“Ready so soon? I thought the ships wouldn’t be filled until the next cycle or so?” Johnas asked as he approached Nathaniel, who was waiting for him by the large outlook in the ship's central wing.

'They’re not ready yet, I just figured you’d want to see this view of Earth while we're in peak position, before we descend.' Nathaniel signed, watching as Johnas walked up next to him and looked out the large open sector of the ship in awe. A small smile fell upon Johnas’ face and he sighed, relief showing in his features as he watched the ship get in position above Earth's atmosphere.

“Thank you… for thinking of me, this is a nice view.” Johnas replied after a few minutes of silence. Johnas sat at the edge of the ship and watched as Earth came closer in view, another comfortable curtain of silence falling between him and Nathaniel. Nathaniel watched as Johnas’ breathing slowed and his body eased up, the tension in his features slipping away.

How do I help him? “I bet we could do this more often”, is what I wish I could say, but I couldn’t do that, false promises… I wish we could do this more often, is what I could say, but it would only remind him we’re trapped on this ship with no real opportunity to be freed, and that’s not what he needs right now… Nathaniel thought to himself, getting lost in a train of “ifs” and “how could I’s”.

“Will you be traveling with Olivia?” Johnas asked, his tone light an airy as if he wasn't really aware he was speaking. Nathaniel snapped out of his deep train of thought and went to sit closer to Johnas, putting himself in view so Johnas could see his answer.

'That’s the plan for travel, but if you’d like, I could speak with her about switching and you can board with me.' Nate responded, watching Johnas’ face for any hints on his feelings for the matter. Johnas looked up to Nate, his eyes the usual light gray fogging over the yellow hugh they were originally.

“That’s okay Nate, I don’t want to make any more of a hassle for you, I’ll just board with whoever I’m written to board with.” Johnas replied, the same sad smile he used to mask his exhaustion making its way to his lips, begging for Nate not to say anything more and leave it at that. Nathaniel, seeing Johnas struggle to keep up the smile, only nodded, returning the smile so Johnas didn’t do any more worrying.

I’ll talk with Liv anyways, I can’t stand to think about what will happen to Johnas being set up with anyone else, he’s already falling off the deep end as it is. Nathaniel thought to himself as Johnas went back to watching as the ship descended into Earth's atmosphere.