Broken

.17.

The drive to my parents was quiet. Ami'la had sent us off with a smile and a promise that she would see us later. I had to smile at the memory, she was truly one of a kind. I could feel Rhex's stiffness as he looked out the car's window. He was uncomfortable and I had no clue how to make it better. I was nervous that he would be meeting my parents but I had no clue how he felt other than I could feel he was uncomfortable.

I let out a sigh and reached over to place my hand on top of his. "Are you okay?" I watched as he swallowed before looking at me with small nod. I gave him a small smile. "It's okay to be nervous or uncomfortable." It was only natural. He hadn't expected to have a soulmate and now he was meeting said soulmate's parents. "I know it's weird. We've only known each other for less than a week and I'm taking you to see my parents. This is beyond weird for me." I pulled my hand back but Rhex reached out and took it in his.

"I am not used to these things. My parents did not show me very much affection as I grew up. My grandfather and my grandmother did but it was always sporadic. They were very busy people." His expression was serious and I felt my heart squeeze in my chest at the thought of Rhex not having anyone to show him love growing up. "The way-" He paused, looking almost uncertain.

"Orrians-" He seemed to be at a loss for words and I squeezed his hand slightly. He seemed to collect himself and frowned slightly. "I am nervous because I was raised by Orrian customs and the way humans are is very difficult for me to process because I am not used to any form of affection." He lifted our hands and stared at them."This, right here. I like the feeling of your hand in mine but my brain is screaming at me that it is not proper. I am at odds with myself and now I am going to be stepping into an area I have never known before."

He gave a heavy swallow. "Orrians do not meet parents, we do not hold hands, we do not feel things like humans do." He gestured between us and I kept silent letting him finish. "My body and its reactions are the complete opposite of everything I have ever been taught." He tapped the side of his head. "My brain is not willing to let things go. Especially this meeting with your parents. I am uncomfortable because I do not know what to expect because this is not done." He looked so lost that I wanted to smile.

"Rhex, you are over thinking things." I brushed some hair from my eyes and chuckled. "My mum will probably give you a hug, my dad will most likely shake your hand. Then they will promptly sit us down and we will talk. That's it, there is nothing else involved." A realization slammed into me and a smile broke across my face. "Actually this is a good thing. My parents have been mated for over twenty-six years. They can help you understand what is going on. They can help us understand what is going on." I narrowed my eyes slightly, thinking it over for a moment.

"Ghilesh said that soulmates within the Orrian race are incredibly rare so everyone is raised to ignore it but Orrians gave humans the soulmate system. The humans understand it more than any Orrian right now because we still use it like we have for the past seven hundred years, while your system started to decline." I watched his expression but it remain unchanged. "My parents can help us understand what it is we are going through. Just treat it like a training session. It is data recovery, essentially." His face was even but he gave a slow nod. He pulled his hand from mine and I looked at his as he turned back towards his window.

I gave a small sigh and moved closer to him on the seat. "Rhex. Rhex, please look at me." I grasped his arm in my hands and after a moment's pause he turned his head to look at me.

His eyes were expressionless and I fought the urge to scowl. He was like a turtle, retreating into his shell when he became uncomfortable or scared.

I reached up and pressed my palm against his cheek. "It's okay. I'll be with you." I couldn't help myself as I repeated the words he had told me right after the terrifying flight towards Earth. I watched his mouth twitch upwards slightly before he fought to get it back under control. I didn't have his self-control and started laughing.