THE HEALING HEART: Military and Pregnancy Romance

by Zelda Clemens

  Diana and I walked forward, and still, all human eyes looked to me strangely, avoiding me. I gazed with my quad eyed gaze to assess their dominance, to see if any would challenge me. But they all looked away, averting my gaze.

  “It’s quieter here…” I spoke, stepping slowly in stride to Diana’s slower steps. The roundness of her belly apparent in making her steps slower and more deliberate.

  She smiled and turned to look up towards me. “Well here at Heavensent the higher on the floor you are the more specialized you are. Specialization means bigger space to work, more resources at your disposal, and quietness of mind to get your job done.”

  I nodded. It made sense. “I see. Allocation of resources to the most important of the unit. The lower floors feel like a mess because people are constantly fighting for the top, and those at the top are making sure to do their responsibilities and maintain order.”

  “Yea, something like that,” Was her simple response before we stopped in front of a doorway with no windows on the front. Closed, with runes etched on the front “Vak’nosh.”

  I lowered my head a bit to look to it, and then Diana opened the door, allowing me to enter inside.

  As we stepped in, she flicked on the switch beside her, illuminating the room itself, and I looked on appraisingly at the surroundings that were now apparently mine to command underneath the Heavensent Banner. It looked more like a home than an office building I conjectured. A desk in the front, with a flat screened computer terminal on top and all manner of communications devices, littered neatly on top of it.

  It was the surrounding doors that drew my attention, however. One door leading to the right into what appeared to be a kitchen like location for food preparation and the like. The door to the right, I spied, leading off to two smaller rooms. One with a bed on it that sat in front of a large window that overlooked the human city below and another door that I assumed led off to some entertainment room for relaxation.

  I purred as I stepped forward slowly, releasing my hands from behind my back as I stepped lightly along the carpeted flooring. My head barely reaching the ceiling above me. “This looks more like a living quarters than a workstation…” I mused, reaching down to drag the padding of my palm upon the top of the smooth, stone table. Immaculate in its design and shape.

  “It was actually for a time the CEO’s second home away from home. Since his planned retirement in a few months, and the fact we expended a lot of company resources to acquire your services, it was only prudent to house you for now in the same place as your work. At least until you get used to Earth and Humans Mister Vak’Nosh, and are comfortable with walking around on your own within the City.”

  Once more, the long ears of mine pinned back in thought. Was this a mistake to come here? So many resources and so many people who looked to me like I was a monster or a predator about to tear them apart. It was alienating – and there was that word again – that made me feel isolated. It was an adventure, one I relished in. But there was something deep down that didn’t quite sit well with me still.

  Still, I shrugged, remembering the gaze of the humans that I passed on my way to here as I turned to look upon the young human's face for a moment. “Or, I suppose until you all are used to my presence among you all. I saw how those outside looked up me, with mistrust in their gaze.”

  Surprisingly, Diana stepped forward, and in a show of affection I found at both strangely welcoming, and thankful for, she reached to pat a hand against my arm. I tensed, naturally as a reflex to her sudden movements. Varrokian’s weren’t known for their warmth to one another unless society demanded of it, and only with specific cases. But she continued to speak.

  “I think it’s because of the sort of person that you are Mister Vak’Nosh. The other Alien species we’ve come in contact, in some way were a lot like humans. Soft, and defenseless-looking people that rose up to become the apex predator of their world through intelligence alone.”

  I huffed, but she continued on. “And of all those other species we’ve met, none looked as intimidating, powerful, or domineering as you or the Varrokian race. Tall, masters of their world, the dominant predator on their planet. To humans, you look like a wolf on two feet, and it’s just a natural instinct to want to avoid a danger you’re unsure of until you’re comfortable with it. So please, forgive them until they’re comfortable around you.”

