Lena Roze
Self care was never something Halia was good at. She never had been, and until now, she never needed to be. She managed to push through life by sheer grit and determination alone up to this point. Following a near concussion at the hands of a stupid starfish draining her energy, however, she made the executive decision to take a few days off of work to rest and recover. She knew that it was long overdue, and that she was running on beyond empty, but she had resisted the idea until falling flat on her face by the pool and getting gently scolded by Aberdonia about taking better care of herself.
Sitting cross-legged on her couch, Halia smiled and shot Khaz another text. ‘I promise I took time off work to rest and recover. I'm bored to tears though without work.’ It wasn't a lie, either. Without going to work or doing senshi things, Halia found herself completely and utterly bored. What had she even done to fill her time before this? She felt like it was a lifetime ago that she awakened as Aruna.
Sitting cross-legged on her couch, Halia smiled and shot Khaz another text. ‘I promise I took time off work to rest and recover. I'm bored to tears though without work.’ It wasn't a lie, either. Without going to work or doing senshi things, Halia found herself completely and utterly bored. What had she even done to fill her time before this? She felt like it was a lifetime ago that she awakened as Aruna.
elfstar89
Khaz lay on his bed, reading through the driver’s ed manual, butt-end of a highlighter sticking out of his mouth as he skimmed for anything else that looked important to highlight in this section. Honestly, for his long-term purposes, Virginia’s road laws weren’t the most necessary for him, and, worse, they made mind-numbing reading. That said, he was going to have to learn to drive in Virginia, not on Aberdonia, so state road laws were still relevant, and still pertained to his experiences.
That said, it was a little bit of a relief when he heard a buzzing next to him on the nightstand. Setting down the dreadfully dull subject matter, he peered at the notification that lit up the screen. A text from Halia. He hadn’t seen her in a week or two. How was she doing?
Better, apparently, but also bored to tears. Khaz’s eyes drifted away from the screen, thoughtful. He was also feeling a bit bored and cooped up, so maybe they could fix it together? But how would they do so? He didn’t really know much about her interests, or if anything overlapped, but he could always shoot her an idea and see if anything stuck.
Worst came to worst, they could always sit and watch movies–
An idea struck him, and he spat out the highlighter, scooping up the phone, swiping to unlock it, and furiously texting a response to Halia.
I’m working on reading through the driver’s ed manual, and I need a break from the tedium.
Wanna watch a movie? There’s one I’ve been meaning to watch–K-Pop Demon Hunters is the name, I think. Want me to come over? I can get us some popcorn or something to eat while we watch.
Anxiety filled him at the suggestion, but maybe she wouldn’t judge him. His family didn’t really know about her, so no likelihood of his interests, hobbies, or preferences getting back to other people.
He’d just have to take the risk.
That said, it was a little bit of a relief when he heard a buzzing next to him on the nightstand. Setting down the dreadfully dull subject matter, he peered at the notification that lit up the screen. A text from Halia. He hadn’t seen her in a week or two. How was she doing?
Better, apparently, but also bored to tears. Khaz’s eyes drifted away from the screen, thoughtful. He was also feeling a bit bored and cooped up, so maybe they could fix it together? But how would they do so? He didn’t really know much about her interests, or if anything overlapped, but he could always shoot her an idea and see if anything stuck.
Worst came to worst, they could always sit and watch movies–
An idea struck him, and he spat out the highlighter, scooping up the phone, swiping to unlock it, and furiously texting a response to Halia.
I’m working on reading through the driver’s ed manual, and I need a break from the tedium.
Wanna watch a movie? There’s one I’ve been meaning to watch–K-Pop Demon Hunters is the name, I think. Want me to come over? I can get us some popcorn or something to eat while we watch.
Anxiety filled him at the suggestion, but maybe she wouldn’t judge him. His family didn’t really know about her, so no likelihood of his interests, hobbies, or preferences getting back to other people.
He’d just have to take the risk.
Lena Roze
As her phone buzzed, Halia smiled and read the text. ’That sounds fun! My apartment is pretty bare bones but I do have a TV. Bring whatever you want and I can door dash whatever we decide on after?’ There was a distinct lack of decorations in her apartment, save for the ornate vintage tea set and a bouquet of glowing flowers she had brought back from her last trip to Aruna. The latter could be cause for concern potentially, but really, anyone who visited her home was either powered or in the information loop anyways, so she didn't worry. ’I have AC and various things to drink. ETA?’
elfstar89
About 15 minutes; is there anywhere I can chain up a bike? he texted back before slipping on some sandals and briefly running a comb through his hair. He could snag a packet of popcorn from the pantry on the way out the door. It could go in subspace until he needed it.
Which…now that he had his base camp on Aberdonia set up…was now open up for him to start adding other things he wouldn’t normally consider essential to fighting Chaos. Like a makeup go bag. Or a towel and some deodorant. Plus an oversized water bottle and a few granola bars. Once the temperatures started dropping again, he’d probably toss a heavy blanket into the mix. Charging cables also got to live there rent-free. Plus the burner phone Daesva had given him.
A packet of popcorn soon joined everything else in subspace, before letting his mother and sister know he was heading out. Yasmeen tilted her head curious, her eyes seeming to ask if it was senshi business. Khaz gave her the slightest shake of his head, and she nodded equally slightly, turning back to what she was doing. While Khaz didn’t want her to endanger herself as a senshi, he knew that, if he was going out to do battle, or a patrol, she’d want to be there, too, doing her bit. Fortunately, that wasn’t necessary today.
A couple minutes later, he retrieved his bike and helmet from where they were stationed by the porch and was biking his way toward Halia’s new apartment.
Which…now that he had his base camp on Aberdonia set up…was now open up for him to start adding other things he wouldn’t normally consider essential to fighting Chaos. Like a makeup go bag. Or a towel and some deodorant. Plus an oversized water bottle and a few granola bars. Once the temperatures started dropping again, he’d probably toss a heavy blanket into the mix. Charging cables also got to live there rent-free. Plus the burner phone Daesva had given him.
A packet of popcorn soon joined everything else in subspace, before letting his mother and sister know he was heading out. Yasmeen tilted her head curious, her eyes seeming to ask if it was senshi business. Khaz gave her the slightest shake of his head, and she nodded equally slightly, turning back to what she was doing. While Khaz didn’t want her to endanger herself as a senshi, he knew that, if he was going out to do battle, or a patrol, she’d want to be there, too, doing her bit. Fortunately, that wasn’t necessary today.
