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They couldn't ignore the elephant in the room forever. Really, it's more like 5 elephants jumping up and down, waving their trunks around and spraying water everywhere.
They were sitting on the office chairs the American had brought with him into space for some reason, the adrenaline from his parkour through space and a game of "Super Racers" seeping out of him.
"I am … sorry, that I attacked you. It was rude of me and not a great first impression."
"All good man we did just watch everything we ever knew explode, it was an understandable reaction. I am really glad you speak English though because I do not speak Chinese." The American laughs.
"Yes, I figured it would help my chances to get into the space program."
"Clearly it worked."
They sat in silence for a while longer, soaking in the weight of what had just happened.
The taikonaut was thinking about his future, or lack thereof, much like in his shuttle during the initial blast. He would never get married and settle down, never have children or grandchildren or see his parents again or leave any sort of legacy. Granted, had he stayed on earth there still wouldn't be much legacy to leave. He had spent all of his life working and training and none of it living.
The American was just thinking of what he was going to do now. He didn't have anyone back on earth so it wasn't really personally upsetting for him. In a distant way it was sad, thinking about all the people and animals that were down there and had their lives snuffed out. Hopefully it was painless. Really though, he was fine to just chill up here with his new buddy and wait out their final years.
"Did you lose anyone?" The taikonaut asks. Almost a stupid question to ask, given the earth exploded.
"Nah, not really. You?"
"Yes."
"Dang. You want a beer?"
"You have beer?"
The American floats over to his cooler and pulls out some beer. It was a Bud Light.
"They told me I could bring some larger personal items since it was a solo mission. I managed to convince them to let me bring my whole gaming setup and beer. Well, I brought a cooler and I think they just forgot to check inside."
He floats a beer can over to the taikonaut who watches it slowly drift over to him before he catches it and cracks it open.
Nothing left to do but sit back and drink beer until they die. It could be worse. It could be better. Definitely could have chosen a different beer brand.