  I chuffed once more as I closed my eyes in thought. Her words made sense to me. I had dealt with the other species of the Galaxy. Always they cowered; always they looked upon us with mistrust. I wasn’t sure exactly what a ‘wolf’ was, but if we shared similar appearances, I couldn’t fault them then in that case. My empathy winning out over my own self-doubt.

  I looked downward towards the floor and then back up towards her for a moment. My brows knitting in thought before I spoke. “And what of you Diana Richards? Do you mistrust me?”

  She simply smiled. “I find you fascinating.”

  Awkwardness abounded once more as I looked aside and sighed, letting my breath escape me at the suddenness of her admittance. I felt like a juvenile now, once more. Younger than my years as I looked back towards the woman. “And why is that? Because I’m different?”

  “That….” She said before she smiled once more and shrugged. “And I find other species interesting. Their histories, their cultures, their way of thinking. I trust you in that you won’t hurt me or my child, and so I feel like I speak with you plainly now that we’re not actually on the clock and working.”

  I looked around at the mention of child, confused, once more. It was just her and I in the room. “Another human here? I see only you and I.”

  Another giggle, another bout of awkwardness as she moved her arms downward, almost protectively to her rounded belly, stroking a hand across the bulge. Her voice and her temperament taking on a more maternal aspect. “No, silly. I’m pregnant. I’m… recently divorced. And having a child.”

  Suddenly it made sense to me now, and my confusion dissipated, though I was no less surprised. “You’re the female of your species?” I asked, honestly surprised that I didn’t realize it sooner. Human sexual dimorphism usually eschewed more slender frames and softer builds in the females. The same as Varrokians.

  “Yep. Just as you’re the male of yours. Welcome to Earth Mister Vak’Nosh. I’ll go ahead and leave you to explore your new surroundings. The cafeteria will open for lunch in five hours. I’ll bring you something to eat, and we can converse off of company time?” she asked. The eagerness of her voice sitting well with me, a feeling I couldn’t fathom.

  Should I make friends with this female human?

  I decided to oblige. I did, after all, need her for information and an alliance with one another would be beneficial. I get what I need from her in regards to Earthling and Human customs, and she gets to indulge in her fascination with me.

  “Agreed… You have me by the ruff, Diana Richards. Human Proteins and Starches are acceptable to Varrokian appetites. I’ll be here, awaiting your arrival.”

  She smiled once more and a flare of warmth entered into my stomach once more. My face feeling hot. A blush? I couldn’t tell. But her voice, soft and lilting, indicated a joke. “Chicken and Potatoes. Got it. I’ll see you in five hours.”

  I didn’t know what those were, but they sounded delicious enough that I could feel the pit of my stomach welling tighter in anticipation for a possible meal, and possible company later.

  “See you then Mister Vak’Nosh.” She said, closing the door behind her with a click.

  And I decided then, that I liked this human.

  *****

  The apartment that I was in was adequate enough for what I needed. While the main lobby area was fine, and well, with a desk that suited my 3 meter tall frame and a computer terminal that had access and equipment built for my size, it was the rest of the facilities that I stalked through that made me think I could at least be comfortable here for a time.

  This included first the k
itchen area. Heated plates, electricity to light the room, a large window in the back that overlooked the city. A refrigeration unit that kept food cold (though most of what was inside I could not eat) and plenty of space for cooking utensils should I desire to craft a meal of my own.

  The sleeping quarters as well were adequate for what I needed. A large bed upon a silvered metal frame with a hard mattress of foam sat up against a wall. No heavy decoration or anything. A thin carpet beneath my clawed feet, a dresser and a closet and a mirror that went from ceiling to floor, wide enough to watch myself if I needed. Another doorway in the back led to a sort of cleaning facility. Of which I did not like, as I felt that waste removal and grooming should not be in the same place at once.

  In fact, I abhorred it, but I realized I needed to make due. Though the waste removal stool was awkward to sit upon. Having to force myself to squat down to sit properly.

