Destination Phoenix Nebula (Key-Tokki & Gatichan)

[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniels entire face flushed at the guards comment to them, he went red from his cheeks to his ears. His eyes shot to the ground when he saw the other wink as he cleared his throat and just cuddled the small creature in his arms closer to him, finding comfort in its presence. Following mutely as he felt himself ushered along with Ethan, for a few moments he just felt numb, and then, as it began to sink in, a smile spread over his face, happiness bloomed inside of him. As they walked, he leaned against the others arm and rested his head on Ethans shoulder before speaking, his voice was low but it was clear so he was not murmuring. "You were speaking for both of us, I am really glad that I can be your important person." He spoke, unsure of how to voice the right words, he frowned hoping that Ethan would just be patient with him, since it would take him a while to properly explain how he felt as well. It took them a few minutes to reach the medical room, and once they did Nathaniel had already noticed that Ethan seemed a bit wabbly, he clung to him in an attempt to give the other some balance until they reached the bed. Happily he hobbled int othe bed after his Ethan, however just before his head laid on the others shoulder, he heard the message. Causing his stomahc to knot up in frustration he slid from the bed, pulling the other with him. He waited until Ethan had also climbed out of bed, took his hand and held the rabbit in his other arm, and began the treck up to the bridge. "Do you think we are in trouble?" The white haired boy asked as they walked.

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I am so sorry e.e

[Gatichan]

Ethan shook his head at Nathaniel’s question, glad that his technician was supporting him, because he really was exhausted right then and wanted nothing more than to close his eyes. “I think you’ll find the surprise waiting ahead of you very much to your liking,” he was sure as they stepped onto the bridge and were granted access to the Captain. Nodding his head, the psychologist didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was dg tired. “We’re here, Sir. You wanted us?” he asked, leaning heavily against Nathaniel who, he realized then, had brought their bunny along…almost as if it were their child. The thought made Ethan smile faintly. Well, in that moment the three of them really were like a small family. Glancing up, he saw the Captain pump Nathaniel’s hand enthusiastically. “Mr. Powell, on behalf of the Praxiteles Crew, I would like to once again thank you for your bravery in the face of certain death. The dedication you showed towards your friends was a shining example to your peers and we’d like to award you a medal for your bravery,” he admitted, reaching behind him and accepting a bow from his Second-in-Command, opened it to show Nathaniel and Ethan a shiny golden medal. “And we’d also like to promote you, Mr. Powell. The escape pod you navigated back to us is stuffed to the brim with cutting-edge alien technology. We’d like you to have a look at it and try to understand it and, if possible, try to employ some of its secrets to better setting-up the Praxiteles,” he explained. Ethan’s eyes went wide and he had to fight the urge to whistle as he turned to his boyfriend. This was an enormous opportunity for Nathaniel- how would his technician react?

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel held the small creature to himself a bit more as he supported some of Ethans weight. After this he knew that they really should rest, he wasn't tired but it was obvious the psychiatrist desperately needed some rest. The impassive expression his face naturally fell into was lost when he felt his hand taken and shaken aggresivly, causing him to remove his hold on Ethan so that he could properly hold the bunny in one hand and shake the mans hand with his other. Nathaniel saw all those around him smiling at him, they all seemed so happy to just be in his presence. Wrong, this is wrong, you do not deserve this. His mind whispered softly to him as he just stood there wide eyed, once his hand was released he brought both hands up to clutch the small bunny to his chest and he backed up a bit so he could lean in close to Ethan for some support. He knew he should be greatful for all that he was getting in praise, but somehow it felt wrong, it felt like he didn't deserve it. Ethan, he could see, standing here, accepting the medal with a smile on his face, but for some reason, he felt like he didn't deserve it, didn't belong. Glancing down at it he nodded quietly as he felt the metal place coolie against his chest, the bunny sniffed at it and licked at it before attempting to nibble on it. "I would be happy to accept it," He spoke softly, but allowed a small smile to grace his face.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan wondered why Nathaniel wasn’t screaming for joy, whooping around and performing some crazy jiggle like Ethan probably would have, especially if the very same person who had called him a “nuisance” and a “mission aborter” was now the one presenting him with such high accolades. The psychologist would have rubbed this fact into the Captain’s face for all eternity- well, maybe not all eternity, but he’d certainly have gloated about this for a while at least to annoy the other man. Seeing that the Captain was obviously asking himself the same question Ethan was, the psychologist placed a hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder. “Then I guess Nathan’s going to be extremely busy in the next few weeks,” he realized with a smile, but a pang hit his heart. Now of all times that he wanted to spend more time with his technician, getting to know his better, wanting to do more than simply kiss and cuddle…but no, Ethan had no right to feel angry or disappointed. Nathaniel needed this important task- it would definitely help him raise his self-esteem. Squeezing his boyfriend’s shoulder, Ethan nodded at the Captain. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be returning to my cabin. I feel as if I could and will fall into a hundred year sleep after this past ordeal. Nathan, hand me the bunny- I’m pretty sure the Captain will want you to start examining that escape pod as soon as possible,” he guessed, holding his arms out for the bunny. The Captain nodded, looking hopeful. “In fact, I was about to ask Mr. Powell if he’d come along right away with a handful of the best technicians serving on the Praxiteles at the moment. The sooner we start, the faster we can get away from those antagonistic aliens we came across,” he added with a hint of impatience when he saw the technician’s face.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel looked back at Ethan when he spoke, his eyes widened a bit in surprise as he watched Ethan. Had he annoyed him already? Was Ethan already tired of him, and excited to spend time by himself? Thoughts rushed through the white haired males mind as his head spun in confusion at the current events. A few moments ago they were fine, and happy, and everything was perfect, now what? He held the small bunny closer to him as he looked from Ethan to his hand, had he given Nathaniel the bunny or was he just teasing Nathaniel his own bunny. His lips pursed as he looked down at the small animal quietly, he reached out and gently handed it to Ethan. Only turning his attention back to the captain when he felt the larger mans hand on his shoulder. Before he knew it, he was being led away from Ethan and over to a table where a lot of the supplies where. "So, let's begin." Nathaniel spent four days in labs, non stop, disecting all the equitment with the rest of the techie team, it had only been a few days but he had managed to bond with two of the other team mates. Though he was not trying to, he used them to distract himself from the missing presence, Ethans missing presence. He had seen the psychiatrist in passing a few times, but had been really to busy to do much. To him, it no longer seemed like they were dating even, so when his fellow team mate asked him he if was avaliable, his responce was "Probably" To which the team mate, Justine, assumed that the white hair was out of the taking, and of course many people wanted to date the ships hero for now, though after Nathaniels five minutes of fame were gone so would be his pursuers. Two more weeks past, to which he didn't get a chance to see Ethan at all. "Nathaniel!" Called the captain, causing the smaller boy to stop in hsi walk down to the cafeteria, and turn to see the other man running towards him wide eyed. "I have great news! You said that the supplies we got needed a special type of fuel right? Well we have located a planet nearby that holds a fuel type that may just work with it. We will be sending you of course, as well as your friend Ethan and a few others down to retrieve it. The planet is poisonous, so we will be prepaing hazmat suits for you all. Pack your bags you leave tomorrow." With that he left, leading Nathaniel, standing there in shock, hsi knees shaking as he thought of returning to another foreign planet.

