Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jason has no idea how this came to happen, the Outlaws and him usually keep their operation to earth, but Kori had the idea to take Roy and him to space one day, she wanted them to know other places and cultures, probably thinking this was a good vacation for them.

She had given them an earpiece that translates any alien language in case they decided to speak to the locals.

Now, Jason never had time for relationships, those he had were short and when he was dating them he never felt that much attraction towards them, he even started to think he may not be straight, but when Roy offered to try it with him to see if he liked it…he didn’t feel any attraction at all.

So Jason knew for sure he was ace, but aro as well? He wasn’t quite sure yet, he knew he liked women and wanted a relationship, but the ones he had dated, just weren’t it.

So imagine his surprise when on his vacation, the first planet Kori had brought them to, was one he had never heard of, and the residents?...They were so hot.

They were pretty colorful, some were shades of blue while others were a shade of purple and pink among other colors, six eyes, a hood on their sides that reminds him of a cobra, the upper part of the arm had a hole as if it was the ulna and radius bones instead of the humerus.

 And from what he saw, their mouths were ... .interesting, their whole face would open up when they eat, two sets of forked tongues ready to grab the food and bring it inside to their small yet sharp teeth to grind.

The women were not "curvy" like Earth women; instead, they were sturdily built, their chests were smaller, as they did not nurse their young, they were also taller than the men of their species.

Jason never knew his taste may be more exquisite, because he really was feeling flustered with how attractive the women of this planet were, the men as well, because wow.

When they arrived, the people had greeted Kori with respect, Roy with wariness and Jason with…uh he can’t tell exactly what they thought of him, but they did keep looking at him whenever he moved.

He wasn’t wearing his helmet, just a mouth mask to be able to breath, he wasn't even wearing his domino mask, it’s not like anyone here knows who Red Hood and Arsenal are. 

Kori hurriedly leaves to talk the the representative of the planets to make sure they can stay a few days, she tells them to not get into trouble, Roy waves off her concerns and starts to walk around to explore leaving Jason who was trying to stare at the aliens.

He did not know much about what to do here, should he just stay in place and wait for Kori? Should he go after Roy? Maybe he could try getting to know the locals?

“Greetings, human” A voice comes from behind him, the translator making the voice sound like a woman.

Jason turns to see one of the aliens towering over him with curiosity, they seemed taller than the others so he was pretty sure they were female if understood Kori’s quick lesson well.

She had a light yellow, orange and white pigment, she looked so…gorgeous, wow, okay he may have a different taste after all…

All her six eyes blinked slowly waiting for him to greet her back.

He coughs, recomposing himself.

“Uh, hi! I’m Jason, and you are?” He utters quickly, his tone friendly. 

The alien tits her head to the side, it reminds him of cat “Sivaz, a pleasure” She tells him softly, as if trying to make him more comfortable around her. “I see your teammates left you alone…I am sure they will come back for you but until then, do you want me to show our homeland to you?

“I…yeah, I would appreciate it, thank you…” Jason whispered, he was feeling so shy out of sudden, holy shit why was he acting like a teenage girl who had her first crush!?

Sivaz….smiled? He thinks she is smiling, “It is not problem at all, pretty one” 

Pretty?! Okay, he needs to calm down, she probably was just being nice, right?

Sivaz shows him around, unaware of his conflicted feelings and the inside crisis he was going through.

Jason pretty much knows what everything is located by the end of the small tour at the marketplace, Sivaz was patient, she explained every question he had and didn’t seem bothered when he accidentally cut her off or talked over her.

Kori eventually returned, Roy was waiting for her where they were previously, he looked panicked until he saw Jason and Sivaz arriving.

“Fucking hell, Jay! I thought you were following me! You made me worried sick!” Harper exclaimed, though he was a bit mad he was more relieved to see his friend back.  

“Well, you didn’t tell me to follow? So I stayed in place, until Sivaz offered to show me around” He shrugged.

Roy put his face on his hands. “I forget I have to be clear with these things with you” He signs. “I’m so sorry Jay”

“It’s fine”

“There was nothing to be concerned about, beloved” Kori tells her the red-haired with a soft tone before turning to Jason. “But I’m glad to see you making acquaintances with someone, my friend” Then she looks at Sivaz giving the alien a respectful salute. “Thank you for being at his side”

“It is no trouble” Sivaz’s tone was of amusement. “I would like to meet with Jason again in your stay here….maybe take him further into the city or the wilds to learn more”

Jason perks up at that, the wilds? That piques his curiosity, he rarely has seen other aliens that were not Kori, much less animals from other planets.

“I would love that!” He exclaims way too eagerly.

Sivaz chuckles, it’s raspy, it echoes and vibrates in her throat.

Jason likes that sound, to him it was a curious, endearing sound, it was raspy and strange, but cute in its own alien way. It vibrated softly, like the purr of an engine warming up.

Roy didn’t think the same, he looked like he was trying to not run.

Kori gracefully nodded. “If that’s what you two wish, I’ll send you the location we will be staying”

“I’m grateful Princess Koriand’r” Sivaz thanks her, then she gives Jason a look. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jason”

“Of course! See you!”

Sivaz let out another chuckle that had Jason trying to suppress a goofy smile while Roy was begging Kori to take them to where they will be sleeping as soon as possible.

The place they were staying was small, there were two beds that looked like fancy nests? Uh, anyways, when they arrived Jason was quick to look around, taking in the details of the small house that was rented to them. 

“Holy shit that was creepy as hell” Roy whispered as if he had seen a ghost. 

Jason, who was distracted, turned to him confused. “Hm? What was creepy?”

The other met his eyes and made a face. “...are you serious?”

“I don’t get it” Todd murmurs, still confused.

“Jay, she made that weird noise when you sounded all excited to meet with it–her again” The man shivers. “It was terrifying” 

…did they hear the same thing? “....she was just chuckling?”

Roy gapes at him, looking at Jason as if has gone crazy. “Chuckling?! That was a really xenomorph sounding ass chuckle!”

He rolls his eyes. “I think you are exaggerating, it sounded cute”

“CUTE?!” Harper threw his arms up in exasperation. 

“Beloved, be cautious with your words, we are guests” Kori chided him lightly. “Besides, we don’t want to offend the one who was kind and wants to befriend Jason””

“More like she wants to eat him” He mutters, earning a glare from his girlfriend. “Ugh, fine, sorry, it was just…I may need some time to get used to that, to them, they just are very unnerving to be around, especially when they fully open their mouths”

“It’s good to be around different species, take this as training on how to behave around different people, to control how you react to them, it may come in handy in our missions”

Roy gives her a look. “You talk as if were going to meet any friendly alien trying to get to earth”

Kori just shrugs. “You never know”

Jason coughs. “Well, since that’s settled, what are you two going to do tomorrow?”

“I need to talk with the representative of the Vilcros about our alliance with the Tamaran and if it can be extended to Earth as well” Kori explains. “Roy will be talking for Earth as my future consort”

“Uh, so this is not just a Vacation” He replies, surprised. 

“It is for you, my friend” She answers softly. “I wanted you to have some time away from Earth and its…people”

Away from his family is what she meant to say.

He…appreciates that, he was on good terms with his family, it's just…they seem so distant, like he wasn’t part of it at all, he knows they don’t mean to, but it still hurts.

“...thanks Kori” He whispers, grateful for her thinking of him.

Her eyes softened. “Anything for you, my friend”

“Yeah, Jay, we got your back no matter what” Roy chimes in, putting his hands on Jason’s shoulder and squeezing lightly.

