Chapter Text
After the four returned from Legion’s ship, Rimmer sat in the sleeping quarters, staring into space. His hands hovered over the chair arms without touching them.
‘Wha’s up with you?’ asked Lister, sloping in.
‘Since Legion gave me this body I feel like I’m being attacked by every sensation from every direction. I swear I can feel the atoms bouncing off my skin.’
‘Can I do anythin’ to help, man?’ Lister asked, his head in the top bunk trying to find the remains of some poppadom he’d left earlier.
Rimmer swallowed. ‘No, I’m quite all right, Lister. Don’t you have something important to be doing? Like biting your toenails?’
Lister looked suddenly mischievous and shot Rimmer a wonky grin. ‘I know just wha’ yeh need.’
Rimmer’s jaw twitched as he continued to hold his posture awkwardly.
‘I said I’m fine, Lister. Now kindly go about your slobbish business and leave me up to mine.’
Lister ignored him and came up behind, placing his hands on his shoulders.
Rimmer leapt up with a squeak and began hyperventilating.
Hands firmly on his shoulders, Lister pressed him back down into the chair.
‘Trust me… I’ve always been pretty good at these.’
Startled by the sensation of Lister’s hands, Rimmer obeyed.
‘I… oh, all right Lister, but I won’t enjoy it. You’ll have to stand there and listen to me moaning.’
Lister knew Rimmer didn’t intend that comment to be an innuendo but he grinned anyway, waiting for him to realise what he’d said.
He didn’t.
The Scouser shook his head, smiling. Rimmer could be unintentionally sweet in his naivety. He was also trying to disguise his trembling, but Lister could feel the motion beneath his fingers.
‘Rimmeh. Relax. You’re too tense.’