Safe Harbour

Posted on 22 Mar 2022 @ 9:16pm by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Oliver Sylver & Verity Thorne

2,717 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: Verity Thorne and Oliver Sylver's quarters
Timeline: MD-07 00:30

[ON]

Oliver sighed softly as he let himself into his quarters. He had just come off his shift, having spent time sorting out the workbee. It was finally working again, but his back ached from having crawled into all sort of weird spaces. He was quiet though, as he was just getting used to the shifts again and he worried about waking Verity if he was asleep. He removed his uniform jacket, removing the combadge and putting it down before starting to strip out of the sweaty and dirty clothes.

"I hope that's you stripping, Oliver, or I'm going to get in trouble with the real Oliver when he gets back," Verity teased with a chuckle, watching him from the bed, half propped up on an elbow.

"Sorry...I didn't want to wake you," Oliver said, putting his clothes to be recycled. He walked over in his underwear and vest, leaning to gently kiss him. "I'll just go and wash, I've spent most of my shift elbows deep in the workbee."

"Hm, as tempting as that sounds, maybe you're right," Verity laughed softly, touching his cheek gently. "And it's okay, I just need to adjust to your shift, that's all."

Oliver looked at him, his eyes gentle as he leant into the touch. But Verity shouldn't have to adjust to him. He could see if he could get a better shift. Although with the new Captain, he doubted there was any real time for it. "I'll be quick. Promise," he whispered and stole a kiss before going to the bathroom. He stripped and got the sonic shower on, wanting to do this quickly so he could eat and then nap. He yawned despite his best efforts, his body not yet used to the shift pattern either.

Verity took the chance to get up, pulling his dressing gown on as he moved to get them both a hot drink, figuring Oliver could do with it. He'd been working hard over the last couple of days. He was still angry that the shoreleave had been pulled from under them. He didn't believe that of all the ships in all the quadrant, they were the only one that could assist. They may have been a convenient choice, but it wasn't the same thing.

Oliver came out wearing his dressing gown, walking over to Verity before he wrapped his arms around him from behind, hugging him. "How was your day?" he asked, kissing his neck before he pulled back to take one of the mugs, sighing as he wrapped his sore hands around it.

Verity smiled softly as he moved to sit close with him, sipping his own tea carefully. "Oh, fine. Some disgruntled people still, some just more...discombobulated. It knocks confidence, feeling at sixes and sevens, but the crew is made of stern stuff."

"They'll bounce back eventually," Oliver said as he gave him a small smile. "I can feel the tension drifting downwards though. It'll be fine. Darius and I, we've seen worse before. We'll adapt. Worried about the younger ones though. Captain Saalm was...less for the book, more about getting through things. Unconventional. That's the word."

Verity chuckled, nodding gently at the choice of words, taking the chance to slide his arm through his. "You're right. But, more importantly, how was your day?" he asked gently.

"Frustrating and busy...but done," Oliver said and leant close, to kiss his hair. "And glad to be back here with you. The first week is the worst, then I get used to it again."

He nodded gently with a small smile, squeezing his hand. "And I'm a one man chaplain service. I can adjust my hours to fit yours. I'm just not as used to shifting my sleep around as pros like you," he teased.

Oliver chuckled and finished his tea, putting it down before he turned to face him. "One day...I'll be on the good shift. I promise," he said, reaching to touch his cheek, stroking it as he watched him. He was so beautiful, his gentle blue eyes, his full lips. Oliver could get lost watching his face and his fingers traced his jaw until he came to the little cleft in his chin. The skin felt rougher with the stubble, and he could help but to marvel on it.

Verity leant into the hand with a soft breath, searching his eyes as he shook his head gently. "Oliver, you don't have to promise me anything. As long as we're together, I'm happy. We can make it work."

Oliver smiled, meeting his eyes before he nodded. "I know we can. We can make anything work for us," he said before he kissed him, a sweet and gentle kiss.

Verity smiled gently against his lips, running his thumb down the line of his strong jaw. "What's the bridge like now?" he asked softly.

"Good question, I was too busy down in the shuttlebays," he said with a small smile. "Some scuttlebutt is happening about the new Captain. Usual change in command vibes. I would not worry."

