I take a moment to thank my lucky stars I became a vegetarian as a teenager, much to Nana’s consternation.
“I’ll take the WarpDrive Whoppernova with extra cheese and spicy peppers, please,” Luna declares, rubbing her stomach in anticipation.
She turns to me with a smile that makes my heart flutter—and is already growing familiar.
I step closer to the counter, relieved to finally see they have something I can eat. “I’ll try the Rainbow Nebula Garden Burger with cheese and extra pickles.”
The robot cashier processes our orders, which Luna pays for. I have plenty of currency from Earth, but I’m pretty sure that has zero value beyond my home planet.
Yep, gotta figure out intergalactic money and how to make my own.
When our order is ready, we find a cozy table with unusual hovering round seats that prove to be far sturdier and more comfortable than they look. Once we’ve sat down, Luna attacks her burger with gusto and immediately moans with pleasure.
“That good, huh?”
She swallows her mouthful of food and beams. “I give it eight tentacles up!”
I fight back a laugh and study my own burger. It smells good so I take a cautious bite. To my relief, it’s delicious. The patty seems to be a mixture of mushrooms or similar fungi, beans of some kind, a vegetable remarkably similar to a beet both in flavor and color, and a variety of savory spices. It reminds me a bit of some veggie burgers I’ve had back home. I’m not sure what the ingredients of the cheese-type product are, but it’s creamy and a little bit tangy, which goes very well with the flavors of the veggie patty.
Once we finish our burgers, I’ve gotten over my initial freak-out with the coaster and I’m a lot calmer and more even-keeled. As usual, Luna somehow intuited what I needed better than I even did. I’m starting to think it’s a kind of superpower she possesses.
“How about we find something to drink? I’m thirsty after my meal.”
“I was thinking the exact same thing. Wanna try that little juice stand?” Luna says, pointing to a cute little cart.
In agreement, we head over and order some extraterrestrial-style tropical fruit juices. Again, the flavors are not completely alien—heh—in comparison to those from Earth, but also not exactly identifiable by me. But I roll with it. I’m a lot more comfortable eating extraterrestrial fruits and vegetables. Even if I wasn’t a vegetarian, I’d probably forego the mystery meats until I learned more about them.
I’m not the kind of vegetarian who can’t be around people eating meat. That’s never bothered me, especially since I wasn’t always meat-free, so I have no issues with Luna eating meat. I’ll have to get her to teach me about the dietary needs of her people so I can better care for her and the other Dravethians on our ship. That’s one way I can at least pull my weight as the new medical officer.
Luna and I continue wandering together, holding hands and drinking our refreshing beverages. I can’t help but marvel at how dream-like this date we’re having is. Perhaps I’m wearing the proverbial rose-colored glasses, but I won’t deny that this time together is precious and oh so right. Luna’s presence at my side grounds me. She makes me feel safe and cared for. So far, she’s been checking in with me every step of the way, looking out for me to make sure I have a good time. Her motives may not be wholly altruistic since she really wants me to adapt to my new life and fall in love with traveling the universe. Nonetheless, I’m certain that her actions and sentiments are genuine.
It makes me cozy warm all over and has me daring to dream of a future with her.
I clear my throat. “Where should we go next?”
One of Luna’s tentacles taps her chin as she considers. “Hmm. Why don’t we check out the Spacewalk Skyway? It alsohas amazing views, minus the high-speed movement of the MegaCoaster.”
Now that sounds tempting. “Tell me more about how the skyway works.”
She lights up, tentacles flapping cutely. “It’s the extraterrestrial equivalent of a glass walkway that extends out over part of the Rainbow Nebula. It’s considered one of the park’s most romantic attractions and a total couples destination.” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “At least, according to what I’ve read on the intergalactic web. Walking along it is supposed to be like floating above the colorful gas emissions beneath our feet. We’ll get up close and personal views of the nebula, aka total photo opportunity.”
It does sound pretty romantic, I have to admit, but I swallow nervously. “You’re sure it’s safe, especially for someone like me?”
In one smooth move, a tentacle wraps around my waist like a lasso and pulls me in. Boom! Instant gay rodeo fantasies of Luna on a horse in cowgirl wear.
“I’d never take you anywhere dangerous to you, I swear,”
Total swoon-worthy moment, right here.
“I believe you. Let’s boldly go where no human’s ever gone!” I link my arm with Luna’s and grin. “Fair warning, sweetheart, I’ll be keeping a firm hold on to you in case I get vertigo from looking down.” I sniff haughtily. “And if I look ready to hurl, you must employ your muscular tentacles to come to my chivalrous rescue.”
Luna’s lips twitch with obvious amusement. “It’s a deal, gorgeous.” She leans closer and whispers in my ear, sweet and soft, “I’ve got you, I promise.”
My whole body is electrified from the faint sensation of her breath against my ear.
Fuck.
I don’t think she realizes how much shedoeshave me already.
