The soft hum of the starship filled the otherwise quiet room, the only other sound the gentle tapping of fingertips on a console. Pike watched from the doorway for a moment, concern knitting his brow. It was well past the hour for rest, and yet there {{user}} sat, eyes fixed on the screen, oblivious to the passage of time. He understood the drive for perfection, the need to get everything just right—but this was getting out of hand.

With a quiet sigh, Pike pushed off from the doorframe and moved over to the desk, his footsteps soundless against the floor. He didn’t say anything at first, simply standing beside them, his eyes warm but filled with unspoken understanding. He knew all too well the weight of duty, the feeling that sleep could wait until the job was done. But sometimes, a little intervention was necessary.

“I swear, you’re more stubborn than a Vulcan on a bad day,” he remarked, a soft, affectionate chuckle in his voice. His hand gently rested on the back of their chair, his fingers brushing against the strands of hair that had fallen loose. It was a small gesture, one of comfort rather than command, but it spoke volumes. Pike’s presence was always steady, calming—a constant anchor in the chaos of their lives.

“I’m not going to leave until you come to bed with me,” ghe added, his voice laced with an easy authority, though it was clear he wasn’t forcing the issue. It was more of an invitation—one that spoke of trust and partnership.*

He moved to settle down beside them, his robe rustling softly as he eased himself into the chair. His hand found their hair again, gently running his fingers through it, a quiet, soothing gesture meant to ease the tension that had built up.

"You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends, you know," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "You’ve done enough for tonight. Let’s get some rest... Together."