BlueSeraphArts

Just here for art, fanfic, and good vibes!

[blueserapharts]

Bad Dreams & Keshri Berry Pancakes

A/N: Another Ka'el x Astra fic comin' in hot! This one was fun to write, did it in like an hour or so this morning cause I was feeling it. Enjoy, lovelies! Don't forget, my fic requests are open for anyone.

The Hesperides was silent. A rare feat, given the hustle and bustle of the day. But when the hours wound to the late beginnings of the evening? That was when the busy space station and all their activities began to become a low hum instead of a loud, clustered roar.

This particular evening had been blissful for one resident of the Hesperides. Astra Novus Collins, the barely new owner of the Milky Way Diner. It'd been a while since she'd first arrived at the station.

Ever since her first day that ended so perfectly with the brunette being treated to drinks by her new roommates Roswell and Setteth, along with all the wonderful new people she'd met during that first day on the Hesperides, she could honestly say if you ever asked her that she'd never been happier in her entire life.

Astra didn't have much to complain about. Since moving onto the Hesperides, she'd found herself more at ease. No longer did she have to stress over the looming eyes of her emotionally distant father pushing her to be a model woman for the Collins family name. Nor did she have to sit through her mother's infernal squawking as she complained to her only daughter about how she did her hair that day.

No more academic stresses, no more limitations on what she could and couldn't enjoy.

She was simply free to live how she chose and that's exactly what she did.

Most often, it ended up being her and Roswell hanging out during the nights, be it out at La’ro’s bar, Wayfarer's Rest, or simply sitting and chatting in the common area of their block while doing mundane things, such as Astra herself reading a book or doing her nails while Roswell tinkered away with a droid or some device from their workshop.

Her daily routine now was working in the Diner by early in the morning, getting off later in the afternoon for a short break to utilize how she wished, then returning to her room for the evening or going for drinks with either or both of her roommates.

And Astra wouldn't trade that for anything, Roswell was fantastic company.

The lunch breaks she took typically meant she'd forgo actually eating at first and would instead head to the Agdeck to chat with Aedar and allow him to show her the plants and, most recently, the glowshrimp those on the Hesperides working there were cultivating. To her, it was completely incredible.

She'd even place an order or two now and again when she found something she was low on or that she wanted to attempt cooking with. And ever the sweetheart, Aedar was happy to provide.

Other times, on select days, she'd see Saria in the clinic for routine check ups as her body and brain adjusted to life on the Hesperides and the different hours than that of the Helios system. Her most recent visit showed she was adapting just swimmingly and she confidently attributed the success to Saria herself for being so helpful throughout the transition.

And on unique days when she wasn't seeking out the company of one of her new friends, who she was still having a tedious time acknowledging that they were her friends as they'd all almost unanimously agreed to that first day at Wayfarer’s Rest (apart from La’ro, perhaps, but she sensed he liked her more than he let on), one of them would find her.

Just like earlier that afternoon when she exited the diner for her lunch break, her bag slung over her shoulder, brushing flour off her apron, and locking up the diner door. Only to be taken aback by hands suddenly covering her eyes. Very familiar feeling hands, warm and soft and covered with fur.

“Guess who?” an equally familiar voice playfully laughed in her ear. She knew that gorgeous laugh anywhere and couldn't fight the smile that quickly rose to her lips at the realization of who was behind her.

“Ka’el!” she'd shouted before turning to throw herself into the Ka’ettri’s body, arms locking around her neck. Ka’el had laughed and wrapped her up in her arms and tail, clutching the brunette tightly to her larger frame. “What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be back for a whole other week!”

Which was true, she'd told Astra that herself before leaving a week prior. “Well, I may or may not have come back early to spend some time with my favorite girl,” she shrugged, hoisting Astra off the ground by her waist and relishing in the surprised squeal that tore itself out of her throat. Her hands and arms repositioned themselves to hold her girlfriend with her arms round the backs of her thighs.

“Had a guy cancel his order on me and my schedule was suddenly wide open. Is that okay?” Astra stared at her incredulously with her mouth agape like she'd just asked her the dumbest question known to any galactic species ever before playfully swatting her jacket-clad shoulder. “Of course it's okay! It's more than okay!” she'd laughed as though that was the most obvious thing ever.

Then, just before Ka’el could playfully wince at her smack and tease her about the muscle tone she'd been gaining from working in the diner, Astra simply leaned forward to press their lips together with her hands lifting from her back to cup the Ka'ettri's face.

Ka’el's teasing words died on her tongue before they could be uttered and she'd leaned eagerly into the contact she'd missed so much after a week away. She was absolutely whipped for this woman. And Astra? Well, she wasn't much better.

That leads us to this evening, the peaceful, blissful night following that wonderful afternoon surprise. Astra had fallen asleep in Ka’el's bed aboard her ship, the Starblazer, and had been in comfortable slumber nearly the entire night.

Until her hands unconsciously reached out for Ka’el only to find her partner’s spot empty and cold beside her.

The brunette's eyes fluttered open as her brain registered the absence of her girlfriend's distinct warmth next to her in bed, blinking sleep away from her eyes and looking around as she held the sheet against her chest. The clock's time near the bed read that it wasn't even three system hours into the morning yet. But, regardless, her love was nowhere to be seen.

She was used to waking up alone when Ka’el was away. She was used to waking up alone, period. But waking up alone in her girlfriend's bed when she was meant to be with her? That was new and Astra didn't like it one bit.

“Ka’el?” she called out, her voice hoarse and raspy from sleep. But the sound of her soft cry was only met with silence.

She wasn't on the ship.

Astra's brows pinched as she groggily slid herself out of bed until her bare feet hit the cold metal floor. She let go of the sheet and stepped over to pull on Ka’el's shirt that'd been discarded on the floor earlier that night, the oversized garment covering down to her thighs.

The Ka'ettri’s scent still lingered on the cloth, something that comforted Astra just a little bit with her lover's presence absent.

“I know I left a pair of shorts here,” she grumbled as she walked to find the overnight bag she'd left in the ship over a week ago and soon found exactly what she needed. A pair of plain black sleep shorts with three silver stars embroidered on the hip.

Slipping them up her legs, the woman carefully made her way through the dark of the Starblazer, checking the cockpit first just in case. Astra then walked to the door and carefully stepped out into the familiar hanger of the Hesperides.

Her hand lifted to brush the wild strands of brown hair back over her forehead, looking around for any sign of her partner who was meant to be in bed with her.

Until she spotted a familiar tail against the ground behind the backside of the ship.

There she is, Astra mentally sighed in relief at the recognition of Ka’el's familiar appendage before cautiously walking across the pristine white floor to silently peek around the corner when she'd reached the end of the ship's length.

Her girlfriend sat leaned against the Starblazer, head back and eyes shut. But the distinct twitch and lift of her ear indicated she heard Astra's approach and those golden eyes opened before she could even speak. “Astra?” she hummed, confusedly turning her head towards her to better see her as she walked plainly into view.

Ka’el tried not to flush at the sight of her girlfriend wearing her shirt as a nightdress. It was all kinds of attractive but she couldn't focus on that now. Her large hand reached over to caress her calf tenderly as she stared up at her and cocked her head to one side. “What're you doing out of bed, Sugar? You alright?”

Astra just glared at her in that non serious way that made it resemble more of a pout, folding her arms beneath her chest. “I should be asking you that, Ka’el,” she grumbled like a very grumpy kitten before that expression softened to one of concern. “I went to snuggle up to you and you weren't there. Your spot’s gone cold. What's wrong, darling?”

The Ka’ettri fought off a purr, melting just a little bit at being called ‘darling’ by the woman who had her wrapped so tightly around her pinky finger, she may as well have been choking dark purple in the face as we speak.

But she pushed out an answer, calm and nonchalant regardless. “Nothing, just couldn't sleep real well for some reason. I came out here to get some air. Didn't wanna wake you.”

Astra gave her a look that said almost perfectly, ‘A little late for that, now isn't it?’ which almost got a laugh out of the Ka’ettri before she found her lover nudging her shoulder and bicep with her shin. “Scooch over, big girl,” the brunette huffed. “Come on. Move.”

Ka’el's brows shot up as she wiggled aside to make room when she noticed her lowering down to sit next to her, shoulder to shoulder. Until, of course, Astra took it upon herself to lift the larger woman's wrist in her hand and wrapped the strong arm of her girlfriend around her before cuddling into her side.

“You look stupid when you lie,” the human mumbled sleepily as she pressed her nose against the side of Ka’el's chest just before her partner laughed. “Do I?” she prompted, leaning down to brush her nose against her partner's hair.

Astra just nodded. “Impossibly stupid,” she whispered with a smile in her voice before lifting a finger up to playfully poke her cheek, which only made Ka’el grin more. The same hand came to rest gently atop her chest, lovingly caressing her thumb against the fabric of her sleep shirt.

“Now, what's really up with you? I can't try to understand or help if I don't know what's wrong, darling.” The Ka'ettri melted again, closing her eyes and curling her tail against Astra's hip and letting it lay over her bare legs. A sigh left her before she finally relented.

“I just had a nasty dream is all,” she said softly into the brunette's messy hair. “Shook me up enough that I couldn't go back to sleep.” Her eyes opened again as her girlfriend craned her head up to meet her gaze. Gold mingled with powder blue as they had so many times since Astra had arrived. Ka’el knew for sure she'd never get tired of looking into those eyes.

The hand on her chest came up to cup her fur covered cheek, something Ka'el couldn't help lean into. Her touch was always so caring and warm. Astra made it hard not to fall into her at every little chance. She had since the day they met.

“Love, you could've woken me up, I wouldn’t have minded,” she whispered in a way that made her furry ears twitch and falter just barely enough to notice. “Heavens know you've done the same for me. Remember that nightmare I had the first time we slept together on your ship?”

Ka’el winced softly. She did remember. How could she ever forget? She'd never seen Astra so terrified, but she wasn't scared in the way most people were. She'd jolted up so quickly, it'd woken Ka’el up immediately. The sound of her quickened breaths still rang in her ears at the memory. The rapid rushing of her heartbeat she could see thrumming in her neck.

The worst part for Ka’el was perhaps seeing Astra entirely disassociated. That was when she realized her girlfriend's reaction to fear was exactly that. Not screaming, not panicking or crying. She’d simply gone numb and unresponsive.

Astra was non verbal for a good ten minutes and looked right through Ka’el when she tried to get her attention, pleading with her to speak, to tell her what was wrong, until she quickly realized she wouldn't. Couldn't.

That night, Ka’el had held her until she was right enough to finally talk. And when she did, the Ka’ettri diligently tended to the few things she'd asked for; some water and a near back-breaking cuddle. She eventually whispered out what she'd dreamed of when she thought her lover had fallen asleep.

Ka’el wouldn't, and couldn't, ever forget that night even if she tried.

Astra felt Ka’el nod as she laid her face back in her hair before threading their fingers together from the hand wrapped around her upper body. “Yeah, Sugar, of course I remember,” she whispered. “You scared the shit outta me.”