A couple minutes later, he retrieved his bike and helmet from where they were stationed by the porch and was biking his way toward Halia’s new apartment.
Lena Roze
Halia smiled fondly and shot him a thumbs up emoji in reply before settling back to relax as she waited. So far, she had only had two people over outside of her grandfather, and it made her admittedly a little nervous. But this was good, right? Letting herself have more friends, especially of the Senshi variety.
When she heard a knock at the door, she got up and stretched before coming to open it. ”Hey! I hope it was easy enough to find?” She stepped out of the way for Khaz to enter, though she nearly tripped over the plant near the doorway. She still hasn't quite settled on a place to put the housewarming gifts from the twins, having changed the location of the houseplants frequently since getting them. It seemed that it would have to change it's home again though.
When she heard a knock at the door, she got up and stretched before coming to open it. ”Hey! I hope it was easy enough to find?” She stepped out of the way for Khaz to enter, though she nearly tripped over the plant near the doorway. She still hasn't quite settled on a place to put the housewarming gifts from the twins, having changed the location of the houseplants frequently since getting them. It seemed that it would have to change it's home again though.
elfstar89
Khaz had locked his bike up in a bike rack outside the apartment before heading up. He was anxious as he knocked at the door. He didn’t look too out of place here, did he, a male high schooler outside a single older woman’s apartment? Well, he did look mature for his age, so maybe it was fine…
It was a minor relief when Halia opened the door and greeted him. “Not too hard, no,” he replied, ducking his head a little as he entered the somewhat spartan space Halia called home. Very little in the way of decoration, just an antique-looking tea set and a few houseplants, including a bouquet of glowing flowers he’d never seen before on Earth. Khaz blinked at them curiously. “Are those from your homeworld?” he asked softly, indicating the glowing flowers as he removed his sandals.
If those were from her homeworld…would he someday bring things like that home? Artifacts, strange vegetation…heck, if he ever found vertebrates living on his homeworld, he’d be hardcore tempted to take them home. Maybe once he had his own space. Possibly after college. Right now, he was too worried about damaging things to take them home, and about the possibility of getting found out and getting in trouble for being in impossible possession of things that looked extremely ancient Egyptian. Yeah, it was going to be a looonnng time before Khaz felt safe to take anything home from Aberdonia without a boatload of questions he couldn’t answer getting asked.
It was a minor relief when Halia opened the door and greeted him. “Not too hard, no,” he replied, ducking his head a little as he entered the somewhat spartan space Halia called home. Very little in the way of decoration, just an antique-looking tea set and a few houseplants, including a bouquet of glowing flowers he’d never seen before on Earth. Khaz blinked at them curiously. “Are those from your homeworld?” he asked softly, indicating the glowing flowers as he removed his sandals.
If those were from her homeworld…would he someday bring things like that home? Artifacts, strange vegetation…heck, if he ever found vertebrates living on his homeworld, he’d be hardcore tempted to take them home. Maybe once he had his own space. Possibly after college. Right now, he was too worried about damaging things to take them home, and about the possibility of getting found out and getting in trouble for being in impossible possession of things that looked extremely ancient Egyptian. Yeah, it was going to be a looonnng time before Khaz felt safe to take anything home from Aberdonia without a boatload of questions he couldn’t answer getting asked.
Lena Roze
Halia's eyes lit up as the bouquet was noticed and she nodded. “Yes! There's two sorts of bioluminescent blooms on Aruna, and they last quite a while as cut flowers I've learned.” She plucked one of each from the vase and held them out to him for him to have. ”I don't know what they're called, but they resemble cosmos and lily of the valley here on earth.” It made her excited to talk about Aruna now. Before, it would have filled her with dread and trepidation, but since it had blossomed and come back to life as much as it had, she took pride and joy in it.
Gesturing at her apartment, she smiled warmly. ”Make yourself comfortable. Did you want anything to eat or drink?” She was grateful that her grandfather had yet again dropped fresh food off for her, as well as a few treats he had made. ”I could….show you Aruna sometimes if you wanted, by the way? It's uh. It's a little gloomy at first glance, but there's genuine beauty in it. I've worked hard on restoring it…”
Gesturing at her apartment, she smiled warmly. ”Make yourself comfortable. Did you want anything to eat or drink?” She was grateful that her grandfather had yet again dropped fresh food off for her, as well as a few treats he had made. ”I could….show you Aruna sometimes if you wanted, by the way? It's uh. It's a little gloomy at first glance, but there's genuine beauty in it. I've worked hard on restoring it…”
elfstar89
Khaz peered at them with fascination. “I haven’t yet seen anything on Aberdonia that doesn’t exist on Earth, unless the date palms, water lilies, and papyri are technically different species from those on Earth, so that’s honestly really cool, especially the bit about bioluminescence.” He paused thoughtfully, accepting the blossoms and delicately tucking them into subspace. Yasmeen and Keesh would love to see these. “Bioluminescence…it doesn’t get as dark on Aruna as it might otherwise, does it, with some of the vegetation lighting up the night? That sounds really pretty, I’d be down to take a look sometime,” he said with a hint of excitement. In that regard, it was a little bit of a bummer that the plants of Aberdonia didn’t so far seem so unique, but that did mean that anything he researched on Earth about how to interact with them would likely hold true.
Which meant there was technically edible food on Aberdonia. If he could figure out how to harvest dates, lotus roots, and whatever else might grow there. After that would be the question of cooking anything that couldn’t be eaten fresh… Nope, too much headache for one afternoon.
Careful not to damage or disturb anything, Khaz made his way to her couch and seated himself. “I’m good with whatever you’ve got on hand.” It felt a little rude to be picky about her hospitality, and, besides, if it was super fatty or something, he could always do some extra exercise once he got home. Maybe find a youma or something. Actually, retract that, maybe just go on patrol with Yasmeen.
Which meant there was technically edible food on Aberdonia. If he could figure out how to harvest dates, lotus roots, and whatever else might grow there. After that would be the question of cooking anything that couldn’t be eaten fresh… Nope, too much headache for one afternoon.
Careful not to damage or disturb anything, Khaz made his way to her couch and seated himself. “I’m good with whatever you’ve got on hand.” It felt a little rude to be picky about her hospitality, and, besides, if it was super fatty or something, he could always do some extra exercise once he got home. Maybe find a youma or something. Actually, retract that, maybe just go on patrol with Yasmeen.
