Chapter 16 Destiny #2
I float into the Supplies Station on clouds of endorphins the next morning. I’m still high off the happy chemicals produced by being wined and dined last night, it seems. I smile at every citizen I meet and give Furga a beaming grin when I walk through the tall archway into my fulfillment position.
“Well, your mood has improved, I see,” my friend grins cheekily from the other side of the counter. “Things went well with Khur, I take it?”
I keep smiling like the Cheshire Cat as I walk around the counter to stand next to her, but I’m definitely the type to kiss and tell, so before long I’m spilling all the beans. Well, perhaps keeping a few of the spicier details to myself, but giving her a rundown of my amazing date all the same.
“He’s just so thoughtful, and sweet. And so big in a way I never thought I’d be into, but hoo-boy am I into it. I feel like a petite little princess every time I’m with him.”
“Ahh, and how many times were you with him last night?” she asks with a little ear wiggle. My face heats but I just giggle.
“Well, not like that, if you’re implying what I think you’re implying.
We’re taking it slow. You know, there’s the size difference to think about.
” At that she nods like she is thinking it, but doesn’t want to be the first say it.
“But also… I just met him. I’ve only been here for five days.
I don’t want either of us to rush into something and then regret it later. ”
“Why would you regret it? If there is an attraction, exploring that is only natural.”
“Humans generally are a bit more reserved than that, but I get what you’re saying, too.
I was worried about what other citizens would think at first. I didn’t want Khur or I to become social pariahs.
It seems like everyone who's seen us together has been pretty chill, though, if a bit curious. I guess I’m just…
worried I’ll get my heart broken. I like him so much already, I’m afraid if I give myself to him completely, and this doesn’t work out, it will crush me.
My mother didn’t really love my dad growing up, and when she left us, it destroyed him.
I don’t want to ever feel like that… but I’ve never felt like this, either. ”
Furga nods, leaning back against the counter, all pretense of work abandoned.
Luckily, the station is empty this morning, “Honestly? I’ve never seen Khur this happy, and I’ve known him almost my whole life.
We grew up in the same barracks community.
Urzu and I have been best friends since our fangs grew in.
Khur used to run around with my brothers, causing mischief. ”
Her smile is nostalgic and melancholy. I reach out and squeeze her forearm fondly. I sometimes forget that everyone here has lost someone. Hell, we all lost everything and somehow found a new place to start again. Furga especially, is so bright and cheerful, I didn’t even know she had brothers.
“I was the only one in my family to make it off Dhugar, besides my uncle anyways. What I was saying though, is that Khur is happier than I’ve ever seen him, more carefree and light.
Last night he came in singing! It woke the kids up and we’d just got them settled.
I’ve never heard him sing. It was like a purkull wailing in the night.
You made him that happy. I know because he sat down with Urzu and I and told us all about the meadows, and how joyous you were when the flower trains flew overhead.
He’s never sat down and talked to us like that, especially not since we came to Sanctuary.
You’ve changed him, Destiny, in the best way. ”
That is almost too much for my bursting heart to take, so I sniff up the tears threatening to make themselves present and grab the tablet on the counter.
“I don’t know what I’m waiting on. Maybe a sign from the universe,” I chuckle at my own joke, as if the universe hasn’t done enough for me already. “Let’s get these orders done. Maybe I can help you deliver today.”
“Actually, I asked Stomawk about another visitor. He did not like that idea. I wish there was something I could do to help him. He seems lonely.”
Thinking of the disastrous visit from Gunnvall to my dad, I reply, “maybe he just needs time. There’s an old human saying, time heals all wounds.”
“That’s funny, Dhugarens have a saying, too: an untouched wound will fester. You have to clean it out, put medicine on it sometimes, so that it can heal. You can’t ignore it and hope it will go away. The same goes for wounds of the soul. Or as you humans would say, of the heart.”
We make idle chatter as we pack orders and I keep an eye out for customers—though we are painfully slow and few citizens come in today—while she is delivering, and throughout the whole day I can’t stop thinking about what she said.
Maybe time doesn’t always heal. Maybe a wound needs to be debrided and sanitized, no matter how much it may hurt.
These thoughts stay in my mind as I walk home. I think it’s time my dad and I had a long talk.