I WAKE TO the sound of the door opening. I'm in the living area, because it has a comfy couch and I have been sleeping here for the last... two months. At least.
I'm slow to wake up. I'm not used to sleeping on a couch. And... it takes a lot of time and effort to care for Llywelyn. He's able to bathe himself now, but without a medical pool he gets exhausted wetting himse—hydrating. Himself. With buckets.
So ultimately, especially as the day goes on, I still have to help quite a bit.
He still hisses and makes the cute angry noises. Every time. I never get tired of it. But. I am getting tired physically.
I roll over and sit up, blinking the sleep from my eyes. I see Xilukulkas standing by the door, with a tray in his hands. He's wearing a black robe with silver embroidery, and his hair is styled in a complicated updo with gems and pearls. He looks like a regal deity.
"Good morning, my dear," he says, his voice deep and smooth. "I hope I didn't disturb you."
"No, it's fine." I say, rubbing my eyes. "What time is it?"
"A little after midday," he says, and walks over to the low table in front of the couch. He sets the tray down, and I see that it has a pot of tea, two cups, and a plate of pastries. They smell amazing, like honey and almonds and vanilla. My stomach rumbles.
"Thank you." I say, and get up from the couch. I sit on the floor next to the table and take one of the pastries. It's warm and soft, and it melts in my mouth. It's delicious.
"You're welcome." He says, and sits across from me. He pours tea for both of us, and hands me a cup. "I thought you might appreciate a treat. You've been working so hard lately."
I blush and look down. "It's... it's not that hard. Llywelyn is the one who's suffering."
"Yes, but you're the one who's taking care of him." He says, and sips his tea. "It must be exhausting. And frustrating."
I sigh and take a sip of my own tea. It's sweet and spicy, and it warms me up. I arch a brow over at the bigger man. The man I nearly escaped from two months ago, who... I presume, still doesn't know.
I don't plan to let him know.
"He's never been anything but that."
"Mh. Yes." He smiles. "He's a prickly one. But I think he's found someone who can handle him."
I cough on my drink. This is because attempting to laugh while drinking is a trick that humans still haven't mastered. "Don—don't try and tell that asshole fish that." I wheeze.
He chuckles. "Oh, no. I would never. I'm sure this would only make things more difficult for you." He looks at me with his large, bright eyes, which are currently the color of polished amber. "But I am glad, Sarah."
I blink at him. "Glad? About what?"
He sets his cup down and folds his hands on his lap. "I'm glad that you're happy here. That you've found someone who... cares for you."
I stare at him.
Does he know?
Does he know that I didn't leave? That I chose to stay with Llywelyn?
He can't. He must think that I'm just...
I'm being ridiculous. It's not like anyone wouldn't know when I went and cradled that idiot's face in front of everyone. Xilukulkas doesn't need to know about... anything. Else. To say what he just said.
And I did urge Mira not to tell Xilukulkas about our near-escape. She's not the most reliable gem, I know that, but I don't think she would disobey me on something like that. Not when I explained how serious it was.
I shake my head. "I don't know about that. Llywelyn loves his damn bathes and needs them to live and still barely lets me dribble water on him."
"Akutwas are very proud. Few more than Llywelyn." He gives me a knowing look. "But I think he appreciates it. Even if he won't say it."
I let out a soft breath and turn my gaze toward the sleeping man. "I just... want to see him... normal again." I whisper, my voice cracking a little.
"Normal is a relative term I can scarce imagine Llywelyn fitting." He hums and finishes his tea. He pours himself another cup. "But I understand what you mean. And I believe it will happen soon. The doctor assures me his recovery is speeding up quite nicely."
I nod, and take another pastry. It has a hint of cinnamon and it's so good. I wish I could share it with Llywelyn. I know he'd like it.
"How much longer, do you think?" I ask, nibbling on the pastry.
He shrugs. "A few weeks, perhaps. Maybe less. He's young and strong. And he has a reason to heal."
I glance at him and find him looking at me with a faint smile. I feel my cheeks heat up again. "You're a ridiculous man."
"You're a bold woman." He replies, and his eyes turn a pale green. "I'm quite the intimidating figure in this galaxy, you know."
"Mm, are you?" I hum. "I've seen you pick up a wiggling gem woman so she can bonk your forehead." I bite into my pastry with a smirk. "Intimidating."
