#tray writes

[shrikeseams]

Whenever I type up a half-assed improv recipe, I understand why old recipes are Like That. IDK how much stock you'll need! It depends on how think you like a gravy and how high you left your stove heat!

[themintman]

Sometimes you get a vision that needs to be completed RIGHT. NOWEWWWWWWWW even though it's two am on Christmas eve/morning 😭😭

Based on this drawing I've seen people redraw recently 😋

[danielsarmand]

the way boston looks at top when top tells him “once is enough for you and me” really gets me because he looks so... sad. disappointed doesn't feel like enough to describe him here, he's not angry, he's not affronted or annoyed, he's plain sad.

and after, when he tells top he's a narcissist, that's him blatantly trying to dodge more than attack. he never once denies he wants top and he makes it clear he does, but he still feels the need to protect himself somewhat by diverting the attention to top's ego.

except he fails, because look at the way he swallows and the subtle eyebrow raise—he is so insecure in this scene and it's fascinating to me considering it's boston we're talking about. top makes boston insecure and it gets me, it just gets me.

then of course we have top and his little smirk, that eyeroll. he doesn't need to speak because he knows boston wants him, and he finds him genuinely pathetic for it. top may be a narcissist, but boston makes it so easy for him to justify being one. he's like, well, maybe, but you're the one who's begging me to fuck him because you just can't get enough of me, so really am i wrong in thinking i'm all that and more? and i think boston craves an absolutely counterintuitive mix of deprecation and praise, like he enjoys being the object of worship and might turn to nick for that because nick makes him feel good and wanted and therefore real, but he gets hooked on top because he can't manage to make him do what he wants him to do, and so he gets a bit addicted to his rejection as a result because it becomes a challenge to him.

like this is the face he makes when top leaves the bathroom are you kidding me. he is going through it in a monumental fashion and i bet he's so confused by it too because i don't think he's used to any of this.

i need to consume him i truly love him so much he's such an interesting character already

[redcyclops650]

“Long ago, there was an entertainer with a passion to entertain the young, accompanied by his trustworthy bobble-nosed companion. Both entertaining many children in their time”

“But he had a family ( and wanted to move on and pursue other projects, that I understand ) and had to move on. Leaving a new generation lost and without the guidance of him and his legacy.”

“For once more, they became subject to entertainment without substance”

“But when the world needed him most, He returned”

[sleepyfan-blog]

Serious Research

Author's note: This is the next fic in Mer!Trai's story! First. Prev. Next

warnings: none! please ask me to tag something if it bothers you

tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @the-pure-angel @whorety-k @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan

@kit-williams @bleedingichorhearts

Summary: Trai uses one of Ancient Terra's "laptops" to better research how to properly woo his lovely, bonded human.

It had taken weeks of diligently working alongside some of his fussier Cousins to finally convince one of them to allow him use of the Ancient Terran equivalents to a dataslate - while they did have tablets, which were touch-based on top of the device to use it, but he found that it was much easier for him to use the laptop versions of the computational devices, as well as the desktop versions. The laptops were more easily portable and after some trial and error on Trai's part, the Word Bearer had figured out how to use the keyboard without accidentally causing damage to the device with his claws. It was very important to him that he learn how to use this device, as it was connected to the Ancient Terran version of the Noosphere - which was called The Internet at this time.

He had many questions, and while most of his cousins were content to answer the questions that he had with varying degrees of patience and amusement, Trai wanted to do some independent research… Besides, he didn't want to endure the usually playful teasing that he was likely to suffer if they found out that he wasn't sure how to court you, his wonderful bonded human without coming off as too intense, or potentially cause an awkward cultural clash. If he learned more about your culture, he hoped to have at least a bit better of an understanding as to your likely reactions to what he was going to do. That and he knew that humans courted each other during this time period. They probably had advice and tips on how to date each other that he could probably use. Which was what he was also after.

Trai clicks on the icon for the internet browser, humming a little to himself as it took a couple of seconds to load up, remembering the internet safety rules he'd been instructed on - and that not everything on the internet was truthful, which meant that he would need to try and cross-check any "facts" he found online with other sources to hopefully figure out what was actual truth and what was either a lie or a fancible fable.

Several weeks had passed since Zedkiel had met his fellow caretakers to the Primarchs. While he couldn’t say that he would be able to get along with all of them under normal circumstances 

The first question that he started with was perhaps a little bit basic, but he felt that:

What do humans like?

