I've had such a rough week and weekend and I just wanna crawl in a hole and die for a few hours. But hey! At least these boys made me smile for part of the day. 8D
In A Different Time
Chapter 4: Grades, Flowers & Nerves
The ship around them dissolved quickly, leaving the ten participating cadets in the stark, gray simulator room. Ed always found it a bit disconcerting. The simulations always seemed so real. From the ship itself, to whatever challenge or enemy was put in front of them. The sounds and feel of it, all around him. It was so real! And then it just stopped and it felt like he was just dropped into the empty room. Which he sort of was, of course. But he recovered quickly and straightened up. He brushed himself off and glanced around the room.
Gordon dashed towards Ed, practically bouncing on his feet and slid to a stop. "Wow! That was awesome! Wasn't that awesome?"
Across the small room, Alluette crossed her arms and let out a sigh. She tilted her head back and looked up at the ceiling. "Please, whoever is listening to this, please, I beg you!" She whined. "Do not assign me to the same ship as him!"
Gordon spun around and threw up his arms. "Hey! I did awesome!"
The door opened and an older, rather tall, dark haired Xelayan man stood. He framed the doorway and didn't enter. He crossed his arms and stared at the room of cadets.
"Oh shit!" Gordon ducked behind Ed. "Admiral Kaysen!" He hissed, trying to hide completely from view.
"I can see you, Cadet Malloy." The man said. "We will reconvene in one hour with the exam results." He said. "You are dismissed." The Admiral turned and left.
Gordon poked his head out. "You think he knew it was us?" He asked softly.
"Us?" Ed repeated. "That was all you."
Gordon's mouth dropped open. "You were there!" He said. "Guilty by association!"
Ral stepped closer to the pair, smiling at them. "Wanna go get something to eat?" She asked.
Ed shook his head. "No thanks." He said politely.
She eyed him for a moment. "Said you were hungry."
"Too nervous." He said. "Feel like I'd yack anything up."
She wrinkled her nose. "Gross."
Ed shrugged. "You asked."
Ral nodded her head. "Yeah, I guess I did. Though I didn't asked for details like that." She shook her head slowly and turned. "Alluette. Brunch?"
The purple humanoid nodded her head. "I could eat." She said, walking towards them. "Anything but quesadillas." She said, walking past Ed. "Because that was the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
Gordon spun around towards her. His eyes narrowed into a glare and threw up his arms. "It was El Quesadilla." He punctuated the name by snapping his fingers twice, very flamboyantly.
Alluette rolled her eyes and looked upwards once more. "Again. Please. Don't assign me to the same ship as him.
"Oh yeah?" Gordon retorted. "Well... uh... I hate purple! It's stupid!" He said. "You uh... look like a flower."
Ed smiled and patted Gordon on the back. "Good comeback, Gord."
"She does!" Gordon said, watching the two women walk off.
Ed shrugged. "Don't worry about it. I think it's a species thing. They always seem overly dramatic and snarky. Like perpetual teenagers."
"I hate teenagers." Gordon mumbled.
Ed laughed. "Gordon, you act like a teenager."
"Yeah! Exactly!"
Ed laughed again and shook his head. "You are something."
Gordon turned towards him and tilted his head. "Something good?" He asked. Ed smiled in answer and Gordon nodded his head. Sometimes, those were Gordon's favorite conversations with Ed. When they just looked at each other and just knew what the other was thinking or feeling. How they could have a whole conversation without moving or talking or anything. Ed turned slightly and nodded towards the door. Gordon fell in step with him as they two headed out of the room, behind everyone else.
Nearly an hour later, they were all back in the assigned classroom, where they were to meet for the results. Ed and Gordon were standing together in the corner, silently waiting. They'd been the first ones back. Ed was nervous. Too nervous to eat or leave or do anything really. He feared something happening and being late. Again. So he'd shoved his hands in his pockets and slowly walked the halls. Gordon followed without complaint or any words really. The two young men walked in silence until they ended up back in the classroom, the firsts there.
Ed was a complete nervous wreck. His foot was bouncing slightly, his bottom lip was between his teeth, and his hands were clenched at his sides. He tried not to worry, tried not to focus on everything he messed up in the simulation. But he couldn't help it! His stomach was in horrible knots and he knew it wasn't just the nagging hunger or the butterflies suddenly there because of Gordon's proximity. Because he wasn't going to focus on that right then. He was going to focus on the exam. And how he probably tanked it and how his whole life was ruined and he was going to be kicked out and...
