Floating. The floating feeling came to Evan abruptly. Why was he floating? Did the commander turn off the gravity beam? He glanced over at the digital clock on his hub. Above the clock was a notice about repairs being made to the gravity system. With a groan, Evan rolled over, pulling his covers over his head in the process. He hated feeling weightless. There was always a wave of nausea that threatened to leave his stomach when the gravity beam was down.

Deciding there was no way He would be able to get back to sleep now, he sat up a little too quickly. With his head now spinning, and his vision clouding over, he had to wait a moment before he could check his hub again. The date was shown clearly above the flashing notice. It was a Wednesday. That meant his favorite meal was on the menu. What was his favorite meal again? It was spectral tuna, how could he forget? He loved the unique flavor of the color-layered tuna.

Reaching under his bed and grabbing his boots, Evan quickly pulled them on. It wouldn’t be good if they ran out of tuna before he could get any.

He pushed off the bed and floated toward the door. There was a panel full of multi-colored buttons. He had pressed this button so many times that his fingers found it from memory alone. The metal door slid open and he was about to leave when he remembered to grab his room key. It wouldn’t be good to be locked out of his own room.

Evan rubbed at his eyes, as he was still groggy from being woken up. He held onto the moving banister along the wall, which gently pulled him in the general direction of the cafeteria. There weren’t many people in the hallways. It was lunchtime, so it made sense that people were already eating or still working.

The banister turned a corner and Evan grabbed a tray by the entrance. Passing a sign that read, ‘Spectral Tuna’, he could feel himself begin to salivate. Looking down, the sign further read, 'Sold Out'. He immediately frowned. That meant he would have to get the alternative, sprocket liver. Yuck.

The handrail slowed as he waited for the person in front of him to get their food. It wasn’t long before he was at the front of the line. A giant helping of the steaming liver was placed on his plate. It took all his effort not to pull a face. Even though the food on the base was enhanced with nutrients, it still tasted the same. It was too bad that the enhancers couldn’t make the liver taste better. He had never liked liver.

After picking out a side salad and drink, he turned to look for a table. Casting a quick glance around the dining area, there were no empty tables and he couldn’t see anyone he knew. His gaze passed by a man before coming back to land on him. He may have to eat sprocket liver, but at least he would have good company. Pushing off the banister, he moved over to sit with the alpha, smiling wide as he reached the table.

"Hey, may I sit?" he asked. Ryker turned to smile at him and gestured for him to take a seat. He didn’t hesitate and sat down quickly. He was still smiling at him when Evan started to find it hard to maintain eye contact. Looking down at the table, he noticed that his meal companion had a plate of tuna on his tray. Staring at it for a long moment, the tray was quickly pushed over to him. He looked up quickly, clearly confused when the alpha chuckled.

"I’m not that hungry," He stated simply.

"Oh, thanks." Moving the tray with the liver over, Evan picked up his fork.

"So..." Now he had to say something to him. But what should he talk about? Maybe he should start with general conversation starters.

"How about this weather?" laughing nervously, Evan scooped up a piece of tuna before looking at the alpha who had an amused smile on his lips.

"What?" he asked. His smile widened.

"There’s no weather in space." It was a simple statement but made Evan feel stupid. He knew that; everyone knew that.

"Oh, how silly of me." Shoving the piece of colorful tuna in his mouth, he chewed while avoiding eye contact. Trying to focus on something else, Evan was still floundering on conversation starters. They sat in silence and it took him a second to realize that he was being watched.

"What?" he asked with a half-smile. The alpha shook his head gently.

"It’s nothing," He flashed a convincing smile before propping his elbows on the table and placing his head in his hands. Eying him warily, Evan wondered what he was thinking about. Pushing the curious thought aside, the omega knew there was no point asking him. He had never answered any of his questions before when it pertained to him. It irked Evan.

"So, I’ve been curious," he started, his voice was suggestive with a light questioning undertone.

"Oh?"

"Why don’t you tell me anything about you?" He frowned at him. He knew the alpha wouldn’t answer but he had to try. A moment passed and it seemed as if he were considering his question before he responded.