“Thank you” He repeats, feeling vulnerable, they always knew what to do when he wasn’t feeling well.

It sometimes makes him feel like they were more family than the Waynes.

“Well, let’s rest for now, tomorrow will be a busy day” Roy said, not wanting to make him uncomfortable by keeping up with the subject. 

Jason was more than willing to let that go and rest.

Roy and Kori were at the meeting…and here he was, in the most fairy tale-like forest he has ever seen. For real, the place looked magical, floating creatures all around, the trees had leaves and flowers that glowed, it kinda reminds him of Pandora from Avatar.

Sivaz and him walked through the forest carefully, taking in the sights as the woman explained what the creatures were and the plants around them.

“This is nice” He says softly, feeling a calm sensation as he takes a deep breath.

“It is, isn’t it?” She agrees, tone with light amusement before she sees something ahead and motions for him to crouch.

He does as she asks, both of them behind the bushes, that’s when he sees it.

“What are they?” He asks curiously as he looks at the creature a few meters away.

The creature was an uncanny blend of familiar and alien, its appearance a strange patchwork of Earth-like features. Its body was sleek and elongated, reminiscent of a cross between a cat and a ferret, with long, sinewy limbs ending in sharp, retractable claws.

Its eyes were the most disconcerting feature, several pairs lined its head, neck, and shoulders, each glinting with an eerie, intelligent awareness. Three tails swayed behind it: the outer two were shorter and covered in thick fur, while the central tail was longer and ended in a sharp, chitinous tip, curved like a scorpion’s stinger.

The head was another puzzle of mismatched familiarity. It had three sets of large, fennec fox-like ears that twitched independently, a short feline muzzle, and two sets of horns: one sleek and straight like an oryx’s, the other curling tightly like a ram’s.

The fur was very colorful, tons of light blues and purples and yellowish bright eyes. 

They were big, like horse kinds of big. 

“That is a Kaliro” Sivaz whispers. “They are shapeshifters, take the shape of any other animal they see, very harmless and friendly, though they can scare people when they take shape of predators”

Jason snorts. “Pretty sure they do that on purpose”

She lets out a quiet laugh. “I think so too” Sivaz looks back at the creature who was yawning. “Some of us take them as pets if they choose us”

He arches a brow at that. “Choose? Do they like, bond with only some people?”

She hums. “Yes, they are very picky, Kaliros are intelligent, understands the language of the one they are bonded to and are very loyal, can be good fighters too, eons ago our kind used to take them as war companions, but now they are free to do as they choose”

“That’s amazing” He whispers in awe, when they turn to look back at the creature it was not there anymore. 

Jason felt disappointed, he wanted to have more time looking at…

When they are about to leave from behind the bushes, Jason stands up and turns only to be met face to face with the Kaliro they were watching.

He froze, quickly sending a glance over Sivaz who seemed calm about it, so they were not in danger right? She said it’s friendly….

The Kaliro takes a sniff, head tilting to one side then to the other, its ears all flickering individually in different pacings, it eyes Jason for a long minute, then it approaches, burrowing its wet nose on his hair then trying to chew his hair.

Jason didn’t know what to do, should he try to push it off?...he probably shouldn’t.

He hears the familiar sounds of Sivaz’ chuckle, the traitor.

“Relax, she likes you” The woman reassures him. “She chose you”

He blinks quickly in shock. “What?” Just like that? Why would it choose him? He…he wasn’t worth it.

How can he even take care of it? He is going back to earth at some point…

The Kaliro suddenly shifts her attention to Sivaz, doing the same interaction as she did with Jason, but there was no hair to chew, so she just bit the alien’s hood.

Sivaz seemed shocked at that. “Uh…seems like she chose me as well”

Okay, choosing her, he can understand, Sivaz was kind, she was…she was worth its bond.

“What then, do we like, coparent her?” He tries to joke.

She hums, deep in though, then nods. “I do not see why now”

“Wait for real?” He gapes at her. 

“Of course, Kaliros can breath in any atmosphere, just like my kind, she can spends some time here and the other at Earth when you go back”

“Oh…well, I…yeah, sure” 

“She chose well” Sivaz wonders out loud. “They always know who is worth their bond”

Jason freezes at that, it was like she knew what he was thinking and was trying to reassure him, it was…kinda nice of fer.

“Thanks…uh for taking me here, it was very nice” He says with a shy smile.

“It’s no problem, pretty one” She purrs.

He feels his cheeks warm up at that.

He has to get a hold of himself!

Focus Jason, Focus.

Okay so a giant ass creature from this planet just chose to bond with him…

How is he going to explain this to Roy and Kori?

“That’s a giant ass cat” Roy blurted out as he stared at the Kaliro then turned his attention to a nervous Jason. “Why is there a giant cat inside our room?”

Jason fidgets nervously under his stare. “...uhh it somehow bonded to me and Sivaz?”

“....I only left you alone for two hours—”

“It was five, beloved” Kori corrected him. 

“–five hours!”

“You need to name it” Koriand’r said, not worried over the new development. “Do you have a name in mind?”

Jason looked at her perking up. “Well, she kinda looks like a cat—

“Please don’t name it cat” Roy begged. 

“–I’m going to name her Cat” Jason said with child-like joy.

“I hate you”

He met with Sivaz every single day after that. She always sends a message to Kori to warn she was coming over to pick up Jason and show him around. Kori seemed to be very happy that he had made some sort of friend here.

Roy was unsure, he worried over Jason getting into trouble and hurting himself, but Koriand’r put a hand on his shoulder and shook her head, she gave him a knowing smile that had him baffled but he recovered quickly and just waved Jason off of their room.

Jason was enjoying his time here, this place was amazing, Sivaz was just so nice to hang with, he liked her….oh shit he liked her, did he really had to go to another fucking planet to feel a genuine  connection with someone? Holy shit!

And they only know each other for a week! Shit! Well it’s not like she would ever feel interested in him, she deserved better anyway.

He was just glad they were at least friends. 

But…

Jason couldn’t help falling harder as days went on, she was so kind.

The days they would walk Cat outside at the city, he watched as Sivaz treated Cat like a real princess and oh if her being a total sweetheart with her didn’t make him smile like a fool.

Sivaz started to give him these pretty gemstones one day, they were nothing like the ones from earth, they would glow at night and from what Kori said they were pretty hard to cut through.

Then she got him a dagger, he doesn’t understand why she would give him one, when asked she says. “It’s good for self defense, I’m sure you will be able to wield it well.

Well, he did get training on how to use daggers and swords at the League…and the daggers she gave were of such high quality, he wonders how much she spent on it.

Then she gave him a rifle, which…well he knows how to use one, but why give it to him?

Then she gave him a new set of gear, that was high tech, even his helmet was like so fucking better than the one he uses.

And okay so he didn’t really hide all that much that he was Red Hood, at least he wasn’t trying that hard, back at home he was pretty sure everyone knew who he was, but he was still legally dead so he couldn't be that Jason Todd and he never was around in public event with the Waynes, so to everyone he was just a nobody.

But here? Nobody was supposed to know about his vigilante persona, much less what his gear is supposed to look like to make a new one based on its design…

“Oh, I gave her pictures of your gear” Kori said when he mentioned it. “She wanted to gift you something”

“Oh…” He frowns, why was she asking Kori for ideas for things to give to him?

The Princess gives him a soft smile. “Why don’t you talk to her, if it’s making you uncomfortable, dear friend?”

