The Europa Moon Base Infiltration read like some short of trashy spy novel and it was hard to reconcile with the man awkwardly hanging around Eddie's clinic.
Evan Angel was far too pretty with those blue, blue eyes and that slightly crooked smile. Even the scar over his left eye looked more adorable than intimidating.
And watching him trip over his own feet when he caught Eddie watching him.
Adorable.
And deadly. Like the blue ringed octopus, he'd loved as a kid.
Angel managed to catch himself. "Uh, so you're a medic?"
Eddie went back to his checklist. "Yep."
"That's cool." That crooked smile flashed again, but it faded when Eddie didn't immediately respond. "Enjoy it?"
He was trying so hard. Eddie hadn't dated in years, not since his last relationship had gone up in a flaming blaze of madness and the burns will still too fresh to try again. "Most of the time."
He's being cruel, Eddie realizes suddenly. When Angel's smile slips a bit, and he starts to look a bit lost. He was bold enough to approach Eddie in a bar full of soldiers who were already drunk and angry. And he was the first-person Eddie heard acknowledge the war without calling out one side or the other.
Clearly, he's more mature than he comes across.
He sighs and reluctantly sets down his tablet, turning to face Angel. "Look. I'm flattered." Angel perks up. "But I'm not interested." And then just as quickly he looks destroyed. He really has no poker face whatsoever. "I just got out of bad relationship, I'm not really ready to try again."
Angel straightens, face clearing. "Oh. Fuck, I'm sorry. That sucks, man."
It does, Eddie realizes. He's never actually talked about, aside from the required explanations while things were still smoking. "It does. I really am flattered-"
"No! No, it's okay. I get it. Really. I've had a few bad breakups in my time." His smile is back, bashful this time and something in Eddie relaxes.
Angel seems like a good guy, despite being on opposite sides of the war and Eddie never liked hurting people. Even when it was necessary.
"I'm sorry, though. It always sucks." Angel offered.
"Yeah, it does. Sorry about yours." Eddie ran a hand through his hair and caught Angel's eyes following his hand with something hot sparking in them.
Angel's smile turned decidedly mischievous. "Sorry, couldn't help it. You've got great hands."
Eddie snorted. The balls on this man. "Bold, man."
Angel shrugs, drawing Eddie's attention to the width of his shoulders. "Only when I've already been turned down."
And what's he supposed to do except smile when he's that charming?
Stars alive, why now? Why here? Why not years ago when Eddie was confident and happy and capable of being a good partner.
The PA crackled to life. "Yo, Sunshine. Got an issue in hydroponics."
Angel taped his ear. "On my way." He headed for the door. "Guess I'll see you around."
"Be more impressive if you didn't." Eddie winced as soon as he said. "I didn't mean-. I'll see you around."
Angel grinned.
The PA went off again. "Maybe bring a medic."
Eddie stiffened as Angel immediately became serious and took off towards the nearest elevator. The people in the hallway cleared out of his way and Eddie only paused for the second it took to grab his med kit before taking off after him.
***
Hydroponics, due to its importance and sensitivity, was always placed in the heart of the ship. Above or in front of the engines were there was minimal chances of disruption to its power supply and warmth. The section was always one of the larger areas in military ships, as it functioned as a food source and an important morale and health booster.
The hydroponics sections in the Loss grew food ranging from apples to zucchini, as well as a large section of medicinal plants and trees. There were small sections designed to mimic forests with trees from all over Earth and so many flowers that the surrounding decks all smelled like a garden. There were special doors to access the area to protect the bee colonies that lived in the section and were constantly guarded by the melittologists in the science section.
The revival of bee colonies all across Earth had been a massive undertaking in the late 22nd century, coinciding with humanities move to space and the survival of Earth was widely attributed to its success.
Not all ships brought bees along with their hydroponics, but Finley, who'd grown up on a farm, tried to always have them on board.
The hydroponics section was managed by the botanists, but most of the crew would rotate through on extra duties that doubled as a break from their regular work. Most of it was open as a park too, to give everyone a reminder of home when they needed it.
In the first decades of long-term space travel and eventual habitation thousands of studies had been conducted on the effects of life in space. There were numerous physical effects, obviously, but the biggest health issue had been mental.
A deep, desperate longing for what they were leaving behind. Even those that had been in such a rush to leave Earth had later reported an almost crippling desire for home. It was wearing the hydroponics gardens had come from. A little piece of home that they could carry with them no matter how far they away they went.
So far there was no other race that carried their origin with them with such dedication.
And for obvious reasons, the hydroponics section of the ship was deeply, deeply cared for.
The only thing more beloved were the ship animals. Another very human habit. Finley's Littlefoot was far from the only animal that would be joining them on their expedition, but that's something for another time.
For now, Evan and Eddie bursts into hydroponics expecting the worst and found…
Not the worst, but not the best either.
Actually, it was rather weird.
~ tbc