[It is kind of novel - and pretty nice. The Admiral does at least, in some cases, see that they're pretty well taken care of, at least with the mundane details. The more important ones seem to be left up to them.
But the way Eugene brightens at the apple tells him that, at least, was the right move to make. So he makes sure the Marine has the biggest and best-looking one, before grabbing another one for himself.
Although it's sort of impossible to miss that there's something going on behind his eyes, even if Steve doesn't know the specifics. Maybe the specifics don't matter - there are a couple of general guesses he can make, and he likes absolutely none of them.]
Don't mention it. I didn't take much leave, but I probably had the option, if someone would've been brave enough to suggest it. You boys never had that option. Maybe I can try to make a little of it up to you.
[A pause, then,] Was it pretty rough, right before he snatched you? Or just the usual? [Or, you know, you could brush the question off. You don't know him, he doesn't know you, and he's not going to push.]
[spam!!]
But the way Eugene brightens at the apple tells him that, at least, was the right move to make. So he makes sure the Marine has the biggest and best-looking one, before grabbing another one for himself.
Although it's sort of impossible to miss that there's something going on behind his eyes, even if Steve doesn't know the specifics. Maybe the specifics don't matter - there are a couple of general guesses he can make, and he likes absolutely none of them.]
Don't mention it. I didn't take much leave, but I probably had the option, if someone would've been brave enough to suggest it. You boys never had that option. Maybe I can try to make a little of it up to you.
[A pause, then,] Was it pretty rough, right before he snatched you? Or just the usual? [Or, you know, you could brush the question off. You don't know him, he doesn't know you, and he's not going to push.]