“I had my duties, once I recovered,” Wyn commented. “But something unfortunate happened while I was sick.” He turnedaway, tail swishing in obvious agitation. Lucy watched the movements, butt wiggling. I caught her before she could attack him.
Holding her like a baby, I rubbed her belly. “What happened?”
He buried his face in his hands, tail strangling his ankle. “Commander Monqilcolnen was checking on everyone in the cargo bay, and when he stopped by me, I vomited on him.”
“No,” I said, mouth falling open. “What did he say?”
Wyn released a strangled sound. “He said, ‘Seriously, Ensign Puke?’”
“He knows your nickname. That can’t be good.”
“Nope,” Urgg said, guffawing. “I can’t believe you puked on him again.”
With another squeaking noise, Wyn merely shook his head.
I shrugged. “It could be worse.”
“How?” Wyn asked.
“You could work on Command instead of in the tunnels and have to see him every day.”
“It’s still awful.”
There was no denying that.
Urgg leaned back on their elbows and crossed their legs. “It’s not so bad. I’ve puked on Talvax, multiple times. It’s a sign of a strong relationship.”
“Except,” Wyn said, “you and Captain Talvax are mated.”
“Oh, but I’ve puked on many of my friends. On my planet, we drink until the sun rises and longer. Puking is a natural side effect,” they said with a wave of their hand.
I blinked as visions of being at a party where people kept puking on each other and brushing it off as a camaraderie moment flooded my brain. I shuddered. That was not my type of party, though I hated parties unless the person had pets who I could hang out with.
“How festive,” I said carefully.
They sighed with a wide grin. “It’s a beautiful thing. Sandy ground with jagged mountains. Long days with scorching heat. Raiding parties to hunt. Campfires. Caves. So much drinking and fighting. Breaking bones and spilling blood binds people. It’s a glorious place.”
Wyn and I glanced at each other. His expression matched mine. That did not sound pleasant, but who was I to ruin Urgg’s reminiscing? “Wonderful.”
“You two will have to come and visit when me and Talvax go next.”
Wyn looked uncomfortable at the prospect and didn’t respond. I merely said, “I’ll have to see if Kal wants to go.”
They gaped. “You’ve decided to stay?”
“What?” I asked, voice turning high-pitched. I had decided to stay, but I hadn’t told Kal yet, and he was the first person who should know.
“You didn’t sayifyou stay, you’d visit. Are you staying?” they asked, getting to their knees. Wyn shifted in my direction, eyebrows raised.
“I’m staying.” Both of them cheered, and a grin grew on my lips. It was nice to have friends who cared about me. “But I haven’t told Kal yet so don’t say anything to anyone.”
“Why haven’t you told him?” Wyn asked, tail touching my wrist.
“I’m waiting for the right moment.”
Urgg grunted. “I don’t think he’ll care about perfect timing. Tell him so he can stop worrying about it.”
“I agree with Urgg,” Wyn said.
