Since they only had three months to spend together before duty called Vok'Rul away, Viktor was determined to make the most of it. He pushed himself as hard as he could in his physical therapy, didn't miss a single psychological therapy session, and did all the humming and singing exercises his voice therapist told him to do. If he wanted to spend time with Vok'Rul without tiring, having a panic attack, or generally being unwell, Viktor needed to get better.

It wasn't easy. Viktor never expected it to be easy. He had to admit, though, that he thought it'd happen a little quicker.

The nightmares were less intense with each passing night. Sure, he often woke up with the urge to vomit most nights, but sometimes, he could sleep through the entire night without one hint of his past. Viktor had forgotten what it had been like to be so well-rested.

The worst part about every night was finding the courage to actually fall asleep. Knowing that he'd be plagued with nightmares made it difficult for Viktor to shut off his brain and sleep. His thoughts were loud and abrasive.

On A1-308, there'd be some activity for him to do to tire him out physically. On Earth, he just got mentally exhausted. It was so apparent that Vok'Rul quickly picked up on it.

"Kohgrash," he said across the dining table. It looked a little funny; like an adult sitting at a kid's play table. He was hunched over his plate of food, holding silverware that was too small for his hands. "What is the matter with you?"

"Lots of stuff I imagine," Viktor said through a mouthful of chicken burrito. Vok'Rul wrinkled his nose, and he quickly swallowed his bite of food. "What's up?"

He saw Vok'Rul glance at the ceiling before remembering it was just a saying. Viktor hid his smile behind his glass of water. "You are so... twitchy and bouncy, lately. Like an overexcited hatchling at the celebration."

"What's the celebration?"

Vok'Rul tilted his head at him, a sheen of mischief in his eyes. "Nothing major," he said lightly, tone of voice halting and slow. "Just a little celebration we have every few years. You'll see it one day. Regardless! You are all," he waved a spoon at him, "move-y."

Viktor squinted at him. "I dunno," he pushed the glass of water around the table, watching the condensation bead up underneath the rim. "I've got a lot of energy lately."

Vok'Rul nodded slowly, a dawning look of comprehension on his face. "You are healing, and so you are getting more energy to move. That is a good thing, Kohgrash."

"Yeah, I know, but I've got nothing to do!"

He wasn't in school, yet. Both he and his dad were skeptical of his return to school when he was so unhealthy - both physically and mentally. Not to mention, it was the middle of the year. If he were to go back to school, he'd have a lot of catching up to do. The only things he did during the day were sleep, eat, and chat with Vok'Rul. Which was what he had done on A1-308, so it was simply beyond him why he was so, as Vok'Rul put it, move-y.

Vok'Rul perked up, looking excited. "Well, since you are in good health, more or less, won't you show me around your planet? I only saw your salt waters from the sky! I have been researching your planet, and I must say, I am quite intrigued with the prospect of going to every biome. Did you know that you have twenty-six biomes? That is simply too many, Kohgrash, and I wish to see every single one."

Viktor only knew of like, five biomes, but he nodded along. "How are you researching this stuff?" Vok'Rul wasn't allowed in any of the libraries around here - something which still made Viktor irritated beyond belief.

"Your phone is quite small for my hands, but it holds many things I can 'Google'."

He found Google. On the phone that he took from Viktor. He glared weakly at the alien. "You can't just take my stuff, man."

"My apologies," Vok'Rul didn't sound the least bit apologetic. "Can we go see them?"

After explaining to Vok'Rul about the things called passports, airplanes, traveling costs, and time, the alien was a little disheartened. Then, he jolted, struck by a single thought. "Excuse me, one moment!" was all he said before darting off into the next room. Bemused, both he and his dad swapped glances before turning back to their meal.

Vok'Rul returned with a smug grin on his face, and an hour later, the three of them were outside, watching a Vokkrus cargo ship descend from the air.

