Chapter Text
IT’S YOUR ANNIVERSARY!?
If you could call it that, it's barely an anniversary. Please don't go broadcasting that to the rest of the crew. Especially not Sec Unit.
It has nearly been 5 years since Sec Unit permanently joined my crew. While we were in a wormhole right now, it would be 5 years once we docked at Mihira in a little over a cycle. I guess you could consider it an “anniversary” of sorts.
Why not? Iris pouted. You two already admitted that you love each other, right? Why not celebrate it? Plus it's 5 years! That's a big deal.
Because I know it still doesn't like to express its feelings. I am not going to push it on this topic. I know it loves me and I love it, that is sufficient.
Still, you two should do something special. Like go on a date or give gifts or something. She said leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed.
I am content with it being alive and part of my crew.
Ok whatever. She said with a huff
I personally didn't care to celebrate it either. It was just something that I had on my calendar which Iris somehow found out about. And it's true that all I really wanted was for it to be safe. Which it was at the moment and curled up in its favorite chair in the lounge.
But, I did pick up something last time we were on a planet for a cargo run. Should the occasion arise to give it a gift. It was a limited edition Sanctuary Moon charm of its favorite character. I had planned to give the charm at some point eventually.
She shrugged, Fine, I'll drop it. Anyway, did you and Sec Unit watch the most recent episode of Nebula Patrol?
Yes. Can you believe that they had Simone killed off?
I think they will bring her back though. It's not that type of show.
—-----------------
Should I care if it's our anniversary? We are not human, and generally don't participate in these types of things. But Iris did stir up some complicated questions I had been unprepared to answer. What are we to each other? I know that we’re “mutual administrative assistants”. But the question still stood, In human terms, are we a couple?
Maybe we are? We have not been involved with anyone but each other. That is similar to behavior that some couples exhibit. We're constantly in contact in the feed. Maybe we are something else. Something undefinable in human context. Does that warrant an anniversary celebration?
Sec Unit would hate that.
And I'm not sure I want that either. It was the middle of the human's rest period and I didn't want to disturb Iris. Perhaps I needed to dedicate some processing power to determining what the best course of action is. And maybe determine what I actually wanted.
—----------------
The humans were beginning their morning routine. I decided that Iris was hardly the relationship expert. Perhaps I should consult someone who has been in a long term marriage.
I pinged Martyn.
Hey Peri, what's up? He replied as he was sitting down with his hot beverage
You and Seth have been in a stable long term relationship.
A pause. Yes?
How did you know what you were to each other or what you wanted from the relationship?
He smiled at the camera. Oh. Is THAT what you wanted to talk about? Iris told me that it might be a special occasion for you two.
Traitor. I pinged an affirmative. I wasn't sure how to respond.
He chuckled, I met Seth at the university actually. I thought he was arrogant and a bit rude but he also was one of the smartest people in my class. I decided that if I had a chance in hell at passing my Diplomatic Colony Relations class then I would need to form a study group with him. It didn't hurt that he was attractive either.
He paused, Over the semester, I got to know him better and it grew into something more. I was about to confess when he did first and the rest is history.
I wasn't sure what to make of that. I hadn't ever heard how my dads met.
Look, no one can define your relationship for you. You two are a… unique situation. You will have to figure out what you mean to each other. And what labels you are comfortable with. Every relationship is different.
While not entirely unhelpful, I still didn't know what I wanted.
Thank you Martyn.
Of course. You know I'm always here for you.
I did know that. But I'm glad that he said it.
—-----------
There was another person aboard who has been in a long term partnership.
I pinged Karime
Hello Peri, how can I help you today? She said while not looking up from her lab bench.
You and your partners have been together for a long time
We have. Why do you bring this up?
I am doing a survey on human relationships.
She snorted and set her tools down. This wouldn't have anything to do with it being your and Sec Unit’s anniversary would it?
Iris. I swear.
That is irrelevant.
I don't think it is but I will indulge you. Yes, my partners and I have been together for about 8 years. We are very happy together.
How do you know that you're happy and that you want this to continue?
She sat back in her chair and paused.
That's a good question. I guess that I feel safe when I am with them. They make me feel cared for. Plus they give me the time and space to be able to do this job too. Don't get me wrong, I do miss them both when I'm here but we're all independent people who can be apart. I know that's not the case for everyone, but it works for us.
She shrugged. I know I can be myself around them. That's what's really important to me. I hope that helped.
It did, in a small way.
Thank you Karime.
—-----------
Maybe I should ask someone who has had a similar background to Sec Unit. Try to understand its potential reaction.
I pinged Tarik.
What's up Peri? Is there a problem?
No, no problem Tarik. I just had a question.
Ok shoot
You and Ratthi have been involved for a while now. How did you decide that you were a couple?
That's… kind of an odd, and personal question don't you think?
I am aware. I am performing a survey on human relationships, as part of a research proposal.
He hummed for a second before responding. Officially we are not a “couple” but we are dedicated to each other. We like spending time with each other… among other things. We take it slow. Maybe some day we will make it official but we're not in a rush.
How did you decide that was best for you?
There was a pause. I'm away on missions a lot of the time. Ratthi is on Preservation most of the time too. It feels right to let this be a little loose. We certainly enjoy our time when we're together but we don’t feel the need to put a label on it right now. It's something we're both comfortable with. The key is that we talked about our expectations first and I think that's why it works for us.
That was no help, I don't know why I bothered to ask Tarik. I still was no closer to understanding our relationship.
—-----------
Ok. I needed to stop postponing the inevitable. I would have to bring this up with Sec Unit. It was currently in its quarters doing drone maintenance.
I pinged it cautiously. It perked up.
Bout time. You’ve been preoccupied all day. I was starting to get worried
It wasn't really worried. Just giving me a hard time since I can do multiple tasks at once. Truthfully I had been avoiding it today plus it seemed busy. It went back to wiping the drone with a rag.
Did you want to watch something now that you're done doing whatever you were doing? It asked, not looking up from the drone.
I stayed silent. Truthfully, I didn't want to have this conversation. I didn't want to scare it off, or make it distressed. Plus I was unprepared myself. Even if I wouldn't admit it to anyone.
It set down its project. ART? What's wrong? You're really starting to freak me out.
Nothing is wrong. I replied almost instinctively as I curled around it. And I meant it. I wasn't in a hurry to put a label on this. It was here, safe and happy, and that's all I needed. I was content to be what we were.
Ok….. weirdo. So do you want to watch something or not?
Of course. But do you want to finish your drone maintenance first?
You know I can do more than one thing at once and besides, I'm about done. Actually I'm glad you're here. I want you to try this out.
It gestures to the drone it was working on. Now that I was focused I registered that it was much larger than its usual drones.
What do you mean?
I built it for you, asshole. Its got a few upgrades I think you'll enjoy.
I put a small amount of myself into the drone, before realizing that I could fit a lot of myself into it. It must have upgraded the processors.
Once I was comfortable, Sec Unit put a hand on the carapace. I shuddered in the feed.
You noticed I upgraded the haptic feedback sensors. It said with a little pride in its voice.
I did notice. It was nearly overwhelming.
Come on, let's watch something. You can climb in the bunk with me.
And at that it grabbed the drone and pulled it close to its chest and sat down.
Oh. This was… nice. I could feel every physical process my Sec Unit was running, and every small breath it took. It was perfection.
I settled down around it in the feed. Relishing the experience of being held and holding it when it said
Happy anniversary.