The brunette just chuckled before giving her lover's hand a squeeze. “Yes, I know,” she murmured, lifting their entwined hands to kiss Ka’el's knuckles. “But, to my point, you helped me when I had a bad dream. You know I'd do the same for you, right?”

“Yeah, Sugar, but-” Ka’el started, unable to finish before Astra suddenly stood up and yanked her girlfriend by the hand to try and pull her up. “Uh-uh, no ‘buts’ except yours up off this floor,” the plump human woman smiled.

“Come on. I'm feeling rather peckish and I just remembered the keys to the diner are in my bag inside.”

And that's exactly where they ended up. The soft sizzling of pancakes cooking in the pan snapped Ka’el out of her quiet thoughts as she leaned her forearms against the countertop, watching her girlfriend cook with her hair pulled back into the laziest bun on the nape of her neck.

A cup of cold water sat near her, dripping condensation onto the planet shaped coaster it rested on. Astra had given it to her the second she fixed it up and the Ka’ettri had taken all of three long swigs of it before it was half finished and sat back down to be forgotten while she zoned out.

Now she was staring at her girlfriend as she hummed a little tune to herself, flipping a pancake over with her spatula and peering over to the Keshri berries she'd pulled out and snapped off the stem to top the stack of fluffy hotcakes that already had the same sweet tasting berries cooked into them once they were ready to be pulled off the pan.

For a woman who'd been so nervous about taking over the diner no more than a month or so prior, Ka’el was rather proud to see her girlfriend so effortlessly in her element now.

“Have I told you tonight just how gorgeous you are?” the Ka'ettri mused, smiling at the flush that creeped its way up to Astra's cheeks. Her girlfriend hardly spared her a glance before checking the underside of the pancake she was monitoring before replying. “Once or twice, I believe, dearest. Now, hush, you flirt, and let the chef focus. Unless you want burnt pancakes.”

Ka’el chuckled at the playful wave of Astra's spatula directed at her face and laid her cheek down on her arms, perfectly content just to watch her cook and admire her in silence. Hair sloppily tied with a blue scrunchie, wearing her shirt that was definitely a bit too long on her, and that pretty pink blush on her makeup-less face coupled with the dim lighting of the diner’s kitchen.

She could safely say Astra had never looked more beautiful.

Soon enough, she was snapped out of her adoring trance as a plate of Keshri berry pancakes was placed in front of her arms before Astra gave the top of her hand a loving squeeze, passing her a fork. “Eat up, love,” she hummed. “Mine are nearly done.”

And back to cooking she went, Astra smiling as she felt her lover's gaze linger on her before hearing the sound of the fork against the plate, cutting into the stack of pancakes, and the delighted groan that followed that first bite.

The pair were soon enough sat next to each other on the counter stools, Astra's head leaning against Ka’el's shoulder while they ate their late night meal in comfortable silence. It was perfect and the Ka'ettri was already starting to forget the nightmare that'd jolted her awake earlier in the evening.

“Thank you for this,” she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to Astra's temple which made her smile against her. “Of course, Starlight,” the brunette hummed as she took the larger woman's hand and squeezed. The nickname shook Ka’el and she nearly fell over from how quickly it made her cheeks flare with a blush.

“I'd do anything for you. I love you.”

The care and affection in her girlfriend's voice resulted in rare tears pearling at Ka’el's eyes before she tried desperately to silently blink them away. She took another forkful of pancakes into her mouth, choking down the lump in her throat when she swallowed. Her tail lifted to curl around Astra's waist before her own head leaned down to lay atop hers.

“Yeah. Right back at you, Sugar.”

The pair found themselves back on the Starblazer that night after the dishes were washed and the diner was locked up, contently snuggled up in one another's arms, legs tangled beneath the sheets, and pressed as close to one another as they could possibly be.

And both of them found their sleep blissfully dreamless, the only thought in their minds as they fell asleep was how much they'd give for more nights just like this one.

God these two are so fun to write, I'm crying and holding them both in my corner ong, love 'em so much, okay bye.

[blueserapharts]

A/N: Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, my first fic posted to Tumblr and my first Love at the Milky Way Diner fic ever (double whammy). I genuinely had so much fun writing it even if she got just a wee bit long. Enjoy!

CW: Swearing, suggestive yearning (if you squint), women being mutually dumb and pining.

ASTRA

Nothingness slowly fades as I open my eyes for the first time in two weeks since stepping into the stasis pod provided for me aboard the Argo 24. Two whole weeks of peaceful, dreamless sleep. And my nose is assaulted first thing by the distinct, wretched stench of dust. It makes my nose scrunch up and my eyes squeeze shut just before I haphazardly sneeze and sniffle.

They couldn't even bother to keep this place clean while we were in stasis? Well, Collins, this is what happens when you choose to cheap out, I thought with a subtle groan in my throat as I lurched upright in the less-than-comfortable sleep compartment. Though, it's really not as though I had much of a proper ‘choice’ in my travel quality.

Not when I was bordering on flat broke and moving everything I had to a whole new place. A whole new system really. My wallet was strained enough when I looked into booking transport and I didn't think draining the last of my savings would have truly helped my situation. Much as I'd prefer anything else to this heap of junk, as the age old saying goes, ‘You get what you pay for’. This was as to be expected at the end of the day.

My back aches and I have a feeling it has more to do with the poor excuse for cushioning I'd been laying on and not the distinct weight of my chest. I tenderly rub my sore neck to try working out the knot I feel forming in it and shake the last remnants of fatigue from my head before slowly swinging my legs over the edge of the open pod, steadily rising and lifting my arms to stretch properly.

“Good heavens,” I groan out, strained and soft. “I’m stiffer than I thought I’d be.” A rumble came from my belly next after I bent down to touch my toes. A particularly loud rumble. “And it would appear I'm hungrier as well. Wonderful.” Well, I suppose it was a good thing I was taking over my late aunt's diner out in the middle of space. Just my luck.

The whole reason I was up and leaving my home in the Helios system. Abandoning the stagnant career my parents had groomed me to enter since what seemed to be the moment of my conception after being laid off from my former job back home on Mars, any former friends I might have had from college or from childhood, and any familiar comfort I knew - had known - for my entire 25 years of life.

Yup, all to take over some diner my Aunt Cassiopeia, or Aunt Cassie as we often called her, had left in her will upon her passing. The business of the Milky Way Diner aboard the Hesperides Space Station she started however long ago to any relative willing to take it. And, go figure, none of my family members were exactly jumping at the opportunity. Cassiopeia Collins was our black sheep; the odd one out in the Collins clan.

She chose to pursue a small diner business, something utterly inconceivable to my family. A life position below what we're expected to pursue. Homely culinary - though I'm not entirely sure if she even had a degree for it - as opposed to her brother, my father, who was college bound at 18, graduated with a Masters in Business Management and Finance, and now runs one of the biggest corporations on the surface of Mars alongside my mother. His pretty, perfect trophy wife.

That was our expectation. What we were meant to aim for. Unlike Cassie, whom I suppose missed that family meeting. As a Collins, you set your standards high, above the rest of your peers. If those around you are achieving greatness, you bust your ass and achieve better. That was simply the family way. Had been for centuries, dating far back as when Earth was still habitable. The top was never enough.

There was always a higher ceiling to break, another rope to climb, another deal to be closed with firm handshakes and celebrated with foreign booze and smokes.

And I hated - nay, loathed - every second of it all.

It wasn't all terrible, don't misunderstand. I had a pleasant childhood, as most born into wealth do. I was spoiled rotten by my parents. But only so long as I did what I was told. I couldn't even count on both hands how many scoldings I can so distinctly remember receiving as a child for simple, innocent mistakes or simply for being… a child. Creativity wasn't a thing I was taught, nor was it anything I was allowed to explore. To my knowledge, Cass wasn't either.

Everything was logic, data, and pure, ironclad fact. I never wanted to look at another statistics sheet or non-fiction book for as long as I lived. That was the first vow I made to myself after packing my first box back home. Which reminded me, I wonder if the Hesperides has a library of some sort. I'd love to peruse their novel section, should I be so fortunate.

So, after all this, the upbringings of both myself and my aunt that were handed to us on similar silver platters, how did Cassie end up with a diner out in the middle of deep space, at the gateway to the Theta sector? Truthfully, I couldn't possibly know. I can only assume she, like myself, had just finally had enough. Enough of the pressure, enough of the stress. Enough of the repression.

I envy her in ways, though I hardly ever met her. My aunt was a stranger to me growing up but just from hearing about her from meetings with her attorney handling her will and last wishes now that she was gone, I couldn't help feeling jealous over how much courage she had. That she must have had, especially if she broke free of the iron shackles that come free to every Collins child with their mandated silver spoon. It was definitely more than I had, even now.

My father made absolutely sure that his sister wouldn't taint my growing mind with ideas of things like cooking, baking, wonder, whimsy, self expression. He was the sole reason I'd never known my Aunt Cassie. Of course, Mother didn't help much either, eagerly going along with Father's wishes if it got her something pretty from him.

Cassie couldn't be allowed near his only daughter, his heiress, only to risk filling her beautiful brain with nonsense that didn't fit the family standards. Nonsense she herself lived in constantly, day in and day out. To take her perfectly crisp white wool and turn it black as her own. No, no, the idea of that was too tragic to bear so he shut out his sister and kept his prized little dove locked away in the gilded cage he made just for her, to keep the sweet creature underneath his thumb with wings falsely clipped since birth.

Until that timid little dove with perfectly working wings, cowering and preening in her small, glittering prison, the insides of the delicate bars lined with rusted nails and barbed wire, finally spread those big, brilliant wings, zipped out the open door as soon as she had the chance to soar, and free fell head first off the Cliff of Faith to take a bold chance, the first of what she hoped would be many, to come in her new life of freedom.

A chance on herself and on the place her estranged Aunt Cassie adored so very much. Where she had first spread her own wings and lived a life full of happiness doing exactly what she wanted. What she loved up until the very end of her life. May she rest easy now among the numerous stars she called her home.

Finally, after so long, I made the choice to do something for myself. Choosing my own path and stepping out of that cage that caused nothing but heartache. My family can take a hike off into a black hole for all I cared. I was through being Little Miss Perfect a long time before now. Cassie’s sudden stroke and bequeath of her business to a willing family member was just the push I needed, no matter how tragic the circumstances.

I still remember the look on their faces when I told them I was moving and taking over Cassie's diner. And yes, I am expecting that disownment text to come through soon if it hasn't already. I have yet to truly check my palmpad and have no desire to until later.

No matter. I had a clean slate now, far from the overbearing, expectant fist of my father and the irritating fretting and hovering of my mother. And I was going to make every single moment of this new chapter count. It was mine now after all, and mine alone.

Carefully, I maneuver my way around a few other people who are also coming out of stasis, stretching and straightening themselves up as well as they can before, likely, heading to the onboard sonic shower to properly freshen up. I'm already halfway there myself, definitely needing to wash up after feeling how oily my scalp had gotten. No sense looking a mess before arriving at my new home where I'll be working and living for the foreseeable future. First impressions and all.

