Tumoro had moved Malsum to the bunk and was wrapping a splint around his lower leg and ankle. They were talking softly to each other, Tumoro’s ears focused on Malsum’s words while he gently applied the splint.
Zeph could tell Malsum was trying hard not to show any discomfort as Tumoro worked. Then he noticed Malsum’s cheeks looked a little shiny, similar to what happened when Zeph’s scent glands overfilled.
Realization hit him.
“Oh.”
Han chuckled. “They’re going to be adorable together.”
“Perhaps,” was all he could think to say. Of course an Ugarian and Talin could pair off; it was no more impossible than a human and Talin. Still, it felt strange because he and Han were the first he knew of. It hadn’t occurred to him that other Talins might break with the empire so completely too. “Tumoro is tender hearted.”
“Don’t worry. I think Malsum might be the perfect person to protect Tumoro’s tender heart.”
He sounded a rumble of agreement. Malsum would be a fierce protector, and Tumoro would be a gentle caregiver. They’d complement each other perfectly.
He shifted his gaze down to her. “I went from being alone to this. How did it happen?”
She chuckled and lifted her face to give him a kiss on the chin. “You got lucky.”
He tightened his arms around her. “You speak the truth.”
Han
After the adrenaline wore off, Han could feel every bruise and sore muscle. She tried to sneak a vial of mild painkiller, but of course, Zeph saw it.
“It’s nothing,” she insisted, tossing the vial into the corner they’d designated for trash. The ship didn’t come with a reclamator, and the tiny trash storage had filled up on their way to Blish. It was just another way the ride to Yormun was going to be uncomfortable.
At least they weren’t going to run out of fuel. Sandar and Rensom had paid the port at Misorm to replace all the fuel rounds, including the spares. They could make it all the way to Inneeko now.
“If you need relief, then it’s not nothing!” he insisted, hovering over her. He was probably afraid to pick her up because she was “hurt.”
“I did a lot of exercise I’m not used to,” she explained. “I’m not injured or anything. Just a little sore and tired.”
Zeph purred and picked her up. There weren’t many places to sit, so he carried her back to the pilot’s chair. It was turned all the way around to face away from the display, giving them room to cuddle.
She wasn’t surprised when he started rubbing his scent glands all over her head and neck. If they had any privacy, he’d probably strip her down to cover her body in bonding oil.
Honestly, she’d like that too.
“Is anyone hungry?” Tumoro asked. “No one ate earlier.”
“We were all a little too nervous to be interested in food,” Sandar pointed out. “But yes, a meal would be nice.”
Everyone agreed they were hungry, and Tumoro jumped into action, obviously excited to be helpful.
Han wiggled a little in Zeph’s arms until she was snuggled comfortably against his chest. She drifted off into a light sleep. All the talking and sounds of Tumoro working with the old reconsitutor didn’t bother her at all. She’d grown up in a family and community where everyone was always visiting and having get-togethers, both human and Ugarian. If anything, the noise was a comforting reminder of home.
It was the scent of hot food that brought her out of her slumber. She opened her eyes to find Tumoro in front of her and Zeph holding a platter of food.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Tumoro whispered as Zeph accepted the food and balanced it on the chair’s wide arm.
“Fabulous,” she said sitting up. “Only a little worn out.”
Tumoro didn’t look convinced but didn’t question her further. He gave her a respectful nod then moved back to the food prep area to retrieve another plate and take it over to Malsum.
She let Zeph feed her. He needed all the reassurance and comforting interactions. Besides, she was starting to like it. Was that weird?
Had Zeph unlocked a new kink?