Lena Roze
”A lot of Aruna is underground, actually, so it's really dazzling. There's this cave I found with a lake, and when I brought my friend and his sister to see it, we even found glowing moths there. It really is just…..breathtaking.” She was clearly fond of her planet, having put in a good deal of effort lately. Maybe it had something to do with the boy she had brought there, wanting to show off something that was so uniquely hers to him. Or maybe it was just the fact that her soul was connected to it. Either way, she took pride in it and cared for it.
Getting up from the couch, Halia stretched before heading into the kitchen to grab them food and drink, coming back with a decent selection. In one arm she had a choice of various soda and juice, and in the other hand she held a tray with various snacks and treats on it. Setting everything down, she gave him a shy smile. ”My grandpa brought a bunch of things over. And my friends made cookies as a housewarming gift too. Help yourself.” She settled back on the couch again as she gestured at the spread before them.
Getting up from the couch, Halia stretched before heading into the kitchen to grab them food and drink, coming back with a decent selection. In one arm she had a choice of various soda and juice, and in the other hand she held a tray with various snacks and treats on it. Setting everything down, she gave him a shy smile. ”My grandpa brought a bunch of things over. And my friends made cookies as a housewarming gift too. Help yourself.” She settled back on the couch again as she gestured at the spread before them.
elfstar89
Khaz nodded, accepting a cookie and some juice. “You’ve found insects? You’re ahead of me, then. Just plants, hieroglyphs I can’t read, solar panels, and electric cars so rusted I could barely tell they even were electric cars,” he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Which, it’s cool that Aberdonia is basically ancient Egypt in space with electricity, renewable energy, and cars, but there’s so little I can actually do with any of that.”
“Aaannnyyywaaayyy,” he said, reaching into subspace for a small flash drive with some files he didn’t particularly want others to know about. “Movie?” he asked. He was glad he’d asked some friends some months ago about torrenting files, mostly so he could download things he wanted to watch that he didn’t want others to know about. His friends probably assumed it was either for something racy, or something not widely available in the US. And the actual things he wanted to pirate…yeah. No. He was not ready to have that conversation with them. “I don’t know if you have some way to play the contents of a flash drive on your TV,” he admitted apologetically, “but if you don’t, we can always borrow my family’s Netflix account, I’ll just have to watch a bunch of other things later so that my family doesn’t notice anything weird.” Unless he could pass it off as Yasmeen watching it with Keesh. Which did seem likely.
“Aaannnyyywaaayyy,” he said, reaching into subspace for a small flash drive with some files he didn’t particularly want others to know about. “Movie?” he asked. He was glad he’d asked some friends some months ago about torrenting files, mostly so he could download things he wanted to watch that he didn’t want others to know about. His friends probably assumed it was either for something racy, or something not widely available in the US. And the actual things he wanted to pirate…yeah. No. He was not ready to have that conversation with them. “I don’t know if you have some way to play the contents of a flash drive on your TV,” he admitted apologetically, “but if you don’t, we can always borrow my family’s Netflix account, I’ll just have to watch a bunch of other things later so that my family doesn’t notice anything weird.” Unless he could pass it off as Yasmeen watching it with Keesh. Which did seem likely.
Lena Roze
Halia tilted her head and frowned a little. “You don't have to talk about it if you don't want….but I take it your family isn't exactly the most accepting when it comes to anything non-traditionally male oriented?” She knew what it felt like to have a parent scrutinizing every single breath she took. “If…..if it makes you feel any more comfortable about it, i can relate in a sense. Having a parent judging every little move you make.”
Taking the flash drive, she went to look at the back of her TV. Her grandfather had gotten it for her, in addition to the new couch, claiming she needed something nice in her new apartment, though she was still figuring all the different little features out. “Worst case, we can use my own Netflix. That way you don't have to worry.” She gave him a warm smile over her shoulder before finally finding the USB slot. “Found it! Let's see…..” Taking a step back, she grabbed the remote and started fiddling with the settings before finally pulling the menu up and locating the movie.
Moving to take a seat on the couch, she gestured for him to join her. “Make yourself comfortable. I won't bite or anything.” She laughed softly and for once, it reached her eyes, lighting up her whole face. The dark circles were still there, though they had faded a significant amount, and she seemed healthier than when he last had seen her.
Taking the flash drive, she went to look at the back of her TV. Her grandfather had gotten it for her, in addition to the new couch, claiming she needed something nice in her new apartment, though she was still figuring all the different little features out. “Worst case, we can use my own Netflix. That way you don't have to worry.” She gave him a warm smile over her shoulder before finally finding the USB slot. “Found it! Let's see…..” Taking a step back, she grabbed the remote and started fiddling with the settings before finally pulling the menu up and locating the movie.
Moving to take a seat on the couch, she gestured for him to join her. “Make yourself comfortable. I won't bite or anything.” She laughed softly and for once, it reached her eyes, lighting up her whole face. The dark circles were still there, though they had faded a significant amount, and she seemed healthier than when he last had seen her.
elfstar89
Khaz sighed, leaning back into the couch. “Honestly, I don’t know, my mom’s side of the family hasn’t made noises of any kind, but my dad’s side of the family is supremely judgy. Like, they legit think of my mom as my dad’s American sidepiece who’s making him stop being the ideal youngest son, and they’d rather my dad abandon us. And Dad’s virtually never home, and they keep setting Dad up on dates with girls whose families will benefit my uncles’ business ventures, and my uncles and paternal grandfather are all super conservative Muslims. Dad’s kinda dead to me, and I’d rather not lose what I still have,” he admitted with a heavy sigh. “Big rant, right when the movie’s beginning,” he added guiltily, realizing he was ranting over the opening song, which was turning into a bit of a bop.
The animation was a bit jerky, but the designs were pretty, the makeup already looked really fun, the music was good, and the characters seemed really cute. So far, this was turning into a good choice of movie, and he hoped Halia was enjoying it, too. It would really suck if she didn’t enjoy this. Particularly given how Halia had been feeling lately. Particularly given how Khaz always felt after explaining the suckitude that was his dad’s side of the family.
Snagging a second cookie, he relaxed back into the couch, focusing on the movie, instead of his messed up familial dynamics.
The animation was a bit jerky, but the designs were pretty, the makeup already looked really fun, the music was good, and the characters seemed really cute. So far, this was turning into a good choice of movie, and he hoped Halia was enjoying it, too. It would really suck if she didn’t enjoy this. Particularly given how Halia had been feeling lately. Particularly given how Khaz always felt after explaining the suckitude that was his dad’s side of the family.
Snagging a second cookie, he relaxed back into the couch, focusing on the movie, instead of his messed up familial dynamics.
