Jun’s face twitched into something very strange that was neither irritation nor amusement yet managed to convey a little of both. He plucked the star from Theo’s hands but didn’t crush it, the delicate figure held carefully in his palm.
“Get back to work. Now.” Jun’s voice held a familiar note of exasperation underscored by something warm. Theo hesitated to label it as fondness, painfully aware of the seductive powers of wishful thinking.
Theo thought back longingly about the still unpressed buttons as he trudged toward his room.
No one ever understood his process.
Chapter Thirteen
The bridge was fully manned by the time Theo returned the next day, pad in hand and new translations on the tip of his tongue.
Jun stood at the central console, upright and alert, bringing to mind the oft-revisited image of Professor Gladwell at his lectern.
Although, Theo’s memory of Professor Gladwell paled in comparison to the sight of Jun commanding his ship.
It was not unlike comparing a poodle to a wolf, actually. One, all elegant lines and placid restraint, and the other, bristling with barely contained raw power. Axel sat in the same place Theo had first discovered him, only five screens open and none of them noticeably pornographic. Theo was sure that had something to do with Jun’s stance at the console directly behind Axel’s station.
Boom leaned over another console off to the side, surrounded by dozens of tiny screens streaming images from all over the ship, both interior and exterior. Theo could see Marco working with some wiring on the engine room screen.
Boom’s head swiveled in Theo’s direction as he walked in, eyes raking him over, and then she turned back to her screens in clear dismissal.
Once he had scanned the room, Theo decided on the console across the wall from Boom. He tried to walk over quietly and settle in the chair with minimum disruption, but in the time-honored tradition of Theo’s efforts to keep quiet, he failed in spectacular fashion. He carefully, slowly placed his pad directly on top of something that set off flashing blue lights and a wailing siren throughout the ship.
Axel cursed loudly in Patch, slamming his hand over one of his ears as Jun turned with full-bodied disapproval in Theo’s direction.
After stalking over to yank Theo’s pad away, Boom pulled up a projection screen and entered in a series of complex codes. The lights and siren cut off abruptly, Axel’s continued shouting amplified in the sudden absence of sound.
Boom reached behind the console and retrieved a thick plexiboard. She slammed it down across the panel and locked it in place with efficient movements.
It was a scramble for Theo to catch his pad as she tossed it over her shoulder and stomped back to her console with a long-suffering sigh.
The heat of a deep blush crept along the roots of his hair and ran beneath his open collar. He had decided, given the casual apparel of his crew mates, to forgo his waistcoat and cravat. There was something deliciously thrilling in going about his day half-dressed. Now, however, he felt a trifle too exposed under their universally disapproving glares.
Plastering on a winning smile, he waved his pad cheerily as he swiveled his chair side to side. “I suppose that is one way to wake everyone up, isn’t it? While I have your attention, allow me to wish a splendid morning to you all! Isn’t it a perfectly lovely day? I was just thinking how delightful it was to begin the day with fresh fruit. Exceedingly rare to enjoy such a luxury on interplanetary journeys.”
Axel turned his glare on Jun, who twisted his face in a slight wince, avoiding Axel’s eyes. “Wait. I thought you said we were out of fruit? Why does he get fruit, Captain?”
Jun ignored Axel entirely and focused on Theo. He rolled his shoulders beneath his holster and clasped his hands behind his back, standing straight and tall and about ten times more still than Theo had ever managed in his life. “What are you doing here?”
It was difficult for Theo to maintain his smile under the blunt force of Jun’s scowl. “I thought it might be nice to continue my work up here with all of you. I am not much of a solitary creature, I’m afraid. I do my best work in the company of others. Silence and solitude are never my companions of choice.”
Scrutinizing Theo from his fidgeting spats to his finger-combed hair, Jun gave a sharp nod and turned back to his console.
Axel watched Jun’s every motion with a slowly spreading grin. His eyes twinkled at Theo as Jun turned away. “Whatcha working on, dollface?”
Jun stiffened at the nickname and turned the heat of his frown on Axel. Axel appeared completely immune as he unconcernedly picked his teeth with a narrow, sharp attachment on his arm.
Attention on his pad, Theo remained determined to keep his word. “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say.”
Axel whistled obnoxiously, boots thunking as he propped them on the dash. “Top secret, is it? Bet the captain’s got you keeping all kinds of secrets, huh, Doll?”
“He’s not a Doll,” Jun snapped. “And boots on the floor, pilot, or I’ll take every scuff and scratch on that console out of your pay.”
Axel dropped his boots, muttering petulantly in Patch.
Ignoring him, Jun turned his head fractionally in Theo’s direction. “Dr. Campbell.”
Theo frowned, confused by his formal address. He waved a hand magnanimously. “Oh, do call me Theo, please. Dr. Campbell has always suited my father and brother far better than it ever suited me. I’m not one to stand upon ceremony. There’s something about the air of authority the title lends that has never seemed to agree with me. Perhaps because I never seem to agree with authority either.”
Jun’s expression glazed over as Theo rambled, then sharpened when he paused for breath. “Theo. Have you made progress?”
Everyone on the bridge seemed focused on their conversation. Theo arched an inquisitive brow at Jun. “Am I permitted to
