POV: Lyra
Orion opened his eyes and tried not to make a sound as he looked up at me. I was holding my data pad in one hand, already halfway through the text. He peeked at the display and realized it was a treatise on neural pathway behavior in combat situations—specifically Kaelari combat response patterns.
My hand left his hair when I needed to scroll the page. Through our neural link, I felt his consciousness whimper, though externally he remained silent. After advancing the text, I continued stroking his thick, dark locks, and his pathways pulsed with renewed contentment. He kept his eyelids low, trying to preserve the moment.
He really thinks I don't know he's awake. Adorable.
After a few minutes, I spoke while still reading. "It's amazing how you don't need to use the refresher after resting for four hours. How do you even retain waste processing that long?"
His eyes shot wide open, staring up at me. "You knew I was awake this whole time?"
Still reading, I said, "Obviously. Respiratory patterns differ between unconscious and conscious states."
Basic combat training. Know when your enemy's really down.
He chuckled and hugged my thighs tighter, his pathways flickering with amused admiration. He was probably wondering if I'd studied Lyrokan behavioral patterns before this.
"So, do you really have no need for waste elimination?" I asked, still incredulous.
Orion groaned and snuggled deeper into my thighs, complaining, "Can't you just let me hold you a little longer? The refresher break can wait."
I looked up from my pad, voice stern. "If you contaminate my sleep platform, Orion, I'm requesting quarters reassignment."
His eyes lit up, pathways blazing purple. "Excellent! Then you can relocate to my residence!"
Nice try, Emperor.
I narrowed my eyes. "Nice attempt, Your Eminence. If you don't need the refresher, release me, because I do."
He pouted—actually pouted—and snuggled deeper. "Just a little longer. You feel so comfortable."
"Orion, for the past four hours, I've been consuming hydration but haven't left this platform. Release me. I need the refresher."
Why is the most powerful being in the galaxy acting like a clingy youngling?
He groaned and turned onto his back, releasing me. After watching me retreat to the refresher and hearing the portal seal, he suddenly felt his own biological needs asserting themselves. When he heard the waste processing system activate, he sighed in relief and waited.
When I emerged, Orion practically teleported past me. "My turn. Thanks, star-heart." He rushed in without even sealing the portal. Not wanting awkwardness, I sealed it from outside and took my data pad to the seating module, continuing where I'd left off.
When Orion emerged, I could feel him watching me through our link—admiring my "serious reading expression," my elbow supporting my head on the armrest. He dropped onto the module beside me. Our eyes locked.
"Better?" I asked.
He kissed my nose, voice dropping deep. "I am now." He lifted me effortlessly, placing me on his lap. His arm crossed my shoulders, guiding my head to lean against his chest. After kissing my hair, he inhaled deeply while I continued scrolling through the text.
He keeps scenting me. Like it means something. Like we're already bonded.
We enjoyed the silence before I asked, "Is Christian functional?"
Orion took another deep inhalation before responding. "Yeah. He must've inflicted significant damage. Medical says the Rogue won't reactivate until tomorrow's mid-cycle."
"Mm. Good. We'll be safe for now."
Orion's entire body went rigid at 'for now.' His pathways flared with protective determination. He gently lifted my chin, pulling my attention from the display. My eyes met his purple orbs. With intense certainty, he stated, "You'll be safe for now and for your entire existence, Lyra. I won't let anything harm you. I promise."
Sweet but unrealistic. The universe doesn't work that way.
"Orion, it's kind of you to say, but realistically, danger always exists. And I'm not defenseless. I can protect myself most situations. You don't need to promise that."
I started returning to my pad when he held my chin firmly, whispering with desperation, "Let me." His voice cracked slightly. "Let me protect you. Let me care for you. Please, Lyra. Just let me."
His sincere gaze made something shift in my chest. I was familiar with belonging, with having chosen family, but this felt different with Orion. The emotions ran deeper when he said these things, sending warmth into parts of my consciousness I'd locked away after five rejections. Despite myself, I was touched. My lips curved upward before I leaned in, pressing them briefly to his cheek.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Why did I do that? Why give him hope?
Shock radiated through our neural link. His pathways exploded in brilliant purple-white. Through the connection, I felt his consciousness practically vibrating with joy.
When he recovered, his hand found my cheek, stroking the skin slowly. His gaze fixed on my lips with unmistakable intent.
Oh void. He's going to—
Orion started closing the distance. When his lips were barely an inch from mine, I whispered, "Orion, before you do this, I need to discuss something."
He pulled back just enough to study my expression. Through our link, he sensed my guilt and sadness. "What is it? What's wrong?" Concern flooded his pathways.
I hesitated, looking down. "If I agreed to... be Empress, what would I have to... give up?"
There it is. The real question. What do I lose this time?
Give up? I felt his confusion through our link as he tried to understand my fear. Very cautiously: "Well, I hope you'd relocate to my residence, so... you might have to give up your quarters at the station."
"Okay." I waited for more.
He scratched his head, struggling. "Uh... You might not be able to travel daily between here and Blue Crescent, so you might have to... step down as their Combat Specialist."
I bit my lip. "Okay."
That's not the real problem and we both know it.
Orion took my hands, clearly lost. "Star-heart, help me here. What are you really concerned about losing?"
Still avoiding his gaze, I pulled my hands back. "Um..." I swallowed hard before my voice came out in a desperate whisper. "Do I have to give up fighting with the alliance forces during Rogue attacks?"
My entire body tensed, waiting for his response.
This is it. This is where he tells me I have to be a decoration. A useless ornament on his arm. Just like Sebastian wanted. Just like they all wanted.
Through our neural link, I felt his pathways pulse with understanding. And something else—was that... acceptance?
Please don't make me choose between you and who I am. Please.