Lena Roze
Halia listened attentively as Khaz spoke, letting him vent as much as he needed. When he finished, she reached over and gently squeezed his shoulder. “Sounds to me like you needed to talk about it. We can….talk more after the movie if you'd like? I'll listen, I promise.” She smiled softly at him, wishing she could make it all better somehow.
Turning her attention to the movie, she grabbed a cookie as well and settled in. While it didn't grab her attention as much at first, by the end of the film she was crying and hugging a throw pillow. “Noooo! No they so totally deserved a better ending! Oh my god!” She looked over at Khaz, tears dripping down her cheeks. It had been a good while since she cried over a movie, but the moment the last song started playing, she had gotten chills and the emotions punched her right in the gut. The lyrics resonated with her so thoroughly, how could she not get emotional?
Turning her attention to the movie, she grabbed a cookie as well and settled in. While it didn't grab her attention as much at first, by the end of the film she was crying and hugging a throw pillow. “Noooo! No they so totally deserved a better ending! Oh my god!” She looked over at Khaz, tears dripping down her cheeks. It had been a good while since she cried over a movie, but the moment the last song started playing, she had gotten chills and the emotions punched her right in the gut. The lyrics resonated with her so thoroughly, how could she not get emotional?
elfstar89
As they watched, Khaz found himself curling up tight, drawing his knees tightly against his chest. It was cute, it was glitzy, it was poppy, it was flawed, with some plot holes and lack of development you could drive a truck through. It felt like this should’ve been a longer, more fleshed out story. Which drove him nuts. But…
But…
It hit really hard. In a way he hadn’t really been thinking about, because there were just some thoughts that you didn’t let cross your mind, for unconscious fear of ripping an invisible bandaid off a gaping wound in the soul.
Sure, Rumi’s problems were ostensibly racism and about a desire to do more than “pass for normal.” But that was the thing, wasn’t it? The desire to pass was more than just a race issue. It was for people of every social minority in an ostensibly classless society. Including non-cis/het people, like Khaz. Sure, America was getting better, but that was an aggregate thing. Not everywhere was getting better, and the places that were getting better weren’t progressing at the same rate. Heck, not even every person was ready for societal shifts. Khaz wanted so badly to be ready, but…
But, like Jinu, he wasn’t ready to accept the idea that the world would be okay with him as he really was, that people would be understanding, forgiving, considerate, and compassionate toward his situation. He wasn’t yet Rumi. Khaz was still Jinu.
Which led him inexorably toward the last several text messages he’d had with Mason. Mason wanted to have dates in more public places, where it would be more difficult to conceal the fact that Khaz wasn’t heterosexual, and Khaz wasn’t ready to leave the safety of the closet. Which was probably driving Mason nuts, and it probably didn’t help that they’d barely seen each other in the flesh since Star Fest.
It took Khaz a few minutes to realize that he was sitting borderline catatonic, stuck in his own mind, while Halia was talking to him. “Huh? Oh. Yeah. But I don’t think Jinu was ready to join Rumi yet. You know, in a way that would have given them a happy ending.” Which was seeming more and more like how his own relationship with Mason was going….
But…
It hit really hard. In a way he hadn’t really been thinking about, because there were just some thoughts that you didn’t let cross your mind, for unconscious fear of ripping an invisible bandaid off a gaping wound in the soul.
Sure, Rumi’s problems were ostensibly racism and about a desire to do more than “pass for normal.” But that was the thing, wasn’t it? The desire to pass was more than just a race issue. It was for people of every social minority in an ostensibly classless society. Including non-cis/het people, like Khaz. Sure, America was getting better, but that was an aggregate thing. Not everywhere was getting better, and the places that were getting better weren’t progressing at the same rate. Heck, not even every person was ready for societal shifts. Khaz wanted so badly to be ready, but…
But, like Jinu, he wasn’t ready to accept the idea that the world would be okay with him as he really was, that people would be understanding, forgiving, considerate, and compassionate toward his situation. He wasn’t yet Rumi. Khaz was still Jinu.
Which led him inexorably toward the last several text messages he’d had with Mason. Mason wanted to have dates in more public places, where it would be more difficult to conceal the fact that Khaz wasn’t heterosexual, and Khaz wasn’t ready to leave the safety of the closet. Which was probably driving Mason nuts, and it probably didn’t help that they’d barely seen each other in the flesh since Star Fest.
It took Khaz a few minutes to realize that he was sitting borderline catatonic, stuck in his own mind, while Halia was talking to him. “Huh? Oh. Yeah. But I don’t think Jinu was ready to join Rumi yet. You know, in a way that would have given them a happy ending.” Which was seeming more and more like how his own relationship with Mason was going….
Lena Roze
Halia frowned and gently rested a hand on his shoulder. He had gone from eager and excited to withdrawn and silent, and that shift deeply worried her. “Khaz?” Her hand gently squeezed his shoulder. “....wanna talk about it?” Despite having just been crying over a cartoon movie, Halia quickly put that aside and had all of her attention on her friend now. “For what it's worth, anything said here won't go beyond these walls and past the two of us.” It tore at her, seeing her friend like this, and she wanted to help however she could.
elfstar89
“Promise?” Khaz asked softly. “Nevermind, rude question, you came to help when I needed help getting rid of the starfish, you’ve been super helpful getting me caught up on what I need to know about this crazy interstellar war we’re in, and I’ve been keeping my Powered life far enough away from the un-Powered people in my life, I think it should be fine.”
He took a deep breath. “Sooo…ummm…I’m…in the closet. Because I’m. You know. Bisexual. And demi-boy. But I haven’t told anyone else about it, not even fully to my boyfriend, or my cousin, who hooked us up. And I have one of those. A boyfriend. And he’s really, really cute, kind, sweet, supportive, patient, all the things you really, really want in a significant other, regardless of gender or marital status or sexual activity. But he keeps suggesting dates in really public places, where people who might know me might find out I’m not het, and I’m not ready for that conversation with other people, because I don’t want them to push me away if they find out. And it’s not like I could suggest other private places we could do our dates, and…well…we haven’t gone on a date since Star Fest. And I don’t know what to do about it.”
It all came out in a rush, and, while he felt better about getting it off his chest, he also felt terrified Halia would push him away at the revelation. Despite the sheer number of senshi he’d seen walking around in frilly miniskirts and dresses during the battle against the Hollow, and how Powered folks clearly didn’t judge people on that kind of thing.
