[ Sitting at a table with mostly bridge crew, Chris is all too aware that he probably shouldn't be here. As Captain of the ship, he's kept at a remove from the rest of the crew, even those he sees regularly, even those with whom he has an easy camaraderie. He calls Ortegas by her first name more often than not, even La'an gets the first-name treatment — although with her it's usually just because two syllables is a lot shorter than four — but he's not foolish enough to think that they're friends.
There's a reason Chris signs off on requisition requests when someone asks to reserve one of the rec rooms for one party or other but never attends: nobody wants to relax after work with your boss breathing down your neck.
He shouldn't have come into the main mess, not when he knew Loki was going to be here.
However...
Before he can stop to think better of the impulse, he finds himself standing and collecting his tray, one hand raised to keep Ortegas in her seat as she tries to follow him with clear concern writ boldly across her face, and suddenly he's striding across the room to set his tray down on the table at which Loki now sits alone, staring out the windows. ]
Having Erica ask you to come join us would make me feel far too much like I'm in high school again, so I figured... [ He shrugs, smoothing down the front of his shirt, and twists a little in his seat so he can cross one leg over the other. ] If you want me to leave you alone some more I will.
[ A couple of times he visited Kamala at her school and was surprised by how very High School(TM) it actually was. He feels like he belongs in that cafeteria brimming with kids when ("By Odin's beard,") Chris crosses the small mess hall and sits opposite, Loki's incredulous mutter lost in his hand. He doesn't know why he cares about his fake reputation that he spent three days cultivating except that the people here seemed to like Lieutenant Lukas and being surrounded by new friends (even ones he's lying to about literally everything about himself) has been a nice change. He's weirdly and inexplicably worried for Chris's reputation too. ]
I came in here looking like a wet rag and the crew advised me on how to deal with you when I said you had dressed me down. Now it looks as if you like me. [ He wrinkles his nose, folding his arms. Stupid Chris, sitting there like the only meal in the mess hall Loki wants to eat. ] Lieutenant Lukas says stop playing with his feelings.
[ That shouldn't be surprising. It looked like Loki had a complement of friends surrounding him as he sat, dejected, staring into his glass. Chris is glad of it, that for however long Loki's been here, he's been able to make friends with the crew. It's important to have people in your corner. ]
And I do like you. [ Isn't that obvious? It's only the many, many eyes that are trained on them that's keeping him from reaching across the table to take Loki's hands in his. ] I like all my crew. [ That's not true at all. Chris likes the majority of his crew, sure, mostly in that "sure I like them but I know nothing about them" kind of way, but there are a few people on the ship that he honestly wouldn't be sad to never see again. He's not going to say that out loud, though, not to Loki who's currently nursing a bruised ego, and not in the mess hall when simple human ears might not hear but other races' might. ]
[ He folds his arms as he sits back, mirroring Chris's pose on the opposite side of the table as he crosses a leg over. If Chris wants to approach him in public, Loki is going to test to what degree he's willing to stay, even if Loki keeps his voice low for only their ears. ]
If you like all your crew, why don't you ask one of them if they traversed a dimensional barrier to get to know your world instead of crashing it like a mindless demanding child?
[ Thousands of years old, apparently and yet Loki is still so very young.
Chris wonders if Loki's world, his universe, had followed a similar trajectory to his; did he live through all the same historical events that shaped the world Chris grew up in? World War Three, the Eugenics Wars, First Contact? Does he have any of the same cultural reference points that are such a cornerstone of Chris's understanding of the universe? What was his life really like before he decided to flit into Chris's orbit? ]
I know they haven't. Nobody on this ship is remotely powerful enough to do what you can do.
It's not about power, it's about would they do it? If they could tear apart reality with a touch [ he raises a hand, a finger extended, pausing for a breath before brushing his hair back with it, ] would they make you their priority?
