Page 31

Derek

The past three weeks aboard Kav'eth's ship have been the best of my life.

After the Council approved our partnership, with what Kav'eth called "unprecedented efficiency" they granted us a transition period before my formal integration into Nereidan society. Time for us to simply be together without the pressure of assessments or protocols or diplomatic obligations.

We've spent the days exploring every corner of the ship, talking for hours about everything and nothing, learning each other's rhythms and preferences.

Kav'eth has been teaching me basic Nereidan, though I'm still struggling with the subtle tonal shifts that change meaning completely.

I've been teaching him Earth cooking techniques, which fascinates him almost as much as my tattoos do.

The nights... well, the nights have been incredible.

Every time we come together, the empathic bond grows stronger, the connection deeper.

Kav'eth is becoming less formal, more open, more willing to let me see the person beneath the diplomat.

And I'm learning what it really means to be present with someone, to make them the center of your world without losing yourself in the process.

But now, as I stand at the observation port watching Kav'eth's homeworld grow larger in the viewscreen, reality is setting in. This is it. This is my new home, my new life, my future.

The planet is breathtaking; blues and greens and silvers that shift and shimmer as we approach, massive structures that seem to rise directly from the ocean and disappear into floating platforms above.

The sky is a color I don't have a name for, somewhere between purple and gold, with two small suns casting everything in warm, alien light.

"Nervous?" Kav'eth asks, coming up behind me and sliding his arms around my waist.

"Excited," I correct, leaning back against his chest. "Maybe a little nervous. It's a big step."

"The biggest," he agrees, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Are you prepared for the formal Council introduction?"

We've gone over the protocols dozens of times.

I'll be presented as one of the first successful human integration candidates, there will be speeches about the partnership program's future, and I'll be assigned my official role in human nutritional consulting for future integrations.

It's all very ceremonial and diplomatic, which is Kav'eth's world, not mine, but I can handle a few hours of formality.

"I'm ready," I tell him. "Though I still think the whole thing is a bit much for one guy who just wants to live with his boyfriend."

Kav'eth's bioluminescence pulses with amusement. "You are not simply 'one guy.' You are proof that the partnership program can succeed. Your integration will pave the way for others."

The ship shudders slightly as we begin docking procedures. Through the bond, I can feel Kav'eth's own nerves; not about us, but about the responsibility he feels for making this transition smooth for me. He's been carrying the weight of this program's success on his shoulders.

"Hey," I say, turning in his arms. "Whatever happens out there, we've got this, right?"

"We've got this," he confirms, his golden eyes warm with affection. "You and me."

The docking process takes another twenty minutes, during which Kav'eth briefs me one more time on Council etiquette and I try not to think too hard about the fact that I'm about to step onto an alien world to start a completely new life. No pressure.

Finally, the ship's systems chime to indicate successful docking. Kav'eth straightens his formal diplomatic attire one last time, I check that my own clothes, a compromise between human and Nereidan styles that we worked out together, look presentable, and we make our way to the exit portal.

"The Council will have sent an official escort," Kav'eth explains as we approach the sealed door. "Likely a junior diplomatic aide with formal credentials and—"

The door slides open with a soft hiss, revealing the docking platform beyond.

And standing there, grinning like an idiot in what appears to be official Nereidan robes, is Jake Morrison.

"Holy shit," I say, stopping dead in my tracks. "Jake?"

"Hey there, stranger," Jake says, his grin widening. "Welcome to the planet. How was the trip?"

I stare at him, my brain trying to process what I'm seeing. Jake. My ex-boyfriend Jake. On an alien planet. Wearing official robes. Looking completely at home.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I manage to ask.

"Currently? Serving as the official human integration coordinator and welcome committee," Jake says cheerfully.

"So far the committee is just me, but hey, now there's you too.

We'll help the others integrate when they arrive, and you're going to be in charge of nutritional needs and meal planning for incoming humans.

Congratulations, by the way—you got the job you didn't know you were applying for. "

My mouth opens and closes a few times without sound coming out. Behind me, I can feel Kav'eth's confusion through our bond—he clearly wasn't expecting this either.