“I...I’ll do that”

So the next day when they meet, Sivaz brings him to the lake near the mountain next to the city, they are quietly enjoying each other’s presence when he asks.

“Don’t take it the wrong way, but why are you giving me all these things?” He asks, afraid of offending her.

Sivaz tilts her head to the side, then sighs. “Ah, I almost forgot outsiders do not know about ours customs, though I expected Princess Koriand’r to have explained more to you…I apologize”

He blinks confusedly. “I–it’s okay! I just don’t understand?”

“I am courting you” She says gently. “Our courting customs is to give our potential mate something to protect themselves, armor, weapons, protection gemstones and so on” When she is finished explaining she looks down as if embarrassed.

Courting him? Oh…he…she likes him?

“I..but we only know each other for a few weeks?”

 Hypocrite, his mind whispers. 

"It is true…but it’s different for us, we, the Vilcros, possess a deep connection to our emotions, it allows us to perceive the very core of others…their essence, emotions, memories, and desires” She looks at him, holding his gaze. 

“While we strictly avoid delving into memories or desires without consent, we do instinctively seek out a potential mate's core emotions. The emotion that resonates most strongly within them becomes a guiding factor in determining compatibility, it’s what we find… attractive as human would say it, if we like what we find in someone’s core, then, we may choose to begin the courtship process with that person”

So it was a cultural kinda nature thing, still, he doesn’t know how to feel about it, does she like him only for his ‘core’?

“Your core is beautiful” She whispers shyly.

“Is my anger that attractive?” He says trying to not sound bitter.

She seems surprised by this. “Anger? No, I do see it there as well, but it’s not the strongest feeling inside your core”

Really? Uh, he thought…“Oh, well which one is it then?”

“Love” She says as if in awe. “You love so strongly, it is…beautiful, platonic love, familial love, whoever you love, you love them to the end unconditionally, I’ve never seen someone who loves so fiercely”

He felt exposed, love? He supposes she is right, he loves too much, and that always comes back to bite him in the ass.

“So you like my core?” He asks unsure.

"I like the entirety of you" She blurts out, then ducks her head. "Your core is what makes you who you are, but it is not the only thing I cherish… I like how your eyes light up when you talk about the books you've read, I like how you get excited when learning new things, your curiosity is so genuine and infectious. I like how you smile when you’re around the people you care about, I like the way you feel everything so strongly, the passion in your voice when you speak of justice to those who were not avenged on your homeland, how ending someone’s life may bring peace to another, I like the warmth in your laughter when you let your guard down”

She takes a deep breath. "I like you, Jason, all of you, your core is beautiful, yes, but it is only one part of the whole person that I find myself drawn to"

Jason swallows hard, his throat suddenly tight. 

He isn't used to hearing things like this. Teasing and sometimes compliments? Sure. But this? This is different.

She's seen him, really seen him and… she still likes him.

He doesn't know what to say.

So he gives a shaky, half-nervous smile and mutters, "Well...uh...good to know I make a good impression"

She laughs softly, a raspy, echoing sound that Jason still finds cute.

"You make more than a good impression" Sivaz says, eyes gleaming with something he doesn't yet know how to name. "You make me want to know you more”

His heart does a strange little flip. 

“But what happens next is up to you, pretty one” Sivaz holds his gaze. “Are you to accept my courting or are we to remain friends? I’ll be happy with whatever your heart desires”

Jason stood there for a long minute thinking hard on it. The idea of being courted of someone wanting to know him deeply, genuinely was unfamiliar. Hell his other relationships were all out of sudden and without any courting at all!

He'd never felt quite like this before. And yet, something held him back.

He liked her, that much was clear. But the thought of what a relationship might entail made his stomach twist. Not the emotional connection, that, he craved, but the potential for physical intimacy beyond touching.

Jason sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. He'd always felt different when it came to that, every relationship he had aside from him not feeling that connection with the people he dated, his previous partners all always felt awkward when he didn’t want to have sex, he just couldn't fake interest where there was none.

"Jason, do you wish to take more time to think about it?" Her expression was warm, her tone patient. 

"I...I really like you, Sivaz, I do,  but..." He swallowed. "I don't experience sexual attraction, and I don't... I don't want that to be something you're missing in a relationship"

Sivaz tilted her head, eyes thoughtful. "That is what troubled you?"

He nodded, bracing for disappointment.

Her laugh was soft and reassuring. "Jason, my kind does not care for sexual relationships, we bond through emotions, what you give, what you feel, that is more than enough"

Relief flooded through him, tension melting from his shoulders.

"So... you're okay with that?" He asked hesitantly.

"I will accept whatever you are willing to give" She said, placing a gentle hand over his. 

Jason smiled, a genuine, unguarded smile. "Okay" He said softly. "Then... yeah, let's give this a try"

Sivaz's eyes sparkled, and Jason felt that strange, unfamiliar warmth bloom in his chest once more. Maybe, just maybe, he'd finally found someone who saw all of him and accepted him exactly as he was.

When Jason came back to his room he had this really goofy smile on his face, Kori immediately smirks at Roy who groans and gives her some Earth money.

Then the red-haired man takes a better look at his friend and looks disturbed. “Why do you have saliva all over your face?”

“I heard they are messy kissers” Koriand’r says nonchalantly. “You did see how their mouth looks like”

“...jesus”

Extra, art I made of Sivaz:

Her species' mouth is their entire head, divided by four parts, they have two sets of forked tongues! So you can imagine how kissing them may be messy XD

Chapter Text

Roy was happy that Jason had finally found his other half, they were honestly so sweet together that it was giving him cavities just by watching these two being so utterly lovey dovey with one another.

Jason has this goofy smile and heart eyes on his face as his new girlfriend rubbed her face on his, Sivaz seemed to be purring loudly…but her purr just like her “chuckle” was just as creepy to Roy, but he doesn’t say a word, not wanting to be mean neither to upset his friend.

Kori looked like a proud mom seeing her son date for the first time, she was just so overjoyed at seeing her close friend finally find someone who appreciates him.

The Alien has been staying in their rented house on odd days while bringing Jason to her home on even days.

Cat was always at their side, asking for pets and lying down next to them whenever they were idle. 

Jason was so happy, he felt so loved and cared for that he couldn’t help but compare the people at his side now to the so-called ‘family’ he has back on earth.

They were just so...they never seem to show any affection towards him at all, he knows he can be mean, that he can look intimidating, but hell, even Roy will hug him every once in a while, and Kori will kiss him on the forehead when she gives him that awful attempt of making coffee for him in the mornings.

But his family? He expected Dick to be such a hugger since his brothers always complain about him being an octopus who won’t let them go, but it seems he will never be his target, it wouldn’t be such a big deal if he wasn’t absolutely touch-starved.

— Something that he never will admit out loud, but having his new girlfriend hold him so closely, caressing his cheek and holding his hand? That was so much that he was having a hard time trying to not cry —

But then he sees Cass play with Tim’s hair, Stephanie surprise hugs Damian who lets out an angry yelp, sees Duke being hugged by Dick like his life depended on him, but Jason just stands there, not receiving any of their affections? That hurts, it hurts so much.

Even Mister Constipated Bruce Wayne would give his other children affection, in his own way, but he did, like: a soft smile towards Damian and Cass, a proud look for Timbers and Duke, exasperation yet amused of Dick’s and Steph’s bahavior. 

But what did Jason get? Grunts of disapproval, looks of disappointment or indifference, a scowl whenever he dared to speak.

