He jabbed the Great Slut in the chest.
“I am removing ?.Λ.yz’Ο from service on this planet for his own good. He is destined for greater things than this, but he refuses to see it. What else was I supposed to do? Watch him ruin his own life? I am saving him from threats he refuses to see for himself. This is our responsibility as parents.Thisis how I show my love.”
“It’s one way to show your love, sure,” the Great Slut said just as calmly as he had before Titan’s father’s explosive outburst. “But are you sure it’s the best way?”
“?.Λ.yz’Ο,” Al whispered in Darvrokian just short of Titan’s ear, causing Titan to jump. He’d been so transfixed—and heartbroken—watching the argument unfold that he hadn’t noticed Human Corbin take Al’s place at Human Jude’s side. “You don’t have to be here if you don’t want to—go to Ezra and your offspring. Be with them and be happy. I’ll handle this. I’m used to being Dad’s emotional punching bag.”
Al’s offer was sincere, spoken with both concern and love, and Titanyearned to accept it, shut himself in Ezra’s unconsciousness quarters, and not think of this terrible encounter again. The issue would sort itself out as it always did, and all would be well. Or if not well, then quiet. Placation always meant peace.
But peace earned through subservience was not really peace at all, was it?
It was unhappy concession.
The same kind that kept offspring beholden to the expectations of their parents.
The same kind that kept hearts closed, for fear of what harm might befall them should they expose their vulnerability.
The impulse to run filled Titan to the point where he felt he might be sick, but as he looked at his brother, he could only shake his head. “No,” he said. “I appreciate the offer, but this isn’t your fight. I told Ezra I would be there for him no matter what, and I meant it. This ends now.”
Al’s eyes took on a sandy color in fear, but he did not stop Titan from stepping away from the door to approach the scene of the confrontation. Titan was sure he was displaying an eye color similar to Al’s—he was so full of nervous energy, his head felt as though it was swimming, his consciousness separated from his body like it was trying to escape.
“Father,” he said in Darvrokian in as level a voice as he could muster. “Your anger is misdirected. Your fight isn’t with the Great Slut or with Ezra. It’s with me.”
Titan’s father spun around. Some of the color had drained from his face, but not all, making his round cheeks resemble the delicious Earth fruit from which ketchup was born. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, ?.Λ.yz’Ο.”
“No,” Titan said. “I think I do.”
He glanced at the crowd assembled. If he went forward with speaking his mind, there would be no coming back from it—but then again, why would he want to go back? He had already chosen what he wanted from life, and a future as his father’s pet was not it.
“You are free to disapprove of my choices—I know that from the outside looking in, they must seem alarming—but to take punitive action against me instead of talking to me about your fears isn’t helping anything. I understand you think you’re doing what’s best for me, but I’m a fully grown being with offspring. The juvenile version of me who needed your insight and protection is gone.
“I do not say this to be dismissive or insulting. You have provided for me at great personal expense to yourself, and I appreciate that immensely, but you couldn’t think it would be that way forever, could you? It’s time for me to forge my own future and lead my life according to my own design, and that means a life here on Earth with Ezra and our offspring. At this point, nothing you could do to me will change that. I have made up my mind. Your only choices are to accept me and my chosen mate, or leave us be entirely so we can enjoy the life we’ve made together that you so deeply disapprove of.”
His father’s face fell. “I never should have permitted you entry onto Earth. The culture here has altered your mind. You are a Darvrokian. You are meant to follow the path laid out for you. No good will come from this divergence. Can’t you see that? I am only trying to do what’s best for you. I love you, ?.Λ.yz’Ο. I do not want you to lead a life full of suffering.”
Titan’s mother swept forward and slotted against her mate’s side, putting a hand on his lower back to show her support and affection. It was only then that Titan noticed the glistening wetness in his father’s eyes.
“My human disguise is malfunctioning,” his father mumbled, voice cracking. “Fluid is seeping from my eyes, and my vocal cords are swelling.”
“You’re not malfunctioning,” the Great Slut said, coming to stand on Titan’s father’s other side. “These are normal physical reactions to human emotions. Of all the beings I have had the pleasure of becoming, the human being is my favoritefor this reason. They are so highly attuned to their emotions that their bodies react to them in forceful, involuntary ways. I believe such experiences would benefit all Darvrokians. In fact, there are multiple beings across the universe who I believe we would be wise to learn from. For example, did you know that Slime Worms have the most taste buds of any known being? Even during my imprisonment, when I was served bad, bland food, I was able to find enjoyment in what I ate thanks to the sensitivity I gained when I lived amongst them as one of them, in the pursuit of learning their ways.”
“What do you mean, learning their ways?” Titan’s mother demanded. “You are the Great Slut. Your travels were in the pursuit of pleasure.”
“Pleasure was definitely an unexpected upside,” the Great Slut said with a grin and a single-shouldered shrug, “but it wasn’t why I did what I did. I traveled the universe to broaden my anthropologic understanding of other beings—I just happened to have a lot of fun while doing it.”
It seemed at any second like Titan’s father’s gray matter might drip out of his ears. He shook his head slowly, then wiped the moisture from his eyes with the back of his fashionable suit sleeve. “I require solitude,” he said in English. “?.Λ.yz’Ο, I will speak with you regarding these matters later. As for you,”—he set his sights on the Great Slut—“I may not have agreement with the wrong and illegal things that you have done, but even I am not so stubborn as to deny the good you have done today. Your pursuit of knowledge, as slutty as it was, has saved the lives of my son’s offspring.”
“Our sons’ offspring,” the Great Slut said warmly, and with a welcoming smile.
Human Martha, beaming, cuddled up to the Great Slut’s side.
Titan’s mother, looking relieved, kissed her mate’s shoulder, thentook his hand in hers, their fingers intertwined.
“It is too loud in my human head with all of these emotions,” Titan’s father grumbled to no one in particular. “I will sit with them and come to a determination, but before I do, ?.Λ.yz’Ο?”
“Yes, Father?”
“While I am not able to comment fully on what we have discussed today, I have certainty now that I have been too harsh with my treatment of you. Should you wish, you may keep your government position here on Earth. There is no reason to remove you from it. You have done a good and efficient job.”