Gordon edged closer to Ed. A few inches to brush his shoulder against the other man's. Gordon was nervous himself. Because despite everything, he actually took the whole flying thing seriously. Well mostly. He did take it seriously, but he also didn't. Because he also had fun with it. And that's what was important to him. Having fun while doing something he loved. But he also maybe sort of loved Ed. Maybe. Well, he certainly loved him as a friend or something. Or a brother or something. And after one drunken night, he wasn't going to say love. Not in the romantic sense. Not yet. But had he had a crush on his best friend? Maybe. Maybe the answer was yes. Most definitely. Probably since they met. Just a little tiny crush. Maybe. But whatever. That part wasn't important. The important part was the fact that Ed was freaking out and Gordon didn't like it.
Ed didn't pull away. Ed didn't even seem to notice Gordon was pressed against his side. His eyes were still on the ground, wide and worrying. And his mind was still racing with every possible outcome of tanking the exam. And none of them were appealing. Gordon watched him out of the corner of his eyes. He reached out slowly and touched his hand to Ed's. His finger's grazed the man's pulse at his wrist. Ed still didn't seem to register anything but his hand relaxed and his fingers uncurled. Gordon slowly slid his fingers down Ed's palm and twined their fingers together. That seemed to work. Ed glanced down at their joined hands. He blinked for a moment, as if his eyes needed a moment to focus, to adjust. And he did. The cloud of nerves in his mind dissipated as Gordon squeezed his hand. He felt grounded, anchored by the grip. And he was okay with that.
A few minutes later, Admiral Kaysen entered. Without any preamble or announcement. The Xelayan man was just there suddenly, his presence a little stifling. A hush fell over the room and the gathered cadets all stepped forward eagerly. "We've reviewed your exam." He said. We being a team of admirals at Union Point. But he didn't explain this fact. He just assumed they all knew. Or he just didn't care. Because he didn't. "As a group collective, the exam received the highest grade this year. A perfect score."
There were cheers around the room. Ed held onto Gordon's hand tightly as hope rose in his chest. He knew there were still individual scores. But still, maybe it would turn out okay.
"Your ship came out with very minimal damage, there were zero casualties to the Union personnel, and you successfully initiated a surrender with minimal enemy casualties as well." The Admiral said, a hint of pride in his voice. "We were..." He paused for dramatic effect and a genuine smile spread across his face. "Impressed." He said, stressing the word.
Cheers and applause ran through the room. A smile spread across Gordon's face. He lifted their joined hands and squeezed Ed's. "See?" He said, leaning closer when Ed glanced his way. "You're awesome." He whispered.
Ed smiled. "We are." He corrected.
"Now. Individual scores." Admiral Kaysen said, the smile falling from his face. They were public record. Both the scores and critiques for each cadet. There was no need for privacy. Although some exam proctors prefer discussing each cadet's performance privately, Admiral Kaysen was not one such proctor. He usually found it more efficient to get it all over with at once, with very little obstruction. He'd allowed them a few seconds between each for congratulations before he was on to the next. "Ral Dever. 3 points were subtracted for your attitude towards your Captain at times. Personal matters need to be kept off the bridge. Otherwise, you did an excellent job."
Ral smiled and nodded her head. "Thank you."
"Alluette Allamora. 12 points were deducted for your very clear attitude problem."
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped opened. A string of unintelligible words left her mouth. She was practically spat the words out and growled.
Kaysen tilted his head slightly. "You will remember that I am your superior officer. And I am versed in every language of the Union."
Her eyes widened and her pale purple skin darkened a few shades. She dropped her gaze to the ground.
He continued on. "You need to work on keeping yourself under control. You cannot let your... emotions get the better of you. Gordon Malloy." He said, moving onto the next fluidly.
Gordon straightened up and finally let go of Ed's hand, as everyone's attention turned to him. He stepped forward and nodded his head. "Okay. I'm ready. Let me have it." He said, lifting his hands.
Kaysen cocked an eyebrow. "Yes. We found no fault at all with your performance."
Gordon blinked for a moment, stunned. His mouth opened slowly and he tilted his head to the side. "Seriously? The flower girl lost points for bickering... with me, right?"
Kaysen nodded his head. "Yes, but none of those instances were initiated or prolonged by you."
Gordon shook his head. "But I stopped halfway through and disrupted the whole exam."
"It had no consequence on the outcome." The Admiral said. "In fact, whatever matter it involved, and I do not care to know, it seemed to alleviate some tension with your Captain and might have helped."
"Seriously?" Gordon shook his head.
"Ed Mercer." The Admiral continued, setting his eyes on the last cadet.
Ed sucked in a breath. He felt lighter, after hearing Gordon's results.
