Phoenix Moltings

No new specimens would be gracing the biologists dissection tables, tools, or the lab floor. Leatherback, Otachi, and baby Otachi yielded a few more unique specimens, but they were only able to keep him occupied for so long. Once the last of the dissections were completed, Marshall Hansen became very persistent with following up on the progress of all the reports Dr. Geiszler had yet to write-up. It was a daunting task for the scruffy scientist since it required the transfer and combining of notes from his notebooks, voice recordings, napkins, the backs of various PPDC memos and even squares of toilet paper. Newt did an excellent job keeping records of everything - no matter where the idea or break through happened. He just didn't do such a great job keeping it all organized. He'd already managed to turn in a number of reports, but there were still many more needing to be typed up.

Since the majority of the biologist's research had to actually do with the kaiju themselves, he was always left behind in the lab to write. Hermann had been appointed to represent the K-Science division at the conferences since his work had focused on kaiju patterns and the structure of the Breach. However, the mathematician had begun to encounter another pattern. This pattern had to do with his presentation times and how with the more conferences he attended, the less time he was being allotted to actually speak.

"It is so overwhelmingly aggravating!" bursted Hermann as he slammed a book shut on his desk and mildly startled the other scientist. Newt had been staring at his computer screen while at least being mildly aware of Hermann ranting in the background. He decided that now would probably be a good time to pay full attention and try to settle his lab partner down.

"Hermann, you keep getting louder. Relax," interrupted Newt as he got up from his work station and made his way to the mini fridge in the lab to retrieve a can of soda.

The vested scientist balled up is hands and took a deep breathe before continuing, "They do not know what they are talking about. They were not there. They did not witness the horrors first hand like the pilots and we did."

"Dude, wait. We?" the biologist spat as her turned around and pointed with his can toward the other man.  "I don't remember you being there with tentacles in your face. Or being chased down a street by a massive half-formed kaiju baby. OR witnessing a kaiju parts dealer get swallowed by said half-formed kaiju baby." 

"Newton, do not discredit the vivid nature of drifting. The glimpse of the horrors beyond the Breach in conjunction with what you had just recently experienced? It is nothing at all like the mere video footage all those politicians see of the kaiju attacks."

Newt crossed his arms as he made his way to Hermann's desk with a smirk. "I know, dude. I drifted with a kaiju. Twice. Besides Herms, I was kidding!"

Dr. Gottlieb rolled his eyes as he rolled his chair away from the desk so he could sit down. "Now is not really an appropriate time to make jest of my irritation, Newton," reproached Hermann. As he lowered himself in to the chair and rested his cane against the desk, he continued in a more somber tone, "Things did not go well during this conference and I do not foresee any additional funding heading our way. They continue to truncate my time on the floor. I can't make our case any more valid if they keep that up. The K-Science division will continue to stagnate in the wake of the Breach's closure. And there is no time to stagnate. Preparation is always key and we need to be prepared in case the Breach re-opens."

"You seriously think I'm not aware of that?" asked Newt as he sat on the edge of the desk.

"I do question your thought processes often Dr. Geiszler," replied Hermann with a sardonic smile.

"Ouch. Thanks, dude," responded the biologist as he scratched his nose.

"It appears as if they are getting comfortable," sighed Hermann while leaning his head into his left palm. He stretched out his other arm across the desk and began to idly roll a pencil with his fingers. "I believe the only reason I'm on the roster for these blasted things is due to some formality of including representation from all departments." He sounded almost defeated at the end and continued to roll the pencil back and forth.

Newt studied his lab partner for a bit. He nervously tapped his soda can a few times before finally setting it down on the desk. He then placed his hand on the desk next to the other scientist's. Hesitation ran through his mind for a moment before he reached his thumb to the side and lightly stroked the back of Hermann's wrist. The mathematician froze for a moment before he abruptly sat-up straight and quickly jerked his hand away while glaring at the man perched on his desk. A faint blush began to decorate Hermann's cheeks. "Your touch is cold from holding that soda which you have rested on my desk with no coaster."

A frown quickly formed on Newt's face and he sighed, "I think we need to talk about this."

"What? Your inability to use a coaster?" scoffed Hermann while he held his wrist to his chest and softly  rubbed it with his other hand. He held his gaze away from Newt.

