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The roar outside diminished slightly, though energy still crackled through the chamber. Varek remained in his protective stance, unwilling to risk exposure.

"How long do you think this will last?" I asked.

"The system appears to be burning through its excess energy," he replied. "But I cannot predict how long that process will take."

I nodded, trying to ignore how aware I was of him – his scent, his warmth, the steady rhythm of his breathing. My markings continued their silent conversation with his lifelines, silver light meeting gold wherever our skin came close.

"Your markings," Varek said suddenly. "They respond differently now."

I glanced down at the silver patterns visible along my collarbone and arms. "Different how?"

"More... coordinated. When we first met, they reacted chaotically to stimuli. Now they pulse with purpose."

I hadn't noticed the change, but looking at them now, I saw what he meant. The erratic flaring had given way to something more controlled, more deliberate.

"Maybe they're learning," I suggested. "Or maybe it's because of our connection."

Varek's expression tightened. "The bond."

"Is that so terrible?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

His eyes met mine, searching. "It is... unexpected. Unprecedented. A human and a Nyxari."

"Unprecedented doesn't mean terrible."

"No," he agreed after a long moment. "It does not."

Another shower of sparks rained down outside our shelter. Varek adjusted his position, grimacing slightly as the movement pulled at his injuries.

"When this is over," I said, "we need to find a way to stop Hammond. If he keeps drilling, he'll trigger something worse than this."

Varek nodded, his expression solemn. "The Elders must be warned. And your people as well – those who would listen."

"Not many of those," I admitted. "Hammond has them convinced the Nyxari are the enemy. That your people are hiding technology that could save us all."

"And now you know differently."

"I know the technology is dangerous. I know tampering with it could kill us all." I met his gaze directly. "And I know you saved my life, more than once."

Something shifted in his eyes, a softening I hadn't seen before. "As you have aided me. We survive together, or not at all."

My markings flared at his words, a warm silver light that spread up my arms and across my collarbone. His lifelines responded in kind, golden patterns brightening beneath his skin.

The word hung between us, carrying more weight than either of us had intended. I didn’t want to be wanted because of the bond. I wanted him to want me without it. And in that moment, I could feel that he did

In this small space, with death just beyond, "together" felt like more than a temporary alliance. It felt like a promise.

VAREK

The energy storm outside the alcove pulsed, its intensity diminishing just enough to let me catch my breath. Every flash cast harsh shadows across Rivera’s face as she finished wrapping my burn. My back pressed against the cold wall, legs stretched awkwardly in the cramped space. Pain radiated from my shoulder in waves that matched the storm's rhythm.

"This should hold until we get proper medical attention." Her fingers lingered on the edge of the bandage, careful not to press too hard. I’d touched live wires and unstable emitters, but nothing made my skin burn like her hands on me. Her care wasn’t clinical—it was too focused. Too gentle

I nodded, unable to form words through clenched teeth. The injury burned deeper than any wound I'd sustained in training. My body screamed to shift position, but movement only intensified the agony.

The alcove trapped us in proximity impossible to ignore. Her knee brushed my thigh as she leaned back to examine her handiwork. My lifelines flared at the contact, sending sparks of awareness through my already overtaxed system.

"You should rest." Her voice dropped to match the intimate space between us. "The storm might last for hours."