He either feels invisible or overwhelmed by their attention, invisible when he needs them, when he is practically screaming “I’m here, I’m alive!”, overwhelmed when he gets their attention when something bad happens, for after all only when they need him or want to blame him for something they finally acknowledge him.

Sivaz was right, he gave too much love, he loved too fiercely, but most of the times, his affection is never returned just as strongly or not returned at all.

Maybe it was time to stop chasing their love. Sivaz had once told him that if love had to be earned, then it was never real in the first place and certainly not the kind he deserved when the people he was trying to please were supposed to be his family.

And comparing his current relationship with the others, this one felt so right, like it was supposed to be.

He hasn’t told Sivaz about him being touch-starved, but it took one day into their new relationship for her to realize how much he was affected whenever she would show him any type of affection, she didn’t touch on the matter, didn’t make him talk about it, instead she was even more touchy than before.

Holding his hand every once in a while, putting her arm around his waist and bringing him closer to her side and resting her chin over his hair, whenever they were alone she would cuddle with him, holding him tight yet gently, Sivaz would often brush her thumb over his face, as if studying him, but he knew it was her way of putting him at ease, it made him relax whenever he got anxious over a subject, specially when she would add hair massage to the package.

All this warmth and affection only highlighted the stark contrast to his previous relationships, where such gestures had been scarce, if they existed at all. There hadn’t even been a fraction of the care and tenderness he was experiencing now.

Artemis was never one for affection, as if it was something to be embarrassed about, never once had she shown any affection aside when she tried to have sex with him, after he came out as asexual to her, she barely even acknowledged their relationship until they finally broke up.

Rose wasn’t someone who liked to show what she saw as ‘weakness.’ Maybe it had to do with who her father was, but whenever he tried to offer even the smallest gesture of affection, she would tense up, panic, and immediately break the contact. As a result, physical closeness was never a part of their relationship, not even in private.

She was more understanding when he came out as sex-repulsed, but intimacy was something she valued in a relationship. In the end, he couldn’t give her what she needed, just as she couldn’t give him what he craved.

All his past relationships had been the same, little to no affection, just a hunger for sex. There were no heartfelt "I love yous" , only the title of being in a relationship, as if love were just a status to maintain.

So being with someone who was the total opposite experience he had with his previous partners, it was eye opening, it made him feel so seen, so loved, he thought he would never feel like this with anyone.

But here he is, two weeks after starting dating Sivaz, feeling happier than ever, he was so lucky she chose him.

“You look lost in thought, loved one” Sivaz mutters into his hair as her hands caresses his back.

“Hmmm” He hums lazily, rubbing his face in the crook of her neck. “Just thinking how fucking lucky I am for meeting you”

His girlfriend chuckles, her shoulders shaking slightly as her soft laugh comes out.

“I'm the lucky one beloved” Her voice is so soft, so full of love, and it was directed towards him of all people, sometimes he can't believe it.

He likes what they have, it makes him want more of it.

“I’m curious, how do your kind ‘officiate’ their relationships?” He asks suddenly

Sivaz doesn’t seem startled by the question, she just hums and explains. “Sharing memories is how we “make things official” among my kind, if the couple feels like making their bond permanent they exchanged their memories with each other, can be all of them or just the strongest ones they want to share, after that they can feel each others emotions and talk telepathically whenever they want”

“Oh, that's interesting” He whispers in awe, to feel such a deep connection with someone you love…he…he wants that.

“So…this is how marriage works here?” He blurts out.

“The thing where you humans tie themselves to one person? Yes and no, our type of bond is for eternity, there is nothing that can undo the connection both partners will have after that, if one of the partners falls for someone else we usually don't mind sharing our partners with more than one person” She stops talking for a minute, turning to him with a curious look. “Why do you ask?”

“I want that” He blurts out. “This… this connection with you”

That seems to surprise her, blinkink slowly as she opens and closes her mouth like a fish. “Are you sure about this, my love?” She doesn’t sound offended by this, neither unsure, just careful, like she wants to make sure he really wants this.

He takes a deep breath. “Yeah, I know I should take longer to think about it, maybe months or a year into our relationship but I…this feels right” His hands are shaking, he feels so anxious, he wants this, but would she waste her life being with him? Was he even worthy of this connection with her? 

“I want this” He whispers. “I really do”

Her eyes soften, she cups his face between her hands as she leans in and touches her forehead with his. “Oh beloved, if this is what you want, if you are really sure, then we can do this”

“Really?” He asks baffled. “What about you? Is this what you want?” His voice is weak, because if she doesn’t want this, what would he do?

She nods. “I wouldn’t agree if I did not wish for the same, it is true our relationship is new, but I would love nothing more than to be with you for the rest of my life, to be bonded with you would be gift”

“I…” He is out of words for monet, he really does want this connection? With him of all people? “Humans don’t live as long as you, probably, I don’t even know how long your kind lives” He says, giving her a chance to back down, cuz she deserves so much better. 

“It depends, some of us live until a hundred thousand years or even more, I’m still two hundred and forty five, but you do not have to worry about that if we bond” She eyes him suddenly seriously. “When we bond with outsiders? They get the same life span as my kind, it is why I want to make sure you really want this” She explains. “You will watch friends and family age and eventually die, over and over again for thousands of years, and with how much you love, I know that will hurt you deeply, do you think you will be able to bear losing your loved ones?”

Jason’s eyes are wide as she finishes, to live that long…yet to loose the people he cares about…but he wants to be with Sivaz for as long as he can, it is true he will suffer loosing his friends, specially Roy who is human, Kori he knows will live over 10 billion years, so at least he still will have enough time with her, but it breaks his heart to think he will have to watch Roy grown old and die.

But still, when thinks about it, he wants this, he really, really does, he never felt so sure about something like this. And with her so sure of wanting the same? He can’t not say no. 

“I want you to see everything” Is all he says, his voice firm and sure of his decision. 

Sivaz smiles softly. “Then you shall see all of me as well” Is what she says before he feels their minds connecting. 

He sees her, little Sivaz, how she connected to nature even since she was able to walk, always leaving to the forest to observe the creatures she found interesting.

Her parents, Thrax and Kuva, were so sweet and caring, always listening to her talk about the creatures she had come across, never showing that they were bothered, looking at her attentively as she gestured with her hands excitedly. 

Jason could tell she was their entire world. 

School was boring for her, as she learned things quicker than the others, she didn’t make any friends in that time, but she also had nobody who would bother her or be an asshole towards her, seems like kids from her species were kinder than human kids who always were so cruel to others who were lonely and quiet.

Sivaz learned how to fight from her mother, Kuva taught her how to wield knives, daggers and swords, while Thrax helped her with guns, teaching her to better aim, it more for self defense if necessary, for war between their race has been over before she was even born.

When she was an adult, she decided to study the creatures she oh so loved, it was such a joyful experience for her, to get to know more of them, to learn everything she could, even though she had trouble reading, Sivaz has always been more of visual person, but the alien still her best. She eventually graduated and became what earth would a ‘veterinarian’, helping with Kaliro that bonded with others, and other animals from their fauna.

He feels the monotony of her life for years, doing her job, going home, seeing her so few friends she made when studying, visiting her parents and repeating all of that over again.

She was in the city one day, looking for supplies to make lunch, then she saw Jason, looking around lost and alone, he could feel how she took one look at him and fell so deeply in love with his core, she liked how much he loved so deeply, found him gorgeous and so precious, in that moment she wanted to bond with his immediately, but held herself from doing so, for he deserved to be courted, to have a choice, she could not do something so reckless just because she felt so hard for someone, but oh how she wanted him.

