Chapter Text
There's a man in Scott's room.
For a moment he thinks he's hallucinating. His body aches, his head still feels like it's been pulled apart and he's drifting uncomfortably between awake and asleep, barely aware of his surroundings. So when a man slides into his room and stands lurking in the shadows behind the door, he doesn't get too alarmed.
"Am I still asleep?"
The man starts at that, looking over to the bed.
"Ah"
Scott narrows his eyes.
"That's not an answer."
The man smirks. "Do you think I'm the man of your dreams?"
Scott frowns, he still can't think straight. Everything is soft and fuzzy and not quite real.
"That's not..."
"Relax. You're awake, or at least giving a good impression of being so, and I'm in your room to avoid a minor diplomatic incident. My sincerest apologies for the intrusion."
He moves into the faint light and Scott's head finally clears, enough to remember a report Sara sent from Kadara.
"You're Reyes Vidal."
The man bows slightly.
"At your service. And you must be Scott Ryder."
Given what he's read, Scott isn't too surprised that the Charlatan knows what he looks like. "I hear you're partly to thank for us all still being alive."
"A mere cog in a machine of your sister's creation, I assure you."
Vidal runs a hand over the door, but doesn't show any signs of leaving. Scott pulls himself into a sitting position and tries to get a better look at him. It crosses his mind that the photo in his Initiative file doesn't do him justice. He swallows and looks away.
"My sister wasn't too impressed with your recent power play."
Scott looks up to see Vidal smiling, but there's an edge to it.
"I appreciated her not intervening. And I stand by what I said, the Initiative has my full support."
He leans against the wall, but his gaze is still fixed on Scott.
"What do you think?"
"Does it matter? My sister is the Pathfinder. My opinion is largely irrelevant right now."
"We both know that isn't true."
Scott holds his gaze, but only barely stops himself looking away. Vidal is right, he's started to discuss with Sara what he can do in Heleus now they have some initial ground. Maybe it's an obvious assumption to make, but the quiet confidence still throws him.
"Sloane Kelly was a dangerous bully who put far more lives at risk than she protected. I'd like to think you mean what you say."
"It's a dangerous galaxy out there. We all need to know who our friends are."
Scott smiles at that.
"Is that what you are? A friend?"
"Of course. Have I given the Initiative any reason to doubt me?"
"'The Charlatan' is not a name that inspires trust."
Vidal has moved closer. He's right next to the bed now, close enough for Scott to hear him breathing. His eyes are dark, still fixed on Scott's face.
"You know, a secret identity is only useful if no one knows about it."
Scott is suddenly acutely aware that he alone with a man who has no qualms about committing murder to get what he wants. Vidal is still looking at him, and there's something predatory about him, something controlled and dangerous. But there's a hitch in Scott's breathing, and it's not out of fear. Vidal smiles.
"I suppose I shall have to trust you."
"I'm very trustworthy."
"Are you indeed."
Vidal's voice is barely more than a murmur, but Scott can feel it vibrate over his skin. There's a moment where Vidal is about to speak, the words at his lips, but then he jerks away and turns to the door, responding to something Scott can't perceive.
The moment is gone, and when Vidal turns back to him it's as if he's put on a mask, his expression radiating harmlessness.
"Ah, my cue to leave. Goodbye Scott Ryder, I hope we meet again soon."
He winks then, all smoothness and charm, and before Scott can say anything he slips out of the door. He's gone as suddenly as he appeared and Scott is left alone in the darkness, wondering if he was ever actually awake at all.