Page 84 of Truthful Deceptions

“Same,” I said, feeling every bit of tension leave my body.

“What’s wrong?” Narmuna’s loud, worried question made both of us look over to where Cleo was sitting. “You’re shifting around as if you’re in pain.”

She looked both amused and annoyed. “I have to pee, that’s all.”

Lexarit scooped her up and walked her the short distance to the elimination unit. He carried her inside, and we couldn’t see either of them, but I could hear them clearly.

“No, you’re not staying in here,” Cleo said.

“What if you fall?” Lexarit said.

“I’m not going to fall,” Cleo said. “Out.”

Lexarit stepped out and the door shut, but he didn’t move away from the door. Narmuna joined him and they both stood there, staring at the door until it finally opened again. I heard Cleo’s surprised exclamation to find the two large Talins blocking her exit.

“I’m going to carry you back to the chair,” Narmuna said, and Lexarit sounded a rumble of agreement.

“You don’t need, oh fine,” she said, giving up. Narmuna disappeared into the room and emerged with her cradled in his arms.

I was doing my best to keep from laughing, especially when she saw me biting my lip.

Lexarit settled her back in the chair, and Narmuna sat on the stool in front of her. As if they’d coordinated this before, Lexarit lifted her feet and settled them in Narmuna’s lap.

“What are you doing?” Cleo asked.

“Caring for you,” Narmuna said as he tugged off her slippers and began massaging her left foot. I snickered when Cleo’s eyes rolled back in her head.

“Oh, okay,” she murmured, relaxing her head against the back of her chair.

“We should leave as soon as we can,” Lexarit said, standing behind Cleo and petting her head.

“Sure,” she whispered, eyes closed and body relaxed. It was wonderful to see her like this.

“I’ll pack your things,” Lexarit said. Cleo hummed in agreement. I wasn’t sure she even heard the words, she was too busy enjoying herself. Lexarit focused on Tolly. “Can you secure Opal’s belongings?”

Tolly jumped to his feet, jostling me slightly. “Yes, if we’re done within the mark we can leave before the next work-rest cycle employee exchange.”

Narmuna stopped working on Cleo’s foot and unclipped his Ident. She made a protesting sound, and he purred in response.

“I’m going to order shipping crates and hire a few cargo bots. Then I’ll go back to touching you,” he assured Cleo.

As he spoke, Tolly carried me past them and paused at the two doors in the back of our quarters.

“That one,” I said pointing. When he got close I tapped the door display, and we walked in. He sat me down on the bed and looked around the compact space. Having him in here made it feel even tinier.

“This is unacceptable,” he said.

I frowned. “Hey, I know I’m a little messy, but it’s not that bad.”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” he said with a purr. “This abode is much too small and dull for you. I can’t believe you did so well in a space like this.”

Honestly, this was better than some places I’d worked. When Jasper and Cleo got together, the three of us had to share a room even smaller than this one. We’d slept in bunks, with me in a top bunk and Cleo and Jasper in the bottom one.

Occasionally I’d wake up to their muffled sounds and have to stay still and quiet while they enjoyed themselves. Talk about awkward!

Moving to Bright Star Station and getting separate rooms had been the biggest relief for all three of us!

I kept that to myself so I didn’t make Tolly retroactively distressed. Standing up I looked around, mentally cataloging everything I wanted to take with me.