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[Gatichan]

Time had simply flown by. The next time that Ethan glanced up to the door of his office and saw that, for a change, no one was standing there waiting for an appointment, the psychologist was astounded to realize that three weeks had gone by without his having seen his boyfriend once. The Praxiteles had almost left the Andromeda Galaxy, but due to the fact that the crew was weary of a further attack from the reptilian-like aliens, it had been decided against flying through it at the speed of light: while that speed was to be left in case all else went wrong, the chances that the alien race could easily out-fly them was too demoralizing to want to admit or test. Ethan unhappily sank down in front of his office desk, his face sad. Nathaniel hadn’t shown his nose once lately. Of course Ethan had guessed that the technician would be kept busy, but that his supposed boyfriend hadn’t even once called to ask him how he was or even asked him to go over to his cabin to spend the night? It also hadn’t exactly helped that Tracy had claimed to have overheard one of the female technicians on Nathaniel’s team say that his supposed boyfriend had stated he were single. Of course, the psychologist hadn’t wanted to take Tracy’s comment at face value, not after the humiliation he’d put her through, but earlier that day, when he’d run down to the canteen to fetch himself a bite, Ethan himself had heard someone say “Wow Justine, you and Nathaniel sure make a pretty couple! And you’ve grown so close lately- what’s going on?” Ethan hadn’t wanted to hear and right then, he clenched his hand into a fist. So much for Nathaniel’s fake promises. So much for “I like men only”. And Ethan had gone and made a fool of himself and pushed Tracy away- he groaned as he put a hand over his eyes. What had he been thinking!? As if someone as insecure and schizoid as Nathaniel would ever really let himself enter a relationship with Ethan- it was illusory. When the door to his office chimed, Ethan saw that it was Tracy and opened it. Turning around to her, he looked at her, his gaze suffering. As usual, she understood without words. “So, your techie’s off sleeping around, is he?” she sighed, walking over to Ethan and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulled his head against her firm breasts. Ethan, lonely and depressed as he was, simply closed his eyes and hugged his ex-girlfriend tightly to him.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel held the envelope that contained the breifing for all the information about the planet they were going to be exploring. Smiling to himself he stood outside the others door, he was delivering it to Ethan, excited to see the other for the first time in a few weeks. Ryan was walking behind him, he had been rather busy himself and when he heard Nathaniel was bringing the other the information he decided to stick around. A big smile spread over his face, he would be able to see Ethan and his bunny who he also dearly missed. He reached out with one hand, holding the envelope in the other, and swung the door open. Then he froze as he saw it, there was Ethan, all nuzzled up and relaxed against traci's breast.His lips parted as his smile dropped, leaving a stunned look on his face. The moment Traci saw him, she wrapped her arms tighter around Ethan and smiled over at Nathaniel, her smile held many secrets. He shifted, it took him a few tries for him to speak, he voice was caught in his throat. Noticing this, a look of sympathy crossed Ryans face as he saw the pained look on Nathaniels face. His eyes dropped to the floor as Ryan brought his hand up to rest on the smaller mans shoulder and spoke to Ethan after he became aware of there presence. "We are trying out another planet for energy, so we will be going tomorrow, study up." His voice was informal, but it held a hint of warning towards Ethan, the guard giving him a look of malice for a moment. Ryans hand urged the white haired boy back so they could leave but Nathaniel stood his ground and looked up directly as Ethan and spoke, "Oh, and in case you were wondering, I have not been sleeping around. Since you didn't feel the need to tell her that, I figured you might not be sure." With that, the smaller boy turned on his heals, his chest ached a bit when he caught a glance of his bunny but knew it was to late to stop to pet it, and left, with Ryan at his heels. The next day, Nathaniel stood next to the captain as the crew began to be loaded into the small command pod, he made sure to keep himself busy, not wanting to see the other yet, he was probably bidding Traci a goodbye. Grimacing at the thought as he climbed in and sat beside Ryan, this time another techie was flying the pod.

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[Gatichan]

Awkward. There was no other word to describe the situation. And when Ethan saw Nathaniel’s shocked expression, for a moment guilt filled him, but then, as Ryan mixed in and bossily informed him of the upcoming mission, sending the psychologist a silent warning instead of telling Nathaniel off for flirting so shamelessly and claiming that he was still single when he so obviously wasn’t, the guilt simmered down. And when Nathaniel then had the audacity to imply that ETHAN was the one who was probably sleeping around, the psychologist audibly gritted his teeth. It was a good thing that the technician had left with his bulldog before Ethan could retort anything, because probably then the psychologist would have landed up saying something that he’d regret. Looking up at Tracy, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend offered him a lopsided smile. “And you’re seriously telling me that you wanted to choose that immature brat over me, over us?” she sighed, pulling away after she’d given Ethan’s cheek a gentle kiss. “Think things over again, baby. After this mission is over, I’ll be waiting for your final decision.” She walked out, leaving Ethan torn.