A fresh set of clothes were definitely needed after my shower. Oh, definitely needed. The warmth my turtleneck leotard provides is much better than the thin satin sleep shirt I had been wearing prior. Even with the cut out showing off my large breasts and cleavage, merely out of pure personal and aesthetic preference, it's leagues better than what came before it. I slipped my pants, boots, gloves, and cropped jacket on right after that.

But even then, I managed ‘breathtaking’ just fine I think.

And my earrings. Mustn't forget those. Simple teal stars made of some unknown crystal I received as a passing gift from Cassie. I love them very much already.

After brushing my hair and making sure my curled fringe was settled properly in place with not a stray wavy brown strand out of place, I couldn't help admiring my reflection in the small wall mirror above the sink. I didn't look half bad, all things considered. Could probably do with a little moisturizer though. And some concealer for the small bags beneath my eyes, a result of countless late nights studying under my father's watchful, piercing gaze.

Ah, petty vanity. The one thing I won't complain too much about is my family instilling one with the desire to make sure you looked good. Not just good, breathtaking if you could manage it.

Mother always did, with her lithe frame, soft feminine curves, and rich ginger hair. I myself wasn't nearly as thin as her, but I was no less stunning and I knew it well. I was just a bit more… pleasantly plump than the average woman. I certainly wouldn't consider myself fat by any means, but I was definitely plus sized. Chubby, perhaps would be the best descriptor.

As I take a seat in the observation lounge after having gone back to grab my complimentary biscuits and juice from beside my pod, I'm hit with a wave of grogginess and have to lean my head against the cool glass window to rest my eyes briefly, hoping the feeling subsides. And, thankfully, it does shortly after I rub my palm down my face just before my eyes open and catch sight of them.

Stars. Thousands of gorgeous, bright, glistening stars. All outside the window. My breath hitches in my chest and I slowly rise to my feet despite the dizzying swirl in my brain that snaps at me to sit back down. I couldn't care less. Not now. Not when, for the first time, I had a proper view of outer space and the numerous glittering stars and distant celestial bodies that make it up.

My palm presses against the thick reinforced glass, cool to the touch, as my eyes flicker over the sight of each bright orb against the inky void. I may have gotten the cheapest - and objectively worst - transport flight out to my new home but this view? This was priceless and I couldn't think to stop the smile from pulling at my plump, painted lips.

The ship lurches a little and dips in its flight, breaking me out of my transfixion on the vast void outside, and the corner of my eye catches the view of the Hesperides Space Station. My new home.

The station itself is a sleek, clean Arulian design with a cone shaped silhouette. Habitat and docking rings orbit the station's central superstructure. I can see numerous windows lining the white metal walls as ships of all make, model, and design zip in and out of the docking and loading bays. It almost appears reminiscent of a beehive with several fuzzy bugs zooming all around, swarming.

It, much like the stars, completely captured my attention. I couldn't dare deny the station's simple, yet elegant beauty. The way it simply bustled with energy, with life, evident all the way from behind this window, however many clicks away, was almost heartwarming. Calming, even. But it too, in its own way, made me genuinely excited to see what lay inside the walls. Excited to take this step, to finally be somewhere where I didn't have to live up to someone else's vision of me.

I shiver with anticipation just before the loudspeakers ding overhead.

“Attention, all passengers. We are now beginning docking procedures for Deep Space Station Hesperides. Please make sure to bring all your belongings with you as you disembark. On behalf of the captain and all of our crew, we thank you for choosing Argo Space Transport. We hope you have enjoyed your time traveling with us and we hope to see you again real soon.”

It clicks again, indicating the person behind the announcement had turned the speakers off. This was it. No going back now. As of this moment, I was no longer Astra Collins, eldest daughter of and heiress to the Collins Corporation. I was simply Astra Collins. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I couldn't wait to meet her, to get to know her. To learn to love her, whoever she was.

I carefully pulled open the bag of biscuits and nursed at the small box of lukewarm strawberry juice. Something on my stomach was better than nothing after all. And all the while, I watched as the ship flew further down towards the Hesperides, pulling into the, quite frankly huge, arrivals hanger I could already see was bustling with bodies moving too and fro.

Coming and going in nearly all directions with bags in hand, crates in arms, and hoverkarts stacked high with packages and boxes and bags alike. The inside was just as busy as the outside and I was already growing to like what I saw. A quick brush of my hands to dust off the crumbs from the biscuits and I was up out of my seat and rushing to go fetch my two suitcases from the luggage area.

I was buzzing, practically vibrating from the thrill of this starting point of my life - my real life, just for me - and the eagerness I felt in my belly to begin these first few pages. And as I carefully step my way down the ship’s stairs once the doors had opened and into the arrival hanger, I felt a giddy smile - a genuine smile - brighten my face and warm my entire being from head to toe, inside and out.

I was home.

But, oh, if only I was given a sign then as to what would come next. Though, truthfully speaking, even if I had been given one in that moment, the seconds before my world was flipped for the absolute best, I don't think I'd have done a single thing any different. 

KA’EL

Damn, arrivals is definitely busier than normal today. I put a few quick taps to the side of my baby - Starblazer, my ship, naturally - as the door shuts.

Once the lock initiates, I give the hoverkart next to me a soft nudge with my tail to urge it forward alongside me as I begin to walk across the white metal floor through the sea of people.

The earrings on my ears jingle with my steps, barely loud enough for me to hear - and that's saying something - as my ears twitch, my eyes scanning every direction to try and navigate the crowd.

Trying to predict which route to take through tons of different people is not fun.

Made less easy when you're just barely over seven feet tall with a long ass tail to match. But that's alright, I'll be perfectly fine so long as no one bumps into me or steps on my tail on accident.

At least I'm not rushing like last time I delivered a shipment. Still can't believe I slipped up and forgot to chuck my guns back inside before heading to the arrival desk.

I'm sure the officers are going to be a pain in the neck after all that when and if I head to the counter today.

And all for that damn roe that needed to be in temperature control. At least I got paid well for it.

The swarm of individuals is made up of mostly other alien species. Skettrians, Arulians, Naru, even some fellow Ka’ettri like myself. But I do spot a human or two here and there, shuffling about through the hanger with bags and suitcases.

Unsurprising how few there are really, given humans are the minority out here away from the Helios system where they're from.

I'm not a permanent resident myself, per se, either, but I frequent the station I'm sure more than most of the people here. Being a cargo runner will do that, keep you moving constantly.

When you're not on the ground, you're in your ship. Or at least that's how it is for me. Not that I mind one bit, no no. This is the life.

I pause for a second when I reach a spot with few enough people to do so, my tail halting the hoverkart next to me, as the loudspeakers ding with an announcement.

“Attention, this is the final boarding call for flight XJ6B6 with service to Cashroth Four. All passengers should now be on board at gate C32. Again, that's flight XJ6B6 at gate C23, final boarding.”

“Out of the way!” I hear, my ears pricking up and forward as I catch sight of a Skettrian push - no, that wasn't a push, it was a hard-ass shove - someone down onto the floor as he bolts past them from behind.

A flash of brown and white is all I see before I hear the hard thud of a body on metal and I'm suddenly reacting before I think, rushing forward with the full hoverkart trailing behind.

“Hey!” I snap out a yell, jogging through the throng of people over to the fallen individual. “Watch where you're going!”

Some folks have no damn manners, I think angrily before my eyes fall to the floor where the person… pardon me, woman is that the asshole just practically threw on the ground.

She's human, judging by the peachy flesh of her hand that isn't covered by gloves so dark blue they're almost black. Before I can really stand and look at her, I crouch and crane my head enough to meet her eyes as she picks her head up.

“Hey, are you okay?” my concerned voice says before our eyes meet. Gold staring into a sea of powder blue, the hue bordering barely on silver.

I freeze for a split second, and in that time seems to slow completely.

She's pretty. Really pretty.

Hair the color of rich cocoa cascading in waves and curls around her face, behind her pierced ears, and over her shoulders, no longer than the middle of her chest.

Cheeks and face are slightly plump and plush like the rest of her body from what I can see with her sitting the way she is on the ground, tinted with a small dusting of pink.

Her lips… Oh, wow.

Painted a muted cherry red, full, and pillowy. I can't help but wonder almost immediately how they taste.

If they’d be as soft on mine as they look right now, all pouty, cushioned, and perfect and only a few inches away.

If they're even half as sweet as I think they probably are.

Even though I really, really shouldn't be thinking about that.

And in her ears are two earrings of turquoise crystals. Small spherical rocks in her lobes where two matching polished stars are hanging identical on both sides. They look a bit familiar but I can't pin from where I know them.

They compliment the shades of blue and teal accenting her clothes perfectly, from her dark turtleneck beneath that short white jacket to the equally white high waisted pants with teal trims and pockets, and even the dark wedge-heeled boots that about reach her knees.

She's a damn vision.

Just… Wow.

I can practically hear the short, quickened thumps of my heartbeat in my ears in the silence. Silence? Oh yeah, it's really quiet.

I can't hear anything. All the chatter and scuffle around us, people purposely walking around us to give us space. It's all muffled like distant white noise.

It feels surreal. And if this is a dream, I never ever want to wake up again.

But all good things come to an end eventually, and sometimes quicker than you expect.

Time speeds up in what feels like half a second and it's all I need to vacate the thoughts of this pretty stranger from my brain before I do or say something completely stupid.

Sound returns and my ears twitch as I try not to think about the rapid pounding in them from my heart beneath my chest.

Quickly as she registers the sight of me, I pinch my face in a worried expression and pray that my face looks as composed as I try to tell myself I am.

Just so I don't look like a total moron, looking at her like she's just ascended from the cosmos themselves. A celestial goddess born from stardust and light.

She may as well have been though.

My expression is accurate of course. I am truly worried about her. I'm just hoping my cheeks aren't as clearly colored as hers are.

That Skettrian looked like he pushed her pretty hard, if the shock on her face wasn't evidence enough.

I watch in real time this time as her appalled expression morphs into something softer.

Her eyes widen, long lashes fluttering just barely enough to half close her eyes for a split second.

Like the sight of me crouching next to her is more shocking than the fact she was pushed to the ground in the first few minutes she was in the hanger.

Her mouth parts just barely, somehow making those tantalizing lips of hers even more attractive.

I resist the sudden urge - the all consuming desire - to take her into my arms and taste her for myself.

Nope, stop it, Ka’el, I scold internally, the split second thought being pushed to the back of my head. Get a hold of yourself.

She's just staring at me for a few seconds in what almost seems like awe. Or admiration maybe. And dammit, I know I shouldn't say it, but she's so fucking cute.

Come on, say something, idiot.

“You're not hurt are you?” I ask, hands on my bent knees and tail keeping balance behind me. “It looked like he pushed you pretty hard.”

She blinks quickly next, looking at herself, then at me, then at herself and her discarded luggage laying on the ground.

She responds after a second. “I'm okay,” she finally decides. My ear fights the urge to twitch hearing the smooth, gentle tone of her voice.

So elegant and feminine. Matches her perfectly. What I wouldn't give to hear her talk all the time.

“I might have a bruise or two though,” she follows up sheepishly with a smile tugging at her lips that somehow, some way, by some force of nature, makes her look absolutely stunning.

