Friends... Finally

Posted on Sun Oct 22nd, 2017 @ 4:26am by Petty Officer 3rd Class Avery Stiles & Ensign Jonathan Forrest

Episode: The Deuterium Argument [Rebooted]
Location: TBD
Timeline: TBD

Avery took a deep breath and pulled the bowstring back. He lined up his shot and let the arrow fly, watching as it made a solid hit against the outer ring of the target marker. He uttered a series of curses in Spanish, most of which he learned from Theo and his parents before turning to look at his shooting companion.

"And why are we doing this again and not messing around in my sim?" Avery asked, putting his hands on his hips. "I can do machines this just seems... pointless."
 
"Because my sister is the one into machines, not me." He pulled the bowstring back himself, slowly releasing a breath as he let the arrow fly. It struck at the edge of the red and yellow. It wasn't dead center, but it was closer than Avery's shot. "Why do you find this boring?"

"No, it's not because I suck at it," Avery responded, with a frown. 

"Okay, then why?"

"I like working with my hands," Avery said. He looked over at Jonathan. "And no, that's not what I meant. I like taking things apart, deconstructing them. We could be working on gigantic robot lions for the love of all that is holy and pure."

The Helmsman gave a non-committal shrug, "I'm sure you are good with working with your hands, and for your information, I mean that sincerely, I've seen on the job. My mind did not go in the gutter, well at least not for long."

Avery let another arrow fly, striking the outermost rim of the target ring. He shook his head and turned to look at his friend again. "So, what's with you and that security ensign?"

"He's Bajoran, he reminds me of Anjar, my first, we've gone on a couple of dates. Nothing serious so far. What about you, have you found a boyfriend or a girlfriend?"

Avery looked over at Jonathan and cocked an eyebrow. "We are so not discussing my love life on account of the very awkward first date thing we had... once. No, I am staying single for rest of my life, I've decided."

Jonathan laughed at the other man. "You can't be serious. You're not dating? Who doesn't date, or believe in relationships, or romance, or at least sex?"

"What do I need to date for?" Avery asked. "I've got my friends and there are plenty of... interesting holodeck programs out there. Plus, I have my work. Really, really, important work."

"Everyone has important work," the helmsman said, "and holoprograms are okay if all you want is sex. But even that's not like the real thing. And who is going to hold you in the middle of the night, or be there when you wake up in the morning and bring you coffee, or in my case, hot chocolate? You're not going to get that from a holoprogram."

"I can get my own hot chocolate, thank you very much," Avery responded. "I don't need held in the middle of the night. Trust me."

Jonathan shurgged, "Well to each his own as they say, but why don't you want those things?"

"Why does it matter if I don't want those things?" Avery countered.

"Because, if nothing else I'm your friend and I'd like to know. And, those things are so important to me, it's hard for me to understand why they're not to you."

"I guess they just aren't," Avery responded. "My parents aren't real thrilled with me career choice. In fact, the only real family that I have is Theo and his parents. I guess I'm just over the whole fall in love thing."

"I...I, uh never mind, "I'm not going to argue with you. It would probably just frustrate us both. So what other weapons are you good with?"

"I'm decent with phasers. Truthfully, if we are speaking about combat skills, I'm much better unarmed."

"Me too," Jonathan replied, "maybe we should spar sometime."

"Maybe," Avery said, shrugging his shoulders. "But right now I could do for some food, what do you say?"

"Sounds good to me, you're place or mine?" Jonathan deadpanned.

"Mine," Avery answered. "I have some spices that I need to hurry up and use."

"Sounds good to me," Jonathan agreed as they started to move towards Avery's cabin.

When they arrived at the other man's quarters and had stepped inside, Jonathan said, "You want some help in the kitchen?"

"No thanks," Avery said, gesturing towards the seating area. "Make yourself comfortable."

Jonathan gave a brief nod and crossed the room, where he sat down on the edge of the loveseat."So, what are you making me?" he inquired.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Avery smiled.

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