The doors hiss open as they enter. I hear Stan before I see him. He’s complaining about the “horror-movie lighting.” Nil follows him in silence but appears attentive to the commentary.
I adjust my glasses and study their body language up close. Stan scans the room curiously. Nil’s steps fall a fraction behind his. They both halt when they see me.
“Good morning,” I say.
Stan smiles. “Good is debatable afterthatbreakfast.”
Nil meets my eyes and nods. “Hi, Em.”
“Hello. Please sit.” I gesture to the chairs. “Physical assessments begin in one minute.”
Stan drops into his seat with theatrical ease. Nil lowers himself beside Stan with controlled movement.
“You’re staring, doc,” Stan says.
“I’m observing.”
“Hot.” He widens his stance. “You’re still staring. Haven’t even blinked. Is this your version of flirting?”
“I don’t flirt.”
He smirks. “For the record, you can stare at me as much as you want. I could even pose.”
I ignore him and focus on Nil. He sits with stillness that would be impressive even without the context of his recovery. His breathing holds when I attach nodes on him.
My eyes track upward out of habit. His pulse spikes briefly on the monitor. Stress response, I assume. Anticipation of physical assessment is common. But when I glance up at his face, what catches my attention instead is the red along the top of his ears.
I move on without comment, intending to note it later.
There’s a long day ahead, so I place the nodes the same way on Stan while the two talk about the gym. They seem to have favorable remarks, except Stan quips quickly about “creepy mirrors.”
Their data populate my tablet quickly. I look over the readings, trying to determine whether they’ve been affected by exertion or proximity. This will require repeat measurements. I find myself looking forward to more sessions with them.
Stan leans toward me, elbows on his knees. “So what’s next? Do we get a psychic exam? Maybe a dream dissection? I bet mine’s spicy.”
“We’ll be proceeding to reflex mapping,” I say.
“Aw, no wet dream read?”
Nil watches me with quiet attention. He hasn’t said much, but he seems to take in everything.
“Look at you two,” Stan says with a smirk. “I feel like the third wheel in a very dry marriage.”
Nil laughs lightly while I arch my eyebrow at Stan.
“Em, Nil just thought I was funny!” Stan shouts. “Write that down.That’s groundbreaking science!”
I move to reflex testing. Nil’s leg responds cleanly. Stan, in contrast, kicks as if attempting to launch himself out of his seat.
“Voluntary?” I ask.
He winks. “You just tickled a funny bone, doc.”
Before I can respond, the MedBay door opens. Idris steps in. He’s carrying a tray with the blood draw kits and gloves on.
“Apologies for interrupting,” Idris says, smiling.
Stan’s grin returns. “Hey, if it isn’t my favorite Prince of Egypt. Want some semen samples, handsome?”
