CHAPTER 5
When the concert’s over, everyone just kind of slumps in sated satisfaction. In the middle of the booth, with my head on Mooralan’s shoulder, and my legs draped across Ferrok’s lap, I don’t want to get up.
All that’s left of my cheesecake is the disk it was supported on and I licked that clean.
“I might not need to feed my sweet tooth for a month,” I say softly.
Ferrok’s hand strokes my leg like he’s petting me. “Do humans only have one tooth for sweet things?”
I can’t help but laugh. “No, sorry, it’s just an expression.” And then, because I’m in a sharing mood. “We taste things with our tongue.”
Through his pants, Ferrok’s cock nudges at my leg and I know he’s thinking about what he’s felt from my tongue.
But he doesn’t mention it, so I don’t either.
People slowly start to get up and clear out, leaving their tables absolute messes. But the tables and chairs sink into the floor as soon as they’re vacated… the booths too.
When I stop to watch ours descend, Mooralan dips his head down close to my ear. “They’re cleared and sprayed down with a sanitizer before they come back up.”
“Cool.”
There is no staff, no one to clear the place out. It’s silent when we leave and then, it’s loud again.
The district is fuller than it was before and I wonder about the times on the station. It feels like a busy night, even though the light level hasn’t changed.
“So,” I say, glancing around. “What else did you have planned for the night?”
I expect a comment about going home with one or both of them. Or even going back to Phantoms. It doesn’t come. Neither of them even look at the capsule hotel.
“I should go home and sleep.” Mooralan says as he looks down at me, “Being tired is not compatible with my job.”
“And I like you with your current number of fingers.”
Ferrok says something in a language I don’t understand and Mooralan nods.
“And I should go as well.” He asks for my hand, and once again gives me a side-beak kiss. “I hope to encounter you again, here, or there.”
“Me too.”
With another glance at Mooralan, Ferrok leaves us, walking casually through the crush of people.
One of his eyes looks back at us, but only once.
“What did he say before he left?”
“Despite the fact that I informed him there is no agreement between us, he does not want to interfere.”
“So… that was his way of bowing out so that you could possibly take me home.”
“Yes.” He looks after his friend. “But I do need to sleep. And I believe I should set the record straight, as you say on Earth.”
“And I have some things I need to take care of at Phantom’s.”
He hesitates. “I have enjoyed our time together, very much,” he smiles down at me. “But I cannot afford exclusivity, and I would never tell my friend he could not enjoy your company in any way you wish to give it to him.”
Exclusivity doesn’t sound like dating… I’m going to have to talk to Phantom about that.
“I hope to see you around the station more often, Jade.” He kisses my cheek again and I keep my eyes closed a moment longer, lingering in the feeling.
“Until next time.” Mooralan leaves in the same direction as Ferrok and I imagine he’ll hurry to catch up with his friend.
I’m tired too, but I wander the corridors a little while longer—digesting.
Pausing to talk to Cherry and her beautiful tentacled best friend, I start to feel like… I could abandon Earth. There’s a peace in this chaos.
When I get back to the club, Phantom is in their office, seemingly waiting for me.
I sit across from them. “I would like to go to sleep right now, but tomorrow… I want to know the logistics of moving here and living here before I make any decision.
They don’t have lips or teeth, and yet… I get the feeling they’re smiling at me.
Probably because they know I have already made my decision.