Space Man

Coordinates

Xisuma pov

Walking to the coordinates was painful. My armor wasn’t in the best condition, and with my suit under repairs, flying wasn’t an option. Each step felt longer than the last, weighed down by exhaustion and the whirlwind of emotions in my chest.

But when I finally arrived, I had to stop in my tracks.

The view was breathtaking. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden hues across the landscape. The area overlooked a vast stretch of land, rivers winding through rolling hills, and the sky painted in soft oranges and purples. The scene was serene, peaceful, like something out of a dream.

But there was one problem—Keralis was nowhere to be seen.

I turned in place, scanning the area, my antennas twitching as I strained to pick up any movement. Nothing. My communicator was silent, no new messages, no sign of where he could be. A pang of worry hit my chest. Had he changed his mind? Had something happened?

I exhaled slowly, trying to push back the anxiety creeping in. Maybe he was just running late. Maybe he was watching, waiting for me to show up first.

Still, I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my gut.

"Keralis?" I called out, my voice carrying in the open air.

Silence.

I took a cautious step forward, glancing around the area once more. He had to be here. He was the one who asked me to come.

So where was he?

I walked around for a bit, double-checking my communicator to make sure I had the coordinates right. Maybe I’d misread them? Maybe he had meant a different spot? Just as doubt started to creep in, I heard someone clear their throat behind me.

My antennas twitched instinctively at the sound, and I immediately turned around.

Relief washed over me the moment I saw him.

Keralis stood there, hands tucked into his pockets, a soft but nervous smile on his face. The golden light of the setting sun framed him perfectly, casting warm highlights on his hair and reflecting in his eyes. He looked… breathtaking.

I exhaled, tension draining from my shoulders. "There you are," I muttered, more to myself than anything.

"Here I am," he chuckled softly, though there was an unmistakable edge of nervousness to his voice. He hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "I was startin’ to think you got lost, my love."

I rolled my eyes, but my heart betrayed me, skipping at the way he said my love so effortlessly. "I thought you stood me up," I shot back, though the teasing in my voice didn’t quite cover up the relief still lingering there.

Keralis hummed, tilting his head slightly before looking me over. "You came without your helmet."

I stiffened slightly, realizing it too late. I’d been in such a rush to get here that I hadn’t even noticed. My breathing apparatus was still securely in place, but without the full helmet, my face—and my antennas—were completely exposed.

He must’ve caught my hesitation because his expression softened. "I like seeing you like this, shishwammy," he murmured, reaching out to gently brush his fingers against one of my antennas. It twitched under his touch, making him chuckle. "So cute."

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say to that. The way he looked at me, the warmth in his gaze—it was overwhelming in the best way possible.

"So," I said, trying to ground myself. "You said you wanted to talk?"