Trust Me I&#x27;m An Astrophysicist- HIATUS

"Crusoe, come here I have to tell you something."

He looked up curiously and set his PADD aside, coming over by her. “Is… Is everything okay?”

#crusoetheandroid #t'mei means ugh yes but i'm so timid and shy that you'll probably never hear me say it ever

He smiled softly and stroked her back with his cool fingers. “I trust you- you are always so careful of my feelings, it is very kind of you.” He nuzzled against her cheek. “But if you want something, you are allowed to ask for it- you are half human, after all, and it is completely natural. If I were uncomfortable, I feel safe enough with you that I would say so.”

“You do too much for me already.” She muttered with a tired smile. “I would love it if you did...those kinds of things for me...” She bit her lip and shook her head, still smiling. “But...I’m not the type of person to blurt that out either.” Her cheeks flushed with a light green. “I think...I’m content with cuddling, at least for right now, as long as you are...”

"Crusoe, come here I have to tell you something."

He looked up curiously and set his PADD aside, coming over by her. “Is… Is everything okay?”

T’Mei jumped into his arms and kissed him. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you.” She gently ran a hand through his hair, “I think you’re done working for the night and you should come cuddle with me instead.”

He caught her easily and held her up in his arms to return the kiss. “You think so? I am not sure that I have it in me to argue with you, honestly.” He gave her a small, warm smile and set her down. “To bed?”

She nodded with a smile, “Yes, to bed.” She gently took his hand and lead him back to her room. “Let me go change and I’ll be right back.” She headed to the bathroom, still a bit shy to undress in front of him. She had had a very trying day and was mentally drained. When she came back out in her pajamas, she stretched she arms over her head. “I know it’s not very Vulcan of me to say but this is my favorite part of the day.”

He nodded, and by the time she returned he had stripped out of his uniform tunic and was less formally in his undershirt and pants, plugged into the wall for the night. He moved the blankets out of the way of her usual place and tilted his head curiously at her.

“What fo you think a Vulcan’s favorite part of the day would be? I suppose I would not sound very much like an Android to agree with you, but I do.”

She snuggled against him with a smile. “I think if I were a proper Vulcan, my favorite place would be at work. It used to be…before I met you.” She began to gently plant soft kisses along his cheeks. “Now my favorite place is right here.” Her kisses moved to his lips and cuddled closer to him. “I love you.”

He basked in her attentions contentedly, returning her soft kisses with ones of his own as she spoke. He stroked her hair gently and nodded.

“I am the same- a good machine would not be so easily distracted by you as I am… but I am glad to have you distracting me.” He hummed and kissed her in return, hoping to come across as warm and loving as she always seemed to manage.

Her smile widened at his admission and wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her nose into his neck. She shifted a bit uncomfortably and cleared her throat, “Ummm…Crusoe…we’ve been together for a while and, umm, it’s common in relationships like ours for the couple to become uhh…physically intimate.” She squeaked out the last two words in embarrassment. “But I would understand if this wasn’t something that could happen in our relationship.”

He blinked once at that, and tilted his head incrementally in thought. “You… desire physical intimacy?” He asked, mostly stalling. He did not seem terribly nervous or distressed though. He looked down and his silver fingers toyed with a stray thread on the blanket.

“As to the… possibility… it would depend on what it is you… want. I do not have the ability to reciprocate any kind of physical arousal, nor do I feel it, honestly…” he glanced up towards her shyly. “I am, however, medical personnel. I think that I could… possibly… make you feel… good?”

#crusoetheandroid #{she's like oops totally keep forgetting my boyfriend's a robot hahaha}

She smiled warmly at him and kissed his cheek. “You are very sweet,” she whispered. “I am content with how are relationship is now. I am half Vulcan, after all. I can meditate those thoughts away.” She cuddled up to him again. “I don’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. That was not my intention. I guess I was just...thinking out loud.”

"Crusoe, come here I have to tell you something."

He looked up curiously and set his PADD aside, coming over by her. “Is… Is everything okay?”