"Jake," I finally manage, "you live in Chicago. You work at a coffee shop. You don't even like sci-fi movies. What are you doing on an alien planet wearing alien clothes and talking about integration coordination?"

Jake's grin becomes slightly sheepish. "Funny story about that.

Turns out I was abducted right before you were, went through my own little alien romance adventure, and decided to stay.

I've been here for a while now, learning the ropes and setting up integration protocols for future human arrivals. "

"You were abducted," I repeat slowly.

"Yep. Wrong guy, right apartment building. Sound familiar?"

"And you decided to stay. On an alien planet. You."

"I know, right? Shocked me too." Jake steps forward, his expression becoming more serious. "But I found something here I didn't know I was looking for. Someone, actually. And a purpose that actually means something."

Before I can ask any more questions, Jake pulls me into a hug, the kind of enthusiastic, affectionate embrace that comes naturally to humans but apparently isn't common in Nereidan culture, because I feel Kav'eth's immediate tension through our bond.

I hug Jake back, because despite everything that happened between us, I'm genuinely happy to see him and relieved that there's a familiar face in this alien world. But I can feel Kav'eth's confusion and something that might be jealousy, so I keep the embrace brief and step back to his side.

"It's good to see you, Jake," I say honestly. "But this is..."

"Overwhelming? Yeah, I get it. Took me weeks to stop feeling like I was living in someone else's life." Jake's expression is understanding. "But you'll adjust. Especially with him helping you."

He nods toward Kav'eth, and I realize introductions are probably in order.

"Kav'eth, this is Jake Morrison, my... former partner. Jake, this is Kav'eth, my current and permanent partner."

Jake's eyebrows rise slightly at the emphasis I put on 'permanent,' but his smile remains friendly. "Nice to meet you officially, Kav'eth. I've heard good things."

Kav'eth nods formally, his posture slightly stiff. "Mr. Morrison. I was not aware you were involved in the integration program."

"Recent development," Jake says easily. "I've been working with the Council to establish support systems for human arrivals. Turns out a psychology degree and firsthand experience with the transition process make me pretty qualified for the job."

I can feel Kav'eth's uncertainty about the casual physical contact between Jake and me, so I step closer to him and slide my hand into his. His fingers intertwine with mine immediately, and I feel his tension ease slightly.

"Jake's an ex," I tell Kav'eth quietly. "We're friends now. Just friends."

To prove the point, I lean up and kiss Kav'eth softly, right there on the docking platform. His bioluminescence flares in response, and when we break apart, his expression has relaxed considerably.

"Sorry," I say to Jake with a slight grin. "Still figuring out the cultural differences. Nereidans don't do casual physical contact the way humans do."

"No worries," Jake says, looking amused. "I'm still learning too. Speaking of which..."

He glances past us, and I follow his gaze to see another figure approaching from deeper in the docking facility. Tall, blue-skinned, familiar golden eyes, but broader shoulders and a slightly different bone structure than Kav'eth.

"Derek," the newcomer says, nodding politely in my direction before turning to Kav'eth. "Brother."

"Zeph'hai," Kav'eth replies, and there's warmth in his voice that wasn't there during his formal greeting with Jake.

Zeph'hai moves to stand beside Jake, his hand coming to rest on Jake's lower back in a gesture that's both possessive and affectionate. The casual intimacy of the touch tells me everything I need to know about their relationship status.

"So that's how you ended up here," I say to Jake, understanding dawning. "You fell for his brother."

"Among other things," Jake says, leaning slightly into Zeph'hai's touch. "Turns out alien romance is a lot more appealing when the alien in question is perfect for you."

Zeph'hai's skin glows faintly at the praise, and I can see the fondness in his expression as he looks at Jake. They're clearly happy together, settled in a way that Jake and I never managed to be.

"We are here to escort you to the Council chambers," Zeph'hai says, returning his attention to Kav'eth and me. "They are prepared for Derek's formal introduction to the community."

"Right," I say, taking a deep breath. "The ceremonial stuff."