SHUT UP
" humans are hard to keep up with "
CHAPTER NUMBER THREE

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"Most of us in the labratory are under twenty. Is it always like that?" Alexander queried while walking with Data one afternoon, curiously peering over for a response.

"Definitely not. The only other person under eighteen among the residents working here is ensign Wesley Crusher," Data replied in a monotonous tone. Alex had found him strange at first, but due to how he operated, he was honest, and absurd - and he loved him for it.

"Oh, I see," He nodded his head slightly, hands slipping in to his pockets before adding, "Haven't seen him around."

"That's surprising. He tends to wander around; talk to everyone. He more often than not gets into business that doesn't concern him," Data told him, and he let out a subtle laugh.

"I appreciate your blatant honesty, Data. It's refreshing," The boy informed him as they came to a stop at the elder's post.

Data seemed to ponder his words, before saying, "Not many people have said that to me. Are you being sarcastic?"

"No, Data," He replied with a genuine smile gracing his lips. He supposed it was already hard to pick up something like that as a normal human.

"Oh, Data! I'm so glad to have found you," Alex heard someone exclaim, his friend's attention soon shifted.

"Wesley," He greeted with a metallic smile.

This was the active ensign he'd heard so much about. His eyes couldn't help but look over the human, with a tall yet slight frame, boyish features, and lovely brown eyes. Alex observed his sweater, which had rainbow racing stripes on it. A smile began to twitch at the corner of his mouth in amusement and he wasn't sure why.

"Picard just came to me with something, and I could really use your help," He explained, his eyes momentarily drifting over to Alex, his head tilting curiously when he caught sight of the other boy.

"Well, I suppose after-" Before Data could explain anything to him, Wesley had cut him off.

"Data, why didn't you introduce me to your new friend?" He asked with an easy smile, not looking bothered, which only made his robotic friend fluster. Humans were hard to keep up with.

Wesley couldn't help but keep glancing at the other boy. Around his age, with curly dark hair sticking up all over, and pretty eyes that flickered with humour. He was dressed in formal uniform, covered by a lab coat. Wesley couldn't help but admire his stature, his face. Butterflies sprung to his stomach.

Alex's tongue touched to his palette and he began to smile at the other boy. He was a little childish, he could tell - but he must have been worth having aboard.

"Alex, this is Ensign Wesley Crusher, Wesley . . . this is Alexander White," He put simply, gesturing between the two as Wesley couldn't seem to look away from the newcomer.

"Nice to meet you," The ensign remarked, a charming twinkle in his smile as he held out his hand. Alex wasn't falling for it for a second, instead, keeping eye-contact and obliging politely. Wesley's grip was soft, lingering on his for a moment.

"Nice to meet you too," The scientist voiced, "I better get going anyways," He pointed back the opposite way, indicating that he had a shift to complete.

"So soon?" Wesley remarked with a sociable smile, his gaze flickering over the other boy unintentionally.

"I guess so. Bye, Data," Alex backed away slightly, waving at his friend. Belatedly, he caught Wesley's attention, "Bye, Wesley."

Wesley could barely hear Data greet him back over the sound of him saying his name. He liked it more than he thought he could.

The ensign couldn't help but stare as the other boy left in a breeze, ruffling his dark hair as he walked, his other hand stuffed in his white coat pocket.

___________

Sliding into his usual spot near Owen, he dropped a pile of files on his work table, pages scattering slightly as they thumped.

The blonde boy looked up with tired, surprised eyes. His head was in his hand, fingers laced into his long hair. "Give a man a warning next time," He chuckled, letting out a breath.

"Sorry," Alex replied sheepishly as he sat down, pulling the top file from the layer, "Apparently someone labeled all of these wrong, and Roger has put me up to correct them."

Owen sighed with a sympathetic look, "Yikes . . . I'm sorry. You'll probably stop doing all of his handiwork pretty soon. He just dotes on the newcomers," He told him, adjusting his glasses frames as he shifted. "How are you?" He asked eventually.

"I'm okay," Alex shrugged, " . . . I met Wesley."

"And?" Owen enquired casually, hand scratching at the back of his neck, stifling a yawn, "I don't really know him, but what did you think?"

"He seems a little . . . I don't know. Like he's a bit self-satisfied," Alex let a smile pull to his lips, finally opening up his work. "Why do you look so tired?" He questioned inquisitively.

Owen avoided his eyes, "I just . . . can't sleep . . ." He trailed off.

"Lover boy on your mind?" Alex asked almost rhetorically, knowing his answer already.

"As always," He huffed with a groan, hands buried in his hands, "I'm literally going insane," He spoke through his long fingers, his stomach twisting at the thought of Danny.

Alex raised an eyebrow at the older boy, face cracking into a lopsided smile as he laughed, "How long into the relationship have you planned?"

A blush filling his cheeks, Owen shook his head while looking away, "It gets boring up here, okay." Alex chuckled.

[938.]