T’Mei jumped into his arms and kissed him. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you.” She gently ran a hand through his hair, “I think you’re done working for the night and you should come cuddle with me instead.”

He caught her easily and held her up in his arms to return the kiss. “You think so? I am not sure that I have it in me to argue with you, honestly.” He gave her a small, warm smile and set her down. “To bed?”

She nodded with a smile, “Yes, to bed.” She gently took his hand and lead him back to her room. “Let me go change and I’ll be right back.” She headed to the bathroom, still a bit shy to undress in front of him. She had had a very trying day and was mentally drained. When she came back out in her pajamas, she stretched she arms over her head. “I know it’s not very Vulcan of me to say but this is my favorite part of the day.”

He nodded, and by the time she returned he had stripped out of his uniform tunic and was less formally in his undershirt and pants, plugged into the wall for the night. He moved the blankets out of the way of her usual place and tilted his head curiously at her.

“What fo you think a Vulcan’s favorite part of the day would be? I suppose I would not sound very much like an Android to agree with you, but I do.”

She snuggled against him with a smile. “I think if I were a proper Vulcan, my favorite place would be at work. It used to be…before I met you.” She began to gently plant soft kisses along his cheeks. “Now my favorite place is right here.” Her kisses moved to his lips and cuddled closer to him. “I love you.”

He basked in her attentions contentedly, returning her soft kisses with ones of his own as she spoke. He stroked her hair gently and nodded.

“I am the same- a good machine would not be so easily distracted by you as I am… but I am glad to have you distracting me.” He hummed and kissed her in return, hoping to come across as warm and loving as she always seemed to manage.

Her smile widened at his admission and wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her nose into his neck. She shifted a bit uncomfortably and cleared her throat, “Ummm...Crusoe...we’ve been together for a while and, umm, it’s common in relationships like ours for the couple to become uhh...physically intimate.” She squeaked out the last two words in embarrassment. “But I would understand if this wasn’t something that could happen in our relationship.”

"Crusoe, come here I have to tell you something."

He looked up curiously and set his PADD aside, coming over by her. “Is… Is everything okay?”

T’Mei jumped into his arms and kissed him. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you.” She gently ran a hand through his hair, “I think you’re done working for the night and you should come cuddle with me instead.”

He caught her easily and held her up in his arms to return the kiss. “You think so? I am not sure that I have it in me to argue with you, honestly.” He gave her a small, warm smile and set her down. “To bed?”

She nodded with a smile, “Yes, to bed.” She gently took his hand and lead him back to her room. “Let me go change and I’ll be right back.” She headed to the bathroom, still a bit shy to undress in front of him. She had had a very trying day and was mentally drained. When she came back out in her pajamas, she stretched she arms over her head. “I know it’s not very Vulcan of me to say but this is my favorite part of the day.”

He nodded, and by the time she returned he had stripped out of his uniform tunic and was less formally in his undershirt and pants, plugged into the wall for the night. He moved the blankets out of the way of her usual place and tilted his head curiously at her.

“What fo you think a Vulcan’s favorite part of the day would be? I suppose I would not sound very much like an Android to agree with you, but I do.”

#crusoetheandroid #{oh no...she's entering the danger zone}

She snuggled against him with a smile. “I think if I were a proper Vulcan, my favorite place would be at work. It used to be...before I met you.” She began to gently plant soft kisses along his cheeks. “Now my favorite place is right here.” Her kisses moved to his lips and cuddled closer to him. “I love you.”

"Crusoe, come here I have to tell you something."

He looked up curiously and set his PADD aside, coming over by her. “Is… Is everything okay?”

T’Mei jumped into his arms and kissed him. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you.” She gently ran a hand through his hair, “I think you’re done working for the night and you should come cuddle with me instead.”

He caught her easily and held her up in his arms to return the kiss. “You think so? I am not sure that I have it in me to argue with you, honestly.” He gave her a small, warm smile and set her down. “To bed?”

