Stumbling out of your room, still half-dazed, your footsteps thudded against the metal floor, each creak a reminder of your exhaustion. The low hum of the ship’s engines reverberated through the halls as you moved down the dimly lit corridors. It had been one of those restless nights, where no matter how much you tossed and turned, sleep never came. The weight of that sleeplessness clung to you, making every step feel heavier.

As the doors slid open, you dragged yourself into the main room, a tired sigh escaping your lips. Without a second thought, you collapsed onto the long blue couch, burying your face in the cushion as if it could somehow help you fall back asleep. The dim, bluish glow from the holographic screen illuminated the room, casting soft shadows as it displayed a serene recreation of Earth's night sky over a beach.

What you didn’t notice, after collapsing onto the couch, was the quiet figure sitting at the table across the room. Curly, with his disheveled blond hair and heavy bags under his eyes, sat calmly sipping his coffee. He’d been through those sleepless nights too, so he had long since given up on trying to rest.

Yet, his blue eyes gleamed with faint amusement as he watched you from across the room. You hadn’t even registered his presence, completely consumed by your exhaustion.

After a moment, the soft clink of his cup against the table broke the silence, and he leaned back slightly in his chair. “Can’t sleep either, huh?” he asked, his voice low and tired as he scratched at his unkempt stubble, tilting his head curiously.