The Deviants, part five

"What is with you and Marigolds?" Skye lifted a brow, her head tilted. "That's all I see you wear anymore."

Mara patted her flower-print long sleeve shirt. "I like them. They make me happy."

"You look like an old lady," Opal snickered.

Mara's eyes narrowed, her hands resting on her hips. "I do not!"

Skye made a face.

"Liking flowers on my shirts does not make me an old lady!"

Ava couldn't help but smirk at her temper. Between her shortness and her big eyes, Mara looked adorable when she was annoyed. Although at fifteen, she was the youngest human on the base.

"Ladies," Ava stepped in, "she looks fine, and it's not like we have a Forever 21 to shop at."

They nodded, agreeing with her, and stopped the friendly teasing. Mara smiled at Ava.

Ava wasn't really into flower print clothing, but right now, clothes were a commodity, and beggars couldn't be choosers these days, pulling down the long sleeve that was too short in the waist.

However, she wished to retrieve clothes from her home, but not only for herself. Her family had lots of clothes that could be distributed among the human members on the base.

Maybe she could convince Nash to help her. Her house wasn't the only one still standing with supplies. And he always said yes to anything she asked. Ava would ask him later when he finished repairing the Deviant.

Ava noticed Christine bounding toward them, "What's up, ladies?"

"They were making fun of my shirt," Mara pointed at Opal and Skye, "but Ava came to my rescue."

Christine examined her shirt, "I don't know if it fits your coloring, but it's not bad."

Mara shrugged, "Fair enough."

Christine redirected her attention. "I know it's your day off, Skye, but I need your help."

"What happened?"

"Galen decided to get his hands burned while helping Nash repair the Deviant."

Skye rolled her eyes, "I swear we see him more than anyone else at the infirmary."

"Because he's got a big crush on Christine and needs a legit excuse to see her." Opal grinned at the doctor. "Oh, come on, don't deny it."

"C'mon, Skye."

"I'm coming, don't worry."

Ava watched them head to the infirmary. She didn't know Galen very well, but he seemed nice enough. From what she knew, he was Nash's friend and copilot sometimes.

As soon as they were out of hearing range, Opal leaned over. "Christine likes him too."

Ava knitted her brows, "Really? I couldn't tell."

Mara snickered, "That explains it."

"Explains what?"

"Why you're not letting Nash court you."

"What are you talking about?" Ava stared at the teen.

Opal rolled her eyes, "He totally likes you."

"Yeah, he gives you the googly eyes." Mara smiled. "Even at my age, I can tell he's crushing on you, even if he hasn't figured it out yet."

"No, he doesn't have a crush on me," Ava glared at them. "Yes, he likes me, but not in that way."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Oookay, if you say so." Smiling, Opal sauntered away, Mara following.

Ava crossed her arms, narrowing her gaze at those trouble makers. Dammit, they got into her head. She admitted she liked him a little, and not only because he rescued her from the mother ship.

Did he like her, though? He usually found time to see her every day. But if Nash liked her, wouldn't he mention it? He wasn't one to dance around a conversational topic.

However, since it was her day off and he would taking a break soon, she would try to find out, stepping into line for her lunch.

***

"Why must you do this?" Christine grumbled, wrapping Galen's left forearm in gauze. "You're gonna kill yourself one of these days."

Galen had been reattaching one of the pipes to the engine when it 'accidentally' turned on, burning his arm badly. Not that he complained about the pain.

He grinned at her, "No, I won't."

Nash sighed, shaking his head as he stood over them. "Yeah, because I won't let you kill yourself over a female."

"Yes, listen to him," the doctor sat up, rubbing the back of her neck as Skye handed her some tape.

"Just ask her out like a normal person," Skye smiled.

Christine shot her a glare, "Not what I meant."

Nash smirked. Human mating rituals were humorous to witness. Wanderer rituals were much more clinical unless they found their spirit mate, but that was next to impossible anymore.

Although, he couldn't help but feel a tug when it came to Ava. There was just something about her. He didn't know how to describe it, but it drew him in each time he visited with her.

It was rather unfortunate he didn't know if she felt the same. Ava wasn't the easiest female, or human, to read, and with what happened to her, he wasn't going to force anything.

"What? just offering friendly advice."

Galen winked at the nurse, who blushed slightly.

Nash tilted his head. So Skye wished to court him. Interesting. Not a bad choice on her part. However, he couldn't tell which female Galen liked since whenever he injured himself, both were always there to tend his wounds.

Christine stood, "Well, he'll be fine, but keep him from the Deviant or anything heavy while his arm heals."

"Don't worry; she's almost done." Nash crossed his hands behind his back. All his ship required now was a new coat of atmosphere-proof paint, which he could apply himself.

Nash assisted Galen as he rose from the cot, pinching his bicep as he led them out of the infirmary. "You are what the humans call a dumbass."

Galen raised a brow, "I wasn't trying to hurt this time, I swear."

"Yeah, sure." He let go. "I know when your blood supply shifts from your brain."

"The last I checked, you're my friend, not my father or commander."

"I just don't want you to die over something avoidable."

"I'll be fine."

Nash wasn't confident but allowed Galen to go on his way, hopefully, to inform their commander what had occurred, heading back to the workshop to paint his ship.