Broken Boundaries

06 - Steadfast Support

He held up the container. 'Want some too?'

She nodded and smiled a little. 'Please.'

He put the container on the counter. 'Don't stand there like a shy schoolgirl, I'm not going to bite or anything.'

Tiness hurried over and made herself a bowl of fruit and meat. Alain chuckled. 'Be yourself, that's all Asitha and I expect of you.'

'I'm not used to this.' Tiness said. 'The only other time where I could be myself was with my friends at home who were like me. Before we..'

Alain watched her smile fade as she stared down. He pat her head. 'That's behind you now. Nothing you can change about that. As far as I'm concerned we'll live comfortably together here with the three of us, and if they decide to stop this project I'd like it if we could find a new place together.'

She looked up at him. 'Together!?'

'If you'd be willing to put with a human and Asitha.' he said and chuckled. 'I'm not really good with people but I like to be around you two.'

She smiled. 'I'd like that.'

Asitha came up behind them and put her arms around their waists. 'What're you talking about and what're you making?'

Alain put a small cut of dried meat in her mouth. 'I said if we ever have to leave this place I'd like to find a new place to live with the both of you.'

Asitha looked at him with big eyes. 'Really?'

He nodded. 'Maybe I just want to keep cute creatures around me for as long as possible.'

Asitha sniggered. 'Trying to be the mighty male like in your movies?'

He shrugged. 'One of the few aspects of the male heroes I can agree with.'

Asitha leaned her head close to Tiness. 'Maybe we should rethink our evaluation of this human male. Seems he does have some resemblances to our Silth males.'

Tiness giggled. 'If it's just that, I don't mind staying with Alain.'

Asitha sighed. 'Then I'd better stay as well to keep an eye on things. Make sure he behaves.'

Alain smirked. 'Admit it, you want to stay for my cooking.'

Asitha huffed. 'Fine, I admit it.' she said and poked his back. 'So you better keep making tasty things.'

Alain handed her one of the bowls he made. 'It's settled then, I'm living out my life with two big cats.'

Asitha growled playfully, Careful, two very big cats can be dangerous.'

'Rowr.' said Alain and the girls giggled as they went to the couch.

***

Tiness gazed at Alain a few days later. 'Are you all right?'

He looked up from his inventory sheet. 'Just a little tired from the debris I had to clear today. Why?'

She narrowed her eyes. 'Your eyes and face look a little redder.'

He gave her a smile. 'I'm thinking of taking a nap after I'm done with this, that'll recharge me.'

She nodded. 'Then we'll see you later. We're working near the rear of the ship this shift.' she said and left for the airlock above.

When she and Asitha returned at the end of the shift they found the living empty. 'Alain?' said Asitha.

'His suit is here.' said Tiness. 'He can't be outside.'