The Right Question 8: Regret

[madimpossibledreamer]

updated, again, due to a quote inspiring this next chapter, this one the thing about cages.  Took me a bit to figure out what that could even be about, though.

Main Points:
Crusade (The Right Question)
Chapter Summary: Gideon wonders if the 'foolish mortals' are even worth it, sometimes.
Word Count: 530
Rating: Teen
could be read as gen or preslash, though it leans more toward preslash.

        Gideon’s sick and tired of this—another world, another failed lead, and it wasn’t the best of days to begin with.  He is covered in grime, and Galen looks immaculate.  He can’t even tell if that’s merely an illusion spell or a practical one.  If there’s a spell to instantly make oneself clean, Gideon would take that in a heartbeat.  He likes baths well enough, but real water is a luxury that’s not always possible in the depths of space, even in such a nice ship as the Excalibur, so he’s used to going without.  He’s slightly in a bad mood, and really, really, he shouldn’t be taking it out on Galen, who only volunteered for any of this because he liked Gideon and potentially out of guilt.  He shouldn’t, but…  “Do you ever regret it?”
        Galen’s dark-eyed gaze looks through him, sharp and concerned.  “I have not and will never regret saving you, Matthew.”  The tone is just as sharp as his look.  He doesn’t waste a second responding.
        The Captain doesn’t get embarrassed often, but finds himself warmer.  “I meant…trying to meddle with the Drakh in the first place.  Getting involved in any of this, seeing as we don’t seem to be getting anywhere.”
        He considers that gravely.  “We are all trapped in cages of our own making.”
        Matthew stares at him.  Even for Galen, that answer is a little obscure.  He can’t tell if he should feel responsible or be worried about the man, like after their card session.  “Do you have anything you want to talk about?”
        The technomage thinks about the question for a little while, treating it like it’s of the utmost importance.  It’d help if he didn’t get the feeling the man was laughing at him at the same time.  “No, in this case I feel that was quite sufficient.”
        “Because I know you can’t tell me everything, but I want to help, if I can.” Galen does his best to keep most of his emotions off his face.  All but the part where he’s amused, because that can keep the Technomage mystique.  But even then, he’s not sure if the blank expression is good.
        Then, a sudden smile, smaller than his usual but more genuine.  “Matthew, you are helping.”
        That’s…pretty unambiguous.  Which is unusual.  Gideon can’t think of a response, which makes the smile turn fond.  “You still wanted to keep me company.  Cared enough to ask questions, to try to see me as a friend rather than a tool or as someone untrustworthy.”
        “It’s good to hear I’m getting somewhere.  I wasn’t sure.”  Galen’s amused look returns.
        “Care also needs to be taken that you’re receiving the right answer.  And one needs to be listening.”  Yeah, he couldn’t let him get away with teasing him like that, and possibly getting a little too comfortable.
        “Captain, Eilerson wants to talk to you.”  He glances away to answer the intercom, which is a bit of a mistake.  He really needs to learn to stop taking his eyes off Galen.  The man seems to take it as an invitation to leave.  Maybe he’s that insistent on having an attentive audience, Gideon thinks, and snorts.