Twenty four

"We're going to lay some rules down first," Sypha said firmly. "It is a group date, but this doesn't mean we cant break into pairs. The only thing that shouldn't happen is one person being left to themselves while the other three have fun."

"Can there be kissing?" Trevor asked with a small grin.

Anna kicked him lightly with a small glare.

"Yes, but you have to ask first," Sypha replied as Trevor leaned away from his cousin with a snicker. "Every time."

"Short kisses only?"

"No one wants to watch a make-out session, Trevor," Anna sighed, this time shoving him gently. "That's rude, not to mention discomforting for the people around you."

There was a small, amused sound from Adrian, sitting across the table from her. She huffed at him too, and tried not to blush.

The idea of a group date had actually been Trevor's, mostly in a bid to get them all to have a good, fun time before the ship docked at the Torens space dock in a week. They'd all agreed that swimming wasn't really on the table at the moment, but there were enough other things on the Pirouette to do that would give them all a chance to have some fun.

"So, what should we do first?" Adrian asked, glancing first at her, then at Sypha.

"Food first," she replied promptly. "There's a nice cafe on the observation deck, or we can go to one of the lower decks for a restaurant."

"And after?"

"We'll talk about after as we go."

An arcade had followed after, at Trevor's request, though both Anna and Adrian had vacated the noise after only a few minutes.

"How does he stand it?" Adrian asked, watching through the open archway as Trevor and Sypha continued to tag-team one another with the VR games.

"He's mostly deaf, I swear," Anna replied, shaking her head. He glanced at her and saw a small, fond smile on her face. "But he's got the reflexes for it, so I guess that's part of why he likes it."

Slowly he reached out, taking her hand. She blinked and glanced at him for a moment, then her fingers curled around his, and she went back to watching their two friends.

"Do you think we should leave them to it?" he asked.

"...I think if we actually leave, Sypha will scold us for breaking the terms of the outing," she replied, a wry smile crossing her face. "We're supposed to be a group, after all."

"Ah, but she did say we could split into pairs as events determined, and," he winced a little at a particularly loud noise from the arcade, "quite frankly, this is too much for me."

He felt a small tremble in her hand, and made himself keep his eyes focused on Trevor's back as he won another round. She was still so skittish, even after talking things over with Sypha; he didn't want to scare her off, but this was all he could think to do for her.

"...okay," she finally said. "Then... what would you like to do?"

"Well, there is a nice book outlet over there," and he gestured to a store three down from where they stood. "Why don't we go in and browse?"

He glanced down and was rewarded with a small smile.

"Okay. Let's do that."

"That was definitely not the best movie choice," Trevor grumbled a little, stretching his arms above his head.

"I thought it was adorable," Sypha replied, hands on her hips.

"It was very moving," Adrian agreed with a small nod.

Anna just hid a yawn behind one hand; she was with Trevor on that one, it was decidedly not her type of story either. But she was glad both Sypha and Adrian seemed to have enjoyed it.

"Bah, neither of you have any taste," Sypha huffed, slipping an arm through Adrian's.

"We have taste," Trevor retorted. "It was a dull movie!"

"Be nice to your primary, Trevor," Anna murmured. "You have to share the bed, remember?"

Sypha grinned as Trevor sighed, and Adrian chuckled a little.

"Yes, that's right, be nice or there's a couch with your name on it," Sypha teased.

"Oh no, the horror," he deadpanned, slipping up on Sypha's other side to put his arm around her shoulders. "How ever will I survive a night on the couch?"

Anna stifled a giggle, even as she trailed behind them.

"Badly," she offered. "Couches aren't built for someone your size~"

"Oof, no they're not," he agreed.

"Then perhaps you shouldn't antagonize Sypha," Adrian suggested, even as he reached back to catch Anna's hand and tug her up with them. "Because she will hold you to it."

"Kinky~ Ow!"

"...you deserved that one," Sypha said, pulling her elbow out of Trevor's ribs.

Anna just giggled in agreement.

"-and that one's a Jerusalem rose," Sypha said, pointing to a small, pink flower at the edge of the display. "Oh, and over there-"

Adrian dropped back with Trevor, who was looking a bit bored.

"Not a flower person?" he asked.

"Not really, but Anna's always been a fan. She kept trying to grow gardens when we were kids, but the soil was too hard for much to take root. There was grass, and a lot of old, twisty trees, but..." he shrugged lightly. "Not much else."

Adrian smiled a little as Sypha put an arm around Anna's shoulders, pointing out yet another flower.

"Well, they're having fun, at least," he said after a moment. "They probably wouldn't notice if we wandered away."

"Oh no, they'll notice," Trevor said with a wry grin. "But they won't be annoyed, since we're not going far. Let's grab some drinks from the kiosk and kick back for a bit."

Adrian nodded, and followed, though he glanced curiously over his shoulder after a moment; sure enough, both Anna and Sypha were looking back. Sypha waved, and mimed blowing a kiss before she turned back to Anna; Anna looked... forlorn for a moment, but after a minute she waved too, then returned her attention to what Sypha was saying.

