Peso and his friends were currently hanging out after work in the observatory. They were in a classic debate of replicator food vs Earth grown food. Everyone but Peso and Barrot had opinions.

Peso was content to quietly listen and sip his drink. A mix of klingon and human alcohol. It was strong, but everyone's been addicted since Tominnow introduced them to it. It was already working to mellow him out after such a boring day of work. He was content. For a time. But then the argument kept going. And going.

"Do you know what you need to make a replicator work? A quantum geometry transformational matrix. Do you know what Earth needs to frow food? Sunlight, water, and shelter. Just like us." Codish said.

"Whatever. Food back on Earth is using 'quantum biology' to grow. Just in much slower time." Shellington replied.

"You're proving my point!"

"What are you on? The-"

Ok. That was enough. Peso didn't need to hear where this rabbit hole was leading. He already knew. It led to a bunch of words he only half understood the definition of.

Peso gulped down the last of his alcohol and stood up. The ones bickering didn't notice (or didn't think it important enough to acknowledge), and Barrot nodded his head signaling that Peso was making the right call. Barrot wouldn't leave. He lived for whatever drama he could get it.

Peso walked to the other side and listened as the vibrant sounds of conversation turned into quiet. Beautiful quiet. Peso let out a loud sigh of relief, knowing no one could hear it. It wasn't perfectly quiet. We still needed to hear our badge speakers. So if someone got really close up to you, you could still hear them. But If he stood right here and played his xylophone, no one would bat an eye. Security had a field day bringing up safety issues, but in the end, the captain approved the modification. There was even a big party to celebrate. That's how many people wanted this feature.

Scanning the quiet side, he saw some people star gazing, and plenty of open spaces to sit alone. Excellent. He saw two peers in a heated discussion, angrily standing right next to each other looking like they're whispering in each other's ears even though they were actually bickering. Or sometimes the two fighting didn't want to stand close to each other, so and would have to touch their foreheads to hear each other. An incredible sight either way. He loved to see it.

Peso found a spot with no one around and sat down. He looked over to his friends on the loud side. Still arguing. Perfect. He started star gazing along with his peers.

Silence. No arguments over the legitimacy of molecules. Just sighed and got comfy. Best modification the engineers have ever made to this ship.

Peso watched the stars, trying not to think about anything else. Though his mind wouldn't shut up recently. Too much new stuff going on for it to calm down. When was the captain going to setup another chat? Peso hoped soon. Wait. Nope. Don't start thinking. Just focus on the stars. He attempted to get even more comfortable to further distract himself from himself. He silently watched the stars. Amazing. Why didn't he spend all his time doing this?

After a while of contented bliss, something piculiar happened. Moving the same speed and direction as the stars, an orange tail started drifting into his field of vision. Ha. Peso wanted to laugh. Since he refused to think, his brain was forcing him to think through illusions. Of course it would.

Peso went to grab the tail, fully expecting it to disappear like it had in that dream a few nights ago. When he grabbed it however, it remained in his hand. Extremely soft and very real. He had the millisecond thought of wanting to hold it forever.

Then Peso yelled "Fuck!" and threw the tail as far away as possible. Luckily no one could hear him curse just then, and the tail was attached to someone, so it didn't fly across the observatory making a scene.

Kwazii was behind Peso laughing up a storm, holding onto the back of his chair for support. Peso was far enough away that he couldn't hear it. Good. He didn't need this. This was ridiculous. Was he in a secret show recording? How was he in another conversation with this guy? Did they actually cross paths this often before and he just never noticed?

Once done laughing, Kwazii jumped over the long chair Peso was sitting in and took a seat next to him. Kwazii said something, but he said it a respectable distance away, so Peso couldn't hear.

Peso pointed to his ears and shook his head.

Kwazii rolled his eyes and leaned in close. "Fancy meeting you here ensign."

"Are you following me?" Peso asked before he could stop himself.

Kwazii started to deny it, but then stopped and gave it real thought. "…Not on purpose."

What was that answer? It didn't sound like it was spoken with devious intent, because that would have made sense. "…Ok." How do you respond to that?

"I was here avoiding some stuff, and I saw you walk over. You ok with your mateys by the way?" Kwazii's eyes gestured towards Peso's friend group.

Peso smiled to himself. "Yeah. All good. Their argument was just getting a little too… technical for me."

Kwazii placed a hand on Peso's shoulder and smiled. "I know the argument all too well on this ship."

Peso put all his efforts into not looking at the hand touching him, which meant his thoughts were going wild thinking about it.

"Say ensign." Kwazii said scooting a little closer and keeping his hand placed on Pesos' shoulder. None his friends would have ever kept their hand there this long. Which was fine. But was amazing. Peso didn't realize how much he wanted this. "I listened to that song."

"What song?" Peso never suggested a song this this man. He would have remembered.

"That song you played on the Xylophone! The one played by your earth's insect band. I don't think I got it when I heard you play, but now that I've heard the original, I think it was a great song choice. Loved it. I wanna hear your version again sometime."

