ikols | open post | psls

[ When Loki turns his head to give him a quelling look of his own, Chris just winks at him.

Things feel like they're going well. They could certainly be going worse, but he's explained jinxes enough to Spock that he's not going to say anything about that just yet. It just feels like maybe they're going to get through this without any major calamities, especially if Erica can locate an appropriate nebula in which to deposit all the sharks they've collected.

That is not a very reassuring response, Spock points out, which has Chris chuckling. ]

It's fine. We're all friends here, in the interest of getting anything actually done, we're just going to have to work off the assumption that we're all telling the truth and just go from there.

[ Well. Most of the truth. Chris doesn't particularly feel the need to explain why he was late for his shift or how long he's actually known Loki. Or how well they know each other, too. ]

Loki. Let's say we're able to drop the sharks off at an appropriate nebula and we're allowed to sail away unaccompanied. How can we be sure they won't just come back?

[ His bright expression falls a little, wry when he admits, ] Because I'll go home.

[ He doesn't look at Chris then, instead letting his answer be for the others with whom it's easier to be sensible. Responsible. ]

They're only following you because of me, your ship isn't their usual prey. I'll go home after we set them free in the nebula.

[ His leg brushes against Chris's, out of sight. ]

The big one said he hadn't smelled a god in a long time, it's likely they have changed their diet and simply came after me since I'm a super sugary treat by comparison.

[ The absolute worst part, Chris is realizing, is that he had started to let himself believe that this could continue. Only a day in to him knowing Loki was on his ship and he'd already gotten used to the idea, started assuming that Loki would return to his quarters, would pop up randomly during the day, would be within reach.

It's a ridiculous notion. He knows that. Loki isn't part of Starfleet, isn't even a member of a Federation planet, and now, apparently, has started drawing dangerous creatures right to their doorstep simply with his presence alone.

He can't stay. Of course he can't. And yet... ]

We'll collect all the data we can. So that if they show up again, we'll be better prepared. [ That was mostly for Spock's benefit, dropping a little tidbit of instruction down in his lap and knowing that even a vague hint like that will be enough to keep Spock occupied for hours, days. Chris is just grateful his voice came out perfectly even, as if it doesn't matter to him one way or the other, as if this is just another diplomatic milk-run in a long line of them, one more annoying but inevitable part of their jobs that just has to be done.

He presses his knee closer to Loki's. ]

What will you all do if I turn up again?

[ He asks it on the heels of Chris's question, mischief in his tone. His gaze flickers from one to the next, then to Chris. ]

I'm rather a little more dangerous than sharks, in all honesty. I'm a reality warper. [ He shrugs at Una as he shifts his attention. ] For a while this morning I masqueraded as one of your crew to learn more about you while I was working on a way home. I'm sorry, I jimmy-rigged four of your replicators to give nothing but bug stew on F- and P-decks, I was going to do it to G-deck before I realised you have your intensive care unit there. I also made a lot of people think they were seeing random animals at their work-stations.

[ His voice softens with the gentle weight of his apology, quietly earnest. ]

I think one of the ensigns cried at the sight of a bear. I didn't know he had a phobia.

[ Chris can't help himself: he sighs, leaning back in his chair and lifting a hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose.

Technically there was an apology in there, somewhere. It feels a little bit overshadowed by all the other admissions, though, especially the bit about the bug stew. ]

Why.

[ That does explain the bear thing, though, and a lot more neatly than "maybe there's been another contagion breach releasing some hallucinogenic spores and the entire ship will need to go through decontamination protocols again." ]

It was fun, of course. Everyone was so annoyed, it was hilarious! Except for the bear thing, I felt a bit bad about that. I didn't want to scare anyone, I'm not a monster.

[ Loki looks at Chris, giving a one-shouldered shrug. ]

But I am the God of Mischief.

Mm. I wonder why everyone was so annoyed when their food was made of bugs or an animal was harassing them at work.

[ Loki looks guileless and sweet when he looks over at Chris, who is not swayed in the least. ]

Could you maybe focus more on the God of Stories part and less on the God of Mischief, please? That would be very helpful.

I mean, sure. Which part of reality would you like me to change, Captain?

[ He asks it like the little shit he is, acting guileless as if it isn't a huge deal. ]

The part where I'm having this conversation.

[ He chuckles, shaking his head, and claps his hands on the arms of his chair as he pushes away from the table, clearly signaling the end of this discussion. ] Right. Well. Let's go see what Erica's found for us and our new friends. Loki, why don't you go with Spock, I'm sure he's got a million more questions for you. [ Loki will probably behave himself in the company of someone genuinely fascinated by him; Chris hopes they'll get on well enough that it will be seen less like babysitting and more like an opportunity for them to nerd out together. ]

Number One, a word.

[ He sighs as if this is a great burden, to be dismissed, perking up a moment later as Spock invites Loki to follow him out. He wants to stay and listen to the conversation between Una and Chris but isn't entirely sure he will be able to lie about doing so, not to Chris's face after, so he joins Spock with only momentary reluctance. ]

[ As much as Chris genuinely likes Loki, he has a responsibility to his crew, and he and Una go back a long, long time. He's not going to lie to her, not blatantly, but he knows that the explanation they've been given still doesn't fully satisfy her. So, in the interest of their friendship and their working relationship both, he gives her the opportunity to grill him in peace.

By the time they return to the bridge, there's only a few minutes left in his shift and Chris looks ready to leave, far less relaxed and jovial than he did when he arrived to his shift earlier that day.