Viktor felt a thrill of wary fear strike through him at the sight of the ship, and he wasn't the only one. Shouts of alarm and fear were heard everywhere outside, and he shot an unimpressed look at the alien. He had the decency to look abashed.

"I did not realize that it would cause such panic," was all he said. Viktor sighed, and they climbed aboard the ship, which had parked right in the middle of the street, stopping the meager traffic completely.

"We're probably gonna get yelled at by the government," Viktor grouched, though he couldn't find it in himself to care all that much. He did want to go see the world, too.

The ship was compact, and on closer inspection, less of a cargo ship and more of a small transport ship. There was room for around ten aliens to reside comfortably in the main hull of the ship, sectioned from the cockpit by a thin door. The driver was one of the aliens Viktor had seen aboard The Conquest. They looked pretty enthused to be driving the Vokkra around.

"Where to, Your Majesty?" they chirped cheerily.

Vok'Rul turned expectantly to Viktor.

"What?" he said, crossing his arms. A little smile was playing on his face but he forced it off. He couldn't have Vok'Rul parking ships in the streets and expecting everything to be alright. There were rules about aircraft. Granted, Viktor didn't know them, but he was pretty sure they were there for a reason.

And sure enough, after Viktor had pulled out his phone and shown the pilot the nearest National Park (the Badlands), a jet pulled up alongside them.

"Turn the radio on," Viktor requested, warily watching the jet. They didn't look hostile. But he could never tell.

"Requesting identification," crackled the radio. The pilot leaned forward, hit the button, and spoke.

"This is His Majesty Vokkra and Lord Kohgrash on board. Pilot speaking. Can you understand?"

"Translator working correctly. State your intentions, please," the radio asked, sounding just a tad worried.

Viktor leaned forward, pushing the button before the pilot could. Predictably, the Vokkrus froze in his presence, and he could feel them glancing over their shoulder to Vok'Rul. Whatever the alien did must have reassured the pilot, though, because they didn't do anything in retaliation. "Hi, this is Viktor. Uh, Kohgrash, I guess. Vokkra... wanted to do some sightseeing." The reason sounded weak, and Viktor silently cursed Vok'Rul for pulling this stunt.

There was silence from the other end before a weary "Standby," came through.

Viktor whirled around, as best as he could with his walker and the pilot in the way, and leveled Vok'Rul with a look. "This is your fault, you know." The pilot behind him made a choked noise of discomfort, but Viktor couldn't care less about any decorum, right about now.

At least he looked guilty. "I admit that I may have been overzealous. But we are already halfway there, aren't we? No harm done!"

He was right, too. The jet radioed back and told them to carry on but to please let an official know the next time they were going to start traversing the country in a spaceship. Viktor told Vok'Rul that they were not going to be able to go to most of the world's other biomes because there were laws in place, and he simply did not want to risk getting shot down from the sky. Even if the pilot boasted that they could run circles around any projectile. Viktor didn't have to heart to tell them about guided missiles.

Vok'Rul was happy enough to stick to the United States after Viktor told him how many different landscapes there were in the country. They landed on a rocky cliff somewhere in the Badlands - both he and his dad were rather dismayed about the damage it would do to the environment, of which both Vok'Rul and the pilot, Pkoh, were confused about - and made their way to the entrance of the park.

"What are all these lines on the rocks?" Vok'Rul asked when they got to the main trail. There weren't too many people milling about - snow littered the ground in sporadic clumps and the wind was biting.

"I'm not a geologist," Viktor said tightly, pulling his coat more firmly around himself. Maybe touring the country at the beginning of winter was a bad idea.

"Studier of rocks?" Vok'Rul translated roughly. "Do you humans often study rocks?"

Viktor shrugged, marveling at the structures surrounding them. It really was pretty here. "I s'pose so. There's a lot of stuff people study. There'll probably be Vokkrus-ologists soon."

Vok'Rul looked overwhelmingly pleased by that. "I will have to make human-ologists, then!"

