Star Child

Thirty-Eight - Kor'dan

Ashaki stood by Dhare as he knelt down, preparing the Yautja bathtub. The blood that soaked her clothing, skin, and hair had dried a couple hours ago. It was itchy on her skin, reminding her of the terror she had endured. A bath was more than welcome at this point. She wanted to forget. Moving on was the first step to healing.

The dark bathroom wafted with humidity and fragrance. Dhare busily added oils and colorful liquids that gave the room a calming herbal aroma.

He added a final bottle, a lavender-colored liquid that glittered under the soft yellow light emanating from cylinders on the ceiling. His skin shimmered beautifully underneath the blood and gore dried on his body. This alien man had slaughtered hundreds of people without a care, not even when he came to harm. Green blood was splattered as often as red, but his wounds already scarred over.

Ashaki sighed deeply. Dhare was the best person to ever cross her path. She felt immense relief and love warming her core as she took in every detail of him. From the scalloped, wavy crest that crowned his head to the wicked black claws that tipped his toes, he was a work of art.

And he was all hers.

Through the fog of shock, his growling voice drew her back into the present. She didn't quite catch what he said, but his golden eyes reeled her in and she silently wrapped her arms around his neck to rest her cheek on his shoulder. She buried her face into his long locs and filled her nose with his comforting scent. The pain in her collarbone flared up with the motion but she ignored it, choosing to lean into the one person she needed right now.

Dhare lifted her and helped settle her on his lap while he sank into the tub. Ashaki hissed when her sore body came into contact with the hot water but quickly relaxed as her muscles unwound themselves. She whimpered as Dhare gently washed the various wounds the Xenomorph had given her. Dhare's purrs helped to soothe her back into a calm state.

"Now for your mane. Can you sit up for me, Kiki?" He asked softly while his hand cupped water and wetted her crusty hair.

She nodded, forcing herself upright long enough for him to do what he needed to do. His thick fingers worked gingerly through her hair, unwinding her twists. When his claws lightly scratched at her scalp she melted in his arms, gripping his locs in her hands.

The Yautja chuckled, "Does my little mate enjoy getting her scalp massaged?" Humor was alight in his voice, warming it.

Oh how she had missed him...

"Mhmmm," she hummed in contentment. The rest of her pains and aches were forgotten as he worked a lather into her hair. "You have to use the—"

"The shampoo and then follow it with the 'conditioner'."

"But don't forget the—"

Dhare trilled, "Yes, love. I have studied the maintenance and products required for your mane. Now hush so I can clean you properly." He rubbed his tusks lightly over her cheek in a Yautja kiss and continued his work.

Ashaki smiled and nodded, relaxing herself so he could clean her hair. She sat still and enjoyed the pampering as the rest of their time in the tub passed with a blur. For the first time in a long time she was happy and calm. Certain painful topics she hadn't yet explored were pushed to the back burner.

When he was finished, he placed a pink satin bonnet over her newly braided-back hair to protect it as she slept. Her fingers were beginning to prune when he helped her out of the tub. From there he held her close while the alien tech worked its magic to dry their bodies. Dhare helped her get comfortable in the bed with clean clothes before leaving to get her food.