 

That night, he didn’t sleep at all. Completely ignoring the letter he was supposed to have read about the upcoming mission, the following day Ethan found himself sitting down between Cheryl and Bradley. He was in a foul mood and as their pod shot out the Praxiteles, the psychologist caught sight of a green and brown planet that definitely looked toxic. Once again a sense of anticlimax settled into the pit of his stomach and he raised a fist to his mouth, feeling rattled. Something bad was undoubtedly about to happen. Turning his head in search of Nathaniel, Ethan hastily turned back when he found Ryan glaring pointedly at him. Great- it was as if he now had to cope with the technician as well as the technician’s foster-father. Rolling his eyes and deciding that during a mission it was the worst possible time to clear up his messed up feelings, Ethan compartmentalized his feelings, locking them away for the moment. When he next opened his eyes, they were focused. Nodding at Cheryl when she asked him if they could go over the mission’s objectives again together, Ethan leaned towards her, paying attention for the first time what he was in store of.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel glanced up to see Ryan glaring in another direction, he followed the others gaze in confusion, finding that it led to Ethan who was leaning in close to Cheryl made his stomach clench. Letting out a low breath to calm himself, he closed his eyes and leaned against Ryan who sqeezed his shoulder for support. Giving Ryan a small smile he nodded as they desended on the planet, it didn't look friendly at that. There were things that looked like black treets and vines coming out of the ground and the place seemed t obe filled with very bumpy, hilly, rough terrain. The moment they landed two of the crew members got sick. Even through thee walls of the pod the sickening atmosphere seemed to be causing the passangers to get ill. Even ryan had to rub his head which was light headed, Nathaniel however unbuckled himself and stood up, reachign back he grabbed his bag, seemingly unaffected by the atmoshpere. He looked around in confusion as everyone began to pull on there suits, and there helmets, he did the same, no one looked quiet well but he felt fine. The doors open and he was the first one out, hauling his bag behind him. He watched as a few people began to hobble out after him, then the captain spoke. "Everyone, we will be working in the life line system once again, you will be paired with the same person you were last time, unless they are not here, then pair yourself with another whom is alone." Nathaniels stomach both dropped and his heart raised at the same time as he glanced over at Ethan. He would be able to spend more time with the other, but did he really want to? Sucking it up, he gave Ryan a last small smile and nod before walking over to Ethan, his eyes trained on the others feet. "So we are partners again, how is the bunny?" He began, then instantly changed the topic of conversation.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan was seriously sick when the pod landed on the unknown planet. Despite the years in advanced technology, no telescope had been able to penetrate into the depths of the Andromeda Galaxy to almost the other side, so next to nothing was known about the new surroundings, other than it certainly didn’t and wouldn’t support human life. The landing was already dreadful- instead of their pod landing on firm, solid ground, the pod had landed on something that moved and that upset his stomach. Feeling green, drained and nauseous, Ethan sealed off his small barf bag and dropping it into one of the holes to collect garbage inside pod, uneasily got to his feet and followed Bradley out the ship. His head was beginning to uncomfortably pulse and as he lowered his mask over his face, Ethan took in several gulps of air to calm himself. It was too late to take a further pill against anxiety, but right then, if he hadn’t had the heavy protective suit, he probably would have lost against the temptation. Hearing the Captain’s words as he stepped off the pod’s ramp, Ethan sighed, seriously doubting that Nathaniel was looking forward to working with him.

 

Choosing to look around at the new surroundings instead, Ethan saw that swirls of green-gray mist hung half a meter off the green, slimy and untrustworthy-looking floor. The dead black trees and vines unnaturally growing out of the ground reminded him of the dead swamp areas that had remained after most of the cities on Planet Earth had been eradicated during the final wars. Hearing a rather loud splosh, he whirled around, instantly feeling bile rise into his throat as he aimed his gun in the direction of the noise. If there was one thing the psychologist had learned, it was to shoot first and ask questions later…if at all. Just in time to see an alarmingly long crocodile tail slip into the thick green water that emitted disgusting bubble burps that hissed, he shuddered. Hearing Nathaniel behind him, Ethan started walking, his eyes mixed on the lake beside their pod, sincerely hoping that the creature wouldn’t attempt to board their pod and wait there for them as a surprise. “Our bunny? Oh, he’s just dandy. How kind of you to ask about him instead of about me, but then again, it seems you’re more interested in our bunny than in our relationship,” Ethan shot back, holding up a hand before Nathaniel could make a scene in that hostile place. “Look, now isn’t the time. Tell me exactly what it is that we’re supposed to be looking for- the sooner I get off this godforsaken planet, the better for my nerves.”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel took a step back in surprise as he looked up at the other, he had just been trying to make conversation but felt like he had been slapped in the face for it. His gaze dropped once again to the ground as he quietly nodded and looked around. "We are looking for mud, actually, swamp rocks in the mud. I think if we can melt them down and cool them instantaniously we can use that to run that equipment we found. Relax, I just wanted to know how he was doing." He spoke, his voice was cool and distant, no longer assuming that they could at least be civil. However as seen as he went to walk near the swamp, a scream cried out, eyes wide Nathaniel turned around to see a large stick looking thing wrap itslef aorund one of the crew members ankels and drag them into the swamp, through a thicket of vines first. All guns raised and began to fire but Nathaniel cried out, "Stop! Stop it you are going to hit him!" He ran forward to stop them, however out of the corner of his eye he saw movement, and turned just in time to see a similar looking vine wrap around Ethans ankel and yank him back, and straight into the swamp water. His entire world went silent and froze to a stop when he watched his boyfriends hand disappear into the water, for a moment all was quiet before some of the crew turned and began to shoot at the swampy water where the other hand disappeared. "Stop!" He cried out and ran towards the water, if Ethan was stil alive they were going to shoot him! Ryan was screaming for him somewhere in the distance but he didn't care, he ran straight into the muddy water , however because of those still shooting behind him he heard a crack and a rush of air hit his face, his foot nudged something, diving down into the water he grabbed and pulled up. Ethan came free from the mud and whatever was grabbign him, and Nathaniel dragged him back and onto land. Dropping him to the ground, Nathaniel fell down beside him, he had no idea if Ethan was even alive, he just wanted to hold him. It was now he realized that his helmet had been shot off, another persons had as well and they already had died. He could feel Ethan stir in his arms, waking up from his momentarily lack of conciousness. He could hear Ryan crying out his name, he assumed they were running over to them, but he didn't care. I'm going to die. His mind murmured softly to him, still in a state of shock as he held Ethan tighter and murmured in his ear. "I love you, I really really love you."

