#Rhys eventually wiggles his way in there to attempt to give them some

[universal-kitty]

    I posted this snippet on Discord, but in retrospect... I should put it here, too! First meeting drabble, between my SI, Rena Marlow, and Rhys Strongfork. In honor of my pal Donna, who’s been inspiring the hell outta me lately. 💖

.:.:.:.

    It’s late as hell. Or maybe...stupidly early? It’s hard to tell, when walking through the halls of Hyperion. Regardless, he shouldn’t even be up at this hour, but he is, and Rhys knows he’ll regret this when it’s time to get back to work tomorrow. That alarm will go off as it always does, he’ll have another day ahead of him…and he’ll be wrecked. The least he can do for future-Rhys is get a packet of instant coffee from the break room. It tastes like hot garbage, but it gets the job done. Plus, costs less than the stuff at the food court, too. (No long lines to wait in? Sign him up!)

    He doesn’t pay a lick of attention to the large widows in the break room, swinging the door open—

    …He isn’t alone.

    What appears to be a scientist from R&D- which isn’t even that far from this lounge, he remembers with a jolt- is haggardly sitting at one of the sparse, round tables in the room, staring at their cup. Their brown hair is mussed up and tiny hairs frizz off from the rest. Their glasses appear to be dirty, and they look just as exhausted as Rhys must be, in this moment.

    Cautiously, he enters the room, fully expecting to be called out in some way, as he scoots over quietly to the row of cabinets, and fetches a packet of instant coffee. Glancing back at the scientist all the while.

    They do not react to his presence. It’s like he’s not even there.

    …Curiosity wins out in no time, and he grabs a snack- a basic food bar that’s…okay- and sits down with them.

    “Hey-“ His words are cut off as the person jolts in their seat, seemingly dragged back to the world of the living with a harsh force. They stare at Rhys wildly, as the words temporarily die in his throat. [Th-They’re kinda...freaking me out!!] He tries again. “Hey, uh… Are you okay?”

    They blink, frazzled…and then resume slumping their shoulders, that tired look quickly rising back up in their dark eyes.

    “Mhm. I got…” They peer down at their cup, as if uncertain of what they have in there. “…Juice. I’ll be fine.” The cup lifts, a little cheer his way, then takes a sip.

    …For obvious reasons, he believes none of their words.