He laughs, a deep, rumbling sound. "Well. I wish not to intimidate Mine. And you are one of them, Sarah."
I chew on the pastry rather than answer him.
He speaks warmly and... I know him well enough to believe that he means it kindly. But I still...
I'm not really his. I'm just. Here. Not his property, not his slave. I'm just—
"Shall I call you instead 'Friend', Sarah?" he asks and I look up at him. His eyes are red now, but there's nothing but gentleness in his expression, which completely destroys my shaky attempt at trying to translate his eye color moods. "Whatever title you prefer, I am happy to call you by."
"I... I don't care." I mumble. "As long as you're not calling me 'Subsapient' or 'slave' or—"
"I've become rather fond of 'dear'."
My face. I'm sure. Goes red. Damn it.
Why is he—?!
"J—Just. Whatever."
He laughs again, and pours more tea for me. "As you wish. Sarah."
I look up at him and find him smiling at me. Not a mocking or teasing smile. Just a... a warm, genuine smile. It makes me feel... weirdly safe.
I shake my head and look away, sipping my tea. "So. What do you want?"
"Excuse me?"
"You came here with food and tea and compliments. So... what did you want?"
He smiles. "I am flattered by this image you have of a man who schemes and plans complex manipulation. But my desire is simply to speak to you." He shrugs his shoulders and glances toward Llywelyn. "My business here will conclude soon."
I blink and look over at him. "Wasn't it supposed to only be a month here?"
His lips quirk into a faint smile. "I was. Distracted. By rather pressing matters of Mine."
I...
Want to apologize.
But I'm not the one who's in the medical bed, and there's no way to explain why I'm at fault for Llywelyn's state without admitting my near-escape. So I just look away, guiltily.
He sighs. "Well, we will begin our trip home soon. I am sad that I could not have shown you around the Galactic Center further—"
"Did you..." I swallow, finally, turning my gaze back to him. "Ever find out? Why the building exploded?"
His expression turns serious and he sits back in his chair. "Yes. It was... irritating."
He doesn't look particularly angry, but I've hardly heard him use such language. Irritated. I can't help but find myself sitting up a little straighter and leaning toward him. "What? Why?"
He hesitates for a moment, and then shakes his head. "The Galaxy has many tangled issues that we avoid on our moon. It is vexing that one of the uglier issues could reach out and harm Mine during our short time here..."
"Ugly issues?"
"There are those who hate the Galactic Empire more even than you."
"I doubt that."
The smile that passes over his lips holds little humor. "On the day you went out with Llywelyn, His Highness the Prince also had business in that portion of the city. He left early, I'm told, but the explosive device that went off was meant for him."
My eyes widen. "The prince? Of the Empire? The Emperor's son?"
"Yes. A heinous crime. There were many casualties. But it was meant for the Prince." His eyes turn a dark shade of blue. "It is a disgusting reality that I shall be glad to avoid once we have returned home."
I stare at him, feeling a chill run down my spine.
So then...
I suppose I always knew. It wasn't like I would be targeted randomly by someone. I had no enemies left to do so. If the Galactic Empire wanted me dead despite Xilukulkas' assurances and guardianship, I doubt they'd do something as messy as a random explosion near a building they had no way of knowing I'd be.
So it's...
Not a surprise. And yet.
Knowing it was just some assassination plot for someone else. Someone that I also hate...
"How... stupid." I mutter.
He arches a brow. "Oh?"
"I don't want to die as collateral damage in someone else's war."
"I'd prefer you not to die." He hums. "And we shall be safe on the moon."
I chew on my lip and then sigh, staring down at my empty teacup.
That's fine, I guess. I just... it pisses me off.
His hand settles on my shoulder. "Our mutual friend will be well soon. Please, focus on that and not on the vagaries of the Empire. There is nothing to be done about it, I'm afraid."
I nod and look over at Llywelyn again.
He's still sleeping.
"He'd better be okay soon."
"I'm sure he will be."
"And then I'm going to break his spine for making me worry so much."
"My." Xilukulkas' voice is warm with amusement. "Have you warned him?"
I scoff. "Leaving it a surprise."
He chuckles and stands. He picks up his empty tea cup and smiles down at me. "I shall leave you to your plans, then, dear Sarah." He pauses and adds, "I hope that I can continue to share tea with you in the future."
"...yeah. Me too."
I think that...
I might. Actually mean that.