The Thief and the Commander : 08
Jan. 10th, 2001 12:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
manicdakChapter 08: Common Ground
He stood in the doorway in awe of Robin who was intent on destroying everything in his room. He was screaming about how everything was his fault and aiming epithets at an absent Feliu as he tossed his old journals from a bookshelf out behind him. It was the only area of the room that hadn't yet been trashed. Tables were overturned, clothes were strewn about the floor, and a chair was lying upside down and broken practically in half. In his fury, Robin didn't even notice Ehren was there until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He whirled around with a startled shout holding the last of the journals aloft as if he were about to smash it down Ehren's head.
Ehren shrunk away and held his hands up to ward off the impending attack.
"What are you doing here?" Robin shouted.
"I came to see if you were okay," Ehren murmured.
"Oh, yeah," Robin sneered at him. "Put it in your report, Ensign. Obviously I'm not fit for duty. I can't even handle a fucking funeral without having a fucking nervous break-down."
"I didn't come here because of I-GAS. Fuck the report. This entire assignment is shit. I know it, and you know it. You're a good officer, Robin. I'm proud to serve with you, okay? I'm not here because of any of that though."
"Why?" Robin sobbed out, unable to keep his emotions in check. "Why the fuck are you here? Why can't you let me destroy my career in peace?"
"Because." Ehren approached him, cautiously wary of the book that Robin still held in his hand.
"You brought me coffee," he said.
"What?" Robin sniffed. "That makes no sense."
"It doesn't have to," Ehren replied. He smiled and reached out a hand to place on Robin's arm in an effort to settle him. "I'm an Earthian," he said. "We're impetuous, and nothing we ever do or say makes any sense at all. My people have a long history of doing really crazy shit. It's a wonder I was able to find my way to a recruitment center without falling through a rip in time along the way."
Despite wanting to remain enraged Robin couldn't help but let the sputter of a laugh escape from him.
"See, that's good." Ehren stroked his arm. "This whole situation is a tragedy, but if we can smile just a little... Come on. Let's sit down."
He held on to Robin's elbow and led him through the rubble on the floor to a spot on the bed.
"Now," he said once they were settled. "Tell me."
"I don't fucking want to talk about it. There's nothing to say. It's my fault. I should have taken that thief to the police the first time I met him. None of this would have happened. I put a target right on my family's backs."
"It would have happened regardless," Ehren said. "I know you've been out of it since this, but... There's evidence that this whole thing was orchestrated by the Dysprosians. It was an act of war, Robin. They would have found some other way to do it without the help of Feliu."
"Maybe." Robin shrugged. "It doesn't make me feel better though. My mother is gone, my people are on the verge of war. My boyfriend, who I should have dumped forever as soon as I joined I-GAS, is a murderer. I'm clearly a complete idiot and I'm on the verge of getting decommissioned..."
"You won't," Ehren said. "I'm not going to let that happen."
Robin snorted indignant laughter and straightened up, shrugging Ehren's hand from where it had come to rest on his shoulder.
"You?" He said. "What exactly are you, of all people, going to do about it?"
"I don't know," Ehren admitted. "Maybe what I have to say in this report they're making me file will mean something."
"It'll be binned," Robin huffed. "Don't kid yourself, Ensign."
"Maybe," Ehren said. "But I can try."
He scooted a fraction of an inch closer and pulled Robin into a sideways hug so he could whisper in his ear.
"Don't worry. It's gonna be okay."
Robin resisted the urge to burst out into hysterical laughter. Ehren was closer to him than he'd ever been before. When he turned his head to face him, he found that they were mere centimeters apart.
"How can you say that?" Robin said.
"Earthian," Ehren replied as he leaned in ever so slightly. "Boundless optimism in the blood, I can't help it."
"I could use some of that," Robin replied softly
He reached up and stroked Ehren's cheek. Ehren shivered at the touch.
"Your hands are cold," he said.
"Then warm me up." Robin smiled. He closed the shrinking gap between them and kissed Ehren.
