Zero is packing the last extra parts for the containment suit their being is currently inside. It won't be long before the Medusan boards the Protostar class ship NCC-81084, The U.S.S. PRODIGY. They can hear the thoughts of the other cadets inside their quarters since the Academy suspended all classes until further notice. The thoughts are mainly about the six strangers with others who mastered time travel and became heroes in the process.
•It's difficult being a hero•, Zero thinks. Sometimes it is lonely as well. To be the only non-corporeal telepath in Star Fleet. It's a responsibility the Medusan likes in a way but is also afraid of.
It's this fear that the Vulcan female Maj'el senses inside her mind and decides to visit Zero before both of them report to the Prodigy.
Zero is leaving their designated quarters and finds Maj'el approaching. The Medusan extends the right index and middle fingers of the containment suit towards the Vulcan's two fingers. They touch gently and their minds together greet each other in friendship.
"Zero, I sense fear inside your mind. Why are you afraid? We have defeated the enemy and will start a new adventure together with the others," Maj'el commented with a slight smile. She already feels a connection to the young Medusan almost a bonding.
Zero does their version of a sigh within the construct of the suit. "I'm not afraid of what happened in the past or what will happen in the future. It's-I'm not used to being regarded as a hero. What if sometime in the future, I let everyone down?"
Maj'el approaches closer to Zero until she's only inches away from them. "It is illogical to think that way, Zero. You don't have to prove anything to anyone," she said with a bit of warmth. "We must hurry, the others are waiting for us." Maj'el does something unexpected - she holds the right hand of the containment suit and brings it to her forehead. "I'm aware you can feel the warmth of my body. When you are ready, I would like to bond with you but in the meantime, if you need to talk, I'll be honored to hear you out as the humans would say."
Zero is both flabbergasted and flattered. They are not used to being considered as a potential mate. The idea of Maj'el as a bondmate is desirable however there's no rush. "I would be honored to be your bondmate. Let us wait awhile. There's much I must learn about myself before forming a long-term relationship. Do you object to waiting?"
Maj'el extends her two fingers once again. "Not at all, Zero. I am still young myself and can wait. Fortunately, my parents were wise. They had given me the gift of allowing me to choose my mate."
Zero again gently touches Maj'el's fingers with their own. "Now, only this hero business will cease. I had enough of the stares."
"You will always be my hero, Zero," Maj'el whispers fondly before walking away.
Zero remains standing where they are. There's warmth felt throughout the containment suit. They happily catch up to their future mate and all fear disappears.