  The grooming facility was adequate at least. Heated water, shampoo, and light dusting called “Talcum” that I could put to my fur and shake myself of for a dust shower. It smelled heavy and aromatic, but I was not one to complain.

  Exiting, I saw the final room of this small apartment facility; the “living” space, as it was called. A large flat screened monitor on the wall loomed down over me, just as wide as I was tall and half as tall still. Competitions were being played out on the screen; Men or I assumed to be males, in bright jerseys clashing against one another for pieces of turf, crashing like animals in rutting season against one another.

  I watched, fascinated at first before I eventually discovered the name of this sport; “Football”

  Quaint. I liked it. Violent enough to quell the competition that I craved, but not visceral enough to leave bloodshed all over the field. I liked my competitions where the failing team learned and grew and tried to fight back again in the future, forcing the alpha to continue to grow and adapt as well.

  Slowly, I sank down onto the cushioned seating that was in front of the flat monitor, and I engaged in watching this sort of revelry. From what I had gathered it was a yearly competition, though I couldn’t discern if this was in observance of religious or historical relevance. But it still had many different teams that competed for points by moving the ball to and fro down the turf that they engaged in.

  My fascination with this sport only continued on, well into the evening hours as I forgot the time, and nearly lost myself to tunnel vision before I heard a knocking of sorts, and a quiet. “Mister Vak’Nosh?” behind me.

  Instantly, I recognized the tone of voice, and I leapt up from where I stood. My head nearly brushing against the top of the ceiling as I felt my height now as a disadvantage. The only major qualm I had with the building itself other than the grooming and waste removal facilities.

  I muttered, a little embarrassed to have been enjoying leisure more than work as I called out to the voice. “In here.” I said, quickly moving my arms back behind my back to stand at military ready.

  In came the visage of Diana Richards once more. This time without her heeled foot protection, giving her a shorter stature than I remembered. The cloth covering her lithe legs moving down into softer, padded apparel that looked far better suited for walking on the human paws that they had – Of which looked just as fragile and simple as their hands.

  She smiled, holding two boxes in her hand. “Oh, you already found the living room.” She spoke in a cajoling tone, bringing back that blush I almost had earlier, of both embarrassment and… something else I could not place. Something that felt and welled deep into my stomach since finding that she was a female.

  “Yes. Five hours and four rooms, and I managed to just find this place hidden away.” I spoke, an attempt at a joke and to be just as humorous as her.

  She laughed, and I smiled, slowly relaxing as she stepped forward and took her spot down on the cushioned furniture as she placed the larger of the two boxes aside, and patted her hand next to her.

  It was a gesture that was lost on me, and I tilted my head, confused.

  “Come. Sit with me on the couch. I brought you food. Can’t have you go hungry Mister Vak’Nosh.” She said, and I understood what she meant fully in that moment.

  So I went, and I sat, my larger frame crunching down on the nonmetal frame as I slumped down into the soft endless softness of the pillows. Her much smaller frame beside mine as it forced myself to look down towards her as she reached for the boxes. The ‘couch’ as it was called was much too small for both of us, and I could almost feel her warmth against mine. Feel the touch of her body centimeters from my own. So small and fragile, and with child. But strong in spirit. My like for her only increased as she took charge of the conversation.

  “Here.” She stated, simply enough as she handed me the larger box, and I opened it. A white blob of cooked protein, a starchy looking substance, and what I surmised to be some sort of carbohydrate square chunk sat within. Enough at least to appear fulfilling as I reached down to touch the cooked white flesh.

  “Is this your chicken and potato?” I asked, bringing the meat to my mouth to eat. It was small, barely a mouthful, but the taste of which rolled easily all along my tongue.

  “The meat is the chicken, yes. The potato is the starchy looking thing. I assume it’s to your liking too?”

  I nodded as I brought the box to my lips, slowly licking out with a flick to lap at the starchy substance. Salty… it was salty… but also sweet in a strange way as I felt the tips of my forked tongue shovel it to my maw. Unaware of the utensils and their use as Diana merely giggled as she watched me.

