Late Night P1 | Rough Draft | fin

Starlight

Ah, shit it's almost 10.

Your alarm clock didn't go off again, leaving you in a hurry to get out of bed, wash your face, and change clothes in a matter of minutes.

Which would be easier to do, if only you weren't struggling to balance on one foot the entire time trying to get your pants on.

Your door shuts as you finally walk out, leaning against the wall as you have to limp to get to your office space in time.

There are too many projects you've got to do, and so little time.
Most are just wrapping up reports of the samples you've all taken the past few weeks, and trying to see if any could be used for medicine - or what's safe to consume in an emergency.

"Excuse me, What are you doing walking?"
You hear Jake coming up behind you within seconds, and wrapping his arm around your waist as he pulls you onto his lap in his wheelchair.
     Leaving no room to protest.
"Where are your crutches?"

"I'm fine-" you insist, trying to struggle out of his hold. "I can walk, yknow?"

But he won't let you go.
"By the way you are limping ... I'd say you're not ready to put any weight on that leg just yet." He starts to move you both down the hall, electing to be your transport since you want to be so stubborn.
"-Norms gonna get after you for not using those crutches."

"So let him." You bring your legs up and sit across his lap, making it easier as he so effortlessly moves.
"I can take him in a fight."

There's that head tilt again as he laughs.
"Yeah, sure." He snorts. "As if he's not a foot taller just in human form."

"And? If I can get someone on their knees they're about my height."

He stops momentarily, looking up at you as he whispers.
"Please.
You've had me on mine and I'm not anywhere near your height.
Besides, I'd like to see you try getting him down when you won't even let your leg heal properly."

You roll your eyes and he catches that - grabbing at your neck as he closes in on you.
"Don't get sassy with me. You know I'd win that."

"Don't be mean to me."
You sarcastically pout as you straighten your posture and look down the hallway.
"I'm injured."

His eyes partially close as his cheeks push upwards with the smile he has.
"Oh, now you want to use that card. I see how it is."

————————————

"You're making some really good progress out there and in here." Grace compliments as she comes up behind your desk and hands you a few files.
"-I like to see it."

"Thank you, Grace." You say so kindly as she hands you a fresh coffee before leaning against the desk.

"I was worried at first. I know things have been hard not hearing from family back home, and you were starting to fall behind on things." She states.
"But it seems that... somehow, this knucklehead here has helped."

He tsks regarding her comment at him.

"As long as things remain professional and you don't hold each other back, I don't care who dates who. As long as I get my research together."

Professional.

Which.. probably didn't include using his avatar for more personal affairs.

But nobody has to know about that, at least you hope.

At barely half his avatar's height, people would question a lot.

"Alright, I'll let you get back to it."