"We have those, too. Anthropologists, I think," he glanced at his dad, who shrugged. "'Sides, don't you already have aliens studying us? Vets and things."

Vok'Rul hummed thoughtfully, looking dejected. "You are correct. I fear that we do."

"If I may, Your Majesty," Pkoh interjected, looking timid but excited all at once. "You could dedicate study to their intelligence, now, rather than their behaviors and diet."

Vok'Rul perked up. "That's right. You'll help me, won't you, Kohgrash?"

Viktor said, "Sure."

They could've spent all day at the Badlands, but Vok'Rul was eager to see what else lay in store. Considering they had been to one National Park, his dad suggested going to some of the other ones. Oskar had visited a few during his life, but Viktor had never been to any of them. It was just as new and exciting for him as it was to Vok'Rul.

Yellowstone was the closest, and Viktor was excited. He explained the biggest features to Vok'Rul, who was simply astounded that geysers even existed.

"Water expels into the air? Naturally?" he was flummoxed.

"Yup," said Viktor as he scrolled through the park's website. "'Bout every hour. Since it's winter, we'll probably get a good view, too."

They did get a good view. There was hardly anyone there, and those that were ended up staring at Vok'Rul more than they did the geyser. They ended up having to wait for the geyser to erupt, but the view was awesome enough to keep their attention for the half hour they stood around and waited.

Vok'Rul shouted in surprise as the geyser erupted. Viktor joined him. The noise was loud, and Viktor could feel the heat from the water from where they stood. It was spectacular.

His dad wanted to go through Lamar Valley, but the spaceship wasn't able to hover at slow speeds for too long, so they ended up vetoing that idea. Still, Yellowstone was nice. The mountains were something Viktor rarely got to see. Hot springs were a sight to behold. True, the park was nearly covered with snow by this time of year, but it was still beautiful.

With the spaceship, covering the park didn't take very long. Pkoh had no compunctions about landing in some crack or crevice - he really was an excellent flyer - despite Viktor and Oskar's complaints.

Eventually, though, the day stretched on and had to come to a close. Viktor's energy was flagging, and his stomach was starting to eat itself with the lack of food. Hilariously, Vok'Rul still had some bags of treats in his pockets - something he had admitted quite sheepishly - and that tided him over until they stopped at an actual restaurant.

They had flown over several small towns on the way back to their apartment, landing in the parking lot of the first one that looked empty enough to land a spaceship in. The staff seemed a bit shell-shocked to see two humans and two aliens wander in, but thankfully, they were served. The food was really good, even if Pkoh and Vok'Rul couldn't appreciate the value of a good burger.

"So," his dad questioned in between bites of his cheeseburger. It was slathered with ketchup and mustard, which Viktor found disgusting. How could he even taste the rest of it?! "You guys can't eat any plants? Like none at all?"

"There are some who will delve a little bit into plants, but mostly, we are carnivorous."

"I never saw any animal farms, though," Viktor squinted at the alien. Vok'Rul tilted his head, expression confused.

"Why would I have taken you to an animal farm? You do not like animals." Which, fair enough.

A nervous-looking waiter, who couldn't be older than Viktor, walked up to them, gripping the small notebook so tightly that the paper crinkled in protest. "H-Hi," he stuttered, keeping his wide-eyed gaze on the two aliens. "How are you aliens... uhh, guys... liking the meal?"

Oskar cleared his throat, wiping away some of the ketchup that had dribbled into his beard. "It's good, thank you."

The waiter nodded, a little too eagerly, latching onto Oskar like a lifeline. "That's good to hear! Uh, would you want any dessert...?"

Oskar glanced at Viktor, who shrugged. "Some ice cream, maybe?"

"What's ice cream?" rumbled Vok'Rul, causing the kid to jump in alarm.

"Flavor?" the waiter asked weakly.