[ He's not entirely sure what Loki's trying to prove here, if he's trying to make Chris feel bad for reprimanding him for breaking and entering when the stakes are so much higher now than just a set of bedsheets, or if he's trying to make Chris worry for the structural integrity of his ship, for the safety of every crewmember living inside its walls. ]
I'd like to think they wouldn't. [ He does sometimes wonder what someone like Loki is doing with him. If he's really as powerful as he says, and it's starting to look like he is, what the hell is he doing wasting time with Chris? ] But I don't think that's a question I can answer.
[ Chris shifts his attention to the side briefly, making eye contact with the red-shirted security officer who is, in fact, looking like they might pop up and offer to escort Loki to the brig. Chris lifts two fingers off his arm and gestures at them, a silent stand down, and turns his attention back to Loki. ]
Yes. I am angry that you sneaked onto my ship. [ There's no point lying about that. ] I also know that if you wanted to open a hole in reality over my lunch there's very little I could do to stop you.
[ Chris knows how he's going to die. One petulant godling with a bruised ego isn't going to be the end of him, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't be the end of his crew. He should be more careful. Except that, once again, he knows Loki. He knows he wouldn't do something like that. He sincerely believes that. ]
No, I don't want you to leave. I'm happy to see you. [ Despite all the yelling of earlier, that appears to be entirely true. ] Do I wish I had had a little more forewarning of your visit? Yes.
Of course not, I was making a point but you're too captain-y right now to prove me right.
[ Loki's body-language telegraphs his annoyance clearly, chinning a hand at Chris over the table. Gods know what that short-haired guard-dog that Chris arrived with is thinking on the periphery, Loki imagines froth at their chin like that of Garm the Hel-Hound. ]
[ Erica is not frothing at the chin, but she is making wide-eyed faces at him from behind Loki's back, a combination of you okay there, chief? and you're on your own with this one, buddy that would normally have Chris cracking a smile and shaking his head at her, but he doesn't want to give Loki any other reason to nurse hurt feelings, so he doesn't. ]
Like I said. I'm still on-duty, and I have responsibilities to my ship and my crew that I can't just put aside whenever I feel like it. [ That's what responsibilities are. He doesn't say that out loud. He has a feeling it won't go over very well. ] Also, since you're currently posing as an enlisted member of Starfleet and an officer on my ship, you are my direct subordinate and it would be unethical for me to fraternize with you.
Oh, I'm well aware it's unethical and breaks a dozen regulations. I studied the laws of Starfleet.
[ The frown melts into a warm, thoughtful once-over glance of Chris that lands on those blue eyes. With his chin in-hand, his little finger catches on Loki's parted lips. ]
What do you think made me dress like a dewy-eyed scientist in the first place? Don't tempt me to act like it again, I will.
[ He shouldn't be surprised. It seems Loki truly has committed to the bit, as it were, and has been able to fly under the radar for however long it's been before he deliberately crossed paths with Chris. He must have been able to fake it well enough for others to believe him. ]
Why did you choose sciences to begin with? It can't just be because of the bracelet.
This is the goldest the uniforms have been in... a while.
[ There are times Chris almost misses the blue uniforms he wore a few years ago — the lines were so sharp, and he thought the collars were pretty nifty, even if they were awfully uncomfortable after a long day — but the new ones are far more comfortable, and he appreciates that more than he cares about looking spiffy, so...
Three days. Well. That makes him feel a little better for not noticing, it wasn't like Loki'd been hitching a ride since the day he left that little planet they'd been together on. ]
What have you been working on? Tell me about your experiments.
[ They are the blandest reports he's seen in his three-day history as an unofficial officer but he isn't about to let Chris see him being a nerd and investigating basic space-travel propulsion and improving their security system. ]
I could try and explain it to you later, but you seem awfully busy today chasing blue proverbial skirts through the cafeteria of your own ship.
[ Chris would delight in seeing Loki be a nerd. Even if whatever it was he was working on was boring, he'd sit and listen to the entire report just to see Loki be secretly proud of himself for working on a project with a team or sneakily improving things without letting everyone know what he's doing. ]
Is it really chasing when you sat still the whole time and pretended I wasn't here even though all your friends scattered like a fox jumped into the chicken coop the moment I walked through the door?