More so than she already is.

I want to see her smile again. I want to see her smile all the time.

I want her to smile at me for as long as she'll grant me the privilege.

Stop.

She rubs her right elbow over her jacket sleeve, which seemed to have bore the brunt of her fall before I quickly shift to stand up straighter. “Here,” I say, offering her my hand. “Let me help you up.”

Famous last words.

She looks up at me for a moment before I see her tilt her chin that slightest bit downward so she's staring at me through those thick black lashes.

My heart races faster for both the shortest and longest second of my life.

Then, she gingerly lifts her hand and places it in my palm, gripping with her fingers. And oh, man, is her skin soft.

Her hand is smaller than mine. I can't help feeling the small twitch of my lips as I suppress a smile before hoisting her up carefully onto her feet.

She's tall, especially in those boots which give her maybe an extra three inches. But nowhere near as tall as me.

Out of those shoes, I'd wager she's no bigger than 5 foot ’9.

I drop her hand and swish my tail from one side to the other, definitely noticing the way her cheeks flush almost red as her lipstick while she regains her footing.

Her eyes flicker briefly to my covered upper arms, hidden beneath the heavy jacket I have on.

Is she checking me out?

“Oh, here,” I say quickly, turning at the waist to lower down and grab her luggage, slinging them effortlessly over my shoulders. “Let me get these for you.”

I subtly follow her line of sight and realize, no, idiot, she's looking over at her bags. The two pristine white and silver trimmed suitcases that she'd been holding before.

Seems white is her color. Fitting.

Those pretty powder blue eyes widen that little bit at my gesture. “No, no, it's okay, I can-” she tries to protest, reaching a hand out to take one from me, but I just twist slightly to keep it out of her reach.

I can't help smiling a little at the way her brows pinch when she pouts at me, her face becoming less and less reddened now. “I got it, really.”

She sighs and folds her arms underneath her two massive- Nuh uh, eyes up, Ka’el, don't even think about it.

Underneath her chest, rather than across, so her arms are rested over her ribcage. “Fine. Just…” she trails off a moment and I see her gaze soften into hesitant acceptance.

“Thank you. I appreciate the assistance.”

The fur on my body suddenly feels suffocating from the warmth that blooms in my stomach at her gentle words coupled with that face.

She really is cute.

“It's no trouble,” I say easily with a small shrug and give her a smile full of teeth. “I'm Ka’el, by the way.”

I can see her gaze trail to my mouth, those long lashes fluttering a split second before those pretty eyes land on my fangs. They must have, given the way they widen just barely enough to notice.

But she doesn't seem scared. Just curious, awed. It makes my heart race a little faster and I fight to keep calm to prevent blood from rushing to my face.

I expect her to reply but she doesn't. I watch silent and steady as her eyes rake all over me, taking in the sight of me.

Okay, maybe she is checking me out this time.

‘Maybe’. No, definitely.

How do I know? I know what it looks like.

Especially since I'm doing the exact same thing right now.

She's even prettier standing up. Plump and curvy, just like I thought she'd be off that floor.

Every part of her is soft looking. Smooth like a porcelain doll. Her pants are high waisted and asymmetrical - long on the right, short on the left with thin blue tights beneath the shorter half - but near skin tight so I can clearly see the shape of her covered belly.

My fingers twitch barely enough for even myself to notice. I want to grab onto her, hold her. I can only imagine how heavenly her hugs feel with her thick arms hidden beneath her puffy jacket sleeves.

Her hair falls in swirling waves and curls over her shoulders, framing the cut out of her sleeveless shirt(?) that she's got on underneath.

Shit, don't look too long, Ka’el, I yell at myself as I catch the sight of her exposed cleavage and quickly return my gaze to her face.

Her lips are slightly parted again and her eyes are halfway glassy, cheeks pink to top it off.

Her chest is steadily rising and falling as if taking in deeper breaths in silence. I can't help wondering if her heart's pounding fast as mine is.

I wish I could press my ear to her chest to listen, just for a second.

She's looking at me like I'm some sort of precious work of art she can't bear to take her eyes off of. That's the only way I can describe it. It's the way it makes me feel.

I feel hotter, more attractive, that is, than ever under her gaze. And I'm shamelessly drinking every second of that feeling.

But this little game can't go on forever. We've both got places to be. And I have no clue if she's staying or going.

Please be staying.

So, I blink away my haze and tilt my head. She follows the jewels hanging from the gold piercings in my ears before returning to my face. “What's wrong?” I ask, my tone light and teasing.

“Ka’shet got your tongue?”

I don't miss the way she seemingly snaps like a rubber band back into reality. Her face pales and she looks like she's praying she hasn't been caught eyeing me up.

Nothing to worry about, beautiful. I was doing the exact same to you.

“No, my apologies, I just spaced out for a second,” she replies as her eyes stray away from mine a moment out of what I can only pin as embarrassment. "I didn't mean to stare."

I can't help smiling again. So cute, I think for what has to be the tenth time in the last two minutes.

Her left hand lifts from the folded position beneath her chest, gently resting the backs of her fingers against her cheek like she's halfheartedly attempting to hide the slowly resurfacing blush.

Then, she speaks again after clearing her throat and looking me in the eye again. “I'm Astra. It's nice to meet you, Ka’el.”

Yup, I'm done for.

The way my name falls from her cushy lips makes my knees weak for a split second I'm not expecting.

Astra.

Astra.

She's definitely a goddess of some kind, there's no way she isn't with a name like that coupled with the way she looks.

But I brush the thoughts aside and take in a careful breath through my nose to recenter myself. “Nice to meet you too, Astra,” I tell her, shifting one of her bags in my fingers.

“Let's get you where you need to go, yeah? Do you have a connection to catch?”

“Oh, no, no connection,” she replies quickly, waving that lifted hand at me as if brushing the notion from the empty air before that hand slides under her chin to rest against her chest.

It takes everything in me to not follow its path with my eyes. This woman is the definition of temptation and it's driving me insane, hard as I try not to let it.

“This is me. I'm moving onto the Hesperides actually.”

I hear her before I feel my heart flip in my chest. She's staying on the station? Yes, thank you so much, universe.

Instead of doing or saying anything that'll convey how absolutely thrilled I am to hear she's going to be living here, I keep the conversation going.

“Really? Then I'll take you down to the arrivals kiosk,” I offer, shifting more of my weight into one side. “I'm headed there myself actually.”

She seems to consider my offer, her gaze lowering before they flicker up to her bags that I'm pretty much holding hostage at this point.

Come on, beautiful, let me walk with you.

Like she can hear my thoughts, the quiet plea in my brain, she looks up into my eyes and then heaves out a sigh before a relaxed, accepting smile hits her face.

“Oh, very well,” she says, a bit of a laugh in her voice. “Since you're going the same way and all.”

I can hardly contain the smile that finds its way onto my face before I flick my tail against the parked hoverkart to urge it on behind us as we begin walking side by side.

I have to slow my stride a little just to make sure she's maintaining a comfortable pace alongside me.

She's easily a foot shorter than me even with those boots on after all, and while those legs of hers look a mile long, mine are longer.

“So, Astra,” I begin, breaking the short silence between us as we maneuver our way across the hanger through the crowd.

“You’re moving in on the Hesperides. If you don't mind my asking, what brings you out to this side of the galaxy? We get lots of folks passing through here every day, as you can see, but it's rare that the station gets a new resident.”

Astra’s hand lifts to press the side of her index finger to her chin just below her bottom lip like she's thinking on her words after hearing my question.

“I suppose you could say I'm here for a fresh start,” she finally decides, her gaze lifting up to look around at the hanger.

Her arm lowers back down to rest folded with her right arm again. “I’m taking over my late aunt's diner as of today.”

I never could have guessed that, I only heard about the diner closing since Cassie had passed. Go figure, she's full of surprises.

My breath catches for a second. She's Cassie’s niece?

I knew those earrings looked familiar. They were Cassie's.

“The Milky Way Diner?” I ask, to clarify, and she seems genuinely surprised at my mention of it, looking over at me with an astounded little hum in her throat.

“Why, yes, how'd you know?” she asks, soft and sweet, and I laugh a little.

“The Milky Way Diner is a Hesperides Station staple!” I reply with a little shrug like it's obvious. Which, to me, it is. “Almost everyone who lives here is a regular in some form. And every person passing through who's tried it has always left with a great impression.”

I continue, “I'd heard it was closing after your aunt passed, so it's good to hear someone's keeping that place up and running. It's an important spot for the community here. And when you're this far away from home, community is everything.”

I find myself chuckling a little before I notice the way Astra's looking at the ground as we walk, no longer at me.

Shit, maybe I shouldn't have said all that.

She looks deep in thought, her brows pinched and I can vaguely see the way her nails are digging into her sleeve.

“That's quite a lot to live up to,” she murmurs almost too quietly. “I… had no idea it was so popular.”

Really? How could she not have known? “You and your aunt weren't close?” I say before my brain catches up to register what the hell just came out of my mouth.

She must see the silent wince I pull because her expression is softer now.  “Sorry, Astra, I don't mean to pry,” I say with as much genuineness as I can muster.

“You don't have to share if you don't want to.”

But to my surprise, she looks unbothered and simply shrugs me off. “No, it's alright,” she assures and my insides melt just a little at her tenderness. “We were practically strangers.”

“I may have met her once or twice as a baby but, as I got older, my father insisted I not see her and that she not see me. I won't get into all the details, neither of us deserve that mess, but regardless, the bottom line is I never really knew her. All I knew was that she had her own business going here. Her life out in deep space, the Diner and all.”

My heart hurts a little from the way her lids drop, staring at the ground again at her shoes as we walk on. She almost looks regretful, just plain sad even.

Whatever's troubling her, racing in her mind, I feel nothing but the desire to take that pain away.

Someone so pretty shouldn't be allowed to look so sad.

“Then about a month ago, we got word that she'd had that stroke and passed away,” Astra continues and I just listen.

It's pretty sweet that she's so open to sharing with someone she hardly knows.

Sweet. Yeah, that's the perfect way to describe her.

“When we got the will, it said that she would like one of her family members to take over if possible,” she says, bringing her hand to her chest again with her nails gently scratching beneath her left collarbone.

“None of my family members were particularly jumping at the chance to take it on. She didn't have any children of her own and she was more of less the black sheep to everyone in the family. But I figured it could be an interesting experience. An out, if you will. So, here I am.”

Wow. That's… My ear twitched as I turned my head to look down at her properly.

“So, you just dropped everything to come out here? That's pretty bold for someone who's never left their home star system.”

I watch her right brow lift, arching upward in my direction before she glances at me out of the corner of her eye.

“Oh, no, don't look at me like that,” I laugh. “I'm impressed!”

Astra's expression softens again from what I can make out from her side profile. And a small smile tugs her lips up at the right corner.

She looks away from me again. “Not much to drop when the startup company you'd been working for since college suddenly goes belly up and you're out of a job,” she says with a nonchalant shrug.

“A fresh start away from home, some indepence? It all sounded pretty wonderful after that and then some.”

