“I’m Ziggy,” my partner continued, since I was still gaping like a fool. “And this is Micah.”
“Zig-ee,” Leeloo repeated before turning their literally hooded gaze on me. “My-kuh.”
“That’s me!” I waved for no good goddamn reason. “It’s a name from the Bible… which is a, um, book where we come from. A fiction book. Open to interpretation. Anyway, I’ve always liked my name because it sounds likemica,which is what we call crystallized silicate minerals that show up in metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rock… Kind of like what you’ve got going on here…”
The Eki was staring at me with either rapt interest or deep confusion, but I had no way of knowing which one.
And this is why I was single before I met Ziggy.
“And this is Pedro,” my space fiancé cheerfully called out, saving my dumb ass once again—this time from myself.
Partners ‘til the end.
Leeloo snapped their attention to the pair on the bed. “You named them?”
“Well, yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck, wondering if it was considered weird in outer space to name highly coveted talismans. “We think of Pedro as family.”
The Eki hadn’t taken their gaze off the Trol. “Is thatwhy you feel…calledto protect them?”
Ziggy tensed, placing a protective hand on Pedro as Leeloo stepped closer.
Ooh, Space Daddy in the house!
“Yes,” I blurted out, eager to draw Leeloo’s attention away from the Trol. “It’s like a… paternal instinct? I mean, we don’t have children of our own yet, so?—”
Oh, no…
This time, I tried to rescue my own damn self by slamming my mouth shut and throwing away the key, but the damage had been done. Ziggy’s baby blues had gone as round as twin moons, and the sound he choked out could only be described as a death rattle.
Way to Stormtrooper the baby discussion, Micah.
Leeloo nearly blew their own hood off with how quickly they glanced between us before producing a rasping sound of their own.
Are they… laughing at us?
Fair.
“Let us focus on training for now, My-kuh,” they blessedly redirected. “Before your mate disappears into thin air.”
THEY KNOW!
Now, webothtensed, but I instantly realized my Jedi Master was making a joke.
Okay, Leeloo. I see you.
“Yeah,” I laughed awkwardly. “I would like that, and Iappreciatethe training. Again, thank you.”
The Eki inclined their head as Ziggy piped in, “May I join the training session? To watch?”
Yes fucking please.
The rawreliefthat coursed through me left no doubt in my mind that Ineededmy Space Daddy by my side for this exercise—as moral support.
My forever hype girl.
Leeloo considered for a moment before nodding at Ziggy. “Of course, you may accompany your mate, as long as you maintain a safe distance from the exercises. I would caution against bringing the child with you, however, as we would not want to place them in harm’s way.”
Ah, fuck.
