[ 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. ]
[ He has to force down the smirk alive in his blood, affecting a wide-eyed, soft-voiced sight who halts and turns back to look at his captain with nervous devotion in his gaze, lips bitten red and shining. He swallows for effect. ]
Sorry, sir. [ It's coquettish and entirely contrived when he looks down and up. ] It's been a day. May I ... ?
[ Laying it on a little thick seems to be Loki's forever-MO, and today is no exception.
Luckily, Chris is a rather adept actor himself, when the situation calls for it, and the only hint that he's deeply amused is the slight thinning of his lips and the flare of his nostrils as he suppresses a smile.
After a moment, he lifts his chin in a little nod. ]
[ His gaze lingers a moment longer before he turns and hurries out of the mess hall. In the corridor, as the doors close on his heels, the anxious forward-slouch of his walk dissolves into a relaxed stride all the way to the turbolift where he heads to Deck-H. The physics lab is his destination, wondering if he's going to be sidestepped yet again before he makes it there.
He wants to turn on his heel and drag Chris into the nearest fancy Starfleet closet to feel the heat of his body, the eagerness of his kisses, his broad shoulders and strong thighs plastered up against Loki again until he doesn't have mere memories to go on.
[ As much as he might want to get up and follow that slender figure as it walks out the door, Chris has responsibilities of his own that have nothing to do with following his own wants and desires, and he knows he can't.
So, he turns back to his meal and finishes what's on his plate, studiously ignoring everyone still staring at him and speculating just what that was about. It's none of their business.
Still, he can feel eyes on him for the rest of the day, word spreading through the mess like wildfire and only slightly slower through the rest of the ship, a juicy new tidbit of gossip for people to pass around like a hot potato. Belatedly, he realizes he never asked Loki where he was billeted, or rather, in whose bunk he was sleeping, since it's clear none of the yeomen assigned him any sort of quarters. Did he find an empty one and assign it to himself? Is he sharing with one of the other crewmembers? Where exactly is he staying?
It's a question that plagues him all the way through to the end of his shift, and he resolves to do a little more digging once he's in the privacy of his own rooms. There's nothing he can do about it while he's in the chair, he'll just have to wait. It's not that big of a ship, they'll run into each other soon. ]
[ Loki spends the rest of his day working on his new security code, sinking Asgardian runes hacked through with magic into a padd cut off from the rest of the main computer, testing which codes work best. Stark would do the same, he's sure, but Loki's codes are a virus and he has to make them recognise a kind of neural loyalty to Starfleet's before letting them loose.
He wouldn't before talking to Chris, anyway. Not because he gives a damn about the ship but because Chris cares about it and so Loki must by extension too, it becomes something like a law instead of a choice.
When he's done, he makes his way into an access chute and crawls his way to the warmer jefferies tubes near the rear of the ship, arms around himself as he lets the hum of The Enterprise lull him just like the heartbeat of Yggdrasil. Curled up, he catches some Z's for a couple of hours to be fresh for whenever he emerges. ]
[ After a few hours left alone in his room with his own computer banks, combing through all the reports that have been delivered to him that day, one tiny little anomaly grabs his attention: one of the jeffries tubes has been accessed for no reason that he can see.
Intrigued, he calls up the security cameras, watching the occasional crewperson walk through the halls, each of them scurrying on their own way with the kind of hustle that indicates a man on a mission, and he's just about to dismiss the footage when finally, he sees a blue shirt worn on the right kind of body, the right fall of inky-black hair suspended above, the right shape of the hands that reach for the control panel.
Loki.
Torn between amusement and confusion, he watches Loki open up an access chute and climb up inside, disappearing out of sight.
Fifteen minutes later, he finds himself outside of that access chute, opening the access panel. ]
[ He was just starting to doze off when his actual name brings him to full consciousness. He blinks at the ceiling above, twists around in the narrow crawlspace, and around the corner of the jefferies tube his head pops out with a smile. ]
Yes?
[ As if he's been disturbed doing something perfectly normal. ]
[ It's said with the kind of tone one uses when discovering a cat trapped in a kitchen cabinet, not in one expecting much of an answer. Loki doesn't look uncomfortable, but... ]
[ There are security cameras in every hallway, and the chance of a member of crew passing by with no warning is not insignificant.
Chris restrains himself from pulling Loki close and kissing him, but he doesn't stop himself from reaching in and tucking a piece of hair that refuses to lie with the rest behind his ear, letting his fingers linger briefly at the hinge of Loki's jaw. ]
[ Surprise colours his cheeks and he tips his head into the touch, listing forward a little without leaving the spot. Chris is the whole reason Loki came here. The only. He's so tired of exploring everything and everyone else, but he keeps a check on his wants while in public.
