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Shran gets to spend all of one night back in his own quarters before he’s being picked up again in the morning by the Enterprise shuttle. He packs few belongings, as he has few belongings to begin with for he has generally little need for arbitrary personal possessions or sentimentality, but the majority of which he brings with him are various knives and his trusty honing stone.
He gives a general announcement to his crew, thanking them for their service and wishing them a safe journey home. Many of the crew crowd the hallways to say their goodbyes as he makes his way to the Andorian airlock.
A short and silent shuttle ride later, he’s stepping out of the human airlock with the ensign that had picked him up when he’s greeted by Archer.
“Commander,” Archer says flatly, clearly still perturbed by this new arrangement. He’s excited and terrified all at once. To have this perfect opportunity land in his lap and the ability to royally fuck it up. To know it would be impossible to hold back the tidal wave of emotion he harbours being forced to work so close together.
To know that Shran would always be so near.
There was no way he’d be able to contain himself.
“Captain,” Shran responds in turn, giving him a curt nod.
“I’ll, uh, show you to your quarters.”
Shran nods again, following beside Archer as he starts off down the hall.
~*~
The pair walk in awkward silence, neither of them willing to address their previous altercation nor their discomfort with these new circumstances.
They arrive at an unsubstantial door which frankly looks nearly identical to every other door on the Enterprise.
“Well, this is it,” Archer says, punching in the code allowing the door to slide open, revealing a bunk once again nearly identical to all senior officer quarters on Enterprise.
Shran says nothing and simply enters the small room, tossing his bag of personal effects carelessly aside which clangs metallically when it lands. He turns to look at Archer.
Archer stands in the doorway of the room.
“Looks like we’ll be working a lot more closely together,” Archer states, studying the other.
“Looks like it,” Shran agrees.
A beat of silence.
“Are we… okay?” Archer then asks, hesitantly. He feels suddenly nervous, not entirely wanting to have this conversation, but knowing it needs to happen.
Shran can’t help but chuckle.
“We’ve dueled to the death and both survived. I think we’ll handle this just fine.”
Archer gives Shran a timid smile before nodding. That answer seems to satisfy him.
“Our first briefing with our newest senior officer starts tomorrow at 0800,” Archer informs. “Don’t be late.”
~*~
The next few days go by surprisingly smoothly, the Enterprise crew getting comfortable with their newest member and vice versa, topped off with the good news that Shran’s previous command reached Andoria safely.
It’s now that things are returning to a new normal that Archer invites Shran to dinner.
Shran is hesitant at first, but agrees, and they’re now seated across from one another in the captain’s mess, a place they’ve frequently shared a drink or meal before.
They talk and reminisce, eat and drink heartily, laugh and share stories of their various adventures and the time goes by marvellously but quickly.
They hardly notice it falling late, too enthralled in enjoying each other’s good company.
Eventually they realize the time after a lull in the conversation and decide to turn in for the night.
Shran offers to escort Archer to his quarters.
They walk together mostly in silence until they reach Archer’s quarters.
“Thank you for tonight,” Archer says warmly, placing his back to the door of his room.
“The pleasure was all mine,” Shran returns before humming softly and appreciatively.
“Goodnight, Jonathan.”
And Archer is completely caught off guard from hearing his first name from the other, so much so he simply watches silently as Shran retreats down the hallway to his own quarters.