Twilight Zone

Posted on Sun Feb 12th, 2023 @ 5:22pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone & Ensign George Paxton

Mission: Character Development
Location: George's quarters
797 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

"George...." Mason prodded the restless form next to him, while desperately trying to hang on what little remained of his side of the blankets. "George!" A firmer prod, followed by a firmer yank to retrieve the sheets. "Wake up George!"

Mason had been jolted awake by restless murmuring, which soon had turned into what he recognized as a nightmare. Briefly having considered what to do, he had then quickly decided that waking his partner was probably the best and safest course of action.

"Get out!" George screamed as he bolted upright. He heaved in heavy breaths as he tried to catch his bearings. "What? Where?" He asked before finally seeing Mason next to him. "What happened?"

Shuffling closer, Mason drew his arms around George and pulled him closer. "I think you were having a bad dream," he said softly, "that is, I'm assuming you don't want me to get out?" He stroked George's hair as if he were a child that had to be calmed. "Tell me about your dream?"

George pulled away and stood up at the end of the bed. "Sorry, I just need to stretch my legs. You can probably guess what my dream was about. Being in the jefferies tubes." He visibly shuddered. Just the thought made his body tense up.

"I'm not a telepath," Mason answered quietly, "I don't know what you don't tell me." He didn't follow George out of bed, instead pulled the sheets up a little higher to preserve warmth. "Do you know what triggered it? I know you don't like them, and priorly you didn't have to be there often... did you have to today?"

"Yes, the new CEO assigned me to some jobs that had to be done in the jefferies tubes. I'm sure he knows about my claustrophobia. Maybe he doesn't, but it's in my record." George rambled. "Teyo said he knows."

"Odd. Why would he do that when your record clearly states you shouldn't be assigned there?" Slowly, he slid out of bed and approached George, shivering as the cool night air brushed against his skin. He grunted as he stepped on something. "Computer, lights. Half ilumination." He squinted as the lights came on, despite being low intensity. "Are you going to talk to him about it?"

"I don't...I don't know! Should I? I mean, I should be able to work in the jefferies tubes like every other engineer. Ugh," he let out a frustrated sigh. "I want to talk to him but I just. I don't know," he started to stumble on his words. "I don't know if I should."

"Why not?" Mason gave him a concerned look. "It's costing you your rest at this rate. You told Finn, right? So why not him?"

"I didn't tell Finn," George confessed. "She made it a point to spend time with each of her engineers when she first came aboard and she pretty quickly figured it out. We never really talked about it, I just suddenly stopped getting assignments in the jefferies tubes. I sort of appreciated it. It's not exactly easy to tell your boss that you're claustrophobic when a large number of jobs in your department happen to be in tightly enclosed spaces."

"I don't know what it's like," Mason answered as he watched his partner closely, "but I want you to feel safe as you work. Would a buddy be an option? Always working in pairs?" He tried to slide his arms around the man again, trying to offer some comfort. "It's just a thought..."

"We don't always have time to buddy up," George sighed. "You're probably right. I should just talk to him."

"That's up to you love. But I do think you should. Maybe there's another engineer you can switch with?"

"Funny you should mention that. Fenn actually tried to switch with me. I think he actually felt bad for me," George said.

Mason couldn't help but blink and stare. "Fenn did? Wow....did he finally lose his marbles and be nice to someone?"

"Well, it was a bit rocky after he volunteered to help, but I think we found some common ground so it ended up being not so bad. Anyway, I'm sorry to have woken you Mason," George apologized.

Cupping George's cheek with one hand while the other remained at his waist, Mason made him look at him. "You can always wake me if you need me. And you were in distress, so I am here for you." His hand slid to his neck as he drew the man in for a kiss. "I'll always be here for you," he promised, "never apologize for waking me when you need me, okay?"

George smiled and took Mason's hand in his. "What did I do to deserve you?"