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Bruce's reaction to everything was...different. Upon seeing J'onn he had stiffened slightly and had stared at him for a few minutes before letting out a small smile and nodding, as if pleased with what he saw. And even though he knew it was kind of silly of him, the Martian felt proud to pass Bruce's inspection of him. His reaction to Naculh and Lhed Xojil had been rather cold, especially once he'd learned that they were J'onn's parents. He was polite, but very distant.
It was as if they reminded him of someone else...
Maybe his parents? J'onn thought, recalling how Bruce had never mentioned having any family back on earth. Maybe he didn't. Maybe that was why Bruce was so against being sent back home? He thought of what it would be like to lose Naculh or Lhed Xojil, or even L'helum and decided that he'd probably want to leave his home too. He didn't think he could stand looking around and seeing them everywhere...
Yet knowing that they were gone...
He had more questions for Bruce, but he knew that they'd probably have to go unanswered.
There were some things that hurt too much to talk about.
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On the first night of Bruce's awakening, it was decided that he would be staying with J'onn's family. After all, J'onn was the one Bruce had bonded too and they didn't want to know what would happen to the human if they tried to separate them. If Bruce had any reservations about Naculh, it disappeared the minute he tried some of her cooking. They had been worried about how he would adapt to Martian food but they really had nothing to worry about; it seemed that Bruce would eat pretty much anything. And think it tasted at least 'okay' if not better.
Lhed Xojil had it harder, unfortunately. Bruce wouldn't so much as look at him, much less talk to him. He'd tried everything under the sun, and had even resorted to telling crude jokes like L'helum had, but he didn't get so much as a chuckle. Just stony silence. After that dinner had taken a rather...awkward turn, with Lhed Xojil poking at his food moodily and Naculh teasing him about his grumpiness.
J'onn had finally stood up and offered to show Bruce his room. As soon as they were out of hearing range, L'helum clapped his father's back comforting. "B'vrmnko, V'lmnta! He didn't like me at first either."
His V'lmnta just stared at him. "That's different. You are something of a m'nkte."
L'helum choked on his drink as the slur registered with his brain. It didn't help that his K'nichtka was laughing rather loudly either. "I am NOT!"
Ignoring his K'nika's sputtering, he continued, "While I am funny.and charming.and CARING." He started stabbing at his food. "And.Full.Of.X'kniror GOODNESS."
Thud!
They looked down and rolled their eyes as they saw Naculh had fallen from laughing so hard. Lhed Xojil glared at her. "I am!"
More laughter.
She was so not helping matters, L'helum thought as he watched his V'lmnta's harsh stabbing increased. "That human should LOVE me!" More glaring at Naculh. "It likes you!"
L'helum snickered. His V'lmnta was taking Bruce's snub really hard. It was understandable why though. Everyone liked Lhed Xojil. EVERYONE. Except, apparently, Bruce. "Well duh. She gave him food."
More stabbing. His food was practically mush by now...steaming, he stood up, his chair clattering to the floor. "I am going to go in there and DEMAND that the human like me!"
His K'nichtka was starting to choke. If she didn't get a hold of herself she'd probably die soon... sensing no help coming from her any time soon, L'helum tried to placate his V'lmnta. "I'm not sure that'll work with a human..."
Lhed Xojil stared at his k'nika for a few seconds before letting out an annoyed sigh and righting the chair he'd just knocked over, dropping down into it with a depressed air about him.
Sensing that he was actually upset about the human not liking him, Naculh sat up, offering a smile towards her mate. "B'vrmnko, Lhed Xojil. I'm sure he'll warm up to you eventually."
Her only reply was a moody grunt.
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MARTIAN VOCABULARY TIME!! WOOOOO!!
V'lmnta-Father.
M'nkte- A general slur, meaing jerk, ass, dick...
X'kniror- sugar. Lhed Xojil is saying that he's made of sugary goodness.
B'vrmnko- a phrase that means 'cheer up' or 'chin up'. Something to tell people when they're down.
K'nika-Child
K'nichtka-Mother.
Lhed Xojil's name is always said as Lhed Xojil. In Martian Culture (in my head at least) it's considered rude to shorten someone's name. They view the name that a K'nichtka gives her K'nika as sacred, very special. Kind of like David Michael or Bonnie May.
