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Jaal knew it was late but the Pathfinder had wanted his ideas on how they could help the Angara the most. He had focused on nothing else but completing the list since they had returned from running around Havaral, not realizing how late it was getting. But now he had and he wondered if he should wait until morning even though he had said as soon as possible. Maybe he should go see if he was even still awake. If not, tomorrow would be acceptable.
He left the tech lab, data pad in hand, and made his way to his quarters. The door seal was green. So that meant he was still awake. Right?
"You're being ridiculous", he muttered to himself. But he couldn't really blame himself. His whole life felt like it had turned in a different direction the moment he met Ryder's eyes on his way down the stairs. He had felt something strange that day. Something he couldn't name. But that strangeness had compelled him to volunteer to join the Tempest. Leave everything and everyone he'd ever known and travel with the new strange aliens. He was so unsure of himself. So unsure he was loitering outside a door in the middle of the night. Scoffing at his silliness, he walked into the room.
The door closed silently behind him as he glanced towards the desk. No Pathfinder. Maybe. Looking towards the bed he noticed it was empty and just like he saw it that morning before they had left the ship. Where was he? It was so late. Day shift started in less than five hours.
"SAM, where's the Pathfinder?"
"He asked not to be disturbed." He wasn't going to disturb him. He was just going to make him go to bed.
"SAM, please."
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you." Fine. He'd search the entire ship then. Tear it apart if he had to. "You should step outside, I believe it will be beneficial for you." What was he-? Oh.
"Thank you. That sounds like a nice idea."
He hurried out of the room and through the ship, walked down the ramp, and looked around. No sign of him. Wait. Was that a ladder? Climbing it, he found himself on the top of the ship.
"Huh?" He didn't even know this was possible. Though he figured it made sense for maintenance. Looking around, he spotted Ryder lying down right before the meeting room window started. "Ryder?"
"Jaal?" He lifted his head, spotting him. "What are you doing up? It's late."
"I was working on that list you asked for. What are you doing up here", he asked, walking over to him.
"I didn't mean you had to lose sleep over it. You should be in bed."
"So should you." He kneeled beside him, looking over his outfit. Liam had told him the pants were called sweats and the top was a hoodie. Both were soaked. How long had he been out here?
"I'm good here", he said, setting his head back down.
"You're soaked."
"Worth it for the view."
He looked up. Swirling clouds in a purple sky. Manta flying, calling out to each other.
"I suppose it is beautiful."
"Yep." But he still didn't understand.
"You can see all this from your room. Or the meeting room, if you want this exact view. You don't have to lie out in the rain getting soaked."
"Can't hear the manta on the ship. And the rain is nice. Clears my head. Helps me think."
"You've done this before", he asked, lying down beside him.
"Hmm? Yeah. Almost every night we've been here. Couldn't sleep after the first couple nights. Decided to sit on the ramp and listen to the rain for a bit." They'd been on Havaral for two weeks now. How many nights had he been up here while the rest of them slept? How had no one else noticed this? "Figured out the ladder and found this spot. It's quiet. No one bothers me." Oh.
"I could go."
"No. You're different. I don't mind you being near." Oh. Well, that was interesting. He liked being around him too but he wasn't certain about what he felt. These Milky Way aliens were so hard to read. "Though you should go to bed. It's late. Big day tomorrow, remember? We're going to meet the sages."
He was tired but-.
"I'm not going to bed until you do. As you said, we have a big day tomorrow. But mostly you do. Lots of remnant devices to decode."
"Oh", Scott groaned. "Don't remind me. I'm not thinking about that part."
"Why?" It looked interesting to him. Exciting even, to get to work with the ancient machines. Why wouldn't he be excited to do more of it?
"Nevermind. Fine." He stood up and held out a hand to him. "Let's go inside."
"And to bed", he said, using his hand to help him get to his feet.
"Going to have a shower first. Then I'll go to my room."
"And sleep."
"Good night, Jaal." He watched as he walked away and disappeared from his sight as he used the ladder to descend.
"Impossible human", he muttered. So difficult to figure out but so thrilling to try. Unravelling the mystery of Scott Ryder would take a lifetime. And he found he was excited to stick around to try.