Earth culture fascinates Caleb. It takes him weeks to learn to use the remote, longer to use a cell phone, and he would have ordered a dozen X-Acto knives for the rebels had Yan Lin not put her foot down. Even after all this time, there are plenty of things about Earth he doesn't understand.
"I still don't get it," he tells Cornelia one day on the rare occasion when both of her parents are out.
She shushes him. "We're nearly at the part where Vance Michael finds the Key of Flendaar!"
Caleb smirks. "When does he lead an entire rebellion into the castle of the enemy forces, bravely winning the freedom of his people and the heart of his beloved?"
At this, she has to pause the film. "First of all, you did not win anyone's heart by shouting commands at your rebels. Secondly, you had tons of help when we defeated Phobos." Though her words are ruthless, her touch is soft as she weaves their fingers together. "And are you still jealous of Vance Michael Justin?"
"I just don't think you need to gush over some fictional hero when you've got the real thing right here."
Cornelia presses her forehead to his, and tries not to grin when his breathing quickens. "What is it going to take for you to be quiet?"
"I've a couple ideas," he murmurs.
One day, when she is dressed all in white, her best friend will ask through happy tears when she knew there was no one else for her in the whole infinite dimensions. For now it is enough to be fifteen and learning what love tastes like on the planet Earth.