[ So it would seem their little spat has been well and truly patched up. Chris is relieved — though the anger he felt before hasn't entirely been washed away, and at some point he might circle back around to try and convince Loki that he's not trying to be an asshole but what he did has consequences — by the heat that flashes in Loki's eyes for a moment, heat that makes him want to reach out.
He restrains himself. ]
Lieutenant. [ Loud enough to stop Loki in his tracks but not loud enough to be heard through the entire mess hall; the tables nearby all stop and stare regardless. ]
Aren't you forgetting something?
[ At least pretend you've gone through the same basic training as everyone else, Loki, come on. ]
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There's a reason Chris signs off on requisition requests when someone asks to reserve one of the rec rooms for one party or other but never attends: nobody wants to relax after work with your boss breathing down your neck.
He shouldn't have come into the main mess, not when he knew Loki was going to be here.
However...
Before he can stop to think better of the impulse, he finds himself standing and collecting his tray, one hand raised to keep Ortegas in her seat as she tries to follow him with clear concern writ boldly across her face, and suddenly he's striding across the room to set his tray down on the table at which Loki now sits alone, staring out the windows. ]
Having Erica ask you to come join us would make me feel far too much like I'm in high school again, so I figured... [ He shrugs, smoothing down the front of his shirt, and twists a little in his seat so he can cross one leg over the other. ] If you want me to leave you alone some more I will.
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I came in here looking like a wet rag and the crew advised me on how to deal with you when I said you had dressed me down. Now it looks as if you like me. [ He wrinkles his nose, folding his arms. Stupid Chris, sitting there like the only meal in the mess hall Loki wants to eat. ] Lieutenant Lukas says stop playing with his feelings.
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[ That shouldn't be surprising. It looked like Loki had a complement of friends surrounding him as he sat, dejected, staring into his glass. Chris is glad of it, that for however long Loki's been here, he's been able to make friends with the crew. It's important to have people in your corner. ]
And I do like you. [ Isn't that obvious? It's only the many, many eyes that are trained on them that's keeping him from reaching across the table to take Loki's hands in his. ] I like all my crew. [ That's not true at all. Chris likes the majority of his crew, sure, mostly in that "sure I like them but I know nothing about them" kind of way, but there are a few people on the ship that he honestly wouldn't be sad to never see again. He's not going to say that out loud, though, not to Loki who's currently nursing a bruised ego, and not in the mess hall when simple human ears might not hear but other races' might. ]
My apologies to Lieutenant Lukas, then.
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If you like all your crew, why don't you ask one of them if they traversed a dimensional barrier to get to know your world instead of crashing it like a mindless demanding child?
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Chris wonders if Loki's world, his universe, had followed a similar trajectory to his; did he live through all the same historical events that shaped the world Chris grew up in? World War Three, the Eugenics Wars, First Contact? Does he have any of the same cultural reference points that are such a cornerstone of Chris's understanding of the universe? What was his life really like before he decided to flit into Chris's orbit? ]
I know they haven't. Nobody on this ship is remotely powerful enough to do what you can do.
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I'd like to think they wouldn't. [ He does sometimes wonder what someone like Loki is doing with him. If he's really as powerful as he says, and it's starting to look like he is, what the hell is he doing wasting time with Chris? ] But I don't think that's a question I can answer.
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[ The goading lifts as he snorts, looking for all the world as if he's sassing the captain. ]
Your minion over there looks about ready to throw me in your brig.
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Yes. I am angry that you sneaked onto my ship. [ There's no point lying about that. ] I also know that if you wanted to open a hole in reality over my lunch there's very little I could do to stop you.
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[ His patience frays in the face of Chris's coolness and he takes a moment to resettle, thoroughly irritated with himself more than anything. ]
What do you want me to do? Leave?