Was a sensible first question to ask. After all he desperately wanted to make you happy and to smile at him regularly. There were a bunch of articles about the psychology behind why humans like what they liked. 

What is Psychology?

The first couple of links were to acquire psychology degrees of some kind - either through online methods or links to physical training centers. How fascinating. Those links didn’t really explain what psychology was, so he continued to search, finding the answer to be fascinating. It made sense to study oneself and others around them mentally. It was a subject of study in the far future as well. But now he’s gotten off track, and went back to his search. His next inquiry was:

How do I woo a human?

He huffed a little as he sees a couple of links pop up, followed by several suggested questions. He still felt decidedly masculine, so it wasn't as if he was a woman trying to court a man… Nor was either you nor he underage, so questions about boys and girls didn't make sense to click on.

He found several more linked sites:

A wiki page suggesting a little over twenty different flirting tips, a place called Reddit on the r/dating… Thread? Community? Something. There were several links to "dating" sites. But it wasn't as if he wanted to date just anyone - which seemed to be the preferred term to wooing.

He read through the flirting tips, all of which boiled down to; ask questions about the person you're interested in, give them genuine compliments and find ways to touch their shoulders/arms/hands that didn't make them uncomfortable. There was conflicting information about eye contact - some humans liked a lot of eye contact, others found it intimidating or insulting.

Trai huffed a little and erased his previous question before putting in:

How do I date someone?

There was another link to the how to flirt page, but he'd already read that. There was also some stuff about being honest; he'd tried honesty and had spooked his human. Maybe there was a balance between being honest with one's potential love match and not saying all of what you hoped would happen all at once up front? But how did someone do that? It was another question to ask, once he'd read through the search results of this.

There were other helpful-ish suggestions. To be present in the moments that you spent with your loved one, and to be open to the dating opportunities around you… But Trai was determined to date you, not just any human who might be interested in being courted by and courting an Astartes. Maintain Independence… He could hunt and fight just fine, he simply stayed in the research aquarium that you worked at because this was the easiest way for him to keep contact with you. And he could help you with some of your work tasks!

There was also a link about woohooing one’s partner in amongst the other links about dating. Trai had no context for the term, but as he murmured “Woohoo.” To himself quietly, it was a fun word to say, and hopefully it would make sense?

Ohhhhh… It was related to a game… And in order to do so, the make believe person a mortal was playing needed to use romantic options on the target sim. Hugs, and Flirting… Asking if the sim was single and pick up lines. Also something about having a higher friendship level helped to.

Did Friendship Levels exist on Ancient Terra as well? Or was this only a thing in this sims game? What exactly was this sims ga-

No. He was getting off track again. And apparently if one had a good friendship level with the target sim, one didn’t necessarily need to also use romantic options in some versions of this sim game.

… Maybe he should look into this game, to get some practice in how to flirt and interact with baseline mortals in M3? Something to look into, at least. But later. He was a mer on a mission.

What is a pick up line?

Ah! They were a mixture of verbal ice breakers and ways to signal one was romantically and/or sexually interested in the person they were saying the pick up line to. He began to look up specific pick up lines… Groaning a little as many of them were really terrible, at least to his sensibilities, but many of them were partially meant to flatter the person they were being told to… But some of them were borderline if not outright rude, crass or demeaning.

One of the other suggested questions puzzled Trai, so he clicked on it.

How do you date in real life?

As… As opposed to what? Daydreaming in one's mind about who one wanted to date? Trai had done plenty of that already, as well as silently pining over your beautiful soul and lovely body. He wanted to act, not just daydream and silently wish. Human lives were so short, especially on Ancient Terra.

Apparently there were ways to date a person on this version of the noosphere? Trai couldn't imagine wanting to do that. The Noosphere was maintained by the Adeptus Mechanicus and heavily monitored by them and the loyalists. He shuddered internally at the thought of such a private part of him being documented for any curious mechanical maniac to read and chuckle over. He had enough teasing from his Cousins over his first fumbling attempt thank you very much.

He clicked on the wikihow site, as it had several different articles pertaining to dating.

One of the wikihow titles jumped out at him: How to get bitches: a comprehensive guide.

Wait.

What. What was a bitch?

