Page 83 of Trove’s Purpose

“Er, Chee?”

She looked up from her contemplation to find Goldie there, making an apologetic face.

“Sorry, is your hand really hurt? Do I need to fix it now or…”

Chee smiled, shaking her head and putting her hand behind her back. “It’s not a big deal. I can come back later. I think she, er, needs you a bit more.”

Goldie bit her lips, still trying not to laugh as Garnet tried some deep breathing exercises while wringing her hands, looking up at the ceiling, trying to keep her tears in.

“If it’s bad, I can fix it real quick,” Goldie offered her hand. “Or I can examine it if you need.”

Chee shook her head. “No, really. It’s just a bit banged up. I know it’s not broken. Make sure Garnet’s okay. I’ll come back later.”

Goldie smiled gratefully. “Thanks a lot. Really.”

“No problem. Shoot me a message when you’re free again.” Looking past her, she called out, “Feel better soon, Garnet. You’re doing great.”

“Stop being nice to me!” She wailed, losing the battle against her tears. “I don’t deserve it.”

“Sweetie,” Goldie rushed for her, also losing the battle against her laughter.

Chee was giggling as well as she left. Violence against your partner wasn’t funny, but it was hard to be mad about something that was completely natural for their species. Something that Tanin expected, welcomed in a weird way, and had no problems with. No harm had been done, the rush of protective hormones meant Garnet was still having a healthy pregnancy, and this was normal.

Chee’s amusement only lasted a short time, however.

Just outside of the medbay, Trove was standing there.

Chee came up short, her smile fading away. The door shut behind her, closing off the sorrowfully joyful sounds of the twin sisters and their problems. The heavy silence that followed immediately weighed down her shoulders as she felt her heart clench in pain.

There was another tragic expression on Trove’s face. This one of guilt. Of despair. His gaze was already on her hand, and she wasn’t quick enough to hide it behind her back again. He couldn’t miss the discoloration there.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice broken.

“I’m fine,’ she reassured him immediately.

“Does it hurt badly?”

“Huh? No!” She shook her head quickly, bringing out her hand. She showed off, making a few test fists then wiggling her fingers. Demonstrating how easy it was to do. How little that small ache in her thumb mattered. “See? It’s just my skin type. I bruise easily, that’s all.”

Trove was already shaking his head, banishing her words. “That’s no excuse. I hurt you. I… I marked you. I’m sorry, Chee. I’m so sorry. I knew I couldn’t do this. I knew better than to think I could do this. I tried anyway, and I hurt you because of it.”

“No, Trove-”

“I’m not going to ask you to forgive me, because I don’t deserve it. I’ll leave you alone. I won’t show myself before you again until this job is over.”

“Trove, please-”

She reached for him, using the same hand he struck before. Because she didn’t mind that he was trying to protect himself. She just wanted to understand why. Even if it meant risking him striking her again.

But that’s not what happened this time. There was a flash of fear in his eyes, but he didn’t knock her hand away. He took a quick step back, pulling his own hands back, as if to make absolutely sure he didn’t do the same thing again.

Chee’s hand didn’t drop immediately. She kept reaching for him. Wanting more than ever to close this distance. But he was scared. He was running.

She needed to bring him back. She needed something to keep him here. Something that would make him confront this thing between them.

Before it was broken for good.

Her hand tightened into a fist, and she gave him a hard look.