Lost and Found
“Phobos? Pardon me? Phobos?” Praxis’ absurdly gigantic head and shoulders loomed above him, blocking out the light that Jules needed to see what he was fucking doing. It was almost a relief; he hated playing mechanic. “Hello? Phobos?”
“What?” he finally spat out, dropping the screwdriver and looking up. “Excuse me, what are you doing climbing up my ship like a monkey in heat?”
A gratifying flush of deep salmon spread across Praxis’ cheeks. “I–well–I–I’m very sorry to bother you. I was just looking for Ethos. My navigator.”
Jules gestured around the cockpit. “Does it look like I have him stashed here?” He mentally congratulated himself on his restraint; what he had been about to say was, It looks like you lose a lot of navigators.
“Well, er, no, of course not. I merely wondered if you might know where–”
“Why would I keep track of Ethos’ whereabouts? I’m not a sheepdog.”
Praxis frowned, but continued. “I thought that since he and your fighter are…on friendly terms, you might possibly have some idea…”
They’re on what. Jules let loose a silent internal scream. Is that where he’s been lately? Shit. Even Praxis knows. Did everyone know but me? No, Port would’ve told me if he knew. Unless he was trying to spare me the humiliation? Or what if he’s not really as loyal as he seems? What if he hates me for still having feelings for Cook? Or--
“Phobos?” Praxis was leaning in now, staring at him. What a giant lunk. What an imposition. What an absolute waste of space. Why would anyone risk himself for this stupid, needy lout? “Are you all right? You look–”
Jules grabbed the back of Praxis’ stupid colonial head and mashed their mouths together, ignoring his faint grunt of surprise. It took him a moment to figure out how to maneuver around Praxis’ indecently large colonial nose, but he proved startlingly easy to navigate, and Jules didn’t even need to apply force after the first couple of seconds. He did it anyway.
Once he felt even his own brain beginning to scramble, Jules pulled back and gave Praxis a hard shove, immediately picking up the screwdriver so he didn’t have to look at his face. “Now run along. I have work to do.”