  She ate as well, albeit slower than I did, with a forked utensil that she occasionally dipped into the potato mass that was on her plate. My mouth full of food and meat, quelling the hunger that was feeling deep down within me as I spoke, trying to remember my manners. Even on the home world talking with your mouthful was considered rude.

  “I… I quite enjoy this. The potato especially.” I said as I picked up the square bit of carbohydrate. Slowly letting it roll between my fingers for the moment as I contemplated its crumbly texture.

  She continued to smile, watching me as I looked upon the food item she brought me. A light little nudge of the side of her arm in my side turning my attention from it, towards her. “Yea. Potatoes are great. Who would think that those round little piles of starch are the one thing separating us from cannibalism.”

  I didn’t get the joke, or couldn’t tell if she was joking at the time. “Is that a problem on your world?” I inquired, genuinely concerned, and confused, if humans were on the brink of continual starvation.

  She laughed again, and I became elated. “No Vak’Nosh. No. It was a joke. We actually, since learning to colonize and create agricultural stations above Earth, don’t have a food problem. Even better since we can organically recreate meat, texture and flavor and all!”

  “Fascinating…” I said as I set the small, flimsy box aside. The smell of food no longer holding sway on my mind or stomach, despite the earthy aroma of deliciousness that came from within it enticing me, almost begging me to venture out to this cafeteria and ask for more at a later date. “You humans never cease to amaze me.”

  “Ohhh I don’t know Vak’Nosh. I find you pretty amazing yourself you know” Diana responded, and I felt that heat rising to my cheeks once more. Did the compliments from her never cease? I didn’t want to know. I would never have thought to have been unabashedly complimented without having earned it before and my ego swelled to the challenge of accepting every one of them.

  Still, I couldn’t think of what to say. Entry to Earth, seeing the blue sky, having met Diana Richards, given a living space, and allowed to wander at my leisure? It was more than I thought I’d get.

  “Thank you, Diana Richards.” I replied, pursing my black lips within my maw for the moment, unsure of what to say.

  She smiled and placed a palm upon my knee with a gentle part of that fragile hand as she slowly ascended upwards from the floor. “Just Diana, Vak�
��Nosh. And you don’t have to thank me for flirting with you.”

  “Flirting?” was all I could ask.

  She stood, turned, and blinked one eye at me. A gesture that was lost on me, as I simply stared at her with all four of my eyes. Unsure of how to respond. Was this a human custom as well where you blinked one eye? I couldn’t tell. I simply shifted on the couch listening to the crinkling of the rough fabric beneath my body as the nonmetal innards of the couch creaked and groaned beneath my apparent weight.

  “You’ll see. For now, I have to go. You have a good night Vak’Nosh, and I’ll see you tomorrow, perhaps? I would love to get you up to speed on everything here at Heavensent as well as talk to you some more.”

  Strangely enough to me at that moment, I was looking forward to it. Not only had I agreed, earlier, to allow myself a friendship alliance with this female, but I also started to imagine a meeting in the future. A meeting full of more chicken and potatoes, and maybe venturing to see what other human food was alright for Varrokian diets. And maybe, to even know more about her and the budding child she was with.

  I nodded my head in response to her. “Yes. Tomorrow. I’ll be here. I don’t think I’ll be venturing out into the Human city quite yet.”

  “Feel free at least to venture to the halls. Maybe meet some more of the people you’ll be working with. We’ll introduce you properly at our next meeting in several days. But that’s work stuff. You have a good evening Vak’Nosh. Think of me.” Came that final reply, and she stepped away. Walking around me before her hand went from my knee, towards the outcrop of muscle along my shoulder, and she disappeared into the evening.

  A final click of the door signaled her leaving, and the setting of the sun in the distance started to cast a reddish-orange hue over the room itself. The blue giving way to the glowing comfort of horizon colors that I remembered.