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She knocks out of habit and calls out “The coast is clear” even as she eyes the hallway in front of his quarters. Empty as a ghost town and nearly as quiet.
His door slides open a hands-width and half his face is visible as he whispers dramatically, “Do you have the drinks?”
So that’s how they’re playing it.
“Do you even need to ask?” She turns and jostles her her bag. It sloshes and glass clinks through the canvas.
“I don’t want to have to pause right in the middle-”
“Yes, I have the drinks. You better have enough snacks.”
“Being captain does have its perks.”
“Like hiding the fact you’re skipping cryo, again.”
“So are you. Thank you, Sarah.” Tom smiles his stupid soft smile like he’s grateful she’s here. And he is. Too damn genuine all the time.
“Are you going to let me in?” She rolls her eyes, but there’s grin on her face.
“Well, only because you brought drinks.” He steps back and the door opens the rest of the way.
“You’re lucky I like you.”
“I know.” Again, the lines of his face soften and something twists in her chest. She pushes him for that line and he tumbles onto his bed while she reveals her haul.
He lays there dramatically, like a dead fish and only props himself up to look when she clears her throat. “Wine coolers and vodka? You know how to treat a girl right, Ms. Palmer.”
“Tom, I swear- look, I got you your sad-sack wine too. We can save the whiskey. Now start the damn movie.”
“Pushy. And you didn’t want to finish the book.”
“I suffer for your tastes, Captain.” She says and does the most half-assed bow she can manage before sitting down and shucking off her boots.
Tom waits til she’s looking at the face he’s making before cracking. He’s laughing into the bowl of popcorn as she crawls up his bed and wraps around him like a touch-starved koala if koalas were nearly 7ft tall and could snap him in half.
“Stop looking like a kicked dog and start your stupid romance movie.”
“Well, if you say so.”
“I’m choosing next.”
“I’m going to sweat to death before we get that far.”
She tightens her grip and presses a kiss to his temple. “Drink your wine, Tom.”