"No. The real reason you pulled away. You don't like showing any affection beyond our bedroom walls."

Hermann turned his gaze further way from Newt as he continued to stroke his wrist. "I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about Dr. Geiszler. Your touch was ice cold. Nothing more."

"I'm pretty damn sure I remember my hands were ice cold, you know, the night before you left for the conference. When I climbed into bed with you and you sure as hell didn't pull away from me. In fact, you-"

The mathematician directed a sharp glare at his lab partner, "Dr. Geiszler!! We are at work!"

"Oh, come on, Herms! We live at work!" exclaimed Newt as he stood up from the desk. "And it's not like our feelings are brand-spanking new. Dude, you just said it yourself earlier, 'do not discredit the vivid nature of drifting.' We were both devastated by how horribly our first meeting went years ago and we continued to secretly pine over the other non-stop."

The blush on Hermann's cheeks grew brighter as his glare softened, "Indeed. But we are not school children, Newton. Public displays of affection are not appropriate at work."

A smirk played on Newt's lips and he sighed, "We have got to work on your super stuffy grandpa view of PDA."

The glare Hermann had been displaying shifted into an averted gaze again. "It honestly is a bit more than just that. Yes, we very well had been having quite the emotional battle in our minds for years, but as far as everyone else is concerned, we are still but colleagues."

"I'm pretty darn sure most everyone has caught on by now. I haven't exactly been the most discrete when I'm coming and going from your room. Things were rather overwhelming and intense after our drift. Words weren't going to cut it after that experience."

Hermann planted his face in his hand and groaned. "Well, even so, we have not been an actual couple for very long. Excessive displays are just a bit too much too soon still."

Newt crossed his arms as his smirk grew, "Let's get a better understanding of 'excessive' for the record. Example - my crawling under your desk to give you a blow job."

Hermann's face shot out of his hand and lit-up bright red, "Excessive, Dr. Geiszler! How dare you even mention that in here!"

A chuckle escaped Newt, "Okay, good. Hopefully you'll see a spectrum now." He crouched down next to Hermann's chair and held out his hand expectantly while eyeing the other man's wrist. There was a bit of hesitation evident on Hermann's face, but Newt kept his position steady. Soon a bone-y wrist rested in Newt's palm and he began to gently stroke the backside with his thumb. Looking up to make eye contact and with a smile, Newt continued, "So, would we classify this as excessive?"

With a slight frown wanting to tug at his lips, Hermann looked into Newt's eyes. He gazed for a bit and began to feel himself ease as his breath soon matched the pattern of Newt's gentle touch. A sigh of acquiescence finally escaped Hermann. "I do believe you have made your case, Newton."

Newt's smile spread as he continued to caress the soft skin underneath his touch. He eased himself out of the crouched position, down to a seated one on the floor. As the quiet moment continued between the two, Newt leaned his head into his partner's lap. Hermann let out a scoff. "You're sliding over on the spectrum, Dr. Geiszler."

His head not moving from Hermann's lap, Newt's smile shifted into a smirk. "Want me to slide all the way and give you a-"

Hermann interrupted him with a hush and continued with, "I'm actually quite fond of this." He placed his free hand in the mess of hair resting in his lap. "It is a rather relaxing and liberating experience to be sharing in such a subtle, yet intimate behavior with you in the lab. We already are so intimate with our respective work that we have performed here for so long. It feels absolutely complete to be here like this now... with you."

Newt practically purred, "I'm so glad we finally talked about this."

"Yes, indeed. However, it still does not change the sad state that our funding appears to be heading toward. I have simply run out of ideas on getting them to hear me out any more."

Newt lets out a heavy sigh as he nuzzles into the comfortable lap. "I should really get back to working on my reports.  If I actually complete them, I'm sure the Marshal well let me go to the next conference with you."

Hermann quirked an eyebrow. "And what do you believe you will be capable of accomplishing there?"

"I'm pretty sure I could be obnoxious enough to prevent them from cutting the K-Sci time short."

"Are you sure they will not simply usher me off the stage sooner?"

"I like testing theories."

"I will ponder on that while you continue writing. I am positive I have quite a few weeks time. Minimum."

"Hey."