“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help, but I think you’ve got this,” he says, then tilts his head. “Where is Gemma right now?”
“Talking with Felix. Their sibling bond is strong. It will no doubt become even stronger as they travel with us across the universe and they’ve both left their home world behind.”
I’m grateful for that but also illogically envious.Angsty teenage love brain, you suck!
Sasha ruminates on this for a moment. “I suppose that makes a lot of sense. It’s hard for me to fully understand, what with being disowned by my own family and all, but I can tell Felix and Gemma are tight. They genuinely care for each other. Lucky bastards,” he concludes with a wry smile.
We silently fist-bump one another.
“I hear that. My relationship with my family is still… strained. They didn’t disown me, but they sure as shit aren’t super happy about the life choices I’ve made. My older sister and I talk some, but I’ve never been super close with my older brother. Too much of an age gap. We’re also very different individuals and our personalities don’t mesh, so I’ve never had a deep sibling bond with him. He’s a warrior and all about duty, responsibility, and tradition, like our parents, and my sister is caught up in her own family now. She’s happy as a clam being a housewife. I, on the other hand, am the rebellious wild child who dared to defy all of that.”
“That’s cuz you’re a total badass.” He salutes me. “Mad respect, girl.”
I grin. “Yeah, I’m super fucking awesome. And I do think, deep down, my siblings might be a bit envious of me. I’m sure there were things they might have wanted to do that they abandoned in favor of following societal expectations. Seeing me do what I want must be a bitter pill to swallow.”
“You’re probably right,” Sasha agrees, “but that isn’t your fault. Even on Earth, I think most people tend to follow the status quo. It’s safe, familiar, and even comfortable for a lot of folks. In contrast, those of us who are brave enough to forge our own paths and buck convention are often envied but also loathed. We’ve done what others didn’t have the courage to do.” He shrugs. “I’m sure it’s the same among other species in the universe. It takes a lot of determination and bravery to choose a different path when everyone and everything around you tell you not to.”
I shake my head wonderingly. “No fucking kidding.”
He smiles. “That’s why our unconventional little family on this ship get along so well. At our cores, we’re all kindred spirits because we were each brave enough to go our own road, regardless of what anyone else said or thought. That’s never easy, so I’m not making light of it. But I will say, we’re all happier and healthier for taking that chance.”
I blink at him. “Seriously, when did you become Sasha the Sage?”
He snort-laughs. “I’m hardly a sage, but I am the human who’s been on this ship the longest, and I’ve had more time to adapt and adjust to life aboard the Sleigh Belle. Being alien-abducted wasn’t something I ever imagined would happen, let alone having it change the direction my life would go in, but I hit the jackpot and found true love by grasping this downright improbable opportunity instead of running away from it. I have no regrets on that front.”
“Lucky bastard,” I grumble.
He nods. “That I am. But you also know me—I’m about as jaded and cynical as they come. I think it comes with the territory when the people who should love you unconditionally reject you for who you are. After that, it’s hard to trust anyone again and believe that they care. I told myself I never would.” His features soften. “Then Khephren blew into my life with the force of a freaking tentacled tsunami and proved time and time again how much he adores me. He broke down all my defenses with his freaking heart rays until I finally began to believe in his love.”
I sniffle. “Our fucking beautiful captain. For real. Ignore my snot, I’m being all sentimental and sappy right now.”
He waves a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. It totally goes with the territory. When you’re falling in love, your emotions are a total fucking mess.” He grimaces faintly. “It’s not entirely pleasant, if you ask me, but when you come out the other side, it’s all worth it.”
I bite my bottom lip. “As long as the other person reciprocates that love.”
He studies me for a long moment, then smiles faintly. “I don’t have all the answers, and I certainly don’t know Gemma well, not yet, but I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Based on that alone, I’d bet money you’re not alone in your feelings.”
I perk up. “How does she look at me?”
His lips twitch. “About the same way you look at her.”
Hope surges in my chest, and my tentacles run wild.
Sasha cackles, “You’re doing the Kermit-flail, exactly like Khephren. Are you sure you two don’t share part of a brain or something?”
Dammit. I am a lot like Kheph, but I’m choosing to see that as a good thing.
“Gemma may not be ready to admit she’s totally gaga for you quite yet,” Sasha adds, “but give it time. Good things come to those who wait and all that jazz.”
I flop back in my chair again with a groan. “The Love Waiting Game sucks balls.”
He nods in commiseration. “That it does.” Then his voice alters, and he does a damn good impression of Kheph when he says, “But it’s the season of miracles, and you just have to believe!”
That sends us into peals of laughter until we’re clutching at our sides and gasping for air.
“Where is your other half?” I ask when I’m finally able to stop laughing. “I thought you two were superglued together.”
Sasha gives me the finger and grins. “He’s plotting out the navigation for our next destination. He came up with a new plan earlier and wants to surprise us all. Said it’s going to be his gift to the crew as our captain.”
