Page 24 of So I Married an Alien
Then the music changes, and an even faster song comes on.Everyone in the crowd starts moving at once, and we’re swept up in it.Fiona throws her hands in the air, so I do, too, and then Roth’kar does.We dance wildly, and for an alien who’s never danced before, my new husband sure knows how to work it.
When the song’s over, we take a break to get another drink.Roth’kar is enthused with gin and tonics, so I make sure to order him a third one, and we find some spare seats at the bar while we try to get our breath back.
“This is fun,” Roth’kar says with obvious surprise.“Thisclubbingthing, it’s very enjoyable.”
Perfect.I lean back into his shoulder.He’s stiff for a moment before he lets me come in closer.His hands curl around my side.
“I’m glad you’re having fun,” I say.“Next time, though, we’ll pre-game, and that will be cheaper.”
“Pre-game?”
“Start drinking before we come.”I giggle.“Arrive already lubed up and ready to party.”
“Did you two love birds ditch us?”Fiona calls out, popping up between us at the bar.“You were there one moment, gone the next.”
I gesture to our drinks.“Have to stay topped up!”
Roth’kar holds up a single finger.“I believe she’s right.”
Fiona hoots.“You’ve already got him on your side, Amara.That’s a good start.”
After Marguerite has gotten her next drink, too, all of us find a nice place to sit and lounge until we have our energy back.Roth’kar is quiet, but remains with his arms around me, and I think Fiona’s right.
Thisisa good start.
It’s nearly one in the morning by the time we all say goodnight, and Roth’kar and I head for the bus stop.I loop my hand through his arm the whole way, even though both of us are unsteady on our feet after so many drinks.
“Good thing you don’t have four legs,” I say to Roth’kar as I stumble on a crack in the sidewalk, but he keeps me upright.I giggle.“Thanks.”
“What would be wrong with four legs?”he asks, voice slurring slightly.I like that he also went wild tonight, and though he’s steadier on his feet than I am, his eyes look glassy and he has a silly smile on his face.Well, as much of a smile as he seems capable of.
“This walking business would be harder, wouldn’t it?”I snort.“Imagine trying to dance with four legs!”
Roth’kar nods seriously.“That would be difficult.”
We come to a stop at the bus shelter and sit beside each other on the empty bench.We’re the only people trying to take the 59 home at this time of night.I lean into Roth’kar’s shoulder, pleased by his warmth, by his scent.I know he’s not wearing any deodorant or cologne—since he doesn’t have any—so it’s just the smell of his sweat, but I like it.It’s comforting and delicious, but maybe that’s just the alcohol talking.
“Thanks for coming out with me tonight,” I murmur as his two arms loop easily around my back.We grew closer this evening and got to know each other much better.I like what I’ve learned so far.
“It was a pleasure.”Roth’kar rubs my shoulder with his upper hand.“I enjoyed seeing more of your life and meeting your friends.”
“Aw.”I snuggle in closer as cars pass.“They liked you, even if Marguerite was a little difficult at first.”
I can feel Roth’kar smile as he leans his head down against mine.“I’m glad.I want your friends to like me.”
“Well, I like you, too, for what it’s worth.”
Roth’kar’s quiet, still holding me.I tilt my head to get a look at his face, and it’s pensive.
“Tonight was very fun,” he says, brows furrowed in a way that contradicts his words.“I have never had fun like that.Carefree and wild.”
“You didn’t have friends on the spaceship?”I ask, surprised.
“I did, of course.But… we did not havefuntogether.Not the way you do with Marguerite and Fiona.”He still looks lost in thought.“It was a new experience for me to simply forget about everything else.In the Hole, hunger always gnaws at your insides.You sleep, and then wake, and then work, and then sleep again, sometimes eating in between.If you do not work, you do not eat.”
The fog of easygoing pleasure around us fades.He had such a hard life before this, and he’s clearly traumatized.
“The way your friends were with you, caring for you, looking out for you, interrogating me to make sure I am a good match for you?”Roth’kar chuckles as if this is a fond memory.“Most of my friendships were ones of convenience.If something went wrong, I could not depend on them the way you depend on your friends.”
