Distractivities

Posted on 16 Nov 2015 @ 12:01am by Ensign Calvin Henderson

1,151 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: Starbase 24- Lounge
Timeline: MD 05, 0030

ON:
For the better part of several days, Calvin Henderson had been meandering around Starbase 24 in search for his new home. The only problem? No one seemed to know where the USS Galileo was. In fact, people seemed to be going out there way by pointing him in circles and he was growing more frustrated with it. Having been sent round in the same circle for a 5th time that day, Calvin called it quits and returned to his now less than temporary quarters. Getting changed, he did what most 20-somethings would do in the same situation…he headed to the bar.

His tight black jeans contrasted his slightly baggier polo shirt, also in black. Some would no doubt cast this a reflection on his mood, Calvin saw it as good club wear and nothing more. Finding a rare seat at a table, Calvin sat down and ordered his drink by a waiter who seemed to seep out of the crowd like a fog. Moments later he had his favourite drink, a large glass tumbler of whisky. A drink to nod to his ancestry.

Calvin soaked in the crowed as he soaked in his drink. Slowly. Purposefully. Ensuring every drop was savoured. No part wasted or rushed. As much as he felt recharged while on his own, some of his batteries needed a boost while in the company of others. It was bliss. Watching each interaction between people brought a smile to his face, wondering the relationships between them. Watching out over the balcony on which he sat, he saw, to his mind; a first date going badly, a first date going overly well, friends consoling a heart broken lover, a birthday celebration and much more. People watching was a secret past time of his.

Not one to go and approach people, as he was much too shy, Calvin never really felt the need to go and talk to others…he would save both parties the embarrassment of his stammering and stuttering over an introduction. It never bothered him, he was happy with where he was. Calvin figured the person for him would make himself known one day. That is the point that during his gaze of the room another gaze was fixed upon him. A man, a little older than himself, possibly early to mid-30s was looking back to him with piercing green eyes. His black hair, get slightly greying hair in wisps was slightly, but stylishly, dishevelled as Calvin caught him smirking as well. He maintained a short yet scruffy beard, a plus point in Calvin’s book. The dim lights of the lounge make his olive skin glisten. The man was very stylish, his style very appealing to Calvin…dark jeans like his own and a shirt with the top two buttons undone. His athletic form shifted as his entire face continued to smirk away gallantly.

Realising he had been looking to long, Calvin instantly blushed, looked away, pretending not to notice and took a rather swift and large swig of his drink, enough to make his body shudder. Being brave, Calvin glanced back over. Thankfully his eye gaze stalker was gone. For now, he could breathe a sigh of relief. That was until he felt a tap over his left shoulder, “Is this seat taken?” a voice called out above the ambient music.

Looking up, the man he met eyes with was there, looking down upon him. Calvin froze. “Na-n-no. Take it if you need to,” he tried to respond, the fear in his eyes growing as the man sat at the table beside him. “Grand, I hoped as much,” the handsome stranger replied. Let’s face it, he would have found an excuse to leave if Calvin didn’t think so. Panicking, he didn’t know what to say. The silence was starting to become a little awkward as the thought of downing his drink and leaving became very appealing. “Name’s Will, Will James. Security here at the station,” he began as he extended a hand. “Calvin, Henderson…Astrometrics, a-w-w-aiting transfer to a ship,” Calvin replied sheepishly as he tentatively went to shake the man’s hand.
Over the next half hour, or thereabouts (Calvin wasn’t so sure, he lost track of time) the pair chatted, the usual first meeting talk, jobs, family, past postings, the academy. It had really helped Calvin settle down. The night was drawing on, people were leaving to head to other late night venues or home, leaving Will and the young scientist practically alone in the bar. “Think we should call it a night,” the charming, not-quite-a-stranger began. Calvin nodded in agreement while stifling a yawn, “Yeah, it is late and I am sure people here want to get the place cleaned up.”
“Wanna’ head out of here then cutie?” Will asked, allowing for the first time the pair to touch as he moved his hand onto his young target’s knee.
Calvin gave a little shudder, half in nerves and half in excitement at the gesture, “I think so, but…if I may be honest?”
“Go ahead,” Will smiled.
“I hope you won’t be offended if I say I think we should head home…alone. Not that I haven’t enjoyed our time tonight. I, I, I” he let his nerves slip back in a little, “I-don’t really do anything, you know, physical,” he blushed and began to look at the floor in a painfully shy yet partly adorable way, “on the first meeting. Not that I wouldn’t like that and find it wholly a pleasurable activity. I just… I just like to wait.” Without much of a pause for breath, Calvin continues his moral grounds speech. “I hope that doesn’t put you off. I just seem to have some people who almost expect it on night one and I am really not that kind of guy.”

Finally Calvin stopped, still not looking up, afraid the man he had spent some time with had already walked off. Thankfully he hadn’t. “Hey, I get it don’t worry. And no. It doesn’t put me off. It makes me want to ask to meet you back here for lunch. Sound like a plan?” Will smiled. “I am more than happy to take things slow, especially with someone as interesting and as interested as you are. It’s adorable really.” He stood up, walked over to Calvin and gave a kiss on the forehead. “I couldn’t leave without something. Here, tomorrow, 1200 hours?”
Smiling, quite broadly, Calvin nodded, “1200 hours. I’ll be here.”
With that, the two parted company quite amicably, the butterflies already beginning to build in Calvin’s stomach. Usually most people ran after he said his ‘bit’. He couldn’t help but feel a warmth that someone finally understood.

OFF:

Ensign Calvin Henderson
Astrometrics Officer
USS Galileo

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