Oh…

Kwazii started tapping his foot and humming the chorus. Peso could hear the words in his head. 'So why on earth should I moan, cause when I get you alone, you know I feel alright.'

Oh! Peso blushed.

Having someone watch him perform an instrumental version of a song was one thing. It was nothing actually. But the idea of someone thinking about him while listening to the lyrics? Peso wanted to die. No one ever looks up his songs! They either know it or don't care. That's why he felt so comfortable playing whatever he wanted. He didn't think about this. Now Kwazii was going to be researching every song he played?

Wait. Peso stopped himself and took a deep breath. Kwazii wasn't gunna go to another talent show. He doesn't care that much. This is just a conversation. This is fine. "I'm glad I could introduce you then. They have a lot of great songs."

Kwazii nodded his head. "Uh hu. I bet they do, but yeah, no offense, I'm not going through all your old human music. If a song is meant to find me, it'll come." There was no malice in his tone. That was the tone of someone who's had to say that before.

"Of course. And I wouldn't go through…" Peso couldn't finish that. Now he couldn't stop thinking about learning about Caitian music. That sounded fascinating.

Kwazii's smile grew. He scootched right next to Peso so that their sides were fully touching. "I know." He said swinging his arm fully around Peso's shoulders.

The warmth. The tension. Peso was so sad that their uniforms were long sleeves.

"Here's what we should do ensign. Your music style is way more up my alley than anyone else here. You send me your Earthian classics, and I'll send you all my Caitain classics. What do you say?"

"Let's do it." Kwazii was so close, Peso didn't know how to relax. He wanted to. He desperately wanted to be in this situation as long as possible, so why couldn't he relax?

Kwazii was smiling ear to ear. Peso wanted to stare at that face and memorize every detail.

Peso paused. What on earth was his brain thinking about? He turned forward and watched the passing stars.

Feeling the mood shift, Kwazii started to lift his arm off of Peso.

No. That's not what he wanted. That's not why he stopped. Peso used his right hand to cross over and hold down the arm currently trying to leave his left shoulder, holding it firm in place.

Kwazii's eyes widened. Then he smiled. That unreadable smile.

Peso freaked out. Why!? He started lifting the arm, trying to reinitiate the action.

Kwazii lightly shook away Peso's assistance and placed his arm down on his shoulder. He started watching the stars along with Peso.

Their two sides that were just barely touching were now being pressed together. Peso was hyperaware of every point on his body that was being pushed into Kwazii. He wanted more contact. Maybe Peso should lean in…

Nope! Not here actually. It might be quiet, but they certainly weren't alone.

"Have you met with the captain since we all talked?" Kwazii suddenly asked.

? "No."

"Hm… You been drinking?"

Peso stiffened. "What are you asking?"

"That's it. This all makes sense now. One of my favorite vices too."

…Peso didn't know how to respond to that, so he didn't. The two spent a couple more moments in each other's company looking at the stars. Looking and thinking.

"…Hey, commander?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry about the other night. After the talent show."

Kwazii looked like his mind was playing though the entire night. "What the hell are you sorry about?"

Peso blushed. "You know. When I went to sleep instead of staying with you."

Kwazii leaned a little away, not expecting that answer. "You said you were tired. Why are you apologizing?"

Peso's body stiffened. Kwazii was right. Why was he apologizing for this!? Peso's face turned as red as a ripe tomato. "Uhh,"

Kwazii's arm tightened, squeezing Peso more. "The only reason that would be is if you wanted me to stay."

Peso paled at the truth. He couldn't think of an excuse then, and he couldn't think of one now. What should he do?

Kwazii went and grabbed both of Peso's shoulders, leaned in close, and started shaking him. "No need to apologize ensign! Just say so next time! Then we can have some fun."

Peso could almost feel Kwazii's whiskers graze his face. He shivered, we wanting to almost feel them again.

"Oh." Kwazii's enthusiasm suddenly plummeted. "Are you apologizing cause your scared you hurt my feelings? That it?"

? "No."

Peso wasn't even thinking about that. Should he have? Was it rude that that wasn't his reason? His reason. Wait, that was a reason. AKA an excuse. Why did he deny it!?

Kwazii had a confused smile that looked like he was actively trying and failing to play down.

"Captain to Number one. Report status." Kwazii badge suddenly said. Peso was close enough to him to hear.

Kwazii sighed and smiled at Peso. "I've been slaking off too long. Gotta get going. But I will see you later. And I'm going to make the next meeting for you, me, and the captain. I don't know you enough to know if you'll follow through. And Barnacles will just pick the most boring option possible. I'll make it a fun time! I'll see you around ensign."

Kwazii walked off before Peso could give his goodbyes.

… Peso would have followed through. Right?

He looked over to see his party on the loud side, watching him instead of arguing. Those guys probably watched that whole thing. Stupid friendship. Peso wanted to die.

…But not before this next meeting.