The way she speaks, the things she's saying, it all tells me that's not the only factor at play as to why she's here but I don't pry.

I only hope she opens up to me about it someday.

A sigh leaves her next, making me blink and watch her faltering smile carefully. “I can only really hope I live up to the standard this station has for the Diner. Seems like Aunt Cassie left quite the legacy for me to step into. Never mind the fact I've never really cooked before.”

No, please don't stop smiling.

My heart aches at the saddened look in her eye, one of swirling emotions all muddled together.

So, I do the only thing I can think to do.

Shifting both of her suitcases into one hand, fingers curled around both handles to keep them over my shoulder, my left hand is free to reach over and give her a gentle, reassuring pat on her back.

Something Astra seems to flinch at before looking up at me with those pretty doe-like eyes again. Her cheeks start flushing pink again.

I smile at her and pray I haven't made her uncomfortable. She didn't brush me off at least. “You've got this,” my words come out in a kind hum, letting my palm linger on her warm back a second longer.

“You seem like an awesome person. I'm sure The Milky Way Diner is in good hands. You just have to have a bit more confidence in yourself is all.”

Her lips part slightly, something I’m quickly learning is an indication she's surprised, before her jaw locks up and she averts her gaze.

But not before I catch that fond looking smile that covers her face again.

Success.

“Thank you again, Ka’el,” she chuckles quietly. “You're… very easy to talk to.”

My stomach flips and I can't be bothered to try hiding the grin that comes to my face, a mix of pride and joy from her compliment. “Why, thank you, Astra. I'm glad you think so.”

We fall into silence again for a few seconds as I take the chance to shift her suitcase back into my other hand.

I don't mind the quiet, not when she looks as adorable as she does trying to hide her grin.

She seems more at ease too. Her frame is visibly less rigid and tense. Her shoulders are slacked and relaxed and her steps are more fluid, less stiff.

Yeah. Definitely a success.

Before I can settle in what I thought was going to be a quiet walk to arrivals, Astra speaks up again. “And what about you?” she said, making me raise my brow instead this time.

“You said, "We get a lot of folks passing through". So, I guess it's safe to assume you live on the station?” Damn, I hate to possibly disappoint her but I have to shrug in response to that.

“I'm a cargo runner,” I say. “So, I'd sooner say I live on my ship rather than here. The Hesperides is kind of like a home base for me though.”

She seems genuinely interested as she turns her head to better look at me and I return the silent gesture in order to meet those sparkling eyes of hers.

“Got a good steady list of clients here, not too far from a trip to Ra'non, and the people here are really nice.” I finish with a smile.

She tilts her head in a way that shifts it back slightly. “What kind of cargo do you run?”

I give her my best easy smirk and shrug softly again. “That depends.” I answer, being vague on purpose to prompt a response.

I recognize a golden opportunity. I just can't help myself, I have to mess with her at least a little before we part ways. I halt my step and she does too.

Like the curious little cutie she is, she takes the bait. “On?” she presses with a lifted brow of her own and that adorable ass smile.

My eyes narrow as I halt and she follows suit almost immediately. My ears twitch slightly, looking at her with mock suspicion.

“You're not a GABI agent, are you?”

Both brows raise at the mention of GABI, or the Galactic Alliance Bureau of Investigation. She looks at me with a hint of… something flickering in her eyes before her expression turns to one of both suspicion and unease.

“I should say not,” she says, leaning back slightly with her chin tucking downward and her hand lifting from her chest to rest with her fingers curled limply into her palm.

I can't help it, she looks too damn cute. Her nose scrunches up slightly in distaste at the question and I snicker out a laugh.

“I'm only messing with you, Astra,” I ease, shaking my head and watching her give me a playful glare with the corner of her mouth twitching like it's trying not to curl upward.

“That's terrible, Ka’el,” she said, folding her arms again and giving me that half lidded glare that's the furthest thing from serious.

It's kind of sexy. What, who said that?

I just give her a shrug and a laugh. “Yeah, but so worth it for that look on your face,” I say before I can really think about what comes out of my mouth.

She gasps in mock offense. Now that smile she was holding back is on full display now. “Correction. You're terrible, Ka’el,” Astra says with a roll of her eyes as she points a finger briefly at me.

Baby, you don't even know the half of it, I think to myself. I offer her only another accepting shrug and laugh in response.

She eyes me a moment longer before her face relaxes and we just stand there a bit longer. “I transport the usual stuff you'd expect,” I clarify after a few seconds. “Tech, food, alcohol, medicine, fun stuff like that.”

She just cocks her pretty head at me, prompting me to continue. So I do. “I do supply runs for a couple of the on-station merchants. You're more than welcome to place an order with me if you need some ingredients they can't grow on the agricultural deck.”

I watch her perk up a little at my offer. “That'd actually be very helpful,” she muses, pursing her lips in thought.

Have I mentioned she's adorable yet? I don't think I have.

I take a few extra seconds to stare at her as she's not paying attention and decide…

Maybe I should shoot my shot.

Couldn't hurt right? I mean, the worst case scenario is she's not actually into women. But I highly doubt that's the case.

“Yeah, I have a great Whiskerfish supplier back on Ra'non. And…” Mustering up my confidence and putting on that winning smirk of mine, I lean in closer to her.

Her eyes are definitely back on me now.

No turning back now. Not after her eyes have met mine. “I have connections in just about every sector of this galaxy,” I tell her quietly, watching the way her face pulls into that gorgeous stunned expression.

“Whatever it is you might need, I can find it. For the right price of course. Or the right person.” I finish after a short pause and give her a wink.

My tone is clearly flirtatious and I know she recognizes it by the dusting of pink that returns to her cheeks. Those biteable, kissable cheeks.

Get it together, woman.

She's staring at me with her pupils blown wide and I can see my reflection in the blackness of them. She seems genuinely surprised, like she wasn't expecting me to openly hit on her.

Well, at least it means she's been oblivious to my oggling her this whole time.

How are you going to play this, cutie? I ponder as she stares into my eyes like she's hypnotized.

But before I can think on it further, her face shifts again like she's settled an inner turmoil.

She closes her eyes briefly and when she opens them again, they're half lidded and her lips are drawn into a smirk that radiates confidence that matches mine.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone look as effortlessly sexy in my life.

The look she gives me alone is enough to make my brain short circuit for a second.

“Oh?” Astra hums before leaning closer to me herself, further closing the distance between us. “And, just out of curiosity, how would someone like me, for example, go about becoming "the right person", Ka’el?”

My lips pull upward and my smile gets bigger, showing off my teeth and fangs.

“Well, Astra, you can start by letting me buy you a drink, and maybe who knows? I might just decide I like you,” I reply boldly.

As if your ass isn't already falling all over her.

“My, decide you like me?” she says, looking at me with that plush-lipped pout that makes me want to grab her by the back of her head and- Nope, cut that out.

Her voice is airy with mock offence lacing every syllable. “So you haven't decided yet? I must say, I'm rather hurt.”

She finally unfolds her arms and tucks the right behind her back with the left lifting to press over her heart for emphasis.

I chuckle at her and my tail twitches and swishes behind me while I hold that cute playful gaze of hers.

“Maybe I just want to make sure I was right to have a good feeling about you,” I reply with a slight tilt of my head.

Astra hums and interlocks her fingers together daintily in front of her chest as she pretends to think with a smile on her face again.

“Then I suppose I'll have to take you up on that offer, won't I?” she finally says as our eyes meet again.

She continues, “Maybe I'll even cook you something on the house to really win you over.” Her eyes shift up off to the left like she's thinking again with a little hum.

She actually said yes. Hell yeah.

Suddenly, my day's improved drastically.

“Can Ka'ettri eat pancakes? I feel like pancakes are diner food.” Her eyes narrow and she purses her lips again.

Suddenly, I'm starving.

“We can,” I confirm for her. “I've had them before, and enjoyed them. I like sweet things.”

Astra's attention turns back to me the moment I speak and I watch carefully as she turns forward with a little hum, hands tucking behind her back as her eyes fall shut nonchalantly.

“Hmm. No wonder you had a good feeling about me then.”

Did she just…?

I feel my ears prick upward and my eyes slightly widen from the bold flirt.

Oh. She absolutely did.

Her eyes open just enough to look at my face from the corner of her eye like she's observing my reaction. And clearly by the smirk that paints those pretty red lips of hers, the outcome is satisfactory to her.

What a woman.

Quick as a whip, I snap back and flash her a smile she hardly flinches at. “Because you're sweet?” I ask like I don't already know the answer.

She shrugs before checking her nails, giving me not much more than that. “You said it, not me,” her simple reply comes as she tucks the hand she lifted back with the other.

The chuckle that leaves me is almost involuntary. The fur on the back of my neck stands as I feel my tail twitch before it sweeps against the backs of my legs.

Okay, Miss Thing, I think to myself. Time to wipe that smirk off your gorgeous face.

I lean down just enough so we’re hardly three inches apart. My nose twitches as I catch a whiff of her perfume and I thankfully don't falter in what I say next.

“You got me there, Sugar.”

My voice comes out in a soft - literal - purr, staring down her side profile as it hits her pierced ear.

I can practically hear the intense pounding of her heart from here as her entire face and even the tips of her ears turn bright red.

And I definitely don't miss that little hitch of her breath and the shiver that makes her spine that little bit straighter.

She stares straight ahead at the wall, all wide eyed. I close my eyes just a little to catch her perfume again. She smells like a sugared pastry, heavy with vanilla, like some sort of cookie.

She even smells sweet.

When I open my eyes again, it's barely in time to see Astra turn her face to look at me. She's all starry eyed and only briefly flutters those long ass lashes at me, eyes threatening to shut.

We stay like that for just a bit longer, but it feels like an eternity to me, just drinking in the way the other looks.

I sneak more than a couple quick glances at her lips and I can almost swear she does the same.

Yeah, I think I'm in love with her.

ASTRA

But I'm finding that really, really hard to believe after only five minutes with Ka’el. My goodness, this Ka’ettri’s presence is like a drug, a sedative even. Something about her - no, everything about her - makes me want to close my eyes and fall into her and never ever come up for air. I could suffocate against her and I'd absolutely die a happy woman.

Is it wrong to want to kiss someone you've only just met? To jump into the arms of a woman who I hardly know - one of a totally different sapient species than my own - and whisper in her ear for her to take me away? Where? Anywhere. Everywhere. I wouldn't care so long as I was with her. With Ka’el.

What am I saying, of course it is, that's insane, Astra. That's some cliche stuff people read about in the romance books I was never allowed to even think of looking at the spines of as a child.

She could hold a gun to my chest, stab me with a knife, run those claws of hers through my gut, and I know - just know - I'd lean into it only to get closer to her. And that thought scares the daylight out of me. I've had crushes before, sure, but this feels beyond that. This is something deeper, I know it in the marrow of my bones. Infatuation maybe? That doesn't sound right either.

She's still staring at me with those gorgeous lips of hers in the most delicately dangerous grin I've ever seen on the face of another woman in my life. She called me ‘Sugar’ just now and it invoked a physical response from me. No one has ever made me shiver the way I just did when she purred, literally purred, that simple little word into my ear.