He gave in to the pressure of Robin's lips and sank back into the bed. Ehren was warm and comforting, his lips were soft and compliant, and he was a perfectly willing participant in that moment. He tasted sweet like the plear fruit he was always eating, and for the first time in a week Robin felt something other than utter despair. The pleasure wasn't meant to last, though.
"Wait!" Ehren pushed back against Robin who grunted and reluctantly moved away a fraction of an inch.
"What's wrong?" He said as Ehren jumped up and began pacing through the mess, eyes wide. He ran one hand compulsively through his short cropped hair and the other he touched to his lips as if he wasn't sure that they had really been pressed against Robin's only moments before.
"What's wrong?" Ehren's pacing came to a sudden halt, and he echoed the question as if the answer should have been obvious. He stopped and looked at Robin with his brow furrowed in worry.
"Shit," Robin muttered. "I'm sorry. I didn't even think about it. You're not Utopian. This isn't.... On Earth?"
"Well, no," Ehren said. "But that's... Out of all the myriad of problems with this, that is the one you pluck out? That I'd want a female mate?"
"It's not?"
Ehren sighed in exasperation then explained. "First of all, you still outrank me, second I'm supposed to be making sure you're following all the rules of your probation. I'm pretty sure hooking up with an officer under your command is really high up on the list of things that I-GAS frowns upon. Trust me, what I want in a mate is the last thing you'd have to worry about. This isn't the 21st century anymore. I don't know what books you've been studying, but Earth and its galaxy aren't as ass backwards as the rest of the universe seem to think it is. I did kiss you back."
"Okay," Robin said. He stood up and approached Ehren, his curiosity having also been aroused. "What's the problem, then? Nobody has to know."
He reached Ehren and snatched his hands away from where he was hugging his arms.
"No." Ehren said firmly. He pulled back, but Robin held him in place.
"What ever happened to 'impetuous?' Please?" Robin said. His voice had taken on a desperate tone. He needed something to ease the pain. Ehren was there, he was alive, and he seemed to care.
"No." He repeated himself. "You're upset."
"Exactly," Robin said.
Ehren tried to tug himself away again, and Robin let him go. He stumbled backwards, almost tripping on the broken chair, but Robin quickly grabbed hold of him again and pulled him firmly against his chest.
"I got you," he said.
"Please, Robin," Ehren murmured. He was tremblin as was his voice, and he was clinging to the front of Robin's shirt trying desperately to resist giving in to the embrace. "You're upset," he said. "This...this isn't going to happen like this. I won't be used like that. Okay?"
He glanced up at Robin, who nodded and hugged him tighter.
"Maybe." Ehren conceded, feeling his resolve slowly melt away. "Maybe, when we get back and this isn't just some sort of reaction?"
"Okay," Robin said, but made no move to let him go. "I see. You're a psychologist now? I think you just like defying me. Maybe I should push your boundaries and see how you like it?"
He made an attempt to move his hands lower, but stalled when Ehren spoke.
"I have a gun." Ehren reminded him. "Keep trying that."
Robin let him go with a short chuckle, and he trudged the few short steps back to the bed speaking over his shoulder as he did so.
"I would if I didn't think you would actually shoot me. Why did you come back here anyway?" Robin asked as he sat down. He glared at Ehren, suddenly accusatory. "Is this all for your little report? Is this some kind of bait to get me..."
"No!" Ehren's eyes flashed anger as he stalked up to the bed. "Will you stop bringing that up? It wasn't my idea! Your friend didn't even give me a choice in the matter. If you have a problem with it, take it up with her! My opinion means fuck all, but I don't think this is even a matter for I-GAS! It's not like...it's not like a volunteered because I can't stand the thought of being away from you or something! Do you know how much easier my life would be if you'd just never brought me on that stupid fucking mission in the first place... You're always getting in trouble and getting me in trouble. Why we even still have jobs is..."
"Fine." Robin said. "I'll have you transferred."
