“Hey, uh, Retvik?”
“Mhm?”
“Can I ask you something?”
Retvik shrugged, turning his attention away from the stars glimmering in the distance. After Tenuk and Elksia headed home for some fun, it was now just Retvik and Phovos left in the otherwise empty bar.
“What is bothering you?” Retvik asked. “Is something wrong?”
Phovos sighed awkwardly. Her eyes fell downwards with a hint of embarrassment.
“Phovos?”
“Eh…” Phovos sighed some more. “Never mind. It’s dumb.”
Retvik glanced back at the stars, then turned back to Phovos. “You are a wise and intelligent individual. It is unlikely that whatever it is you have to say is dumb.”
“You say that, I’ve said some really stupid shit in the past. Believe me, it’s a dumb thing.”
“I cannot judge whether your thoughts are dumb or not if you do not say anything. After all, right now, what is the worst that could happen?”
“You might never speak to me again?”
“I doubt that…” Retvik shrugged. “I have been told some very deep, dark secrets. Little bothers me any more. Whatever you might say, I will still be here.”
Phovos took a long, deep breath, skimming over her own words in her head. After a rather long, awkward silence, she finally said something.
“Are you pansexual, Retvik?”
“Uh…” Retvik stuttered. Phovos shuddered as she waited for his answer. “What does pansexual mean?”
“It, um, means that you… love someone, irregardless of their gender. Among us Ksithans, it also tends to mean love, irregardless of species race too.”
Retvik looked down at Phovos, who was quite a bit smaller than him. “Hm. I guess I would be? It has been rather… rough since Gath and I divorced. Why do you ask?”
Phovos sighed again, turning away from Retvik. “I have been… having thoughts. About you. And me.”
“What sort of thoughts?”
“Potentially romantic ones.”
“Oh. So that is why you asked if I am pansexual. Rethans and Ksithans are… very different from each other. Even if we are not… properly Rethans or Ksithans any more.”
“Thought as much…” Phovos sighed yet again, then shifted her weight, starting to stand herself up. “I’m sorry for bringing this up.”
However, as she tried to leave, Retvik gently tugged on her hand. “Please do not leave.”
“Retvik, it won’t work. We’re too different.”
“I was actually going to say, while traditionally, Rethans do not form relationships with other races. But I am not a normal, traditional Rethan.”
“Wait…” Phovos immediately sat back down. “You mean… you are… interested?”
Retvik grunted. “I think…interested is not the right turn. I am still somewhat mourning the separations between myself and both Gath and Arkay. A little more time is needed to close old wounds.”
“Oh…”
This time, Retvik smiled. “I may be preoccupied right now, but there is almost certainly a chance in the future. I just wish to have a break from romance before trying again.”
“So you… would actually go on a date with me?” Phovos’s eyes widened in surprise. “I… I thought you’d be scared and run away.”
“Hah, no, of course not!” Retvik beamed as he held Phovos’s hand. “Things have been complicated lately and I do need some rest. However, I am also very much open towards the idea of you and I dating. Just have to take things slow for now.”
Phovos hesitated, then smiled up at Retvik. “You have no idea how much better you’ve made me feel.”
Retvik pulled Phovos slightly closer to him, then started gazing at the starry sky once more. “I am glad I have made you happy. Because you have made me happy in return…”