Moving Forward, Moving On

Posted on Mon Mar 4th, 2024 @ 5:09pm by Crewman Finn Jones & Petty Officer, 1st Class Christian Tremblay

Mission: Contagion
Location: Physical Science Lab, C - Deck
Timeline: Day 332
2413 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Christian sat hunched over his workbench as he scrolled down the PADD he was looking at. He'd spent most of his shift cataloguing the abundance of data they had obtained from the Releans. While he was broadly trained in all the physical sciences, Christian's specialty was geologic and metallurgical analysis. He currently had several soil samples being analyzed in the mass spectrometer, and was looking through some earlier results from stress testing he had done on the primary alloy the Relean's used on their ships when he sensed someone approaching him.

"I told you, only thirty more minutes and then you can have it....," Christian said as he turned around expecting to see Crewman Chaucer but being surprised with Finn standing before him. "Finn, I wasn't expecting to see you here," he said breaking into a smile as he looked at his boyfriend.

Jones had decided that 48 hours without seeing his boyfriend was long enough that it was down to him to try and pin the man down for dinner. Finn had not been expecting that reaction in the slightest and raised an eyebrow at the man.

“Have what exactly?” He questioned smiling too. The others man smile was infectious to say the least.

"Ohh, I thought you were Crewman Perkins," Christian said with a slight roll of his eyes. "He's been bugging me all shift about needing to use the mass spectrometer for his experiment. I've been telling him I'm just following Lieutenant Darru's orders, but he's still been bugging me," Christian said before stretching his back. Being hunched over his lab table for hours on end caused his back to pop when he did so.

Finn raised an eyebrow at hearing the pop and held out the flask of soup he had brought the man as he had missed dinner. “Very much not crewman Perkins.” He assured. “I do not bug to use mass spectrometer though if you were borrowing a spade or watering can we might have beef but you you get to keep your fancy toys.”

"Believe me, I know better than to borrow your tools," Christian said with a grin as he accepted the flask with a slight bow of his head. He had not realized how hungry he was until he had the bowl in his hand. He opened the cap and took a tentative sip testing the warmth of the liquid.

“So what are you up to that is keeping you here and we have bit caught up in 2 days?” Finn asked moving to where the rock pet was in the glass container still and smiled fondly that the Vulcan had not removed something that had no purpose other than making people smile.

"Cataloguing all of this data we got from the Releans," Christian said as he indicated the various PADDs and specimen containers on his work bench. "The Releans were very generous with what they gave us. I hear our computer is so full with new data that we may have to start purging older data to make room." He took another sip from the flask as he watched his boyfriend.

“I am sure it won’t come to that.” The hydroponic operator assured. But new data meant people had new tasks and things to do which always boosted morale eventually it might trickle his way other than new seeds and plants to play with which was fast becoming best part of his day in gardening all the items and discovering their quirks.

"Hopefully, but who knows how much more data we will accumulate," Christian said again before looking over at Finn, "I know I haven't been down to see you that much. But, I also know that those Relean seeds we got are keeping you busy,"

Finn nodded. He had been working many long days himself in his eagerness but he had not thought anything about it until there and then that the man had not come to visit. "That is okay. You can come and join me planting when you get bored of all of this." He indicated the sterile room and the lack of anything green.

"You say that, but you and I both know I don't have a green thumb," Christian said with a laugh before looking back over at Finn. "Remember I somehow killed that cactus you gave me that you said, and I quote 'doesn't need water for a few days'? I just followed your directions," he said before taking a sip from the flask again.

Finn leaned over and ruffled his boyfriend's hair with a smile. "I believe you forgot for more than a couple of days." He said fondly holding no malice in his tone. "There are many years for me to teach you that green thumb might make an appearance yet." Finn refused to believe that people did not have the ability to grow something. It was just a lost skill on some people or in Christian's case a very lost skill.

"Well, we've certainly no shortage of time," Christian said with a smile as there was a chime from the nearby mass spectrometer that indicated the analysis was completed. Christian stood and made his way over to the machine and removed his sample. He then input a few commands to have the data forwarded to his PADD as Crewman Perkins quickly made his way over to the device.

The moment was lost as Perkins came into the compartment and Finn stepped back to allow the petty officer do his job. It was just nice to watch the man move around in his own space. He did not get to that often at all. “I best be getting off if you still need to do stuff.” Finn offered wandering allowed as Perkins started what he needed to.

"I can wait to finish going over this in the morning," Christian said as he placed the sample back in the sterile storage container. He then turned to look at Finn before motioning to the door, "What say you and I take a stroll around the ship?"

Finn raised an eyebrow but quickly jogged to catch up with the man as he motioned and started out the door. The crewman ignored them other than a quick glance at the retreating pair and the a small smile that followed as silence came back to the compartment and he could finally work on his samples. “Sounds like a nice end to the night. What deck?”

Christian thought about it as the entered into the corridor. Once they were alone, he turned and pulled Finn close to him and kissed him softly. When they pulled away, he smiled warmly at Finn before saying, "What do you say we head to the upper observation deck? I don't think you and I have ever been stargazing together."

Finn was surprised by the sudden kiss but found himself returning it just as easily before smiling as they broke apart. He had to admit he had missed the man the last few days so it was very much a welcomed moment of connection. "Well, aren't you the romantic?" Finn teased and took the other man's hand in his own and led the way to the observation deck. It was not often that the observation deck was empty in the evening but that evening they were lucky as they ventured inside.

