Cookies and Crunches and Tribbles...oh my!

Posted on 21 Jul 2014 @ 8:51pm by Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D. & Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones

1,628 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Workout room
Timeline: MD07 - 1815hrs

[ON]

Walking into the gymnasium was like walking into another world for Oren and it took him right back to enlisted training when he used to spend hours with his sparring partner practicing his hand-to-hand combat in order to pass. Which he did, just barely and he was pretty sure the instructor was going easy on him, considering his youthful, delicate physique. In truth, Oren had never really needed a gym to keep fit, or even control his weight. It all just seemed to work out no matter what or how much he ate.

The first thing he noticed inside the gym was the smell of sweat and what he imagined was determination. Or testosterone. Either way, it wasn't the most pleasant scent he'd experienced that day and, considering he'd spent most of it covered in glue and paint, that was saying something. To override the stink, Oren opened the box he was holding and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet smell of baked goods. As he did, the mass of Tribbles that littered the floor advanced on him much faster than Tribbles should be allowed to move. Immediately, he shut the box and ventured further between the contraptions and people towards his target.

With all the travelling, settling in, meeting and greeting he did, Grayson had not been to the gym in days. He was a self-proclaimed 'Gym Bunny', meaning he was quite frequently there and always tried to look good to do so. As such, he was wearing his best fitted tee (black), v cut neck that particularly hugged his arms quite tight and his favourite pair of shorts (black with a bright red side stripe).

Having just finished 20 minutes of cardio on an elliptical trainer, he had just started the more heavy and intense weight machines that worked on his upper arms and chest. Grayson enjoyed this time, just himself, thinking things through, some music through his headphones on a personal music player he kept in his pocket. It was playing some loud, high beats per minute music Grayson used to keep himself motivated. That was until he thought he smelled food. After trying not to squish a tribble for the nth time with the weights in the machine, he slowly began to stop what he was doing. There were many times during that workout where the thought crossed his mind to let it happen.

As moments passed the smell of food got stronger. Oren finally reached him and stood there awkwardly for a moment before realising Grayson had headphones on. With that in mind, he tapped his shoulder.

Being used to zoning out and having people need his attention, Grayson didn't flinch as he lowered the weights, took the strain with the foot pedal to save injury while taking off his headphones at the same time. His face couldn't help but beam when he saw his visitor. "Oren! Good to see you." he gave his best boyish charm smile knowing full well he looked like a sweat covered, bad haired mess at that particular moment. "What brings you here?"

Not bothered at all by Grayson's appearance (he was in a gym, after all), Oren held up the box. "I brought you something!" he announced, taking a step back. Before opening the box, he shrugged, suddenly looking apologetic and less than his usual chipper self. "See, I was thinking and I really feel bad for playing that trick on you, so I thought I'd apologize." With that, he opened the box to reveal what looked like several layers of cookies and, on top, the cookies had writing on them, spelling out 'I'm sorry' along with the bottom one having a frowning face drawn on it.

It probably was the cutest and sweetest thing someone had ever done for him. If it wasn't for his current moist condition he would have jumped up and given Oren a big hug (and probably attempted to steal a kiss in the lingering moments after it), but for now he hesitated. Trying not to let happy tears fill his eyes, he gave the biggest, most genuine smile he probably did in his life. "Oren, that is so sweet, thank you!" Grayson was physically agitated, he didn't know what to do with his hands or the rest of his body at that moment. "If I wasn't such a mess, I'd offer you a hug! This is probably one of the nicest things someone has ever done for me. You didn't have to you know." He took one of few breaths he would take as he continued gushing, "It was all in good fun, plus what is the point of having a new guy if there isn't a little ritual hazing?"

Oren actually blushed a little at Grayson's reaction. He thought it might've been a little too forward to track him down like this, but it seemed like he'd made the right decision. He suddenly felt a little awkward as well and shrugged. "I know, but, I still felt bad. I don't usually do that kind of thing and I don't know what came over me," Oren admitted, hoping the burning in his cheeks would be attributed to the heat in the room. "

"I'll also take a rain check on that hug, because you're all sweaty and I need to go to work later." He held the box up. "Try one," he offered.

Their sweet moment didn't last long before the two men suddenly found themselves surrounded by the Tribble horde invading the gym. As they looked down, their feet were covered with the things as they began to crawl up their bodies towards the baked goods.

"I'll close the box slowly," Oren said, not daring to move.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want that." Picking up a cookie, he let it slowly slide into his mouth, keeping his eyes on what seemed like a rabid, vibrating tribble in the corner of his vision. His facial expression probably gave away how good it was."Ok, this is certainly worth the extra time here to burn it off. These are fantastic!"

"Thank you," Oren said, looking quite pleased with himself. "And you don't need all this work. You look fine," he pointed out, nodding his head towards the engineer.

"I like it though, keeps me fit, looking like I do...generally out of trouble and allows me to have cookies as fine as these." He said finishing off the first of what would be a few cookies that evening.

"I never had a problem with my weight," Oren said with a shrug, kicking a tribble away. They seemed to have calmed down now that the box was closed. "Then again, I don't really eat sweets often since I don't have much of a sweet tooth," he explained. "I'm glad you like the cookies. If you want more, just ask. I bake when I'm nervous so..." he trailed off.

"Why are you nervous?" Grayson asked, an air of concern in his voice.

"No particular reason, really. I'm just anxious by nature," Oren said in a slightly self deprecating smile. "Can't help it."

"I know that feeling a little too well." Grayson said rather candidly. "That was basically my teenage years." He have a slight snort of a laugh, remembering the younger, nerdy, awkward self that he was.

"I think that's true for most humans. You do not go through puberty gracefully," Oren said with an almost solemn nod before smiling brightly once again. He swayed a little in place, suddenly feeling slightly awkward after the exchange of baked goods was over.

Sensing the tension, while trying not to be too forward, Grayson perked up, "How about after your shift you come over or we meet up and finish off some more of these cookies? As lovely as they are, I don't think I will be able to get through all of these myself."

Happy that Grayson wasn't s awkward as himself, Oren nodded, ready to agree. He hesitated then. "Um, my shift ends at midnight. Won't that be a little late for you?" he asked in concern.

"I can take a nap between now and then and still be ready." He smiled.

"Okay," Oren finally agreed with a nod, but wondered in the back of his mind why Grayson was being so nice. As the thought came to him, he immediately felt bad. Grayson was a nice guy, after all.

"We can watch a holovid," he offered after a moment. "Or just talk."

"That sounds like a plan to me!" Grayson resisted saying date so very, very badly.

"Excellent!" Oren exclaimed, happy. "What about your roommate. Will they mind?"

"Well, if they are in, we could head to the lounge or somewhere. The ship doesn't have an observation place, does it? To sit and watch the stars, the rest of the ship?" Grayson asked.

"Actually, there is an Observation Lounge on Deck 7. It's really nice," Oren explained. "I go up there to meditate sometimes when the Arboretum is too crowded."

"I think that is a better idea then."

"What? Meditating in the Observation Lounge?"

"No, headed there. Although, I am known to meditate now and then, especially after yoga."

"Oh, alright. So, meet you there tonight?"

"Deal". Grayson refrained from mentioning a date for now.

"Great! I'll see you there," Oren said with a smile. "And keep up the good work!" he encouraged, motioning to the machine Grayson had been on when Oren arrived.

"Thanks." Grayson said as he put his music back on and began the process of lifting the weights on the machine, back to the correct location, to continue his chest press.

[OFF]

Ensign Grayson Jones
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

&

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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