The Last Voyages: IC Inbox

[worthallthis]

There is no voice message here. Better hope you got the right box.

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[brightmooongentlebreeze]

[Despite having rallied somewhat, his hands are a little uncertain as he reaches for the plate. He can't imagine eating more than one cookie. He had a honeycake on a port and that was a lot of sweetness at once.

And while he could call it a nice gesture, he doesn't feel like giving the admiral any credit.]

Being out of this is... something nice.

[worthallthis]

[Share 'em with Crozier, he'll probably appreciate them a little, too. Or leave them out in a common room.]

Yeah, it definitely is.

[There's a smile in his voice. Despite B feeling like this place is home, he knows not everyone feels the same way.]

You did good, man.

[brightmooongentlebreeze]

I don't think I did anything.

[It's not startled from him, this time, just a spark of unusual honesty.]

[worthallthis]

[B shakes his head a little.]

I didn't think I did anything, either. It's not always a-- a thing we did. It's a change in attitude or a willingness to think in new ways. Which is hard, itself, so I still think you did good.

[brightmooongentlebreeze]

[He shakes his head a little, but there's no recrimination in it. He's glad B believes, he supposes. And however he feels about the fact of it, being out of this mess is something.]

Thank you.

[worthallthis]

You're always welcome.

[He shuffles his feet, hesitant, then asks,]

May I give you a hug?

[brightmooongentlebreeze]

[He's right to hesitate. Xiao Xingchen is not terribly... huggy. He supposes it's. Fair.]

If you like?

[worthallthis]

[It's not rigid discomfort or an outright no. It's just bafflement. B will take it. He steps in, puts a hand on Xiao Xingchen's shoulder to telegraph what he's doing for someone who can't see it, and pulls him gently into a hug, both arms, putting his chin briefly on the other man's shoulder.

He won't hold him long unless the guy unexpectedly melts into him or something, giving him a light pat on the back before he lets go, but it's definitely a full hug. Maybe it won't do anything for Xiao Xingchen, but it'll make B feel a little better.]

[brightmooongentlebreeze]

[Xiao Xingchen remains confused and a little stiff, but he certainly doesn't protest. It's the sort of situation where it's the thought that counts.]

Do you know what you'll do next?

[worthallthis]

God, I don't know. Can't go anywhere yet, Steve's still got an inmate. I'll have to think about whether I want to go for another deal.

[There's a a wry sort of smile in his voice.]

Took me two years on this boat to get paired to begin with, almost, might take me that long for another person who comes along who needs me. And by then Steve might be ready to go. So I don't know.