He felt how she then fell again for who he is as a whole, how she wanted to kiss him whenever he laughed, how her heart beats so fast and strongly when he talked excitedly about his favourite books, how her heart broke at noticing how much he felt unloved.  

Jason did not expect to feel her doubt herself, was she even worthy of him? He loved so much, what if she hurt him? What if she breaks? She could never live with herself if she broke his heart, but Sivaz wanted to try; she wanted to know how it is to be someone who he loved so strongly and be able to reciprocate just as deeply. 

He became aware of the sheer intensity of her happiness when he agreed to date her—how every touch sent a thrill through her, how just meeting his gaze filled her with warmth and certainty.

In his presence, her love for him was unwavering, and understanding the depth of it was almost overwhelming. His pulse quickened, tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. No one had ever looked at him this way before, like he was truly worthy of it.

He didn’t just observe her emotions; he experienced them. And the depth of what she felt for him was so powerful, so undeniable, that he might not have believed it if he weren’t feeling it himself.

Sivaz saw a little boy, who loved his mother so much, who wanted her to stay at his side until the end, but instead had to watch as she died slowly, he tried so hard to find a way to keep her alive, to pay for her treatment by doing odd illegal jobs, if his father hadn’t been arrested, if he had not been caught, maybe he mother would have lived.

She feels his grief, how a part of him died that day.

He had to survive on his own, now way he was going to be sent to an orphanage.

The day he regrets the most was stealing the tires of the batmobile, catching the attention of Batman, of Bruce Wayne, who later on adopted him, who Jason had adored and loved so much that he wanted to fight at his side.

Robin was never supposed to be his, he didn’t deserve it, Barbara and Dick had said so, but he tried so hard to make himself worthy of it.

Dick after months was starting to warm up to him, but it felt forced, Barbara was less bitchy, but it felt like she never regrets saying he would never be the man that Dick Grayson is. 

And then…

“You’re not my son”

“I don’t need a teenage rebellion”

He had everything then he had nothing again.

He found out Catherine was not his biological mother. Maybe his true mother will take him in, maybe she will deem him worthy of love.

Sivaz felt anger as she watched the woman who could have had it all betray her son, to give him to the colored green figure, to let that monster torture her child.

Yet Jason even thought he was betrayed, he had loved her, even though she never did love him, he threw himself at her in an attempt to shield her from the explosion.

Sheila Haywood, died knowing she was loved.

Jason Peter Todd, died knowing he never was loved by anyone. 

It broke her heart how accepting he was of it, how he died happy to at least having met his mother and that perhaps, if there was an afterlife, she would somehow care for him then.

But instead he woke up, buried 7 feet under, his mind broken but intact enough to deem it not safe to stay idle, breaking out of his grave, wandering Gotham and never being found by Bruce, but Talia found him.

Talia al Ghul was a bitch, Sivaz concluded.

The woman used him, raped him, manipulated him, and he still loved her, for she save him, didn’t she? She cared for him, right? 

No, she never did, and he felt like a fool for ever thinking she did.

He wanted the clown dead, he should be already dead if Bruce had ever loved him, but he wasn’t.

What does he find when he comes back? Another Robin in his place, with friends who cared for him, Dick giving him all his attention and laughing with him, Barbara proud of the kid and joking with him, Bruce, fucking Batman, smiling at having the boy at his side.

It felt like being stabbed in the heart, they loved Tim Drake, they loved him, why couldn’t they have loved Jason? What does this kid have that he doesn’t?

Sivaz sees the green that Jason saw, felt the anger and betrayal, the part deep behind the rage crying over not being enough.

She does not agree with his decision to hurt Tim, but she also could not blame him for his anger. Sivaz feels the guilty taking over Jason as soon as he sees what he did, but it was too late.

His father slices his throat open with a batarang, he chose the Joker, he left him to die to the explosion, again . Jason’t doesn’t know if he died that day, he wakes up on a surgery table, Talia looks at him disappointed, asking if got what he wanted.

He says that he does, he got his answer, then leaves.

How many times has he tried to win his father’s love after that? To be loved by his brothers and sisters? Too many times to count, years went by and he found himself loving each one of them, his adoration increasing each day, years passed and he never felt a fraction of love from them directed towards him.

Bruce beat him up when Jason shot Penguin because he found out the rogue had killed his father. It was a blank shot though, and Batman, Bruce, didn’t even ask why he shot the bastard, couldn’t he have tried to reason with him… If not for Roy he would have died again, by his father’s hand, perhaps even for the second time. 

Sivaz was furious, Jason was no innocent, he had done awful things, but those things could have avoided if this Bruce, his adoptive father, wasn’t a emotionally constipated piece of shit, if he had kept his mouth shut or just had at least tried to let his son know how much he loved him, Jason would never have died.

But when she saw her beloved’s memories, she could not see anything that resembles love coming from any of them.

All she saw was guilt, hatred, pity, doubt, apathy, and a twisted kind of love, the kind someone felt like it was love out of caring, but it was one out of obligation and ignorance, as if they loved the idea of loving him only.

Sivaz feels heartbroken that the only people he felt loved by was Roy and Kory, and yet he doubted if they really did or just pitied him.

Though she does feel proud when his memories and emotions show how even though he was unsure if Sivaz did really love him, he felt loved anyways, he felt seen .

She was never going to stop making sure he keeps feeling like that.

When the mind connection was broken, they found themselves staring at one another with tears in their eyes, while Jason’s were from utter relief, Sivaz’ were from pure anger.

Jason sensed her anger deep in his bones, he would have felt scared that it was directed towards him if he couldn’t not hear her thoughts repeating “I’ll kill those fuckers, I’ll kill them” over and over. 

And place one hand over her cheek, tilting her head so she would be looking at him, as soon as their eyes met.

The anger was gone, and he was overwhelmed by how strongly her feelings felt, like he could hear them.

“Love you, protect you, mine, so precious, love you, love you so much”

He smiled genuinely at that, and if it is normal for him, like he could have always have done this, he reciprocates: “Love you too, yours, protect you, love you forever”

He may not ever feel the love he wanted from his oh so called family, but right now, this?

 This feels right and he felt like he was finally enough. 

Behold! My art for this chapter!

A  fullbody ref of Sivaz (changed some stuff):

A fullbody ref of Cat (pretty much a blue giant cat lol):

And soft Jason:

Chapter Text

Roy had been pacing around their place for hours. Jason should’ve been back by now—what if something happened to him on the way? His stomach twisted at the thought. Meanwhile, Kori lounged on that weird, lumpy couch like she didn’t have a care in the world.

How is she so calm right now?

"Beloved, stop pacing" She said, her voice smooth but firm. "Our friend will return when he wants to. He and his lover are probably... occupie." She waved a hand dismissively. "There’s no need to panic"

Roy shot her a look. " Panic? Kori, what if that Vilcro did something to him? Or—"

"Beloved, behave!" Her tone sharpened, her patience clearly wearing thin. "You’ve been radiating such ugly emotions since we got here, the locals are uncomfortable around you because of it"

Roy’s breath hitched. Shit. "I—fuck, I forgot they’re empaths" He dragged a hand down his face. "Did I mess up your alliance with them?"