Still, while there's a noticeable tension between him and Una, the frostiness of before has melted somewhat, and he's confident that things will return to normal. Settling himself back in the chair, he glances around the bridge to see what everyone else is doing, pleased to notice Spock and Loki bent over his station together, murmuring about god knows what. At least they seem to be getting on alright. ]

... could cut out my heart and I'd be alright for five minutes, maybe ten.

[ Glancing up from where he is busy describing the Aesir for Spock's database update, Loki flashes a smile that he hopes is a cheering sight after whatever went on in the briefing room without him. He nods to the chair, then winks in appreciation.

He'll sit in it one day, that hasn't changed! ]

[ Chris just nods at Loki when their eyes meet, not really acknowledging the flirting but not really shooting it down either. It honestly seems like he just doesn't notice, preoccupied with his own thoughts, and it doesn't take long for him to drift his chair back to face the viewscreen in front of them, one elbow planted on the arm and his chin resting on his knuckles.

Before them, stars go flashing by in a blur of light as the ship travels at warp speed towards whatever nebula was decided to be an appropriate feeding ground for their friends. ]

[ Loki gets the impression that all is forgiven by Spock considering the wealth of information Loki dumps on him about a deified species and the Multiverse in general, the intense questioning never faltering so that Loki falls into a rhythm with him and keeps out of Chris's way during the journey. Once the nebula is reached the sharks rush over, only the largest taking his time until even he is a small dot swallowed up by the pretty pinks and oranges of stellar clouds. ]

It's like we took them to brunch.

[ Spock's low monotone questions and Loki's much more animated responses slip into the same category of background noise occupied by the helmsmen's chatter and the general hum of the bridge very quickly, a pleasant but ignorable part of the scenery.

Contrary to popular belief, even warp speeds don't get you anywhere you choose in no time at all, but even the vastness of the galaxy can be traversed eventually, and it's not that long before Erica and Jenna start to drop them out of warp as gently as possible.

Before them hangs the nebula, a huge mass of candy-colored clouds that Chris honestly finds very pretty. ]

I hope they enjoy themselves, then.

[ Loki's gaze rests on Chris. He gives Spock a pat on the shoulder, gaining a raised brow, and heads over to stand to one side of the captain's chair, hands clasped behind his back as he tears his attention off the viewing screen. ]

Captain, I would like to request asylum. At least for a while.

[ That's certainly one way to get his attention. Chris tears his eyes away from the screen immediately, turning to look up at Loki with his brows furrowed in confusion. ]

Asylum?

[ From what? What kind of protection can they provide someone like Loki, who can survive in the vacuum of space and can twist reality to his whim? ]

That's what I said, yes.

[ 3:) ]

[ He opens his mouth as if to request clarification, but then snaps his mouth shut. Fine. If that's how Loki wants to play it, Chris will play along. He'll press him for details later. ]

Yes, of course.

I will have to stay close to my point of origin in this universe, unfortunately that means using your couch for a little while. I would not ask if this were not imperative to my return to my own dimension, Captain, yet I understand if this is too great an imposition on your hospitality.

[ Keep up with the fibs, Chris. ]

[ Chris's jaw works silently for a moment like he's grinding his teeth against a smile or an incredulous what?

Thankfully, he keeps his cool. ]

Of course. I understand.

[ He does not understand. That was an incredibly convoluted explanation, and he's pretty sure the only people it might have fooled were those not avidly paying attention, but whatever. It's fine. Chris will play along. ]

I'm sure we'll be able to find you accommodations on board, it's not an imposition.

[ Loki keeps his cool with a vulcan-like control, likely a blend of his own lying and observing Spock for so long uninterrupted. ]

As I said, the couch will do fine. [ He cocks his head. ] Now that the sharks are taken care of, may I be excused? I've over-exerted myself for the day.

[ The Enterprise has rooms set aside for visiting dignitaries and ambassadors; there will certainly be space for Loki as a political refugee or whatever his excuse will be for staying put. Still, if he wants a couch, then fine. He can have a couch.

Fighting to keep his eyebrows in check — he's not pretending to be a science officer, he can stop asking for Chris's permission all the time — Chris just nods when Loki asks to be excused, waving his fingers a little in dismissal.

There's no point asking where he's going to go. Chris has a pretty good idea already. ]

Of course.

[ Loki slips off with a sad wave to Spock who looks as if he has been deprived of his new favourite toy, heading into the turbolift. He heads for Chris's quarters and changes his outfit on the way into a tshirt and dark jeans, looking somehow more out of place in those than he does in his armour. The code to the captain's rooms is easy to break into and he decides to cook them dinner in case Chris has any lingering annoyances leftover from Loki's confession in the readyroom.

The replicator obliges him with potatoes, butter, salmon ... a half-dozen ingredients to prepare as he puts some music on and half-dances around with a tea-towel slung over a shoulder. ]

[ Late to arrive to his shift, late to leave...

In Chris's defense, the late to leave part hadn't been his fault either; Spock had grabbed him as he was getting ready to leave and done his best to coax Chris into divulging more details about the Aesir, correctly assuming that he had something of an inside scoop that other members of the ship might not. Unfortunately for Spock, there really wasn't that much more information Chris could give him that Loki hadn't already divulged. Still, it was gratifying to see how truly excited Spock was to update his databases with all this information, and by the time he was able to extricate himself, he felt fairly confident that nothing was going to explode in his face as far as the crew was concerned.

He hadn't forgotten that Loki knew where he lived, or that he undoubtedly knew how to break in, but he can't lie and say he's not at least a little surprised to unlock his door and be greeted with the scent of cooking, some music he doesn't recognize floating out the door, the undeniable sounds of someone moving through his space like they're comfortable and assured of their welcome.

It's deeply unfair how nice that feels. ]

Honey, I'm home.

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