“I’m hungry, what do you suggest?” Hugh Dan’s question hung in the air before the young cook realized it was for him.

“Oh, you’re asking me?” Tan Kade tilted his head without looking up from his tablet. The slim teen had been sitting at the main table reading ‘Be Steel My Heart’, something that had been recommended to him. He was wearing a light smock and snug thermal leggings. 

Dixon Tomas, the ship’s engineer, was in the mess hall with them, lounging in a recessed seating alcove nearby. The olive-skinned male seemed to be reading from a similar tablet, though he really focused much more on the material. He was dressed casually with a loose vest, and with the fingers of his free hand tucked under the drawstring of his shorts.

“Come on Nibbler! What is there to eat?” Hugh’s impatience prompted the cook to sigh and swing around in his chair.

“There’s tofu crisps in the pantry storage to your left.”

“The bacon flavour ones?”

“No, Hoodie, those are gone. Only the shrimp flavour ones are left.”

“Gross.”

“I’ll have those!” Dixon called over suddenly.

Tan glanced back to see that Dixon hadn’t moved, yet he was eyeing both him and the hunger stricken navigator expectantly. The young man sighed, stood and made his way towards Hugh.

“There are some spiced jerky strips too, somewhere.”

Hugh considered the second suggestion approvingly and nodded at Tan. “Yeah, that will do. The captain told me to take a break and chewing on that would be more exciting than flying through empty space right now.”

Tan opened the door to one of the food storage compartments and pulled out a sealed bag. He turned and tossed it towards the unsuspecting engineer who jumped when it struck his thigh.

“Hey, I nearly died there!” Dixon sported a pained expression, after regaining his balance from nearly falling to the floor startled.

“So you mean to say he nearly scared you dickless, Dix?” Hugh chided with a chuckle. 

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Tan slapped the navigator’s bony chest with a package of jerky.

“Ok!” Hugh grabbed the food and began to tear the package open. He smirked and called over at Dixon.

“Hey Dix, I think our little Nibbler needs a good fuck.”

“Hoodie, just shove that meat into your mouth so we don't have to hear anything come out of it.” A new voice chimed in.

Tan whipped around to see Peter walking into the mess hall. The blonde boy was smiling and jovial at first glance, though his tone belied his slight annoyance at Hugh’s remark. His hair was decidedly disheveled. 

“That’s a good comeback for you, Peter.” Hugh saluted with the piece of dried meat he had just bit into.

Peter stepped up between Tan and Hugh and rested an arm on each of the shoulders of the other two.The cook noticed the contrast between their skin tones where they touched. He remarked silently how it resembled that of a light cinnamon paired with a vanilla cream.

“So, care to share? I’ve just slept a good six hours I think. I’m starved!” Peter asked Hugh who then responded by placing the remainder of the jerky in his hand into the boys mouth. Not trusting Hugh, Peter quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled the meat out of the others hand with his teeth.  

Peter then reach between them and grabbed something else from the cabinet. As he did so his broader frame, on which a loose fitting shirt and shorts hung, eclipsed the darker lithe body of the navigator who wore his typical snug sleeveless jumpsuit.

The aroma of Peter’s natural odour wafted over Tan, propelled by his lunge past him. He refrained from inhaling deeply. Hugh was chomping on another piece by the time that Peter stepped back.

“I think someone is thirsty!” Hugh chuckled and gave Tan a quizzical look. 

“Yeah, that’s a great idea.” Peter agreed oblivious to Hoodie’s reference.

Tan quickly grabbed busied himself by grabbing drinks for them all.