“You understand, I can’t take you to visit. Not easily. I might have been able to manage a covert drop-off, but your people…” “Aren’t ready for first contact. I know. And I’m good with that. I do miss food from home, but you’re worth that sacrifice. Worth any price I have to pay, in all honesty, because meeting you is the best thing that ever happened to me.” His chitin felt too small, as if it couldn’t contain this much joy, this much pleasure. Adoration and arousal warred within him, so intense that he struggled to speak. His neck ruff quivered with each soft stroke, and he stopped fighting
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