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Alex noticed the group of Lasan refugees too late. He and Zeb had been taking their usual evening stroll along the lake edge, along with many others, all appreciating the cool breeze coming off the water after the heat of the day, and he had been so caught up in their conversation he hadn't seen the group of women who were wearing traditional Lasana clothing in time to avoid them. One woman in particular, obviously pregnant with a prominent bump, was glaring at him with intense hatred, reminding him of the way Zeb had looked at him in their early encounters. He tried to steer Zeb away from the group, but unfortunately another in the party saw them and greeted Zeb with a wave and cheerful good evening. Zeb smiled, and wandered over. Alex tried not to grimace as he followed reluctantly, hanging back and trying to fade into the background. So far, he had successfully managed to stay out of the way of the refugees that Zeb had brought to Lira San, instead only socialising with the Lira Sana lasat, who were surprisingly unbothered by his past.
Zeb chatted with several of the women, catching up with each other's lives since the last time they had seen each other. He had seen Sebah giving Alex an evil look, and had decided not to introduce him to anyone right now. They were both struggling a bit with being on Lira San, for various reasons, and he didn't want to make it harder for either of them. He was taken aback when Sebah turned her gaze to him, looking at him with disgust.
“I don't know what you are thinking, choosing him,” she spat, moving forward. Her friend grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back, but Sebah shook her off.
“Don't need to explain myself to you, Sebah,” said Zeb. “But he's a good person. If you got to know him..”
“I'm not interested in getting to know Imperial trash,” she said. ”He shouldn't be here. But that's not what I meant. You have a responsibility. You should be helping the Lasan people rebuild.”
“What d'you mean?” said Zeb, confused. “I've been helping.”
“You should be choosing a mate from your own people, the right woman you can start a family with. Have some kits, like me, and Herva,” she said, stroking her belly.
Herva looked embarrassed, and shuffled slightly away from Sebah, as if she didn't want Zeb to think she agreed with Sebah's view.
“Ain't interested in women like that,” he said, disconcerted. “And I don't know if I want kits. Ain't exactly been thinking about it, fighting a war and all.”
“That's not important. We all have a duty to Lasan. We should stick to our own,” Sebah replied, furiously.
Alex looked at Zeb; at his confusion slowly switching to distress, his ears drooping and his brow furrowed, and he felt a quick surge of intense anger, moving through his body like heat. His mind had stayed clear, however, and he stepped out from behind Zeb, his reply cold and biting.
“What exactly is your plan? I hate to tell you, but it is unlikely that there are enough Lasana survivors for a viable starting population, not if you want your descendants to be healthy. Even if you did manage to persuade people to follow your vision, what were you planning to tell your children? That they're not allowed to fall in love with someone from Lira San? You can't rebuild the Lasan people this way. It's your culture that's important; sharing your memories and your stories with your children, helping your people live on through your actions.”
As he had been speaking, Sebah had become tenser, her face distorting into an angry snarl. As Alex finished, she let out an anguished roar, and swiped at his face, claws extended. He had been ready, and jumped back, but not quite fast enough. Her claws brushed his cheek; their razor sharp edges easily drawing blood. He stumbled, and fell to the floor.
Sebah's companions held her back, but her anger seemed to have burnt itself out, as she crumpled in on herself, sobbing. Herva looked at Zeb, who was crouching down to examine Kallus’ face, and said “You better get him out of here. This isn't good for the baby.”
Zeb nodded, pulling Alex to his feet easily, and steering him away from the other lasat. He could tell Alex was regretting his words, but he was too overwhelmed by what had just happened to discuss it with him, anger at both Sebah and Alex making his fur stand up uncomfortably. They made their way back home in silence.
–‐—
Zeb finished patching up Alex's cheek, and they both stared at each for a moment, unsure of what to say.
“Zeb, I'm sorry,” said Alex, hesitantly. “It wasn't my place to say anything.”
“You're right,” Zeb growled, “It wasn't.”
“It's just..You've done more than anyone for the Lasan people. I couldn't bear to hear her talk to you that way. It's not your responsibility to repopulate Lasan; it's not anyone's. But you especially, deserve to retire in peace, and live your life for yourself, finally.”
“Yeah, I get it,” said Zeb, softening as he looked into Alex's worried brown eyes. “Just maybe be more careful, ok, especially around pregnant women." Alex looked guilty, and Zeb gently brushed his cheek against Alex's uninjured one. “You been thinking about this stuff?” Zeb asked, curiously.
“Of course,” replied Alex, sadly. “Once we arrived here and I saw so many Lira Sana lasat living their lives, I was so happy. But it didn't last. It doesn't change what happened on Lasan, or mean that the Lasana people can be what they once were. I could see how desperately they wanted that not to be true, even from a distance.”
Zeb felt his stomach drop, and his ears wilted again. It was still hard thinking about these things. He pulled Alex into a hug, burying his face in his hair, and taking comfort from his scent, and his warmth. “I agree with you, you know,” he mumbled into his head. Alex responded by tightening his grip around Zeb, and kissing his shoulder. Zeb pulled back, and looked at Alex, seriously. “I mean it. We should honour the past, but we can't cling to it. We gotta move forward, with our new lives on Lira San. We shouldn't be isolating ourselves. I'll talk to the others. But you should keep out of their way for a bit longer, I reckon. It's still too fresh.”
Alex didn't look any happier, Zeb noticed. “What's wrong?” he said.
Alex couldn't meet his eye, looking away to the ground. “Do you want kits?” he said, quietly. “I'm not sure it would be appropriate, with me.”
Zeb frowned. “Told you, I've not really thought about it much. Ain't something I've been desperate for. But I think maybe that's not a conversation for today.”
“You're right,” said Alex, softly. “Today was bad enough already. Let me go and make dinner for you. I'll take your turn tonight.”
“Nah. Just need to hold you for a bit,” said Zeb, pulling him back in. “It'll be alright, you know.” Alex didn't respond, just adjusting himself so they fit perfectly together, and nuzzling against him. Zeb felt himself begin to relax again, as they held each tightly.