Chapter 7: Disembarking
John
Zen were forming into orderly groupings when John was told they were all meant to be escorted to registration.
Immediately upon exiting their ship.
How was he meant to register with Tom if he was to be taken to registration as soon as he disembarked?
John was not given the chance to panic due to an issue with his blood brother demanding his attention -"Have you seen my mating unit? They went for our female. She was berthed on the other side of the deck."- followed by concerns as to whether Security should escort each group to registration or not.
The Zen had been promised a peaceful welcome so long as they followed the rules set out for them to join the United States. All of their preparations had been done in advance far before the passengers had been woken. There were many reasons to be concerned about adapting to a new planet. Should they be concerned their people had e
Chapter 8: RegistrationTomAll the orderly lines of Zen were divided into separate queues upon entering the registration depot. Tom was able to make out the words above the door using the information he'd gleaned from the human version of Records. They were registering at the County Clerk Office where it seemed many types of registration were available.Queue directors helpfully shuffled the Zen from one path to another in order to try to keep an even number of registrants before each human worker; Scientist Serena was moved to the queue beside Tom and John before either of them had an opportunity to protest. Tom knew he would have tried to insist they remain together.Tom didn't want to admit he knew John would have felt otherwise regarding the Scientist.Surprisingly, the pair in front of them were human."What are we doing for you gentleman today?"Tom listened to the cheerful worker greet the pair
Chapter 9: NewsworthyJohnQuestions continued to be fired at them with the speed of stun bolts and they had the same effect on Tom who was trying -unsuccessfully- to tuck his taller, leaner body behind John. It was instinct alone which had him wrapping an arm around Tom's waist to pull him into his body; Tom responded beautifully as he ducked enough to tuck his face into the crook nestled between John's neck and shoulder.Why did he have to be shorter in this form of all forms?"We are unable to respond without permission of our expedition council."The answer was not entirely truthful as no Zen was forbidden from speaking as they pleased. The human recordkeepers seemed to understand and accept it all the same which was relief enough for John.Feeling Tom trembling against him was rousing his protective instincts."Hey! You guys were right behind us!"John glanced over to see
Chapter 10: On Hunters and GatherersTomEvery step through the throng of reporters felt harder than the one before it. Tom was painfully aware of how exposed his face was as he felt blinded every time a flash went off in front of him. They were out in a sunny area. Why would these people even need additional lights for their records?Nothing about the questions being posed made sense.Who would benefit from knowing how long he and John had been in a relationship? What use would humans have of their designated employments? Why would any human want to know who had 'proposed' marriage as an option for them?Questions spun around in his head until he felt dizzy, grateful for John's sturdy form keeping him upright until they reached the automobile their new human companions claimed for their own."Do you mind riding in the back? I get carsick in the backseat."'What is 'carsick'?' Tom though
Chapter 11: GatheringJohnBrian and Ryan linked hands as soon as they were clear of their vehicle; John followed their example to entwine his fingers with Tom's and instantly felt better about being so far from Guardian."How many in your party?"Ryan indicated John and Tom were with them and responded, "Four. We're celebrating our wedding day! We're all newlyweds!""Thank you for choosing us to celebrate this day with you! We are very happy to serve you here!"The woman was the smallest female John had ever seen among humans. She had features which he'd been told were Asian and she moved with the kind of grace he associated with his Tom. All the other customers seemed to look at them as they made their way through the main floor of the establishment to be seated before a cooking station."Please be seated. Our chef will be with you soon."They sat two a side at the station
Chapter 12: HuntersTom"Please calm down, sir. We will seat you on this side. Far away. You see? Very far away.""I don't want to be in the same buildingas those things!"Tom leaned closer to John as the man continued to yell at the small hostess who'd been so kind to them on their arrival. Why was he so angry? Was he so very afraid of Zen? How did he know?John moved his hand in slow circles on Tom's back and he found himself breathing slower, calming even more when the man stormed out with his companions."Don't worry about him," Ryan encouraged, "We used to get complaints when we held hands in public. People choose how they react to anyone different. That guy? Total bigot. He's probably terrified you're going to turn him into a frog or eat him."Brian nodded his agreement while Ryan rolled his eyes expansively; Tom found he was smiling once more.Wer
Chapter 13: The CouncilJohn"Which of you would like to answer to our council first?"John stepped in front of Tom as he realized the Council Guard had vocalized his request to be certain Tom understood the gravity of the situation.Zen rarely acknowledged the weaknesses of any bloodline; Records were revered enough for hints at their weak mind voices to be considered beyond crass."I will speak to them. I made the choice during our registration."Neither of them needed to be able to read the Council Guard's mind voice to know he was bringing them before the council in regards to their 'marriage.'Tom nearly vibrated with anxiety beside him. John took his hand in the fashion the humans had displayed and felt his anxiety lessen almost immediately. Zen tradition to keep themselves physically separate meant they received a few stares, but John was willing to risk any disapproval to help Tom.Why hadn't he con
Chapter 14: NegotiationTom"I made the choice to sign in agreement with John of my own free will. For all Security wishes to spare me any burden of responsibility, the truth remains neither of us thought of our people. We thought only of ourselves. Our choice was selfish, yes, but it was not one designed to harm the Zen people."Zen were a forgiving species. Theirs was not the kind of culture to punish innocent mistakes.Their marriage might be a problem for their people---but they had not entered into it with any thoughts to harm their brethren.Tom had no doubt the council would see their actions as they had been: hasty yet honest.Silence returned to the council hall as they deliberated with their mind voices rather than aloud.Tom would have been worried except he knew the history of their councils. None of their people had ever been sentenced unfairly. Punishments were rare among Zen. Most
Chapter 15: UnifiedJohnHuman bodies were too sensitive.John couldn't catch his breath as he kissed Tom in the lift. His emotions sizzled along his skin, shocking him as much as Tom with their intensity; John couldn't hold back his desperate need to get closer to Tom.'I don't want to stop kissing you.'Tom groaned against his mouth as John captured Tom's posterior in his hand -grateful his human form had large, wide palms to cover as much area as possible- and he squeezed while they continued to move their lips together.Had he ever wanted to kiss someone so badly? Had any kiss ever felt so good? Was there any other species in the universe for whom kissing was such an amazing experience?Humans were the luckiest of species."Don't stop," Tom begged against his lips, kissing him in short bursts, sucking at his lips and tongue, "I don't care if anyone sees."John didn't care if