One Show Only (No Encore)

"I'm watching documentaries about human naval craft disasters. Want to join me?"

Cross Posted to AO3

Chapter 10: Grunt

The day before they entered Tuchanka's atmosphere, Shepard found Grunt hunched over the small screen of a datapad in the mess hall. "Grunt," she greeted, and slid into the seat beside him.

"Shepard!" Grunt looked up and grinned. It was a terrifying smile.

Shepard smiled back. "What are you doing?" she asked, looking around the mess. It was empty, though it was just a little while before dinner. Even Gardner was nowhere to be seen. Shepard hoped the pot on the stove did not need to be stirred or the heat adjusted or … whatever else one did when cooking food for a mixed species crew.

"I was looking at human historical disasters," Grunt said, gesturing at a datapad propped up before him. "I'm watching documentaries about human naval craft disasters. There's a lot of water on Earth. Wonder why your continents don't just float away." He glanced at Shepard. "Join me?"

"Uh," Shepard said, about to decline, but then caught sight of Grunt's blue eyes. Huge, pleading blue eyes. And he was trying to be polite, too. Dammit. "Sure. What's this one about?"

"Some civilian cruiser called the Titanic," Grunt said. "Ooh, this part's good. He's been chained up and the is water rising. His mate ran off to find the key, but she keeps falling over. Also, she might get shot."

Chaya tilted her head. "This is a documentary?" she asked. "I didn't think they had vid cameras back in the early 20th century."

Grunt said, "Maybe it's a dramatic reenactment. Shhh, just watch."

An hour and a half later, Shepard furiously blinked her eyes. "Fuck," she said. "He died? What kind of ending is that?"

"What a moron," Grunt said. "Don't they know basic physics?"

"And she gave up everything to remember him," Shepard continued.

"Are humans really so weak a little cold will kill them?"

"That necklace was really hideous, though."

"Yeah."

Shepard sniffed, and cleared her throat. "Good vid, Grunt."

"I was hoping for more explosions," Grunt confessed.

Chaya laughed. "Ok, okay. I am starving. Wow, it's late. Shouldn't people be eating?"

"I believe the crew is waiting for you to finish your documentary," Edi offered. "Hawthorne in particular has been most vocal about the delay. Though some other members of the crew members have told him they would be happy to give him their supply of nutrient paste if he doesn't feel like waiting."

Shepard snorted. "I'm done, I'm done. Tell them we're clearing out. Hey, Grunt, want to grab snacks and marathon the Blasto vids in my cabin?"

"Yes," Grunt said, and followed her to the elevator.

END 10.

Next Time: "Well, everyone deserves chocolate," Shepard said.