[JP] Ensign August Winslett & PNPC Brian Stenner - A Cup for the Road Pt 1
Meri
((Winslett’s Quarters, USS Astraeus))
((OOC: This JP takes place just before August leaves the Astraeus. Brian Stenner is a PNPC who was left behind on the Astraeus written by Alix Harford.))
Brian stood outside his friend's door. He had that detestable taste of choked back tears in his mouth and his stomach was wrenched in knots that threatened to stop his heart or reject his lunch at any moment. It hadn't been long since he'd lost his professional anchor when Doctor Harford had left. Now he was losing his best friend. If it weren't for Wyatt the Astraeus would feel completely devoid of emotional companionship for him and he feared it would soon anyway. After all, losing a mentor was understandable, but even the best boyfriend in the quadrant couldn't replace a best friend. Not one like August.
He shifted anxiously on his feet again, selfish sorrow tugging the usually upturned corners of his mouth down like gravity was working overtime. He considered for a moment if he should just leave the poorly wrapped gift on the doorstep and walk away. He didn't want to face the goodbye that waited on the other side of the door. Sighing, Brian decided he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't hug August around the neck and wish him luck.
Stenner: ::mumbling to himself:: Best get it over with. Wasting time is just time wasted.
He reached forward and pressed the chime, startled at how quickly it opened to reveal a flush cheeked August with a box in his hands.
August was thunderstruck when the door opened and he saw Brian standing there. He’d been putting off visiting Sickbay for the last time. Normally, he wasn’t afraid of goodbyes. To the contrary, he cherished them. They were a chance for people to say what they really meant before moving on to a new adventure; a chance to be honest and tell someone what a positive impact they’d had on your life. It was important for people to hear that from time to time. This goodbye, however, was like a cosmic event. Something so important and devastating that, perhaps, ignoring it would make it go away. He would have gone to see Brian…eventually. Surely Brian knew that.
Stenner: I uh- I heard…
Winslett: I promise I was coming to see you, Brian! You’re my best friend and you KNOW, I hope you know, that I’d never, ever leave. That is, I have to leave, but I wouldn’t leave without…::cut off::
Stenner: No, I know. I know you wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. I guess I just reckoned on beating you to it.
He stepped into the quarters and tried desperately not to focus on its disheveled, half packed state.
Winslett: ::wiping a tear away from his eye and gesturing to the room:: It’s coming along…
Stenner: Looks like you're making good progress. I got you something.
Brian forced a lopsided smile and held the lumpy, squished, hastily wrapped package out in front of him.
Winslett: ::quietly; reverently taking the package:: What is it?
Stenner: It's mine. Well it was mine. I'd like you to take it with you. My mother says people like talking to a man in a cardigan. ::shrugs:: I thought you might get good use out of it.
August was, for probably the first time in his existence, speechless.
Winslett: Brian I…I don’t know what to say. I can’t take this from you.
Stenner: Of course you can. In fact, it would be rude not to.
Winslett: ::tears welling up in his eyes:: But this is such an important piece of ::pause:: you! It’s something special given to you. I’m abandoning you! How could I accept such a thoughtful gift?
His friend’s tears touched Brain’s heart and threatened to well up tears of his own.
Stenner: It is a piece of me, that’s why I want you to have it, so that a piece of me is with you out there. Mercy, we sound like an old married couple. Now you stop your crying, August, or I’ll cry. ::pause:: You’re not abandoning me, you’re being reassigned and given a great opportunity.
Winslett: ::the tears now freely falling:: And I don’t have anything for you, Brian. I don’t have a single gift or memento worth passing on. Just some old gym clothes and a shoe I can’t find the mate to.
Stenner: Hey bud, I don’t want your gym shoe.
Brian chuckled despite himself and rubbed the back of his neck. How could a friendship turn so awkward so quickly. If he was honest, he just didn’t want August to leave.
Winslett: Oh, I know! Would you let me make you a cup of tea before I leave?
Stenner: Tea? August you’re in the middle of packing.
Winslett: I remember you doing that for me when Dr. Harford left. ::smiling slightly:: It was helpful.
Stenner: You really don’t have to…
But his words fell on deft ears as August moved over to the kitchenette and started fiddling with a few dishes. After a moment of two of clattering and clinking sounds, August spoke up.
Winslett: Hey, Brian.
Stenner: Yeah?
Winslett: Could I ask you something?
Stenner: Of course. ::serious tone:: You can ask me anything, August.
Winslett: Would you ::pause:: make the tea, please? I don’t know how.
And just like that the tension was broken and his best friend was standing in the kitchen as lost as a swan among ducklings, and just about as gangly too. Brian stepped over, shaking his head with a tsk. He took the pot from August and began to fill it with water.
Stenner: Alright, but pay attention. I can’t send you off to be a counselor who doesn’t know how to make a proper tea.
Winslett: ::throwing puppy dog eyes:: You can’t just make it for me?
An exasperated sigh escaped Brian and he rolled his eyes, however a wide smile spread across his face.
Stenner: Of course not, it's a valuable skill! Tea and Therapy go together like, well, tea and therapy… Okay, the first thing you need to do is heat the water…
TBC
Lt. JG August Winslett
Counselor
USS Ronin, NCC-34523
MY WRITER ID: A240202AW2
and
Ensign Brian Stenner
Nurse
written by
Medical Officer
USS Khitomer, NCC-62400
D240104AH2