The After Party(?)
Posted on Sat Mar 23rd, 2024 @ 2:28pm by Ensign Aaron Soong & Lieutenant JG Scott Jones & Xavier X-1
2,079 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Home Sweet Home
Location: Outside Nightclub
Timeline: MD2: 0230 hours
Aaron was drenched in sweat as he practically dragged Xavier through the doors of the club as they had started their ‘last call’ and countdown to the end of their night.
A slight breeze blew between the buildings along the bridges floating high above the city that slept far below. Aaron pulled his barely there t-shirt from the waist of his too tight pants and wiped the sweat from his chest before pulling it on against the creeping cold.
As usual, Xavier looked barely bothered by the cold that seemed to manifest between them as soon as they’d exited the club.
The android reached out his hand and took hold of Aaron's arm. "We don't have to be in a hurry you know. It's a beautiful night and we both need a breather. Well you do anyway."
Aaron hugged Xavier for some shared body heat from the android and was enjoying it immensely - if the tightness of his pants getting tighter in certain places was any indication. Still, his blue eyes settled on another of their newfound crew. ’What was his name?’ the synth wondered. It would be better if he just activated his latent android abilities…
Aaron remembered suddenly. “Scott, right?!” He shouted across the expanding crowd.
Looking very bedraggled after a night of heavy dancing and equally as heavy drinking, Scott stood outside allowing the cold fresh air to cool him down. His shirt was now all the way undone and only hanging on his shoulders by a suggestion. Taking a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment to rally himself, he came to when his name was called, "Yup, that is me, I may need some formal introductions again. The dancefloor was a little too loud to hear anything else," he smiled, still feeling the full effects of his last few shots that he managed to slam before last orders at the bar.
“Aaron,” the taller of the pair answered, his body and mind clearing quite quickly. “Aaron Soong, strategic operations aboard the Intrepid.”
It took a moment for Xavier to respond as he was staring openly at the human. "I'm Xavier," he replied, running a hand through his spiky blond hair. "I'm technically a civilian, but also a Ranger. You're a damn good dancer."
“And fucking hot!” Aaron blurted out accidentally. He looked to Xavier who was clearly thinking the same thing. Adjusting himself quickly, Aaron corrected, “That club was sweltering! You should get some water…”
"Thanks," Scott replied to them both, feeling a little flustered, "I do enjoy a night like that every so often to let loose, I was glad to be invited and take part in it, get to know a few people before we started working together officially." He wasn't sure how to take the hot comment and skirted around it.
“We’re both pretty new to the Intrepid too. We just escaped Ihhuein ei'krih by the skin of our teeth, artificial or not,” Aaron admitted, bringing up the destruction of their former planet - turned home - for the first time. He ought to have told Captain Culver by now, but there had been almost no opportunity.
"Please forgive my friend's enthusiasm. Sometimes, he doesn't have a filter. Though you probably do get lots of comments about your looks," Xavier said.
"You'll need to let me know about that escape sometimes," Scott began, "and I know all too well about no filter. I am a bit guilty of it myself." He was still blissfully unaware of the drop in temperature between inside and outside, still high on the dance, the chance and the tequila now swimming through his veins. "But the hot comment, yeah, it is something I have heard now and again," he winked with a cheeky half smile, "Although it usually doesn't happen quite this quickly into a new posting, so it is going to set a record for sure, I'll need to add it to my logs of something. But I am sure you both get the same comments as well," he continued, trying to keep some level of diplomacy and friendly banter going.
Xavier almost asked which one of them Scott found more attractive, but he didn't. In the first place, he did have a filter, albeit one that was leaky from time to time. In the second place, that would have been a far too human thing to say.
Instead, he said, "Thanks. I have some Bajoran Spring Wine in my quarters if anyone is interested."
“And I have got to warm up against something…” Aaron added. “Xavier has been experimenting with texture and he has the softest fleece blanket to hold against my bare skin.” He hoped the pair was understanding his flirtatious attempts or over-attempts. “Who is up for a warm nightcap?”
"Spring wine sounds good, a last drink before bed," Scott began as a puzzled expression spread over his face, "Experimenting with texture though? You are going to have to explain that one to me as well. I feel there is a lot I am going to have to learn about the crew and a lot of questions I am going to be asking along the way." Part of him was still on the lookout for Fraiser, even though he had left prior, he was still hoping to see him somewhere in the crowd.
“Silks, cottons, wools. Thread counts are important. Starfleet gives you low thread count sheets in your quarters, which makes no sense considering they just have to replicate better sheets. Fluffy comforters versus lighter bed covers. Fleece blankets and the like. You know textures,” Aaron replied. These pilots seemed like men that accepted what they were given, they would teach him to expect better for himself.
Xavier's eyes shifted between Scott and Aaron. He didn't say anything for several long seconds, before nodding his head. "Okay then," right this way." Then he turned and started walking towards the small home he was renting.