"I wish you could try this," Viktor sighed into his bowl of vanilla ice cream sometime later. "It's so good." Oskar leaned over and attacked his bowl with his own spoon, which prompted Viktor to cover it with his arms protectively. "Hey! Get your own!"

"Dad tax," Oskar sniped back, wrestling the bowl from Viktor's hold and digging out a clump of his treasure. Viktor watched mournfully. It had been a huge scoop.

"What is ice... cream made of?" Vok'Rul asked, reaching out to touch the bowl. Viktor smacked his hand away, causing a choked noise to come from Pkoh.

"Don't touch it, man! I've got no idea what's poisonous to you guys or not," Viktor grumped. "It's made from milk... and sugar. And some other stuff. Stuff you probably can't eat unless you wanna get sick."

Vok'Rul hummed, no less interested than before but willing to sit back. Viktor felt for him, really he did. He couldn't imagine not tasting ice cream his entire life. It was life's greatest creation. Ice cream was simply the best. Maybe there was meat ice cream.

On second thought, maybe it was for the best that there wasn't such a thing. Gross.

The next few days were spent similarly. They visited every National Park they could think to go to. Their spaceship was quick and efficient, even if it did give the government a heart attack. They flew well above the airspace occupied by domestic airplanes after one particular instance where they had nearly collided with one. Viktor was quick to suggest they fly higher in the atmosphere because wasn't this a spaceship, after all?

They did get permission from other countries to tour their landmarks, and while they didn't cover everything they possibly could - overnight trips across the globe were exhausting, after all - they managed to see the Amazon rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and on one memorable occasion, the Antarctic.

"This is... fascinating!" Vok'Rul shouted, loud in the small spaceship as they hovered over the continent. They were just off the coast of South America, right at the large peninsula. There was nothing in sight except for ice.

It was cool, Viktor supposed. But once you've seen ice, you've seen it all. He wanted to see a penguin, though. The trip over here had been long. He wasn't leaving without seeing a penguin.

"Let us land," Vok'Rul instructed.

"Let us not," Viktor replied quickly. "We'll end up melting the ice or something. Sea levels don't need that."

Vok'Rul frowned contemplatively. Over the course of the last few weeks, they had traveled the world quite a bit. During that time, they had seen a lot of cool things. Trees larger than life, glaciers majestic as can be, lights dancing across the sky with no apparent pattern. But they'd seen the toils mankind has had on these environments. Trees felled for farmland, corals bleached and clinging to the last dredges of life, chunks of ice falling from their perches. Vok'Rul had seen the beauty in it, but he had seen the slow sickness they were inflicting on their planet, too.

"Hm," he hummed, peering out the window. "It is too bad; I would've liked to step foot on the ice."

"It's probably way too cold for even your spacesuit, big guy," Viktor consoled, looking out the window. He squinted against the bright snow. It looked fuzzy on the horizon, and he guessed that a blizzard was heading their way. "Look, a blizzard."

"I love blizzards!" Vok'Rul said, cheered up a little. The last time a blizzard had crossed their path had been when they were at their apartment. They hadn't been snowed in, precisely, but they had told the alien the perils of travel in such weather and insisted they stay in. Viktor had whipped up some hot chocolate, which Vok'Rul couldn't have but insisted smelled wonderful nonetheless.

"Almost as great of a cook as Thruul, my little Kohgrash," he had told him, much to Viktor's embarrassment. All he had done was mix in the packet with some milk. He was nowhere near Thruul's expertise. He was like the Gordon Ramsey of aliens.

They had spent the rest of that day watching Christmas movies, which had dissolved into a rather big conversation about religion, holidays, and Santa Claus. It had been cozy, warm, and safe. Viktor had been happy. It had been a good day.

***

If Viktor learned one thing during his time on A1-308, it was that good things never last.

The days started trickling into weeks which sped into months and their world tour came to an end. Every day, Viktor felt an increasing amount of wary dread pooling in his gut, and every day, he did his damnedest to ignore it.

