Chapter 19
Martian Consulate
2815 Woodland Dr NW
Washington, DC
The medical clinic in the basement of the consulate was set up as more of an urgent care/straight up doctor's office situation, anything major could be stabilized and airlifted. So they didn't have the big, full body scanner there. But they had a smaller one that seemed to be getting the job done. "Much better." Essa said as he looked at the false color image of Spencer's intestines on the monitor.
"Does this mean I can go back into the field?" Spencer asked. Even he could tell his organs looked less swollen.
"Yes. Provided your weight keeps increasing. You should come back weekly so we can check that." He signed the papers Spencer had brought with him.
"Deal." He had paperwork. Yay! Spencer sat up and tucked his shirt back in. "So I have another question about companions."
"Sure. If it's not classified."
"You said you and Nar made it legal. Here on Earth that usually means marriage. But you're also married?"
"I have a question first. How do Terrans define marriage?"
"Marriage is a socially or ritually recognized union between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between those spouses, as well as between them and any resulting biological or adopted children."
"So in that case yes, by the Terran definition I'm married to Lira because we plan to raise children someday. And that arrangement has been legally recognized. And Nar and Cass are married as well."
"Okay, that makes sense. But then where do companions come into it?"
"Well, your companion is your life partner."
"Wouldn't that be Lira?"
Essa thought about it a moment. "I think I see where the confusion is. No, members of the Nobility form legal partnerships to work on long term projects together. The most common project is raising children. In our case we're also trying to rebuild a formal house as a social entity. Lira is a good friend and I love her dearly but if you're talking long-term emotional and psychological intimacy that's the relationship I have with Nar. It sounds like Terrans try to combine both into one."
"Yeah, they do. That's where the confusion is then. So both relationships are legally recognized?"
"Yes, with different rights and priorities for each one. So, for example, if I was ever incapacitated Nar holds my Right of Medical Decision papers. But if I die Lira gets primary custody of our children. Does that make sense?"
"Actually it does. But it leads to another question, one remarkably personal…". Spencer paused. How could he politely ask this?
Essa smiled. "i've gotten up close and personal with your colon. Go ahead."
There was that. "For Terrans marriage implies sexual monogamy…."
"No."
"No?"
"No. You can't expect one other person to meet all of your intimacy needs. No one expects that. It's going to be hard enough with just the five of us here."
Okay. "Are you sure we're the same species?"
Essa just laughed at that.
Nar pushed their way into the back end of the kitchen, their arms full of bags. "The markets here are amazing. If we can't feed everyone we're not trying hard enough." They looked over at the person standing in the doorway. "Do eggs go in cool storage or cold storage? Are you going to come help me with this?"
"Ask the Mrr'tani, they know everything." Sin replied. "How the hell do they manage to be so fucking confident and so fucking vulnerable at the same time?"
"Who?" Nar came around to look and saw Essa talking to Dr. Reid and his friend by the stairway. Dr. Reid kept shooting little glances over in their direction. You could almost feel the electricity in the air. They just started laughing.
"Shut up." Sin growled at him. "I'm too old for this."
"No you're not."
"How do you even do this anyway."
"Well, you start with getting them out of their clothes, then you find some oils…"
"Stop." Sin did not want to think about that long, slender body beside him, what those gentle eyes might look like. Not right now. "What did you get to cook?"
"I told you, everything. Why?"
"Look at him, he needs to eat. Maybe start with a fruit sponge."
"You trying to flirt your way through his stomach? Just take your shirt off, let nature take it's course."
"Smart ass."
"I'm not the gym rat here." Nar looked up, his eyes going blank. "They're not staying for supper."
"What?" Sin turned to look at him and then back at the group by the stairs. "They're not leaving. He can't leave."
This was ridiculous.
Spencer had spent his entire life thinking there was something substantially wrong with his sexuality. Namely that it didn't exist, or if it did it was so slow to warm that it might as well not. Sure, he considered it once with Stephen and once with Lila and once with Maeve, but he never considered it strongly enough to attempt to pursue any of them. In truth the thought of actual intercourse turned his stomach, it seemed so violent. He'd thought himself sapio-sexual at best, Demi-sexual likely, not entirely asexual, but…
At the moment he was just glad his pants were loose and his briefs snug because his confidence was growing by the moment.
He was only half listening to the conversation Essa, Lira and Penelope were having. He was too busy trying to look at the person in the kitchen doorway without making it obvious he was looking. Bright green eyes, shaggy brown hair, radiating confidence, and that sense of being safe, of being home, was stronger than ever. All he wanted to do was walk over there and into that person's arms. Or perhaps pull them into his because dammit they belonged to…
What was wrong with him?
The thought of actual intercourse still seemed horrific but he wanted something and he wanted it with them. With a complete stranger. Granted he also wanted to get to know said stranger better. They looked like they were quite interesting, like they had a lot of stories. Storytelling over cider, that would be amazing. He bet those green eyes laughed when they told stories. He bet they softened when they….
What the hell was wrong with him?
Someone touched him. He blinked and focused back on the room around him. Penelope had just poked him in the shoulder. "Earth to Spencer." She said. "How does that sound?"
"How does what sound?" Because both Essa and Lira looked a little shocked.
"Talking Dave into have a dinner for everyone. You know, both sides of the family together?"
"I…think that's a great idea. You know, we have to go."
"Awww." Lira said. "You're welcome to stay. We're having a big dinner tonight, the Mrr'tani team isn't heading back until tomorrow. Nar and Nimble Fingers are cooking, it's going to be great."
"Actually, we have to go." Spencer said. "We have another appointment."
"We have a…". Penelope looked confused.
"Yeah. We have that meeting we have to get to. At JJ's house. With the kids."
"Ahhh. You should never disappoint children." Lira said.
"Exactly. Nice meeting you. See you next week, Essa, for that check up?" Spencer quickly hustled Penelope out the door.
"Are you okay?" She asked when they got to the car.
"I'll let you know." Spencer replied. "Take me home?"
"Sure."
