134340 |JJK FF|

Chapter 30

"...I can go away if you want."

Jeongguk's ears perked up at the man's sudden words, "What?"

The human's eyes roamed over the cabin, to the switch box, to the navigator; anywhere except the other's eyes. He took a short breath before opening his mouth.

"If you think... I mean, if you... I-I just showed up to see if I could do something,"

Jeongguk frowned, "I know that,"

The man's face flushed, but he straightened his shoulders. "Is there anything I can do?"

Holy Pluto, this man was making the whole asking for help thing harder. Jeongguk slowly slid off the chair and onto the floor, "You can sit." He pointed to the switchboard awkwardly, "And... help... me with the failed buttons that need circuit replacements--"

He tried not to grimace as he said the word help. Nonetheless, he waited for the guy to fill the space beside him. When the air next to him remained empty, he looked up with a frown.

"What?" he probed as the other paled considerably. The human shook his head, quickly occupying the cold floor.

"Nothing. Sorry," With a determined look, the human plunged his hands into the dark space.

It wasn't long until he electrocuted himself.

Jeongguk shouted out loud, plucking his shoe off and smacked it against the human's hand with all his might. That managed to get his hand off the particular spot. Jeongguk crawled over as the other slumped on the floor, wondering if he'd have to do CPR until he saw the rise and fall of his chest.

"I'm--I'm..." the human choked out, "I'm--so sorry!"

Jeongguk winced as the other doubled over, coughing. "I strongly suggest you breathe before talking."

The human gasped for air as he nodded. The sounds soon subsided and Jeongguk found himself frowning at the other, "You knocked into the skinned wire, didn't you?"

"...I'm sorry."

Jeongguk's frown deepened, "You're sorry you got electrocuted?"

The human stammered, "I... I suppose... I want to be of use." he straightened his shoulders, looking ready to plunge his hand into the switchboard again, "I've... I've been pretty useless up until now,"

Jeongguk waited. He then slowly stretched out his legs in front of him. He was quite familiar with that thought process. He swatted away the hand that tried to reach into the board again, not wanting another spout of electric shock.

"How do you feel useless?" he asked carefully, not used to asking such a question. Heck, this guy looked older than him.

The human opened his mouth but then thought better of it and closed it. "It's nothing."

Jeongguk's ears twitched, "Well, I can't let you anywhere near this switchboard again," He crossed his arms.

The human gritted his teeth before he said, "I can do anything else."

"Like what? Can you take the wheel?"

"... I thought the automated machines worked?"

"Answer my question." If this man hadn't been human, Seokjin hyung would have chatisised him to respect his elders.

"I can operate the machinery!"

Oh well.

"So you don't know how to use the wheel?"

The human sighed with defeat, "... I can learn,"

"This isn't a place to learn." Jeongguk said dismissively, "This is a place to do. The short fellow did it out of luck. Even that woman--" a lump rose in his throat at the thought of his usual companion, "--was hopeless,"