Page 64 of Catching the Kot'oll Driver

“If I... work as police with you?”

“Well... That’s just an initial thought. I mean...”

“Wait... Maybe I’m a kot’oll, I’m not dumb. Are you trying to say that you want me to stay on this planet and be with you?”

I take a breath. “Look, I’ve never thought you’re dumb, so...”

He holds my cheeks in his hand and he fixes his tie and hair. “Am I hearing that right? Do you also think that we should give each other a chance and become mates?”

“Big guy, you’ve been wanting that.”

“I’d rather be the arms guy.” He flexes all four arms with a proud smirk. I roll my eyes at that, but I can’t help but smile.

“Fine, arms guy. Do you think that may work? For us to spend more time with each other?”

He returns his arms to himself before we catch the attention of others. “Since you asked whether I’ll join the police training school and stuff, I’d take that you want to keep being police.”

“I think so? I’m still not certain about that. It feels like I should at least finish solving the case related to the robbers and catch the few who attacked us. But at the same time...” I squeeze his arm. “I want to find something that will work for both of us.”

“Hey, you know I want the best for you.”

“The problem is that I have no idea what’s the best choice. All I know is that we should give each other a chance.”

“Well, I know you’ve already made the best decision. If your captain thinks that you’re a great fit for the team and you love your job, don’t quit it for me.”

“But you drive a spaceship everywhere. I won’t be able to see you a lot.”

He rubs his beard. “You aren’t wrong.”

“And I don’t want to make you quit your job. You seem to enjoy your work too.”

He seems to be deep in thought and it feels like I should wait for his answer. I... it would be a lot simpler if we lived in the same city and worked jobs that would let us see each other more.

He takes a breath. “Look, I see what you mean. I think that... I don’t need that job as much as I want to be with you.”

“But...”

He taps the tip of my nose. “My job is different from yours. For the company, I’m just one of the many beings working there, and any being who can drive a spaceship can take my place.”

“But you’ll have to look for another job.”

He shrugs. “It can’t be that hard. I can be a delivery driver here too. I hope this city isn’t using only robots.”

“No, we aren’t doing that, far from that.”

“Good. Then I’d just have to make sure I won’t run into another crazy police officer, and I’ll be golden.” He smirks and I smack his chest. All he does is laugh. I doubt I hurt him with my weak punches and small fists anyway.

“Geez, you’re never letting it slide.”

“You know me.” He takes my fists into his hands. “I’ll remember that forever. That’s how we ran into each other, after all.”

My heart races and my throat gets tighter when it slowly sinks into me that... “So, we’re mates now.”

“Yes, if that’s what you want.”

“I want you, yes.” I wrap my arms around him. The suit makes his handsome face almost annoying. but at the same time, he has a way of getting to me, also annoying.

He hugs me as he fixes the hood on me. “You have no idea. I’ve been thinking about this for a bit since we met. This feels right even though we’re very different from each other. I’m glad you’d give me a try.”

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