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[Gatichan]

As usual, after he’d spoken out, Ethan regretted it. He’d really believed that Nathaniel would attack him unfairly again as he had up on the Praxiteles, but this time it appeared that Nathaniel had been holding out an olive branch as a peace offering. With a sigh, the psychologist nodded, lowering his gaze to the ground to search for those ominous rocks. “Mud rocks, got it,” he nodded, turning his back on the technician as he activated his wrist computer as requested it to activate the scanner. It was then that a shriek went up. Whirling around with his gun aimed, Ethan began to immediately shoot when he realized that the technician who had flown them down was being dragged into the disgusting swamp. Others let out further cried, raising their guns to shoot, but they panicked and shot at anything, probably hitting their comrade. As Nathaniel shouted out for them to be more careful, Ethan blended him out. Instead of wasting vital ammunition on the body, he’d directed his laser gun at the swamp, firing into the thick liquid there in the hope of achieving something, perhaps even discourage the vine-like creature from dragging their crew member along. Ethan, unfortunately, achieved the opposite: instead of hurting and subduing the creature, it only became angrier and suddenly Ethan had fallen onto his back and was being dragged down into the swamp. “No!” he hissed, raising his laser and firing into the foul-smelling density he was fast disappearing into. More shot rang out, one grazing the top of his helmet, but thankfully missing it. And then he was suddenly below the green mass and his suit momentarily stopped functioning. The oxygen circulation was cut off and in no time, Ethan’s body slackened and he was knocked out.

 

Coming to as someone cradled him against a chest, Ethan took in a sharp, desperate gulp of air once his suit’s oxygen circulation system had kicked in again. Seeing Nathaniel above him, he saw the technician moving his lips, but Ethan didn’t hear him. His eyes had caught sight of something horrendous and he had become paralyzed with fear: Nathaniel’s helmet had been shot through and his technician was breathing in the poisonous atmosphere of the planet. “N-Nathan,” Ethan shook his head sagely, reaching up and trying to block the bad gases out, his body suddenly responding. “Help! Somebody help!!! Nathan’s suit is broken- someone help!!” he shouted out, his eyes tearing up as he shook his head fretfully, not understanding why Nathaniel was so calm while panic was seizing him. “No, Nathan, you can’t die- damn it, I LOVE YOU!!! You can’t die!” Ethan sobbed as Ryan and the Captain reached them, their faces pale.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel clung to Ethan, though to his surprise he felt no pain at all, no gasping, no lack of air, nothing. He reached up to touch his helmet, there was definetly a hole but he felt nothing bad other than normal air. Before he could react more he felt himself yanked up from the ground by Ryan and hauled to the ship, the captain was hauling Ethan behind them. The entire contents of the crew had already run to the saftey of the pod, and as soon as they drug Ethan and Nathaniel in the door closed. Ryan pushed Nathaniel to the ground and yanked off his helmet, "Get the oxygen tube!" He cried out, reaching down to begin soothin g the gasping boy, however he stopped when he was met with a very calm, wide eyed Nathaniel who only looked confused. The captain kneeled down and put his hands on Nathaniels shoulders "Boy, why are you not dead? You should be dead, you enhaled that air we all saw it." He murmured, then he stopped, there on Nathaniels neck, black tribal looking marks were appearing, causing the captain to pale as he reached down and ripped Nathaniels hazmatt suit off. The white haired teen had been wearing only simple black pants and a white t-shirt, so his arms were clearly visable. The black marks which had not been there before seemed to be tattoe'd into his skin, going from the base of his neck to spiral down around both of his arms. "Wha-..."A few surpised gasps were heared, then Ryan stepped forward. "Something is wrong with his eyes." His voice was quiet, worried and shocked as Nathaniels amber eyes glowed a vibrant red, his body reacting much differently to the atmosphere than the other mans had, the one that was currently dead. "We need to get him to the ship, now. No one touch him!" The techie nodded grimly before jumping into his seat and taking off, everyone was careful not to touch the smaller white haired boy. Nathaniel was confused and scared and even thoug he knew he wasn't supposed to touch anyone he couldn't help himself from reaching for Ethan, needing hsi touch.

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[Gatichan]

Ethan wheezed as he was lifted and dragged onto the ship. “Nathan…look after Nathan,” he wheezed out, trying to fight against Cheryl when she blocked his way to rip his protective suit off. On the pod, the hazmatt suit didn’t weigh as much as it had on the planet and came off easily. “I’m fine- look at Nathan,” the psychologist insisted, but Cheryl firmly pushed him back and began to shine a light into his eyes, beginning to call out things to her own personal computer as she forced a metallic object into Ethan’s mouth to measure his vitals. Between her loud voice and the rumble of the pod’s engines, Ethan thought he could make out the Captain seriously asking Nathaniel why he was alive and not dead- was that moron for real? Who cared as long as his technician had miraculously survived? When Cheryl finally moved away and a small familiar hand slipped into his, Ethan glanced down…and let out a startled shout when he saw how changed Nathaniel was. As the pod broke through the atmospheric layer around the planet and the Praxiteles came into view, promising safety, Ethan’s green eyes took in the distinct changes that had come over his boyfriend: Nathaniel’s body was now covered with tattoos, his eyes had become red and…well, frankly, with his white hair, he looked rather frightening. Swallowing in fear as Bradley, his hands in white gloves, carefully yet firmly removed Nathaniel’s hand from Ethan’s and lowered it to the technician’s body, the psychologist’s throat became dry. “Nathan…what…what’s happened to you?” he whispered in horror as the pod docked back onto the Praxiteles and the Captain commanded a special medical team to come to the pod to extract a “possibly infected person to be sent directly into quarantine.”