"You displayed great ease with your crew." The Admiral said. "You were not fazed by their... adverse interactions. You showed quick decision making and trust in your crew. And also showed great diplomacy with the Krill."
A smile spread across Ed's face. "Thank you, sir."
"However." The Admiral said and paused for a moment. "You and Cadet Malloy were late for the exam. Extremely late. You are both docked 20 points." There were collective gasps around the room and he raised his hand. "You are dismissed. Cadets Malloy and Mercer, please remain."
The room emptied quickly until just the three men were left. Ed had staggered back a step and bumped into a desk. He leaned against it as he tried to collect himself. It wasn't as bad as tanking it. But still, it would leave him and Gordon with the lowest averages for the exam. Their final exam for the year, right before ship assignments.
Gordon wasn't as affected, at least not for himself. Honestly, it was still better than he expected for himself. He wasn't the best at exams. He figured the best he could hope for as his first assignment was some tiny, no-nothing cargo ship. And he'd just keep showing off until he got a better assignment.
Admiral Kaysen crossed the room towards them. "The collective score is a direct result of both of your performances." He said softly. His tone of voice seemed almost out of character for him. "But rules are rules. Punctuality is important. So is being well rested, sticking to a proper diet, and not being hung-over."
"Sir, we..." Ed started.
The Admiral shook his head. "I don't care about your excuses. What you do in your private time is your business. But you both need to seriously consider altering your actions when they bleed over into your professional life. Gordon." He turned towards the redhead, using the cadet's first name. "You are the best, Gordon. The best pilot in the fleet. I do not say this lightly. But you tend to lose focus and get distracted easily. You act as if it's all fun and games, you seem like you don't take it seriously."
Gordon's eyes widened and he nodded his head. "I do, sir!" He said quickly. "I take it very seriously!"
"I know you do." The Admiral said. "I've worked closely with you and I've watched you over the years. But others... they'll see your rap sheet of pranks and they'll... simply watch you in person for a minute and never give you a chance to get behind the wheel."
Gordon smiled and tilted his head to the side. "Why, sir, I think that's both the nicest thing you've said to me... and the most words you've said to me."
Kaysen sighed for a moment and shook his head. He looked over at Ed next. "Ed, you are, likewise, one of the best and brightest in your class." He said. "You could be one of the best Captains in the fleet. You could have your own ship well before your 40. If you stay on track, with a clear, level head."
Ed nodded his head quickly. "I will, sir! I promise!"
The Admiral nodded his head and turned slightly. "Oh." He said, pausing and turning back to them. "I assume you two were unaware of the security cameras in the hanger."
Both their mouths dropped open. "Oh shit." They both breathed out at once.
The Admiral smiled. "You will replace the bottles of tequila you stole from me."
"Bottles?" Gordon repeated.
"There was only one, sir." Ed said.
"Yes." The man nodded. "I want one, from both of you. And I want the whole place cleaned. Top to bottom. And my hover car scrubbed. Spotless. And every penis doodled in this building and the dormitory, while you're at it, better likewise be scrubbed from existence." He turned fully towards the door. "I better not find another one, boys." He said as he strode out the door.
Gordon breathed out loudly and dramatically. Then he turned towards Ed and shrugged. "That could have gone a lot worse."
"You think so?" Ed said sourly. "Sounds pretty bad to me." He mumbled.
"I'm uh... I'm sorry." Gordon said softly.
Ed glanced up at him. "Sorry for what?"
"For making you go to the hanger with me." Gordon mumbled. "For suggesting it."
Ed frowned for a moment and shook his head. "No, no, no. You didn't make me."
"But if we weren't drunk last night, we wouldn't have been late this morning."
"Wouldn't have done a lot of things." Ed sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Gordon nodded slowly.
"Not that." Ed said quickly. He reached out for Gordon's hand again and laced their fingers together. "So.. uh..." He cleared his throat awkwardly and tilted his head. "Can I uh... kiss you... or something?"
Gordon raised an eyebrow. "Or something?" He repeated.
Ed rolled his eyes. "Yes or no?"
"Don't ask." Gordon said, stepping closer. "Just do." He touched his fingers to Ed's cheek and drug them along his jaw line. Ed smiled as he leaned forward to capture Gordon's lips in a soft kiss.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Author's Notes: I feel like I'm focusing too much on the classmate OC's. XD But I wanted to give the boys some classmates to annoy. *shrugs* So I feel like they're a bit necessary. XD But also, won't be around much longer. :P Plus I'm having a bit of fun with them, because they are based on members of my flock. 8D (And none of them know/watch/read The Orville so... THEY'LL NEVER KNOW!)