Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Early Morning in the Lab

(snip)

Roman looked almost as surprised as Rand did for a split second but then he seemed to come to terms with and accept what he’d said, and then he was watching her face intently for a reaction or an answer. She squeezed his hand and he felt her pulling his shirt, bunching the fabric in her hand as she gripped it. And she looked like she did when she was going to have a panic attack, and he started to worry he’d overdone it, that she wasn’t ready for those words, that he’d scare her away.

But then she used his name, her tone sort of.. questioning, but he still loved hearing his name in her voice, her accent. And then she said… she did, too. She. Did. All over again, Roman looked completely surprised, and then he returned her smile, except his was confident and really, really happy. He let go of her hand and pulled her into a full, proper hug, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

~ Roman

Rand’s smile was shy but she was happy.
When he let go of her hand and pulled her into a full hug, Rand let go of his shirt. unconsciously she smoothed the wrinkles from it. Rand reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and then rested her head against him. She was nervous because the whole thing was new and exciting and overwhelming and Roman was wonderful. The way he hugged her always made her feel better even when she didn’t feel nervous.

Rand

Roman was hugging her tightly, and Rand had reached her arms up around his neck and she was resting her head against him. He loved it when she did that when they hugged like this. He hadn’t intended on or planned to say what he said, but now that he had, and especially because it had gone well, he was really happy it had come out the way it did.

~ Roman

Rand seemed to sigh, a soft content sound. Her quiet voice was muffled against him. “This is one of my favorite things.” They seemed to stand there endlessly and Rand thought it was a perfect moment. Until her computer started beeping at exactly 1800, as all the dept reports started coming in. The alert in the quiet room startled her and she jumped slightly. “I…I have to go back on duty now,” she sounded extremely disappointed.

Rand