6

I spent the afternoon being taught how to use all the fancy technology in Makane's living quarters. He wasn't a particularly talkative individual, only saying what was necessary, or if I asked questions.

I looked out the huge windows as the sun began to set, the sky going from a yellow to a warm orange-red. It was beautiful, and I stood there for a while before hearing heavy footsteps behind me.

"It is aket'anu, yes?" Makane said. I looked back at him with a questioning look, not knowing what that meant.

"Beautiful." he clarified, glancing down at me.

"Oh... yeah, it is. I've never seen a sunset before." I replied and his eyes widened slightly.

"You haven't?" he grunted. I shook my head.

"No, we weren't allowed outside without supervision, so I was never outside at night."

"Where you were... that was a prison?"

"Sort of, it was a lab facility. I was born there." I explained. Makane thought for a moment before stepping closer.

"You do not speak of it fondly?" he asked, watching my face. I sighed and shrugged.

"Not really... I was part of a program for kids with altered DNA or something. They basically tried to give me super abilities, but I don't think it worked. They just did tests on me." I said.

"Tests?"

I sighed again and pulled up one of my sleeves, showing a few burn scars. Makane's strange mouth things spread slightly and he frowned. He reached out and touched a scar.

"Other oomans hurt you. I can see your scars tell your story." he said, holding my arm.

I briefly explained about my friends and he surprisingly listened, and assured me that in yautja culture, my scars showed I was a warrior. After a while though, I began to grow tired.

"Come, you need rest, Ooman Dee." Makane said, walking down the hall and I groggily followed. He went into another room, the bedroom. It was a spacious room, with more huge windows, a large circular bed built into the floor almost like a nest, and other decorations from yautja culture. It was pretty cosy, but still had that same modern aspect that all the structures here seemed to have.

"Uh... where do I sleep?" I asked as he walked towards his bed.

"In the bed." Makane simply said. I looked around the room for a moment, hoping to see another bed so I didn't have to sleep with this alien stranger. When I looked back, he was naked.

"Oh my god." I mumbled, averting my eyes. "You're naked."

"Yes. I will dress if you want, I know oomans are not as accepting of nudity as yautja are." Makane replied, putting his loincloth back on before sitting on the bed.

"Will you be sleeping? Or just stand there?" he asked, watching me.

"I sleep in the bed, with you?"

"There is only one bed in my dwelling, so yes. Do not worry, I will give you personal space."

I felt slightly reassured and awkwardly crawled onto the bed, keeping to the left side. He continued to watch me with his orange eyes, analysing me silently. I was still in the top and trousers from the lab, and just laid down on my side.

"Would you like to change? I can synthesise new garments for you, Ooman Dee." Makane spoke up.

"You can just say Dee, not the 'ooman' bit... and yeah, fresh clothes would be good." I replied. He nodded and stood up, walking into a side room. There was a slight flash of light before he returned with some clothes and offered them to me.

"I put in a general ooman female clothing type for sleeping, these came out. I hope they are acceptable."

I mumbled a thank you and went to the bathroom to change. They were simple pyjamas, a soft pink shirt and shorts, but this was the first time I'd had real clothes. I grew up in the lab's uniforms and gowns, and feeling the fabric against my skin of something that wasn't those suddenly made me emotional. I felt my vision go blurred as tears welled up in my eyes, and I sniffled quietly, staring at myself in the mirror. I looked so... normal.

The door slid open and Makane stood there, looking mildly surprised that I was crying.

"Why are your eyes leaking, Dee?" he asked, confused. Had he not seen crying before? Was he even capable of crying???

"I just... I've never had proper pyjamas before." I sniffled, trying to wipe the continuous tears dripping down my cheeks. He tensed slightly, like it clicked inside him how neglected I had actually been.

"Those oomans did not treat you fairly. You are very strong for being here now, Dee. To yautja, you are comparable to a Hunter." he said, almost softly. "Come, you need to rest."

He tugged me closer and gave me a sort of hug before guiding me back into the bedroom.

"Get some sleep. I will be helping you fit into society tomorrow." he said. I was still sniffling as I laid down under the covers and furs on the bed. I'd never been in a bed so comfy, and it made me cry a little more. I felt myself being pulled backwards, and soft clicking.

"It is okay, Dee. You will be treated much better here." Makane said quietly, petting my hair. It felt nice, after a life of clinical comfort from scientists, being touched so gently even if it was by this huge alien. It felt safe. 

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slightly shorter chapter lmao