Originally posted on AO3. Currently crossposting all my fics from there.
/"…I don't understand.\
Loren cringed sympathetically.
"Sorry. It's just… You are just so bad at it, man."
/"Of course I am not."\ The centaur looking alien (an Andalite, as she had found out awhile ago) looked offended at her. /"If I was "bad at it", as you said, then the yeerks would have found me out a long time ago."\
"Have you considered they didn't because I helped you?"
He puffed.
/"Your help has been greatly appreciated, of course. But it doesn't mean I need it."\
She looked doubtful.
/"Besides, I am a highly trained officer. Do you seriously believe I came upon my position by luck?"\
"Hey, I didn't say that! But were you trained in infiltration?"
"…Well, no. But do you seriously think an Andalite would need…?"\ He trailed off.
"Need what?" She stood defiantly. "Help from a lower creature like me?"
He looked a little taken aback and slightly ashamed.
/"…Well, I wasn't going to put it that way exactly."\
"Oh, please. I heard from you aaaall about the way you Andalites look down on everyone, including us humans. While I, a "simple creature that couldn't possibly understand the dangers you're facing", was making sure nobody watched you gorge down three entire plates of fries almost without breathing."
He cringed.
/"I didn't…"\
"What, you didn't mean it? Because that was far from the only time."
His main eyes looked down, ashamed.
"You Andalites are very lucky I care about humanity not being transformed into a puppet show. Not sorry to say, but if it depended only on you, those assholes would have gotten you already."
/"That's not…"\
"Seriously? Do you need more examples of how many times I had to cover for you!?"
He looked down, now with all of his eyes.
/"…No. I… I am sorry, Loren."\
"Sorry, what?"
/"Sighs. I am sorry I insulted you and your people. And you are right that you have covered for me many times. I know that you did to save your kind, but you truly saved my life. I thank you for that."\
"… Wasn't only for humanity." She mumbled.
/"What did you say?"\
"Uh, that I accept your apology." She said, a little too loud.
/"Thank you. I… hope that this means you will continue helping me. You have been a great company."\
"Oh, yeah, totally!" She sounded almost too enthusiastic. "I mean, uh, don't wanna let those yeerks win."
/"…So, you only know about them through me?"\
"Yep, that's right. Don't really know all that much though."
/"Then educating you on the threat will be our first next step."\ He sounded happy.
"Actually, I have another question first."
/"Oh? What is it?"\
"Your real name isn't Alan, is it?"
/"Of course not."\
She smiled and extended a hand.
"Then let's do it from the top."
He looked confused at her.
"Hi, I'm Loren, and I am your new human roomate. And you are?
Now understanding, he smiled back with his eyes and took her hand.
/"My name is Elfangor-Sirinial-Shamtul. You can call me Elfangor. I am an Andalite. And I would like to request your help with getting used to humanity."\
"You got it."
And, both smiling, they shook hands.