"I see you must have enjoyed your meal." Evan gave him an inquisitive look before realizing that his plate was now empty. He didn’t even remember eating it all.

"You avoided my question," Evan replied in a dull tone.

"Are you really interested in me?" he asked.

"Yes!" Evan responded immediately and a little louder than he had intended. Quickly looking around himself, he was glad that he hadn’t caused a scene.

"You know who I am, isn’t it fair for me to know more about you?" he asked, smiling triumphantly. He’d like to see him avoid an answer now.

"But you know who I am." 

The smile disappeared. He shouldn’t be amazed at how the alpha always managed to dodge giving him answers. Shaking his head, he was about to continue prodding for details when he considered something. Maybe that information wasn’t important. What would knowing more provide him?

"Okay," he responded in a coy manner. Evan regarded him differently. He frowned as if sensing his changing thoughts.

"Something wrong?" Ryker asked, clearly concerned.

"Nope." Evan grinned to himself. Now it was his turn to feel confused. There was a sudden sound of laughter coming from him before Evan’s face fell.

"Are you sure you’re not psychic?" he was not amused. Ryker chuckled and shook his head.

"I just know you far too well, Evan." When the alpha said his name, he felt his heart flutter. Butterflies hatched from hidden cocoons and floated around the inside of his stomach.

‘Stop it! You already knew he could be charming.’ He thought to himself. Calming down, he glanced around himself. People were already starting to leave the dining area. Lunch must be over now. Turning his gaze back to the alpha, he was curious about what he had to do today. It was Evan's day off today and he had nowhere special to be.

"Do you have somewhere else you need to be?" Evan asked, hoping that he would say no. Even if Ryker avoided his questions, he liked talking to him. There was a calming feeling around him and the omega liked that.

"Not in particular," he answered. Evan looked relieved.

"Why?" He asked as a sly smirk slid across the alpha's features. Feeling panic rise within him, he had to think of an answer quickly. It wouldn’t be good if he realized that he wanted to spend his day off with him.

"No reason," he laughed nervously. He gave the omega a once-over look that suggested he didn’t believe him. Evan fidgeted under his scrutiny before his eyes softened on him. This felt like a betrayal to Darren…

"Would you like to take a walk?" He asked.

"Well, we can’t really walk with no gravity." Evan laughed.

"Go for a glide then?" 

Evan smiled and nodded his head. Taking the trays with him as he stood, Evan pushed off in the direction of the garbage area. Dumping the remaining contents into the disposal bin, he turned around to find the alpha was standing behind him. A nervous smile graced his lips but he cleared his throat and let it change to a neutral look.

Ryker chuckled and placed an arm around Evan's waist before grabbing onto the moving handrail. They moved at a slow pace away from the cafeteria dining area in the opposite direction of his room.

They glided for a moment in silence. Evan was trying to organize his thoughts so they made sense but found the alpha's arm around his waist distracting. Why was he so mysteriously attractive?

As if sensing the omega's attempts to sort things out, he raised an eyebrow in his direction.

"Do I distract you?" He asked. Evan immediately shook his head back and forth.

"No, pfft. Why would you think that?"

"No reason," he replied, grinning more to himself than to Evan. Another silent moment passed as he tried to hide how he felt toward the alpha. Was he really such an open book? It might be best to think about something else, distract him from his being distracting... It made sense to Evan… somewhat.

"Why won’t you tell me about yourself?" Evan finally had the courage to ask again. He regarded him with a curious look and a side-ways glance.

"Why does it matter to you so much?" He countered. This caught Evan off guard. Why did he care so much? There had to be an answer.

"Is it wrong for me to be curious?"

"There’s nothing wrong with being curious as long as it’s for the right reasons." He replied. Thinking that this train of conversation was going to lead him to another dead end, Evan decided to change the topic. However, he was lost as to what he should talk about. The silence between them hadn’t lasted long but it was starting to become awkward. Ryker's hand was still on his waist and Evan tried to rationalize that was the reason he was fumbling with his words and thoughts. It only made sense since he was intentionally distracting the omega.

"Is there something bothering you?" The absence of noise had been so welcomed that Evan jumped upon hearing his words.

