Page 33 of Swipe Right for Stardust

I took a tentative step forward, feeling unnaturally light. My foot barely touched the ground before I drifted upwards. A nervous giggle escaped my lips as I flailed my arms, trying to regain control.

“Whoa!” I yelped, reaching out for Zarnak.

He caught my hand, pulling me back down. “I’ve got you.”

I steadied myself, still gripping Zarnak’s hand. The landscape swirled around us, a dizzying array of impossibilities.

“We should rest,” Zarnak said, his gaze sweeping our surroundings. “It’s been a long day, and fatigue could lead to mistakes.”

I nodded, realizing how exhausted I felt. “You’re right. But where? And what time is it anyway?”

I glanced at my wrist device, my eyes widening. “It’s almost midnight! The cameras will be shutting off soon.”

A blush crept up my cheeks as I considered the implications. Zarnak and I, alone, without the constant surveillance. My stomach fluttered.

A worried chirp came from my pack, reminding me of our little stowaway. I patted the bag gently, feeling Taffy’s tentacles press against the fabric. “It’s okay, buddy,” I whispered. “We’ll find a safe spot soon”

“We need shelter,” Zarnak said, interrupting my thoughts. He pointed to a cluster of floating boulders nearby. “Those rocks might provide cover.”

We inched along carefully, adjusting to the strange gravity. It took some maneuvering, but we managed to wedge ourselves between two large boulders, creating a small, protected space.

“This should work,” I said, settling down on the smooth stone surface. “But how do we sleep? It’s not exactly comfortable.”

Zarnak rummaged through our packs, pulling out a thin, metallic sheet. “Emergency blankets,” he explained. “Not much, but they’ll help.”

He spread one out, and we both lay down, the second blanket barely covering us. I shivered, the cold of space seeping through the rocks.

“You’re cold,” Zarnak observed, then pulled me against him, his large body enveloping mine.

I stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. My heart pounded in my chest, and I was sure he could feel it.

“Relax,” he murmured, his hand moving in slow circles on my back. “Your body temperature will regulate better if you’re not so tense.”

I tried to loosen up, but my shoulders stayed up around my ears. His scent surrounded me, alien yet somehow comforting. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest against mine, our breaths syncing.

“I... I’m not used to this,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“To what?” he asked, his hand still moving in soothing patterns.

“Being this close to someone. Especially someone I’ve just met.” I paused, gathering my courage. “Someone I’m attracted to.”

His hand stilled, then resumed its motion. “I understand. It’s new for me as well.”

I shifted slightly, looking up at him. In the dim light, I could just make out the contours of his face. “Really? I would have thought... I mean, you’re so...”

“So what?” he prompted when I trailed off.

“Impressive,” I finished, feeling my face heat up again. “Strong, intelligent, kind. I just assumed you’d have no trouble finding companionship.”

He chuckled softly, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Appearances can be deceiving. My work often keeps me isolated, and my species... well, we’re not known for our social graces.”

“I think you’re doing just fine,” I said, surprising myself with my boldness.

His arm tightened around me. “As are you, Vanessa.”

We lay in silence for a while, the strange world around us fading away. All I could focus on was the heat of his body, the steady beat of his heart, the gentle caress of his hand on my back.

“Zarnak,” I murmured.

---