Page 51 of Farborn

I wish they were around to meet Olarte.

They had no problem with me being gay. I’ve known that since I was about ten or so. They supported me wholeheartedly.

One of the things that sticks in my mind is that they said they only wanted me to be happy.

Olarte makes me happy.

Correction—I am finally happy with Olarte in my life. In a way I never knew was lacking before.

I can see myself spending the rest of my life with them, without hesitation.

We’re still supplying the same ore processor, so at this point, the trip is routine, at least. I mean, I still have to be careful and run numbers, pay attention to what’s going on during our jumps, but it’s not like I have to plot a brand-new course every single trip. And the regular trip intervals helps up the ship AI’s accuracy. Each trip means I have less corrections to make in the system.

Also meaning I can’t get sloppy or lazy, because that’s when mistakes happen.

We’re going to leave port tomorrow. But now that I know this thing between me and Olarte is seriously going somewhere, I have another call to make. And after I have all my gear stowed in my quarters, I grab my com unit and pull up Dr. H’looder’s contact info, which I have stored there.

I wonder if it’s going to go to voice mail. Surprisingly enough, he answers.

“Hey, Dr. H’looder. Davies McKellan. We’ve had some conversations.”

“Ah, yes, Davies. How are you?”

“I’m good.” I take a deep breath. “I’m also ready to sign on the line and get this process started. Tell me what my next step is.” I walk my stylus through my fingers. “And how soon we can get started.”

Chapter Fifteen

Olarte

I have carefully arranged my work schedule so that when thePalmarian Rubayneis scheduled to berth, I am not only off-duty, but I have fourteen days off.

My family was a little disappointed when I told them I was not coming home to Pfahrn right away, or perhaps not at all during this leave.

That it would depend upon what Davies wishes to do.

That he is important to me, and I wish to spend time with him.

Even though I am off-duty, I am standing there on the other side of the airlock when Davies practically runs out, drops the handle of the porta-sled, and literally jumps into my arms, wrapping himself around me and kissing me.

Who am I to deny him his joy? I kiss him back, fully aware of how some in my crew are now laughing, hooting, and applauding us.

Let them witness our reunion. I do not care.

As we kiss, the rest of the universe falls away around us, with only Davies and me at the center of it.

“Miss me, big guy?” he whispers against my lips.

“Missed you so much, my slippery, farborn love.”

It is probably a good thing Davies is…

I was going to say wearing trousers, except now I realize he isnotwearing trousers. He is wearing a brahkhen, and—

“What is that rubbing against me?” I ask.

He grins. “That would beme.” He kisses me again. “I spent a little time with Dr. H’looder while we were waiting on load-ops at the ore processor. He jumped out to our location, and I got a little personal dry dock work done tome. Surprise!”

My eyes widen. “You received some augmentations?” He did not convey that information to me.