Radiance: Part One

V9: Creature Comforts

Sett the 4th, 5694 CE; 2300 hrs

Vyrik would get a message every time Lyda needed to eat, their blood sugar had dropped, the sedatives had been issued, or any of their vitals had dropped out of the 'green-zone', as Healer Vance had referred to it. He'd received two messages as he'd held them in the garden and it took everything in him not to just pick them up and carry them away- but he understood the need to keep up appearances and that they wouldn't want to be seen as weaker than they were. So far, they were the strongest person he'd ever met, and hoped to one day wed, if they were amenable.

Vyrik decided against holding Lyda's hand whilst they walked, not wanting to worsen their stress- "What would you like to eat? We've added the human menu to our matter converters, and while you slept I demanded that father allow me to update the palace, so that'll be done by tomorrow."

He watched them think, for a moment before they spoke. "I think pasta sounds lovely." they nodded, grinning slightly. He had never been so transfixed on a face, before.

"So, They, rather than She?" He asked, as Lyda looped their arm through his, filling him with happiness and wanting, as they walked through the palace towards the informal dining area. He chuckled internally at how he had to slow his pace to match theirs. They'd be meeting his sister for the first time, and his father for the second.

"Ah...yes...yeah. They/them. I know there are other pronouns to use, but I like those the best..." Their voice had gotten quite small, along the walk. It was such a shame to see their usual confidence all but sucked away, but he knew that healing took time, and that they would likely get a bit worse before they got better.

"Whatever you like," He gave their arm a hopefully-encouraging squeeze. "But I have to prepare you. You're about to meet my sister and father. They're taking their afternoon meals, as well, so I thought we might go together- they're itching to meet you. I know you met my father before, but this is different. It'll be much more casual...shall I- do you want me to make sure they know? Or would you prefer to wait?"

"They won't be...bothered?" Lyda chewed their lower lip.

"Not at all. One of Mara's partners is fluid, and as I've said, I've been with several who don't prefer to identify within the binary- it's mostly outdated, especially in terms of biology. Your own people know that much. Aren't there other people who identify as such?"

They nodded, "I just...they knew so early on, and I spent so much time suppressing it..."

Vyrik scoffed, stopping them in the middle of the hallway so he could look them in their bright green eyes-

"Dearest, gender is inconsequential. It speaks about no parts of you that are truly important. It's about taste and preference, more than anything. As it is, you're an extraordinary being, without any defining sex."

"Why do you keep calling me that...?" They chuckled lightly.

"Calling you what?" He cocked his head.

"Dearest...it's...well its...I-"

"Do you not like it?" He frowned, nerves eating a knot in his stomach. Dearest- Darling- He had so many pet names he'd already been calling them in his head and in his dreams, he hadn't even thought about what they might prefer.

"What? No, I- I love it, actually. It does make me feel kind of special." They admitted, grinning at the floor.

"You're more than special, to me." Vyrik let go of their arm and turned, gripping them on the shoulders again, though he wanted to cradle their face. They made eye contact, skin flushing that wonderful pink, as the Glow had started to subside. He was right- it was a bit more easy to control, with his feet back on solid ground, even if it was easier to trigger.