She nodded with a smile, “Yes, to bed.” She gently took his hand and lead him back to her room. “Let me go change and I’ll be right back.” She headed to the bathroom, still a bit shy to undress in front of him. She had had a very trying day and was mentally drained. When she came back out in her pajamas, she stretched she arms over her head. “I know it’s not very Vulcan of me to say but this is my favorite part of the day.”

"Crusoe, come here I have to tell you something."

He looked up curiously and set his PADD aside, coming over by her. “Is… Is everything okay?”

#crusoetheandroid #{no worries!}

T’Mei jumped into his arms and kissed him. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you.” She gently ran a hand through his hair, “I think you’re done working for the night and you should come cuddle with me instead.”

“That makes perfect sense. I feel safe to show you my true self as well…in fact you’re the only person I’ve felt like this about.” She turned to fully face him. “I know, I probably sound incredibly lame right now but it’s true.” She opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut quickly. She could only stare at him for a few more moments then got an idea. “我爱你”

She hoped that he didn’t understand what she had just said. She didn’t regret saying it, she had just never said it anyone before so saying it in Chinese was easier for her.

He did not immediately recognize the language, but he had all of Earth’s languages in his database so it only took a moment. His eyes widened and he ducked his head down, hiding from her gaze against her neck and shoulder.

She loved him… “我也爱你…” He whispered, holding her tightly. “I do, I do…”

T’Mei returned his embrace when he told her that he loved her back. “Crusoe? I-is this the first time anyone has told you that they love you?” She pulled away from him gently and ran her hand through his hair. “I meant what I said. No take backs.” She grinned at him happily and leaned in to kiss him.

He nodded silently at her question, and kissed her in return. “I mean it, too,” he promised. “And… not just because you were the first person to say it to me. I love /you/.” He murmured, kissing her cheeks and lips softly.

“If I cry, will that freak you?” She laughed quietly. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.” She hugged him again. “I guess you’re stuck with me now. I’m like a golden retriever: incredibly loving and loyal.” She sat and looked down at him, trailing her fingers gently along his face. “Thank you,” she muttered softly and unable to stop smiling.

“That makes perfect sense. I feel safe to show you my true self as well…in fact you’re the only person I’ve felt like this about.” She turned to fully face him. “I know, I probably sound incredibly lame right now but it’s true.” She opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut quickly. She could only stare at him for a few more moments then got an idea. “我爱你”

She hoped that he didn’t understand what she had just said. She didn’t regret saying it, she had just never said it anyone before so saying it in Chinese was easier for her.

He did not immediately recognize the language, but he had all of Earth’s languages in his database so it only took a moment. His eyes widened and he ducked his head down, hiding from her gaze against her neck and shoulder.

She loved him… “我也爱你…” He whispered, holding her tightly. “I do, I do…”

#crusoetheandroid #{too much feels? lol}

T’Mei returned his embrace when he told her that he loved her back. “Crusoe? I-is this the first time anyone has told you that they love you?” She pulled away from him gently and ran her hand through his hair. “I meant what I said. No take backs.” She grinned at him happily and leaned in to kiss him.

“No, please stay,” he replied, touching the back of her hand softly. “I am happy to see you, and you looked comfortable… you are welcome in my quarters, including my bed, whenever you like,” he smiled at her warmly and held up the covers so she could cuddle back in.

T’Mei raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m welcome in your bed whenever I like?” A small smirk crossed her lips. “I hope you know how that sounded, Crusoe.” She gently snuggled up to him and sighed. “It seems that I can only feel relaxed around you…” She closed her eyes but only because she was so content. “And safe…I feel safe only when I’m with you.”

He hummed slightly at that, putting his arm around her waist protectively. He was not sure what she meant by ‘how that sounded’, but he assumed that there was some colloquial meaning behind some part of it. Either way, she seemed amused, and not offended, so he would let it be.

“I am glad that you feel safe with me,” he murmured and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “I feel more safe with you than I have ever felt. I feel safe to feel, if that makes sense. I feel safe to show how I feel, and what I feel. I feel very strongly about you.”

