A few weeks into your relationship, you enjoy the sunset before you reveal a truth to Thragg, one that puts an end to the lying
Swinging lightly on your porch swing, you stared up at the sky, wincing a little at how bright it was, sun setting and turning the usual blue hue a multitude of colours, pink and orange and even yellow at the very edge of the world, outlining the sun and burning your eyes when you looked at it.
Feet bare, you gently kicked the ground, swinging yourself, breathing in the fresh air with a smile. You loved this time of the year. Not too cold and not too hot, you could wear lighter clothes and do much more than when you were freezing or sweating your bits off.
Like sit outside and enjoy the air.
So of course your “human” boyfriend had to disturb it.
“You have been sitting out here for some time now. Why?” Came Thragg's voice, the man stepping through the sliding doors. He glanced around your garden, then the sky, looking for whatever held your attention so thoroughly. He found nothing.
“It's peaceful.” You shrug. “The sky is beautiful, isn't it?” You say, gesturing towards it.
You've learned during your brief time with him that he was a… very pragmatic man. He didn't like smalltalk, didn't like to waste time. Proven by the way he'd taken you on dates nearly every day and, after you invited him to your home (probably too early in the relationship to do so, but you knew he wasn't planning on hurting you), showed up every day, though he was yet to stay the night.
But you'd been raised like all humans were and so useless smalltalk was ingrained in you.
Patting the space besides you, you waited until he was sat down to continue, ignoring the creak from the swing as you did.
“C'mon. It's a nice sunset! Probably not the prettiest since we're surrounded by houses, but still. It's nice.” You nudge him with your shoulder. “What were the sunsets back home like?” You ask, not missing his flinch.
You'd also picked up on other things about him. Things he probably didn't want you to know.
It was silent for a bit, awkward. You didn't expect him to respond, chiding yourself for bringing it up like that. You knew it was a sensitive–
“… they were… soothing.” Thragg said quietly, frowning down at the floor, mind elsewhere. “Believe it or not… but when the sun would set, where I lived, the sky would turn a light green.”
“Really.” He looked up, staring at the sky with something considering. “It was such a small thing. Yet I am surprised to find that I miss it.”
Carefully, you reach for one of his hands laid on his lap, squeezing it.
“It was a part of your home, your life. People miss random things all the time. It's okay to do so. It just proves how much you loved that place.”
Thragg's fist clenched, knuckles white and trembling for a moment. Then he relaxed.
“You are not wrong.” He whispered, sighing quietly as he gazed up at the sky with you. “My home… it… mattered greatly to me. I was raised from birth to–” he cut himself off, making you look at him, knowing.
Thumb rubbing his knuckles, you leaned up, kissing his cheek. His eyes fluttered at the affection.
“I know there are things you can't or aren't ready to tell me yet. But you can be honest with me, Thragg. I mean it.” You whisper, turning to face him, legs curled under you.
He copied you a bit, torso twisting as he looked down at you, arm thrown over the back of the seat. You felt his fingers brush against your shoulder.
His eyes narrowed as he considered you.
“You speak as though you have some inkling of what I hide.” He stated.
“I do.” You whisper, resting your head against his arm. “And I don't blame you for it. It's smart to be careful. You just… chose the worst possible person to lie to.” A wry smile twisted your lips.
Thragg stared, calmly assessing you as his mind worked over your words. He stilled.
“You can tell lie from truth.” He said carefully, eyes widening a bit. “Can’t you?”
You nod slowly, skin hot under the sun's rays.
“How did you come about this power?” He asks, voice hushed with fascination. Fingers brushed against your jaw, tilting your head up as he looked you over, like he could find your ability writ on your skin.
“I don't know. I've had it for as long as I could remember, honestly.” You admit, relaxing in his touch. It was so easy to do so. Despite the strength hidden under his calm demeanour, you felt he wouldn't use it against you. “Ever since I was a kid, nobody could lie to me. Definitely gave me some issues, though.”
Thragg hummed in response, thumb idly stroking your chin. “And you have known my lies from my truths this entire time. Yet you haven't ended our courtship.” He frowned. “Why?”
You just smiled. Wasn't it obvious?
“Because I like you.” You simply say, dipping your head a bit, kissing his thumb. “Despite how weird you are and the lies, I really like you, Thragg.” You held his gaze. “Do you like me?”
Silence ticked by as he considered how to respond, now knowing of your ability.
“… I am not one to ‘like’ others.” He said plainly, blunt as he withdrew his hand, turning his head to look back out at the sky. “But… I do find you more tolerable than every other lesser being I've encountered before. Much more tolerable.”
You couldn't help but laugh at his words and the scowl that accompanied it. His eyes flicked to you at the sound, soft for just a split second before he looked away again.
With a sigh, you stood, stretching. “I'll take it.” You said, looking him in the eye. “But I do expect an explanation about everything later.” You say, wagging a finger at him playfully.
Then you walked past, heading towards the door. Pausing on the threshold, you glanced at him.
“Hey, Thragg? You won't ever hurt me, right?” Your voice comes out quiet, serious. It's the one thing you need to know for sure, after all, before you continue being with him.
Alien or not, he was still a person. A very strong one, but a person.
And people hurt each other in every way imaginable all the time.
Looking at you standing there, Thragg found he didn't have to think about it too much.
“No.” He said. “I won't. As long as we're together… you will have my protection.”
Honesty streaked before your gaze like lightning, bright and reassuring. You shot him a happy grin.
“Hm. Good to know.” You murmur, stepping inside. “Oh, and Thragg? Feel free to stay the night.” You offer, leaving him to enjoy the alien sunset as you began preparing supper for you both.
Something told you that you'll need the energy for later.
I gave reader this little power because I didn't want to write about them being all happy together with Thragg lying to you. Seemed unhealthy for the dynamic I want here.
So reader knew every time he lied about being human or his age or whatever, but since he was otherwise pretty solid and nice gave him a chance. Also, y'know, reader probably thought he was just a normal alien being weird as he acclimated to living on earth.
