Jin made a dismissive sound. “Eye color isn’t a deciding factor. Many people could have that eye color.”
Kira gave up, knowing no amount of argument was going to solve this today. “You’re stubborn.”
Jin twisted one way then another, his emotions spilling into their bond. Anxiety and apprehension mixed with unease. Beneath it all, the smallest kernel of longing.
“I don’t want to open myself up to hurt down the line,” he whispered.
Kira’s expression softened. She could understand that. Wasn’t it at the core of why she had so much trouble accepting Harlow and Roake?
It hurt to get your hopes up only to have them dashed in the end.
Rejection in any form was corrosive. It ate away at the person you were.
Both Kira and Jin had been conditioned to expect the worst out of people. It was damn near impossible sometimes to remember the universe wasn’t always a dark place.
“How would they ever accept what I’ve become?” Jin asked. “The answer is they wouldn’t, and you know it.”
Kira’s expression was contemplative as she set the cup of chai on the railing.
The conversation with Graydon pointed to the truth of Jin’s words. Still, she didn’t want her friend to turn away just because he was afraid.
Jin had always been fearlessly himself, not caring what others thought he should be.
It was one of the things Kira loved most about him, and she wouldn’t see it change for anything.
“Perhaps you’re right,” Kira allowed. “But I think I remember it was you who said it couldn’t hurt to learn a little more about these people before we reject them.”
“This is different.”
Kira propped her chin on her hand. “I believe I said that too.”
Jin’s eye turned to Devon as he fell silent.
She straightened and bopped him on his casing again before he could argue further. “I never said you had to reveal yourself to them, but I also don’t want you making decisions without having all the facts.”
Kira picked up her chai again. “If you want to ignore this possibility, you can. I’m on your side. Forever and always. Remember that.”
Wren stepped into view below, catching her eye. He jerked his head in an unmistakable summons.
“Better go before yourseon’yerrmembers everything we’ve gotten up to without his permission,” Jin advised.
“We wouldn’t want that,” Kira said before heading inside.
It took only minutes to dress in the clothes she found in one of the dressers. Made from the same ballistic proof material as the ones she received on Ta Sa’Riel, she admired the cut of the fabric before heading out.
Kira’s jog slowed as she found Wren waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her.
“Something the matter?” she asked.
“In light of your revelations yesterday, I thought it would be appropriate we spend some time together.”
Kira descended the last steps, wondering how she got so unlucky.
Wren quirked one eyebrow at the grudging look on her face. “Unless you have something else to do?”
Not unless he counted investigating the waverunner who went by the call sign Moonbeam.
Truthfully, Odin and Jin would be more useful for that.