"What, no!" Ehren protested.
Robin waited expectantly for some further explanation to come, but Ehren was left wordless with only grunts and hand gestures to indicate his dismay at the thought of being transferred to another squadron.
Robin reached up and grabbed Ehren's wildly flailing hands to pull him down to sit on the bed.
"Will you shut-up," he said. "You've got it good. You think anybody else would put up with you? You would have been failed out months ago before I took you out to the Diamond Sector. Aside from that, you'd have racked up quite a list of reprimands for insubordination since then. If you were under any other commander..."
"Is it because you want to fuck me?" Ehren muttered.
"Wait. What?" Robin glared at him.
"Really? Is that why I keep getting promoted?" Ehren said, a feeling of dread curling around in the pit of his stomach. "I certainly don't deserve it."
"You are too hard on yourself," Robin growled. "Is that really how little you think of me?"
"I don't know what to think of you," Ehren admitted. "You have this demented little affair with one of the galaxies most wanted criminals. You seem to think I'm some kind of honey-trap sent down from the high command to seduce you as if I could ever succeed in seducing anybody! I'm so far fucking over my head, Robin, and it's like I don't know how to swim. You don't make it easier. You're like bricks on my legs."
"I'm just trying to help you," Robin muttered. He glanced down at his hands, feeling self conscious about the things he had unthinkingly given the recruit just because it had been easier. He wasn't sure that he had even deserved his own promotions. He didn't think he was fit to be a commander if he couldn't just order one nosy Earthian away from him without feeling the need to explain his actions.
"I didn't ask for your help," Ehren said. "I just wanted to prove myself."
He crawled up onto the bed behind him and lay down on his back with his head on Robin's pillow so that he could stare up at the vacant ceiling with one arm folded over his forehead.
Robin glanced back at him and he knew that it wasn't commanding in general that was his problem. It had never been a problem before Ehrenfried Beherent had walked into his squad room. He cursed himself silently over his propensity to be attracted to the most inappropriate people possible.
Robin lay down and curled up against him with a long sigh.
"What are you doing?" Ehren said in a slightly alarmed voice. Robin held on to him as he tried to squirm away.
"This is my bed," Robin mumbled. "I broke the chair, where else do you want me to sit?"
"You're not sitting. You're all up on me," Ehren pointed out.
"Relax. I'm tired," Robin said. "I'm not going to violate your Earthian innocence...today, but I'm not going to lie to you either, Ehren. I like you."
"This is wrong," Ehren said. "I shouldn't... I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be with you, in this room, on this planet...I...I...I..."
Robin released him and rolled onto his own back.
"You're free to go if you want," Robin said. "The offer for a transfer still stands as well. It's in your hands, Ehren."
"That was nice," Ehren murmured after a long moment of silence.
"What?" Robin turned to face him.
"I said that was nice," Ehren replied in a more audible tone. "You feel cool."
"And you're so warm," Robin said. He resumed his position and lay his head down on Ehren's stomach, trying to somewhat ease the awkwardness of his brawny frame sprawled out on top of Ehren's slim body.
Ehren played absently with Robin's blond hair.
"What do you mean?" He spoke up in hopes that if he kept a conversation going, he wouldn't give in to his raging hormones right then and there despite his earlier decree.
"You're from Earth? That's a desert, right?" He said and Ehren nodded awkwardly from his reclined position. "So why the hell are you so hot, if you live in a hot place?"
"It's very cold at night," Ehren replied. "We're all different. I mean, your people can't see in the dark and mine are little 98.6 degree furnaces that live in scorching deserts and eat mostly fake food. It's kind of amazing, really, that any of us can get along and work together. I mean, you grew up on a planet several galaxies away from mine..."
"My father," Robin said, abruptly breaking in to Ehren's thoughts about inter-galactic diversity with some urgency.
"He was Amarantian. Maybe we aren't so different."
Eheren couldn't stop his intake of breath at the revelation.
