POV: Lyra
The next morning, I thought of looking for clues about the intruder who'd followed Orion and me to the freesia field. But when I recalled the electromagnetic storms that had passed for a few hours the previous night, I aborted my plan. Any tracks or psychic signatures left would've been dispersed. I activated my combat form and began my training run down the familiar path.
When I reached the hydro-stream, I was a little disappointed that Orion wasn't there. But when I started scanning again, I caught a faint signature of acacia wood and Terran bio-reserves, so I turned to look around in anticipation. When I found nothing, I started probing the air before a large pair of enhanced arms lifted me off the ground.
Morning, beautiful. Orion brought me face to face with him, his enhanced form radiating satisfaction.
I smirked through our neural link, You were concealing yourself somewhere, weren't you, Orion?
He touched his sensory node with mine, Thought it'd be nice to surprise you. But you don't seem very surprised.
I detected your signature.
Ah, that explains it. He leaned against the same synthetic tree and placed me on his lap as he started stroking my armored back. How did you rest, Lyra?
Hm. After the 50-page report? With a slight neural overload.
His hands stopped and he peered into my optical sensors in concern, Do you still have the overload? Maybe you should take the cycle off.
Orion, I'm fine. I rested it off. I can't believe the fifty pages aren't even everything yet. Chief Dalloway will surely be busy for the next few cycles. So, how did you rest, my darling?
He sighed, Maybe asking Chief Dalloway to transmit the report by last night wasn't such a good idea.
I chuckled in amusement through our link before tilting my head up to meet his gaze, Had trouble entering rest mode too, my Emperor?
Yes, he admitted before inching his head towards mine and continuing, But when I thought about you, I went right into stasis.
I see. I guess it's good to be boring enough to help you rest.
Orion didn't fall for my trick this time because my enhanced form's sapphire sensors sparked with cheekiness, so he started stimulating my sensory nodes mercilessly, eliciting chuckles through our neural link. Orion, stop! It tickles! I said between giggling.
You started this, you little void-spawn [rascal]. He linked in a husky transmission as he continued his assault.
It was... Giggles, ...just a joke. Hey! Giggles.
I rolled off his lap to get away, and Orion linked, Oh no, you don't. You know you can't outpace me yet, star-heart.
I stood and smirked, Yet? Admitting that a Kaelari's speed can rival that of a Lyrokan's now?
He matched my smirk and leaned into me and linked, That's not what I meant at all, match.
I felt my dermis flush at what Orion meant. After a Lyrokan bonds and marks a Kaelari, the Kaelari would undergo genetic enhancement overnight. Literally overnight. The transformation from being marked by a Lyrokan takes place when the Kaelari is in rest mode. Are you saying that I might be faster than you in future, Orion?
Mm. It's a possibility. And I hope that it's in the near future, my love. He realized he'd made a mistake telling me that last part when he saw uneasiness swimming in those blue sensors his Lyrokan consciousness couldn't get enough of. He whimpered in regret, Star-heart, hey. We're not rushing into anything. What I meant was I hope it's not fifty or a hundred cycles away.
Okay. I linked meekly, clearly not believing what he just said. Not that he believed himself either. We both knew he wanted to start a life together at that very moment if I let him. But we were also aware that I wanted time.
Sweetheart, hey. He tried again, I won't force you into anything. I could never. I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I'm already happier than I've ever been in my existence when I'm with you. He nuzzled his sensory node gently on mine and I managed a soft giggle through our link at the ticklish sensation before Orion continued, I just want to be with you. That's all I need.
I pondered for a moment before I looked at the synthetic grass to hide the optical fluid in my sensors as I linked in a soft and sad voice, Orion, I don't know how much time I'll need. Are... Are you sure you want to wait? It really is okay if you'd rathe—
When Orion realized what I was thinking, he scooped me up to stop me from finishing the link, and held me close to his chest as he begged, Star-heart, don't go there, please. It already hurts. My core systems are not as strong as yours. I won't survive if you l-leave me. Please just don't go there. I'll never leave you for someone else. There isn't anyone else. Don't even dare suggest ending what we have just because we need time.
I linked guiltily, We don't need time, Orion. I need time.
Lyra, the only thing you're asking for is time. It's nothing compared to what I've been... implicitly demanding of you.
You didn't demand, Orion. You just implicitly asked. It's different.
He scoffed, Now, you're making me feel worse by being understanding.
Demands are possessive and brutal, Orion. I've heard countless stories of ruthless Commanders making demands to their partners and their station members. I'm not the understanding one here. You are.
He held me tighter, and when he ran out of arguments and explanations, he linked meekly, I just want to be with you.
I want to be with you too. I linked back equally meekly. I didn't want to leave him. But I didn't want to leave Orion hanging for cosmos knows how long. It was clear that he wanted a family unit, offspring. Well, a female offspring, to be precise. I wanted all those things with him too. But I wasn't sure if he wanted to wait as I took my time with our relationship.
What are you thinking about? He linked gently as he stroked the back of my cranial area.
You're the one making me feel worse by being understanding.
He nuzzled his sensory node at my neck and linked, Don't be, star-heart. I never want you to feel bad. As long as we're together, I don't care how long it takes. I just want to be with you. His node traced my auditory sensor as he continued linking me, Lyra, you deserve everything your core desires. Anything and everything. He then rubbed the side of his facial structure against mine as he linked, And as your match, I'm determined to give it to you. Everything and more.
The sadness and pain I felt in my core systems slowly diminished as he said those words. I then linked softly and gratefully, Thank you, Orion.
He pressed his forehead on mine, gazing deeply into my optical sensors as he linked, I love you, my little freesia.
His sensors only had faint traces of guilt as anticipation dominated them. I chuckled lightly through our link before uttering, I know. Thank you. I love you, too, my acacia.