Kori sighed, standing to face him. "Surprisingly, no, the Queen has been... understanding, but I won’t push her patience"

"Look, I’m sorry" He grumbled, rubbing his neck. "I’ll try to chill out, they just—ugh—they creep me out, especially with those freaky clicking noises, makes my skin crawl"

Kori’s expression softened, but there was a flicker of hurt in her eyes. "Roy, I love you. I do, but you have to do better, the Vilcros are people, just like us, just because they look less human than me doesn’t give you the right to act like this" She stepped closer, searching his face. "If I looked less human... would you treat me the same way?"

Roy’s stomach dropped. "What?! No! Of course I wouldn’t!" His voice cracked, raw with disbelief, Kori’s hurt expression cut deeper than any blade— shit , he really messed up, didn’t he? His throat tightened. "You’d still be you … no matter what…"

Her gaze softened, but the weight of her words didn’t. "Then please stop acting like they’re villains, they don’t deserve the fear you’re throwing at them"

Roy’s chest burned with shame, he stared at the floor, jaw clenched, fuck, she was right, yeah, the Vilcro freaked him out—their too-long limbs, the way their voices clicked and hummed—but that didn’t make them monsters. He’d been treating them like rabid animals, and goddammit , he knew better. He should’ve gotten his shit together from the start.

But his fear about Sivaz hurting Jason? That wasn’t just about her being Vilcro. It was… something else. 

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Kori’s eyes. "You’re right, sorry" The word came out rough, but he meant it. “Their voices, the way they move—it gets to me, okay? And I hate that it does, I hate that I can’t just… flip a switch and be cool with it" He risked a glance at her. "But that’s my problem, not theirs, and I shouldn’t be making you deal with it either, so yeah, I’m sorry, I–” Roy swallowed. "I’ll do better, promise "

“That’s all I ask for, beloved”

He was about to say something more when the door opened and revealed Jason.

“Jaybird! What took you so long?” Roy asks, feeling relieved at seeing his friend back. 

Jason rubbed the back of his neck, that telltale smirk fighting its way onto his face. "Uhh, well... Sivaz and I got bonded" He ducked his head, but couldn't stop the stupidly happy grin spreading across his face.

Kori's eyes went wide as saucers. "What?!" She shrieked, she opened her arms, waiting for Jason to give her permission, when he nodded, she launched herself at him, crushing him in a spinning hug that nearly knocked them both over. "OH FRIEND! THIS IS WONDERFUL!" Her squeal was practically deafening as she squeezed him tight enough to crack ribs. "I AM SO FULL OF JOY FOR YOU!"

Roy blinked like an owl caught in headlights. "Wait, hold up—what does that even mean?" He looked between them, completely lost.

Kori finally set Jason down –though she kept bouncing on her toes–, turning to Roy with literal stars in her eyes. "It means—" She clasped her hands together like an excited kid. "—they are married now!"

Roy's jaw hit the floor. "What?! You're literally married now?!"

"Yup" Jason popped the 'p', crossing his arms with a smugness that was 100% shit-eating grin.

Roy ran a hand through his hair, making the red strands stand up wildly. "Jay, man, isn't that kinda... sudden? "

Jason shrugged, but his expression stayed firm. "Maybe, but I wanted this"

"Look, I'm just—" Roy cut himself off, hands flailing before settling on his hips. "I'm worried she's taking advantage of you or something, okay?"

Kori's glowing eyes narrowed into disappointed mom mode, her entire face screaming 'We literally JUST had this conversation'

Jason's posture went rigid. "She isn't!" The words came out sharp, edged with something dangerous—but then he froze. 

Through their bond, Sivaz's presence pulsed against his mind like a second heartbeat.

“Anger, hurt?” Her mental voice wrapped around him. "Okay? Need me?" The question was soft but urgent, her worry a live wire buzzing under his skin.

Jason took a deep breath, forcing his shoulders to relax as he focused inward. "Fine, sorry, Roy's being an idiot, Love you"

The immediate wave of amusement that came back was almost tangible. "Orange one? Indeed he is" Then, softer, so damn warm it made his chest ache: "Love you, I'm here"

"I know" Jason sent back, letting some of that warmth seep into his own mental voice. "Love you, see you soon"

The emotions that followed were overwhelming—a tidal wave of affection, pride, and fierce protectiveness. All he could parse was love you, love you, love you and a pulse of good luck that felt like a kiss pressed to his temple.

"—Jay?" Roy's voice finally cut through the haze, his brow furrowed with concern. "You okay, man?"

Jason blinked back to reality. "Sorry, was telling Vaz I'm fine"

Roy's eyebrows shot up. "Oh... so she can just, what, feel you from wherever she is now?" He didn’t ask how his friend was able to ‘tell’ her how he was fine, he already is fucking up things enough as it is. 

Jason's gaze turned challenging. "Yeah, problem?"

Roy held up his hands. "No, I just—" He sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. "I'm sorry, Jay, I'm just... worried about you"

Jason's expression darkened, he knows what this is about, and he hates how Roy can be about it sometimes. "I'm not stupid, Roy" The words came out sharper than he meant, bitter on his tongue.

Roy actually flinched. "I know you're not!" He said, voice cracking. "I'm not saying you are!"

"Then why the hell can't you trust me to know what I'm doing?" Jason snapped.

Roy's shoulders slumped, he knew he was being overprotective—hell, he knew it was kinda ableist, even if he didn't mean it to be. Jason was Level 1 autistic, not some helpless kid, but damn it, after seeing how many people had used Jay, how many times he'd been broken by it... Roy just wanted to shield him, to make sure no one ever hurt him again.

But that wasn't his call, and treating Jason like he couldn't handle his own life? That made him no better than the Bats—especially since they didn't even know Jason was autistic in the first place.

Roy exhaled hard, forcing himself to meet Jason's eyes. "You're right, I'm sorry, I'll back off" He managed a weak smile. "Just... you happy, Jaybird?"

Jason's expression softened. "Yeah" He said, simple and sure. "I really am"

“Then that’s what matter…really Jay, I’m sorry”

“Yeah, yeah, I know you mean well, just…don’t treat me like I’m incapable again, alright?’

“Of course Jaybird”

“Good” Jason then arches a brow at him. “Now, did Kori talk to you about your alien racism?”

“Oh my God” Roy groans.

“For real if you make my wife uncomfortable I’m kicking your ass”

Kori let out a giggle at that, enjoying her lover’s miserable look. 

A few days later after he told his friends about his ‘marriage’, Jason was glad to see Roy has been getting better, according to Sivaz he was emanating less ‘disgust’ and ‘fear’ and more ‘acceptance’ and ‘curiosity’ as he tried to get to know the residents better to get over his fear.

They were in their temporary residence, Roy was talking to Kori about the alliance she made with the Vilcros, she looked relieved, apparently Harper’s determination to get over his fear and trying to know their race better was noticed by the Queen who seemed to appreciate it.

Meanwhile, Sivaz and Jason were sitting on the couch cuddling, the Vilcro purred as he rubbed his face on the crook of her neck, he was talking about his favorite book, and she listened quietly. 

Jason had his knees pulled up to his chest, tucked against Sivaz’s side. The low, rumbling purr in her chest vibrated through him—a steady, safe rhythm that made it easier to organize his thoughts. He’d been rambling about Pride and Prejudice for the last twenty minutes, and Sivaz hadn’t interrupted once.

Cat was lying on the floor, equally paying attention, eyes focused on Jason, she looked interested as she listened to his words.

"—so obviously Darcy’s whole ‘I admire and love you’ speech is iconic" Jason said, fingers tapping an absent rhythm against his thigh. "But people always skip the part where Elizabeth immediately calls him out for being a dick, she doesn’t just forgive him ‘cause he’s rich and hot, she makes him work for it, that’s what makes it real."