He took a deep breath. “Sooo…ummm…I’m…in the closet. Because I’m. You know. Bisexual. And demi-boy. But I haven’t told anyone else about it, not even fully to my boyfriend, or my cousin, who hooked us up. And I have one of those. A boyfriend. And he’s really, really cute, kind, sweet, supportive, patient, all the things you really, really want in a significant other, regardless of gender or marital status or sexual activity. But he keeps suggesting dates in really public places, where people who might know me might find out I’m not het, and I’m not ready for that conversation with other people, because I don’t want them to push me away if they find out. And it’s not like I could suggest other private places we could do our dates, and…well…we haven’t gone on a date since Star Fest. And I don’t know what to do about it.”
It all came out in a rush, and, while he felt better about getting it off his chest, he also felt terrified Halia would push him away at the revelation. Despite the sheer number of senshi he’d seen walking around in frilly miniskirts and dresses during the battle against the Hollow, and how Powered folks clearly didn’t judge people on that kind of thing.
Lena Roze
“It's not a ride question at all. I get it.” She smiled softly and squeezed his shoulder again as she sat and listened. When Khaz finished speaking, Halia pulled him into a warm hug. “Thank you for telling me.” She gently rubbed his back, just wanting to comfort him.
“Y'know, for what it's worth, I won't ever judge you. Ever.” She smiled warmly at him, laughing a little. “I uh. I get the joke that I'm the only straight person in my very large extended family. I promise you won't get any judgement from me, Khaz.” And truly, the amount of non cis-het people in her family was on par with how many magical people there were too. “Talk to me. I want to help if I can.”
“Y'know, for what it's worth, I won't ever judge you. Ever.” She smiled warmly at him, laughing a little. “I uh. I get the joke that I'm the only straight person in my very large extended family. I promise you won't get any judgement from me, Khaz.” And truly, the amount of non cis-het people in her family was on par with how many magical people there were too. “Talk to me. I want to help if I can.”
elfstar89
Khaz let himself be pulled into Halia’s warm hug, stiffening, then relaxing as the older girl gently rubbed the teenage boy’s back. Slowly, he smiled before pulling back.
“Thanks, Halia. Ummm…I honestly don’t know how to break the news to the people around me. And I’m not even sure I’m ready to. My cousin hooked us up, so I’m pretty sure she knows, and I don’t think my little sister will judge, since she’s a big believer in the value of a true and sincere love.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. What went unspoken was that Yasmeen was already a chibi senshi, and if she didn’t get SUPER comfy with the idea of gender, romance, and sexuality being a rainbow, she was likely to find few friends, which was sad, but Yasmeen was a pretty open-minded and open-hearted kid. No, it wasn’t the other kids in the family he was worried about.
It was the older members of the family. Mother, aunt, uncle…father….
Khaz’s mind skittered away from the idea of ever having this conversation with his father. Nope. Not happening. Never.
“It’s mostly the older folks, I guess, that I’m worried about. Dad’s basically never around, and my aunt and uncle don’t always have time to watch us, so when Mom’s not home, my cousin and I have to be the adults for my baby sister, and my family relies on me. If they don’t find themselves able to accept who I am on the inside…I still have another year of high school after this one, if I lose what I have, I’ll need a job while putting myself through college, if that’s even still on the table at that point, and my baby sister loses one of her anchors. I can’t risk honesty right now, because my family needs me too much for that to happen,” he said slowly, tears slowly welling up.
“And my boyfriend’s been so considerate, but I don’t know how to handle still being in the closet with a boyfriend when I don’t see myself achieving that state of emotional safety for another two years minimum,” he admitted, tears slowly brimming in his sea-green eyes as he started to physically fold in on himself again. “Not to mention the whole senshi thing, but I think that gets to stay under wraps for a lot longer,” he added, laughing unsteadily.
How had a movie that was this positive and joyful, warts and all, caused him to break like this?
“Thanks, Halia. Ummm…I honestly don’t know how to break the news to the people around me. And I’m not even sure I’m ready to. My cousin hooked us up, so I’m pretty sure she knows, and I don’t think my little sister will judge, since she’s a big believer in the value of a true and sincere love.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. What went unspoken was that Yasmeen was already a chibi senshi, and if she didn’t get SUPER comfy with the idea of gender, romance, and sexuality being a rainbow, she was likely to find few friends, which was sad, but Yasmeen was a pretty open-minded and open-hearted kid. No, it wasn’t the other kids in the family he was worried about.
It was the older members of the family. Mother, aunt, uncle…father….
Khaz’s mind skittered away from the idea of ever having this conversation with his father. Nope. Not happening. Never.
“It’s mostly the older folks, I guess, that I’m worried about. Dad’s basically never around, and my aunt and uncle don’t always have time to watch us, so when Mom’s not home, my cousin and I have to be the adults for my baby sister, and my family relies on me. If they don’t find themselves able to accept who I am on the inside…I still have another year of high school after this one, if I lose what I have, I’ll need a job while putting myself through college, if that’s even still on the table at that point, and my baby sister loses one of her anchors. I can’t risk honesty right now, because my family needs me too much for that to happen,” he said slowly, tears slowly welling up.
“And my boyfriend’s been so considerate, but I don’t know how to handle still being in the closet with a boyfriend when I don’t see myself achieving that state of emotional safety for another two years minimum,” he admitted, tears slowly brimming in his sea-green eyes as he started to physically fold in on himself again. “Not to mention the whole senshi thing, but I think that gets to stay under wraps for a lot longer,” he added, laughing unsteadily.
How had a movie that was this positive and joyful, warts and all, caused him to break like this?
Lena Roze
“Not that it ever would….but if you ever need somewhere, I have a spare room here. And I'm not sure if you've ever met my cousins, but most of my family is magical, and my cousins have somewhat of a safehouse. Stromboli and his wife take people in all the time.” She smiled softly at him, knowing her family would take him in without any hesitation.
Listening to him talk, she gently squeezed his arm. “Khaz….may I share my thoughts? I completely understand if you don't want advice and just need a safe place, and I respect that.”
Listening to him talk, she gently squeezed his arm. “Khaz….may I share my thoughts? I completely understand if you don't want advice and just need a safe place, and I respect that.”
elfstar89
Khaz nodded, smiling at her. “Go for it.” He laughed unsteadily. “I think I could use an ear, though safety and the assurance thereof are definitely always wanted and needed.”
