Chapter 24

Once I got back to the flat, I had a quick shower, changed into more comfy clothes and headed over to theirs.

They were already sitting on the floor, with a teapot in front of them, waiting for me. More tea… I sat down with them, put my hand on the kettle, and Tau flooded my senses. For the first time, I simply let it be, and to my surprise, it didn’t bother me as it used to.

We drank in silence, and after a while, Mai’Ri got up.

“I will make us dinner. Wanna help?”, she added to me.

I sighed.

“Sure, if you need help with opening some rations.”

She laughed.

“It is not that difficult.”

“Yeah, sure…”

I got up and followed her to the kitchen.

“You really don’t know how to cook?”

I shook my head.

“No. We always ate in the canteen, and when not, we had MREs.”

She pricked up her ears.

“And before that?”

I sighed and looked away. I had enlisted when I turned 17, and the military had been my home ever since. I would rather remember what happened during the war than what it was like before joining the military. She must have noticed, because she didn’t ask more and instead just rested her head on my shoulder.

“It’s fine, An’Ri will help me.”

I sat down and watched them cooking. Seeing the homey scene was weird. While their customs were completely alien to me, this was familiar enough to remind me of something I’d never had. I blinked. Fuck. I’d let those thoughts invade again, but it was too late to stop them. To make matters worse, I had nothing to do that would help me to focus on something else.

I got up and glanced around for a moment before going out to the balcony. The ruined city stretched out towards the sea. It was late, and the sun was slowly disappearing beneath the waves, but the air was still warm.

“Fu’Ri”

She rested her cheek on my neck. I blinked. Had I zoned out again, or had she moved so quietly I hadn’t heard her coming? Probably both. I sighed

“Come inside.”

She took my hand, and I followed her back in.

An’Ri was in the kitchen, and the smell of food filled the room, but I wasn’t hungry any longer. Mai’Ri sat down next to me and put her head on my lap. Was that weird, sitting like this? I wasn’t sure anymore. I began to play with her hair, and somehow, it helped, and all those intrusive thoughts retreated to the back of my mind.

An’Ri sat down next to me and snuggled up against me. It felt so good, but it also made me sad for some reason. Was this what I had been missing this whole time without even realising it?

“I will stay with you,” I whispered.

Mai’Ri lifted her head to look at me and smiled. I tried to brush her hair aside, but she flinched the moment I touched her, and she hid her face against her shoulder. Yeah, I would stay even if it meant navigating this weird minefield that separated us.

When the dinner was ready, Mai’Ri brought it over, and we ate in silence. They’d been quiet before during the meals, but for the first time, I wondered if it was actually their custom, rather than not having anything to talk about with me. If so, I quite liked it.

Once we’d eaten and shared the traditional tea again, Mai’Ri seemed to have forgotten about the earlier incident when I tried to brush away her hair. I wondered what that gesture meant to her. Probably something weird. I should probably ask her when I get a chance.

I looked at her. She smiled and put her hand on mine.

“Shall we continue watching?”

I nodded and got up to walk over to the other flat. I paused. The other flat... When had I started seeing it that way? Somehow, I liked the thought.

We walked over, squeezed ourselves onto the sofa, and started to watch. Now, after everything that had happened with her, I could actually relate to the story and what happened. Before, I’d always thought it was cringy, but now, I quite liked it. I smiled and rested my head on her shoulder.

We stayed on the sofa long after the last episode had ended, with An’Ri half asleep between us. Mai’Ri turned to me and hesitantly reached out to touch my face.

“Fu’Ri.”

I looked at her, surprised, and took her hand in mine. She slowly pulled away, her tail flitting madly in the air.

“Wait here.”

I blinked and watched her walk over to their flat. She came back moments later with a small box in her hand.

“It is a tradition.”

She hid her face against her shoulder and pulled out two heavy-looking bracelets decorated with colourful glass.

I looked at her, surprised. Two bracelets. Did it mean what I thought it meant…? Mentioning a gift was impolite, so I couldn’t ask. Great. Maybe that custom was okay when you understood what was going on, but what were you supposed to do when you didn’t?

I extended my arm anyway, but she almost hissed with frustration.

“Your… your ankle.”

How was I supposed to know? She kneeled on the floor, and I watched her ears twitch as she fastened it. I was almost sure she’d skipped some important steps, but yeah.

Without looking at me, she passed me the box, and I secured the other bracelet around her ankle. Only then did she relax and put her forehead against mine before wrapping her arms around me.

“Now you’re part of the family.”

I reached out and brushed her cheek with my hand, and she leaned into it.

“It is getting late.”

I froze. Was that another minefield? I guess she must have noticed because she laughed.

“You can stay.”

She took An’Ri in her arms and looked at me.

“Come.”

I smiled, and I followed her out.