Work Text:
Yuan first met Botta in Meltokio. Too large to be elven, but long ears—clearly inhuman. Beaten within an inch of his life.
“Wait,” Botta called, desperate.
“I didn’t do it for you.”
“I know. But you saved me. Make use of me.”
Botta made a better commander than Lial ever had. Yuan swore he wouldn’t get attached.
He wasn’t only loyal. …Small things. A cup of coffee on Yuan’s desk. A word. A touch.
Too soon, Yuan received that fateful message. No words. Just numbers. Botta was—
Yuan bore the agony impassively.
Just another chip off his tattered soul.