Yulia watched her brother sweat over what to say. He sat on the workout bench, trails of sweat visible on the back and sides of his grey tank top. Those could be from the weightlifting session she interrupted. She grinned to herself. Nah, they were definitely from thinking about what to say.

“Uhm, Serge?” She said. His head snapped to attention. His normal movements were smooth and efficient. Right now, his movements were quick and awkward. His hands needed to be busy.

“Okay, okay. How about this. Why is it a problem that Valorie might hate you?” He said clasping his hands together. She jumped on the first answer that came to mind.

“Well, we have to work together -”

“No. That’s not it.” He said. Yulia’s incredulous look begged him to continue. “It took time for Quinns to warm up to you, but you never lost confidence.” He said. Her mouth was open, ready to respond, but nothing came out. She leaned forward on her elbows and sighed. He was right this time, too. “What’s special about Valorie?” He pushed. Yulia tried to think about it honestly.

“You always see friends chatting it up. Gossiping, trusting each other with deep dark secrets before trying out a new coffee drink at Coco’s or sharing the afternoon.”

“Uh-huh.” His eyes squinted as he tried to imagine the scene she painted and failed. He nodded to keep her talking.

“I want a friendship like that. I haven’t spent time with a friend my age since mom… Since I went into hiding. I was twelve, Serge. I’m sick of it. I want to use my own name. I want to do normal stuff.” Yulia got more animated as she spoke and was on her feet by the finish. Dad would say she was watching too many stories again. All she needed to do was survive. She turned away from her brother to avoid the look on his face.

“Yui… I’m sorry about Lillian. I wish every day I could have been there to…” Serge said. Yulia hated the way his voice twisted when the topic came up. “Dad couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t go after you, too… If they did, I…” He didn’t finish, but she knew what he meant. She hated the guilt trip, too. She turned to him, and the sag of his shoulders cooled her temper.

“I know, Serge, I do.” She said. It seemed to do the trick, even if she wasn’t being completely honest. “And, hey, this last year here on the Helianthus has been the best one yet.” She forced a smile.

“Then don’t let one person mess this job up for you.” He said, drawing her back to the start of their discussion. She sighed, rubbing the side of her head again.

“It’s a good chance… I don’t wanna mess it up. That’s all.” Somehow they finally reached the heart of it. Yulia sat down as it sunk in.

“Waffling isn’t like you, Yui. Do like you always do. Valorie will come around.” He said, but it didn’t help. Yulia sighed. She could see the rut she was in and now she was dragging her brother down, too. He hummed as he tried to think of something more to say. The sound was nostalgic. She’d probably made him worry one too many times.

“Nevermind, don’t worry about it.” She said, preparing to stand.

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“Wait, wait.” Serge flicked the towel over his shoulder and held out his hands. Yulia sat down and looked at him with wide eyes. “Listen,” He said. She nodded, getting a little impatient.

“I am listening,”

“You want a friendship like in shows, yeah?” She nodded. “You can’t plan a relationship like that, they don’t work that way. But maybe she needs someone like that, too. Maybe you could treat her like your shows do, and before you know it, you’ll have what you want.” He said, his hands enunciating each point. She stared at him and he froze. It was long enough that he pulled the towel off his shoulder and patted his face down again. It didn’t hide how his ears were turning red.

“That’s actually a good idea.” She said, and his shoulders relaxed. He nodded while using the towel to pat the back of his neck.

“Exactly. Like all my ideas.” Serge said.

“Hey now, don’t go too far.” Yulia’s response was quick and practiced. Serge grinned and leaned back down across the bench. She couldn’t keep him away from his routine for too long. He always found his way back. He didn’t do it on purpose. Nor did he understand why he was so annoyed on the days his routine got interrupted. Unfortunately living on a ship, especially a freelance ship, was anything but predictable. So, Serge was grumpy a lot.

“You should know, a round of aerobic is also good for relieving stress.” He said without looking over. Oh, of course it was, Yulia thought. She stood up and leaned over the bench.

“So what happened to grr-evil-imperials?” She asked. He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing.” He said. He closed his eyes to breath for a moment.

“I thought your advice would be to throw my concerns out an airlock.” Yulia grinned.

“Maybe it should be.” He opened his eyes and lifted the bar out of place, breathing out as he did. She watched, counting in her head, searching for any flaws in his movement. It was habit now. When she had first learned to spot, she’d been 10 and super excited to be there, standing next to her big brother. He finished his set and replaced the bar. She spoke up as he caught his breath.

“Don’t start that talk again. You were doing so well being nice.”

“You brought it up.” She couldn’t argue that. “I know not all of them are evil. Barely 100 years ago, everything was the empire. At least half of inhabited space is still controlled by them. Dad, most of this crew – all imperial. All people I trust. I get it.” He said. Yulia grinned at the mention of the crew, warmth swelling up in her chest.

“And your mom.” She added. He grimaced, looking up the barbell for some kind of help. Yulia couldn’t guess what he saw.

“Riight, and her, too.” There was a pause as he completed the next set. When he finished, he sat up. “But I can never forgive what they did to Lillian. Never. And the new girl was part of some secret brainwashing program. She’s been under their control so long, maybe she doesn’t even realize she’s doing it.” He said. Yulia smirked as she pictured it.

“That’s some creepy spy thriller material right there.” She said. “Okay, then, why help me get along with her?” She smiled, eyebrows raised. He looked straight at her, eyes boring into hers, his face serious. Well, he was always serious, but this look meant he was trying to drive his point home. He waited until he had her full attention.

“Because it’s important to you, Yui.” He said. She grinned, standing up as the warmth spread to her fingers and toes.

“Thanks, big brother.” Her tone was playful, but Serge smiled anyway. A rare look from him. He lay back down and gripped the barbell.

“Don’t mean the airlock ain’t happening, though.” He said.

“Hey!” She smacked his arm, and he laughed. She crossed her arms, and scowled playfully at him, tapping her foot. “That’s it. I’m out of here.” She turned to leave.

“Yeah, yeah. Start with the aerobic stuff since you prefer it,” He called after her. The exit slid open in front of her. “Yui?” He called. “Ah, come on, at least get some of your exercises done.”

“See ya later, brother. Don’t strain yourself.” She called back, but she didn’t leave right away. She paused in the doorway, listening. Serge cursed under his breath, and she laughed stepping out into the hall. The way forward seemed so much more clear.