Scott quite happily followed along, "Somewhere close by? Nice. So far I've had a temporary room on the station, I haven't even yet checked in to see where my quarters are on the ship yet. Best I've managed is to stow what little personal possessions I like to bring along with me in a flight locker not too far from where I assume the pilot ready room is." It was at this point he finally noticed the change in temperature and began to button up his shirt a little, really only the middle button and one below... he still had his own standards to maintain.
"It's not far," Xavier replied.
"By the way or you drunk? What is it like to be drunk? That's something I'm unable to do."
"Unable?" Scott questioned, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow. "I wouldn't say I'm drunk, drunk. I'm a bit tipsy, and a bit of a buzz. This is the stage I like to get to and no more. I'm still mostly in control, with lowered inhibitions, and a general cheeriness about things. Warm though, very very warm. Usually, all the dancing helps with that as well."
Aaron grabbed Scott’s hand. “Lowered inhibitions, you say?” He leaned in close and could feel Scott’s body heat. “He’s warmer than you, Xavier…if a bit sweaty.” Aaron smiled at Scott. Seductively. He hoped.
Xavier did nothing, other than watch the interaction with a smile playing on his lips.
Looking down at his hand, Scott cocked an eyebrow, "Lowered but not gone, and certainly not sweaty. Warm yes, sweaty no. It is not something I tend to do much." He was beginning to feel rather odd about the situation. Something between the pair and how he was described almost felt clinical.
Aaron pulled in closer. “It’s just an observation. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong,” Aaron answered the defense against sweating. As for your lowered inhibitions, we’re on a classified planet. What happens on Kaitos, stays on Kaitos. We needn’t talk about anything tomorrow. I mean, should you want to sleep with us.”
Aaron held out his hand for Xavier to take. “We’ve never done this before. Inviting someone to…well, join us. If you are not interested, please say so, but know that if you stayed the night - in our bed - you’d have the time of your life.”
"Oh," Scott finally twigged a little, his eyes wide. If he ever thought he was forward, he was now corrected. "While I am flattered, I think maybe it is best I skip on the nightcap then. New to a ship and all, I don't want to start down a path I have been trying to avoid." He was trying his best to be tactful, diplomatic in his rejection of the offer, "While I have enjoyed your company, this wasn't on the cards for me tonight, building friendships first is the way I am doing things this posting around." The offer was tempting, that is for sure, but he didn't want something like this to be almost the consolidation prize when he had had his eyes on someone else earlier in the evening, he prayed for no furthering questioning into it, knowing himself well he would blunder anything furthermore.
Still being forward, Aaron replied, “It feels like this would be in the cards on any night. Besides, if you’re after the Doctor, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Not only is he not of our persuasion, but he also seems enamored with our XO. At least, the flush of his skin, elevation of his heart rate and dilation of his eyes are any indication.”
Aaron pushed his speed to stand before Scott and stop him by placing his hands on Scott’s chest. “There are no strings attached, Lieutenant. Just a night of fun and no regrets. We’re all adults here.” Aaron let his hands linger on Scott’s chest maybe a little too long.
Stopping dead on the spot, Scott had never sobered up as quickly in his life and a switch was flipped inside him. His usual flirty, jovial was gone and replaced with the steely intensity he had when in the cockpit, "First I'll ask you to remove your hand from me," he began, deadpanning Aaron in the eyes, feeling as if he was hardly blinking, "second, I politely declined your invitation, good grace should suggest it is left there. Suggesting again does little in your favour." He let the silence hang in the air after he spoke and waited for any response while he thought of his next course of action.
Xavier forcefully took hold of Aaron's hand. "What the fuck do you think you're doing? We're barely a thing and I was uncomfortable with your idea of a three-way. I was going to go along with it. But he said no. No doesn't mean continue. It doesn't mean put your hands on someone who clearly is not interested."
"I'm sorry for my friend," Xavier said turning his attention to Scott. Sometimes he thinks with the wrong head."
Aaron quickly retrieved his hand from Xavier’s grip. “I suppose I misjudged your interest. No nightcap it is. Good night to you both,” Aaron said, turning away from the pair and heading for his hotel room.''
Xavier watched Aaron disappear around the corner and turned back to face Scott. "I apologize again for Aaron, he has no filter and sometimes no boundaries. If you'd like a nightcap now, you and me, and I mean just a nightcap, no extracurricular activities, that would be nice, but I am okay with your just walking away."
"While I appreciate the kind offer, I am going to have to pass for now," Scott exhaled, "It wouldn't feel right to me at this moment. But I do appreciate it." He gave a weak half-smile, the memories of many other nights and moments like this playing in his mind. "Although if you would like to catch up when we are both back on the ship, that would be good, I hope this doesn't cause you too much trouble."
"That's no problem, I understand but catching up later would be fine."
Scott made his way to a transporter that would get him back to the station and his temporary quarters.
Xavier turned to return to his home.
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