40. Bambi
BAMBI
The building Gorg shows us to is a lot nicer than I expected, though I’m not exactly sure what I anticipated.
It’s a large ground-floor structure with no stairs to be had.
From what I heard on the way over here, there is a smaller building, similar to a mother-in-law cottage, that Shagar and Atasha are going to stay in.
That way they’re close, but not so close that an impressionable child might catch her older siblings doing things that are only for adults.
Coming back here was a hard decision for Shagar to make, and she’s been quiet and withdrawn since leaving the Zenith. Einar and Slavic settled her and little sister into their new home first, before tackling moving their mates off the Zenith.
Pausing, I grab Bikar by the hand and pull him to the side of our new front porch. A couple of the girls look at me, but I wave them on. This structure… house—whatever—is a little isolated from the rest of the community, and I realize I haven’t seen Heather since she stormed off earlier.
“Bikar?”
“Hmm?”
“Where is Heather staying? I haven’t seen her since she left the meeting this morning, and it just dawned on me that she’s not staying with us.”
“Ah, yes. Per what I overheard…”
Narrowing my eyes, I interrupt him. “You mean what you snooped and found out.”
He has the nerve to look slightly offended. “My mate. I would nev…”
“Oh, cut the crap, Bikar. We both know you would and did, so spill it.”
“If you would stop cutting me off midsentence, I would be happy to acquiesce to your request.” He pauses for dramatic effect, and when I just stare at him, he carries on.
“As I was saying, per what I overheard, she requested a dwelling built for single occupancy. Vornek saw no issue with this, and found one for her… the downside is that it’s a bit of a walk from here.
By my calculations, it will take almost ten of your human minutes to get from our home to hers. ”
Contemplating that for a second, I have to admit it makes sense.
Heather loved her husband dearly, and she has no desire or use for another man in her life.
I’m not sure she’s ever going to let another back into her heart.
Having a quiet space she can decompress in after socializing all day is perfect for her, and I’m glad Vornek was able to give her what she needs.
She’s told me several times that she’s going to die an old cat lady, and is utterly content with the notion.
Her being a ten-minute walk isn’t as close as I would like, but it’s not like she’s in another city or something.
“You’ll show me how to get there, right?”
“Of course. I would be happy to.”
Smiling warmly, I turn and walk through the front door of my new home.
Scanning the open area we’ve entered, it seems that all the common areas are centrally located with multiple hallways splitting in different directions.
Trying to picture it in my mind, I realize it looks similar to a human hand with each “finger” being a separate wing.
There isn’t a lot of décor, but that’s not unexpected since no one’s lived here in years.
Peering closer, I’m surprised—and pleased—that there isn’t a layer of dust and dirt on everything.
Vornek must have had someone run over and spot clean before we arrived.
It’s so nice!
This should work well for all of us. Each brother and his wife—mate—can have a wing with private living quarters to themselves, but the communal areas for socializing.
The guys haven’t been apart since they escaped the Aynar from this planet, and I don’t think any of them are dealing with Falon’s absence. Not that they would ever admit to something like that. None of them have brought up their missing brother once since Bikar told everyone he left.
One by one, the Ruks drop their collection of items in the middle of what I’d call the living room floor. Watching Einar and Rowan retreat hand in hand towards their wing as Ruby is hoisted over a growling Slavic’s shoulder makes me smile.
We’re healing.
Slowly, but the speed of improvement isn’t important. Progress is progress, especially when you’ve dealt with the type of shit we have.
Rowan is a specific example of that. It took a lot of cajoling to get her off the Zenith, but between Ruby and Einar, they got it done. Rowan had it harder than any of us back on Earth, so her trauma runs a lot deeper than ours.
Ruarc shakes his head at Slavic’s antics, but that doesn’t stop him from scooping up his Kallen, ignoring her surprised shriek and stalking off muttering under his breath. Whatever he says makes her burst into joyous laughter that echoes off the walls.
Murgul—or possibly Vrog, it’s hard to tell—not to be outdone by the rest of the males, scoops Gwen and Neera up with his tail before deftly settling them in his arms. His altered body practically prowls away from us in his haste to get his mate alone.
Murgul isn’t really one for socializing outside of spending time with Gwen, so I don’t foresee them joining us for supper…
or breakfast often if Murgul has his way. Gwen, though, is super social.
The massive pile of bags, cases, crates, and personal belongings left in the middle of the communal area makes me snicker. I suppose they’ll all come back for their stuff… eventually.
Afterwards.
Smirking as I walk around the stack of stuff, I follow Bikar down the hall towards our private rooms. The concept isn’t ominous like I thought it would be, but Bikar has a way of making everything okay.
