Jace, with a crooked smile, held the spoon up to Khoth’s lips. “Try it. You might like it. I know it’s something new, but–”
Khoth ate a spoonful of “burrito” with sour cream. The taste was surprisingly good. It was meaty, smooth in parts and chewy in others. The sour cream was cool and had a faint tang. He swallowed and licked his lips before finding himself staring at the “burrito” again and then at Jace’s face.
Don’t let the Rule of Duuskukeh get in the way of doing what’s right.
“Gehenna, I think he might like it,” Jace let out a soft, wheezing laugh.
I want to keep him laughing, Khoth found himself thinking.
Exaggerating the archness that was usually in his voice, and crossing his arms at the wrists behind his back to look extra aloof, Khoth stated, “Of course, I enjoy it. It is much like space paste.”
Jace threw back his head and laughed so hard that his eyes started to tear. The laughter started to change. Khoth had not expected this. Tears were flowing down Jace’s cheeks. He was shaking and the laughter had turned to sobs. Khoth stood there, dumbly, for a moment and then he recalled how Jace’s parents had hugged him and the way the tension had bled out from Jace. Hugging. It was a sacred act, only done with family in private for the Thaf’ell. But Jace needed that comfort. And though Khoth was not family, he was the only one there to give it.
And he wanted to give it.
Khoth reached for Jace and, without hesitation, Jace came into his arms and clung to him.
Don’t let the Rule of Duuskukeh get in the way of doing what’s right.
“I will make sure that you always have the time you need,” Khoth found himself saying to Jace. “I swear it, Jace.”
This was what was right. So this was what he would do.
Marks Of Battle
“You must explain the mystery of the word ‘ranch’ to me,” Khoth said to Jace as he studied the ranch-flavored Dorito.
“There’s a mystery to do with the word ‘ranch’?” Jace was already grinning.
“Oh, yes.”
This was bound to be good. Khoth always had such a different way of looking at things. And, though the Thaf’ell Commander was definitely playing the “straight man” in terms of comedy, Jace was pretty sure that Khoth was trying to make him laugh. In some ways, that seemed like a very un-Khoth-like thing to do, but that was only if one looked at the surface of the alien. Underneath the logical and cool exterior, Jace thought that Khoth might be the most empathetic person he knew.
And he hugged you! Gehenna reminded him. It’s quite a big deal for a Thaf’ell to show physical affection like that. It’s, uhm, well sacred and such.
Jace wasn’t quite sure what she meant by sacred. Even if such an act was sacred normally, he was pretty sure that Khoth wasn’t being sacred with him. But was, instead, trying to stop him from breaking down entirely, which he pointed out to Gehenna.
Yeah, yeah, but that was because I was having a nervous breakdown, he reminded her, but he remembered the feeling of strong arms and a firm front and the sense that he was safer against blue skin than he’d ever been anyplace else.
But you’re better now. Aren’t you? You seem better, Gehenna said as she pressed pincers together from her spot by the oven.
I’m much better. Thanks, Gehenna, he assured her. Just a little bit overwhelmed back there.
Of course. You’re doing so well, Jace! It’s good to let these things out! She told him loyally.
She had been the one to suggest he go home after taking care of--killing--the last of the infected human beings--people I knew, people I cared for--in the Khul ships. He shook himself. He didn’t want to fall back into that pit of despair again. He and Khoth were no longer hugging after all, and he didn’t want to press his luck in needing a second, sacred hug from Khoth.
The two of them were seated on the kitchen floor as the table was not big enough for all the snacks they had opened. Both of them were cross legged and faced one another. In orbit around them were bags of chips of all kinds, not to mention various two-liters of sodas and candy. Gehenna was heating burritos, Hot Pockets, and pizza rolls. Jace was determined that Khoth try at least one of everything from their haul from the Con-Ve.
Khoth held up the triangular chip that was dusted with the white and green powder. “This is ranch-flavored.”
“Correct.” Jace crunched on some tortilla chips and fresh salsa.
Khoth then gestured to the house around them. “And this is a ranch-style home.”
“Ah, yes, that is correct, too,” Jace said with a nod as he plucked a Cheeto from an open bag.
“And there are homes nearby that are called ‘ranches’ though they do not look like this home, but are called that because they have cattle and other animals that graze on the land?” Khoth proceeded.
