The flight back to Glacion was silent, and tense. Asurah sat rigid next to me, his jaw clenched tight, no doubt in worry for his people. He had been silent the entire time, making me wonder if he was regretting his decision. I hoped he wasn't. Though, he could also be worried about what Issak would do once he got to Glacion. Would he take prisoners? Would he harm the Glacic's? I figured that Asurah was beating himself up on the inside for putting his people in danger. I didn't blame him. I knew his people came first, though, back at the labs...I was the one he considered. And that made me all warm and fuzzy inside as I poked his side, earning me a curious glance from the other male.
"What?"
I leaned next to him, my back against the wall of the ship as Asurah sat on one of the cargo boxes. "What you did back there...thank you. I have no idea how I can ever repay you for this."
Asurah sighed and shrugged, picking at the bottom half of his outfit. "Well...I knew Issak was going to ask for your mother's life. I mean come on, that man is more demented than any other being I have ever met." He looked at me, his expression sad. "I know what it's like to lose a parent. I lost both of mine at seventeen. I had been so heartbroken, then. Sadly, I had to put my feelings aside seeing as we were still in war. I didn't want you to lose your mother like me. I don't know how old your mother is, but I know that now is not her time."
I gave him a small smile, resting my hand on top of his. He glanced down at our hands in wonder, his brows lifting as he turned his hand and threaded his fingers through mine. A feeling of pure ecstasy ran through me at the gesture, my fingers tightening around his as we held hands. Again, I saw him place his free hand over his heart, his gaze thoughtful as he rubbed the spot.
"Jo? Can I ask you something?"
I raised one of my brows, turning my body so I was completely facing him. "Sure, what is it?"
Color danced across Asurah's cheeks as he continued to study our hands. He bit his bottom lip and looked at me, those white eyes of his surrounded by long, thick lashes. "Humans are probably more intuned with their emotions than with Glacics. So...why is it that my heart thuds heavily against my chest when you hold my hand? Or when you smile at me? Hell, talk to me, even. Am I breaking?"
I looked at Asurah in shock, surprised and bewildered at the revelation. His heart raced in his chest when he's with me? Did that mean...he liked me to? My heart did the same thing whenever I was anywhere near him, and I finally realized I was in love with him. Could he potentially love me as well? Did he harbor the same feelings for me? I tore myself out of my thoughts, staring at Asurah and admiring his long nose, full lips, and very faint dust of freckles across his porcelain cheeks. His long white hair kept getting into his face since it wasn't tied back, and since he didn't have ears, he couldn't just tuck the strands away. He looked utterly gorgeous, though, with his hair free like that. I wanted to run my fingers through those pure strands of his, just to see what it felt like.
Gosh, and there I go again, getting distracted by his beauty.
"Um, no. You're not broken." I replied to his earlier question, making him glance at me curiously. I cleared my throat, nibbling at my bottom lip as I suddenly got nervous. "Asurah...do you have feelings for me?"
Asurah's eyes widened as he turned a crimson red, his gaze shifting from me as he abruptly looked away. It hurt to see him so uncomfortable. Perhaps I was hoping for too much. Perhaps he didn't feel the way I thought he did. He turned to me, and we both went to speak, when Issak's voice came over the built in intercom, making both Asurah and I snap our mouths closed.
"I believe we are reaching Glacion's atmosphere. Alien, I suggest coming to the cockpit to assure me that I'm landing on the right planet. And Joseph? Make yourself useful."
I glared at the speaker his voice rang out of, wishing that I could glare at him to his face. Freaking prick. Asurah was about to answer me and his freaking McDouche tuchus has to interrupt him. Seriously, was the world out to get me or something? I was finally about to get closure on how Asurah truly felt about me, and now I would never know. I knew Asurah was too shy to bring it up again. The fact that he had been about to answer me, surprised me, especially since he didn't look uncomfortable, or disgusted at the notion of him having feelings for me. I should probably not read too much into it, else I be gravely disappointed.
I watched him walk away with a heavy heart, sighing heavily as I made my way down to the core, making sure all systems were in check before we entered Glacion's atmosphere. The ship started shaking, indicating that we made it, and I began ascending to the cockpit, where Asurah was glaring hatefully at Issak, who had a smug look on his face. My heart began feeling heavy the further I walked in, my eyes shifting between the albino and General.
"What's going on?" I asked, walking over to Asurah.
Asurah glanced at me, angrily thrusting an arm out towards Issak, who merely leaned back in the seat, folding his legs over each other. "He's wanting to take another sample with him when he returns to Earth. I will not allow it."
"It's either some commoner that doesn't make a difference, or you, alien."
"All my people make a difference! You can't just take an innocent bystander to poke and prod with, with your demented needles!"
Issak narrowed his eyes, standing up from his seat as he made his way towards Asurah, who I pulled behind me in order to shield him. Issak's gaze turned towards me, the dark orbs heated as he folded his arms across his chest. "If I can't take a living sample of my own, then what's the point? I want to research the Glacic's and if I can't have you, why can't I have another one?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe because they're people who have feelings. They're not objects." I snorted, glaring daggers at the man in front of me.
Issak rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in exasperation, almost looking like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Definitely not befitting for a man in his forties. "You and you're stupid sensitive feelings. Fine. I won't bring a Glacic back with me. But I sure as hell am getting a dna sample, and I don't care who I get it from."
I could see Asurah considering it, his teeth nibbling at his bottom lip as he glanced at me for reassurance. I gave him a small smile, taking his hand into my own and releasing the way his cheeks lit aflame. He shifted his weight, sighing heavily before he looked at Issak and reluctantly nodded. He then held up a finger. "The sample must come from someone willing. They must be fine with you taking a sample of their DNA. If they're not, then you're out of luck and the deal is off. And if you even think about bringing your human military to attack me..." he glanced at me, then back at Issak, "I will have no choice but to wage war against the humans. Any objections?"
I could see that Issak was pissed, his jaw tight as he clenched his teeth. He glanced between the both of us, his eyes dropping to our clasped hands before he scrunched up his nose and shoved his hands into his pockets. He gave one little huff before he glared at Asurah, who glared back in defiance before Issak finally nodded. "Fine. I agree."