He was unfamiliar with the word and quickly typed in the question. A small frown appeared on his face as he read through the different explanations as to what the word was. Using the term bitch in this context made him a little uncomfortable and wary that the tone that it struck in the title meant that the entire article was probably slanted in a mildly to moderately insulting manner to those being pursued. Still, he did click on the pejorative title. Perhaps it was meant to be provocative on purpose?

… Stalking, emotional blackmailing and manipulation and badgering someone over and over again until they gave into you and agreed to a date so you'd stop bothering them didn't seem… Like the most auspicious or loving start to a relationship. Still, he supposed these were things to watch out for?

You did seem to enjoy spending time with him, at least. Maybe if he set up a date idea, and then asked you to go on one with him, you'd say yes, and he could prove just how great a partner he would be? Yes. That sounded like a great idea. Which was why he typed into the question bar:

First date ideas

… Wow, that was a lot to take in all at once. there were dozens of articles with hundreds of ideas on them. But many of them required the use of local currency, of which Trai had none, so he altered the search term to figure out what free date activities he could suggest for you and he to go on. Or wait. He knew that many humans seemed to like sand dollars and other shells, especially if they were intact!

How to trade shells for money or other objects?

... Oh. Now he was reading articles about how the seashell trade was causing a great deal of devastation to the local mollusc and other shelled fish populations. Or at least, it had been until some of his pushier cousins had stepped in and started causing trouble for the large companies who were sending people out by the hundreds to collect shells, leaving none behind on many beaches. Still... If he harvested the shells sustainably, maybe he could get some of the local currency? But you worked in sea life preservation, and trying to court you with money he'd gotten with the blood of sea life felt... Wrong somehow. So he typed in:

Free first date ideas

There were fewer search results, but that honestly was less overwhelming for him to read through. While some of these first date ideas required items or materials he didn't have and probably wouldn't be able to easily barter access to, there were several things that he could do. That and he really liked the idea of sharing a meal with you, if you were amenable. He was an expert hand at hunting and foraging, and had learned the food safety standards for baseline humans on Ancient Terra, and was confident that he could create a meal that wouldn't make you sick.

Now all he had to do was to work up the courage to ask you out.

[forcebookish]

boston:

[allinsideyourhead]

Paul Simon and a tray of hotdogs in August 1976.

[crystalverse-project]

was chatting to @themintman and this idea for the au just kinda...came into my head

csv!dan's sensory issues mean he feels REALLY uncomfortable wearing a lab coat and that's why he still wears his hoodie jacket when he's doing experiments, had the idea of trayaurus getting him a white one, probably not in the current arc but afterwards, maybe when he goes for his phd?

he ends up needing get (the same) new clothes after the next...adventure. rescue. incident. whatever anyway

w/ regular jacket

[thecasualfkfan]

Let us talk about the 'guitar' scene shall we?

Boeing comes in to 'see' Sand and comments on how Sand is still using the 'same' guitar implying that this was not a new conversation.

He also asks When will he get a new guitar? also implying that he has indeed asked him this before and Sand's expression is clearly showing that he had indeed offered some explanation for this before this and does not want to do the same again. This is showing familiary and that Boeing was the one who was the 'old' one in Sand's life(also that inspite of knowing sand is using an old guitar,he never gave or never even tried or thought about giving a new one to Sand).

Cut to Ray giving Sand a 'New' guitar. This is a great symbolism of him being the 'New' one in Sand's life(also the one who actually gave sand a new guitar when he noticed that sand wanted one) and the one who remembered which was the guitar sand wanted.

Sand saying he feels a liitle bad for taking it but want it and asking can he have it while smiling

that big showing he's indeed not feeling bad and very happy that Ray noticed and cared enough to buy a new one for him.

He's at that stage of relationship with Ray(comfortable and boyfriend-y) where he can accepts gifts from Ray without feeling like he's giving up his self worth and for someone like Sand that's a huge thing.

Therefore I hereby conclude that Sand and Ray are in fact very much in Love and understand each other and Boeing can take his homewreking and cheating assTM and go fuck himself.

[dustdeepsea]

Me, at my writing desk on a Monday, replying to comments like old-fashioned social correspondence: Dear reader, I am gladdened to hear that you find his cock visage so beautiful. I, too, was filled with tender and powerful thoughts at the sight. Would you do me the honour of coming to tea at four o'clock on Thursday so we may discuss this further—

[not-poignant]

March 2024 Writing Round-Up

Here’s the monthly round-up of everything written and posted in March 2024!

