Diamond in the Rough: Crellic Revival by C.W. Gray

Author:C.W. Gray [Gray, C.W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

After a few hours of socializing, Xav finally managed to get Joe to himself. They sat on the third-floor deck and looked up at the night sky as the sound of music and voices drifted from below.

“What do you think of Genarg?” he asked, linking his fingers with Joe’s.

“It’s home,” Joe answered with a serene expression.

“Home,” Xav repeated, letting the word roll through his thoughts. He loved the colony, but he wasn’t sure it felt like home to him yet.

“I miss my family, though.” Joe brought their joined hands up and brushed his lips across Xav’s knuckles. “They would love it here. Grandma always wanted a garden, and Grandpa is excited about the twins. He adores all his great grandkids, so it bothers him that he won’t get to see them in person. My sisters and brothers and their families would love all this space. Even my mom and dad would like it here.”

“Why didn’t they come too?”

Joe winced. “Well, imagine that generations of your family have lived in a hole. After years and years, they accept the darkness and cramped spaces and make it their own. It becomes normal and safe. The outside becomes a frightening unknown.”

Xav nodded. “That makes sense.” He couldn’t say that he understood perfectly. He’d never been in their situation before. Exploration and adventure were a staple of his childhood. Fuck, he’d grown up with mercenaries. His family really was entirely different than Joe’s.

“I was scared to leave myself,” Joe said, voice almost too soft to hear. “If Lyr hadn’t pushed me, I would still be with VMC.”

“I’m glad she pushed you.” Xav turned to face him. “You’re here now. With me.”

Joe snorted. “Why do you want me? You could do so much better. There has to be a ton of men out there that would be a better match. Maybe a rich merchant in a suit who can stand next to you when you do those interviews with the media. Someone intelligent and beautiful like you.”

Xav laughed. “That’s ridiculous. Some rich asshole merchant would just want to strip Genarg of its resources. He wouldn’t understand this place. As for looks, you’re so handsome already that it’s hard to breathe around you. I can’t imagine anyone better existing.”

Joe grinned. “I like it when you say pretty things like that even if I’m not sure I believe you.”

“I’ll keep saying them until you do.” Xav leaned against the deck rails. “You and I are more alike than you think. Our backgrounds may be different, but we both took a risk coming here. When I decided to stay and make my life here, I was scared too. I had never been away from my family before. They expected me to stay at Charybdis Station and rise through the ranks like my brothers did. I was already a captain of my own ship and was up for a promotion. Choosing to leave was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

“I bet they’re proud of you.” Joe nudged his shoulder.

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