Page 23 of Alien on the Moon

“How do you know how to do that?” she asked, lying back down, and getting comfortable once more.

“I used to braid my mother’s hair sometimes, mostly when she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t braid it herself.” Even after all these years, the thought of those afternoons spent in herbedroom looking after her between homework assignments sent a pang of grief-tinted nostalgia through his chest.

“Was she ill?” Elena asked, studying her hands.

“A rare muscular degenerative illness. We did the best we could, but…” He trailed off, his meaning obvious. He hadn’t thought about his mother in years and couldn’t remember the last time he’d even spoken of her.

It was a painful subject, and he wasn’t good at navigating that. But with Elena, he felt as though he could open up to her.

“I lost my parents at a young age, too,” she said softly.

He picked up his head. He knew about her sisters, of course. Everyone did. But she’d never mentioned her parents before. He didn’t want to bring it up, instead assuming that it was a sore subject and that she would talk about it when she was ready.

“Illness?”

“Accident,” she replied. “One minute, I’m a kid with both parents. The next, I’m an orphan.”

“I’m sorry.”

She sniffled, putting on a brave smile. “It’s okay. Long in the past.”

“Who took care of you?”

“My sister, Carmen, practically raised me. She was still basically a kid herself, and she did everything she could to take care of us. We lived with our grandparents at first, but they weren’t always around. Sometimes, when I picture my parents, I don’t picture my mom and dad. I picture her.”

Reaching over, she grabbed the can of soda and took another sip. “I know people have their doubts about a human with their crown prince, but she’ll be an amazing queen someday.”

She sighed, her eyes glazing over, though he couldn’t tell if it was from sadness or fever. “I miss her. She always took care of me when I was sick.”

“I could call her if you want.” He was already reaching for his comms when she shook her head.

“No, I don’t want to bother her. She and Sofia are probably busy, and I know they’d drop everything and come as soon as you call.” Wiping her eyes, she shook her head. “Sorry. Fevers make me weepy and emotional. Like getting drunk and hungover at the same time.”

“Can I do anything to help you feel better?”

She yawned. “No, you’re doing a great job taking care of me. Just stay until I fall asleep and make sure a trash can is nearby in case I need to throw up again.”

“I’ll do you one better,” he said, getting in bed with her.

“No, I’m gonna get you sick, too,” she mumbled, but she was already clinging to him like a child.

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take. What’s your favorite streamshow?”

She yawned again and snuggled in closer. “I haven’t had much time for Thryal shows. Do you have any you recommend?”

Rylan absently pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he thought. What did he watch when he was sick and staying home from school? Not much. He mostly slept.

But his mother loved her stream shows. It was a way for her to escape the pain for just a little bit. And he would watch with her during those long afternoons.

The streamshow she liked best was about a group of terraformers on a bizarre planet full of mysteries and adventures. It had inspired him to become a terraformer, and watching it always filled him with a warm nostalgia.

He called up the streamshow on his comms. “This was my mother’s favorite. We used to spend afternoons watching it together and daydreaming about terraforming strange planets. What do you think?”

She rested her head against his chest. “It sounds perfect.”

Pressing play, he kissed the crown of her head again as they both settled in to watch the streamshow. Elena managed to stay awake for the first three episodes before falling asleep in the middle of the fourth.

Soothed by the steady rhythm of her breath and the warmth of her body, Rylan felt his eyelids droop. Shutting off the comm pad, he joined her in slumber.

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