Unresolved Conflict

Posted on Thu Oct 12th, 2023 @ 4:49pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone & Ensign George Paxton

Mission: Character Development
1551 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

George left early for engineering for the third day in a row, leaving a short note and breakfast for Mason as he had done the past few days. He knew that at some point, Mason was likely to pick up on the fact that he was avoiding him, but George was content to let that slide as long as he could. Though he hated conflict, he also couldn't quite bring himself past the last argument they had had when Mason stood him up for dinner and didn't even apologize. Maybe if he just kept avoiding it, the problem would go away, he thought.

Unfortunately, Mason had already picked up on it but like George wasn't looking for a confrontation. However, being cold shouldered was starting to get bothersome and even though he was in less pain than when 'he moved in', George still was insisting on using the couch. And having nothing to do, since he was suspended from duty for medical reasons, was starting to weigh heavy on the security man as well.

So, he spent his days keeping the quarters as spic and span as possible, making the bed with military precision and on top of it all he spent browsing through George's recipes, looking for something easy yet fancy looking to make. As most of it was alien to him, he just selected something simple and started to prepare dinner, to the best of his meagre cooking ability. Just as George was bound to come home, Mason put the reasonably good smelling pot of food on the table.

It only took an extra hour for George to arrive back at his quarters, having purposely stayed longer in engineering. Sure, the department needed additional hands for repairs but there was the added benefit of further avoidance at home. He finally walked in to see Mason still sitting at the table with a pot of food. "What's this?" George asked.

"Dinner," Mason answered quietly, reaching to touch the pot, "it's still warm. I used one of your recipes but I don't think I can do your skill justice. It still tastes okay, I think." A rueful smile followed as he glanced back towards the remaining mess. "I'll clean it up after dinner," he added while proceeding to fill two plates, gently pushing one towards his partner. "Have a taste?"

"You didn't have to cook, Mason. I could've put something together when I got home, but thanks." George sat at the table and took a bite. "Oh, it's...it's good," he half smiled and followed with a quick sip of water.

"You don't have to lie to me to you won't hurt my feelings," Mason offered, "it's too spicy isn't it? Or did I burn it? I know I don't have to cook but I wanted to. You're making very long days, and I am bored out of my mind being forced off duty. And cleaning up only takes so long when we're both insanely tidy."

"I really don't mind cooking or just getting something out of the replicator. You're not supposed to be working anyway, right?" George asked.

"I know, but I wanted to." Mason smiled sheepishly. "I'm not working, I'm resting plenty too. I just want to be useful, I hate being idle. Plus there wasn't much to clean up, you're even tidier than me. So...I did make dinner and I took my time. I just...wanted to do something nice for you?"

"Thanks, Mason, it was very kind of you," George gave a half smile and picked up the plates from the table to recycle them back to the replicator. "How was your day? Besides being stuck in here."

"I told you..." Mason leaned back. "I've been sleeping a lot and I've done some cleaning up." He nodded towards the kitchen. "Aside from that, which I will clean up shortly." He paused. "How was your day?"

"It was fine, just busy. Lots of repairs to do. You cooked, I'll clean," George said. Glad for the excuse to keep busy, he immediately headed towards the astounding mess that Mason had made and began cleaning up.

Mason followed instantly and touched his hand, stalling him. "How about we do it together?" He suggested quietly.

"It was always the rule in my house growing up that whoever cooked didn't have to clean, but if you really want to," he slipped his hand away and began working on the mess in silence.

Mason paused, noticing the pulling away. "George, what is it? Don't think I haven't noticed the slipping away early or sticking to the couch... because I have. You're being very cold and I don't understand why."

He sighed and looked directly at Mason. "I don't know. I'm not sure I'm quite over our last argument when you didn't show up to dinner and didn't let me know that you wouldn't make it. I think I just need some space to reset. A lot has been going on."

"Oh..." so that was the issue. "I did say I was sorry," he continued slowly, "but if you want space I guess I can find somewhere else to stay? I don't want to be a bother George." And now that he thought about it he felt that unconsciously he probably had been trying to make up for it, but he refused to go on the defensive and risk another argument.

"You're never a bother Mason, I just need some time to sort my feelings out. You don't have to go anywhere either. I don't know what's wrong with me honestly, I just need some time to reset. Please, stay, just understand that things aren't going to be exactly the way they were for a little bit. Okay?" He asked with a soft smile.

"Okay..." Mason returned a somewhat uncertain smile, "will you at the very least come back to bed? And have breakfast with me?" He would hold off on being affectionate if he needed to be though for obvious reasons he couldn't be faulted if he did try. Despite it all, he was still a man in love, and he didn't want to lose him.

"I will have breakfast with you," George said, "but the couch will still do fine for me for a while longer," he did his best to maintain a smile. "Now, let's finish cleaning up and then maybe have some dessert before bed?" He thought the suggestion might make Mason feel a little better about the whole situation.

"In that case, I think you should have your bed back," Mason suggested quietly, "it's your bed." It was an honest suggestion, and he was feeling better, physically. He could see the smile wasn't entirely genuine and that hurt. "What would you like for dessert?" He ventured, changing the subject.

"No, you keep the bed until the ship is reconnected and you're able to get back to your quarters," George replied. "It's the right thing to do and I really don't mind," he smiled genuinely this time. He honestly didn't want to hurt the man and he hoped their relationship would still be okay but only time would tell. "How about some bread pudding?"

Mason wanted to protest but ultimately didn't, not wanting to make the situation worse. "Bread pudding sounds good," he finally answered, "the same we had before or are there different versions?"

"The same we had before is fine, I'll get it," he moved to the replicator and ordered two of the dishes. "How about we watch a movie after dessert? Maybe a change of pace will do us both some good," he suggested.

Considering the suggestion for a moment, Mason finally nodded. "I'll arrange some pillows and blankets on the couch for us to 'hide' in," he smiled, briefly touching George's arm in a sign of affection. "What kind of movie would you like to watch? Something scary, romantic or a detective? Or maybe fantasy? I think I came across something called 'the neverending story' recently."

"I've never seen a never ending story, so lets try that one. I'll grab a blanket. Do you want one?" He asked, moving towards the bedroom.

"I just said I would do that, while you get dessert," Mason protested, not quite sure if George had even listened.

"I already have dessert," George pointed to the plates he'd already obtained from the replicator. He knew Mason had offered to get pillows and blankets but really George just wanted a blanket to cuddle into himself and not some sort of pillow pile that Mason had described. Perhaps the movie had been a bad idea, he thought. "But that's fine, you grab the blankets. I don't need a pillow."

"Oh. Alright..." Well that had been faster than expected. Mason went to retrieve a couple of blankets and a single pillow and dragged it all to the couch. He first wrapped one around George, before huddling up in one himself. "Comfortable?" He asked.

"Perfect," George smiled and turned the movie. It wasn't perfect, but it was hopefully a small step in the right direction.

Cradling the plate with dessert, Mason slightly leaned into his partner, not daring to cuddle up as he would've before, but enough to be somewhat affectionate. He said nothing as he turned his eyes towards the old fashioned movie.