Frowning at the broad expanse of his back, I wonder if he feels slighted.
His brothers have absconded with their mates in various fashions for obvious reasons, but here we are, walking alongside each other without any physical contact.
I mean, he is carrying a lot of stuff, but he didn’t even try to ditch it so he could carry me off like a princess in a story before getting thoroughly ravished.
I can’t decide if I feel disappointed about it or not.
Sharing a living space with someone I actually like and enjoy being around is going to be a new experience.
Lord knows that cohabitation with my dad was more akin to a hostage situation than a happy home.
Bikar loves me, so this will be vastly different than how I grew up.
The worry Bikar will try something sexual or underhanded once we’re alone isn’t present.
At all.
After being around Bikar—and his brothers—I’ve realized their actions match their words.
Sure, they’re loud and boisterous, but they would all sooner cut off their own hands than hurt a woman.
Bikar’s bit of idiocy with Murgul was a behavioral anomaly, not the norm, and he pulled that stunt for me out of desperation.
Peering up at him, I realize the dim light I keep catching a glimpse of on the walls is coming from his eyes.
Now that I think about it, Bikar’s eyes have had a slight glow to them since all of us came inside, so I know he’s up to something. “Alright, spill the tea. What kind of snooping are you doing?”
Blinking down at me, face full of innocence, he opens the door for me, allowing me to enter our new space first. “Why would you think I am snooping, little doe?”
“Blow smoke up someone else’s butt, Bikar. Your eyes only glow like that when you’re digging around in a computer system or doing something techy. So, what are you up to?”
Closing the door behind us, he offers me a sweet smile.
“You are far more observant than most would credit you for. It is nothing nefarious, I promise. I am merely checking out the security parameters for our new home. We all have our foibles, and mine is ensuring that no one can gain access where my loved ones are.”
“Okay, that makes sense. I guess you’re beefing it up, huh?”
He pauses for a second, eyes flaring, and I know he’s researching the context of what I just said. “Yes, that is an accurate description of what I am doing.”
Looking around the area we’ve entered, I’m pleasantly surprised.
It’s similar to the common areas with an open floor plan, and the décor is not utilitarian metal like the ships.
Wooden furniture with fluffy cushions is mixed with metal and synthetic materials, blending rustic and outer space in a way that works seamlessly.
Several doorways are spaced around what appears to be a living room.
Heading over to the closest opening, I peek in and see a bedroom with two more doors that I surmise can only lead to a closet and bathroom.
“Good news! There’s a bed.”
Chuckling, he sets down the bags he’s toted all the way from the Scythe.
“There are two private sleeping chambers in this wing. That is why I picked it. The others have one large room that my brothers and their mates will share, with room to add on to the unit if they have any younglings in the future. I know you are not yet ready to share a bed with me, so I ensured you would have what you need for optimal comfort.”
I can feel my eyes welling with tears at how freaking nice he’s being to me. “You’re not… disappointed that you don’t have what they do?”
His heavy brows fall into a frown, and he crosses the room in quick strides.
Dropping to his knees so we are closer to eye level, he rushes to reassure me.
“How could I possibly be disappointed? I have found my mate; she is coming to know me, and has consented to sharing a living space with me. There is a lot there to be thankful for.”
“But…”
He shushes me with a finger against my lips.
“But, nothing. Our relationship is just that. Ours. We will not hold ourselves to the standards of others, nor their expectations, nor what they think we should do. All is well. Please do not worry about this.” Tilting his head, he smirks, and I know he’s about to say something outrageous.
“Although, my back may never recover from hauling all your plunder from the Scythe to our new home. You have accumulated quite the array of items, my Starshine.”
Playfully shoving him, he pretends to fall over. “There is no need for such gratuitous violence. I will happily fetch the rest of your things.”
I can’t help but giggle. He has a way of putting me at ease through laughter. “Okay, Bikar. I’ll do my best not to worry about it… Also, it isn’t that much stuff.”
“Allow me to remove myself from your immediate vicinity, lest your God strike me by accident for your falsehood.”
He did not just say that.
“Oh, shut up. I can’t believe you just said that to me.”
“I merely speak the truth as I know it, little doe.”
I adore it when he calls me that. I’ve come to realize that gazing at his inhuman face no longer fills me with dread, and hasn’t for a while now. In fact, it’s become… dear to me. Leaning in, eyes closing, I press my lips against his in a clumsy kiss that he immediately takes advantage of.
Typical, Bikar. Give him an inch, he takes a mile.
Scooping me up, he carries me to the couch without breaking contact between our mouths and settles us into the hottest make-out session of my life.