Here’s the chapters that were released:

Birthday Spotlight - Gulvi Dubna Vajat

Underline the Black 82

Underline the Black 83

Underline the Black 84

Underline the Blue 12

Underline the Blue 13

Constellations 04

The Nascent Diplomat 42

The Nascent Diplomat 43 (Augus+Gwyn Tier+)

Underline the Blue 14 (Augus+Gwyn Tier+)

Underline the Blue 15 (Augus+Gwyn Tier+)

Constellations 07 (Gary+Efnisien Tier+)

Chapter Commentary - Underline the Black 37 (Mosk+Eran Tier+)

Chapter Commentary - Underline the Black 38 (Mosk+Eran Tier+)

FANFICTION

A Stain that Won't Dissolve 33

A Stain that Won't Dissolve 34

Palmarosa 20

Palmarosa 21

~

I managed a decent 39k words this month across 11 chapters. I actually wanted to do more (I secretly wanted to write another 4 chapters and hit a 50k+ wordcount which in retrospect is kind of nuts).

~

On the writing side, I wrote across multiple stories: Underline the Black, A Stain that Won't Dissolve, Underline the Gold, (Secret Project), and Constellations.

~

I’m pretty burnt out and working on getting my capacity back. I'm hoping to take two weeks off writing at the end of April, and we'll see if that helps.

I think burnout is something a lot of us are feeling and trying to learn how to navigate right now!

~

I’ll see you all in April!

[aprilblossomgirl]

-- I don’t know how much further we have to travel before we find our space. We may have to pass difficult curves and crossroads we have to guess whether to go left or right, or how many times we’ll choose to turn back. 

First Kanaphan Puitrakul as Akk. Khaotung Thanawat Ratanakitpaisan as Ayan. Neo Trai Nimtawat as Kanlong. Louis Thanawin Teeraphosukarn as Thuaphu. AJ Chayapol Jutamas as Wasuwat. Pawin Kulkaranyawich as Namo. Ployphach Phatchatorn Thanawat as Sani. | Our Skyy 2 x The Eclipse (2023)

[stolenmorninglight]

Roll For Storytime!

Trying something new...let me know your thoughts! Are story-starters helpful?

Who’s ready for storytime? I’ve heard from other storytellers - GMs, DMs, writers, all - that the beginning is the hardest part of a story. Getting the party together (without having them all meet in a tavern) or getting the protagonist moving can pose challenges for any story set-up. So why not roll for it, randomly generating a story-starter?

[danielsarmand]

ONLY FRIENDS (2023)

[piperjistic]

Mushroom Soup

Vivica + Toni

They laid in silence on the bed. Only their breathing and distant buzz of the kingdom were audible.

It was hard to reel in the thistles. The second they sense someone new with a lot of magic flittering around then here comes a congregation that rowdies them up. And then

Lastly, the dreaded paperwork, the kind where the queen couldn’t even doodle on.

“Drink?” Vivica offers, swishing two wine glasses into her hand and smiling softly. Toni nods, clapping a bottle of white wine into his hands, returning the smile. “Drink.”

They sit up, Toni pours the clear yellow liquid into the glasses, they splash around before settling. “Cheers.” They tap their glasses together and take their sips.

The wine rolled down their throats

Vivica clears her throat, sitting up on her elbows. “It’s funny isn���t it?”

He quirks his brow. “What is?”

“That we got here and how much we accomplished, isn’t it Toni?”

He thought about, rolling through the various milestones in their mind. “It’s more apiring than funny.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I always do.”

“I don’t knowwww~” Vivica teases. Toni shrugs with a smile, rolling the last drop of line in his glass. “Guess I’m unfit to be your advisor.”

“Oh noooo. Out then Toni! You are offficaillylyly removed from the position of my advisor.” She shoves him. They both howl with laughter.

“It’s been a while since we had a moment like this, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed my queen, indeed.” To lay on her bed, giggling and snacking about nothing. Or at least something that wasn’t strictly work based. The last time was…. When they were kids. That day was rainy, puddles growing under every step and they decided to go under a bridge to play in mud. Vivica refused to let go of the frogs hugged in her arms, saying she rescued them and they would be the perfect guests and can provide everyone with “perspective” they were all missing. Besides leaping, ribbiting, laying eggs, camouflaging and hiding in mud.

