Page 71 of Ruin

It gave a preening flutter of its wings and twisted a little to show off its new tail. Then Ruin strolled back in. Beep turned and trilled in a distinctly censorious manner, as though berating him for making it wait outside.

He cut it a look, but said nothing. Apparently satisfied its point had been made, Beep turned and climbed up the wall.

Positioning itself directly above her, it affixed itself to the ceiling somehow and appeared as though it were settling in to sleep.

Ruin climbed back into bed and pulled her against him. “Your pet bot is weird as fuck, bird.”

“Its not weird, it’s just… quirky.”

Okay, so it was a little weird. It was also adorable and protective, and she loved it.

He snorted. “Mmhm. Sure. C’mere, love.”

Smiling, she wiggled closer, then sighed, happier than she’d ever been. “I love you, Ruin.”

“I love the fuck outta you, female. Forever.”

The next morning,Lira woke to the steady rise and fall of Ruin’s chest beneath her cheek. For a long moment, she just lay there, savoring the warmth of his skin and the quiet comfort of his breathing.

When she finally shifted, he tightened his arm around her and kissed her forehead, murmuring something unintelligible before drifting back to sleep.

It was strange, but she could feel the difference in him now that they were safely on the ship. That constant readiness was still there, but only barely. Nowhere near the hair trigger he’d been while on Skeldra.

Slipping out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake him, she padded naked into the cleansing room. With the press of a button, she activated the sonic shower, letting the harmonic frequencies cleanse her skin and soothe her muscles.

As she stepped out, she realized she felt… calm.

It was a strange sensation, this sense of peace that settled over her like a warm blanket. She couldn’t ever remember feeling like this, not even in the early days with her mother. There was always some underlying worry, some gnawing fear in the back of her mind.

But now…

She had a home. A real home that wouldn’t be taken from her, one she didn’t have to worry about people breaking into in the middle of the night. She had Ruin, who loved her, and who she loved with a fierceness that still surprised her. She had Beep and Hush, and maybe even Thrill, to call friends.

Leaving the cleansing room, she saw Ruin sitting on the edge of the bed and paused in the doorway, taking a moment to drink in the sight of him.

He cocked his head to peek up at her with one eye, the other squinted shut. “Mm, c’mere, beautiful.”

Closing the distance between them, she stepped into the circle of his open arms and pushed up on tiptoe to wrap hers around his neck. Her stomach picked that moment to let out a demanding growl.

He chuckled, voice still husky from sleep. “Hungry?”

She shrugged, not wanting to admit that the thought of eating with the crew made her more anxious than hungry. “A little.”

“Gimme a minute to shower an’ we’ll head to the mess.”

“Okay.”

Standing, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then went into the cleansing room. He left the door open, same as she had. He knew somehow, without having to ask or be told, that she wasn’t ready to have a barrier between them. That small, thoughtful gesture warmed her to her bones.

Gods, he was perfect.

That warmth lasted right up until she heard the commotion coming from the mess. Numerous voices overlapped, all talking and laughing.

Steps faltering, she tightened her grip on Ruin’s hand.

On her other side, Beep fluttered its wings and made comforting noises.

Leaning forward, she glanced inside and found what looked like the vast majority of the crew gathered for first meal.

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