Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
After a few seconds, he tuned back in and realized I was looking at him. “My brave human.”
More snuggly caresses seemed to make him more relaxed because it didn’t take long before he was a lot less stressed…even though I had no idea how I knew that…and he was back to being his chatty self. “I have spent long stretches of time alone. I may need you to help in deciphering my happiness from yours.”
Oh, my questions had questions.
“I’ll help you.” Feeling brave and probably stupid, I kissed his cheek before snuggling back into him and finally realizing for the first time that we were in the restaurant’s employee lounge. “We can figure it out.”
I wasn’t sure how I’d know what made him happy if he didn’t know, but he seemed smart and I knew scientists, so we’d figure it out.
Hopefully.
We just needed a starting point.
Chapter 4
Yes, starting point.
I knew I’d eventually find one but I was glad when he gave me another hug and started talking about what made him happy.
“One aspect of happiness I can decipher is physical touch. I am confident that holding you and providing comfort increases my happiness.” He said it so matter-of-factly that I almost glossed over how cute that was.
“I like physical touch and cuddling too. Not just…not just the sexual kind of touch. I like being held.” I knew that could end up with him carrying me around everywhere, but I was confident I could create a good boundary if it got that far.
He made a happy sound and patted my head. “We will have much in common, but appreciating mutual physical contact is a good foundation for any relationship where caretaking will occur.”
Yes, that was a good place to start.
Oh, starting point.
“Um, speaking of starting points, I want to make sure we talk about a few other foundation kinds of things. Like…what’s your name?” Had anyone already mentioned it? “If Larry said it right before I…lost consciousness, then I’m sorry but I didn’t hear it.”
My new friend went very still before letting out a very human and dramatic sigh. “No. He did not. I apologize for missing that step in the human custom for social introductions. I am used to being known.”
Huh?
Nope, first things first.
“It’s okay. The drama was a distraction and then we got involved in talking about other stuff.” Like about cuddling and about how I was brave when I managed to look at him. “We’ll just do that part now.”
“I have taken the human name Jerker.” Before I could mentally walk through how he’d pronounced JER-ker, he kept going. “Again, I apologize for not making that known.”
“You’re used to being known. It’s fine.” He seemed worried about fucking up our introductions so I straightened and kissed his cheek again. “But why are you known?”
That sentence was terrible but I found myself mirroring his words unless I really thought about it.
“I was…” He paused, clearly working on translating an idea or a word. “Hmm. I do not think there is a single word translation. I was… The human language is fascinating.”
Oh yeah.
“I will say I was part of our group-captain-decision-makers.” He went quiet again, rolling the idea around in his head before making a rolling shrug. “I am not pleased with the translation, but it is the closest that I can find without additional research.”
Well, it wasn’t bad as long as I was understanding the combination right. “So you were part of the decision-making group that’s closest translation would be captains? Like running the ship as a group?”
Wait.
Had I heard that right?
It wasn’t until I thought about what he’d said that the reality hit me and it wasn’t just a word game of figuring out what he meant.
“Yes. That is an accurate description.” He gave me a pat on the back like he was proud of me for working out the details. “It makes me known.”
I could see that.
I was back to my questions having questions again.
“Um, are you still in that position?” I wasn’t sure if that was a stupid question or not until he shook his head and treated it reasonably.
“No. My term has finally ended and another has taken my position.” His answer was so casual I had a feeling he thought I already understood more than I really did. “I am ready to interact socially with humans and to be a member of your society. Do not worry.”
Well, I hadn’t been before, but now I had more questions at the very least.
“You’re doing a very good job interacting socially with me.” He’d been helpful and polite and he’d made me feel good. “I’m not worried.”
I was a bit confused, and kind of turned on, but not exactly worried.
“I am very adept at learning new information. I will be able to be a good caretaker for you.” Patting my head, he seemed like he thought that was very important to point out. I was trying to work through what he’d meant exactly but then he distracted me. “I have researched human pleasure and I understand the different ways to give you the physical and psychological submission that humans require.”