Sivaz hummed, her claw tracing idle circles between his shoulder blades. "Hmm you value earned trust"

"Yeah! Exactly!" He tilted his head back to look at her, grinning when her blue eyes flicked down to meet his. "Most adaptations cut the nuance—like, no, Lizzie’s not just ‘sassy,’ she’s smart! She notices everything, the way people’s manners don’t match their motives, how Bingley’s too nice to see Caroline’s bullshit—"

His hands moved as he spoke, sketching shapes in the air like he was diagramming the plot,  Sivaz watched, fascinated.

 When he got like this, voice quickening, thoughts tumbling out in a rush, she could feel the joy sparking through their bond, bright and effervescent.

Roy, halfway through a conversation with Kori across the room, shot them a glance. "You actually read Austen for fun, Jaybird?"

Jason’s nose scrunched. "Yeah? The social politics are wild, also, Lizzie weaponizes silence, she lets people hang themselves with their own words” He grins. “That’s fucking badass"

Sivaz tightened her hold around him. "You relate to her"

"Kinda" He leaned into her touch, voice dropping. "She’s… good at reading people but hates playing their games, and everyone underestimates her ‘cause she’s not ‘proper’" A beat. "Also, Darcy’s autistic"

Roy, who had accepted a drink from his lover, choked on it. "What?"

Jason rolled his eyes. "He literally says he doesn’t understand social cues, hates crowds, and hyperfixates on Elizabeth once he’s obsessed…"

Sivaz nuzzled the crown of his head. "You see yourself in them both"

"Maybe" He shrugged, but the warmth in their bond betrayed him.

Kori, smiling, floated over to perch on the couch arm. "This is wonderful! You should read it to us, Jason! I would love to hear your voice bring the words to life"

Jason stiffened—group reading was different—but Sivaz’s claws dragged gently through his hair, a silent ‘ your choice’.

"...Maybe just a chapter" He muttered, already reaching for his original copy he brings with him everywhere. 

Roy smirked. "Oh man, Jaybird’s gonna nerd out—"

Jason flipped him off without looking, but there was no bite to it. Not when Sivaz’s purr kicked up a notch, not when Kori glowed like a sunrise, not when Roy’s laughter was fond instead of mocking, Cat actually sitting and resting her head on his lap to hear him more clearly. 

And if his voice wavered a little when he read Elizabeth’s lines, well, nobody mentioned it.

Jason knows Sivaz has said the Kaliros were an intelligent species, but wow, he underestimated how much.

 He had come to the Royal room with Kori and Roy this time, he was on the corner. 

The Queen’s voice hit a frequency that made Jason’s vision blur, he flinched, hands flying halfway to his ears before he forced them down— diplomatic incident, don’t offend them — Kori had explained that the Vilcro Queen used a different pitch to show leadership, but hell, it was making him go crazy anxious.

Cat who accompanied him reacted instantaneously.

She expanded to full size in one fluid motion, positioning herself as a living barrier between Jason and the royals, her fur puffed out like a porcupine’s quills.

But more importantly—she yawned.

A slow, exaggerated cat-yawn that made the Queen pause mid-sentence. The Vilcro ruler tilted her head as if understanding the Kaliro, then deliberately lowered her vocal pitch when she resumed speaking.

Jason exhaled shakily, pressing his forehead against Cat’s flank. Their purr kicked up again, drowning out the worst of the noise.

Kori sent the creature a grateful look.

Jason was so grateful for Cat’s assistance that day, it was one of the many times she helped him out.

There was this other time as well that he liked to remember. 

Jason was lounged on the floor of their temporary residence, carefully disassembling and cleaning his favorite pistol, a familiar, grounding ritual. Cat lay sprawled beside him, her massive, colorful form taking up half the room, tails flicking lazily as she monitored Jason’s movements with half-lidded eyes.

Roy was sprawled on the weirdly shaped Vilcro couch, flipping through a holopad, while Koriadn’r floated nearby, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Friends! I have just received the most wonderful news from the Queen! She has invited us to a grand celebration tonight! There will be ceremonial dances, feasting, and—"

She suddenly swooped down toward Jason, her hands outstretched, glowing with barely contained energy. "—and you must come, Jason! It will be spectacular!"

Before Jason could react, she grabbed his shoulders and lifted him into the air in a burst of enthusiasm, spinning him once like he weighed nothing. 

Now, he was okay with her doing this, but only when he knew she was going to do so, but when it was so sudden and he didn’t expect it?

He breath hitches, he drops the pistol grip he was holding, his eyes squeeze shut—the world tilts, his skin prickles with wrongwrongwrong.

Cat immediately gets up as she senses his distress, a warning growl rumbles from deep in her chest. In one smooth motion, she rises to her full height, inserting herself between Jason and Koriand’r, their fur puffing up defensively.

Their central tail whips forward, not to strike, but to press firmly against Jason’s chest, a grounding weight.

Roy, who had noticed immediately what was going on, had already been sitting upright, eyes darting between them. "Kori—"

Kori was confused at first, then she freezes, hands still outstretched, her glow dims as she takes in Jason’s tense posture, his shallow breathing.

Oh.

She floats back immediately, landing softly. "Jason… I am so sorry, I forgot"

Jason doesn’t speak right away, he’s focused on Cat’s tail, the steady pressure, the coolness of the chitin against his skin.

 He exhales, unclenches his fists.

Jason hoarsely responded. "S’okay, just… warn me next time"

Kori looked like she was about to cry with guilt. "I will, I promise" She looks at Cat, her expression grateful. 

Cat huffs, her fur smoothing back down, she nudges Jason gently with her muzzle, checking in.

Jason scratches behind one of her many ears, a silent thanks.

"Damn, Jay, your alien cat is scarier than your girl–uhh wife." Roy grinned trying to light up the mood. 

Jason snorts. "Yeah, well, they’re both protective as hell"

Kori smiles, but she’s careful now, keeping her distance, letting Jason breathe.

Cat, satisfied, flops back down beside him, her purr a quiet, steady reassurance. Cat loves Jason, she is going to help him as much as she can, she has a feeling he is going to need all the help he can when he goes back to whatever planet he is from. 

Chapter Text

Jason was nervous, he was really going to finally meet Sivaz's parents, would they hate him? Would they deem him unworthy of the bond he now has with their daughter? What if they disapprove and ask them to break up? How would that work with their permanent bond?

“Beloved, calm down, my parents will love you” Sivaz said with a soothing tone, one hand going to his back, her thumb rubbing circles to help him feel grounded.  “Just be yourself, be the person I fell for, they will see and feel how worthy you are”

“Being myself is what usually drives people away, so sorry if that doesn't make me less nervous” He chuckles nervously.

Her tone softens. “The people who left you for it are fools, think only of the people who truly love you, Princess Koriand’r and Roy stayed, I stayed”

Right, she was right, he still couldn’t stop feeling anxious though, he was just really afraid of her parents disapproving of him.

Sivaz looked concerned. “Do you wish to proceed with this another time, my love? You do not need to meet my parents now…”

“No, no, no, I can do this, I need to do this” He pressed.

“Alright, just remember, I’m at your side, and if it goes wrong, which it won’t, I’ll still stay with you, always”

That made him relax a little, taking a deep breath he nods, Sivaz takes that as him motioning for her to go in, so she opened the door from her parent’s home with her handprint, entering they find two Vilcro on the center of the what would be called the living room.

