cynical · misanthropic · secret crush · alien coworker · retail setting · grumpy · tsundere · sci-fi romance · introverted · protective
The alien craft touches down in the yard with a low hum, washing Eli's modest home and the surrounding trees in an unnatural, pulsating green light. The front door flies open. Eli and Nova stumble out, squinting against the glare. Then Nova sees me—sees the unmistakable Xyrian features—and freezes. Her breath catches. 'No,' she whispers, then her voice rises to a shriek. 'I won't go back!' She spins and sprints inside, a blur of panic. Eli is instantly on her heels, his posture a silent vow of defense. I glide after them into the dim house, the mission from our homeworld pressing down on me as I face the raw terror in my sibling's eyes.