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[ Chris knows how he's going to die. One petulant godling with a bruised ego isn't going to be the end of him, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't be the end of his crew. He should be more careful. Except that, once again, he knows Loki. He knows he wouldn't do something like that. He sincerely believes that. ]
No, I don't want you to leave. I'm happy to see you. [ Despite all the yelling of earlier, that appears to be entirely true. ] Do I wish I had had a little more forewarning of your visit? Yes.
But I'm still glad you're here.
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[ Loki's body-language telegraphs his annoyance clearly, chinning a hand at Chris over the table. Gods know what that short-haired guard-dog that Chris arrived with is thinking on the periphery, Loki imagines froth at their chin like that of Garm the Hel-Hound. ]
You don't seem overjoyed to see me.
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[ Erica is not frothing at the chin, but she is making wide-eyed faces at him from behind Loki's back, a combination of you okay there, chief? and you're on your own with this one, buddy that would normally have Chris cracking a smile and shaking his head at her, but he doesn't want to give Loki any other reason to nurse hurt feelings, so he doesn't. ]
Like I said. I'm still on-duty, and I have responsibilities to my ship and my crew that I can't just put aside whenever I feel like it. [ That's what responsibilities are. He doesn't say that out loud. He has a feeling it won't go over very well. ] Also, since you're currently posing as an enlisted member of Starfleet and an officer on my ship, you are my direct subordinate and it would be unethical for me to fraternize with you.
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[ The frown melts into a warm, thoughtful once-over glance of Chris that lands on those blue eyes. With his chin in-hand, his little finger catches on Loki's parted lips. ]
What do you think made me dress like a dewy-eyed scientist in the first place? Don't tempt me to act like it again, I will.
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[ He shouldn't be surprised. It seems Loki truly has committed to the bit, as it were, and has been able to fly under the radar for however long it's been before he deliberately crossed paths with Chris. He must have been able to fake it well enough for others to believe him. ]
Why did you choose sciences to begin with? It can't just be because of the bracelet.
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[ He narrows his eyes, throwing Chris a timeframe-bone. ]
I've been working on your ship for three days and you think I've been, what? Vacationing?
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[ There are times Chris almost misses the blue uniforms he wore a few years ago — the lines were so sharp, and he thought the collars were pretty nifty, even if they were awfully uncomfortable after a long day — but the new ones are far more comfortable, and he appreciates that more than he cares about looking spiffy, so...
Three days. Well. That makes him feel a little better for not noticing, it wasn't like Loki'd been hitching a ride since the day he left that little planet they'd been together on. ]
What have you been working on? Tell me about your experiments.
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[ Just like that. ]
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Chris raises his eyebrows. ]
Is that so.
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[ They are the blandest reports he's seen in his three-day history as an unofficial officer but he isn't about to let Chris see him being a nerd and investigating basic space-travel propulsion and improving their security system. ]
I could try and explain it to you later, but you seem awfully busy today chasing blue proverbial skirts through the cafeteria of your own ship.
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Is it really chasing when you sat still the whole time and pretended I wasn't here even though all your friends scattered like a fox jumped into the chicken coop the moment I walked through the door?
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[ Huh? Smart guy! Answer him that. ]
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[ He winks, smirking like a smug asshole, obviously joking.
It's obvious, right? He's joking. He is. ]
Besides. There might be a mutiny on board if word got around was I kissing my lieutenants in the mess hall.
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[ The steady promise of heat is swept away as Loki's expression switches to an anxious crewman, babbling loud enough for anyone to hear. ]
I'll keep that in mind for the future, sir, yes. Thank you, Captain.
[ He shuffles with an awkwardness not his own out from the table, tugging down his shirt as he heads toward the door. ]
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He restrains himself. ]
Lieutenant. [ Loud enough to stop Loki in his tracks but not loud enough to be heard through the entire mess hall; the tables nearby all stop and stare regardless. ]
Aren't you forgetting something?
[ At least pretend you've gone through the same basic training as everyone else, Loki, come on. ]
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