Page 27 of Breedable Boys from Outer Space
“Because I’m back on duty as of today, and I’ve been ordered to return to my old base to collect my belongings and bring them here. Between travel, packing, and making sure my room in the barracks is ready for inspection, there was no way I’d be able to return tonight. But I’ll be home tomorrow. Ok?”
He nodded into my chest.
“Want me to pick you up a pregnancy test while I’m off-base? Compare it to the ones from your home?”
I felt his smile through my shirt. “It is odd that they are so similar. Ours are more sensitive, but functionally the same.”
I chuckled. “It’s non-invasive, no searching around for a clump of cells. Even with your advanced technology, it must still be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Sometimes the simplest option is the best.”
“I agree.”
“I can stop at a grocery store between my old base and the air base,” I murmured. “Are there any ingredients you want me to get? I’ll save room in my pack for whatever you want. Nothing cold though.”
“Select things for me?”
“Ok. I’ll bring back a random selection of ingredients for you.”
“Thank you.”
I tipped his chin up and kissed him. “I love you, my Lumi.”
“I love you too.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He sighed and held me tight. I wrapped my arms around him and returned the embrace until a bus honked outside.
As I walked out, I saw that I wasn’t the only man who had waited for the bus to honk before leaving his house. I realized that none of us wanted to be parted from our mates for even a day. All along the row, there were long embraces—men holding each other as if we were going to be gone for months, instead of overnight.
I waved to Lumi as the bus drove off—already missing him.
My thoughts were scattered on the plane, switching between thoughts of my mate, what treats I’d try to find for him at the store, and what I needed to do once I reached my old base. Then I was being driven through the gate at the place where I’d lived and worked for years. It all felt so distant, as if it had all been part of another life.
Maybe it had been. I’d only been away for two months, but I was a different man.
I reported to the base commander, and to my commanding officer. They’d already received my permanent change of station orders, but there were procedures to follow. Then I was sent to the barracks to pack my things.
I was in the middle of boxing my electronics when there was a knock on the doorframe. I turned to see Edwards standing there.
We stared at each other for several seconds before he strode in and wrapped me in a hug.
“I thought you were mad at me,” I said.
He stepped back. “I was… for close to a month. But when it was clear that you weren’t coming back, I got to thinking. You always seemed more interested in long-term things. You dated when I had hookups, and you’d drunkenly complained a few times that you wanted kids but didn’t know how you’d make it happen. I realized that—on some level—this was what you’d always wanted.”
I smiled. “Yeah.”
He studied me. “So it wasn’t all bullshit?”
I shook my head. “Not bullshit.”
“What…” He swallowed. “What color?”
I laughed. “Light purple.”
“And you’re happy?”
I nodded. “I am. He makes me smile every day. It may be fast, but I’m looking forward to my life with him.”
