Over Coffee and Croissants
Posted on Sun Jan 4th, 2026 @ 7:28pm by Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida & Lieutenant Commander Liam Reynolds
1,400 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 9: Across Time
Location: Deep Space 21, Promenade
Timeline: Backpost. Took place just before Hiro was assigned as CO of SB21.
ON:
Liam had just sat down to a plate of pancakes and fruit when he spotted his friend. He looked pensive as he headed past the little french spot walking the
"Here's your coffee Liam," the waitress popped a small tray down with a French press, milk jug and a cup. "Might need another mug." the betaziod said. She nodded and disappeared again.
"Hiro, you time for a coffee?" he said as the man just got to walking past him. He certainly looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The familiar voice made Hiro look in the direction from where it came. He hadn’t seen Liam in a while. As he approached his friend he offered him a small smile. “Liam.. Sorry, I didn’t see you there. Having lunch?”
"More like brunch," he grinned. He pushed out the other chair for him. "How goes it?"
“It’s been a long morning. I could use a break, though.” Hiro sat down at the chair offered by Liam. “Thanks for the invite.”
"Any time buddy or should I say boss?" he quipped wiggling his eyebrows. The waitress returned with a further cup and Liam's pastries.
"That's why she's here right? The Admiral? Putting you in charge?" he asked plunging the coffee and pouring Hiro a cup. "The rumour mill started as soon as she headed to ops. You can't keep much quiet on this station."
Hiro wrapped his hands around the warm cup, staring into the dark liquid for a moment before exhaling softly.
“Word travels fast,” he murmured, glancing up at Liam with a small, uncertain smile. “I haven’t exactly figured out what to say about it yet. Feels… strange.”
He hesitated, searching for the right words. “You’ve been my senior for as long as I remember,…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I don’t know. It’s a lot to take in.”
"Its not going to be a problem. I mean you have been running this place since .... yeah since Admiral Keiben ..... "passed" he said sadly. "And you have been my senior since. And done a damn fine job of it all. You have got this Hiro," Liam told him honestly.
He sat quietly for a moment, fingers idly tracing the rim of his cup. The weight of Liam’s words settled over him; not unwelcome, but heavy all the same.
Finally, he exhaled and looked up. “What would you do?” His voice was quieter now, thoughtful. “If you were in my place?”
He glanced down again, then shook his head with a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “I mean, I know what the right answer is. But knowing and feeling aren’t exactly the same thing.”
"Sometimes you have to make the leap and you grow into the role," Liam mused. He spread some jam onto his croissant. "What would I do? I don't know. Probably go for it. I mean we have lived through a strange amount of stuff in our lives to date. I doubt being in charge would phase you any more than what you have already shown yourself capable of handling. And you know your capable even if your worried about allowing yourself to truly feel it. Have a croissant," he nudged the other over to him. "If I eat all this I will have to run miles."
Hiro raised an eyebrow, taking in Liam’s words with a mixture of surprise and mild amusement. “You’re laying it on thick, aren’t you?” he said with a slight smirk. “I mean, I know I’ve managed to juggle a few crises, but you’re making it sound like I’ve got this command thing in the bag.”
He glanced at the croissant, then back at Liam with a wry smile. “And you realize that if I eat this, I’ll be running miles afterward too, right?“
Hiro leaned back, letting out a quiet laugh. “But I get what you’re saying. Maybe I just need to take the leap. Can’t avoid the growth, right?”
He nudged the croissant over again. "Eat the croissant. Your allowed a little of what's bad for you. Just not all the time. Its all about balance. And growth," he winked at him. "You already have your answer Hiro. Just need to believe what I believe. That you do have this command in the bag."
With a small shake of his head, Hiro picked up the croissant, turning it over in his hands as if considering it. “Fine, fine. But if I regret this later, I’m blaming you.” He took a bite, savoring it despite himself.
After a moment, he exhaled and nodded. “Yeah… I guess I do have my answer.” He glanced at Liam, a flicker of something between amusement and disbelief crossing his face. “You know, I never really expected to command a station. A ship,..maybe. But this?” He gestured vaguely, as if encompassing all of Deep Space 21. “Not exactly.”
"Oh its far more fun that just a ship. Shops, ambassadors, civilians, kids, space voles .... and you also have dino world down there to explore and the other planets. Its not like your going to run out of things to keep you occupied. And you have ships a plenty so if you do want to go for a voyage in the stars ..." he gestured. "Plus you have all of us here behind you. Your not in it alone Hiro."
He smiled around another bite of croissant, then set it down and wiped his fingers on a napkin. “Space voles and dinosaur planets. You make it sound like a vacation brochure.” His tone was dry, but his eyes held genuine warmth.
He leaned back in his chair, letting the comfort of the moment settle around them. “Alright. I’ll do it. Just don’t let me start giving Admiral-style speeches.”
"You sound like Jon. He hates having to give the "Captain-style speeches", Liam chuckled. "I will do my best. Its just another pip Hiro. It doesn't change who you are. You have pretty much been doing the job for ages."
Hiro chuckled softly. “Then Jon’s a wise man.” He took another sip of his coffee, then set the cup down.
“Speaking of things that don’t change, how about you?” he asked, tone easy. “When you’re not handing out life advice and croissants, what’s keeping you busy off duty these days? It’s been a while since we talked about anything else then duty-related things.”
"Getting used to being a single dad," Liam said simply. "I think Cades settling in now. He's certainly more confident and talking to more people."
Hiro gave a small nod, his expression softening. He rested his forearms on the table, his voice quieter now, thoughtful. "That can’t be easy. Being a parent is hard enough without trying to juggle it around duty shifts and station life."
He hesitated for a moment, then offered, “But it’s good to hear Cade is finding his footing. Confidence takes time, especially in a place like this.”
“If you ever need backup..." Hiro gave Liam a faint smile before continuing. "I’m not terrible with kids.”
"You might regret that offer Hiro," Liam said bemused. "He might turn out more like Jon as a teenager than me," he said slightly darkly. "But right back at you. On the back up front."
Hiro’s mouth quirked in a faint smirk. “If he ends up like Jon, I’ll just have to perfect my ‘Captain-style speeches’ to keep him in line.”
He took another sip of coffee, then added with a touch of warmth, “And I’ll hold you to that offer. Backup works both ways, whether it’s kids, taking over command, or the occasional vole crisis.”
"I'll drink to that," Liam said popping his coffee cup to the other mans.
Hiro lifted his cup, the faintest smile tugging at his lips as he clinked it lightly against Liam’s. “To backup, and to whatever comes next.”
He held the moment for a breath, then took a slow sip, letting the warmth of the coffee and the comfort of friendship settle in. For the first time that day, the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter.
Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida
CO Deep Space 21
Lt Cmdr Liam Reynolds
2O Deep Space 21
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