Destiny Among the Stars - Scifi - LitRPG - Adventure

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."

– George Orwell.

That evening, Joey took over the kitchen, all Gordon Ramsay with his 'get out of my way' vibe. He was yelling over his shoulder at anyone who dared to offer help. The result, though? Fantastic. The smell of garlic, spices, and something sweet and caramelized filled the air. Luca's stomach rumbled loudly. Plates clattered as they sat down at the long mass hall table, the sounds of laughter and conversation echoing off the walls. For a minute, it almost felt normal. He could smell the rich sauce, the herbs, and it was making his mouth water.

"This," Ryan said, shoving a forkful of pasta into his mouth, "is what I call a proper send-off. None of that bland freeze-dried crap." His cheeks were full, and he was grinning.

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Joey said, smirking as he waved his fork in the air. "The good stuff's going to run out before you can blink."

"Which is exactly why we need to make the most of what we've got," Emily interjected, leaning forward like she was about to make an important announcement. Luca thought she was about to praise Joey, but no, this was Emily. She had a plan. "That includes keeping the lounge sacred."

Ryan blinked at her. "The lounge?"

Emily nodded, setting her fork down with authority. "Shoes off, loungewear only. It's supposed to be a sacred space." Her voice was firm, and her eyes gleamed with that weird determination she got whenever she started organizing things. Luca could see the muscles in her arm tighten as she straightened up.

Luca groaned quietly. Here we go. She was on a roll, and he wasn't about to stop her. Besides, she was right. Morale was important.

Zoe chimed in immediately, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, nothing's ruining that vibe. If you want to hang out there, you've gotta play by the rules." The two of them seemed totally on the same page, a dangerous combo, to be honest. Luca couldn't deny that their faces had a sort of excited sparkle to them. What were they planning? They were definitely up to something. The girls ran this operation more than he did, that was for sure.

Danny, chewing on a piece of bread, squinted. "The loungewear is, like, completely see-through, though. Is no one else weirded out by that?"

Luca's eyes widened. Wait, what?

Chris leaned back, crossing his arms with a grin. "It's not completely see-through, and it's just the seven of us, Danny. If everyone's in loungewear, what's the big deal?"

Oh shit, now this was getting interesting.

"It's the principle of it!" Danny protested, his voice rising with indignation. "I don't want to feel like I'm in some sci-fi fashion magazine ad every time I grab a snack."

Luca found himself agreeing with Danny, though for completely different reasons. Comfort over style, he always said. He didn't say that today.

Emily just shrugged, like she was dealing with a toddler. "Consider it bonding. Besides, the rules are non-negotiable."

"You're both tyrants," Ryan said, pointing a breadstick at her and Zoe. "I hope you know that." He looked just as curious as Luca felt.

Emily grinned sweetly, like she'd already won. "And you'll thank us when the lounge is spotless and zen, not smelling like somebody's sweaty boots."

She'd laid down the law, and Luca was trying to keep his face neutral. This was going to be interesting. This was his life now. Better get used to it.

Captain's log, Luca muttered to himself, today Joey made a feast, Emily became a tyrant, and I was curious as hell about that see-through loungewear.

After dinner, the crew scattered to their rooms to change into their designated loungewear. Luca lingered in the corridor for a minute, watching the others retreat, their doors sliding shut with those soft hisses. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, that restless energy still bubbling just under the surface. It was hard to believe they were really doing this. Still felt like a dream.

Uniformed pajamas, uniform bodysuits, and now matching loungewear? The thought played on repeat as he stepped inside his cabin and sealed the door behind him. Who changes clothes this much in one goddamn day? It was like they were in some kind of intergalactic fashion show.

Kicking off his boots, he started peeling off the snug bodysuit, the fabric clinging stubbornly as he tugged it over his shoulders. His muscles, still aching from hauling all those damn boxes, felt immediate relief as the pressure eased. His chest had felt all tight and confined.

"Finally," he muttered, tossing the suit into the laundry chute. That thing was practically fused to him. It had been too tight. He stretched, relishing the freedom and the way his skin tingled. The girls had insisted on packing plenty of spares, which was good because these things were going to need daily washing. Between the sweat and grime, he doubted anyone could bear to wear the same one twice.

He reached for the folded loungewear on the shelf. Pulling on the loose pants and matching long-sleeved shirt, he immediately noticed the difference. The fabric was soft, like air, and so light against his skin. It was a complete reversal from the bodysuits.