He does respect Chris, mischief aside. ]
I've been trying to make your security codes stronger, it's been grim work. Is there somewhere I can rest? Not a mess hall.
[ The pink rising to his cheeks and the way Loki sways into his touch makes Chris want to pull him closer even more, but he continues to resist and simply lets his hand drop.
He can do a lot more touching later. ]
I know of a place.
[ Security codes is not a life sciences project. Has Loki been taking on extra work while pretending to do whatever it was Lukas was assigned? Perhaps Chris should be more worried at learning he'd been tinkering with the ship's security, but he's not.
[ It's more of a grumble about having lost that touch than anything although Loki would also just make a terrible officer, if he ever tried to really be one. He walks beside Chris and stifles a yawn, hands clasped behind his back. ]
[ He slants a smile at Loki as they walk through the corridors, Chris gently steering them towards the turbolifts that go directly to the officers' quarters floor, as it's less likely to be populated at this hour of the night. ]
Most of my job is reviewing reports, sadly. It was not made clear to me when I started the Command Training Program how much of captaincy is paperwork.
You would be surprised how much of being a god is answering summons when you're already busy. I suspect it's in the same vein, being pulled away from what you want to do to answer for other people.
[ Just waiting to see if their turbolift is empty ... ]
Mm. [ They have to stand and wait for the turbolift to arrive, and when it does, it opens to release a red-shirted Tellarite with whom Chris exchanges banal pleasantries as he exits, and then it's just the two of them again. ] You haven't had any summons while you've been here, have you?
[ Doors closing with a hiss, Loki half-steps behind Chris to run a hand up the back of his golden shirt, slipping back down to the curve at the base where his posture is well-practiced. If someone else enters Loki can move away easily; he isn't as reckless as he was at the market but the attraction simmering through his veins runs just as hot. ]
Luckily, not many people want me to save the day for them.
[ Chris doesn't quite shiver when Loki slides his hand up and along the length of his spine, but it's a close call.
Watching their reflections in the shiny doors of the turbolift, Chris is torn between smiling and frowning in consternation. He's such a creature molded by responsibility and duty that he feels compelled to protest Loki shirking any summons he might receive because of being on the Enterprise and yet... ]
[ Briefly, he dips his nose to the back of Chris's neck. It's a not-kiss, lips gliding up his skin as Loki murmurs. ]
One of the reasons I missed you, Chris.
[ Not captain. Loki only cares about that part of the man because it means so much to Chris and is so intrinsic to who he is, although if he ever decided to go rogue Loki would be delighted to help.
He slides away a step and keeps his hands behind his back. Their reflections look quite nice together, he decides. ]
[ This time he does shiver, the cool skim of Loki's nose followed by the warmer wash of his breath as he murmurs quietly between them making the hairs on the back of Chris's neck stand up, his fingers flexing with the suppressed urge to reach out.
He really hadn't planned on doing anything untoward when he went out to fetch Loki.
Mostly, he hadn't been planning anything at all. No thoughts, just actions. Now he's torn between the desire to shove him back against the wall and get his lips on all that pale skin again and the desire to take him back to his own quarters and bundle him into bed where he can rest without being disturbed. ]
[ A brow quirks and he looks sidelong at Chris instead of at him through their reflections. He could say a lot of things to that, allude to all the things he wants to do to him once their privacy is complete ...
But Loki did lie to him about his being on the ship (by omission yet he knows it counts) and give him a nasty shock today out of the blue. So. ]
Would you like me to make dinner?
[ He's not sure how to program one of those replicators but maybe he can figure it out on the fly or create some ingredients via magic. ]
[ Although he is undeniably intrigued by the offer to make dinner — Loki can cook? Chris isn't sure why he's surprised, but he is nonetheless — he shakes his head with a little smile as the doors open, side-stepping and gesturing for Loki to exit first. ]
I wouldn't worry about dinner.
[ Thankfully, the manage to make it down the hall to Chris's door without bumping into anyone else, and then Chris is inputting his unlock codes and opening the door. ]
You wouldn't be saying no if you'd tried my mashed potatoes before.
[ He very much pays attention to the door code (as best he can if Chris isn't blocking his view) then gives him a nudge with an elbow as he heads inside. It's bigger by far than he expected, rounding on him with hands on his hips. ]
And here I was feeling sorry for you living on a pokey little ship. Tch!
