Page 42 of Holiday Wishes and Tentacle Dreams

Doren’s father swam to their mother’s side, wrapping his tentacles around her tightly before replying. “I’m sorry, child. We can’t.”

It was a long shot, but Doren had decided it was worth it. They would speak to Ren. If anyone could convince their parents, it was Ren.

Doren couldn’t quite decide why they were so set on getting their parents to Christmas dinner. They could just head back to shore, drive down with Jake, and worry about their mother and father later, but something inside them was insistent.

Jake would be part of their family. Doren was certain of it, more sure of that than they’d ever been of anything, and their parents should meet his grandmother. That should happennow.

After the incident, Ren had relocated to the most remote part of the underwater canyon, a shadowy corner that was essentially a dimly-lit cave. Doren and their siblings took turns spending time with Ren, but all of them found the area depressing. Doren had always dreaded going there.

But if Ren would help, it would be worth it.

“Doren?” Ren’s voice was quiet in Doren’s mind, as if they were speaking from the bottom of a well. Since being injured, they’d grown meeker, preferring silence to interaction, even with their family.

“Ren. I missed you, pibling.” Doren swam into the cave-like corner, letting their eyes adjust to the dim light. Eventually, Ren’s tentacled form appeared, wrapped around the back side of a large boulder. Ren was angled so their scars were hidden in the dark.

Reaching forward, Doren stroked a tentacle across Ren’s hidden torso. “How are you doing?”

Ren didn’t answer for a long moment. The two of them stayed there, touching, listening to the soft sound of the water circulating through their gills. Finally, Ren stirred, inching closer to Doren.

“I’m okay. Some days are better than others. Today isn’t the greatest day. I’m feeling…I don’t know. Lost?”

Doren’s heart clenched at their pibling’s words. Ren didn’t deserve this. They didn’t deserve to be betrayed by someone they believed they loved. Ren had always been kind. They’d taken good care of Doren and their siblings.

As much as Doren loved their parents, the logistics of arriving on a new and unexpected planet had overwhelmed the two of them for much of Doren’s childhood. Ren had always been the one there to guide them, to provide unconditional love.

“I’m sorry you’re having a tough day. I wish…” Doren trailed off. They both knew what the wish was, and how it was impossible.

“Unfortunately, wishes can’t help me. But things do get better. It’s just slow.” Ren’s voice caught as they continued. “I want to be there for all of you more, but it’s so hard to leave.”

“Shhh, you are always there for me. For all of us.” Doren projected all the gratitude and love they had for Ren into those words.

“I don’t know if that’s true. But I want to be helpful. Can I do something for you now?”

Doren petted Ren’s back for a while longer before drawing back their tentacle as they searched for the best way to phrase what they were about to ask.

“I’ve found my bondmate.” Doren projected the words into Ren’s mind, unable to keep their thought-voice steady. “And he’s human.”

A tremor went through Ren’s body, and Doren worried that they’d injured their pibling somehow. After a moment, though, Ren inched further from their hiding place, coming out into the light to make direct eye contact.

Doren was totally exposed to their scrutiny.

“I’m happy for you, nibling.” Ren’s voice was soft, but underneath the fear and uncertainty, Doren could sense the love pulsing through their words.

“Thank you. It’s just…” Doren ran water through their gills, coaxing peace out of the flow of the clear ocean. “My bondmate, Jake. He wants our mother and father to come to Christmas dinner. With his grandmother. In Massachusetts.”

Ren’s tentacles twitched and shot out, grabbing either side of Doren’s head. This position was very familiar to Doren from when they were children and Ren used to watch them.

“They won’t go.” Ren’s words were a statement rather than a question. Ren knew their parents.

“It’s not your fault. They have every reason to be cautious. You were permanently injured in the attack.” Doren searched with two of their tentacles, finding two of Ren’s to latch onto.

“Iwasinjured. But…I don’t regret giving my love. I don’t regret taking the risk.” Ren swirled the water around them as Doren stared, unable to understand what Ren was really saying.

“What?”

“Do I wish my lover had been more honest? That he hadn’t betrayed me? Yes. But how could I regret it?” For a moment, something flared more intensely than sadness in Ren’s eyes. “I loved him. I’ll never be ashamed of that. It was the truth. What he did with that love was awful, but that doesn’t negate how important that feeling was to me.”

“Oh, Ren…”