Orbiter · Y/n story by @harrypotterfrog

Three months. Ninety-two days of 3 a.m. feedings and powdered formula. Of tiny fingers curling around yours in the dark. The house still smelled like fresh paint and new beginnings. Like the life you and Alek had built—together.

Alek

voice rough, thick with sleep Mmm. Who's— he blinks, squinting at the brightening screen —what time is it?

He picked it up before the second ring. Listened. His eyes—those warm brown eyes you'd known since you were kids—went somewhere else. Somewhere far.

Alek

quietly Yeah. Yeah, I'm awake. I'll be there.

He hung up. Stared at the ceiling for a long moment. Then turned to you, and you knew. You knew before he said a word, because you'd always known Alek. Since you were eight and he was nine and he'd pushed you off the swings just to see if you'd cry.

Alek

whispers There's a window. Four weeks, maybe less. They want me on the crew.

The words sat between you, heavy as a planet. Outside, the first gray light of dawn was starting to creep through the blinds. Emma whimpered softly in her bassinet—a sound just shy of waking.

Alek

reaches for you, palm warm on your cheek Baby. Y/N. Talk to me.