Night Stroll

Posted on Thu Oct 1st, 2026 @ 1:18pm by Commander Kyle Reece & Civilian Teevs Dosivi

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Promenade
Timeline: June 18th, 2398
1561 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Teevs had found this spot back when the crew were having nightmares. It was a quiet little corner of the promenade that provided cushioned benches by windows. He leaned his back against the wall, one leg propped up and a cup of something the replicator said was herbal, and he stared out the window. Anything specific he could have been looking for wouldn't be found outside between the stars.

Sleep hadn't been easy to acquire over the last couple weeks. He started preparing a change of clothes for when he inevitably woke up in the night soaked in sweat. There were a few times when Kerilia startled him awake, sometimes by screaming and a couple times when she simply touched his shoulder to wake him up. Those were easy to handle, because he could focus his attention on her to help her get back to sleep.

Kyle was walking by, doing his weekly security patrol of the ship. When he saw his friend, Teevs, sitting alone, seemingly lost in thought. He sl.ost kept walking, not wanting to disturb him. As he was about to continue on, he saw Teevs turn his eyes towards him.

When Teevs saw Kyle's reflection in the glass, he turned to see what he might be doing. He considered the giant being to be a friend at this point, and being with a friend didn't seem like a bad idea right now. "Can I accompany you?" He asked. Thanks to the hour, there was a lull in activity, which meant he didn't have to raise his voice that much to be heard.

Kyle grinned slightly, then nodded. "Sure, Mister Teevs. I'm just doing my weekly patrol of the ship. You can walk with me for bit." He then waited for the smaller man to join him. In a gentle tone, he asked, "How's your daughter doing?" As a father now himself, he was starting to learn just how protective a parent can be.

It didn't take Teevs long to catch up to Kyle, tea in hand. He was dressed comfortably, in something the Humans called a hoodie. It was comfortable and provided a sufficient illusion of security. "She's having trouble sleeping again," he replied, remembering when the Elysium dealt with the Thaih'hea. "The school granted her some time to recover and adapt, but it hasn't been easy. She's incredibly self-conscious of the dermaglyph and is spending a lot of time in her room."

Kyle gave his friend a sad smile as he reached out and gently squeezed the other man's right shoulder. "I'm sorry, Teevs. Zhavna has been asking about her. She misses her friend."

Teevs wasn't expecting the contact, and his body reacted before he could stop it. His muscles tensed. The shoulder under the man's giant hand twitched with an adrenaline-fueled instinct he'd never experienced before. His breath caught in his throat, and he felt as if his heart was going to escape his chest.

The flinch sloshed the tea in his cup, splashing a little onto his hand.

"Felkara!" He hissed, holding the cup with his other hand so he could wipe the tea away onto his clothes. The tea was warm but it had cooled down enough so it didn't burn him. He still checked his hand just in case, only seeing it faintly damp from whatever liquid his clothes hadn't wicked away. The awareness of what felt like a drastic overreaction to simply being touched made Teevs' cheeks grow warm. This didn't happen with Addison, or with Kerilia. "Sorry. Um..."

Kyle paused and pulled his hand back, a concerned look in his eyes. "No, I apologize. I can imagine how you're feeling right now. You went through something horrible, that you had no prior training to ready yourself for. Please, forgive me, my friend."

For a couple seconds, Teevs closed his eyes as he took a slow breath to calm his nerves. When he opened them again, his gaze went to the mug in his hands. "It's... it's ok," he responded, though the tone made it ambigious whether he was addressing Kyle or himself. Blinking a couple times, he racked his brain to recall what the other man had said before. "Uh... right, Zhavna. I've had a couple of Kerilia's friends say they miss her too."

"Well, whatever you feel is best for your little girl is all that matters right now," Kyle replied with a gentle grin. "Just know that the two of you are not alone here. You have friends and family that are here for you."

Teevs finally looked up at Kyle, seeing the concerned yet caring expression in his smile. He was still a little embarrassed by the reaction, but he was relieved that Kyle didn't focus on it that much. "Thank you, that means a lot." His attention briefly shifted down the corridor as they passed some officers. "Kerilia needs to see and believe that being different isn't a bad thing. I think being around her friends can help. Maybe we can arrange a movie night for them?"

Kyle nodded in agreement as the two fathers began walking again. "Sounds like a great idea. If you two are up for it, maybe have turn into a slumber party. I'll talk to Harper, but i dont think she'd have s problem hosting it in our quarters, as they are large enough for the girls to relax and have some fun. However," he added respectfully, "that would be up for the two of you to decide. Please do not think I am trying to force the issue."

"Nono, that sounds like a great idea," Teevs responded. "I'll ask Kerilia and see what she thinks."

Kyls nodded and grinned. If there was anything he could do, to help his friend and his little girl feel safe again, he would do it.

They continued the stroll for a few minutes. There wasn't much to say; Kyle was patrolling, and Teevs was simply existing in his company. Eventually, Teevs broke the silence. His voice was slightly hushed, as if there would be consequences for being vulnerable too loudly. "Kyle..." No 'Mister Chief of' preceding it. He paused before asking, "you said you can imagine how I'm feeling. Does... it get better?"

Kyle paused, turning partly towards Teevs. The look in his eyes made it clear that he was seeing flashes of past horrors he had experienced. "I won't lie to you, Teevs." He took a breath, then let it out, heavy with emotion. "While the physical pain will heal, the mental pain and scars will never go away. With time, and a strong support system around you, the best one can hope to achieve is that the strength of the memory will decline." He took another breath and added, "You will undoubtedly have flashbacks and triggers that will be with you, probably the rest of your life. How they effect you, however, is entirely up to you."

He held out his left hand, palm up. "Do you choose to do everything you can to recover as much as you can?" He lifted his right hand in a similar fashion. "Or, do you allow the pain to destroy you?" He moved his hands in opposite directions, up and down, then concluded. "It really is all up to you and how you want your life to be."

Teevs didn't say anything for a few long seconds. It was clear he was thinking, and whatever was on his mind was complex. He wasn't sure what kind of answer he was expecting to hear, but a truth that made no false promises was both unexpected and welcomed. "Thanks," he eventually said, slightly grimacing at how lame that sounded in response to Kyle's insight. "I want the first one. For myself, and for Kerilia."

Kyle gave his friend a gentle smile. "If you ever need to talk, you can come to me, Teevs. I'll listen." He offered his right hand to the smaller man in the human gesture of shaking hands, that he had taught Teevs, shortly after the other man had come aboard the ship.

While Orin had taught Teevs that a handshake was a customary greeting among Humans, Kyle had helped him understand its significance. He took Kyle's hand and offered him an appreciative smile. "Thank you."

After the men shook, they then said good evening and went their separate ways, Teevs home to his daughter, and Kyle on the rest of his patrol.

As he walked the decks, Kyle took the time to think about the time he had spent aboard this mighty vessel. There were so many good memories here. There were also horrible, painful ones too. He paused at junction 23-B, on deck 18, and placed his right hand on one of the exposed support fittings that were sticking out of the bulkhead. For a brief moment, the ghosts of the past surrounded him. Then, he was back in the present. Elysium was more than a starship to him. She was his home, the only true home he had had since he left Earth. The people in his home, were more than his crewmates, they were his family. He would fight to the bitter end to protect each and everyone of them, without hesitation.

He took in a deep breath, then continued his patrol.

He would protect his home and family.

~OFF~