"You're from The Milky Way?"
"My father was." Robin corrected him. "He was stationed here in the Zahran Galaxy on one of the detective outposts before he got stuck back in time. My mothers were very good friends with him back then. He's been gone for a long time though. I was born and raised here. I never really knew him. I've never even been to The Milky Way, let alone Amarantos."
"It's beautiful," Ehren said.
"You've been there? You are full of surprises," Robin murmured against Ehren's stomach.
Ehren chuckled in return. "We're not a galactically crippled planet. We've been able to travel beyond our solar system in our own galaxy since forever. We even traveled in time before anybody else."
"Yeah," Robin laughed. "But you didn't realize it until recently. It really does take a special kind of human to repeatedly fall back and forth through a giant temporal rift often enough to populate the same planet in two different times without knowing it's the same planet. You still even insist on calling future Earth by 'the Nature' as if it's an entirely different place."
"But it is," Ehren said. "They both exist simultaneously. I don't know. We're like the Schrodinger's cat of the know Galaxies or something. Instead of the ridicule we should get an award for the most practical use of a temporal paradox. Anyway. Amarantos. It's quite the vacation spot. Lots of gardens. Old ladies love the flowers."
Ehren regaled Robin with stories of his university funded travels across the Milky Way Galaxy in an effort to forestall any further come ons, and Robin listened intently. It was enough to take his mind off the happenings of the day including his ill fated attempt at getting Ehren into bed. For once he was grateful for Ehren's tendency to keep talking well beyond the advisable length of time for average conversation. He had never met anybody from his second planet origin, so it was enticing to him to hear about it firsthand from somebody who had been there.
Eventually Robin fell asleep where he lay. Ehren continued stroking his hair, and thought about the events of the day and just how close he had come to having an affair with his superior officer; an affair that was still on the table for all intents and purposes. He knew it was a terrible idea, but getting to know Robin had been something of a surprise. He wasn't the cold law enforcement robot that he thought he had met on that first day of training. If anything, Robin tried too hard to be good at his job when he was all too human.
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He stood in the doorway in awe of Robin who was intent on destroying everything in his room. He was screaming about how everything was his fault and aiming epithets at an absent Feliu as he tossed his old journals from a bookshelf out behind him. It was the only area of the room that hadn't yet been trashed. Tables were overturned, clothes were strewn about the floor, and a chair was lying upside down and broken practically in half. In his fury, Robin didn't even notice Ehren was there until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He whirled around with a startled shout holding the last of the journals aloft as if he were about to smash it down Ehren's head.
Ehren shrunk away and held his hands up to ward off the impending attack.
"What are you doing here?" Robin shouted.
"I came to see if you were okay," Ehren murmured.
"Oh, yeah," Robin sneered at him. "Put it in your report, Ensign. Obviously I'm not fit for duty. I can't even handle a fucking funeral without having a fucking nervous break-down."
"I didn't come here because of I-GAS. Fuck the report. This entire assignment is shit. I know it, and you know it. You're a good officer, Robin. I'm proud to serve with you, okay? I'm not here because of any of that though."
"Why?" Robin sobbed out, unable to keep his emotions in check. "Why the fuck are you here? Why can't you let me destroy my career in peace?"
"Because." Ehren approached him, cautiously wary of the book that Robin still held in his hand.
"You brought me coffee," he said.
"What?" Robin sniffed. "That makes no sense."
"It doesn't have to," Ehren replied. He smiled and reached out a hand to place on Robin's arm in an effort to settle him. "I'm an Earthian," he said. "We're impetuous, and nothing we ever do or say makes any sense at all. My people have a long history of doing really crazy shit. It's a wonder I was able to find my way to a recruitment center without falling through a rip in time along the way."
Despite wanting to remain enraged Robin couldn't help but let the sputter of a laugh escape from him.
"See, that's good." Ehren stroked his arm. "This whole situation is a tragedy, but if we can smile just a little... Come on. Let's sit down."
