Page 27 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
“Ah,” I replied. “Makes sense. You only lasted a few minutes into the last medical one we tried, and you looked uncomfortable with the police one. You seem to like sci-fi and comedy, though.”
“And… reality… television is fascinating, but in a way I am not entirely comfortable with.”
I laughed. “I think that’s on purpose. It’s morbid, like watching a train wreck. You know it’s bad for you, but you can’t look away.”
He echoed my laugh. “That is an apt description.”
“So not work, pool, or TV… what had you so eager that you needed to come find me early?”
“I am returning to Lyll on the day after tomorrow, and I would like for you to accompany me.”
I managed to trip over my own feet and choke on air at the same time. “What?” I gasped, doubled over as I tried to find my balance again.
“Are you alright?” Eashai asked.
“I think I’m hallucinating,” I wheezed. “For a moment, I thought you invited me to your planet.”
“I did,” he stated.
I turned my head enough to meet his gaze. “Why?”
He glanced around, then motioned with his head. “Let us discuss at that table.”
I nodded, righted myself, and followed him over to a metal picnic table.
“First,” he said once we’d sat, “I need to apologize. I shared parts of our conversation with those from my world.”
“Which conversation?” I asked. We’d had several long discussions in the lab while waiting for results or determining their interpretations. Then there were the nights spent introducing him to American movies and television. Hell, we’d managed some pretty deep topics while shooting pool or playing tennis… which he struggled with but insisted on trying again.
His cheeks darkened slightly. “The one in which you informed me of your sexuality.”
I stared as my stomach did a flip. “What?”
“I felt it was necessary,” he replied, voice coming up in pitch as he started wringing his hands. “I am the scientific liaison for the United States, and it is my job to report on things that I feel may impact the project. I…”
I reached across the table and took his hands. His words had tumbled faster and faster as he’d tried to explain himself.
“Slow down,” I said firmly. “I’m not happy, but I’m willing to hear you out.”
He nodded and took a deep breath before continuing. “My mind returned to your words many times—how you felt isolated in your youth. I recalled your concern for the children who will be born.”
He swallowed. “It was not something that I could ignore. It is our duty to give the children of this project the best future possible, and that includes preparing my people for aspects of life that are more human than Lalyllte.”
I closed my eyes, composed myself, squeezed his hands, let him go, then replied. “First, while I understand, discussing somebody’s sexuality without their consent is frowned upon at best, and potentially deadly at worst—at least when it’s about anything other than straight relationships. I’m personally in a relatively safe position. I’m in a mostly accepting country, am a white man, and because I’m biromantic, I can force myself to appear straight. My job wouldn’t care, and my landlord won’t kick me out over it. But that’s not the case for everyone.”
I squeezed my hands, fingernails biting into my palms. “People die because of who they love… who they are. It’s not always as explicit as it once was, but it’s still there. Shame is weaponized; acceptance withheld. Kids are tossed out onto the streets with nothing but the clothes on their back, and for some, the self-loathing cuts so deep they find it easier to end things than see a brighter future ahead.”
I released my grip. “The sad reality is that how open we want to be is a choice we all have to face.”
“I am sorry,” Eashai said softly.
I blew out a long breath and shook my head. “You wouldn’t know how complex it is.”
There was a moment of silence. Eashai reached for my hand, then pulled back. “You are correct, I do not know. None of my people truly understand. That is the reason I broke your confidence.”
“You don’t want the children born here to face that, do you?” I asked.
He looked down as he nodded. “We want to prepare the volunteers who will come here; make them aware that human sexuality is more complex. Yet I feel there is more as well.We have spent much time on logistics, on planning to mate with human men and reproduce. We have volunteers ready to relocate to Earth. However, even with the work of our humanologists, I am concerned that there are obstacles that only humans will recognize. This is one.”
