Page 19 of Alien Barbarian's Little Human

The scouts estimate the ship probably landed on a different continent. The Drokan can sail ships, but it’s cultural and the desert dwelling Redcliffe clan has little use for boats. I do want to try and find them, but for the time being I decide it’s best to try and make the best of my situation.

Obviously the Drokan don’t have the tech I need to call home, let alone get off this planet. My speciality is cultures, not technology. If I were an engineer I might be able to figure something out, but that’s not going to happen.

Besides, I find living with Gog to be oth fun and rewarding. When I get him out of his shell, he can be downright playful. The village seems to be warming up to him again. He’s even tapped to instruct young warriors in the use of weapons.

After about a week as humans reckon time, I’ve stopped wearing my stifling flight suit. I dress like one of the Drokan, meaning a halter top and a loincloth and boots. At least I get to work on my tan. I don’t mind the new clothes.

Especially when I notice the effect they have on Gog. He stares at me a lot when he thinks I’m not looking. I wish he’d stop being so distant and just make a move already. The chemistry between us is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Or maybe I’m wrong, and he doesn’t really like me. Maybe he’d prefer a Drokan woman. One of the greatest mysteries of the Galaxy is the way that the different sapient species can interbred and produce fertile offspring. I served with a half-vakutan woman on the Precursor.

But that doesn’t mean the Drokan know this. Maybe he needs heirs. The more I learn about their culture, though, the less I think that’s likely.

About a week and a half after my arrival at the village, I step out of Gog’s hut with a basket balanced on my side. Some of the Drokan go beyond the walls of their village to gather edible plants and roots. I have been going out with them the past few days. It makes me feel like I’m contributing something, even though my basket is half the size of the others.

I stop by the training ring in the center of the village to see Gog hard at work. I don’t want to disturb him while he’s instructing the younglings. He’s good at it, too, patient and yet exacting, eking the best out of his students.

“He’s one big fellow, isn’t he?”

I turn to see Kul standing beside me. He, Reor, and Talfa seem to have adopted me and Gog into their little friendship circle. Kul’s right about Gog: He really is big, even compared to the massive Drokan.

“Yeah, he certainly is, but so gentle when he needs to be. He’s a good man.”

Kul seems to hear the longing in my voice.

“You care for him.”

It’s not a question, it’s a statement.

“I do. Very much.”

“You should tell him.”

“Oh no, I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.”

Kul stares at me for a long time.

“You are not of this world, but you belong here, Micah. Everyone can see that. Everyone can see that you and Gog have engaged in Eyes Meeting Eyes.”

“Eyes meeting eyes? Yeah, that’s kind of a given in conversation. I mean, I’m meeting your eyes right now.”

I blink pointedly and he grins.

“No, I mean something specific. When you first met Gog, did you feel anything strange?”

I cross my arms defensively over my chest.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Did you feel as if you could sense what he was feeling, what he was thinking? Almost as if you were inside of his head and heart?”

A chill runs down my spine, despite the day’s heat. That’s what I experienced to a T. When I don’t reply, Kul nods.

“That is what I thought. Kro has decreed that you and he are fated to be together. Stop worrying about it and start making babies.”

He turns and walks away from me while I gasp indignantly at his back. I can’t believe he said that to me. Then again, this isn’t my culture and the Drokan are rather direct. Or maybe it’s just Kul.

Kul’s words are writ large in my brain all day. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much I ache when I think about Gog. It hurts in my chest because it feels like there should be something more between us.

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