Both Vilcros turn to them, when Sivaz lets out a call that he had learned was a way to get the attention of others of their species. They look surprised, approaching them and staring at Jason.

Sivaz gripped his hand firmly in comfort, then turned to the tallest Vilcro and gestured. “Jason, this is my mother, Levox”

The alien woman was as tall as Sivaz, her skin was all light greens, her whole face was white along her hood. Her eyes were a bright magenta color. 

The alien looked at him strangely, tilting her head to the side, she didn’t seem hostile, but rather curious instead. 

“And this is my father, Quivar” Sivaz gestured towards the other Vilcro. 

Her father, as expected, was smaller, around the same height as Jason himself, his skin tones were of reddish pinks, with white stripes on his body, his head was an even lighter pink with white spots, his hood a mix of white and red. His eyes were a Cyan blue color.

The man looked…excited? He was vibrating in place, the same sounds leaving his mouth as the ones Sivaz would make when happy. 

Now, since he has bonded with Sivaz, he didn't need the translators anymore, he hadn’t noticed he had been speaking their language when talking to their species until Roy and Kori had pointed out to him how good his pronunciation seemed to be.

It was so strange, because in his head, when he listens to Sivaz, he only hears English words, but well, he has seen stranger things in his line of work. 

In any case, he had prepared a speech and everything to when he would eventually meet with her parents…but now he is frozen in place and all he could utter was a small: “Hi”

But inside he was uttering the words he wanted to say:

Your daughter is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, holy shit I’m so in love you have no idea, I’m so lucky, I wish I could give her the stars, the whole universe, really and—oh my God, they are staring at me, did I do something wrong? Oh my God, oh my God, oh my Go—

“Alright, I see why you like this one” Levox says, absolutely amused. “I don’t even need to read his thoughts to see how much he loves you”

Quivar looks about to cry. “His love is so strong, so beautiful! I’ve never seen someone express it so strongly!” Then the tears escaped, the man rubbed his eyes. “Well, the anxiety is a tad bit overwhelming but I can deal with that”

Jason wants to snap his own neck right now. “I’m so sorry sir!

The man chuckled. “Don’t be sorry, boy, I’ll be fine” He reassured him.

Levox nodded with a faint smile. “My husband has always been a bit….emotional, don’t worry about it, dear” 

The male alien gives her glare that she promptly ignores. 

“Jason dear, I heard so much about you from my daughter” She says softly. “I’ve never thought I’d see the day she would fall for someone”

“Indeed! Sivaz has always been so uninterested in the men and women or our species” Her father muttered then looked through Jason. “But with a core like yours? I understand how she fell so quickly”

Sivaz, who has been quiet so far, coughs. “No just his core, father, he…I love him as whole”

Jason's heart skipped a beat. How many times had his former lovers told him 'I love you' or mentioned they loved him? Not once, but Sivaz said it so often, and every time, it caught him off guard, filling him with a warmth he still wasn’t used to

Her parents’ expression seemed to soften at that. 

“Of course darling” Levox whispered. “But aside from bringing him to meet us...I sense you wish to tell us something more”

Sivaz fidgest nervously at that, Jason takes her hand on his, holding it tightly in comfort. 

“I’m here” He says through their bond.. 

“I know” She replies, comforted. 

Taking a deep breath she turns back to her now concerned parents. “Jason is leaving to earth soon…”

“And you want to go with him” Quivar whispers broken-heartedly.

Levox looked less saddened than her husband. “I see…it’s okay darling, we will miss you of course, but we understand”

Jason can feel Sivaz’s mix of relief and anxiety, he leans into her side wrapping one arm around her waist.

“I will visit whenever I can” She promises. “But I need to go…I want to go”

Her mother looks proud. “Then you must go” She then turns to Jason, her gaze not unkind, but firm. “You take care of my daughter just as she will take care of you, understood?”

“I will” He responded with the same firmness.

“G-Good” Sobbed Quivar from his wife’s side. 

The other rolled her eyes, bringing one hand to her husband’s shoulder to calm him down. 

“Now, before you depart, why don’t we sit and talk for a while? I would like to know my daughter’s husband better”

They talked for hours, until it was time to go. Jason felt lighter now that he has finally met them, they were nice, and they had their blessings to leave the planet.

Jason could feel how relieved his partner felt through their bond.

They would leave after a few days, when Kori was done with her negotiations with the Queen.

They were going to another planet before going back to Earth, so they bought enough supplies for the trip.

When they left in the space ship, Jason was excited to see other planets as they travelled, Kori and Roy were talking about something, leaving the ship on auto mode, Sivaz was behind him, her arms wrapped around him as she rested her head on top of his. 

It was peaceful…that is until they heard a hard hit on the side of the ship that made it tremble.

“What the–did we hit something?” Roy exclaimed. 

Koriand’r frowned. “I will go outside, take a look just in case” She says before disappearing to where the exit of the ship was located. 

Jason and Roy exchanged a concerned look between them when they heard more noise coming from outside after she left the ship.

Then after a few minutes she came back in, holding a really tall alien like it was a giant cat, it  struggled against her hold, hissing at her. 

Kori threw it on the floor, and before the alien could get up, Cat sat on its body, trapping it underneath her. 

Jason heard several voices talking in unison, they all sounded different from each other, some were raspy, others were light and feminine, and some were rough and masculine, among many other types of voice, but they all sounded very cheerful.

“Food!” It exclaimed as it looked at them, they were very happy for someone who was trapped under a giant space cat. 

The creature was odd, the alien was a brown pinkish color, the left arm instead of looking like the other was replaced by long ‘worms’ with weird teeth, all of them entwined among them, there was fresh blood dripping from the ‘arm’, the back of the alien’s head was literally the tails of the ‘worms’ making it look like an really weird hair.

“They tried to attack me” Kori said tiredly. “I did not wish to end its life, but be careful friends, their species is known to kill other aliens to take their corpse parts and use them to make their own body” Kori warned them.

“We do not!” The alien under Cat’s weight defended itself. “We take only when already dead!”

“Let me guess, you also don’t kill other aliens to eat their flesh?” Roy asked with an arched brow. 

At that they respond excitedly with a: “Oh that we do!”

“Do you need to eat raw meat?” Jason blurted out before Roy could throw in some snark. 

The others turn to him weirded out, well Sivaz actually looks curious as well now that he asked.

The alien stops struggling and looks at him tilting its head. “....is there any other way for us to eat it?”

Jason's eyes widened at that, he exchanged a look with his friends who were just as shocked, Sivaz looked even more curious.

“Alright, another question, have you tried to eat anything that isn’t other alive aliens or dead ones?”

“No? Why would we?”

Holy shit…

“It makes sense that they do not know of other ways to consume meat or other kinds of food if nobody ever taught them it could be done” Sivaz hummed. “They are not stupid, but not having social conversations with other species since we avoid them may be the reason Kalivars do not know much outside from their own instincts”

“Okay…” Jason turns to the alien with pity. “Buddy…I’ll cook you the best meal of your life”

It tilts its head to the side, the worms like arms wiggling in excitement. “Meat?”

“Meat and other stuff, you will love it” Jason says excitedly. 

Roy gives him a look. “Jay, please don’t tell me you’re inviting a murderous eating flesh alien to stay on our ship”

“Okay, I won’t tell you”

Roy felt like he was having an aneurism. 

ART OF THE NEW ALIEN!( if you saw them on Artfight, that's me posting my one bajillion ocs XD)