#crusoetheandroid #{yeaaaaaaaah....}

“That makes perfect sense. I feel safe to show you my true self as well...in fact you’re the only person I’ve felt like this about.” She turned to fully face him. “I know, I probably sound incredibly lame right now but it’s true.” She opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut quickly. She could only stare at him for a few more moments then got an idea. “我爱你”

She hoped that he didn’t understand what she had just said. She didn’t regret saying it, she had just never said it anyone before so saying it in Chinese was easier for her.

@chinesevulcan sent 🛌

While Crusoe did not require sleep, once every few weeks he required a couple of hours completely powered down to allow his synthetic mind to reorganize itself. He had a habit of doing this plugged in, lying in his bed, and when he ‘woke up’ late that night, he was surprised to see T’Mei there with him.

“Hello,” he said simply, his softly accented voice quiet as he turned on his side to face her.

T’Mei smiled at him. “Hi,” she muttered softly. “I couldn’t sleep, so I just let myself in. I hope that’s okay? If not, I’ll leave if you want me too.” She sat up, looking down at him with a furrowed brow. “I…I’ve been having trouble sleeping for the past few days…I didn’t want to worry you…” Her voice trailed off into silence and she began to climb out of his bed to leave.

“No, please stay,” he replied, touching the back of her hand softly. “I am happy to see you, and you looked comfortable… you are welcome in my quarters, including my bed, whenever you like,” he smiled at her warmly and held up the covers so she could cuddle back in.

#crusoetheandroid #{dude I laughed for like a minute at that tag}#{hahahah}

T’Mei raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m welcome in your bed whenever I like?” A small smirk crossed her lips. “I hope you know how that sounded, Crusoe.” She gently snuggled up to him and sighed. “It seems that I can only feel relaxed around you...” She closed her eyes but only because she was so content. “And safe...I feel safe only when I’m with you.”

@chinesevulcan sent 🛌

While Crusoe did not require sleep, once every few weeks he required a couple of hours completely powered down to allow his synthetic mind to reorganize itself. He had a habit of doing this plugged in, lying in his bed, and when he ‘woke up’ late that night, he was surprised to see T’Mei there with him.

“Hello,” he said simply, his softly accented voice quiet as he turned on his side to face her.

T’Mei smiled at him. “Hi,” she muttered softly. “I couldn’t sleep, so I just let myself in. I hope that’s okay? If not, I’ll leave if you want me too.” She sat up, looking down at him with a furrowed brow. “I...I’ve been having trouble sleeping for the past few days...I didn’t want to worry you...” Her voice trailed off into silence and she began to climb out of his bed to leave.

#crusoe-the-android

He nodded and started walking towards the holosuites before he spoke again. “When… when I was made, on the station… the people there thought that because they had put me together and had programmed my functions, they knew me. And they thought that they /owned/ me.” He hated speaking about that time, hated even thinking about it, but he hoped that it would help T'Mei. “They were wrong, on both fronts, but… I was completely helpless. I know how it hurts to be treated like a voiceless creature, given no choice, and if I can keep him from treating you that way, I will.” He spoke firmly on that last part.

T’Mei didn’t say anything until they got to the holosuite. She punched in the program number and took Crusoe’s hand wordlessly and led him in with her. They walked onto a perfectly pristine beach with no one around but them. T’Mei didn’t like crowded beaches. She finally turned to him, “Crusoe, there’s a lot more to the situation…and I think you should probably know what it is.” She sat down, staring out at the waves before saying anything.

“V’Lok’s mate left him two years ago, after his most recent pon farr. She had apparently found a more suitable mate. I had just arrived on board when this happened. He ignored me for the first few months but then slowly began to pay more attention to me. He said that I needed to become ‘more Vulcan.’ That by acting almost like a human, I was dishonoring the memory of my father. I believed him. It seemed logical- I mean, my father was Vulcan. Why shouldn’t I at least try and act more like him? About eight months ago, V’Lok declared that he had intentions of making me his new mate and I should learn how to act like a proper Vulcan wife.” T’Mei hung her head lower as she continued her story. “I turned him down but he refused to accept my answer. He still insists that we need to be bonded in marriage.” She looked at him again. “I don’t want to marry him! He’s mean and too aggressive but he’s obsessed with the notion…” She looked back out over the holographic ocean. “I’m scared of him.”