He held on to Robin's elbow and led him through the rubble on the floor to a spot on the bed.
"Now," he said once they were settled. "Tell me."
"I don't fucking want to talk about it. There's nothing to say. It's my fault. I should have taken that thief to the police the first time I met him. None of this would have happened. I put a target right on my family's backs."
"It would have happened regardless," Ehren said. "I know you've been out of it since this, but... There's evidence that this whole thing was orchestrated by the Dysprosians. It was an act of war, Robin. They would have found some other way to do it without the help of Feliu."
"Maybe." Robin shrugged. "It doesn't make me feel better though. My mother is gone, my people are on the verge of war. My boyfriend, who I should have dumped forever as soon as I joined I-GAS, is a murderer. I'm clearly a complete idiot and I'm on the verge of getting decommissioned..."
"You won't," Ehren said. "I'm not going to let that happen."
Robin snorted indignant laughter and straightened up, shrugging Ehren's hand from where it had come to rest on his shoulder.
"You?" He said. "What exactly are you, of all people, going to do about it?"
"I don't know," Ehren admitted. "Maybe what I have to say in this report they're making me file will mean something."
"It'll be binned," Robin huffed. "Don't kid yourself, Ensign."
"Maybe," Ehren said. "But I can try."
He scooted a fraction of an inch closer and pulled Robin into a sideways hug so he could whisper in his ear.
"Don't worry. It's gonna be okay."
Robin resisted the urge to burst out into hysterical laughter. Ehren was closer to him than he'd ever been before. When he turned his head to face him, he found that they were mere centimeters apart.
"How can you say that?" Robin said.
"Earthian," Ehren replied as he leaned in ever so slightly. "Boundless optimism in the blood, I can't help it."
"I could use some of that," Robin replied softly
He reached up and stroked Ehren's cheek. Ehren shivered at the touch.
"Your hands are cold," he said.
"Then warm me up." Robin smiled. He closed the shrinking gap between them and kissed Ehren.
He gave in to the pressure of Robin's lips and sank back into the bed. Ehren was warm and comforting, his lips were soft and compliant, and he was a perfectly willing participant in that moment. He tasted sweet like the plear fruit he was always eating, and for the first time in a week Robin felt something other than utter despair. The pleasure wasn't meant to last, though.
"Wait!" Ehren pushed back against Robin who grunted and reluctantly moved away a fraction of an inch.
"What's wrong?" He said as Ehren jumped up and began pacing through the mess, eyes wide. He ran one hand compulsively through his short cropped hair and the other he touched to his lips as if he wasn't sure that they had really been pressed against Robin's only moments before.
"What's wrong?" Ehren's pacing came to a sudden halt, and he echoed the question as if the answer should have been obvious. He stopped and looked at Robin with his brow furrowed in worry.
"Shit," Robin muttered. "I'm sorry. I didn't even think about it. You're not Utopian. This isn't.... On Earth?"
"Well, no," Ehren said. "But that's... Out of all the myriad of problems with this, that is the one you pluck out? That I'd want a female mate?"
"It's not?"
Ehren sighed in exasperation then explained. "First of all, you still outrank me, second I'm supposed to be making sure you're following all the rules of your probation. I'm pretty sure hooking up with an officer under your command is really high up on the list of things that I-GAS frowns upon. Trust me, what I want in a mate is the last thing you'd have to worry about. This isn't the 21st century anymore. I don't know what books you've been studying, but Earth and its galaxy aren't as ass backwards as the rest of the universe seem to think it is. I did kiss you back."
"Okay," Robin said. He stood up and approached Ehren, his curiosity having also been aroused. "What's the problem, then? Nobody has to know."
He reached Ehren and snatched his hands away from where he was hugging his arms.
"No." Ehren said firmly. He pulled back, but Robin held him in place.
"What ever happened to 'impetuous?' Please?" Robin said. His voice had taken on a desperate tone. He needed something to ease the pain. Ehren was there, he was alive, and he seemed to care.
