Fight, Flight, or Gut You Like A Fish?

are you... propositioning me?

》Y/N pov《

"To me?"  Time seems to freeze and an unexplainable heat fills my face. "You- all want- me!?" 

'ME!? Like to date me? To live with me? To have s- with ME?!'

Ayull stays still like a deer in headlights. Veta curls in on himself slightly. And Bahtoh grips the table like his life depends on it. 

"I- umm…"

"Before you answer," Ayull holds up his hand to stop me from speaking. "At least let us try, and if you don't like the courting then we will stop." 

"What do you mean by "courting"?" My head is spinning and my heart beats its way to my throat.

"Follow." Ayull and the others stand, before I could reach out to take one of their hands I stop.

For the first time in a long time, I walk around without comfort from one of them. It feels… odd. Cold, like I'm missing a part of me. 

'Goddamnit'

》Bahtoh pov《

'Cjit. Cjit. Cjit.'

The moment the words left Ayull's mouth the scent of confusion began radiating from Y/N. Their eyes became distant, their heart stuttered, and their body temperature rose. Worse of all, they didn't hold any of our hands. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, they reached out prepared to accept one of us to lead them. But then they changed, they tensed and retracted their hand. 

Oh how I want to change that. I want to comfort them, I want to hold them close, they shouldn't feel this way. I want them to hold my hand. But I look at their smaller frame walking alongside me.  Shoulders hunched; they are worried or scared. Darting eyes; unfocused thoughts. They keep looking from Ayull to me to Veta. I wish I could help, to be inside their mind. 

But I can't, I know I can't. Ayull is the head of our clan, the captain of our ship, and he has the authority to initiate the courting ritual. Albeit I know he will take things slower than me and Veta will, especially since they're  'ooman. 

Still, it doesn't hurt to fantasize. If they accepted they would be showered with gifts and praise. We could explore the galaxy together, hunt together. I wonder how it'd be to lay next to them whilst they sleep, do they talk. I've heard some 'oomans talk. Or would they be like the dead, motionless. Perhaps when we've trained them enough we can take them home, they can meet Veta's mother's, perhaps they could meet a few of our charges. 

'Maybe, just maybe.'

》Veta pov《

'NOW!? Of all the times to start the ritual, he chooses now!? Ayull, you are many things, a good time manager is not one of them.'

Bahtoh seems to be daydreaming as I look at him, but still a concerned expression sits on his face. His mandibles stay firm to his mouth, and his eyes only move to glance at Y/N. 

I must admit; he is holding it together well. While I feel like a total mess. It feels as though my limbs have turned to stone. God's this is nerve racking, all I can do to try and calm myself is to believe in Ayull, he's never led us wrong. I just have to believe. 

》Y/N pov《

We arrive at the workshop, the lights stay dimmed as we enter, the light from the kiln casting a warm glow across the room. The whole room is bathed in a sunset glow. I look to the far wall, seeing the mace I made, and the knife I won hung proudly. 

"Why are we here?" Me, Bahtoh, and Veta stop in the center of the room. 

"In our traditions a courtship is started by a presentation." Ayull continues walking, making his way to the back of the room. "It can be a presentation of power, knowledge, skill, or loyalty." 

Ayull rummages through boxes while talking. I look from Bahtoh to Veta, they both shrug, not seeming to know what's going on. 

"You have shown time and time again your loyalty, skill, and strength." Ayull continues. "These displays have enraptured us-" 

"All of us." Bahtoh interrupts. "You've impressed all of us."

"Yes!" Veta agrees.

Bahtoh and Veta move to stand in front of me, while Ayull walks forward. There is a small object, wrapped in cloth, held in both of his hands. 

My mind slows down, focusing on the moment at hand. Unfortunately my heart is going thousands of miles an hour. I can feel the anxiety clawing at my insides, it wants me to run, to hide, or to even reject their advancement. But I don't want that, I want to wait, I want to know, I want them. 

"So to start this ritual I have prepared a gift, if you accept then the courtship will begin. However, if you wish, mutter a word of complaint, or yearn for it to stop, then it will." Ayull finally stands in front of me, presenting the wrapped object.

"I have a choice?" My voice is shaky and uncertain, whether or not I've been in a forced relationship, it is still a reasonable fear. 

》Ayull pov《

"Do you have a choice?" I repeat Y/N's question, to which they nod.

The question shakes me to my core. The idea of seeing our 'ooman forced into a situation, it brings my blood to a boil. I know what 'oomans are capable of, I know what Y/N is capable of, but I can't stop that sliver of fear. Fear of scaring them, of unintentionally forcing them. No. I will not let that happen. 

"Of course you have a choice!" I kneel to be as eye level with them as possible. "The priority of a courtship is to create a bond. A bond of trust, unity, and… love. We would do nothing to displease you."

Their eyes widened at my proclamation, as if they had never heard of such a bond. Then it hits me; they never have. 'Oomans are a dangerous species, to themselves and others. Clearly our 'ooman fears this, they fear being manipulated, being controlled, or rendered useless. 

Images of them in such a state run through my mind. Seeing them being controlled by the pitiful 'oomans, being striped of who they are to appease an ungrateful partner. 

'Not on my watch.'

》Y/N pov《

Ayull's eyes sharpen after he defends what a courtship is. I look at the cloth in his hands, it is dark and beautiful.

"What exactly will happen if… if I do accept?" I look up to see all their eyes on me. 

"We would adore you, shower you with gifts. You would become our greatest treasure." Veta begins.

"Train you and grow your knowledge of the universe. We would spend more time together.we would become close, bonded" Ayull continues. 

"You would get to know us, and we'd get to know you in turn. We will become mates, and  you will never be abandoned." Bahtoh finishes. 

I try my best to take in all of their words. It feels like a dream come true, but it's scary. I feel like I just got my feet under med, after being swept up in the current reality. But now my feet are being kicked right out again. The attraction I feel towards them is strange. I want to be with them constantly, I want their affirmations, I want…them.

Taking a breath I make a decision. I reach out my hands and clasp the soft cloth. Still I can feel the nerves snaking into my mind, the fear returning. I look straight ahead into Ayull's eyes.

"I accept your courtship."

Woop woop another chapter done!
And ooh what this? A cliffhanger!?
Guess you'll have to wait till the next chapter ;)
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, have fun simping, and get prepared for some fun loving from this murderous trio. And don't forget to ask questions, or tell me what you think. >:)