Chapter Text
Hours later, after he gets a change of clothes and a hot meal (he doesn’t bother to shave), he and Salter talk.
Well, they’re quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time, and each second ticks by like an eternity before any actual talking happens.
“Nora,” he turns to her, breaking the uneasy silence.
“You only call me that when you’re serious, Reyes. Is the world ending?” She gives him a joking smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. He knows from his blurry memories that the last time he called her name might as well have been the end of the world. It sure felt like it. Ethan gone, his crew decimated, and the possibility of victory dimming with his heartbeat. Nora, finish the mission! That’s an order!
He remembers her words, denial before the inevitable. I can’t do that, Nick!
“Are you okay?” It’s a stupid question, he knows she’s not okay, but he doesn’t know how else to ask her.
“I-” she swallows, and Nick realizes he can only count a handful of times he’s seen her this vulnerable.
“I couldn’t save you,” she says plainly, but there are so many words behind it. I thought you were gone. I thought you were gone and it was all because of me, my fault, my burden to carry for the rest of my life.
He sees the tears brimming in her eyes, the sadness, the guilt, and the sea of his grief almost consumes him whole.
Nick doesn’t know what to do.
But then his arms are reaching for her, wrapping around Salter and holding her close. It wasn’t your fault, Nora. He whispers the words so softly he’s almost mouthing them, but he feels her nod against his chest.
They stay like that for a long time, finally able to calm down.
Finally able to breathe.
“I don’t get any hugs, Captain?”
They practically jump apart at Ethan’s mirthfully crackling voice, the robot’s head tilted as if offended.
Salter disentangles herself from Nick’s arms, wiping the back of her hand over her red eyes, and he’s just about to ask her if she’s alright again before she turns to him and gives him a watery smile.
“C’mon,” Nick opens up his arms, rolling his eyes. “Get in here, the two of you.” Salter seems to fit right against his chest when she closes the distance between them, while Ethan shouts, “ Group hug!” before wrapping his robotic arms around both of them.
Nick winces at the pressure against his ribs but tightens his hold on them just the same. Ethan goes on and on about how he’s never been in a group hug before, and he’s glad he got the chance because it’s the best feeling in the world.
And Nick doesn’t say it, but he agrees.
I’m home.