I let you pick the movies....code

Posted on Wednesday, 5 May 2021 - 12:47pm by Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD & Lieutenant Scarlet Rogers

Mission: Operation: Neu Reich

Scarlet had been busy for the rest of the day, but she could get rid of how upset Ryan had looked when she had left. Scarlet decided to do what her mother had done whenever someone had passed: make hearty food and be a comfort.

So, here she was, at Ryan's door with a still warm Lancashire Hotpot in her arms, foil over the top of it to not spill. She was wearing overgloves and the heat was lovely and warm, seeping through to her fingers. She sounded the chime with her elbow and waited patiently.

It only took Ryan a moment to reach the door and open it himself. "Hey." He stepped back to let her in, offering a weak smile. "That smells amazing."

"Thank you," she smiled and kissed his cheek on the way past. She headed straight for the kitchen to serve up, "so, whenever someone was down, my mum used to make something hearty. Comfort food always makes everything better. I made her Hotpot. I hope it's OK. I don't cook as well as she did."

Ryan followed her to the kitchen. He was feeling a very unusual mix of happy and sad, and told Scarlet so. "I feel a bit guilty. I'm upset about Emerick, but I'm so happy you are here."

Scarlet started to plate up, "Don't worry. I get it." She handed him a bowl and a fork, "I just wasn't sure if you'd want the company, so I don't have to be here long. I just wanted to make sure that you were ok."

"I always want you here." He replied without hesitance. "How was your first day?" He asked.

Scarlet blushed. It was still strange to her that they were both willing to move quickly. "It was strange," she commented, "I got a lot done. Met everyone I needed to, including the XO. Umm, but the XO mistook me for Alex. Safe to say all of us were mortified."

Ryan's brow raised, then he giggled. "Oh no. Well in his defense I think Alex was the only red head before you arrived." He said, clearly teasing.

Scarlet chuckled, "I can imagine. It's fine. I don't think I've ever seen a Vulcan blush before. I must say, it was funny."

Ryan smiled. "Well it's one way to break the ice. I'm glad you seem to be settling in."

Scarlet nodded, "I've been warned about space sickness, but I'm braced." She ate some of her food before adding, "I've got to admit, now that I'm actually here and have met everyone I need to, I don't feel as nervous. I don't think it will kick in properly until we actually leave and then the escape route vanishes."

"That's good. You'll be fine." Ryan finally seemed to realize he had food in front of him. He took a spoonful, then groaned in a rather indecent manner. "That is the best thing I've ever eaten." He quickly took another spoonful, and managed to just make a pleased hum.

Scarlet blushed. The noise he made, she'd heard before. "I'm glad you like it," she replied, "it's hearty food. Probably on the cusp of not being healthy, but it's comfort food."

Ryan nodded his understanding, but was really too busy eating to talk. Once he'd finished he smiled at her. "Thank you. That really was amazing." He began to clear all the dishes away. "What do you say we do the whole movie thing in person again?"

"You think you're up for it?" she replied, querying if he was OK.

Ryan nodded. "You being here really does help. Otherwise I'd just sulk and be maudlin. He was a good friend, odd, but good."

Scarlet smiled and kissed his cheek, "I'll help as best as I can on the condition you let me do what I've wanted to do for most movie nights we've had-- let me snuggle up." The woman walked over to his sofa and sat down, picking up a PaDD to scan through films.

Ryan smiled. "Oh, I think I can manage that." He sat right by her on the couch. "You can even pick a Marvel movie. I think it's your turn anyway."

Scarlet chose Wonder Woman. Technically, DC, but it was her favourite of all super heroes. She curled up to him, resting her head on his chest. "I'll compromise," she whispered, kissing his cheek, "if you keep letting me pick movies, I'll start to think you love me." Scarlet teased before blushing, wishing she had kept her mouth shut.

"You can pick every movie from now on." He whispered back, turning his head enough to kiss her temple. He wasn't quite brave enough to say the words, but he could express it. "I'm surprised you didn't go into museum work, as often as you watch this movie." He teased.

Scarlet looked up, blushing, "that is... Umm... I... Yes... I'd let you pick the movies too, you know." She ignored his comment about museum. Work, she couldn't help but like the movie. Her mind was more focused on him kind of saying that he loved her.

Ryan smiled. "I know. So, mutual movie picking." It was nice to hear it, even in code. A bit less scary, as ridiculous as that was. They were both adults. But Ryan had been too recently burned to jump right back into the fire.

Scarlet kissed him softly and snuggled back down. Internally her heart was pounding and her stomach had so many butterflies. It was amazing to hear he loved her... Kind of. "To Wonder Woman."