[ the trust will always be appreciated. he might not be asking very much of her right this second, but the fact that she goes willingly is something that pleases him. somewhere deep in his chest, there's a scant bit of warmth that rarely ever surfaces, and it's a good feeling.

he might grump at her for checking in on him as much as she does when they're on leave and he's busy drowning himself in fine kentucky whiskey. it masks how thankful he is for having someone that cares about him, in turn, enough that they don't exactly want him killing himself just because he occasionally doesn't know when to say when.

his grin is slow and easy as she takes in everything around them, knowing that he'll have a bit of explaining to do once she's torn her attention from the stars overheard long enough to ask questions. it's more than just odd for him to go out of his way like this, but it's a small bit of comfort before he surrounds himself with darkness and death and disease and all of that again - not to mention open himself up to the bothering of a captain that likes to make his days seem longer just by popping in at random intervals and giving him hell because he can.

there's a soft chuckle as she flails and finally takes the flask from him, hands settling on his hips as he continues to look skyward for a moment before answering. ]

Georgia. Not too far from where I grew up, actually. I always liked how clear it was out here.

[ a beat of a pause. ] Aw, hell. Drop the 'doctor' for a bit, huh? I'm Leonard down here.