Her gaze met his. Bugz processed the color of Feng’s eyes. Brown, though a lighter shade of brown than you might expect from someone with his shade of skin. Bugz studied the myriad amber and ocher striations that made up his irises. She thought of the massive nebulae where stars formed in the far reaches of the galaxy. She found herself thinking about her phone. She pulled it out and scrolled. “What?” Her eyes remained fixed on her device.

“Don’t leave. I’m just trying to be honest. I figured you, out of anyone, you’d understand where I’m coming from.”

“Anishinaabe people lost everything. It’s a miracle any of us survived. Our culture was on life support and I rebuilt it in the Floraverse, okay? And now you’re telling me you love the one thing that can actually threaten all that.”

“Well, like I said, there’s more to Clan:LESS than that.” Feng attempted a smile. “They put me on their streams when I was first starting and help me build my followers.”

Bugz contemplated this. Followers meant a lot to her. “I’m really sorry for what you went through as a kid, I really am. It breaks my heart.” The whirlwind of Bugz’s emotions toward Feng began to settle.

“Thanks.”

“You seem like a good person, Feng. But it’s a little scary who you hang out with…and you’ve got this serious look all the time that makes it tough to connect with you.” Bugz looked to her feet. “But I guess I am glad we came out here. I’m getting to know the real you.”

Bugz looked up and found Feng’s eyes just inches from her own. He’d stepped closer. She closed her eyes, and inhaled. Feng touched her face. Bugz opened her eyes and cast them downward, slightly disappointed.

“I know what it’s like to search for something,” Bugz sighed. “Believe me, I know.” She allowed his hand to run slowly along her cheek. Bugz struggled to match the toxic things she knew Feng was a part of online with the side he was showing her now. “But you don’t have to prove anything to me or try to be tough or anything like that.” Bugz breathed deeply, sensing Feng’s gentle touch, sensing the air filling her lungs. “Maybe everything you’re looking for is right here.” She exhaled. “And maybe what I’m looking for is here too.”

“With me?” Feng’s hand stopped and rested on her chin.

“Yeah, with you, genius.” Bugz smiled and stepped back. “Do you see anyone else around? Is Clan:LESS hiding in the trees?” She shook her head, still smiling. Her joke masked her true worries about Feng’s involvement with the clan, which still flowed through her thoughts like an undercurrent.