Chapter Text
By the time that the buzz from the mushrooms growing had worn off, Paul knew that he’d made a terrible mistake. What had he been thinking? Paul Stamets, asking out one of the sweetest cadets ever to grace Starfleet Academy? That was sure to end in disaster, likely with Hugh’s heart getting broken because Paul said something without thinking, and Paul ending up feeling even more worthless than when he’d started.
Paul could easily send Hugh a quick message, saying that he’d gotten caught up in the moment and totally forgotten that he was actually busy that night. He could make something up about how he needed to observe the mushrooms tonight, too, even though they had already withered and died. He could even reject Hugh straight out and tell him that he didn’t actually want to go on a date… except that that wasn’t true. None of that was true. He was getting stomach butterflies that weren’t just nervous but also happy, just thinking about seeing him again, now that he knew Hugh actually liked him. What was true was that he was scared, and he hated feeling that way. He much preferred it when his emotions were impacted solely by the mushrooms he was studying. He wanted to get rid himself of that fear, avoid any situation that would increase it.
But he also knew himself, and despite how much he liked to pretend he didn’t care about anything besides his mushrooms, he absolutely did. And he wouldn’t be able to look himself in the face if he chickened out now.
So, rolling down his sleeves, he set his jaw and strode out the door.
The entire walk over to Hugh’s, Paul fiddled with his outfit. He wasn’t really used to wearing actual clothes. It had been a struggle to figure out this outfit— he’d already worn his best suit and outfit at the party— really his only suit and outfit. He practically lived in his uniform, except for the rare days that Straal managed to drag him out to a bar or party or club. He had outfits for those excursions, but none of them were exactly appropriate date material. Still, he’d managed to cobble together an outfit of a bright blue shirt— a little more cropped than he would have preferred for a date, so he threw an old black cardigan over it— plus a pair of nice black jeans. He paired it with some dangly silver earrings and black boots. It ended up being a good outift— not too over the top, but clear that he put some effort into his look.
Despite knowing he looked good, his mood continued to drop as me made his way across the quad. This was a terrible idea and he knew it. But he’d already resolved to see it through, so that’s what he would do. Just like an unpleasant assignment in class, he would grit his teeth and just get it done.
Moments later, he was in front of Hugh’s door. He knocked harshly.
—
Hugh was still extremely confused about how all of this had happened. Even as he got ready for the date, it didn’t quite make sense. He was going on a date with Paul Stamets… the guy he had only a tentative friendship with, who everyone thought was a huge asshole. What the everliving hell was he thinking? He would probably stumble over his own words and feet the entire night, embarrassing himself over and over again. And Paul would probably make fun of him for it. He wasn’t one to mince words— he’d know immediately how foolish and inexperienced Hugh was and he’d mock him for it. Hugh would be reduced to nothing but an embarrassed pile of goo.
“Hugh?”
Hugh jumped at the unexpected voice of his roommate. “Holy cats, Jett. I didn’t hear you come in.”
Jett leaned against the side of the bathroom door, chewing gum. “I said hi when I came in. You okay?”
Hugh looked down at his hands, gripping the bathroom counter. “Yeah, I guess I was just. Distracted.”
“You’re freaking out again.” There was no judgement in Jett’s voice— it was just a statement of fact, delivered in her usual dry tone. She brushed past him to take a seat on the closed toilet. “What is it this time?”
Jett was one of the few people Hugh felt calm around. He had been so happy when she’d agreed to room with him last year, and that they’d worked surprisingly well together as roommates, despite their very different personalities. She was so even-keeled, so unflappable, that she made Hugh feel like everything in the world was under control. He took a deep breath and turned to face her. “It seems silly now.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Out with it.”
Hugh rolled his eyes but smiled, knowing he couldn’t get away from her that easy. “It’s just... I really feel like I’m going to mess all this up. Make a fool of myself.”
“So?”
Now it was Hugh’s turn to raise his eyebrows. “So? What do you mean, so?”
“I mean, what would be so bad about that? You make a fool out of yourself, so what? What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
Hugh huffed in annoyance, gesturing aimlessly. “I mean! Paul could make fun of me. Paul could... tell the whole academy how bad at this I was.”
Jett stood up. She reached into her mouth to pull out her him and threw it in the trash, then turned back to him, looking unimpressed. “In case you haven’t noticed, Paul has no friends. Even if he wanted to do that, he wouldn’t have anyone to talk shit with.” She pursed her lips, scrutinizing Hugh. “You know, I bet right now, he’s even more scared than you are.”
Hugh scoffed. “Paul?”
Jett shrugged. “Dude’s got one friend. I’m sure he gets some, but when do you think the last time he went out on an actual date is? I’ll bet you a brand new conduit he has no idea what he’s doing.”
That... actually made a certain amount of sense. As scared as Hugh was, it settled something inside of him to think about Paul not knowing what he was doing either. While Hugh considered her words, Jett thumped him on the shoulder on her way out of the bathroom. “Besides. If he does do anything to hurt you, I will kick his ass myself. It would be a genuine pleasure for me.” She gave him a small, but genuine smile. “Now go finish beautifying yourself. And try to have a good time.”
Hugh sighed and turned back to the mirror, refocusing on applying his eyeliner. He still felt nervous, but there was a big difference between nervousness and panic. He felt calmer and more in control. And he even felt a little… excited. A small, uncontrollable smile came to his face as he appreciated his makeup in the mirror. He was doing this. He was actually doing this.