It was good to sit down again, with a mug of tea in hand at a small plas-glass table.

"Doing okay?" Trevor asked.

"Well enough, I suppose. It's not overwhelming, if that's what you mean."

Trevor took a drink from his coffee, and half-shrugged.

"Well, that's good, but I meant between you and Anna."

Adrian sighed a little, and shrugged a bit helplessly.

"Look, 'round the end of the night, I'll take Sypha off in one direction, and you stay with Anna," Trevor said after a moment. "Without scaring her this time, maybe just ask for a kiss? Worst she can say is no, but I don't think she's shut the door on you yet..."

A kiss wasn't the only thing he wanted, but it was a place to start.

"Not yet, but I'm not entirely sure it's been properly opened either," Adrian replied, sipping at the tea. "The last thing I need now is a further misstep."

"Hey, you made your big blunder," Trevor nudged him lightly with a small grin. "Now you just get to make smaller ones~"

Adrian sighed, then reached over and shoved him.

"Do you even know how to dance?" Sypha asked as Trevor pointed to the floor. "And I don't mean the dancing we were doing at the gathering the other day."

"It doesn't look that hard," he replied.

"If you step on my toes, I'll step on yours," Sypha warned, even as she took his hand.

Dinner had been far more fancy than lunch, and this restaurant had an actual dance floor in the middle for couples who had the mood for it. Anna wasn't exactly what she would call comfortable, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

"Does your cousin know how to do the classic dances?" Adrian asked, amusement in his voice.

Anna glanced at him, then away shyly; he looked very good in formal clothing, and it made her even more aware that she was not in the same social league.

"No, not really," she replied, striving to keep her tone light. "But it's Trevor. Knowing him, he'll find some workaround that will have Sypha laughing, even as they both step on the other's toes."

He chuckled a little in agreement, then surprised her by reaching out to tuck some of her hair behind her ear.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked.

His fingers lingered on her cheek in a soft caress as she turned to look at him in surprise.

"Do you know how?" she asked, doing her best to sound light and teasing, not unnerved.

"My father was very adamant that I learn," and his fingers trailed down, lightly ghosting over her shoulder and trailing down her arm until he could take her hand. "So yes, I know how. And I won't mind if you step on my toes."

She blushed; she had no idea how to dance any of the truly old dances, though she'd always wanted to learn. He squeezed her hand gently, and she looked up into warm eyes that carried just a hint of pleading.

"...okay. Just remember, you said that."

He chuckled, and stood up, gently pulling her with him.

The floor was not crowded, though somehow Trevor and Sypha had managed to get all the way across the room; Trevor seemed to be having a good time, even if he didn't know what he was doing, and judging by Sypha's grin, she was too. Anna looked up nervously at Adrian when he paused, then turned her gently.

"Hand here. And here. Yes," and he smiled a little. "Put the tips of your shoes on mine, and just follow my lead."

It was easier said than done, but he kept to a slow, stately pace, his hand on her waist as he guided her through the steps. Bit by bit, she began to feel the pattern, and let herself be drawn into it. She heavily doubted she was his most graceful partner, but he genuinely didn't seem to mind when she failed to anticipate the correct step.

"You're a natural," he murmured. "Just relax."

That was definitely easier said than done... but she tried. For him.

As promised, Trevor had talked Sypha into going to one of the more modern dances with him after they'd finished with the classic dances... he'd also had to promise Anna he wouldn't drink himself foolish again, something Adrian had to admit he heartily approved of.

"You know, I never thought to walk up here," he admitted, pulling Anna just a little bit closer as they passed another couple out for a walk under the stars. "I suppose I was a bit concerned for my skin..."

That made her giggle a little.

"The stars are all far enough away that you won't burn," she said, glancing up at him with a small smile.

"Yes, I understand this logically, but considering my recent dealing with stars and moons, I think I'm allowed to be a bit paranoid."

So maybe he was being a bit more dramatic than usual. It was worth it to watch her fight a smile and fail, and to feel the warmth as she hugged his arm. As he'd thought—as he'd hoped—the dancing had relaxed her subtly, in ways he was certain she didn't even notice. She was the calmest she'd been since the group date had begun, and seeing her smile...

He glanced about carefully; when she'd given him the short goodnight kiss, Sypha had quietly told him about the private spots on the observation deck where they could go unobserved. He hoped that one was unoccupied, because he was quite certain if they went back to the room before he'd managed at least one kiss, Anna would take it as a rejection.

Though to be fair, he hadn't exactly initiated the other kisses from Sypha or Trevor. Accepted them, certainly, but not initiated them. Still, would it matter? It was Anna he wanted to be his primary.

All he had to do was convince her of this fact.

It felt a little strange sitting in the same semi-secluded spot she'd shared with Sypha, but not bad. Adrian had, as ever, remained the consummate gentleman, pushing no farther than the rules that had been laid down.

Which was honestly just a little frustrating. Even now, when they were in something close to privacy, he was just... sitting. Oh, he was holding her hand, and he seemed perfectly content to let her rest her head on his arm, but there was a feeling to the air, something she couldn't quite identify.