Lena Roze
Halia seemed thoughtful as she chose her words. “I think……that the relationship isn't fair. To you or to him. It sounds like you're on two separate pages, and that simply isn't fair to either of you. Neither of you deserve the sadness that comes with that.” She gently squeezed his hand, wanting to comfort him. “Neither of you deserve to feel trapped or scared or stagnated in a relationship. And I want you to be happy, Khaz. You deserve to be happy. And…….this doesn't seem to make you happy at all.”
elfstar89
Khaz opened and closed his mouth several times. The words, But I like him so much! died on his lips as he tried to process the advice she was giving him. Did Mason deserve someone so wishy-washy, so insecure, so…unready...for a gay relationship like Khaz?
Unfortunately, Khaz couldn’t find it in himself to say yes, or anything else that would allow him to hang onto the illusion of advisability that was him staying in a relationship with Mason. Where Mason would surely come to feel stifled, maybe even unwanted or disrespected, if they continued on like this. But Khaz wasn’t ready to come out of the closet to most of the people he claimed were nearest and dearest to him.
And if he wasn’t ready for that kind of honesty, maybe it was time to be honest with himself and admit that Khaz just wasn’t ready for a relationship, particularly one that would be predicated on being out of the closet.
And that realization caused the tears to come back. Khaz scrubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands, and laughed unsteadily. “I didn’t want to say it,” he murmured softly as the tears began to fall, fat and salty. “But it’s not fair to him that I’m not ready for a relationship like this, so it’d probably be better to let him go and find someone else who is ready for him, wouldn’t it?” He sniffled a little. “I mean, I can always try again later, once I’m really ready for it, but right now…I think you’re right, and I’m not who he needs to be in a relationship right now. Which totally sucks, you know?” he asked unsteadily. “I would’ve loved to keep going with him, but…yeah, I don’t think the stars are right for this one, are they?”
He leaned back against the couch. “I don’t even know how to tell him, but I guess that’s something I’ll have to figure out soon, isn’t it?” At this admission, the tears worsened. He had no idea how to tell Mason, but this…this was the right choice. Letting Mason go so Mason could be happy, while Khaz tried to get his act together. Maybe he could try again later, if Mason was still available and interested, but in the meantime…
The summer fling would have to end. And, much as Khaz hadn’t been ready for its beginning, he wasn’t ready for its ending, either. Kinda the summary to his whole relationship with Mason, wasn’t it? Just not emotionally ready.
Unfortunately, Khaz couldn’t find it in himself to say yes, or anything else that would allow him to hang onto the illusion of advisability that was him staying in a relationship with Mason. Where Mason would surely come to feel stifled, maybe even unwanted or disrespected, if they continued on like this. But Khaz wasn’t ready to come out of the closet to most of the people he claimed were nearest and dearest to him.
And if he wasn’t ready for that kind of honesty, maybe it was time to be honest with himself and admit that Khaz just wasn’t ready for a relationship, particularly one that would be predicated on being out of the closet.
And that realization caused the tears to come back. Khaz scrubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands, and laughed unsteadily. “I didn’t want to say it,” he murmured softly as the tears began to fall, fat and salty. “But it’s not fair to him that I’m not ready for a relationship like this, so it’d probably be better to let him go and find someone else who is ready for him, wouldn’t it?” He sniffled a little. “I mean, I can always try again later, once I’m really ready for it, but right now…I think you’re right, and I’m not who he needs to be in a relationship right now. Which totally sucks, you know?” he asked unsteadily. “I would’ve loved to keep going with him, but…yeah, I don’t think the stars are right for this one, are they?”
He leaned back against the couch. “I don’t even know how to tell him, but I guess that’s something I’ll have to figure out soon, isn’t it?” At this admission, the tears worsened. He had no idea how to tell Mason, but this…this was the right choice. Letting Mason go so Mason could be happy, while Khaz tried to get his act together. Maybe he could try again later, if Mason was still available and interested, but in the meantime…
The summer fling would have to end. And, much as Khaz hadn’t been ready for its beginning, he wasn’t ready for its ending, either. Kinda the summary to his whole relationship with Mason, wasn’t it? Just not emotionally ready.
Lena Roze
“Oh hon….” She pulled him into a tight hug, not knowing how else to comfort him. “It…isn't easy. I can't imagine….but you don't have to shoulder the emotions alone. I'll be here, whatever you need, okay?” Her heart ached for him, even more so knowing that she had contributed to his pain by laying it out for him so plainly.
“I….know it won't make up for it….but let me show you something?” She stood and gently held her hands out to him, helping him to his feet. “I want to show you Aruna. I….it always seems to bring me peace, so….maybe it would help you as well?”
“I….know it won't make up for it….but let me show you something?” She stood and gently held her hands out to him, helping him to his feet. “I want to show you Aruna. I….it always seems to bring me peace, so….maybe it would help you as well?”
elfstar89
Khaz slowly wrapped his arms around her before she pulled him to his feet. “I think…I think I’d like that. To see all the bioluminescence. That sounds really, really pretty. Plus, the only other planet in space I’ve seen so far is the Moon, so I think I’m overdue to see someone else’s home,” he added, laughing a little as he wiped his tears away with one hand. “So, anything I should be prepared for on Aruna?”
Lena Roze
Halia seemed thoughtful for a moment. “Well….it's a Necropolis, so there's uh. Lots of graves? And it's on the colder side. But nothing scary or dangerous, I promise.” Gently squeezing his hands, she led the way outside and to the little alley she usually transformed in. Powering up, she opened the app on her phone and transported them to Aruna.
As usual when she visited her planet, the pair arrived in the marble-like receiving chamber, dimly lit by the veins of glowing crystal in the walls and the glowing crystal sconces. Letting go of his hand, Aruna walked over and lit a lantern before coming back beside him. “This was the receiving chamber. Guests would come here first before going into the rest of the Necropolis. Aurelia, the previous Aruna, sometimes greeted them herself if she wasn't occupied.”
As usual when she visited her planet, the pair arrived in the marble-like receiving chamber, dimly lit by the veins of glowing crystal in the walls and the glowing crystal sconces. Letting go of his hand, Aruna walked over and lit a lantern before coming back beside him. “This was the receiving chamber. Guests would come here first before going into the rest of the Necropolis. Aurelia, the previous Aruna, sometimes greeted them herself if she wasn't occupied.”
elfstar89
Khaz had a moment to be glad he had long pants and a button-up shirt with rolled up sleeves on, for what good summer-weight fabric would do him, before they were arriving on Aruna.
Which so far seemed pretty dark, dimly lit by glowing crystals, both in veins and in sconces on the walls. Given the glowing flower on her table in her apartment…maybe Aruna was just a naturally dark place, and bioluminescence was necessary? That would explain a lot. And the darkness…well, it seemed to go with the idea that Aruna was functionally just one oversized necropolis.
