“But you’d survive, without any real harm, is what you’re saying.”
“I happen to like living on this planet,” Qylar said. “Especially now that it’s where I found my mate.”
“If you want to be a citizen of this planet, you need to be a true citizen.”
“I already have enough black marks against my name, Kenji.”
“Black marks? How sad for you? Have you ever gone to bed hungry? Do you know how hard it is to fall asleep with your stomach growling and twisting in pain? Have you ever worried you wouldn’t have a bed or even a roof over your head if you didn’t come up with enough money in a short amount of time? Because I have. You’ve never experienced those things, Qylar, and you probably never will. Wondering where your next meal is coming from or where you’ll sleep that night isterrifying.You can’t think about the future when all you can focus on is surviving the day.” Kenji paused, drawing in a breath and letting it out slow. “I saw your face when you drove into my neighborhood to pick up my stuff. You immediately wanted me out of there and pushed until you got your way. And granted, I let you push because I was tired of living like that and your offer made me feel a relief I haven’t felt… well… ever.”
Qylar frowned.
“My neighbors didn’t choose to be poor. They sure as hell don’t have someone to swoop in and save the day like I did. They barely have the means to make it day-by-day. Theyneedhelp. And I can’t live the luxurious life of the rich-adjacent unless I know you’re doing something to ensure more people can survive with their basic needs met. Not helping here or there when a tragedy strikes… but a constant commitment to help the daily torment some go through.”
Qylar searched his face, quiet for several seconds.
Kenji worried for a moment that Qylar would refuse him. He was asking a lot. But if Qylar refused him, then Kenji would know what kind of man Qylar really was.
And a particular decision that loomed would make itself.
“It can’t be done overnight. It’ll take careful planning and execution to avoid Embassy notice—and that will take time.”
Kenji relaxed his shoulders. “But you’ll do it?”
“If this is what you need from me to be comfortable in my world, then I’ll do whatever I can to ensure you get it. I can’t promise it’ll be perfect, but I will search for a way to help more people.” He caressed the side of Kenji’s cheek. “I won’t lose you.”
Kenji released a sob.
Qylar pulled him closer. “I’m not a cruel man. It’s not that I don’t want to help. I do. I’m trying to follow the rules my people have set forth the best I can. A foot in both worlds isn’t easy.”
“Maybe I’m wrong for asking you to break Embassy rules, but I can’t live in your world and forget the things I’ve seen in mine. My conscience won’t let me. If the Embassy won’t help those in desperate need, what good are they?”
“They want humans to have full autonomy, without our influence. I know it seems harsh to you, but they’re working to ensure your world isn’t corrupted by us.”
“But it can be corrupted by other humans?”
Qylar sighed. “They believe human society rises or falls on its own. We cannot be blamed one way or the other if we haven’t intervened. Your successes are your own, as are your failures. I know it might seem harsh, but a hands-off policy really is best for your world in the overall scheme of things.”
“But youhaveintervened. Not you, yourself, but your people. Look at Alex and I. You say there are likely many more humans with Nefyrian blood running around this planet. And if there are thousands of you here, they’ve caused ripples, just like youand Cryss have. Perhaps the council needs to consider that and reevaluate their policies.”
Qylar smiled. “Perhaps they do. Now that Alex has been officially recognized by his father, that alone changes a lot. I’ve been shocked that we didn’t see reforms after his parentage was declared.”
Kenji stared into Qylar’s face, already feeling much more comfortable with where they stood—and sensing his mate would truly listen to his concerns.
“Maybe we can do this together? The plan to help those in need,” Qylar said. “You know better where the aid is most needed. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. If we can target where money or supplies would benefit the most people, I can determine how to make it happen.”
Kenji smiled. “I wouldloveto do this together with you.”
“When we get back to San Francisco, we can work up a plan to help those in your old neighborhood and start to figure out how best to make it happen. Then I can work on ways to fund it under the radar.”
“But one neighborhood would just be the start, right? They absolutely need help, but this is a bigger problem than one neighborhood, or even one city.”
“Let’s start with a neighborhood and make that happen first. Then we can try another once we’ve figured things out—and then go from there.”
“We’re not allowed to have jobs, but are we allowed to volunteer?”
Qylar hedged. “Technically, no.”
“Is there a way we can fight that?”
