That puzzled me. What a strange outlook on relationships humans had.
Levi must have noticed my perplexed expression. “I guess Maeleons don’t have that kind of distinction,” he suggested.
“No,” I replied.
Leaning forward on my arms, I lowered my body to the ground on all fours until the field of wildflowers tickled my belly. I reached one tentacle towards Levi, beckoning him to join me. Unlike a Maeleon, his body was not built to crouch in a quadrupedal pose, so he bent his knees instead.
“What is it?” he asked.
My tail gently brushed the colorful petals. “Do you see these flowers?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think we are the same species?”
Levi’s brow creased. “Er, is this a trick question?”
“No.”
“Then my answer is no,” Levi said, shaking his head. “You’re clearly different species.”
“Correct. However, we’re notthatdifferent. We both drink the same air, water, and sun.”
“You... photosynthesize?” he asked, brows raised.
“You cannot?”
Levi smiled. “Nope. That sounds convenient, though.” He turned his attention back to the flowers. “So, you consider these your siblings?”
“Theyareour siblings,” I confirmed.
“Right,” Levi murmured.
I sat on my haunches to match his pose. “You don’t believe me.”
He raised his hand, sounding flustered. “I do! It’s just... outlandish.” As the word came out of his mouth, he grimaced. “Sorry, I don’t mean it that way. I should say, it’s not what I’m used to.”
“Yes. Humans are not what I am used to, either,” I agreed.
Levi’s lips curled, flashing a slight glimpse of flat teeth. “We’re on the same page, then.”
I was captivated by his expression. I cupped his cheek with my hand, noting the softness of his pale flesh. But it wasn’t pale for long. As I touched him, his skin changed color again, blooming with that pink hue.
“W-what is it?” he asked.
“I like this,” I stated.
“Huh?”
“I like what your face is doing right now.” I ran my thumb across the impossibly soft skin as it turned deeper and deeper pink. “It makes your eyes shine.”
Levi swallowed, even though he hadn’t eaten or drunk anything. “Oh. Um, this is called a smile. I was smiling.”
“Do it again,” I ordered.
“Hey, you can’t just order me to smile on command,” he grumbled, doing the opposite of a smile.
“Why not?”