"Well, the nice thing about being outside of the ranks is that I don't really have to worry much about that," Verity shook his head with a soft smile. "Also means I'm often the last person to know what's going on though."

"Well, no one tells me anything either," Sylver said playfully, reaching to take his hand, to entwine their fingers. "But as soon as I know, I will tell you." He had no secrets from Verity, that included work. "I think the change in Captains is bothering the officers more than the enlisted."

"Well, I suppose the officers are the link between the Captain and the enlisted," Verity nodded gently, squeezing his hand lightly. "They're supposed to protect them from any drama going on up there, but it means they soak it up. She's not been here long though, she has a lot to adjust to as well, not just the other way around."

Oliver smiled as he looked at him, his eyes gentle. "Well, a change on top will inspire changes further down the chain. But truth is...she was given command of this ship. So hopefully, everyone involved get settled into it. I like Captain Saalm, but I've served under a lot of COs. You got to keep going, scuttlebutt never really helps. But I think that comes from my...Marine days."

"My tough marine," Verity teased, but with clear warmth as he leant in close to rest against him. "It's not going to be good, is it," he suddenly said, quietly, shaking his head. "Whatever we're being sent to, literally in the middle of the night, rushing off..."

Oliver was silent for a long moment, thinking about it. "No," he said quietly. "Wherever we are going, it will...most likely not be good. No idea what it is yet, but last time I was scrambled in such a way, there was a war on."

Verity nodded quietly as he accepted it, but he held his hand a little tighter. "And here I was thinking a science ship would be a quiet parish..."

"I think a deep space mission always has its...dangers," Oliver said, and met his eyes for a long moment before he kissed him. He wanted Verity to feel safe, but knew also they were both realists in their own way. "I love you." The declaration was not out of character, he was addicted to saying it and showing it. But in the moment, he tried to convey how much he meant it.

Verity smiled softly at that, relaxing with the words. It made it worth it, whatever the outcome. He nodded, leaning to kiss him gently. "I love you too," he said softly. "But you know that," he added with a slight chuckle. "We're lucky."

"We are," Oliver said as he watched him, his eyes gentle before he kissed his jaw. "We are lucky. I am very lucky, of course," he chuckled and met his eyes, just searching them. "I have a boyfriend who even wakes up for me in the middle of his night."

"Well, technically there's no day or night on a starship, so..." Verity gave a tsk sound, shaking his head with a small smile. "But I'll take the praise, gladly."

Oliver touched his chin, stroking it before he smiled. "Good, you should have," he whispered softly, kissing him lightly. "Want to get back to bed again?"

"Only because I'm cold," he laughed softly, shaking his head as he stood and pulled him with him. "Not because I'm weak and need sleep," he added, teasingly.

Oliver nodded, standing with him with a smile. "I need sleep too," he admitted, wrapping his arm around him. "And I need you close." He wanted to hold him, to watch over him, even if only for a little bit. Perhaps it was his own cynicism, or an instinct...but with the history of this ship, bad things were coming. He might have to go a long while without being close to Verity.

Verity nodded, frowning slightly despite his better efforts as he gripped his hand, pulling him into bed with him. He pulled the cover over them, keeping close as he let out a soft breath and turned the lights down. "You'll always say goodbye, won't you," he said quietly, shaking his head with a frown.

Oliver was serious as he held him, shifting so he could rest his head against his ear...selfishly, so that Verity could be close to his chest and throat, so he could feel he was there. "I'll always try to," he finally said, stroking over his side. He had to be honest. Maybe it was because he was tired, but he wanted him to know the truth. All of it. "Before going on an away team, before leaving for my shift. But if I ever can't...I want you to know I love you with all I am. That you're the most precious thing in my life. That I am so happy and lucky to have you. And should I draw my last breath, I pray the last thing I will think about will be you."

Verity tilted his head enough to watch him in the dim light, letting out a tight breath at the depth of feeling in the words. "Thank you," he whispered, kissing him quickly as he gripped the side of his face. "And I better be what you think about, or I'll find out and come and make trouble for you," he chuckled softly, shaking his head.

Oliver smiled gently, watching him for a long moment. "If something were to happen to me, you're my next of kin," he said, serious, his thumb stroking over his lips. "It means you get my benefits as well. I want you to know that I have sorted all that." He leant close, kissing him with love.