Frogs are the signal for change or need for change. She was right then…. She was brilliant— she still is brilliant. Toni now would agree with then Toni’s agreement to whatever Vivica was declaring in that muddy shelter.

When they got back, they-

“You know, what? I want mushroom soup.”

“Now? At this time of night?”

“Yes, and I think some stars can help us too.”

She glides off the bed, already dusting her old dress into a different one, ready for mud and rocks and sticks and whatever else they find.

“It’ll be like old times.” She lets down her hair from her long cap. It drapes the floor. Toni shifts towards her. “We run into the garden’s mud, pluck them, come back here dirty, and make soup on the bed. It’s better when we do it and we do it-“ Enveloping Toni’s hands. “-together.”

She squeezes them with a toothy smile.

He swoons. He couldn’t help it. Call him weak, but who could resist the childlike wonder in her eyes? No one. Especially while dragged from her room giggling.

- - -

As usual Vivica was right about it being like old times. Mud cakes their hair and hands. Even then, Toni sighs fondly as she throws her bounty on the bed giggling. “You should of let me bring those frogs and beetles along. They deserve some soup too.”

The elegant, opposing, dutiful queen of witches, revered for her power and wisdom, is now reduced to pouting.

He brushes hair and mud away from her face. “Enough of that.” He couldn’t hide his smile. “I’ll get the soup, you get the stars.”

She blows raspberries at him. “If it was anyone else, I would of gotten those frogs.”

Her advisor scoffs, joking. “As if anyone would take my place.”

“As if I would let anyone, my dear Toni.” She swipes mud from his face. Her hand linkers for a moment, enough to feel the heat rise to them, before waddling over to the balcony.

She had picked out shiitakes, chanterelles and morel. Well, he could say he chose chanterelles to enhance morel’s flavor and a twinge of fruit sweetness.

With wind, mushrooms, lemongrass, onion, garlic cloves, and thyme take flight above him in a circle.

He calls the fire over, shaping it until it was feathery and plump as a chicken. The fire rose above him, swirling into a steamy cloud, raining chicken broth and water into the cauldron. In the meantime, Toni rubs his hands together, string form in-between them and he shapes a triangle grid. The mushrooms fall in, perfectly cut as they entered the swirling cauldron. The spices follow after.

The cauldron boils itself and its contents. Toni couldn’t help but chuckle as he sprinkles salt, pepper and flour. They were like this. She’s like salt & pepper, while he’s flour. Exciting, spice, almost always welcomed, and versatile. While flour was basic, reliable, clingy, and expected.

Both nevertheless essential and methodical.

She would probably say underrated but that doesn’t matter. He had a duty to do, be with her no matter what. As an advisor, friend, and whatever else they entails.

Vivica was at the window, doing what she does best. Calling upon magic, whispering hopes and dreams into the sky to inspire the stars to come down. Whispers from the sky fluttered down and took shape of starry yeast, the soft crackle that stretched the bread into star shapes.

He could watch them do that… forever. Maybe in a different life she would be the best baker ever. And he would be there. That bread smells good. And so does this soup. Toni inhales the earthy aroma brimming from under his nose. He waves the broth cloud away.

It was almost done. Just needing the queen’s final touches and the whipping cream cubes.

Vivica trots over with her bounty of bread, letting them follow and whisper to her.

“My part is done, Vi. You’re up.” She nods, taking out white and yellow cubes of from her sleeve. Five cubes of whipping cream are tossed and stirred into the soup. The two carefully spread the cheese on the bread, letting it melt and entangle itself within the bread, hushing the whispers with a sizzle and pop. It was ready….

-•-•-•-

“From old, we make something new.” She offers him the first bowl.

“And I am honored.” He bows his head, but they plucks his forehead.

“Don’t do that Toni, I’m not your queen right now. Just your companion.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He sips the bowl.

The flavor, oh the flavor. Nutty and prominent yet a tangy citrus aftertaste before a satisfying meaty crunch between his teeth.

Why hasn’t he had this in years???? The spoon in the creamy delight, gathering a mushroom or two that bobs around in the metal’s embrace.

Toni sighs, pleased, the soup warms him to his core more than the fireplace could dream of. His queen hums in agreement. They sink into the curly duvet and silly pillows. The two scoot closer, shoulder to shoulder, a leg hanging over the other, her hair draped around him. “You blanket me better than the fire.”

“It’s only natural. You’re my advisor and most trusted companion.” She sips their own bowl. He wipes his mouth.

