I spent most of the morning explaining how basic things around my apartment worked, and he got the gist of everything pretty quickly. We experimented with food too, and we learned he hates eggs, bacon, and pizza rolls. On the other hand, he seemed to love doritos and macaroni. He was thrilled to learn that we both had water, and I think he was just happy to find something he was familiar with.

I kept casting glances at him, remembering that morning. I found I rather liked his three eyes, even if I wasn’t used to them. They were really dark, almost black, and more than once I caught myself staring.

I was avoiding his questions about my extensive manga collection when Alex came busting through the door.

“Yo, how you guys been?” Alex waltzed into the apartment, acting as if she hadn’t just dramatically kicked open my door.

She dropped five different bags onto my floor, as I drily said, “I hope you didn’t leave another dent.”

Alex ignored my remark, and instead immediately went over to Zesper. “Hey, hey, hey, c’ mere, I picked you up some stuff.” She grabbed his arm and started dragging him to where she had dumped the bags.

“That’s why I’m late.” She added, looking over at me apologetically.

Zesper looked at me in a panic-filled gaze, and I laughed out loud.

He suddenly smirked at me, and before I had a chance to question it, he wrapped his tail around my wrist as Alex dragged him past me.

“H-hey!” I stumbled after them, crashing right into Zesper, sending us tumbling onto the ground.

I swear it was straight out of a cheesy rom-com, with me landing on top of him, my hands braced on either side of his head.

My face immediately flushed, and his tail slowly unwrapped from around my wrist, as he grinned widely.

Alex only laughed loudly in the background and started taking things out of bags, making no move to help either of us up.

He flicked at my ears as I stammered out an apology. I rolled off of him, and let out a breath.

You’re killing me, Zesper.

I moved over to the couch, avoiding his gaze as I watched as Alex started taking out clothes for Zesper, sending me a wink when he was distracted.

I brought my knees up to my chest, watching as Alex thrust clothes into his arms. He smiled at me over the mountain of cloth in his arms.

“I can not accept all of this. Surely you have spent a lot of your currency on these clothes.” He peeked around at Alex, and she only added more clothes into his arms.

“Nah, it’s fine. I’m making Felix pay for all of it anyways.”

I rolled my eyes.

Zesper on the other hand, freaked out. “That is unnecessary! I do wish to be a burden!”

“Hey, it’s fine. I have, uh, a lot of money, so it’s not really a big deal.” I scratched the back of my neck, grimacing slightly.

“It’s fine! Besides, you can’t walk around in Felix’s clothes, they’re all edgy and too big on you.” Alex cut back in the conversation and I’d never been more relieved. There was nothing I would rather talk about less than my father and his money.

“What does ‘edgy’ mean?”

“Oh yeah. Hm. Okay, new plan!” Alex announced. “You can try on clothes while we teach you more of our language and stuff.”

I huffed my approval, trying to subtle watch Zesper. His tail was constantly moving, even if it just meant it was lightly swinging back and forth. I noticed he had a tendency to scratch his wrist if he was upset or nervous. He didn’t like wearing shirts very much, and I frowned, debating telling him he didn’t have to wear one.

I texted Alex.

Tell him he doesn’t have to wear a shirt if he doesnt want to

tell him urself

I dont wanna sound pervy

lol u do sound like a perv

Just tell him

finee

“Oh, I noticed you don’t seem to like any of these shirts, and you don’t have ta’ wear one if you don’t wanna.” Alex didn’t give him a chance to respond before adding, “Oh and I totally bought you underwear, since I needed to pick up boxers anyways.”

Zesper grabbed the package she threw at him, as I stared, mortified. “Humans wear these?”

“Nah, not all humans. Usually only dudes. Or, I mean, uh, males.”

“Then why would you need them?”

“Oh god no, I could never wear those. But my girlfriend does, and she totally needs new ones.”

I smiled lightly. Alex’s girlfriend was a real piece of work, but I thought she was alright.

“I see. How do they work?” Zesper’s face was the picture of innocence.

“I’m sure Felix can show you.” Alex sent a sly smile in my direction.

Change the subject, change the subject.

“Do you uh, do you have girlfriends and boyfriends on your uh, planet?” Their heads swiveled to me as I spoke up, hoping my reasoning wasn’t completely see-through.

“Oh no, I do not have any. But they do exist, yes. Gender is not very defining on my planet, and few people care about it.” He looked at me when he said the first sentence, and it sent shivers down my spine.

Hear that, Felix? He doesn’t care you’re a guy, and he isn’t dating anyone.

Shut up, shut up, shut up.

“Interesting,” I coughed.

Alex wiggled her eyebrows at me, and I glared.