"No." He repeated himself. "You're upset."
"Exactly," Robin said.
Ehren tried to tug himself away again, and Robin let him go. He stumbled backwards, almost tripping on the broken chair, but Robin quickly grabbed hold of him again and pulled him firmly against his chest.
"I got you," he said.
"Please, Robin," Ehren murmured. He was tremblin as was his voice, and he was clinging to the front of Robin's shirt trying desperately to resist giving in to the embrace. "You're upset," he said. "This...this isn't going to happen like this. I won't be used like that. Okay?"
He glanced up at Robin, who nodded and hugged him tighter.
"Maybe." Ehren conceded, feeling his resolve slowly melt away. "Maybe, when we get back and this isn't just some sort of reaction?"
"Okay," Robin said, but made no move to let him go. "I see. You're a psychologist now? I think you just like defying me. Maybe I should push your boundaries and see how you like it?"
He made an attempt to move his hands lower, but stalled when Ehren spoke.
"I have a gun." Ehren reminded him. "Keep trying that."
Robin let him go with a short chuckle, and he trudged the few short steps back to the bed speaking over his shoulder as he did so.
"I would if I didn't think you would actually shoot me. Why did you come back here anyway?" Robin asked as he sat down. He glared at Ehren, suddenly accusatory. "Is this all for your little report? Is this some kind of bait to get me..."
"No!" Ehren's eyes flashed anger as he stalked up to the bed. "Will you stop bringing that up? It wasn't my idea! Your friend didn't even give me a choice in the matter. If you have a problem with it, take it up with her! My opinion means fuck all, but I don't think this is even a matter for I-GAS! It's not like...it's not like a volunteered because I can't stand the thought of being away from you or something! Do you know how much easier my life would be if you'd just never brought me on that stupid fucking mission in the first place... You're always getting in trouble and getting me in trouble. Why we even still have jobs is..."
"Fine." Robin said. "I'll have you transferred."
"What, no!" Ehren protested.
Robin waited expectantly for some further explanation to come, but Ehren was left wordless with only grunts and hand gestures to indicate his dismay at the thought of being transferred to another squadron.
Robin reached up and grabbed Ehren's wildly flailing hands to pull him down to sit on the bed.
"Will you shut-up," he said. "You've got it good. You think anybody else would put up with you? You would have been failed out months ago before I took you out to the Diamond Sector. Aside from that, you'd have racked up quite a list of reprimands for insubordination since then. If you were under any other commander..."
"Is it because you want to fuck me?" Ehren muttered.
"Wait. What?" Robin glared at him.
"Really? Is that why I keep getting promoted?" Ehren said, a feeling of dread curling around in the pit of his stomach. "I certainly don't deserve it."
"You are too hard on yourself," Robin growled. "Is that really how little you think of me?"
"I don't know what to think of you," Ehren admitted. "You have this demented little affair with one of the galaxies most wanted criminals. You seem to think I'm some kind of honey-trap sent down from the high command to seduce you as if I could ever succeed in seducing anybody! I'm so far fucking over my head, Robin, and it's like I don't know how to swim. You don't make it easier. You're like bricks on my legs."
"I'm just trying to help you," Robin muttered. He glanced down at his hands, feeling self conscious about the things he had unthinkingly given the recruit just because it had been easier. He wasn't sure that he had even deserved his own promotions. He didn't think he was fit to be a commander if he couldn't just order one nosy Earthian away from him without feeling the need to explain his actions.
"I didn't ask for your help," Ehren said. "I just wanted to prove myself."
He crawled up onto the bed behind him and lay down on his back with his head on Robin's pillow so that he could stare up at the vacant ceiling with one arm folded over his forehead.
Robin glanced back at him and he knew that it wasn't commanding in general that was his problem. It had never been a problem before Ehrenfried Beherent had walked into his squad room. He cursed himself silently over his propensity to be attracted to the most inappropriate people possible.
