Kellat sighed and shot her a look. “Don’t give him ideas. That is a male who doesn’t give a draanth about impossibilities.”
Kirr grinned. “You’d better believe it, healer.”
Then he looked down at her. "I have something for you."
Harper blinked, the sudden shift in topic catching her off guard. "For me?"
He shifted his weight, looking... almost awkward? Which would have been odd on a nearly seven-foot alien warrior who could probably kill a room full of mercenaries without breaking a sweat, if it weren’t so cute. Which would also not have been her first description of a seven-foot alien warrior, but there they were.
He reached into a pouch at his belt and pulled out something small, holding it in his closed fist for a moment before offering it to her.
"A gift," he muttered, looking anywhere but at her face. "For safety. And... because I wanted you to have it."
He opened his hand.
Resting in the middle of his calloused palm was a bracelet. It wasn't just a bracelet, though; it was a work of art. Delicate strands of pale metal were woven together to look like vines, twisting and curling around each other in an intricate, endless knot. It caught the harsh medical bay lights and softened them, gleaming with a cool, moon-like luster.
Her breathing stuttered.
She didn't own things like this. Her life was defined by mended seams, second-hand coats, and counting credits for subway fare. The most expensive thing she owned… had owned anyway… was her comm unit, and that was three models out of date. This... this looked precious.
"Kirr," she breathed, reaching out to touch it but hesitating halfway to look up at him. "It's beautiful."
"It is silver-steel alloy," he said, his voice gruff. "Durable. It won't break."
"It's gorgeous." She looked up at him, her chest aching. "Why?"
"Because you are mine," he said, as if that explained everything.
Heat flooded her cheeks. He kept saying things like that. Making her feel like the universe started and ended with her. After a lifetime of being the responsible one, the one who fixed things while Delilah sparkled... being the one who got the lovely gift felt overwhelming.
"Thank you," she said softly as she picked it up. It was heavier than it looked, cool and weighty in her hand. The craftsmanship was incredible. Every tiny leaf was perfect.
"It's... a lot. But I love it." She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
She glanced over at Kellat, who was watching them from the console. The healer's lips curved. He met her gaze, eyes twinkling with amusement, then shook his head.
She looked back up at Kirr and frowned.
"So why do you look like you kicked a puppy?" she asked, nudging his arm with her elbow. "You look guilty."
He flinched. Actually flinched. "I do not look guilty. I am a War-Commander. We do not do guilt."
"You seem weirdly embarrassed then." She held up the bracelet. "Wait, is this your version of a proposal? Did we get married or something?"
"No," he said quickly. Too quickly. "It is just a gift. Here. Put it on."
He took the bracelet from her, his large fingers surprisingly nimble as he opened the clasp. He slipped it around her left wrist.
It fit perfectly. Not just well… but perfectly. It didn't slide too far down or pinch her skin. It sat flush against her wrist as if it had been made for her.
"How did you know my size?" she asked, turning her arm to admire the way the silver vines seemed to hug her wrist.
"I pay attention," he said. He was still looking at the bracelet, his expression almost brooding. He ran his thumb over the metal vines once, a checking motion, before dropping his hand. "Don’t take it off, Harper. It... pleases me to see you wearing it."
"I love it," she said. "I'm never taking it off."
"I will leave you two," Kellat said, his voice smooth. "I have rounds to complete. Harper, you may stay as long as you wish, but do not tire yourself. Emotional exhaustion is as taxing as physical exertion."