He sat crosslegged in the sand and watched her as she spoke. He looked down at his hands ehen she was done, feeling anger and rage start to burn in him, though it did not show.

“Did you report his behavior to the captain?” He asked. “I witnessed it, and I would be willing to upload my memory of the event as evidence. I care for you, T'Mei, very much. I want to help you however I can.” His softly accented voice was earnest.

T’Mei shook her head, “No. I don’t want to start anything. V’Lok’s family holds a very important place in Vulcan society and have a great deal of influence...they would defend his actions and since he’s never physically hurt me, I’m afraid it will turn into one of those “he-said-she-said” kind of situations.” She hung her head in her hands. “I’ve asked for a transfer but got turned down...this was before I met you, of course.” She stayed quiet again then gently climbed into his lap, still not saying anything.

“D-do you think I should say something? I really don’t want to get in trouble...”

He nodded and started walking towards the holosuites before he spoke again. “When… when I was made, on the station… the people there thought that because they had put me together and had programmed my functions, they knew me. And they thought that they /owned/ me.” He hated speaking about that time, hated even thinking about it, but he hoped that it would help T'Mei. “They were wrong, on both fronts, but… I was completely helpless. I know how it hurts to be treated like a voiceless creature, given no choice, and if I can keep him from treating you that way, I will.” He spoke firmly on that last part.

T’Mei didn’t say anything until they got to the holosuite. She punched in the program number and took Crusoe’s hand wordlessly and led him in with her. They walked onto a perfectly pristine beach with no one around but them. T’Mei didn’t like crowded beaches. She finally turned to him, “Crusoe, there’s a lot more to the situation...and I think you should probably know what it is.” She sat down, staring out at the waves before saying anything.

“V’Lok’s mate left him two years ago, after his most recent pon farr. She had apparently found a more suitable mate. I had just arrived on board when this happened. He ignored me for the first few months but then slowly began to pay more attention to me. He said that I needed to become ‘more Vulcan.’ That by acting almost like a human, I was dishonoring the memory of my father. I believed him. It seemed logical- I mean, my father was Vulcan. Why shouldn’t I at least try and act more like him? About eight months ago, V’Lok declared that he had intentions of making me his new mate and I should learn how to act like a proper Vulcan wife.” T’Mei hung her head lower as she continued her story. “I turned him down but he refused to accept my answer. He still insists that we need to be bonded in marriage.” She looked at him again. “I don’t want to marry him! He’s mean and too aggressive but he’s obsessed with the notion...” She looked back out over the holographic ocean. “I’m scared of him.”

Crusoe’s smile disappeared quickly when V’Lok appeared, and he watched the two of them interact with the flat, emotionless expression he usually wore around strangers. He was confused by their interaction, unable to guage his next best response, until he saw that look on T’Mei’s face and his lips tightened.

He reached out and grabbed V’Lok’s wrist with his own icy grip- not hard enough to hurt, but it would have been perfectly clear that this was not a grip easily broken.

“You will release her, right now.” His tone was metallic and harsh. “It is not up to you to decide whether or not she is well enough to go into work, it is up to her, and it is up to me as medical personnel. You have no right to her medical information, nor do you have the right to confront her and demand answers in such a manner. I spoke to the Lieutenant via PADD message this morning, and no, she is not needed urgently right now, unless you are considering your need for an individual to bully and to make demands of to be urgent.”

He could not remember having been as angry as he was just now in years, and he was not going to keep quiet about it- he had been through too much waiting for the right to his own anger. “Now if you will excuse us, we will be going now.” He still had the Vulcan’s wrist in his own hand, and would not be releasing it until T’Mei was first freed.

V’Lok looked down at Crusoe’s hand and then glared at the android. He slowly released T’Mei and the minute she was free, she ducked behind Crusoe for protection. V’Lok wrenched his wrist free and his glare never left Crusoe’s face.