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniels hand tightened on Ethans as fear rose inside him, he was scared, everyone was looking at him in fear, even Ethan seemed to be frightened of Nathaniel. When he felt his hand being removed from the others he tightened his hold until he realized that Ethan was not tightening his, his hand slackened as it was taken from it's spot and gently put back. Why...why do you keep letting go of my hand? His mind murmured softly as tears rose to his eyes, they only spilled over when he heard Ethan ask what happened to him, his eyes looked scared, and not just scared for Nathaniel, but of Nathaniel. Tears streamed down the young techies face as he stared up at the other, looking for any form of comfort, any form of solace, but he found none. The moment the doors opened he knew it was different, he was no longer the white haired hero that had saved two people, he was the idiot who had gotten infected on a foreign planet and broughten it back on the ship. Someone yelled out from the crowd of people, "Throw him from the air lock before he infects us! He did it to someone else, it's the most he deserves anyway!" Ryan yelled out a furious retort that Nathaniel did not hear. He felt himself hauled to his feet by men in white hazzmat suits as everyone but him was removed from the pod, even Ethan. To who he reached out for, but was quickly stopped by one of the men who quickly rushed forward and pushed a needle into his neck, causing his eyes to roll back and him to fall limply back, two of the men caught him and lifted the lithe boy up onto a stretcher which was quickly rushed out and down to the research ward, not the medical one. Everyone was quiet for a few moments, then everyone broke out into a load chaotic mess. The scientists ran every kind of test on the white haired boy, and they weilded surprising results. Everyone who came to see him was refused access. After three weeks of studying him, the scientist figured it was time to wake him, they needed him awake to hypnotize him, and they needed to hypnotize him to ask him questions. They called in Bradly and Ethan, who they needed to do the job. The head of research stood, waiting for the two psychiatrists to come in, once they did he motioned for them to sit down before he began, "Now, you know the test subject 678T. We need you to run some mental tests on him. What I am about to say will stay in this room, until we deem other wise." The wall behind him fadded away into a one way mirror, and through it, they could see a sleeping Nathaniel laying on a metal table, wired and tubes were stuck into him. He was dressed in only a pair of white shorts, over his entire body the black designs could be seen, wrapping intricatly and delicatly around his limbs. "He is not human, the air on that planet effected his body different because he is not human. We have no idea what species he is, but it is magnificant, they way the body reacts to our tests, it's extrodinary." The scientist turned to stare at the white haired boy, his eyes were filled with hunger. "Observe." He spoke as two scientists enterted the room where Nathaniel lay, calmand blissfully asleep. One of them reached forward and placed his hand over the smaller boys mouth, in a few moments Nathaniel began to jolt and his body spasmed lightly from the inability to breathe, then, the tattooes on his body began to shift and move, the ones on his neck seemed to travel up his jaw and onto the researchers arm, to which the researcher jumped bakc and cried out in pain, clutching his arm in pain until the marks that had spread to his arms fadded away, then reappeared onto the smaller boys slim neck. "Remarkible, isn't it? The body is protecting itself. We have never seen anything like it. Will you assist us in further exploring his mental capacity, instead of just his body?" He asked, looking at the other two, his eyes hungry for knowledge.

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[Gatichan]

It was insane- there could be no other word for it. In the time since Nathaniel had been removed from Ethan, the psychologist had tried endless times to attempt to see him, but each time he’d been turned away. He couldn’t understand why the technician had been sent to the research and not medical lab, but little by little, as information started to sicker through to him and Bradley, a new image began to form inside Ethan’s head, one that he didn’t like at all. And as he sat there inside the head scientist’s office and looked out onto the sterile research laboratory with a sleeping Nathaniel laying on the slab, his body still covered with black markings, the inevitable and undeniable truth hit him, hard: It seemed that the Nathaniel he had known before had gone, had died.

 

At first, Ethan had believed that some kind of virus could have spread to the rest of Nathaniel’s body and transformed it. And since the scientists hadn’t been interested in releasing him just yet, it had been clear to the psychologist that the virus or bacteria that had sneaked into the technician’s hazmatt suit had begun to change him. And once he and Bradley had sat down to debrief, the two of them began to come up with all types of explanations for the curious changes they had seen on Nathaniel’s body upon redocking to the Praxiteles. Yes, the two specialists had decided, they’d both been psychotic. That they’d seen Nathaniel’s eyes become red and had observed some obscure symbols on his body, that all pointed towards hallucinations. Probably everyone off the crew members who had gone down onto that dreadful planet had seen the same because they’d breathed in the same air and had all been affected. It was likely that Nathaniel would soon be released, yes, yes, it wouldn’t be anything bad. But the longer the time between their having returned to the Praxiteles and Nathaniel’s having remained in quarantine, this hope had begun to fade.

 

Standing up now and pressing his hands against the one-way mirror, Ethan’s eyes began to prick and then tears began to torrentially, yet silently fall from his eyes. Nathaniel, his Nathaniel…was no more. The beast laying on the table in front of him wasn’t the sweet, silent, slightly inept, shy technician who had, little by little, stolen Ethan’s heart. In his stead was the same body, it was true, but not the same person. Nathaniel with his little quirks, Nathaniel who had confessed his love to him, Nathaniel who had looked back at him so confused…gone forever. Ethan closed his eyes and his shoulders shook as emotion overcame him. Bradley appeared by his side and squeezing Ethan’s shoulders, he leaned in closer. “Ethan, you don’t have to do this. I can question the alien alone-” “No, I…I can do this,” Ethan gulped, knowing that Bradley lacked the ability to fully place the alien in a hypnotic state. He wiped at his eyes, trying to ignore the head scientist’s inquisitive-suspicious glance. Blowing his nose, Ethan took a moment longer to compose himself. This, again, wasn’t the time for going to pieces- he needed to concentrate on the task at hand. Breathing in and out deeply as he began to repeat autogenic training sentences in his head, when he next opened his eyes, Bradley and the head scientist both saw that Dr. Ethan Burke was back.