The pants hung easily at the hips; the shirt just brushed his frame without hugging anything.

He gave a quick look in the mirror. The cut was simple and clean. There was no compression, weird tech panels, or Joey creeping on their vitals. Under direct light, a hint of silhouette showed through, but nothing scandalous. No one would think he was skipping leg day in these.

"Not bad," he muttered, tugging the shirt down a little and giving a token attempt at smoothing his hair. But hey, better than vacuum-sealed spandex.

The corridor was quiet as he stepped out, the hum of the ship like a steady heartbeat beneath his feet. He hesitated at the lounge doors. What if no one else showed up dressed like this? What if Ryan decided to buck the rules just to be difficult? He's definitely the type. Maybe he should just go back and... yeah, no. A leader had to lead by example.

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Stop overthinking it, he told himself. It's just clothes. Totally normal. He shook his head and pushed through the doors to the lounge, ready for whatever the fuck was waiting on the other side.

He flicked on the lounge lights, the soft glow bouncing off the new furniture and the polished pool table the guys had set up. The electric fireplace hummed to life, those simulated flames casting a warm, flickering glow against the walls. It was actually pretty nice, like a real place they could hang out, instead of just a metal box hurtling through space. He dropped onto the plush leather couch in front of the video game console, letting out a long breath. Not bad, all things considered.

"First one here," he muttered to himself, a smug grin creeping across his face. He couldn't help it, he was kind of excited about this. Everyone else must be mulling it over, maybe even freaking out a little. He pictured Ryan pacing in his cabin, grumbling about the loungewear rules, and Danny triple-checking his outfit for accidental transparency. He snickered at the thought, then grabbed the controller and powered on the console.

The main menu lit up the screen, a colorful collection of game titles that immediately soured his mood. Damnit. Most of them required an active internet connection, something that was impossible out here. But then, Ryan came through again. He'd jailbroken the system before they left. Two-player mode was still functional, a small victory, but a vital one. Fucking Ryan, always the sneaky bastard.

The door slid open with a soft hiss and the man of the hour strolled in first, his usual swagger present as ever, though Luca noticed a faint blush on his face. Ryan plopped down next to him, seeming a little awkward about the loungewear.

"Alright, Captain, happy?" Ryan said, spreading his arms as if to display his outfit. "This better be worth the hype." His voice was a little higher than usual, and Luca could tell he was just as self-conscious as he was. Playing it casual as always.

Danny followed close behind, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact. "You know," he muttered, "I'm not sure about this whole...translucent thing." Danny wasn't exactly thrilled about this, that much was obvious. His cheeks were flushed, and he was carefully keeping his arms close to his sides, like he was trying to hide something.

"No rebels in this crew, huh?" Luca teased, tossing the controller onto the coffee table. He was honestly surprised they actually followed the rules. For a bunch of rule breakers, they were all surprisingly compliant. Maybe Emily had cracked the whip earlier. Whatever was happening out here, this was progress.

Ryan snorted. "You're lucky Zoe and Emily are making these rules, or I'd be in gym shorts and calling it loungewear." He was trying to play it cool.

"Sure you would," Luca said, leaning back into the couch.

The door slid open again, and Zoe and Emily walked in, chatting animatedly. Luca's mouth went dry. The loungewear fabric clung to all the right places, leaving just enough to the imagination. They were acting completely at ease, seemingly unaware of the effect they were having. Though knowing them, they were probably totally aware.

Holy shit. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. They looked good. Real good.

The other guys didn't seem to be faring much better. Ryan appeared intensely focused on a random spot on the wall, as if he was trying to memorize the pattern. Danny had practically buried himself in his seat, like he was trying to become one with the couch cushions.

Emily was the first to break the silence, her smirk playful. "You boys look cute," she said, draping herself onto the arm of the couch right next to Luca. Her hip brushed against his shoulder, and he became acutely aware of her presence. He could smell her shampoo, a light, floral scent.

Zoe rolled her eyes, her own smirk playful. "It's called equality. If we're dealing with this, so are you." She moved with casual confidence, always seeming in control.

Luca managed to snap his jaw shut, his thoughts still catching up. Equality, huh? It was definitely a new dynamic. He had to admit, it felt kinda good.