Robin lay down and curled up against him with a long sigh.
"What are you doing?" Ehren said in a slightly alarmed voice. Robin held on to him as he tried to squirm away.
"This is my bed," Robin mumbled. "I broke the chair, where else do you want me to sit?"
"You're not sitting. You're all up on me," Ehren pointed out.
"Relax. I'm tired," Robin said. "I'm not going to violate your Earthian innocence...today, but I'm not going to lie to you either, Ehren. I like you."
"This is wrong," Ehren said. "I shouldn't... I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be with you, in this room, on this planet...I...I...I..."
Robin released him and rolled onto his own back.
"You're free to go if you want," Robin said. "The offer for a transfer still stands as well. It's in your hands, Ehren."
"That was nice," Ehren murmured after a long moment of silence.
"What?" Robin turned to face him.
"I said that was nice," Ehren replied in a more audible tone. "You feel cool."
"And you're so warm," Robin said. He resumed his position and lay his head down on Ehren's stomach, trying to somewhat ease the awkwardness of his brawny frame sprawled out on top of Ehren's slim body.
Ehren played absently with Robin's blond hair.
"What do you mean?" He spoke up in hopes that if he kept a conversation going, he wouldn't give in to his raging hormones right then and there despite his earlier decree.
"You're from Earth? That's a desert, right?" He said and Ehren nodded awkwardly from his reclined position. "So why the hell are you so hot, if you live in a hot place?"
"It's very cold at night," Ehren replied. "We're all different. I mean, your people can't see in the dark and mine are little 98.6 degree furnaces that live in scorching deserts and eat mostly fake food. It's kind of amazing, really, that any of us can get along and work together. I mean, you grew up on a planet several galaxies away from mine..."
"My father," Robin said, abruptly breaking in to Ehren's thoughts about inter-galactic diversity with some urgency.
"He was Amarantian. Maybe we aren't so different."
Eheren couldn't stop his intake of breath at the revelation.
"You're from The Milky Way?"
"My father was." Robin corrected him. "He was stationed here in the Zahran Galaxy on one of the detective outposts before he got stuck back in time. My mothers were very good friends with him back then. He's been gone for a long time though. I was born and raised here. I never really knew him. I've never even been to The Milky Way, let alone Amarantos."
"It's beautiful," Ehren said.
"You've been there? You are full of surprises," Robin murmured against Ehren's stomach.
Ehren chuckled in return. "We're not a galactically crippled planet. We've been able to travel beyond our solar system in our own galaxy since forever. We even traveled in time before anybody else."
"Yeah," Robin laughed. "But you didn't realize it until recently. It really does take a special kind of human to repeatedly fall back and forth through a giant temporal rift often enough to populate the same planet in two different times without knowing it's the same planet. You still even insist on calling future Earth by 'the Nature' as if it's an entirely different place."
"But it is," Ehren said. "They both exist simultaneously. I don't know. We're like the Schrodinger's cat of the know Galaxies or something. Instead of the ridicule we should get an award for the most practical use of a temporal paradox. Anyway. Amarantos. It's quite the vacation spot. Lots of gardens. Old ladies love the flowers."
Ehren regaled Robin with stories of his university funded travels across the Milky Way Galaxy in an effort to forestall any further come ons, and Robin listened intently. It was enough to take his mind off the happenings of the day including his ill fated attempt at getting Ehren into bed. For once he was grateful for Ehren's tendency to keep talking well beyond the advisable length of time for average conversation. He had never met anybody from his second planet origin, so it was enticing to him to hear about it firsthand from somebody who had been there.
Eventually Robin fell asleep where he lay. Ehren continued stroking his hair, and thought about the events of the day and just how close he had come to having an affair with his superior officer; an affair that was still on the table for all intents and purposes. He knew it was a terrible idea, but getting to know Robin had been something of a surprise. He wasn't the cold law enforcement robot that he thought he had met on that first day of training. If anything, Robin tried too hard to be good at his job when he was all too human.
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