Terrors in Subnautica(Complete)

Part 9: A Calm Silence - A Safe Space

N/N's POV

I lay quietly on the dry side of my blanket thinking about everything that's already happened in the short time we've been here, waiting for Seán to come back. I still have so many questions.

Why are we here? Why us? Is it from malicious intent or misguided good intentions? How did they even get us here? Who are they? How long were we asleep here before coming around? How did they even create this place? Or find all of us? What happened to that reefback? Are we in more danger than we had already known?

*knock, knock*

"I've got some food."

I watch Seán walk over to me with two freshly cooked fish in his hands, before he sits down beside me. I calmly sit myself up and take the fish he offers me, I've never been that fond of eating fish but there isn't much of a choice I suppose.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

We eat without talking for a while, both watching out the window as the fish swim about. It's nice, to feel comfortable enough with someone to be able to sit in silence without feeling awkward. Sometimes silence can be good. Not many people are willing to deal with silence, but I find it to be a peaceful place a lot of the time.

I look over at Seán and He's quietly eating while eyeing one of the more hyper fish moving around, a calm but content look on his face. It's been a long time since anyone's looked so relaxed and not displeased to be in my presence. It feels sort of foreign, but not in a bad way. I've missed having a companion.

Looking back through the window I take note of how low the sun is, I must have slept through a lot of the day considering it looks about ready to set. I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight.

"Hey, N/N?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you go with N/N? You're the only one who didn't use there real name and I'm kind of curious about it."

"I was the first one awake remember? When I woke up I had no idea what was going on or where I was, I had no one to tell me to breathe or that we could survive. Before I really had time to think properly the screen came up and I felt so unsafe and that I couldn't just trust something like that, so I input a nickname."

I turn my attention over fully to Seán and take note of how he always seems to pay such close attention when I speak. I wonder why.

"Back home every friend and family member I had used to call me by this name anyways, so it might as well be my real one. I never did like my name.."

"What is it?"

"What?"

"Your real name."

I look down at my hands, fidgeting with the few remaining bones from the small meal. It's been almost two years since anyone alive has known or heard my real name, and it's become such a personal private thing for me. I wasn't even sure I'd ever tell anyone again, so what do I do now? I know he's a good person, and I know he's at least somewhat trustworthy but.. I don't know. I've barely known him three days, there's still so much we don't know about each other, he still feels so far away. Not as much as everyone else but still.. I don't know that I even remember how to let people in anymore.

"Hey," He whispers," Its alright, you don't have to tell me. I'm sorry if I overstepped my boundaries or struck a nerve, I didn't mean to."

The tone of his voice was so gentle, so full of concern and care.. when I look up at him he looks distraught. The kind of worry you get when you think you've royally fucked up something you care about.

"Please.."

My brow furrows slightly in confusion.

"Please don't be upset. You're making almost the exact same face as when I asked about your scars.. I'm sorry. That last thing I want is to make you unhappy."

I pull my legs up and hug them against myself, smiling over to him.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, it's a natural thing to ask. You couldn't have known it was a delicate subject for me, I mean it's just a name after all." I tilt my head over to where I can rest on my knees but still look at him," I'll be alright. I just have a  lot of unsorted things in my mind, and a lot of questions we still don't have answers for that are hard to not worry about adding on pressure."

"Just because I didn't know doesn't mean I can't be sorry you felt sad from something I said. It may just be a name, but if it's important to you it still matters."

"Thank you.. for caring."

"It's not like there's a reason I shouldn't!"

But there is.

"I'm sure we'll find the answers we need as we go, as long as we keep moving forward. I don't know that I could help with the other stuff in your head, or if you'll ever want to talk about it. But if you do decide you need someone to listen I'm more than happy to be here for you. Just because you're the designated psychologist doesn't mean you don't need help sometimes too."

"Heheh, most therapists do actually see other therapists to help cope with the problems of hundreds of people's issues."

"Well there ya go!"

We laugh together for a moment before returning to our calm state of being. Feeling him sitting beside me is rather calming for my mind.

*knock knock knock*

Tessa opens the door just enough to talk to us.

"Everyone's going to have a meeting once we're all up tomorrow so we can decide what we should use our supplies on first. Beth told me to let you guys know."

"Thanks Tess." Seán calmly replied.

She seemed slightly taken aback by his quiet tone and generally relaxed demeanor, but nodded and closed the door regardless. I lay myself back down and close my eyes to try and calm an oncoming headache when I feel Seán moving around next to me. I open my eyes and look over to see him laying down with his hands sitting on his stomach, staring up at the ceiling. He looks really different when he's just quietly thinking.

I turn my head to look back up to the ceiling and close my eyes once again. Feeling more relaxed and somewhat safe with the warmth beside me I feel myself starting to fall asleep. I would fight it, but in all honesty he'll probably be happy to know I'm allowing myself to rest. I hear him say something but I don't quite catch what it is before my mind completely falls asleep.