Verity let out a shaking breath as he kissed him gently. The words were bittersweet, the love behind them meaning the world to him, but the stark truth of it terrifying. "I don't have much in that line of things, not anymore. But what I have, is yours."

Oliver nodded, stroking over his cheek before he let out a soft breath. "I know," he said, his hand going to rest over his heart, just feeling it. "Of course, I am hoping we will enjoy growing old and achy together..." he added, with a smile that was both cheeky and loving.

Verity laughed warmly at the words, nodding as he covered the hand, squeezing it warmly. "I don't think you'll have to wait that long for me," he teased.

"Or for me, a lot of wear and tear with me," Oliver said, and stole a quick kiss before he held him close. "I've heard myself get out of bed in the morning, there is a certain amount of...sound."

He laughed warmly at that, shaking his head as he grinned at the image it painted. "Oh come on, I've yet to meet anyone who just springs out of bed alert and perky."

Oliver smiled as he looked at him, his eyes filled with love. "You know, I think I was like that at some point in my youth. Many years ago. Now? This...is where I am the happiest. In bed with you."

"Acceptable," Verity teased with a soft smile, shaking his head gently against the pillow. "I don't think I was ever like that," he admitted in a whisper. "I think I was born old and just got older."

Oliver lifted his hand to kiss, shaking his head. "I look at you, and I never think old," he admitted almost thoughtfully. "I see a lot of things in you. But never that."

"I hope they're good things," he whispered softly, shaking his head with a gentle smile.

"They are all good things, Verity," he whispered back, kissing his cheek as he held him close with love. He took a deeper breath, to smell his neck, smiling to himself. "I remember when we first met. I thought how beautiful you looked, and how kind you were."

Verity laughed softly, shaking his head as he pushed his arm gently. "You did not. I remember I had to stop looking at you. You were well out of my league and you were bringing all sorts of wicked thoughts that could never come to be."

"Oh...wicked thoughts..." he smiled, kissing his hair before he shook his head. "You weren't out of my league, Verity. You never were. Some arsehole just made you feel like that."

"I have eyes," Verity whispered, but with a soft smile, stroking the back of his hand to his high cheekbone. "You could be a holostar with this face."

He leant into the touch, rolling his eyes. "I'm not," he said, his voice soft. "And I wouldn't be. But I am yours. Just yours, Verity."

"That's more than enough," he whispered with a warm smile, kissing him gently as he felt over the dark hair. "I'll get used to it one day, I'm sure."

Oliver chuckled warmly, leaning into the touches. "Maybe around the time you marry me," he whispered, kissing his jaw as he held him.

He grinned at that, resting easily against him as he laughed gently. "I'm old fashioned, we'd have to do it right," he whispered.

"Good," Oliver said, stroking his neck as he closed his eyes. "Because I'd want to. And to do it properly. I'll even ask you, properly...promise. But maybe not on this mission."

"Yes," Verity laughed softly at the juxtaposition that would create. "Probably best. I want you focussed on whatever task they give you. Keep yourself safe."

"I always do," Oliver said, holding him close as he rested against him. "I like keeping myself in one piece. Hangover from being a fighter pilot. Stay in one piece was sort of my aim."

"And I'm grateful for it," Verity assured, shaking his head with a soft breath. "Although, I know that you have a little more daring in there. You wouldn't have been drawn to it otherwise."

"I was young," Oliver said as he sighed, shaking his head as well. "I am not that young anymore. And therefore, not...as daring with my life. Besides, I have so much to live for. You. I have you, Verity."

"You know exactly what to say," Verity grinned, warmed with it despite the amusement and playfulness shining in his eyes.

"I practice in front of the mirror," Oliver said, deadpan, before he grinned and stole a kiss. "My Verity."

"Thank you," he whispered, settling comfortably against him as he stroked up his side. His whole body was more relaxed. "You've made me feel a lot better," he admitted softly.

"You did too," Oliver admitted, swallowing. "I think I needed it." Because there was tensions on the ship, and while he tried to ignore it, it didn't make him completely oblivious to it.

"Then I did my job today," Verity whispered with a soft chuckle, touching the back of his hand to his cheek.

OFF:

Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

CWO2 Oliver Sylver
Conn
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Rice]

RSS Feed