Page 23 of Secretly Abducted
"Oh." He looks at the platform with new understanding. "We don't have to—I can sleep in the main room."
"No." The word comes out too fast. "I want you here. I just... don't know how to do this."
"We lie down and sleep. It's not complicated."
"You make everything sound simple."
"Most things are. You just overthink them."
He's probably right. I make one more adjustment to the coverings, then step back. "It's ready."
"Great. Should we sleep? It's been a long day."
"It's early."
"I'm exhausted. Nearly drowning in alien storms is tiring."
"You didn't nearly drown."
"Felt like it."
He's already moving toward the platform, and I realize he intends to sleep in just those shorts. My bioluminescence flares anxiously.
"I need to check my monitoring systems," I say, fleeing to the main room and taking our bowls with me. I also take care of his wet clothing that he left in my living space.
I stand at my workstation, pretending to review data while my hearts race. There's a human in my sleeping quarters. A nearly naked human who wants to share my platform. A human who's been touching me all day and wants to continue.
When I finally return, Alex is already on the platform, curled on his side. He's left clear space for me, but the platform suddenly seems impossibly small.
"You're overthinking," he says without opening his eyes.
"How do you know?"
"Your bioluminescence is visible from the other room."
I lie down carefully on the far edge, maintaining maximum distance. The platform adjusts to our combined weight, creating a subtle depression that wants to roll us toward the center. I resist.
"Relax," Alex murmurs.
"I am relaxed."
"You're glowing like a beacon."
"That's relaxed for me."
He laughs softly. "Goodnight, Vel'aan."
"Goodnight."
Silence falls. I lie there, hyperaware of his presence, his breathing, his warmth. The dwelling makes small sounds I've never noticed—the water recycling system, the air circulation, the gentle creak of bio-panels adjusting to temperature changes.
Then Alex rolls over, closing the distance between us in one movement. His arm drapes across my chest, his body curves against my side, and my bioluminescence explodes so brightly it illuminates the entire room.
"Shh," he murmurs against my shoulder. "Just breathe."
"You said you'd stay on your side."
"I said mostly."