"Looks like we get the place to ourselves," Christian said as he settled down into a viewing couch before wrapping his arms around Finn. He felt his boyfriend snuggle in closer as the both looked out at the stars. "Now, is this the part where you tell me you enjoy looking at your plants more than this view," Christian asked teasingly.

“Makes a change.” Privacy was sometimes a limited option on the ship especially now that they were back underway. “Oh no this view is spectacular.” He assured though he was not looking at the stars but at the petty officer himself. The stars held nothing when he was alone with the other man. “Plants are interesting though.” He added so the man did not get to full of himself.

"I'm just glad I've been able to get you out of the hydroponics bay more often," Christian said before looking down into the other man's eyes. "What? What are you looking at with those...gorgeous...eyes of yours," he asked tenderly as he felt himself inching closer towards the man.

“Hey I am trying especially not as Lieutenant Darru has put more people in there with me it’s less of a problem.” He said before smiled as the man inched closer to him. “Just you. Only you.” he assured pulling the man closer for the kiss he was already well in the way to getting.

Christian kissed Finn softly, closing his eyes as he let himself get drawn into the moment. He felt Finn drape his arms around his neck, his hands gently brushing his hair. When they pulled apart, Christian pressed his forehead to the other man’s softly while keeping his eyes closed.

“So, there’s something I’ve kinda been wanting to ask you for a while, but haven’t had the time until now,” he said softly before opening his eyes and looking into Finn’s. “What would you say if i asked you to become my new bunk mate,” he asked.

Finn was confused for a moment and it showed in his eyes as he realised what the man was asking him. Finn jerked back in surprise as he realised what he had said and it stuck in his mind. “Me?” He said quietly before he smiled. “Can you cope with me all the time?” Finn had not had a bunk mate since the day the Vrav had attacked and taken away half the science department.

"I'm fairly certain i can, but i figured that you'd appreciate having me around more," Christian said before he got a soft look in his eyes as he looked at Finn. "You've been alone long enough, I think it would be ok to let someone in," he said softly. Christian knew the Finn had lost his bunkmate in the Vrav attack, and he had buried himself in his work as a means to cope with his grief. Since Finn and Christian had been seeing each other, Finn had slowly come out of his shell and started socializing again. Christian just hoped that his ask would not push Finn back into his shell.

Finn was sure the man was looking for something more than a stupid grin but the hydroponic operator was just confused as he went through what the man was saying to him. He had never had someone ask that of him and he was really not sure how to react. “I… I have been alone a year.” He whispered.

"I know," Christian said softly before he looked out towards the stars. "It was just an idea I had. And I can understand if your not ready for that ... level of commitment yet," he said again trailing off as he felt Finn's eyes on him.

“I want to.” Finn finally said breaking into a grin. He was shocked that he was finding himself more than ready to take that step with the man. “I am ready. I just…thank you.” He was not sure of how it was going to work but he wanted it sooner rather than later now the seed had been sown.

Christian smiled wide before he leaned forward and kissed Finn deeply. He could feel the man coming in closer to him, and Christian wrapped his arms around Finn’s neck. They separate briefly and Christian pressed his forehead to Finn’s, “You know, I’d been wanting to ask you that for awhile, but i was worried it would be too soon.”

“It would have been too soon but right here and now it is perfect.” Finn assured quickly. He knew he would not have been ready until now. He was self aware enough to know that any suggestion of sharing his space or changing it would have turned him on himself. “So who’s space? Mine or yours? Somewhere else?” There were available quarters that were unoccupied so they could request something different.

Christian thought about his answer for a moment before giving Finn an expectant look. "Given the fact you spend enough time at my place already," he said before trailing off, "I was thinking you'd want to get out of your place. Leave all those....memories in the past." He hoped he hadn't overstepped by suggesting Finn forget about his former roommate and the tragedy he had endured. But, he felt like this new beginning they were starting would be a golden opportunity for Finn to continue to get past that trauma.

Finn stayed quiet for a long moment before he nodded firmly. It was most likely for the best that he moved out of the space that he had stayed in. “I think I might like that.” He admitted slowly. “But what was Tozer? Probably best to have that conversation with him before anything moved forward.” Finn liked Tozer, the man was easy going as well as genuinely kind.

"Tozer spends more time down in engineering these days then he does in his quarters. You know how he is. I know he will jump at the chance of getting his own space," Christian said before smiling, "Besides, scuttlebutt is he's been putting the moves on Crewman Xing."

Now the mention of Crewman Xing and Petty Officer Tozer together surprised Finn but maybe it was because he never saw Xing outside of the cargo bay ever. “Well good for him I guess.” He finally decided to say on his hat subject. He was happy for him.

Christian gave Finn a warm smile before pulling him close again and kissed him deeply. When they parted, he shifted his stance to let Finn lean against him as they both looked out towards the stars. Christian wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and leaned his head against his. "Just think, soon I'll be able to come home to you every day waiting for me," he said softly as he envisioned the scene himself.

It sounded perfect despite everything that Finn knew would come their way. It sounded like a great way to move forward with someone who wanted him in his life. How had he gotten so lucky?