Another Life (Oc x reader)

Chapter 2 - Holo Call

Erik Wallace looks up at the Artefact as he stands by it. He's the Chief Scientist at United States Interstellar Command, USIC.

"Field test 147. Infrasonic atmospheric sounding. Twenty hertz down to zero. Erik Wallace leading. Cue.. pigeon sounds."

They start playing pigeon sounds for the Artefact in hope of getting a response.

A woman walks up behind them on the field. "The apartment I grew up in, in DC, back when DC was still above water, we had a balcony. My backyard. Every year, pigeons would come and build their nests. And every year, our balcony was a shit-stained biohazard. I hate pigeons." General Dubois tells them.

"Yeah, rats wi to wings. I get it. But hear me out. So, the Artefact emits something called infrasounds-"

"Yeah, human ears can't pick them up but elephants can-" Nani Singh says, a scientist working with Erik.

"Alligators, whales and pigeons."

"This thing did not travel across the galaxy to talk to birds."

"Of course not, General Dubois, but-"

"But what if we can get the birds to talk to it?" Erik says and they listen to the bird cooing sounds continuing. "Alright, now drop frequency down into infrasound."

The sound fades away for human ears to hear. Dubious sighs when there's no response. "Erik, we got a message from the Salvare."

Erik whips his head back to her. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine. They just had to make a detour. It's a navigational issue. Your brother is expecting your holo-call." She tells him.

...

"That's why these birds are amazing. I mean, not only can they hear the infrasounds, they can smell their way from point A to point B." Erik tells his brother enthusiastically.

He's in the observation deck with Ethan, the hologram so realistic it looks like he's really there, except for the fact that he's sitting on air, since he's sitting on chair while on the call back on Earth.

"So, basically everything but communicate with alien Artefact." Ethan chuckles at his brother's enthusiasm.

"I'm sorry. This is like, the last thing you want to hear about after a month of soma sleep."

Ethan waves it off. "It's okay."

"So this detour.. Is it safe?"

"Yeah. You don't have to worry."

"Well, my brother is in a tin can about to fling around an actual star."

"Fair enough. So you can worry, like, a little."

"How's the wife?"

Ethan rolls his eyes. "She's good. She says hi." Erik calls you Ethan's wife because you are basically his work wife.

"Jana is expecting to be able to call Yn 'aunt' by the time you guys get back." He wiggles his eyebrows.

Ethan sighs. "Erik.. you know, I can't-"

Now Erik rolls his eyes. "I know, I know. Can't you try and find a workaround? I mean, I get the rule about not dating your colleagues like that, but.. it's different with you two.."

"Different?"

"Yeah, it's real. It's gonna last, I know it. And it won't ruin how you work together-"

Ethan scoff, shaking his head. "You don't know that. I don't even know if she would even consider giving me a chance."

Erik groans annoyed. "That's because you're blind."

"Even if, the way I have her now, it's too important. I can't risk losing her, Erik. I.." He shakes his head. "I need her. If it wouldn't work out I wouldn't have her in my life at all, because I wouldn't be able to work this close and well with her after trying being more. She means too much to me, to risk it, and for what? Just get laid. I basically have her as a work wife as you keep calling her."

Erik sighs. "Exactly, 'work' wife. It's not the same as coming home to her, waking up next to her. Raising a child with her.."

Ethan gets a sad look for his brother's loss. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't, don't worry. My point is, I want you to have what I had with Niko. And Yn is your 'Niko'."

"Yeah." He says, there was no doubt that you were his 'Niko'. But he wasn't sure you would want him to be your 'Erik'.

"Then take the risk."

"She loves her job, Erik. And I.. If I ruin what we have now just by asking and she feels awkward with me after, she'll quit and.. I'm not gonna lose her. I just can't."

Erik sighs. "Okay.. I understand."

"How's Jana? I miss her." Ethan tells him, changing the subject.

"Well, I haven't forgotten her anywhere, if that's what you're asking."

Ethan laughs. "Progress."

"Yeah. She's good. She misses you. A lot.. I.. I'm sorry. A guilt trip is the last thing you need."

"No, it's fine.. I'm just happy to hear that she's okay."

You walk into the observation deck and see them. "Erik. Hey."

He smiles at you. "Yn, it's good to see you."

"You too. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I can come back-"

"You didn't." Erik says. Ethan also shaking his head and gesturing for you to come closer, and you do.

"How's Jana?" You ask.

"She's good. And you?"

"Good. Give her a hug for me, will you?"

"I will, if you promise to care of that brother of mine." Erik says nodding at Ethan.

"You know I always do." You say and comb your hand over Ethan's head, settling down his messy hair.

Erik looks at Ethan. "I know you do."

Ethan avoids eye contact as he savours the feeling of your touch.

"It's time." You tell him, and he nods.

Saying goodbye to his brother, they hang up.

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