"No, why do you ask?" his brow furrowed as he looked up at him. Another second passed and still, he didn’t give an answer. Evan continued to look at him expectantly before the alpha turned to face him. His expression was vacant, distracted until the alpha smiled and turned his gaze back in the direction that they were headed.

He suddenly felt his face heat up, his mind racing as anger bubbled inside him. The nerve of him! He asked him a question, to which he gives an answer and asks a question of his own and all Ryker could do was smile? Well, his smile was beautiful. The way his lips parted revealed his perfectly straight teeth, the warmness that was apparent when he smiled. There were also the slight dimples beside his mouth, it made the alpha look sincere when he smiled. It was possible that his smile could charm just about anyone. Evan soon found himself imagining that smiling face directed his way. It would change to something softer and his face would move closer to his, slowly moving until their lips could—

"I’m sorry." 

Confused, Evan looked over at him, his perplexed expression and flushed cheeks giving him away. Wait, what had been given away? Surely there was no way that the alpha could have seen what he had been thinking.

"What for?" Evan asked in a quiet voice. Was he apologizing for being discreet? Would Ryker give more facts about himself? Anticipation ran rampant through his veins as Evan awaited an answer.

His attention was focused on something ahead of them but Evan couldn’t figure out what he was transfixed on. Seconds ticked by and his breathing started to pick up as anxiety overcame him.

It was then that Ryker let go of the moving railing attached to the wall and turned to face him. His hand left Evan's waist and he couldn’t deny that, although distracting, it had been comforting at the same time.

"I can’t," was the only thing the alpha said. Once again, Evan was puzzled.

"Can’t...?" his hands moved in rolling circles through the air to try to get him to continue what he was saying.

He smiled again, a light laugh escaping, and Evan’s breath caught in the back of his throat. A side-glance smile was beautiful, but a head-on smile was divine. Evan didn’t think he had ever witnessed such a wondrous sight before. Even Darren didn't smile at him like that.

It was promptly after this thought occurred to the omega that his smile disappeared.

"Evan, I..." He stopped speaking and he found himself leaning forward to catch the following words.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t realize," Ryker finally finished his statement but it only served to confuse him further. What didn’t he realize? Evan didn’t say anything for a moment, still trying to figure out what he was trying to say. If Ryker had been able to hear the direction of his thoughts, would he have connected the dots and figured out Evan's budding attraction? He hadn’t said anything that would lead the alpha to that distinct conclusion though. It was all new to Evan too. However, Ryker's psychic abilities were usually right. The thought that he might be rejecting Evan caused a tight, pinching feeling to slow his breathing.

"Realize what?" his voice was breathless, his lungs feeling constricted. He had to stop thinking and started concentrating on breathing slow, deep breaths.

"That you were lost." his answer almost slipped past unnoticed until it rang through Evan's mind. Since when was he lost? Chancing a glance around them, he was uncertain as to what he was saying. They weren’t lost, they were in south corridor seven.

"I’m not lost. Maybe you don’t know which hall we’re in but—" The alpha interrupted his words by shaking his head.

"How did you get here, Evan?" the omega opened his mouth to answer, a slight smirk on his lips. That was easy. He had traveled on the... Wait, that wasn’t right. He was... But that didn’t make sense either. Shrinking back away from him, he looked behind himself. There was no one else in the hallway. They were alone. Looking back at the alpha with a panicked expression, Evan lightly placed his feet against the floor and pushed himself hesitantly away from him.

"Where am I? How did I get here?" his voice trembled, his eyes darting around before landing on him. The alpha reached out, taking hold of his forearms with a firmly gentle hold.

"Calm down Evan. You are safe." 

Evan shook his head quickly and closed his eyes. How was he safe? He wasn’t supposed to be here. What about his apartment then? Was it really his apartment, or just a room he had been placed in? Evan tried to think of something to reassure himself. There had to be something that proved how he had gotten here, to prove that he hadn’t just been dreaming the entire time. Did he even know what spectral tuna tasted like? He couldn’t even remember eating it!

Warmth engulfed him as Evan opened his eyes. There was something pressing itself against his body. Looking up timidly, he felt a calming sensation wash away his fears.