The simple fact was that he didn't want Vok'Rul to go, even if he knew that there was nothing either of them could do about it.

And yet, here they were, standing in the parking lot behind their apartment building and waiting for another cargo ship to pick them up to take them all back to The Conquest. The silence between the three of them was thick and mournful. Oskar tried to start a conversation several times, but outside of weak responses, both Viktor and Vok'Rul were unusually quiet. They watched as a cargo ship came into view, circled the lot a few times, and neatly landed between a few cars.

"Hello, my favorite lords," Thruul said as he exited the ship. Pedro came out after him, waving at the trio. "And Kohgrash's sire."

"Always an afterthought," Oskar sighed good-naturedly. Viktor gave him an awkward smile. It felt fake on his face.

"Hey, kid," Pedro greeted, slinging an arm over Viktor's shoulders. "Long time no see! You look better."

Among his regular doctor visits and physical therapy, there had been talk of moving Viktor from a walker to a simple cane. Apparently, his right side was his weaker one. Viktor had no clue why, exactly; he had been thrown against walls and stomped and kicked at on every side of his body. The doctor had tried to explain - something about leaning more heavily onto his right side, which was his dominant side, Viktor guessed, and letting the left side heal more quickly? - but Viktor had been unable to follow.

Regardless, it meant that Viktor had ditched the walker. He was sporting a simple quad cane that made him feel like he was eighty years old instead of seventeen. It was easier to move around with, at least. Plus, he had some fun threatening his dad and Vok'Rul with it.

Pedro got a sly look on his face that told Viktor he was about three seconds from making a joke about his cane, and Viktor raised it threateningly. "My arms work just fine, by the way."

He adopted an innocent expression, "No idea what you're talking about."

Vok'Rul rumbled his happiness at seeing Thruul, and they traded the briefest of touches. It made Viktor wonder what dating was like on their planet for just a second. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know, though. It'd probably go right over his head with all the complicated rules these aliens liked to add.

"Ready to go?" Thruul asked him in a quiet whisper. Vok'Rul's shoulders dropped, just a fraction, and Thruul's face contorted with concern. The cook grasped his shoulder reassuringly. Viktor felt uncertainty in his gut. Was this really for the best?

Yes, he told himself firmly. The thought of going back to A1-308 when he was hardly able to function left him nervous and if he had to admit, just a little scared.

Pedro looked like he wanted to ask the same of him, but he held his tongue, which Viktor was grateful for. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to hold back his angry protests. Or his tears.

The ride to the Sahara Desert was enjoyable with the company, but it was shrouded in reluctant dismay. When they landed, the crowd surrounding the ship swarmed them. Vok'Rul had told the governments the day of their departure, along with promises to send a returning ship in six months' time, and the news had traveled like wildlife. Everyone wanted to see the ship off. Even if it meant braving the Sahara Desert.

Well, they weren't too far into the desert; just enough to not disrupt the nearest city. It wasn't that much of a treacherous journey. They had even started to make temporary parking lots, packed with gravel and dirt. Viktor wasn't sure how effective they were, but they were there.

The six of them - Pkoh was driving the ship again - stayed quiet in the ship for a moment that seemed to stretch on forever. None of them wanted to break the silence. Then, someone started knocking incessantly on the ship, and Vok'Rul sighed, getting up from his seat.

"Well," he said lamely. He didn't - couldn't - say anything else. Pkoh hit a button, and the door opened with a hiss of air.

"Good, you've arrived safely," Ghhvresh sighed, looking weary. Viktor wondered what the rest of the Vokkrus had done in Vok'Rul's absence. They hadn't left The Conquest for the first few months of their visit to Earth, but by the time everything had settled, he was sure that they would be eager to leave the ship. Eager to go home. "Everyone returning to A1-308 is on board already, Your Majesty." We were waiting on you, was left unsaid but loud in the quiet solitude of the ship. The roaring crowd in the distance notwithstanding.

