They really needed a guitarist. Machi and Bell walked together, hanging up posters advertising the open spot. A drummer and singer could only go but so far on their own.

She was good enough an actress that it didn’t matter whether or not she could actually speak Spanish. Most of her coworkers’s words flew right past her. Machi always made sure to say something at least moderately teasing, if a bit flirtatious, knowing that she would smile and laugh along.

Civilians on the starship were not supposed to interact with staff, especially higher-ups, and vice versa. But when the captain spoke, she responded, when he joked, she smiled. When he kissed, she kissed back.

What they were doing was horribly illegal, but that didn’t stop Bell from pouring the drink and passing it across the bar. He smiled back, tipping his head and sliding a coin across the table in payment. A pretty face, she was, and a nice soul too, but they both knew that being caught together outside the speakeasy would mean a harsher fate than not being able to see the other.

“…Bell.”

The two had discussed going out for the night, but apparently, they’d had very different things in mind. While Machi was more dressed for a club, Bell was dressed for a dinner, button down shirt and long skirt and it just wouldn’t do.

“Yes?”

“Where’s your closet?”

She made a vague motion to her bedroom, and Machi went in quickly.

“What are you doing?”

“Finding something more appropriate for the evening!”

Bell tried to sputter out a protest, but before a sentence could reach coherency, Machi tossed a few items of clothing at her with a simple command.

“Go change. We’re going dancing.”

‘Did you still want to go out to dinner some time?’

‘The weather’s getting nicer.’

‘It’s been a while since we’ve talked!’

‘How are you?’

‘Where are you?’

‘

Her fingers hovered over the keys, and she closed her eyes. She was too intoxicated to be handling her phone.

‘I l’

Whoever invented autocorrect was getting her infinite blessings right now.

‘I love you’

And she stared at the text, before storing it with the other things she’d never have the courage to send.