 

Being led into the room, Bradley insisted on Nathaniel’s body being cuffed to the slab- the last thing they wanted was for the alien to awaken and become violent. Just in case, Ethan had sneaked his laser gun in with him, ready to shoot at it at the least sign of danger. His emotions threatened to bubble up again as he stopped beside the late technician’s body and automatically reaching out, caressed the soft cheeks. When the symbols began to move again, he shuddered back. Taking up his position at the foot of the slab, Ethan nodded for Bradley to switch on the recording object. Behind the one-way mirror, Ethan knew that the head scientist’s office was filled with further scientists, the Captain and Second-in-Command. Frowning down at the alien body that began to shift as it awoken, Ethan began to speak coldly. “Test Subject 678T, this is Dr. Ethan Burke speaking to you from Planet Earth. I am here to perform hypnosis on you. If you understand, then open your eyes,” he commanded.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniels eyes slide open as he heard the familar voice beside him, he blinked a few moments at the brightness above him. He shifted lightly but soon found himself strapped down to something, looking down in confusion his eyes widened. Where was he? What was going on, his body didn't look right, or feel right, this wasn;t his body. Looking up he saw a mirror and took in the mirror above him, he took in the lithe frame. Then it all came back him, he couldsee himself, laying in bed next to someone, nuzzled up with them and holding a small furry creature. Then he could see himself holding onto the same persons hand in a snowy enviornment, then he saw himself waking up naked next to the man who was also naked. All these memories that were not his threatened to over whelm him, he shifted in the bed and yanked at the restraints, his eyes brightened as he was frightened. Ethan was standing beside him, and his hand was close to the lazer gun, to close for Nathaniels liking. Ethan was looking at him, cold and hateful. "E-Ethan?" He stammered out softly, shifting he tried to reach towards the other but felt the restraints holding him still, he looking down at them again and panic filled him, he yanked and tugged at them until a beep was heard and the collar around his neck let otu a static shock, causing him to arc off the metal table for a moment as he gasped for breath, then fallign back he layed still, worn out from the shock alone. "You will be still." Was all that was said as the scientist came over the entercome in the room.

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[Gatichan]

God, it hurt. Those eyes, those eyes that had once been a beautiful amber- they were now red. And as they looked back at the psychologist in the small face of the technician he had loved, really loved, Ethan could still see Nathaniel, but those red eyes and those black tribal tattoos on the body…they didn’t fit at all. When the alien that housed inside Nathaniel’s body opened its mouth to speak, Ethan thought he was going to be seriously sick. What would the voice sound like? Would he experience what Nathaniel had when they’d been aboard that other alien ship? That time when Nathaniel had believed to have seen his mother, have heard her real voice even though he’d known she’d been dead? It was almost too painful to bear- if he had to listen to some creature impersonating his Nathan, Ethan would lose it, he knew that. But he was spared the horror when the Nathaniel-impersonation didn’t continue. Swallowing and slightly shaking his head when he sensed Bradley edge closer, Ethan raised his head. “Test Subject 678T, I see you understand me. You are currently occupying the body of one of our crew members, N-Nathaniel Powell,” Ethan continued, unable to prevent an emotional stutter. Needing a moment as he looked away in pain, Ethan clenched his hands into fists before turning back. The emotion was threatening to break free, but he only just managed to keep it in check. “For research purposes, we wish to know more about you. Please close your eyes now, and concentrate only on my voice,” he instructed, slowing his breathing down as he began to recite the words he had used the first time he had tried to hypnotize Nathaniel.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nathaniel looked up in confusion, the other seemed to be in pain, his face looked like it was in so much pain. "Ethan, what-" He murmured softly when he felt another shock to his body, he didn't understand, what was going on, why was he strapped down, and why did Ethan look so sad? He went to yank at the restraints again but before he could the door opened and the head scientist walked in with a needle in his hand, he grabbed Nathaniels arm and went to put the needle in, "Stop it! Get off, stop it!" He cried out when he felt the sharp sting into his arm, the man removed the needle before the marks on his body could move to protect him. Within a few moments his heart rate had slowed down, he felt much calmer, his eyes were hooded as he lay there, silently now, only vaguly aware of what was going on around him. "He has been given a strong tranguilizer, now, you may begin." The man spoke, and once he was sure that Nathaniel was hyponitzed he grinned, carefully and cautiously he reached down and put his hand on the smaller boys chest, then began speaking ina gentle tone. "You are safe, you are fine, you will not be hurt. Tell me, where do you come from?How did you come to us and to inhabbit this child?" He asked, and as he did the marks on the boys body shifted again they seemed to move off of his chest, down his arms and onto the metal table he lay on, then the marks seemed to be expanding, getting larger until the room around them was dark and they three men seemed to be standing in the middle of no where. Then, it was as though they had walked into a movie. The entire world around them began to shift and form, until it now looked like they were standing in what looked like a burnt down forest, this place was clearly a foreign planet, the skies were red, there was ash all around, raining from the sky. A small boy stood in the middle of the field, he had human features but was clearly not human. His was short, with vibrant red eyes, and spikey white hair, his ears were both a bit pointy and his k9's were elongated as well. A tail also protruded from his lower back, it looked slightly like a lions tale, he only looked about 3 or 4 years old. "That's me." A soft voice whispered, the boy that stood in the feild jumped slightly at a noise, looking up at the sky, the boy saw as a huge spaceship hurddled towards the ground. The creatures eyes went wide as it watched the hunk of metal slam into the ground, then all was silent. It took a few moments for the boy to collect himself, but once he did he ran over to the ship and after sifting through the burning metal for a bit, he stopped when he saw a small boy, after further inspection he saw that the boy was still alive. He walked over and kneeled beside the child that was barely breathing, it seemed to be holding onto a womens hand, the women was already dead. Reaching down he touched the boy, the moment he did, the boy lost hsi grip on life and died before the creature could react, he felt his entire pressense shift, one moment he was there, and the next he was in someone elses body. The boys, he was in the human boys body. With that, the soft voice echo'ed again, it was Nathaniel speaking. "My names Nai, I was born on planet Hemecia, and when a human space ships crashed on my planet, I went to investigae, and somehow when I touched the human, I was drawn into his body. I couldn't remember until now." With that the world around them shifted and moved and receeded until they were back into the lab, as though nothing had happened, and now Nathaniel lay on the metal table, and looked normal again, hsi body sensing he was in no danger, allowed the protective marks to sink back into his skin, and his eyes fadded back to there amber color, however his k9 teeth didn't receed at all, now looking just slightly to sharp. Nathaniel laid quietly, as everything sunk in, he wasn't human, he never was, in fact, he had taken the place of a human who had died, his mind swam in confusion,