[ Explore he does, trailing his fingers over chairs and surfaces as he gets his bearings. The large kitchen is the most unexpected part of the apartment and he leans back on the counter to give Chris an amused look, shaking his head. ]
The crew's rooms are absolute squalor by comparison, you know. You should feel terrible. Bad Captain Pike!
[ Looking at his quarters as if through outside eyes, Chris can admit that yes, they are rather large. And gleaming in that way the newest starships usually are; a far cry from his home in Montana that clings to old-Earth traditions and is all dark wood and cold stone and a large, crackling hearth.
Maybe having an open fireplace on board is foolish, but Chris likes it, and besides, it's got a protective screen around it. A protective screen that is invisible until bumped into, but still. He's not just throwing flames around willy-nilly in the middle of his living room.
That's reserved for the kitchen, with the old-fashioned stovetop and grill. ]
Don't blame me for this. I didn't design this ship, I just live here.
[ He's grinning, though, pleased by the delight Loki's showing as he peers around corners and looks into cabinets, examining the space that Chris has slowly turned from sterile quarters into something that does, actually, feel like home. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
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. ]
no subject
Sorry, sir. [ It's coquettish and entirely contrived when he looks down and up. ] It's been a day. May I ... ?
no subject
Luckily, Chris is a rather adept actor himself, when the situation calls for it, and the only hint that he's deeply amused is the slight thinning of his lips and the flare of his nostrils as he suppresses a smile.
After a moment, he lifts his chin in a little nod. ]
Dismissed.
no subject
[ His gaze lingers a moment longer before he turns and hurries out of the mess hall. In the corridor, as the doors close on his heels, the anxious forward-slouch of his walk dissolves into a relaxed stride all the way to the turbolift where he heads to Deck-H. The physics lab is his destination, wondering if he's going to be sidestepped yet again before he makes it there.
He wants to turn on his heel and drag Chris into the nearest fancy Starfleet closet to feel the heat of his body, the eagerness of his kisses, his broad shoulders and strong thighs plastered up against Loki again until he doesn't have mere memories to go on.
But he keeps walking, serenely. ]
no subject
So, he turns back to his meal and finishes what's on his plate, studiously ignoring everyone still staring at him and speculating just what that was about. It's none of their business.
Still, he can feel eyes on him for the rest of the day, word spreading through the mess like wildfire and only slightly slower through the rest of the ship, a juicy new tidbit of gossip for people to pass around like a hot potato. Belatedly, he realizes he never asked Loki where he was billeted, or rather, in whose bunk he was sleeping, since it's clear none of the yeomen assigned him any sort of quarters. Did he find an empty one and assign it to himself? Is he sharing with one of the other crewmembers? Where exactly is he staying?
It's a question that plagues him all the way through to the end of his shift, and he resolves to do a little more digging once he's in the privacy of his own rooms. There's nothing he can do about it while he's in the chair, he'll just have to wait. It's not that big of a ship, they'll run into each other soon. ]
no subject
He wouldn't before talking to Chris, anyway. Not because he gives a damn about the ship but because Chris cares about it and so Loki must by extension too, it becomes something like a law instead of a choice.
When he's done, he makes his way into an access chute and crawls his way to the warmer jefferies tubes near the rear of the ship, arms around himself as he lets the hum of The Enterprise lull him just like the heartbeat of Yggdrasil. Curled up, he catches some Z's for a couple of hours to be fresh for whenever he emerges. ]
no subject
Intrigued, he calls up the security cameras, watching the occasional crewperson walk through the halls, each of them scurrying on their own way with the kind of hustle that indicates a man on a mission, and he's just about to dismiss the footage when finally, he sees a blue shirt worn on the right kind of body, the right fall of inky-black hair suspended above, the right shape of the hands that reach for the control panel.
Loki.
Torn between amusement and confusion, he watches Loki open up an access chute and climb up inside, disappearing out of sight.
Fifteen minutes later, he finds himself outside of that access chute, opening the access panel. ]
Loki?
no subject
Yes?
[ As if he's been disturbed doing something perfectly normal. ]
no subject
[ It's said with the kind of tone one uses when discovering a cat trapped in a kitchen cabinet, not in one expecting much of an answer. Loki doesn't look uncomfortable, but... ]
Come here, come out.
no subject
[ It sounds stupid out loud. Loki crawls out and dusts himself down in the corridor, raking back his hair. ]
What are you doing stalking my whereabouts? Can't stay away?
