He vibrated with enthusiasm, like he wanted to launch into his own lecture about it, but his attention was distracted when Fhi’ran returned. A dull, limp flower was cupped in his palms.
“Here we are,” Fhi’ran said. “You said you were pollinated last night, correct?”
Jaeyoung nodded. He didn’t blush this time, so I assumed he was no longer ashamed of admitting it. His excitement was too powerful.
He thrust out one palm, eager to take the flower, while his dominant hand hovered over his notepad to record every single observation.
Fhi’ran gently placed the limp flower in Jaeyoung’s palm. I watched closely. I’d heard tales of the pollenairus flower, but never seen it. And yet, if I flicked my nictitating membrane across my eyes, its magic revealed itself. Not only did the green-gold particles span between me and Jaeyoung, and I saw a fuzzy blob of silver flecks humming around the flower.
I tilted my head, examining the flecks. They were there, but muted, like an overcast day. I had a feeling they were supposed to be a different color.
Jaeyoung frowned at his palm. “What’s going on? Nothing’s happening.”
I returned my focus to him. The dull flower didn’t move. It lay flat and lifeless in his hand without even a twitch of its dry leaf.
“Does this mean I’m not pregnant?” Jaeyoung asked, a note of anxiety creeping into his voice.
“You said you were pollinated last night. The morning sun has only just risen,” Fhi’ran pointed out.
Jaeyoung breathed out hard. “Levi’s pregnancy was confirmed the afternoon afterhewas pollinated. That’s a short amount of time, too.”
Sensing his frustration, I looped a feeler to the back of his neck and sunk it into his skin, infusing him with calm energy.
His shoulders drooped and he let out a longer sigh. I felt his silent gratitude through our shared connection.
“Sorry. I know I’m just being impatient.” Frowning, he scribbled some notes. “Should we come back later today?”
“Let us try that,” Fhi’ran agreed.
“If you are not pregnant yet, I can always pollinate you again,” I suggested cheerfully.
Jaeyoung choked on a laugh. “Sure, Linn’ar. That works, too.”
As we left the Healer’s den, I sensed a haze of disappointment emanating from my filum. I kept my feeler attached to balance his emotions.
“Are you sad?” I asked Jaeyoung after we departed.
He took a moment to answer. “I don’t know. I think so. Which is weird because I never thought I’d be disappointed tonotbe pregnant, something I previously thought to be impossible.” He shook his head. “This whole experience is mind-opening, to be sure.”
“Do not fret,” I said, putting my arm around his small shoulders. “You will carry our child. I am sure of it.”
Jaeyoung grinned. “Funny how I believe you when you say stuff like that.”
Despite my reassurance, I still sensed his subdued disappointment pulsing through our shared connection.
“Will you teach me how to makegaraetteokso I can make it for you?” I asked.
Jaeyoung perked up, a genuine smile warming his expression. The momentary discontent was forgotten.
“Sure, Linn’ar. That sounds fun.” He switched back into thinking mode. “First, we need rice flour—or whatever is closest to rice here on Eukaria.”
“Rice flour,” I repeated, surprised to understand the term translated by Jaeyoung’s ear-gadget. “We have that.”
His eyes widened in hopeful shock. “What? You do?”
“Yes. And I know just where to find it.” I took his hand. “Come with me.”
13 /Jaeyoung