“She will be in the lab tomorrow,” V’Lok hissed at him. “You won’t always be with her, I hope you are aware of that. She belongs with one of her own kind not someone like you.”

He spat out the last few word and stormed off in the opposite direction. T’Mei peeked out to make sure he was gone and turned to Crusoe with tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry!” She began, “I should have just gone with him… I don’t want to start a fight. Please don’t be mad, I’m sorry.” She wiped tears from her cheeks and stared at her shoes again, letting her hair fall forward to cover her face.

He tilted his chin up at his words, keeping his unblinking gaze locked on the Vulcan man.

“She will be back in the lab as soon as she is medically fit to perform her duties without harm to herself. That is not up to you to decide, nor is it up to you to decide who she does or does not belong with.” He said coolly in response to his retreating back. Once V’Lok was around the corner, Crusoe turned his attention to T’Mei with a worried expression. He hugged her tightly at her words, putting his steel arms around her protectively.

“T’Mei, please do not be sorry,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. “Nothing that just happened is your fault. It is entirely the fault of that vile man. He should not order you about in such a fashion, he should not speak to you that way, as if he owns you. I am only mad at him.” He squeezed her tightly for a moment before he pulled back so their hands were together. “Come on, let’s go to the beach.”

#crusoetheandroid #{I think she would greatly appreciate that !}

T’Mei nodded at his words but still didn’t look up at him. She was embarrassed by the lieutenant’s behavior and by her own reaction. Vulcans weren’t supposed to cry like she was doing right now. “I-I’m still sorry,” she sniffed. “Y-you shouldn’t have to protect me from him...but you did.” She finally looked up at him. “Thank you...f-for what you did.” No one had ever stood up to V’Lok in such a manner before. That’s why T’Mei was always perpetually single. Everyone was afraid of him. T’Mei took a breath, trying to calm herself down. “Ok, let’s go to the beach.”

“Okay, lets go!” T’Mei excitedly pulled him towards the door. She walked close to him through the hall. “Have you ever been to the beach before?” She looked up at him with smile. “It’s really fun. The holobeach I have isn’t as good as the real thing but it’s better than nothing out here and I-” She was cut off by a voice that came from behind her.

“Ensign Lau.”

T’Mei tensed up and slowly turned. “L-Lieutenant V’Lok. I-I…” She attempted to hide behind Crusoe but V’Lok was too quick and grabbed her arm.

“I was told you were confined to your quarters due to an illness, Ensign. Why are you here? If you are well enough to be out, you are well enough to return to the lab. Explain yourself. Now.”

T’Mei looked down at her shoes and didn’t say anything but tried to break free of the other Vulcan’s grip. “I-I…I’ll go back to the lab, if I’m needed, Lieutenant.” She whispered quietly, not wanting to start any kind of confrontation. V’Lok stared down at her.

“Yes, you are needed in the lab. Immediately. Say goodbye to your android friend and we shall go.” T’Mei turned to Crusoe with wide, frightened eyes and a distinctive, I-don’t-want-to-go-with-him look on her now pale face.

Crusoe’s smile disappeared quickly when V’Lok appeared, and he watched the two of them interact with the flat, emotionless expression he usually wore around strangers. He was confused by their interaction, unable to guage his next best response, until he saw that look on T’Mei’s face and his lips tightened.

He reached out and grabbed V’Lok’s wrist with his own icy grip- not hard enough to hurt, but it would have been perfectly clear that this was not a grip easily broken.

“You will release her, right now.” His tone was metallic and harsh. “It is not up to you to decide whether or not she is well enough to go into work, it is up to her, and it is up to me as medical personnel. You have no right to her medical information, nor do you have the right to confront her and demand answers in such a manner. I spoke to the Lieutenant via PADD message this morning, and no, she is not needed urgently right now, unless you are considering your need for an individual to bully and to make demands of to be urgent.”

He could not remember having been as angry as he was just now in years, and he was not going to keep quiet about it- he had been through too much waiting for the right to his own anger. “Now if you will excuse us, we will be going now.” He still had the Vulcan’s wrist in his own hand, and would not be releasing it until T’Mei was first freed.