He nodded frantically. “Sunlight. Right? She can photosynthesize.”
“Yes, but now that her teeth are coming out, she might prefer solid food. Come. Let’s visit the community garden.”
My words reassured him. He nodded, clutching Dai’zee close, and followed me outside. The infant didn’t squirm, but she growled and clucked and made other curious, impatient sounds. Each new noise terrified Jaeyoung. He stared at her like she might implode.
“You’re sure she’s okay, right?” he asked again. “I’ve never heard a Maeleon make these kinds of sounds.”
I chuckled. “How many infant Maeleons have you met?”
“Well... none.”
“You wished to learn about Eukaria. This is first-hand experience,” I said gently.
He sighed. “You’re right. I know. Sorry. It’s just stressful when it’s someone else’s kid. I want to take care of her perfectly.”
Once again, he was hung up on perfection. I slid my tentacle across his shoulder for comfort. “You are perfect in your imperfection,” I whispered. “Just do your best. Remember, Levi and Zat’tor trust you.”
Jaeyoung blinked at me, eyes flashing. “That’s... very sweet. Thank you, Linn’ar.”
When we arrived at the community garden, there were two familiar faces present. Ske’rar and Ran’nor were picking bright blue succulents from the vine when they noticed us.
“What a surprise to see you two!” Ske’rar said. “And you’ve brought your little one as well. I didn’t realize humans gave birth so quickly.”
Jaeyoung cleared his throat. “Notthatquickly. This one isn’t ours.”
Ran’nor nudged their mate. “That’s Dai’zee, remember? Zat’tor and Levi’s offspring.”
“Oh, yes. How could I forget those green human eyes?”
I glanced at Dai’zee’s face. Hopeful excitement swirled in my chest. If Jaeyoung and I had a child, would it have his gorgeous black eyes?
“Excuse my ignorance,” Jaeyoung said, scanning the garden bed. “What do infant Maeleons eat?”
Ske’rar handed him the blue succulent. “Here. Try this.”
Jaeyoung took it, then glanced at me for reassurance. Upon seeing my affirmative expression, he relaxed and brought the succulent into Dai’zee’s reach.
“Here you go,” he said tentatively. “A nice, um... blue vegetable.”
Dai’zee squeaked. She grabbed it with her claws and sank her sharp baby teeth into it, tearing the flesh with ease.
“Is there a pit or seeds or anything inside?” Jaeyoung asked me.
“No, it’s all edible. But good thinking. Just like a parent.”
He blushed and smiled, pleased at my comment.
Dai’zee munched the succulent until it disappeared, then licked the blue juice off her mouth. Jaeyoung watched her adoringly.
“She’s so cute,” he murmured. “I mean, I knew kids were cute from afar, but I’ve never been up close to one for this long. It’s like she brightens up everything around her.”
I was delighted to see him coming around. In the short time he spent with Dai’zee, he lost all his taut, wound-up nerves. He’d grown at ease with her.
I imagined him holdingourchild, taking care of it with the same painstaking care he took with Dai’zee, and my heart flooded with warmth. I held the fantasy close. Maybe after today,he would change his mind—but even if he never did, simply being with him was good enough.
“The name Dai’zee,” I began. “It is not a common Maeleon name. Do you know what it means?”
After filling our bellies at the community garden, we took a sun-basking break in the Sweetfields. The long stalks gently swayed back and forth like welcoming friends.