[ Heh!! ]
no subject
Chris restrains himself from pulling Loki close and kissing him, but he doesn't stop himself from reaching in and tucking a piece of hair that refuses to lie with the rest behind his ear, letting his fingers linger briefly at the hinge of Loki's jaw. ]
Yes.
no subject
He does respect Chris, mischief aside. ]
I've been trying to make your security codes stronger, it's been grim work. Is there somewhere I can rest? Not a mess hall.
no subject
He can do a lot more touching later. ]
I know of a place.
[ Security codes is not a life sciences project. Has Loki been taking on extra work while pretending to do whatever it was Lukas was assigned? Perhaps Chris should be more worried at learning he'd been tinkering with the ship's security, but he's not.
It's Loki. It's fine. ]
Follow me.
no subject
[ It's more of a grumble about having lost that touch than anything although Loki would also just make a terrible officer, if he ever tried to really be one. He walks beside Chris and stifles a yawn, hands clasped behind his back. ]
What have you been up to all day?
no subject
[ He slants a smile at Loki as they walk through the corridors, Chris gently steering them towards the turbolifts that go directly to the officers' quarters floor, as it's less likely to be populated at this hour of the night. ]
Most of my job is reviewing reports, sadly. It was not made clear to me when I started the Command Training Program how much of captaincy is paperwork.
no subject
[ Just waiting to see if their turbolift is empty ... ]
no subject
no subject
[ Doors closing with a hiss, Loki half-steps behind Chris to run a hand up the back of his golden shirt, slipping back down to the curve at the base where his posture is well-practiced. If someone else enters Loki can move away easily; he isn't as reckless as he was at the market but the attraction simmering through his veins runs just as hot. ]
Luckily, not many people want me to save the day for them.
no subject
Watching their reflections in the shiny doors of the turbolift, Chris is torn between smiling and frowning in consternation. He's such a creature molded by responsibility and duty that he feels compelled to protest Loki shirking any summons he might receive because of being on the Enterprise and yet... ]
I wouldn't mind it.
no subject
[ Briefly, he dips his nose to the back of Chris's neck. It's a not-kiss, lips gliding up his skin as Loki murmurs. ]
One of the reasons I missed you, Chris.
[ Not captain. Loki only cares about that part of the man because it means so much to Chris and is so intrinsic to who he is, although if he ever decided to go rogue Loki would be delighted to help.
He slides away a step and keeps his hands behind his back. Their reflections look quite nice together, he decides. ]
Where are we going?
no subject
He really hadn't planned on doing anything untoward when he went out to fetch Loki.
Mostly, he hadn't been planning anything at all. No thoughts, just actions. Now he's torn between the desire to shove him back against the wall and get his lips on all that pale skin again and the desire to take him back to his own quarters and bundle him into bed where he can rest without being disturbed. ]
Home.
no subject
But Loki did lie to him about his being on the ship (by omission yet he knows it counts) and give him a nasty shock today out of the blue. So. ]
Would you like me to make dinner?
[ He's not sure how to program one of those replicators but maybe he can figure it out on the fly or create some ingredients via magic. ]
no subject
I wouldn't worry about dinner.
[ Thankfully, the manage to make it down the hall to Chris's door without bumping into anyone else, and then Chris is inputting his unlock codes and opening the door. ]
Go on, explore. I know you want to.
no subject
[ He very much pays attention to the door code (as best he can if Chris isn't blocking his view) then gives him a nudge with an elbow as he heads inside. It's bigger by far than he expected, rounding on him with hands on his hips. ]
And here I was feeling sorry for you living on a pokey little ship. Tch!
[ Explore he does, trailing his fingers over chairs and surfaces as he gets his bearings. The large kitchen is the most unexpected part of the apartment and he leans back on the counter to give Chris an amused look, shaking his head. ]
The crew's rooms are absolute squalor by comparison, you know. You should feel terrible. Bad Captain Pike!
no subject
[ Looking at his quarters as if through outside eyes, Chris can admit that yes, they are rather large. And gleaming in that way the newest starships usually are; a far cry from his home in Montana that clings to old-Earth traditions and is all dark wood and cold stone and a large, crackling hearth.
Maybe having an open fireplace on board is foolish, but Chris likes it, and besides, it's got a protective screen around it. A protective screen that is invisible until bumped into, but still. He's not just throwing flames around willy-nilly in the middle of his living room.
That's reserved for the kitchen, with the old-fashioned stovetop and grill. ]
Don't blame me for this. I didn't design this ship, I just live here.
[ He's grinning, though, pleased by the delight Loki's showing as he peers around corners and looks into cabinets, examining the space that Chris has slowly turned from sterile quarters into something that does, actually, feel like home. ]
Are you hungry?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...