"Thank you, Inso," Syri said to the gamma as he rested his head in Estan's lap. Estan responded with a soft hum, his fingers flowing through the zeta's soft hair as the two sat beneath the stars. "I don't know what I would have done had he seen me," the zeta added in one, slow breath.
"Thankfully, we don't have to think about that," Estan said when he could tell the zeta was on the verge of falling into a spiral of thoughts regarding the prince and the close encounter. Syri nodded in silent agreement, taking advantage of Estan's words to forcefully shove the thoughts of the prince to the back of his mind, difficult as it was.
The zeta decided to change the topic from the prince to ensure the true blood was not at the front of his mind and to preserve his hard work of hiding the prince in the back of his mind. "How is Yejin Inso?" Syri inquired of the gamma upon deciding to ask Estan of his mate to lighten the mood. Estan always smiled when he talked of Yejin.
Just as Syri guessed, Estan's lips curled into a sweet smile as he began, "He's doing well. He dragged Jae out on a chase to make him release some steam and sprained his wrist in the process."
"Oh no!" Syri exclaimed. "Is he alright?"
"Yeah, he's fine," the gamma assured the concerned zeta with a gentle pet on the head. "It'll be healed by morning."
"That's good," Syri responded as he flicked his eyes to look up at the endless stars covering the night sky.
"And how's my Syri? Getting enough sleep?" Estan inquired of the zeta, leaning down to catch the boy's attention. "Hm?"
"I get about five hours when I don't have the nightshift," the zeta answered truthfully. Syri was already preparing himself for a lecture when Estan exclaimed, "Five hours?!! What are you? Cattle? Why do they work you so hard?" The gamma's brows knit together in determination, and he stated, "I need to talk to the Luna. You should be getting at least eight hours every night. This is unacceptable!"
Syri could not help the chuckle that escaped his lips as he sat up and faced the angry gamma. "Inso, it's okay. Five hours is more than enough, and they do treat us well. The Luna even saved Kip and me, remember?"
"Yeah, but-"
"But they pay us well." Syri interrupted the gamma before Estan could embark on another ranting session. "So, I can't really complain."
Estan crossed his arms and released a huff before eventually agreeing with the determined zeta. "Fine, but if they make you work more than you already are, let me know, and I will tear them a new one they could never even imagine."
"Roger." Syri let out another chuckle at the gamma's protectiveness. Syri did not stop the gamma, who continued to silently fume about the zeta sleeping only five hours per night, as he cherished Estan's care and affection. He was grateful the gamma was looking out for him.
"So, what are you going to do with your wages?" Estan inquired once he had settled down and was not so gun-ho on speaking to the Luna. "Have you thought about what you want to do once you consider your debt to Jae paid?"
Syri fell silent. The zeta hung his head and quietly answered, "I don't think I'll ever be able to repay him..."
"So, you'll work for him for the rest of your life?" Estan raised a brow at the zeta. Was that even feasible? Was Jae not bound to see him one day if Syri stayed longer than a few weeks?
"That's the plan, at least for now," Syri replied with a nod. "I may transfer departments after a bit. But, I really like my team, so I don't know..." A moment passed before Syri added, "I don't have a mate, so there's nothing that would keep me from working here for the rest of my life."
The gamma's expression fell at the zeta's words. The realization that Syri would forever be mateless had hit the gamma hard, and whenever Estan thought of it, his eyes instantly filled with tears. "Oh, Syri..."
"It's okay, Inso," Syri quickly said in an attempt to assure the gamma he was alright. "I'm not lonely; I have you and Kip, and Calix and Bevy, and Ibbi and Lili." The zeta mustered a small smile as he looked at the gamma to see Estan gazing at him through glistening eyes. The gamma remained quiet and simply opened his arms. Syri complied with Estan's silent request and scooted toward the gamma until he was wrapped in Estan's tender embrace.
"My little one has become so strong." The gamma's voice quivered when he spoke, indicating he was on the verge of tears. Syri closed his eyes and relaxed in the gamma's comforting embrace. The zeta remained in Estan's arms as the stars twinkled against the dark blanket and the moon continued its arc in the sky.