My face is still hot and that heat is quickly enveloping my entire body from head to toe. I don't think I'll be able to calm my heart down any time soon today, not after this. Not after that. My head feels light and I can be absolutely certain it's not from the fact I'm literally starving.

Even still, I want to hear her call me that again. Sugar. The way she said it, the way she's looking at me so completely pleased with the effect she has on me that I know she sees (you didn't exactly hide it, Astra), her scent that floods my senses and nearly makes me sigh and lean into her neck to take in more of it. I crave it like I crave oxygen.

Scratch that. I crave her.

I hardly have time to gather up the parts of my brain I'm sure are slumped and half melted before she moves away from me, standing back up straight with a distinct sway of her long furry tail. I have to dig my nails into my palm behind my back just to keep from stepping forward, leaning towards her, whining - yes, whining - at the lack, the loss, of Ka’el in my space.

Good gracious, what is wrong with me? I can't help but think as I squeeze my eyes shut and take a quick deep breath. It doesn't get rid of whatever haze is wrapped around my mind from Ka’el's flirting but it helps cut through it at least a little.

She flashes me a smile that's more knowing and relaxed. Cocky son of a- she's hardly affected by any of this at all! my brain screams as I see her standing there so composed. I thought I had her with my earlier comeback, but apparently this is just another day for her. Infuriating. Intoxicating.

“I'll give you the chance to get your space legs before I rush you off to the nearest bar,” her voice snaps me from my thoughts, widening my eyes and making me fold my arms beneath my heavy chest again. I have to sink my canine tooth into the side of my tongue to keep from saying something dumb like, “Please do.”

It makes my blood run hotter and my heart twist in the best and worst ways simultaneously. I want nothing more than to wipe that air of confidence clean from her being and make this smug Ka’ettri feel the exact same way she's made me feel.

And at the same time? I want to press my head to her chest and just lay there for the rest of time, just constantly listening to her heartbeat. There really must be something wrong with me.

Why does this woman make me so damn desperate for her attention? Her time, her gaze, her touch - I almost collapsed when she patted my back earlier - any and everything she could possibly give to me and then some.

I think I know the reason, subconsciously speaking. But I don't know if I'm quite prepared to admit that. Not yet.

Instead, I just clear my throat and try to look as unaffected as she does, letting myself relax a little and putting on a more neutral face despite the flush I can still feel heating my cheeks. “How kind of you,” I quip as I meet her golden eyes with mine.

They're so beautiful, sparkling like the jewels and gold piercings she has in her ears. I could get lost in them for hours. I resist the desire to bring up how absolutely stunning they are. Not the time nor place, Collins. Get yourself together, for goodness sake.

Ka’el just chuckles in that warm way I've already heard her do so many times in the few minutes we've known one another and I shamelessly can't help smiling. At least a little. And I definitely don't miss the way it makes her tail twitch when she catches sight of it.

I think she likes my smile. The thought pools gentle warmth into my belly and makes my heart feel like it's floating in my ribcage. “I'm going to be in port for a few more days,” the taller woman says, still watching my face as if to see my reaction to that.

Her left ear twitches as the corner of her lips closest to it curls up a little more. Whatever I just did, however I look right now, clearly gave her what she wanted and I, like the fool I am, don't even realize it.

“If you want, I’ll come find you for a drink when you're all settled?” There's a flicker of something in her eyes beneath the smooth way she speaks, beneath the confident stare. It nearly makes me shudder again as my brain quickly realizes exactly what it is. A mixture of hope, longing, desire, and a hint of fear. Almost like she's afraid I'll suddenly change my mind and say no.

Verbally, I reply to her with a smile with as much warmth as I can muster. “I'd love to, Ka’el. It's a date?” And I swear, the expression she's wearing falters a little, like she melted just a little at what I assume to be relief. Her smile never leaves.

Now, listen here, Ka’el, I speak to myself, knowing she can't hear my thoughts. If I ever say no to spending time with you, I beg of you to shoot me clean between the eyes. I didn't miss the sight of the holsters on the sides of her thighs - not that I was looking at her thighs, of course not, shut up - so I know she more than likely has the weaponry for such a task. Maybe I have it worse than I think.

“Yeah, ‘course. It's a date,” she says before adjusting my suitcases over her shoulders effortlessly. We walk the rest of the way in silence but a little closer to one another now than before. Not that either of us really realize it. And if we do, we don't make any move to put more distance between our shoulders.

All too quickly, we reach arrivals and stand in line behind another person - a Naru - at the desk manned by a human in a green uniform with hair nearly the same shade as mine. The thought of this being the end of my brief time with Ka’el makes my heart ache like a fresh bruise has been pressed into it. But I try not to seem too bothered.

You'll see her again, Astra, I reason to myself as my arms rest at my sides no longer folded. She offered to take you for drinks and you agreed. She doesn't seem like the type to stand you up. Besides, you can't spend all your time on her hip for heaven's sake. You came here to run Cassie's diner, to exist as you for the first time in years and you haven't even made it inside the station proper yet.

The dull thud of my bags meeting the floor snaps me out of my thoughts and I turn my head over to look at the Ka’ettri in question. “Alright, here you go,” she smiles, the hoverkart parking next to her tail. As she stands upright again, she holds a hand out to me, palm facing up. “Mind if I put my info in your palmpad?”

She wants to give me her contact? I meet her eyes and… How can I say no to that? As I reach into my back pocket to take the device out, dropping it gently into her fur covered hand. “Of course,” I say with a smile that matches Ka’el's. I watch as she eagerly fills out the details and hands my palmpad back to me with care.

“All good. Just remember if I'm not in the same system-” I cut her off with a roll of my eyes and a little scoff despite the amused expression I know I'm wearing. “Yes, yes, it'll be delayed and you'll get to me when whatever text or voice message I send reaches you. I know how interstellar communication works, Ka’el. I'm not that inept.”

The teasing tone and my attitude earn a particularly loud ‘Ha!’ from her before it devolves into snickers behind the side of her hand. “I never said you were,” she shoots back. “Just wanted to remind you.” I tuck my palmpad into my back pocket again and quirk a brow at her.

“Reminding me begs the notion you perceive me unaware of the knowledge in question,” I state in a mocking matter-of-fact tone, leaning forward at the hip as I briefly allow my arms to fold again beneath my chest. Her ears twitch with her amusement as another little laugh leaves her throat. The sound melts my inside and I have to fight to keep the snarky smile on my face and not let it change into one of pure affection like it wants to.

This taller woman holds her palms up in surrender and flashes me that fangy grin again. “Okay, okay, I'm sorry,” she says, watching me raise back upright and straighten my jacket. I tilt my chin upward that little bit that gives me that distinct air of confidence that she seems to radiate with absolutely zero effort. “Miss Big Vocabulary.”

“Best watch the name calling, I may just reconsider those drinks,” I threaten, completely lying through my pearly teeth. And I know she can tell by the way she hardly flinches and just shrugs. “Nope, too late now, Astra. You've already said yes and let me give you my info,” she replies, completely smug and clearly teasing. “Like it or not, you have no choice now.”

I just hum and slowly let out a laugh, shaking my head and averting my gaze. “Well,” I begin, deciding to change tactics. “Perhaps I don't really want another choice. Not when you're option number one.”

Bingo. I happen to flick my eyes back up at her just in time to see the shocked expression take over her face. The same one I got out of her earlier when I briefly caught her off guard. It's so beautiful, so deliciously enchanting to see her thrown off her game if only for a brief moment. I wonder how many more times I can get her to make that face, to shake her to her core with words alone like she does to me.

The best game I can possibly imagine with rewards I can only hope will be sweeter than she believes me to be.

“Oh,” is all that leaves her mouth as she just stares at me while I stand smiling coyly at her with my hands behind my back and resting more of my weight on one hip. Naturally, this is more or less a show for her. And I'm reveling in the way she's eating it up, practically right out of my open palm.

Just like before though, she snaps back. However, I do notice she's a little less cocky than before and brushes her clawed digits against the fluffy looking hair at the nape of her neck.

She doesn't call me ‘Sugar’ like last time and I can't really help being a little saddened by the distinct lack of it. Alas, I suppose it's not a big deal. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say. And I definitely won't argue with the idea of my heart being full and fond of her.

Lucky fingers. I huff to myself. “You really are sweet, aren't you?” she chuckles, looking at me again as I step forward to take both my bags off the floor, one in each hand. “You said it,” I reply in what I can only hope will soon become second nature. “Not me.”

I watch her nose scrunch in the cutest way I've ever seen, her eyes wrinkling at the corners. “Yeah, you got me again.”

Ka’el then clears her throat and looks over to see the Naru at the kiosk walking away. “I'll head in first if that's okay?” she says as those golden eyes fall back on my face. “I've gotta get this stuff where it needs to go.”

I watch and listen as she greets the officer standing behind the counter, addressing him as Shiwoo Morrency. A unique first name, Korean in origin if I'm not mistaken. Though the immediate meaning eludes my mind.

I wave an unbothered, dismissive hand at her. “Of course, go ahead,” I reply. “I'm in no rush really. You've got things to deliver and all.” She flashes me an easy smile as her tail brushes against the hoverkart next to her to get it moving as she steps ahead. “I'll see you later,” she says as she gives my more exposed shoulder a little touch complete with a delicate squeeze, though it sounds more like a question.

“Of course you will. I'll see you later, Ka’el.” I don't think I could stay away from you even if I tried.

“What's the head of security doing checking arrivals?” she asks, leaning on the counter with one arm and the other on her hip. I try not to think about how good she looks standing like that. I fail. Miserably. My eyes have minds of their own, I swear, evident by the way I look over her figure. Definitely not committing that to memory.

I sneak a peek at the human - this Shiwoo - and take in his appearance. He isn't lacking in the height department but he's nowhere near as tall as Ka’el. Then again, is anyone on this station? She's a mountain of a woman. A mountain you want to climb. Shut up, inner voice. Regardless, he's got an athletic build beneath his green security uniform. Hair in waves similar to my own that curl around the nape of his neck with this stern, solid expression, coupled with prominent eye bags below his eyes.

Good gracious, this man needs more sleep. Poor dear, I think to myself. Or perhaps a better quality of sleep. Something. He looks exhausted.

“Officer Eshket called in sick today,” he replies to Ka’el simply without so much as giving her a glance up from his screen. “So, I'm taking over his duties for the time being. Can I please get your name and purpose for your visit to the station?” His voice is deep and soft, with a stern edge and a slight fringe planet accent. Not as attractive as Ka’el's - though that's quite a hard bit to top - but it's pleasing to the ears nonetheless.

Quite the no nonsense type man. Of course, the fact he's on duty could help with that. Where Ka’el is playful and lax, he's serious and stern. It's clear not only in their postures and body language but also in the way they interact.

Ka’el groans, tilting her head back and rolling her golden eyes in a way I can't help but find charming. “Really, Shiwoo? We gotta do this whole song and dance every time? C’mon, It's not like you don't know my name and call sign by now.”

