socks didn't make it. So don't think about it.
I'm going to save his life. I have to.
"Wait, are you qualified to do this?" Tbh asked, eyeing Socks's wound warily.
"I'm the only one who has any medical knowledge in the crew." Meme reasoned. "Please, Tbh. You have to let me do this. I have to try. I'm the only one who can." I'm his only chance.
Seemingly noticing the desperation in his voice, Tbh reluctantly nodded. "Okay."
Meme began to get bandages and antibiotics out of the bag. I have to hope I know what I'm doing.
Please, Socks. You have to be alright, you have to.
-0-
Socks only knew pain.
He felt gentle, efficient hands cleaning his wound and wrapping bandages around it. But he still couldn't quite wake up.
Maybe I've lost too much blood.
Socks suddenly shuddered awake, Meme's voice filling his ears. "Socks? Socks, come on, you have to wake up."
He opened his eyes slowly. "Meme?" His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't used it for a while. Maybe I haven't.
"You're okay!" Meme rushed over to wrap his arms around Socks, who winced but returned the embrace all the same. His wound was wrapped in a bandage which was partially bled through but still holding well.
"Did you do this?" Socks asked, gesturing to the bandage. Meme looked down. "Yeah. It's not very well done, and..." he trailed off.
"You saved my life..." Socks said in realization. The person who told the impostor to stop... that was him too. "Thanks."
Meme didn't seem to know how to answer for a second. "Yeah... you're welcome."
Socks sent him a smile back, but it quickly faded. "Sorry for the fight earlier."
Meme blinked, seeming as if he had completely forgotten about that. "Don't be. I started it. I didn't even think about that, I was more worried you'd... you wouldn't make it."
"How long have I been out?"
Meme shrugged. "A day?"
"Oh wow." Socks said. "Sorry about that."
"What do you mean?"
"Almost getting killed." Socks said, avoiding his gaze. "It was my idea. I was going to use myself as bait, but then it went all wrong."
Meme nodded. "Blaza came by earlier looking for you and told me everything. He feels really bad. He thinks he should have stopped you."
Guilt pulsed in Socks's chest. "It wasn't his fault." He yawned suddenly.
"Really? You've been sleeping for the past day!" Meme exclaimed. Socks shrugged. "I'm still tired. I guess getting your life saved is pretty hard work."
Meme laughed lightly. "Yeah, I guess." Socks noticed the bags under his eyes. "You should probably sleep too."
Meme shrugged. "I'm okay. I'll just leave you here."
Socks watched him step outside the door, for a moment not doing anything. "Meme..." the crewmate looked back in the room. "Yeah?"
"Can you stay?" Socks asked tentatively.
Meme's eyes widened. Was that a flustered look on his face, or just surprise? "Oh, yeah, sure."
Socks smiled. He patted the bed.
"No I don't have to-aagh!" Meme began before Socks yanked him down beside him. "You seem to be feeling better." Meme remarked, keeping his face hidden from Socks.
"Yep." Socks answered cheerfully. Wrapping an arm around Meme and pulling him closer, he finally found himself able to begin to fall asleep. He could feel Meme's heartbeat, almost as fast as his own, and wished he could stay like that forever.
-0-
Meme felt Socks falling asleep beside him. His face must have been insanely red by now, but he ignored it.
Laying like this... so close to Socks... it felt right.
Pushing back his doubts, he rested his head on Socks's chest. He didn't realize he was tired until he fell asleep there.
-0-
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