We Shadows

Chapter 27: navigating relationships

Harper and Cameron finally got around to making lunch far later than lunch would normally be. It had been a blissfully lazy day; Harper was glad that Cameron hadn't found some odd project for them to work on or some dinner to go to. Cameron walked around the berth in one of Harper's shirts, and Harper himself had only managed pants so far today. The scar on his shoulder was dark and ugly; he hoped that it would heal over time. It was a harsh reminder of his past choices, he didn't need Tyson to remind him of his guilt when it was branded on his skin. It had been weeks, and he still had to use a cane or limp.

He stared at the food printer wondering if there was something simple they could make. He didn't like the effort of meal planning. 

"Apparently there was a baskets game this afternoon," Cameron remarked, leaning over to make a decision for him. She printed wide noodles and Harper stepped aside as she peered into their fridge. "I didn't go; I heard about it too late, and apparently Tyson was organizing. He probably doesn't want to see us."

Harper snorted. "Probably? The only redeeming quality of last night was that Alcott let us have the leftover cookies."

"Which you ate for breakfast before I had one," Cameron pouted, and pulled out all the vegetables they hadn't used the night before. "And that was rude."

Harper sighed dramatically and leaned against the counter, watching her chop veggies and cook them together. This would be something he would be expected to eat and he was already not looking forward to the meal.

"Stop it with the face," she ordered, gesturing at his present scowl. "You don't like vegetables because you decided in your mind that all vegetables are gross."

"They are..."

"Don't say it," she laughed. "Don't. This will be delicious. Go sit down, might as well take today to be off your leg."

"Blair says it's healing well," Harper offered as he moved one of the chairs to sit in the kitchen with Cameron. "He says I can walked without the cane next week."

Cameron frowned at Harper. "Are you just telling me that or is that real?"

He pulled out his holo-rib and showed her the message that he had Blair send him specifically because Harper knew that Cameron wouldn't believe him.

"You have a message from Alcott," Cameron noted, handing him the holo-rib back. "I'll bet it's not to plan another dinner."

Harper opened the message; it was vague, simply asking if he was free. Instead of guessing what Alcott wanted, he called her.

"I just saw your message," he said when she picked up. "What did you need? Cameron and I are making a late lunch."

"I think I really messed up," Alcott sounded distraught.

Harper sat up straighter and frowned at Cameron.

"Do you need help?"

"I just...I don't know where to go. And you called me when you needed help."

"Tell her to come over," Cameron whispered. "I'll go dress."

"Do you want to come over?" Harper inquired. "Please come, Cameron's making me eat vegetables again."

She managed a laugh and then sighed. "I don't want to intrude."

"You're not intruding, we've invited you," he promised.

Cameron reemerged from the bedroom, wearing pants and another one of Harper's shirts. She tossed Harper a shirt and sighed, returning to the cooking vegetables.