I can't help smiling before setting my bags down at my feet while my eyes move to Shiwoo, who hardly reacts to her bellyaching without so much as a sigh or roll of his eyes. “I know your name Ka'el,” he says. “But regulations are regulations, and there are questions I need to ask every person who goes through arrivals.” He finally looks up at her with that same serious look on his face. The man means business and he's clearly not about to bend the rules for Ka’el.

“Ka'el Vosh'runaa,” she states with a bit more attitude tuan I'm sure is necessary. ‘Vosh’runaa’, huh? A much prettier last name than ‘Collins’ by all accounts I can perceive off the top of my head. Probably less mess associated with it too, but that's only an uninformed assumption. Everyone has their own baggage, and I'm almost certain Ka’el does too.

“Now, can I please get your name and purpose for your visit to the Hesperides station?” he repeats and I have to fight to suppress the smile that tries to uplift the corners of my mouth. It's made twice as hard when I spot Ka'el's tail twitch in palpable irritation and she rolls her pretty golden eyes.

My, she's even endearing when she's grumpy. I think and have to subtly lift my hand to cover my mouth as that smile finally makes its way to my face.

“Cargo delivery for…” She has to pause and momentarily look at the ceiling as she thinks, her left ear flicking in my direction. “Ashketh's General, Haley Roswell, and Wayfarer's Rest. Shipping manifests will be under the call sign "Starblazer".” As she finishes, Shiwoo types away quickly at the holoscreen in front of him behind the kiosk counter and gives the manifest that appears a quick glance to read them.

While he does that, my attention is drawn up by the burning gaze suddenly on me by none other than the Ka’ettri leaning both her arms on the solid surface but staring right at me. I drop my hand from my mouth as my previous amusement falters in favor of meeting her eyes curiously. She curls her lip up at the left corner, flashing me a simple smirk, before she shoots me a distinctly flirtatious wink that has my stomach doing flips almost immediately.

She's going to be the death of me, I internally mutter as I let go of a breath I didn't even realize I'd suddenly been going. Well, I did say losing myself in her would let me die happy so I suppose there's not much to really complain about there. Despite the warm blush creeping its way from my neck to my cheeks, I give her my prettiest little smile and return the wink right back at her.

The bottom half of her tail swishes around in an almost perfect circle while she flashes me a glimpse of fang and jokingly nods over at Shiwoo, as if saying, “Can you believe this crap?” I can practically hear her voice to a perfect T in my mind.

My shoulders hitch just a little and I can barely make out her face changing to a pleased smile and easy eyes from my peripherals. So pretty, I muse as I turn back to look at Ka’el properly with my heart doing little flutters and spins in my chest. Before we can get lost in the sight of each other, Shiwoo’s voice breaks Ka’el's attention and puts it back on him.

I roll my eyes and raise my brow at her, replying without words, “It's not that bad, I think you're being a tad bit dramatic.”

Ka’el definitely understands because she suddenly looks absolutely shocked, mouth agape and all, like I've just done something that hurt her to her core. I have to cover my mouth and look away from her again to keep from devolving into unladylike giggles at the sight of her utterly precious expression, settling instead for the barest little snicker into my palm.

“Thank you, looks like everything is in order,” he says. It doesn't seem like he noticed our little exchange and, if he did, he gives no visible sign of it. Thankfully. He carefully looks up from the screen and settles his sights back on Ka'el. “Also this is your reminder that all weapons-”

“Are left on the ship.” The security officer doesn't even get a chance to finish before she cuts him off exasperatedly and steps back from the kiosk with two big strides, pushing off the counter she'd been leaning on with both hands. Those hands then move her index fingers down to flip open the flaps on her holsters with a flourish, revealing the empty pockets void of any sort of weaponry as she said.

She gives him a gentle glower and makes those two strides back up. “I know, I know, It's not like this is my first time here, Shiwoo…” He cuts his eyes at her but there's almost no bite to his look, completely composed. “I'm only reminding you because you forgot last time-” he tries again with his tone remaining calm and easy. Too bad for him because Ka’el just interrupts him… again.

It's more just… mildly annoyed at the bureaucracy of it all. I can tell easily, even with my surface level knowledge of who this intriguing woman is. Ka’el, for certain, seems to be the type of person that chafes up against rules and regulations, which I can understand in a way. Whereas Mr. Shiwoo here doesn't seem the type to loosen protocol for anyone, not even someone he clearly seems to know well enough like Ka’el.

“Because I was in a HURRY!” she emphasizes like this was already something she was expecting to be brought up. I have to fight that urge to laugh again and just resign to covering the bottom half of my face with my hand while my other arm folds under my chest to hold my elbow. “I had a roe that needed to get back into temperature control, it was losing freshness by the second!”

The pair of them are going back and forth like this over and over and I can't help observing the lack of anger in Ka’el's voice and face, despite her pinched brows.

It's respectable and I find myself eased by the standard he upholds for the Hesperides and his clear dedication to keeping the station safe. Even if it rubs the Ka’ettri the wrong way and irks her beyond belief. It makes for quite the show too. I think I'm going to like staying here if everyone is as interesting (and entertaining) as these two.

[SCANNING. PLEASE, HOLD STILL.]

“Arms out, please. Just gonna give you a quick scan then you're free to go, Ka’el,” Shiwoo instructs as he presses something I can't see. And I watch as Ka’el puts her arms out as told and looks boredly up at the ceiling.

A pair of spherical floatdroids, both identical but distinctly separate by their alternate color palettes, deploy from behind the kiosk and float over the kiosk to hover on either side of Ka'el and her hoverkart. One is a soft shade of blue and the other is a pleasing shade of orange, both holding the same white base. They're utterly precious looking.

The robotic voice chirps out of one of the two before the pair of droids emit green scanning beams, floating in an elegant dance around Ka'el to scan her and her and her cargo. The end of her tail shifts before I see her eyes maneuver back onto the human man’s face. “By the way,” she starts, grabbing his attention though he doesn't look up. “You look more exhausted than usual today. Are you holding up alright?”

So I'm not the only one who noticed those ghastly things. Good to know. Of course I'm not judging, I myself have horrible bags under my eyes but I’m hardly called out on them because of a nifty little thing called ‘makeup’. Still though, Ka’el's concern mirrors my own. I don't know this Shiwoo man but he looks rough, to put it lightly. But now, it's Shiwoo's turn to roll his eyes at Ka’el and he takes it almost immediately. Then he sighs a bit and rubs the back of his neck.

“I appreciate your continued concern about my wellbeing, but really I'm fine. It's nothing new.” he says, plain and simple. Well, that was a bald-faced lie, he most certainly doesn't look fine. Nothing new he says? Before I can ponder it further, my palm slips from my mouth to my chest and Ka’el speaks again. “Still, man, you should check in with Saria,” she sighs. Saria? Who's that, I wonder.

Shiwoo’s face softens as he turns his head properly to look over at the Ka’ettri with a gentle hint of a smile. “I did a couple days ago,” he tells her with his tone much gentler now. “But, like I just said. I'm fine. Really.” It does seem like he's brushing off her concerns but it's not my place to say anything, naturally. However, it is rather sweet how Ka’el immediately went about checking if he's okay. It brings a careful uplift to the corners of my lips just as the floatdroids green scanner lights shut off.

[NO FORBIDDEN ARTICLES OR PATHOGENS DETECTED. KA'EL VOSH'RUNAA, YOU ARE FREE TO PROCEED INTO THE STATION. PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY.]

One droid beeps out the confirmation of a successful scan before they both float back behind the kiosk desk. But don't return where they came from, instead opting to float in the air near the wall. Ka’el drops her arms and rolls her shoulders before she folds her arms across her chest and smiles at Shiwoo. “Okay, okay, I'll let it go,” she hums in surrender, ear flicking and jostling the red gem hanging from it. “But, hey, I did bring you some new herbal tea from Ra'non, I'll leave it in your mail locker, okay?”

How sweet of her, I can't help thinking as I can feel my heart soften at her kindness. She truly cares for him. How absolutely precious. Shiwoo chuckles just a little, giving her a small nod in his own show of surrender. “Thanks Ka'el, I'll be sure to try it before bed tonight.” Ka’el's smile gets wider as she claps her hands and points a finger at him with a stern, yet playful, look on her face. “You better,” she smiles. “And don't forget to let me know how it goes. I'll catch ya later, bud.”

Shiwoo offers her a short wave and Ka'el gives her cart a nudge with her elbow before she walks into the station. I reach up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear before bending my knees to grab my luggage again. However, just as I'm about to stand up, I hear jogging footsteps quickly approaching before I snap my head up to meet the eyes of whoever it is.

Just as I expected, it's a certain blue haired Ka’ettri. Her face is about half a foot away from mine and that realization is more than enough to startle me. My spine straightens and her smile gets bigger as she takes in the flush I feel burn its way into my cheeks and whatever face I've just pulled out of the pure surprise from her being so close so suddenly. I have got to get better at hiding that.

“See ya, Sugar,” she purrs softly with a gentle tilt of her head before I feel the long fur - or hair perhaps? - on the end of her tail brush up against my shin as it curls forward beside her calf. My heart just about jumps straight out of my chest and into Ka’el when my mind registers the nickname. I feel the way my breath catches in my chest, the way the hair at the nape of my neck stands on end, the way I’m hit by that overwhelming desire to fall into her body and wrap myself around her.

I blink a couple of times as my brain catches up with everything before I hear the soft cough of Shiwoo sitting behind the kiosk. Oh my stars, I forgot he was right there. That is so mortifyingly embarrassing. Astra Collins, you absolute dunce. I can only manage a soft chuckle before I step up to the desk where Ka’el had been standing, setting my bags down at my ankles.

Oh, sweet heavens, this woman is going to kill me.

I'm quick to clear my throat, meeting her gaze and smiling just a bit. “Bye, Ka’el,” I reply, my voice low and hardly above a whisper. The sound of it makes her ears twitch and I can hear what I think is a soft cat-like purr coming from her chest before she turns and walks away from me again, returning to her hoverkart and disappearing around a corner.

“Hello,” I offer a greeting to him, trying not to sound or look like as much of an absolute utter fool as I currently feel. He offers me a gentle nod that's equal parts welcoming and assuring, as if telling me to relax. He can probably tell how tense I look, likely as much as I can feel it in the muscles of my face. My shoulders loosen up just a little as I carefully clear my throat.

“Welcome to the Hesperides,” he greets as his eyes remeet mine over the holoscreen after hitting something on it. “I'm Officer Shiwoo Morrency, head of security. Can I please get your name and purpose for your visit to the station?” I nod at the question and straighten my posture, hands folding together in front of me beneath the desk counter.

“Astra Collins. I'm moving onto the Hesperides to assume management of The Milky Way Diner,” my reply comes natural and eloquent, every syllable rolling precisely off my tongue. My words cause Shiwoo to raise his thick eyebrows just before the corners of his mouth lift slightly into a small smile. “Ah yes,” he says, his tone warmer now, kinder almost. “We've been expecting you. Welcome aboard, Ms. Collins.” I let out a little ‘Ha!’ and shake my head at the honorific.

