Chapter Thirty Corrina
It’s several days until I have a chance to accompany the haleen trio back to the lake, but the days in between settle into a comfortable routine.
We take most of our meals together in the mess hall, and then I join them in their chambers in the evenings.
We pass the time in a variety of pursuits – watching videos together, playing games, and teaching me their hand language.
I honestly think I enjoy learning the language the most. There is something personal and intimate about communicating like this – having to pay attention to the way their hands move, their facial expressions, their body language.
In truth, I find myself watching them for reasons beyond just learning the language.
They are objectively impressive physical specimens, and their disinclination to wear clothing in their chambers offers plenty of opportunity to observe the way their muscles flex and move beneath their green skin.
But it is the way they interact with one another that fascinates me most. There is nothing sexual about their relationships with one another, both from their own admission and from their behavior.
And yet, they are generous with touch and affection.
It is as if they need the reassurance of each other’s hands and bodies, particularly when they are in the nest together.
I have, thus far, begged off joining them in their cozy pile of mattresses, pillows, and blankets, but it is a tempting prospect.
I find that I sometimes envy them the freedom to simply be together like that.
It has been a long time since I experienced that kind of easy physical companionship, probably since Curran and I were together at the academy.
It is one of the costs that comes with a position of authority like mine, and I knew that when I started on this path.
But it doesn’t mean that I don’t miss the comfort and intimacy of physical connection sometimes.
“What are you thinking about?” Krish asks softly, and I realize that the video we were watching has ended. Three sets of golden yellow eyes are fixed on me as I startle.
“Oh, just thinking,” I reply absently. Krish’s head is leaned against Davix’s stomach, his legs tangled up with Zann’s in the nest. The three of them look so peaceful and relaxed, and something tightens in my chest for a moment.
“About what?” Davix signs.
“It’s really not important,” I say with a wave of my hand.
“But you are important,” Zann says, rolling over to prop himself up on his elbows as he looks at me. “And you can talk to us.”
I smile at him. “Thank you,” I tell him. “But it’s really nothing. I was just thinking about the past.” Before any of them can press the issue further, I stand. “I should probably get going. This was fun, as always.”
“Corrina,” Zann calls softly, and I stop before the door to look at him. For a moment he looks as if he will say something else, but then he just gives me a warm smile. “Sleep well,” he says, and I head out the door with a wave.
???
“Good morning, Commander,” Liu calls as I step into the office. “Got a minute?”
“Of course,” I reply. “What’s up?”
“I got a message from housing. They want to know how much longer the haleens will be staying on base.”
“Right,” I say partially to myself. Now that everything with the trial is over and the trio have started working, they really should probably be moving on to their own space.
I’ve been able to pay for their housing out of my own funds, but I don’t want that to become common knowledge.
I also don’t relish the idea of them moving off base into their own space.
It’s nice to be able to see them every day and spend time together in my downtime.
But it’s probably time. “I’ll talk to them about it tonight,” I tell Liu.
He gives me an understanding look and then nods.
“What else is on my plate for today?” I ask, moving to settle behind my desk and pull up my planner.
Liu rattles off a list of tasks and meetings, but my mind is elsewhere.