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My skin surges brighter orange. “I will. I see now that it is another form of treasure. One that can and will be repeated often.”

Zha lets out a long breath. “Yes. Something to exchange with each other, I agree.”

“A gift, then,” I say with a decisive clack of my tusks, muted by the fact that zha is still holding tight to two of them. “One of the many benefits of being two instead of one.”

Zha pulls zha’s lips wide at that. “Two really is better than one. One hundred percent agreed,” zha replies.

37

Olivia

WhenIwakeup,I’m trapped. It takes me a moment to work out that it’s Kroaicho. We are both on our sides, zha pulling me close. I try to wake Kroaicho up, but zha is like an immovable object. I manage to free one arm and give a gentle push against zha’s chest, which only makes zha’s other arm tighten around me.

Great. Just great. I consider using my new strength, but it would be a rude awakening.

"Alright, buddy. Time to let go," I whisper, half-heartedly trying not to laugh. Kroaicho's skin is a soft, warm hue—somewhere between orange and white—but the big lunk is dead asleep, zha’s breathing slow and steady, entirely oblivious to my struggle.

After a few more awkward tugs and some serious contortionist-level maneuvering, I manage to extricate myself. Finally free, I stretch my arms high above my head, muscles protesting from the odd sleeping position.

"Not sure how I'm alive after that," I mumble, a little bemused at myself for managing to escape what felt like a living weighted blanket. A very, very big one.

Once my limbs stop aching from the stretch, I glance around. Not sure how or when… but I can see a pile of treasure starting up in a far corner of the cave and I snort.

That didn’t take long.

I shift my gaze to Kroaicho, still peacefully asleep. Zha’s long, muscular arms are curled slightly, massive forelimbs resting gently against the ground. There's something oddly serene about watching the lumbering oaf rest like this, the soft glow of zha’s orange hue radiating warmth.

I creep closer, cautious not to wake zha just yet now that I extracted myself. Leaning over zha’s face, I find myself staring at the soft rise and fall of zha’s chest, the gentle flutter of zha’s spiked head with each breath. It's strangely captivating, to watch this powerful alien creature at rest. For a moment, it's easy to forget just how dangerous everything on this planet is, Kroaicho included.

I start to prop my chin on the back of a hand, then have to reassess when claws are in the way. Then I’m back to watching him for a few minutes.

Soon the boredom starts to creep in. Sure, watching an alien sleep is fascinating for about thirty seconds, but then it's just… sleeping. My mind drifts, and I consider exploring the island again. I glance toward the cave's dark mouth, curiosity stirring inside me.

But then, the memory of getting lost in endless passages slithers into my brain, and a shudder runs down my spine. Yeah, nope. I'm not wandering alone right now.

With a sigh, I turn back to Kroaicho. There's really nothing else to do, and boredom is quickly turning into impatience. I cross my arms, tapping my foot. "Alright, big zha," I mutter under my breath, "time to wake up."

It’s not really needed, I know… I could just go find someone to talk to, but once I get something in my head it’s hard to change direction. I poke zha’s chest. Nothing.

"Hey, Kroaicho," I whisper, jabbing zha again, harder this time.

Zha doesn't move, just continues zha’s steady breathing, oblivious to my poking. I huff in frustration, but I'm not giving up that easily. Leaning closer, I give zha another series of pokes, one after the other, right in zha’s side.

"Come on," I grumble, now poking zha like I'm trying to win a carnival game. "Wake up!"

Kroaicho groans softly, shifting slightly, but still refuses to open zha’s eyes. I grin mischievously. If this glow stick thinks zha can out-sleep me, zha has got another think coming.

"Alright, fine," I say, poking zha once more for good measure. "You asked for it."

I poke zha’s nose this time. Zha finally stirs, eyes fluttering open slowly, blinking up at me with a look that could only be described as alien irritation. Kroaicho’s skin flushes a deep violet and I can't help but laugh at the sight of it.

"There you are," I say, giving the alien a cheeky grin. "Good morning, sunshine."

Kroaicho glares at me… or, well, zha’s version of a glare, but it's hard to take the big zha seriously when zha is still glowing a soft orange from contentment. "Why?" zha’s voice is low, groggy, and mildly accusatory. “That is an incredibly rude place to…” zha trails off, then repeats the question. “Why?”

I raise an eyebrow. "Why what?"

"Why wake me?" the alien grumbles, sitting up with a groan, Zha’s massive arms stretching out beside zha. Kroaicho gives me a curious look, eyes flicking over my face, then lower to my glowing skin.