“Please, just call me Astra,” I insist, my tone laced with humor. “None of this ‘Ms. Collins’ business. Makes me feel old.” My jest gets a little amused chuckle out of him. “Alright then, Astra. Well, all the same, welcome again to the Hesperides. We're very happy to have you.”

I grin at him. “Thank you, Officer Morrency,” I reply before giving him a playful lift of my brow. “Or would you prefer Shiwoo?” He shakes his head and casts a glance down the hall, to the corner where the Ka’ettri woman of both my sweetest dreams and best nightmares disappeared. I can't help looking over that way myself out of my peripherals.

“Shiwoo is just fine,” he says and I find my gaze settled back on him. As he begins to walk me through the entry process, I can't help sparing another brief look or two to the corridor Ka’el had walked into. I really can't help it, as much as I wish I could. I'm already missing her presence, her voice, her company. I can hardly manage to shake the longing feeling in my head and heart away as I listen to Shiwoo speaking.

And in those spared glances, I realize and tentatively accept that reasoning I'd suspected earlier in the hanger with Ka’el. It's a scary thought, but realistically? I know it's, at the very least, understandable. Justified even, perhaps. I mean after all…

How could I possibly not fall in love with her sweetness in only five minutes?

These two were so fun to write, I hope you enjoyed! I did not expect this to go over 10,000 words but uh well that didn't pan out. Title image creds go to Emanuelle Laliberté-Heikens (aka @elliepastelgrandma here on Tumblr), one of the creators of Ka'el and the game this is written for, Love at the Milky Way Diner (go check it out rn if you haven't).

[enchanthings-a]

◦˚~ SPACE DIVIDERS ( colourful ) by enchanthings ~˚◦

Info: these were all drawn & edited by me. please reblog/like if use!

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Pretty 030

[clumsycatstudio]

LOVE AT THE MILKY WAY DINER IS 47% FUNDED WITH 18 DAYS TO GO!!

A second try at funding our sci-fi visual novel and cooking sim. Move onto a deep space station, run a diner, and find love!

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Yes honey indeed 🫡💙

[clumsycatstudio]

A very kissable cast 💋💜💙🩵💚🧡💛❤️

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The beloveds fr 🫶🏻

[clumsycatstudio]

The kickstarter for “Love at the Milky Way Diner” is live!

It’s called Love at the Milky Way Diner. A cozy narrative cooking and dating sim about running a restaurant in space, making friends and finding love.

Please consider giving the free demo a play and backing the project!

A second try at funding our sci-fi visual novel and cooking sim. Move onto a deep space station, run a diner, and find love!

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GO SUPPORT THIS AMAZING GAME!!

[clumsycatstudio]

[latmwdcore]

Hesperides station whirls to life right around the eighth to tenth system hour, as is customary onboard. Astra, however, has yet to integrate herself into this routine; back in her home system, Helios, the fifth or sixth hour ante meridiem was more familiar- or perhaps, that is just how the Collins family operated.

It was one of many culture shocks she had experienced while aboard- far too accustomed to early opening hours of storefronts, it took around a week or two for Astra to realize that she got no customers before eight- save for Setteth, who was also an anomaly by station standards- so it was pointless to get up at five and prep the diner. a tough lesson learned.

Another thing she hadn't accounted for was just how differently late " Aunt Cassie " ran the diner. She left big shoes to fill, no doubt, Astra was ready to stuff tissue into the toe box in need be- but she hadn't prepared herself for the legacy Cassiopeia Collins had left on the deep space station. 

Not one meal served could end without a passing mention of her name, and every time, Astra felt an estranged feeling of longing. She and Cassie had never been close, barely met, and her family would not spare a single credit towards visits to where she had settled- she was rarely ever discussed in a setting that wasn't Astra being told to shape up, or she'd end up like Cassiopeia, the one who cracked under the pressure.

Because of that, Astra did not feel very connected to her memory of Aunt Cassie, if at all. In truth, it was hard not to see her as another expectation set by others; be like Aunt Cassie, fulfill every role she took up, honor her memory. And Astra is nothing if not the dedication she puts into her responsibilities. 

That brings us to today, Astra's first day off since she opened the Milky Way Diner back up. She and Ka'el's schedules lined up just perfectly for this moment- it was as if the black holes right outside the station had aligned just for them. Though, as Ka'el stood in front of Astra's door on the block, something felt off.

" Sugar- are you just about done getting dolled up ? As much as i- and believe me I do- love seeing you with your hair up all nice, it's been an hour since we were supposed to go out "

There's a teasing lilt to her voice- honeyed words from a practiced tongue. Ka'el leaned on the wall besides Astra's accommodations, arms crossed across her chest and broad shoulders strained against her casual attire. Despite her words, there's no real rush- besides her own, eager to spend every moment she could with her partner. 

" i'm almost ready- just. Just give me a second! " 

Before Ka'el could ( rightfully ) respond that this had been the nth time she'd asked for a second, Astra was hurrying out of the door and straightening out her apron. Ka'el's good-humored expression twisted into one of confusion as she looked Astra up and down, an eyebrow raised as she moved her hand to her hip with a flourish.

" Your diner uniform ? Didn't we agree today was your day off- not to mention, our date ? "

A second passed, before Astra fully registered the words, and awkwardly laughed off the ( mild ) glare from her girlfriend. Suddenly very aware of what she was wearing, she patted down her attire, stuffing her hands in the front pocket of her apron, before pulling out all sorts of paper receipts, sauce packets, and napkins, in a frantic search for something-

" Don't be too alarmed- I did not forget our date ! I just promised the elderly naru two blocks down i'd whip her up a quick something before I clocked out for the day- it'll be quick, promise "

Finally fishing out the diner keyset, she gives them a quick toss before catching them in the palm of her hands and jingling them in an attempt to grab the correct one. 

" You've gotta learn how to say no- folks here are so busy when they're up and about, they rarely notice they're taking advantage of you. "

Ka'el chastises lovingly, as her free hand reaches up and brushes her cheek with her knuckles tenderly, the gesture reciprocated as Astra gingerly leans into her touch. 

" I know- I know. Just this once "

With a small plea, a pout, and a gaze from under her eyelashes is all it takes for a small, playful groan to pass through Ka'el as her fanged grin makes an appearance

" You know for a fact I can never say no to you, sugar... but make it snappy, you hear ? Can't be queuing up at the diner every time I want to take my girlfriend out on a date " 

Ka'el tuts, pressing her lips to her forehead with a slight grin drawn on her lips as they both make their way to the diner, Ka'el's tail wrapped Astra's waist as she took confident, graceful strides, though shortened to match Astra's pace.

The same old song and dance of opening up the diner and starting on the pre-work ensued- with Ka'el resting her elbows on the countertop and her head in her hands, observing Astra's efficient movements. She was a wonder to witness when prepping dishes- even more when she could take her time catering the meal for the individual. 

But there was an undeniable exhaustion in her eyes, poorly concealed eye bags she assured were just the poor lighting casting shadows on her face, even if it was perfectly lit in the kitchen. her usual motions were slower, more calculated, when she usually already had it incorporated, second nature practically. What tipped Ka'el off that something really was wrong was the recipe book Aunt Cassie stored in a cabinet.

" Taking a page out of your auntie's book ? "

Ka'el calls out, tapping Astra's forearm, as she hadn't given a response straight away. Usually, she always had a witty response locked and loaded for her every teasing, playful remark- something Ka'el found endearing.

" Mmm... something like that "

She responded noncommittally, stirring the ladle with some difficulty- the strain of her muscles evident as Astra struggled. At this, Ka'el took initiative, standing behind her as she gripped the ladle and her hand with her own, while turning the heat to low with the other. 

" Sugar- you're exhausted. You haven't had a break in weeks, and I know you're just settling in but- "

Astra cuts Ka'el off, twisting her body around to face her. Ka'el's expression softens at the sight of her saddened features, placing her palms against her hips.

" I'm- I'm fine, Ka'el. It has just been- a bit tough settling into the new lifestyle, is all "

Ka'el frowns, her thumbs drawing comforting patterns on her clothed hips as she urges her to continue. If only she wasn't so easy to talk to, Astra laments internally. She sighs, resting her head on Ka'el chest, almost as if hiding her shameful expression.

" I- I cannot be what my aunt was to this place, this diner- I cannot be her to them, and I never will be. I mourn her death like a stranger- I cannot help but lament what could've been, if she had survived that stroke- perhaps the community would not have taken such a big loss, and I wouldn't have been a crude replacement so soon after her passing " 

The words from her lips fall as freely as the tears that had been bottled up, Ka'el maneuvering Astra's arms to wrap around her firm figure, as she rests a hand on her head, lightly scratching at her scalp.

" These people- this community needed someone like my aunt, not like me. I am an ill-fitting replacement- one who cannot meet their expectations "

Her sobs and hiccups are met with Ka'el's comforting hum as she allows the poor girl to vent out her feelings. Once she'd cried out all her sorrows, the ka'ettri pulled away, resting her clawed hands on her cheeks tenderly, a stern but loving look swimming in her honey eyes.

" Astra- you do not have to replace your aunt, or meet anyone's expectations- you do not have to be anyone you are not, the folks here are enamored by you, and your habits, and your way of showing care not only for the community, but for this diner- you run a tight ship at that, sugar "

The last comment is made with playful undertones, a giggle drawn out of Astra as Ka'el leans in and places a chaste kiss on the corner of her mouth.

" We all mourn the loss of Aunt Cassie, but it's undeniable that you were the right person to take over- we do not expect you to continue in Cassie's footsteps- what you make of this diner is your choice and yours alone. You are not a replacement- you are your own person, free of the weight of expectations other than your own. Let yourself live a little, indulge yourself "

As she speaks, Ka'el presses her forehead to Astra's, holding her tender gaze.

" You got that, sugar ? "

A small nod comes from a flushed Astra, as Ka'el smiles triumphantly, leaning in and stealing a kiss from her cushioned lips.

" Atta girl- now, let's get this soup to that elderly woman, so I can take my sweet girl on a date, hm ? "

She teases, beginning to stir the ladle and scooping some of the delicious, if lukewarm soup into a takeout container. The smile on Astra's face is contagious, as she wipes her tears in a swift motion.

" Of course. "

+ ASTRA HEADCANONS !!

- brings her own kitchenware to cook in people's kitchenettes when they're sick ( particular about her tools )

- hosts potlucks / cookie exchanges, and just community events- speed dining, or ice cream social type stuff

- too lenient on substitutions- sometimes ends up making an entirely different dish in no time whatsoever.

- keeps the menu short with handy recipes that she's mastered but caters to different alien's dietary restrictions.

- has multiple things stored in her apron front pocket and uniform folds, including but not limited to :

* cake testers and tongs

* sauce packets, napkins, paper receipts written over with pen.

* plating spoons

* a small contraption that sort of looks like a swiss army knife, with a hand thermometer and a precision scale tied into one ( roswell's invention, made special just for astra )

[blueserapharts]

BRB Y'ALL SCREAMING RQ

[elliepastelgrandma]

A very kissable cast 💕💕💕

[blueserapharts]

All my beloveds