It seemed like the perfect outing to seal their relationship and inspire them to work on their own projects going forward. Her mothers would be so excited by confirmation that she was at long last in a committed, loving relationship. Not that Qalu believed her maternal figures when they asserted that a Tiralan could only be happy in that fashion. If she’d never met Helix, she would’ve been happier alone than shoved into a situation that didn’t fit.

Now, however, she had the perfect mate, one who fit her perfectly. Earlier in the day as the light broke, creeping across the floor toward the sleep platform, she hadn’t been able to believe they belonged to her—that they had chosen her and wanted to stay, always.

I’m so lucky.

There were so many ways this could have gone wrong, so many ways the pieces could’ve been broken so badly that there would’ve been no mending them. Instead, she was cozily riding in a transport pod, watching Helix take in the beauties of Tiralan from the aerial view, with enough intensity that one could’ve mistaken it for their first time.

“You’re happy,” she guessed.

At least their posture reflected as much, all contentment. Helix turned to her with a warm look–eyes glittering with adoration. Perhaps she was only letting herself see it now or hadn’t dared believe it before.

“I am. I was thinking about our visit on Barath. Of Zylar and Beryl Bowman. Snaps, who wants to call Aevi on the holo, and how your mothers scolded me and then welcomed me home. Like I’m…”

“Family?” she suggested.

“Yes.”

“You are now. They will meddle in your life as much as they do mine. Inatol will push contacts with art critics on you, and Solsan will try to find out your favorite food so she can make it for you.”

“Roasted nornroot,” they said at once.

Qalu failed to suppress the amused sound. “I already told her.”

“I hope you’ll continue to be patient with me as I learn. In all likelihood, I’ll upset you and get things wrong. I won’t know the right words, or I’ll say the wrong ones. Living as an organic being is still rather new to me.”

Gently, she touched their forelimb as the transport pod descended. “That’s true of every being, Helix. Please be tolerant of my mistakes as well, for I’ve only lived with Aevi for a long time. I cherish her, but her emotional needs are not complex.”

“Patience. Tolerance.” They repeated the words like they were important enough to be memorized. “We can do this. I believe in us.”

Qalu felt like her entire spirit might be singing, as if her frame should rightfully be limned in light. “So do I.”