Shrugging to himself, Khaz followed the planet’s senshi, admiring the architecture, which seemed to be in relatively good condition. Would Aberdonia itself one day look this nice? He sincerely hoped so, and hoped to one day have a chance to take Halia up. Ideally when it looked nicer. And less like it was an archaeological site. “It looks very lovely,” he murmured, feeling oddly like he shouldn’t raise his voice in this space. Odd. But probably a side effect of the architecture, feeling like it merited a certain kind of muted decorum.
Which so far seemed pretty dark, dimly lit by glowing crystals, both in veins and in sconces on the walls. Given the glowing flower on her table in her apartment…maybe Aruna was just a naturally dark place, and bioluminescence was necessary? That would explain a lot. And the darkness…well, it seemed to go with the idea that Aruna was functionally just one oversized necropolis.
Shrugging to himself, Khaz followed the planet’s senshi, admiring the architecture, which seemed to be in relatively good condition. Would Aberdonia itself one day look this nice? He sincerely hoped so, and hoped to one day have a chance to take Halia up. Ideally when it looked nicer. And less like it was an archaeological site. “It looks very lovely,” he murmured, feeling oddly like he shouldn’t raise his voice in this space. Odd. But probably a side effect of the architecture, feeling like it merited a certain kind of muted decorum.
Lena Roze
“A lot of this part of Aruna is underground. From what I've come to understand, it used to be a much larger planet but something caused it to be broken apart. The core of Aruna and the Grand Necropolis were thankfully unharmed in it though.” She smiled as he walked beside her, leading him through what seemed like a maze of halls before coming to a distinctly different looking door.
“This was Aurelia's personal chambers. I've been….working on making it cozy in here.” Pushing the door open, she smiled proudly at the scene. The room was draped in lovely sheer fabrics, deep wine and sage green that matched her fuku, and pillows and cushions adorned all sorts of areas. “Beneath here is an access route to my favorite place in the whole planet, but I thought I'd show you this first.”
“This was Aurelia's personal chambers. I've been….working on making it cozy in here.” Pushing the door open, she smiled proudly at the scene. The room was draped in lovely sheer fabrics, deep wine and sage green that matched her fuku, and pillows and cushions adorned all sorts of areas. “Beneath here is an access route to my favorite place in the whole planet, but I thought I'd show you this first.”
elfstar89
“That…seems odd,” he replied, “for a planet to just shatter like that, but if the bits where the Grand Necropolis and the core are are unharmed, I guess that’s fine.” He shook his head. All things considered, Aberdonia’s capital (and presumably any other cities) being completely overgrown…or presumably eaten by the desert…seemed like frankly small potatoes. He should probably count his blessings that the worst he was dealing with were the ravages of time.
Peering inside his friend’s personal chambers, it looked so comfortable, but elegant, possibly not too dissimilar to what his own chambers presumably looked like on Aberdonia. Once he got around to looking for those again. The power grid, the electric cars, the royal archives, and the sheer level of overgrowth currently had his somewhat divided attention. “I can see why, but I’d love to see the best spot.”
Peering inside his friend’s personal chambers, it looked so comfortable, but elegant, possibly not too dissimilar to what his own chambers presumably looked like on Aberdonia. Once he got around to looking for those again. The power grid, the electric cars, the royal archives, and the sheer level of overgrowth currently had his somewhat divided attention. “I can see why, but I’d love to see the best spot.”
Lena Roze
She smiled warmly and led him through the room, reaching a door on the other side that opened into a downward path. Giving him a bright smile, she began the descent to the chamber below. The stairway seemed to go on for almost ages, until finally it abruptly opened up into a massive cavern. In the middle of the cavern was a large lake that seemed to glow from the crystals and plant life within it. Surrounding the water, various flowers and plants bloomed, including the two species of glowing flowers she had shown him before.
Turning to smile proudly at him, Aruna gestured at the cavern. “Welcome to my favorite place in Aruna.” As she spoke, large, fluffy, bioluminescent moths rose from the plants and fluttered towards her. She held a finger out and grinned vibrantly as one landed on it, and she gently moved her hand towards Khaz for him to take the little creature.
Turning to smile proudly at him, Aruna gestured at the cavern. “Welcome to my favorite place in Aruna.” As she spoke, large, fluffy, bioluminescent moths rose from the plants and fluttered towards her. She held a finger out and grinned vibrantly as one landed on it, and she gently moved her hand towards Khaz for him to take the little creature.
elfstar89
Khaz followed the senshi down the seemingly endless stairs to where it terminated into a truly massive cavern, largely filled with a large, glowing lake. No, that was wrong, the waters themselves weren’t glowing, but, rather, as above, so below, it seemed, as there were glowing crystals and bioluminescent plants beneath the surface, filling the space with a muted life. More bioluminescent flowers dotted the shoreline, and large, fluffy, bioluminescent moths fluttered about.
One of them even fluttered over to Aruna, and alighted upon her finger. Entranced, he offered his own finger to let the moth rest upon it. “It’s beautiful down here. The flowers, the crystals, the moths, the pure waters themselves, the way everything glows, the way I’d love to go swimming–”
At which point, Khaz realized there was a faint, tantalizing itch at the back of his mind he hadn’t been fully aware of. Looking around did nothing, but it felt like if he did something, it would come loose. Equal parts curious and annoyed, Khaz fished his henshin pen out of subspace, lifted it, and shouted “Aberdonia Power, Make-Up!”
It didn’t even take a completion of the transformation for the memory to slam into him in full force, dislodged by being in a Powered state, and he just knew this memory could NOT be his. No. It had to be one of his past self’s memories. Of two little girls, one a prized senshi, the other just a princess at that time, running and laughing and splashing along the shoreline, making glowing flower crowns, as swarms of glowing moths flitted throughout the cavern.
“Holy–Aruna…Aruna, I think I’ve been here before. Not in this life. Last life, I think. Were we…were we…childhood friends?” he asked, shoving the memory aside as best he could. He vaguely recalled having a short bob that, even if individual locks were braided, were almost too short to allow for glowing flowers to be woven in, and feeling regretful and maybe slightly envious about that.