“And your best soup buddy?”

“And my best soup buddy.”

He kicks his feet a little, giddy. “Clarry would be so jealous to miss this.”

Vivica cheeses with him, taking a part of the cheesy bread. “Oh absolutely. If only she didn’t cancel our meeting earlier.”

“I suppose we can leave her a bowl in her capsule.” He shrugs, taking her half and dips it into the soup.

“Definitely.” Their grin curls into a smirk. “A little note too.” Toni gasps dramatically, hand over his mouth and everything.

“No need to be so devious.” He could see the glimmer in her eye, a chance to be mischievous is an opportunity to be seized.

She could only giggle, kicking her feet up.“But it’s so fun and wonderful.” Toni rolls his eyes playfully.

“Then I’ll indulge this one time.” Putting up a finger for emphasis. He looks away when she hugs his arm.

“You’re the best Toni, remember that.” He pats their head.

“I will, I will.” She sighs. He finishes his bread and takes another sip before grabbing her hand. Vivica squeezes his and they lay back together. The fire goes out and then ceiling glows warm and soft. She studies the ceiling, Toni studies her.

“Oh Morel, I love her and this mushroom soup.”

[sleepyfan-blog]

Author’s Note: Trai part three! I hope you enjoy :D first. Previous

Next

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan @whorety-k @kit-williams @bleedingichorhearts

Warnings: none, ask me to tag if anything bothers you

Summary: Trai apologizes for being overeager

“I… Would like to apologize.” Trai murmured, warm honey brown eyes briefly looking at you, before the large mer looked down and away, bashful and contrite.

It had been a little over a week since his… Offer of immortality at the cost of shedding your human form. You still had no idea how to process that offer, much less how to respond. “Oh?” You manage out.

“Yes, I… I realized I came on a bit strong, when I… Ah… Gave you that offer seven days past. It is still valid, of course, but I realize we have only barely met, and to offer such is a bit… Much.” He ducks his head contrite, still not looking at you.

That was… Not what you were expecting. You've worked with Astartes in the past, and are well aware of how intense they can be. You also suspected that his offer had been made in part to try and repay the nonexistent debt he might feel he owes you for nursing him back to help, and offering him safety and shelter after months of miserable torment. You'd also noticed he seemed… Very wary of other Astartes, despite most of them also being in varying stages of being healed. Especially Raven Guard. “I accept your apology, Trai.” You wait a beat before asking “How have the new stretches been treating you?”

“They were difficult and more than a little painful at first, but I can do them now without pain! Watch.” Trai trilled as he performed a series of impressively acrobatic movements, his deeply tanned skin shifting and flexing as he did so.

From what records that the bastards who had been experimenting on Trai and other Astartes they'd captured, the Word Bearer had been held captive for the longest, and subjected to some of the most extreme experiments they could think of. The fact that he trusted you and the other human medical staff at all was miraculous - and spoke of his either trusting or forgiving nature. You clap and grin, murmuring “Well done! I'm so glad that you're continuing to regain strength.” There were also the teal and silver Astartes who regularly visited this facility, the ones who had led you and your team to those butchers…

“Thank you, truly.” Trai murmured, a warm smile on his face that made him look so very handso-no. You were not going to go there. Not while he was under your care as a patient. After, perhaps if he wanted anything to do with humans at all, once he was strong enough to leave. “I would still be held captive, were it not for your grace and intervention.”

A thought struck you. You're not sure if the teal astartes had actually visited any of the injured patients. They seemed a secretive bunch, and you'd never heard about octopi-based Astartes until they'd shown up at your door, their bioluminescent rings flashing with distress and anger. “While I and my team helped in the rescue… You do know that it was a group of your cousins who found where you and other injured Astartes were being held, right?”

He fidgeted a little “Still, it has been your care and dedication that has allowed me to heal. I feel much safer in your care, than in theirs.’ Trai murmured. He'd been asked if he'd wanted to be in the care of his own people's medical professionals and had refused. At the time he'd said that he wasn't sure he had the strength for the open ocean…

You were wondering if perhaps he'd simply wanted to stay with you. Warmth blossomed in your chest at that thought, even as your professional side scolded you for being so wistful. “I am honored by your trust, Trai.”

He smiles and nods “Thank you.”

You smile warmly back, continuing your daily work routine. Trai's assistance in feeding the large and sometimes rowdy sea turtles is very much appreciated.