They exited the ship - which flew off to dock in The Conquest - and Viktor had to squint against the sun. Blinking a few times rewarded him with his vision, and he saw that the crowds had been pushed back behind fencing. They still clamored and cheered, the noise swelling as soon as they caught sight of Vok'Rul. The noise gave Viktor pause, but he hadn't spent the last four months doing therapy for nothing. He had been steadily working on his fears and reactions, even if the progress was slow.

He bore the crowd's noise with a clenched jaw and nothing else. He was rather proud of himself for that.

Several of the world leaders were in attendance, protected heavily by their own security guards and militia, despite the claims that this would be a peaceful send-off. Viktor couldn't put it past any of them, if he were honest. If anything were to happen to incite some sort of argument and fight, it would happen here.

"Hello, Your Majesty!" Australia's Prime Minister greeted, calling the other leaders' attention. There weren't many - busy with their own governments or simply not interested in sending the alien visitors off - but they all greeted Vok'Rul with respect. "I hope you enjoyed my nation's coral reefs." Their tone was smug, as if proud that Vok'Rul had visited one of the world's wonders. Viktor supposed that they could write 'aliens enjoyed this landmark and you should visit it.'

"It was very beautiful, Your Excellency," Vok'Rul returned with ease, though no less sincere. He really had enjoyed the place, even if he couldn't go diving. Viktor couldn't either, so there was that small consolation.

"You must visit the Colosseum, one day," insisted the President of Italy. "It is a marvel of architecture."

"I will endeavor to see it on my next visit," Vok'Rul assured him. Viktor felt a little sick, even if he was resigned. Next visit. When would that be? When Viktor was all grey and wrinkly?

He wished he could stop thinking, wished he could just turn off his brain for the day, but he couldn't. His best friend was leaving, and he needed to be there.

After exchanging pleasantries with the leaders in attendance and at Ghhvresh's insistence, Vok'Rul turned toward The Conquest with a frown. Viktor stood next to him, leaning a bit too heavily on the cane, which was struggling to find purchase in the sand. He followed his gaze, feeling a lump forming in his throat.

A heavy hand settled on the top of his head, and Viktor knew his eyes were watering when he turned to smile up at Vok'Rul. The alien smiled back, soft and fond.

"I know your sire and I insist that you remain here," Vok'Rul said quietly, barely audible over the din of the crowd behind them. "But I do so wish to be selfish and take you back to my planet."

Viktor scrubbed his arm across his face, catching sight of Oorah's bite mark marring his skin as he did so. "It'll turn out okay, Vok'Rul," he said instead, voice wavering and choked. "It's not like we're going to be millions of lightyears away from each other or anything."

Vok'Rul let out a strangled laugh before heaving a great sigh. His hand slid off his head, and Viktor tried not to catch it and hold onto it like a little kid.

The ramp to the ship hissed loudly, quelling the crowd's noise for a second before it returned to its normal level. The ramp descended, revealing the majority of the interior, along with most of the Vokkrus, and a few humans, standing at the precipice. Vok'Rul looked at them before looking back at Viktor, clear conflict flickering across his face before something settled and clicked.

Viktor knew. Vok'Rul had finally pushed away his feelings to settle for doing what he needed to do. Secretly, he wished that they could just be a bit more selfish. That Vok'Rul wasn't the leader of a planet and thus making Viktor a target. He wished for a lot of things, but he wanted that the most.

Ghhvresh, Thruul, and Pedro had already made their way to the ramp. Their goodbyes had been brief, but no less sincere. They'd see each other again, one day. It just wouldn't be soon.

Vok'Rul stepped forward, and Viktor had to fight to give into the urge to trail after him, as he had been doing for a year. He had to fight against the instinct to remain at the alien's side. He had to fight to let his friend go.