One of them even fluttered over to Aruna, and alighted upon her finger. Entranced, he offered his own finger to let the moth rest upon it. “It’s beautiful down here. The flowers, the crystals, the moths, the pure waters themselves, the way everything glows, the way I’d love to go swimming–”
At which point, Khaz realized there was a faint, tantalizing itch at the back of his mind he hadn’t been fully aware of. Looking around did nothing, but it felt like if he did something, it would come loose. Equal parts curious and annoyed, Khaz fished his henshin pen out of subspace, lifted it, and shouted “Aberdonia Power, Make-Up!”
It didn’t even take a completion of the transformation for the memory to slam into him in full force, dislodged by being in a Powered state, and he just knew this memory could NOT be his. No. It had to be one of his past self’s memories. Of two little girls, one a prized senshi, the other just a princess at that time, running and laughing and splashing along the shoreline, making glowing flower crowns, as swarms of glowing moths flitted throughout the cavern.
“Holy–Aruna…Aruna, I think I’ve been here before. Not in this life. Last life, I think. Were we…were we…childhood friends?” he asked, shoving the memory aside as best he could. He vaguely recalled having a short bob that, even if individual locks were braided, were almost too short to allow for glowing flowers to be woven in, and feeling regretful and maybe slightly envious about that.
Lena Roze
Aruna smiled fondly as the fluffy little moth crawled onto his finger. If the moths liked him, she took that as a good sign. “Isn't it stunning? I've only ever showed two other people this so far. It's …..something precious to me.” She had been the one to bring this all back to life, to breathe life back into the once still and empty cavern, and that was something so incredibly personal and precious to her.
As Khaz powered up, Aruna tilted her head curiously. At his exclamation, she frowned, sifting through the memories she had recovered so far of Aurelia. “Describe it to me….?” Something about his words rang true to her, but she wasn't sure if she should trust her intuition alone.
As Khaz powered up, Aruna tilted her head curiously. At his exclamation, she frowned, sifting through the memories she had recovered so far of Aurelia. “Describe it to me….?” Something about his words rang true to her, but she wasn't sure if she should trust her intuition alone.
elfstar89
Aberdonia watched the moth crawl onto his finger, transfixed, for a second. So few had seen such a sight…and he had seen it in at least two different lifetimes. A rare honor, indeed.
“I think you were already a senshi, and I wasn’t Awakened yet, I was just a princess–oh, by the way, I was a girl last go around–and for some reason, we were playing down here, running around and laughing and playing along the shoreline and making flower crowns. My hair was too short to braid any flowers in. And I remember whole swarms of these moths in this cavern. I…I think I was here with someone else on a diplomatic mission. Something about forging social bonds and keeping old trade agreements going, mortuary specialists for grain. Any of that ringing a bell?” he asked as he watched the fluffy little moth continue to rest on his finger.
“I think you were already a senshi, and I wasn’t Awakened yet, I was just a princess–oh, by the way, I was a girl last go around–and for some reason, we were playing down here, running around and laughing and playing along the shoreline and making flower crowns. My hair was too short to braid any flowers in. And I remember whole swarms of these moths in this cavern. I…I think I was here with someone else on a diplomatic mission. Something about forging social bonds and keeping old trade agreements going, mortuary specialists for grain. Any of that ringing a bell?” he asked as he watched the fluffy little moth continue to rest on his finger.
Lena Roze
Aruna listened thoughtfully and walked over to one of the patches of vegetation, crouching down to gently rustle it. As she did, multiple moths took flight and lit the cavern. “A swarm like that?” She smiled as more and more moths took flight, and she walked back over to him. “It….does sound familiar. Aurelia rarely left the planet from what I can tell, and she was deeply lonely but always did her best to not let it show.”
She picked at the edge of one of the layers of her skirt as she thought, a moth landing in her hair while she stood still. “I feel like I read something in the records about that exchange of services and goods though. I'm starting to piece together the Arunan language and I've been reading what I can here and there. There were….actually quite a few various deals for imported goods by the time she died, from what I've gathered.” She had yet to make a cohesive list of all the planets that Aurelia had dealt with, though it certainly was on her to do list in the near future.
She picked at the edge of one of the layers of her skirt as she thought, a moth landing in her hair while she stood still. “I feel like I read something in the records about that exchange of services and goods though. I'm starting to piece together the Arunan language and I've been reading what I can here and there. There were….actually quite a few various deals for imported goods by the time she died, from what I've gathered.” She had yet to make a cohesive list of all the planets that Aurelia had dealt with, though it certainly was on her to do list in the near future.
elfstar89
“Yeah, only there was more than one,” Aberdonia replied as he watched a swarm take to the air. This place was so beautiful, so peaceful. He wished he could take Mason to see sights like this. But that would involve too many variables, and he probably wouldn’t end up doing so…which was probably for the better, wasn’t it?
While the thought still hurt that he should consider letting Mason go, he found it wasn’t hurting quite as much as it had before. When the time came, it would probably still hurt a lot, but…on the positive side…he still had friends. He still had family. Once he could safely do so, he’d come out of the closet, still have support, and could find love again, whether it be with Mason, or someone else. But for now, it was time to consider things in a different light, possibly the crystalline glow and bioluminescence of a necropolis planet. Sure. Why not.
And, unfortunately, while he would’ve loved to stay and hang out longer, he still had to get home in a reasonable amount of time.
Turning back to Aruna, he finally said, “Thank you for showing me this. It’s truly beautiful, and I think you should be very proud of your world. Unfortunately, much as I’d love to stay, my family will eventually start wondering where I am and when I’m coming back, so I should probably start making my way home. Ummm. Also…thank you for the advice. I don’t think it’s the sort of thing a person wants to hear, but sometimes they need to hear, and I thank you for the kindness and honesty. Long-term, it’s going to be super helpful.”
While the thought still hurt that he should consider letting Mason go, he found it wasn’t hurting quite as much as it had before. When the time came, it would probably still hurt a lot, but…on the positive side…he still had friends. He still had family. Once he could safely do so, he’d come out of the closet, still have support, and could find love again, whether it be with Mason, or someone else. But for now, it was time to consider things in a different light, possibly the crystalline glow and bioluminescence of a necropolis planet. Sure. Why not.
And, unfortunately, while he would’ve loved to stay and hang out longer, he still had to get home in a reasonable amount of time.
Turning back to Aruna, he finally said, “Thank you for showing me this. It’s truly beautiful, and I think you should be very proud of your world. Unfortunately, much as I’d love to stay, my family will eventually start wondering where I am and when I’m coming back, so I should probably start making my way home. Ummm. Also…thank you for the advice. I don’t think it’s the sort of thing a person wants to hear, but sometimes they need to hear, and I thank you for the kindness and honesty. Long-term, it’s going to be super helpful.”