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[Gatichan]

Ethan didn’t appreciate the head scientist storming into the room with a needle. While trying to hypnotize a patient, it was mandatory that there be silence and no disturbances. “That won’t be necessary-” Ethan began in a low voice when he saw the needle, but too late, the head scientist had already stabbed the silver prick into Nathaniel’s arm. Ethan winced, not liking this. No matter what was inside the technician’s body, to him, it would always be Nathaniel’s. And seeing the confusion and pain on Nathaniel’s face made Ethan, although it was come and gone in the blinking of an eye, believe that the being on the table was actually really his Nathaniel. But he shook his head- no, it couldn’t it. It was definitely an alien- his Nathaniel was gone. Gone forever. Once the injection had worked its wonder, it really did become easier for Ethan to induce the hypnosis. Without the alien inhibiting Nathaniel’s body twisting and trying to sidetrack him with Nathaniel’s voice, Ethan let his voice lower even further, giving it a musical ring that lulled the being on the table further. “Your arms and legs are becoming heavier,” he convinced the other being, the psychologist’s eyes becoming heavier at the same time. “Your breathing is slower…your chest rising to fill your lungs with air…now your chest is falling as you exhale again…you are only concentrating on your breathing and your body is heavy…but in a comfortable way…” And then, seeing that the being on the slab was no longer twitching, but had calmed down fully, Ethan nodded at the head scientist, moving backwards to stand beside Bradley, who squeezed his arm. Yes, the psychologist knew that he’d done a good job…but at what price? Leaning back against the one-way mirror, Ethan suddenly wanted nothing more than to leave the laboratory, but when both the head scientist and Bradley gasped, he opened his eyes, gulping and starting himself as he stepped back, trying to get away from the blackness that had begun to spread out from Nathaniel’s body. But before he could open the door to leave, the blackness had engulfed him and Ethan was falling.

 

In captivated silence, Ethan and the other two scientists watched the scene unfolding. Ethan saw the small alien child, saw and instantly realized that the half dead child he was seeing was Nathaniel, the real Nathaniel…the Nathaniel he hadn’t ever known or met. When he heard Nai speaking, explaining that the Nathaniel he had believed to know, had fallen in love with, had actually been Nai all along, the psychologist clapped a hand over his mouth. All at once, the laboratory returned and peculiar, unknown world that he had just witnessed was no more. Nathaniel…had died when he had been a child. He hadn’t been the sole survivor after David Macer had destroyed that other ship- he had died, but his body had been taken over by a lonely alien child and that alien had grown up in Nathaniel’s stead, had lived in human society and knew it well. Had met Ethan and fallen in love… Ethan was moving before the other two could respond. “No! No, what do you think you’re doing, Dr. Burke!?” the head scientist cried out indignantly as Ethan pulled out his laser and aiming them at Nathaniel’s restraints, cut them. “Doing the only right thing,” Ethan replied gruffly and leaning over, he wrapped his arms around Nathaniel, or Nai, and helping him into a seated position, his green eyes filled with tears. “Nathan…Nai…do you mean to tell me that the man I met and fell in love with…was you the whole time? You’re still here and not…not dead?” he asked, his voice trembling on the last word.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nai felt familar arms circle around him and shift him upwards. He was scared, he didn't remember much, he remembered standing in that field, seeing the ship, rememebred his name, but what about his family, what about others? Was he the only one of his kind? He thought back to the memories of his parents, then it hit him that they were not his parents, they were Nathaniels parents, and that they weren't even his memories, they were Nathaniels. Tears rose up and began to fall from the white haired boys wide eyes, his head was swimming, reaching up he wrapped his arms around Ethan and clung to the other tightly, a chocked sob escaping his parted lips as he nodded against the others shoulder. "Yes, i'm sorry I didn't mean to trick you. I didn't know, I didn't I swear. I thought I was a human, there was no way for me to ever guess other wise.." He trailed off, the head scientist tossed the clip board down and laughed loudly, he really did look rather insane. "Brilliant! Oh, this is just brilliant brilliant brilliant! You were an alient this entire time, and look at you! Your true form must have bee like you used to look on that planet, what do you look like now that you have aged? Oh! Can you do anything? Can you fly? Make objects levitate?!" He turned his attention to Ethan, his eyes clouded with misguided curiosity" And you! You fell in love with it! Did you notice anything strange about it? Have you two had sex? Did anything strange happen when you did?" Reaching out he pulled Nathaniel by the wrist and swung him around, Nathaniel had been sleeping for the past few weeks so was rather weak, causing him to stumble at the sudden movement around him. AS he stumbled a bit the scientist stared at him, observing everything. "Blood! We need blood samples!" He called out, three scientist ran in, and to them he began to shout orders, releasing hsi death grip on Nai's wrist."I want blood samples to run through the lab,and ready lab rooms 4,5, and 8. We will be testing his resiliance to heat, fire, ice, cold, gases, oxygen, and that is just to start, this will be amazing!" Nai's eyes went wide, he was going to become a lab rat, they were going to poke and prode at him every day all day, subcontiously he took a few steps back to get closer to Ethan for support.