She thought for a moment, then tentatively pulled his arm until she could duck underneath, until his arm was wrapped around her shoulder, and she could more gingerly put her around his waist.

Slowly, his fingers curled around her shoulder, and she felt him relax, just a little.

"...what are you waiting for?" she asked softly.

"Well..." he glanced down at her. "I did ask you a question a few days ago... But you never answered me, because I then proceeded to be a fool."

She blinked, then flushed a little.

"You weren't being a fool," she protested. "You... you didn't know."

Lightly he squeezed her shoulder, and she curled her fingers a little in his jacket.

"That doesn't make me less of a fool," he said quietly. "I want to know. But I understand if you don't want to tell me. Or can't tell me. I just... don't want to say anything that might drive you even further away. We need you, Anna. I need you..."

Need didn't have the same connotation as love. Oddly, it felt... better to hear. Though it was still a laughable concept, it wasn't as scary as the other word. Why would they need her? Why would he?

She half closed her eyes, and thought about what he'd asked before she'd panicked so hard it had required outside intervention. If she just avoided that word... everything else he'd said was clear enough.

"I think..." she said slowly, "that you've made some incredible progress while we've been here. And... and I do like... like the idea of staying with all of you. I just... I don't... fit."

Softly, his fingers stroked her shoulder.

"That's a strange thing to say," he said after a moment. "I think you fit with us just fine."

"No, I mean..." After a moment she sighed, and looked down at her lap. "When you get to Torens, you'll be a board member again, a shareholder. I'm just... I'm not even a fully trained doctor, I don't know... how to move in circles where everything is flash and glitter."

"Anna..."

He leaned his head lightly against hers.

"You don't need to," he said gently. "You don't need to try and fit into that sort of place; you just need to be you. The stubborn, adorable, occasionally frustrating you, who cares so much about everyone else that she forgets to care about herself, who could very well have died trying to save her friends because she didn't want to take a proper dose that they might need."

She blushed, and he slipped his fingers under her chin, coaxing her to look up at him.

"Please, Anna... Stay with me."

Stay with him.

Not with them, with him.

"...I think I would like it if you kissed me," she said, mouth suddenly dry with nerves.

"May I?"

She could still back out. Still push him away, and knew that he would let her.

Maybe that was why it felt easier to nod. Because he would let her back away. He wouldn't try to force her beyond where she was ready to go.

"...I fear I may break one of Sypha's rules," he murmured, shifting just slightly.

"Oh?"

It was a squeak and he smiled at her.

"I don't think I want to kiss you only a short while."

She felt heat flood her cheeks, even as he leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers.

In truth, it was probably a good thing that the secluded nook was part of the observation deck; it meant he couldn't lose himself in the sensation of kissing her, and push beyond acceptable boundaries. Because he would be the first to admit that he did, actually, want to do more than just kiss her.

But he didn't want to overwhelm her.

Adrian did his best to keep the kisses light, undemanding and easy. He made himself pull away so that she could catch her breath, kept his touches soft and minimal. As much as he wanted to push forward, to show her how he felt instead of trying to tell her, he held himself back fiercely.

She had no experience with this, or next to none, and it showed in the halting way she kissed back, in the uncertain fluttering of hands that didn't know quite where to rest. He took her hand, and pressed it between them, feeling her heart pounding almost as hard as his own.

Oh...

That wasn't good.

He pulled away, and very carefully laid his head on her shoulder. She was shivering still, but it didn't take her long to realize something was amiss.

"Adrian?"

He would admit it pleased him to hear the soft quiver in her voice. Desire, he hoped.

"...a... moment," he murmured. "Just... just a moment."

….you forgot to breathe, didn't you?"

He couldn't help but smile at the tone of her voice. Desire had been quickly replaced by concern, but there was a note of amusement too.

"Possibly."

She huffed a little, but leaned her cheek lightly against head.

"Just breathe," Anna murmured softly. "Count of five breath."

He closed his eyes, and let her voice wash over him, helping to steady his ragged breathing so that he was getting the proper amount of oxygen.

Her hand touched his chest, as if to reassure herself that his heart was not pounding quite so hard, working quite so hard to keep him alive.

"...maybe we should leave it at that for now," she said, and her tone was gentle. "We'll find a geneticist on Torens once we land, won't we?"

He smiled, though he didn't straighten just yet.

"Yes," he agreed. "We will."

Personal log, Anna Torres

If that's what kissing is like all the time, I think I understand why Sypha and Trevor kiss so much. Not that kissing Sypha is bad, it's just... not quite the same. Nothing is lacking, it's just... I don't know. Different.

Now that we're within a week of Torens, messages are going to be coming in at a rapid pace. Already Alterra is trying to deny us the right to land because we have to pay a fee for utilizing the resources of 4546B to survive; Adrian swears he can get that overturned before we reach the planet itself, but that's just one of many issues.

I still don't know if this is right, but... I think I care less now.

I want to stay.

I need... to stay.