Chris entered the lounge right behind them, his imposing frame filling the doorway. The loungewear fabric clung to his broad shoulders, and Luca had to admit the fit was... noticeable. Chris casually tossed a pool cue stick to Ryan, looking completely confident.

"Alright, who's up first?" Chris asked, his grin all confidence. His eyes sparkled.

"Me and Danny," Ryan said, grabbing another cue. "Loser buys dinner next time we dock up." He sounded relieved to change the topic.

"Bold of you to assume we'll get back," Danny shot back, taking his position at the pool table. He was trying to play it cool, but Luca could see the faint flush on his cheeks, the slight tremor in his hands. Danny seemed a little uncomfortable.

Joey arrived last, muttering to himself as he browsed the movie catalog on the main screen. "What is this crap? Half these movies look like they were pirated by someone's grandpa." He was clearly not impressed, but then, Joey was never impressed by anything. He seemed annoyed that he wasn't the center of attention.

"Welcome to our life now," Ryan said over his shoulder, lining up his first shot. "Better find something good, or Zoe's picking."

Zoe smirked, settling into a chair with a drink. "You say that like it's a bad thing." She was right. Luca had no doubt that she'd pick the most terrible movie imaginable, just for the hell of it.

He shut the console off, leaning back into the couch and letting the atmosphere of the room wash over him. The hum of the fireplace mixed with the faint clack of the pool balls and Joey's quiet grumbling as he scrolled through the movie titles.

The warm light from the lamp cast the room in a golden glow, making the sleek lounge feel cozy and inviting. It was almost like they'd created a real place to relax, despite it being a metal box in the middle of the void. And he was stuck here, surrounded by... everyone. This was going to be a long trip. At least it wasn't the worst.

Then, his eyes landed on Emily. She was laughing at something Chris had said, her head tilted back slightly, the light catching the curve of her throat. She leaned in a little closer as he spoke, and a familiar, unwelcome knot tightened in Luca's stomach. Chris was laughing with her, too close.

It wasn't just annoyance. It was that old, bitter sting. Fucking Pierre, the thought echoed, unbidden. Because every time he saw Emily truly connect with another guy, truly laugh like that, it was a reminder. A reminder that despite whatever he felt, whatever he thought she might feel, she was with Pierre. Or Mason. Or someone. Always someone else. And here was Chris, effortlessly handsome, confident, the kind of guy who probably never had to second-guess asking a girl out in his life. He wasn't just chatting; he was engaging her, drawing her in, and Emily, damn her, seemed to be loving it. She had a boyfriend, so why did she seem so interested in Chris?

He'd had a crush on Emily for what felt like an eternity. Seeing her now, so at ease with Chris, it made his stomach turn. Was Chris actually flirting? Or was this just Chris being Chris, naturally drawing people in? With him, it was hard to tell, but the way Emily's eyes sparkled back at him... it made Luca's own earlier attempts at conversation feel clumsy and inadequate. The thought brought a slight frown to his face, one he quickly tried to smooth out. No need to make it obvious.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Danny sneaking glances at Zoe. He wasn't subtle about it. Every time she laughed or tilted her head, Danny's eyes flicked toward her like he couldn't help himself. If anyone could pull him out of his shell, it was Zoe, Luca thought. There'd always been something there, even if they never said it out loud. She'd been flirting with him all day, and Danny had clearly been soaking it up.

And Zoe? She was doing what she did best, watching everyone with that sly little grin that said she knew exactly what was going on. Luca was pretty sure she'd caught Danny's glances, but she was taking her time, letting him squirm just enough to make it interesting. She had her sights set on Danny, that was for sure.

For a moment, it all felt strange, but... okay. Like they were just existing, all of them in the same space, caught in the absurdity of their situation, but somehow making it work. It wasn't exactly peace, but it was something close. A truce, maybe.

Luca took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he closed his eyes, trying to shake off the tension coiled in his muscles. It was a good kind of tension, though, from a long day finally winding down. It made him feel... present. Yeah, we can do this. For better or for worse, they were stuck with each other.

When he opened his eyes again, he noticed Emily looking his way. She caught his eye and winked.

She knew.

Heat rushed to his face. Damn it. He forced himself to focus on anything else. This trip was going to be... interesting.

Maybe he should just focus on the mission and forget about Emily altogether.

Easier said than done, but hey, a guy could try.