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[Gatichan]

Hearing the affirmative words, the psychologist returned to the way he had been before he’d believed that Nathaniel had died. Nai- his name was actually Nai. It would probably take some time for Ethan to really call him that, but one day, he eventually would. But all of a sudden the technician was yanked out his arms and the head scientist was laughing madly like the Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, shouting out commands like the Queen of Hearts, becoming more and more insane the longer he spoke. Nai rightly, fearfully, backed up against Ethan and the psychologist protectively built himself up in front of him as the newly arrived scientists approached him with raised needles. “No one lays a hand on Nai, is that clear?” he snapped viciously, picking up his laser gun and aiming it at the scientific aids, who all stopped in their tracks, stunned and shocked. Reaching behind him to take the technician’s hand and squeeze it confidently, the psychologist shook his head at the head scientist. “Are you out of your mind?! He’s one of us! He grew up as a human and only now has awoken,” he spoke, turning to Bradley for support as the Captain appeared at the door. Ethan looked at him pleadingly. “Remember how Nathaniel flew over to fetch Ryan and me from certain doom when we’d been caught by those reptilian aliens- remember how grateful we all were to him? Or the fact that he’s the only one who understand how to use those new alien gadgets? At the moment, trying to analyze him would be wrong- it’s like trying to teach a lion that’s always lived in freedom to perform new tricks: a caged animal is always the most dangerous. Nathaniel doesn’t deserve this treatment- I won’t let any of you touch him. If you want him,” Ethan stated clear, pronouncing each word with a chillingly cold pause as he visibly set the dial on his gun to kill, “you’ll have to first get by me,” he warned, narrowing his eyes as Bradley moved to stand beside him, likewise protecting Nathaniel.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nai felt much safer with the other two in front of him, the longer Ethan spoke the angrier the head scientist seemed to get. He was scared and now awakened his body reacted to the danger, the makrs on his body surrounded his arms once again, and traveled down his arm and up Ethans, protecting not only himself but the man that he loved. The captains hands went up in a calming gesture as he took a few cautious steps forward. "I understand how you feel, we all feel as though we owe the child, but he could really help us out in the medical and physical advancements. How about this, I will release him into your and Bradleys care, you may watch him, and be with him, and observe him, but he will come here, three times a week for testing, and for each test you may be present for it, so you can make sure he is not poked at and prodded, alright? You won't have to worry, no one wants to hurt the boy." He stated calmly, Nathaniels hand tightened on Ethans, however the felt a bit safer, so the marks quickly receeded back to him then vanished once again. He couldn't control what his recently awakened body was doing now, it was acting on it's own accord. The scientist spoke next, "For today, I would just like to physically examine him then, you may both stay in the room as I do so." He offered, smiling kindly at Nathaniel and Ethan both.

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[Gatichan]

“No,” Ethan refused, shaking his head. When Nai’s protective tribal rings had moved onto his body, the psychologist had been engulfed by a wave of powerful heat. He’d felt strong, as if he could overcome everything he wanted- almost as if he could command the world and save Nathaniel from harm. But then the marks had disappeared again, leaving him feeling like his old self again. Clutching the laser gun tighter, Ethan breathed out, understanding that Nathaniel felt safer again, but still, the psychologist didn’t trust the head scientist. “No, not today,” he repeated and beside him Bradley nodded, taking his side. “Nathaniel’s been confined and locked up for long enough- you had a lot of time to measure him and test him, but now that he’s awakened, this changes a lot. Not today. Captain, from a medical point of view, after the revelations we’ve just heard, any further explorations could destabilize the patient- he really must be allowed to leave this laboratory and return to an environment that he knows and feels comfortable at,” the doctor insisted and Ethan nodded. “Nai is in a special situation here and we really must insist that he be left alone. Bradley and I will take care of him, but right now he needs peace and quiet to assimilate what has happened to him. This is vital, otherwise he could suffer from an adjustment disorder that could become a severe depression, or a possible PTSD,” he warned. The Captain turned to Bradley for guidance and when the psychiatrist nodded at what the psychologist had said, he decided to agree…just in case. “Very well. Then I suggest that Nathaniel be taken to his old quarters-” “What? No!” the head scientist stamped his foot, livid. “No, Test Subject 678T must remain-!” Ethan had begun to tug Nathaniel along with him, returning his laser gun to his holster. Stopping right in front of the head scientist, the psychologist glared. “He’s not an object, but a living being. Tomorrow we will resume this discussion, but not now.” Marching out the laboratory with Nathaniel, Ethan more dragged than walked with the technician back to latter’s sleeping quarters. As soon as the door was closed, the psychologist locked it and turning to Nathaniel, shook his head. “Forgive me,” he said in a clipped tone and then, cupping Nathaniel’s face in his hands, Ethan yanked the technician closer and attacked the younger man’s lips passionately.

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[Key-Tokki]

Nai's eyes went wide at Ethan, he had never seen him so assertive and stubborn. He felt like if he let go of the other, he would be swept away by that crazy looking scientist, so instead inched even closer to the other, peering out from behind him to observe the scene in front of him. Before he knew what was going on he felt himself yanked out of the room, when they walked past the scientist, he physically shrank further against Ethan, something was very off about that man. The moment the door shut Nai felt a weight off of his shoulders, finally he was out of there, and safe. Then he froze, he was aan alien, and Ethan wasn't, would he even want to be with him now? But those fears were quickly quieted when he felt his lips crush to the others, frozen in shock for a moment befoe he melted into the kiss. Ethans lips felt so warm, so soft, so familar, he loved them, he loved Ethan. His hands slide up the others toned body before reaching around his neck to pull Ethan even closer, he nipped at the others bottom lick and tugged at it lightly, only stopping when he tasted something metalic on his lips, pulling back slightly he gasped a bit when he saw that his sharp k9's had evidently cut Ethans bottom lip, reaching up he stepped back a bit, "Your lip! I am so sorry, your lip!" He exclaimed frantically, it wasn't a big cut at all, but he had still managed to cut the man he loved's lip on accident. The image of that alien boy flashed through his mind, that was him, did he still look like that? Glancing to the side he saw himself in a mirror and deflated a bit, this wasn't his, these eyes were not his, this hair was not his, none of it, if Ethan liked how he looked, Nai feared that he no longer would, knowing that those features were not actually his. "I'm sorry." He murmured softly, his gaze droppping from the mirror to look at Ethans hands.

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