It was... probably the hardest thing he's done.

The alien took a few steps forward, stalling just slightly before his shoulders stiffened. He stopped completely, turning around and looking at Viktor. He could barely meet his eyes. His voice was loud and shaky when he spoke.

"You have been invaluable to me, Kohgrash. Words cannot begin to express the gratitude and fondness I have for you." He was formal, stiff, and everything that he wasn't. Viktor felt tears burn at the back of his eyes, but he remained quiet. Vok'Rul needed to say this."My life would not be as pleasant, were you not in it. And I... I thank you for allowing me that pleasure."

Vok'Rul bent at the waist, bowing to Viktor. Behind him, the Vokkrus on the ship knelt in response, bowing their heads. Viktor's lip trembled, and he caught it in between his teeth.

"I will not forget you, my little Kohgrash," Vok'Rul said, words trembling. "This is not goodbye-"

The alien cut himself off. He was still bowed, speaking to the sandy, desert floor. He was silent for a long moment, and just as he thought that he would begin again, Vok'Rul simply lifted his gaze to Viktor. That broke what little resolve the teenager had, and Viktor stepped forward with shaking legs, marching up to his friend and slinging his arms around the alien's neck.

"I love you, too, you idiot," Viktor said thickly. Arms encircled him loosely, and Viktor could feel his claws trembling.

"You are much stronger than I," Vok'Rul whispered in his ear. His arms tightened around his shoulders before he retracted, straightening up. Viktor was reluctant to let him go, but he dropped his arms by his side, gripping his cane with so much force, it would surely crack any second.

Viktor smiled up at him, tremulous. "I'm not stronger. Goodbyes are the hardest thing to do in the universe."

Vok'Rul's eyes crinkled. "I swear you said putting up with me was the most difficult."

"Yeah, you're right. Probably dodging a bullet, staying on Earth." Vok'Rul laughed, voice watery. It was strained. Hoarse.

"There are a lot of things I wish to tell you," the alien said quietly. "I could never bring myself to say them."

Viktor was quiet, but he hummed questioningly, squinting up at Vok'Rul with concern. The alien looked back at him. "Like what?" he asked when it looked like he wouldn't speak.

Vok'Rul warred with himself, before opening his mouth. "That you are my greatest treasure. And I am glad I walked into that pet store. You are my dearest friend, Kohgrash, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Viktor smiled at him, wrapping his arms around the alien in another hug. He was terrible at words; the only thing he could say past the evergrowing lump in his throat was, "Me, too."

"I must leave," he said in a whisper. Viktor felt the strength leave him.

"Yeah," Viktor whispered back. Vok'Rul's claws brushed his hair back, and he closed his eyes to bask in the familiar feeling and fight back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

"We will see each other again," Vok'Rul promised him, and all Viktor could do was nod. If he spoke, he'd beg him to stay. His throat was tight.

Vok'Rul turned away, then, and he didn't look back until he was on the ship. Viktor didn't know how the alien could say he was weak when he had to be the one to leave. He felt numb like he had been drenched in ice water. Aching sadness squeezed his lungs, but he found the strength to lift his hand in a wave. Vok'Rul's hand rose in return. The ramp closed.

Viktor couldn't find it in him to drop his hand. It hung in the air, lost.

The ship rumbled and groaned as it rose. Viktor stayed rooted to the spot. He watched as the ship ascended into the atmosphere. He watched as the ship become smaller and smaller. He watched until he could not see it any longer. And then he watched some more.

It was bittersweet. Ever since Viktor had proven the humans' sentience, a countdown had started. It led to this very moment. Separated by planets, solar systems, and galaxies; the two of them were never meant to stay together for very long. It was only when his dad's hand landed on his shoulder gently, squeezing it, that Viktor felt tears slip down his face. His shoulders shook with the force of his sobs. But what Vok'Rul had left unsaid was true.

This was not goodbye, it was merely a 'see you later'.