Chapter Text
Some things in life come unexpectedly — so surprising that you would never have predicted it in a million years, it’s like winning the lottery, a one in a billion. In this case, it came with a marriage contract slammed in front of your face.
You jumped at the loud noise, startled from your work. The entire space seemed to hush down as you glanced up to a familiar face.
“Marry me.”
You laughed out of surprise. He didn’t. You stared at him. Caleb’s eyes did not have any hint of amusement.
Caleb Xia, known to everyone, his reputation precedes him, and a commanding attitude that even has senior officers hesitating.
You’ve had the honor of knowing him ever since high school. His easy-going personality has granted him lots of attention from many; boys, girls, teachers, everyone loved Caleb Xia. You never would have guessed you would have gotten so close to him — there wasn’t any bad blood, but it was hard to imagine interacting when you were in such different ballparks.
Sure, you thought he was handsome, and smart, and overall a good person, but who didn’t? There was a reason why his name was always being whispered through the halls — star basketball player, second top student (someone always keeps taking the first spot away), probably volunteers at animal shelters in his free time — what wasn’t there to talk about?
Caleb was almost untouchable for your average person, like you; you liked to keep to yourself, do your own thing. You had your own friends, he had his own. You had your own goals and hobbies, he did whatever he did. Every chance you had to talk to him was shot down by nerves or someone else getting to him first — it was like trying to cross an impossible barrier. But you couldn’t do much about it.
It was just a hallway crush on the most crushed-on boy in the entire high school, nothing less, nothing more. But the universe had other plans when it placed you right next to him in your sophomore math class in a random seating chart.
You could only stare. Caleb Xia, with all of his aura and fame, sitting in a desk right next to yours while scrolling through his phone and absently talking to other classmates. You stared at the board again, thinking your eyes were deceiving you — nope, it was right.
You felt yourself grow rigid as you set your bag down and slid into your chair as nonchalantly as possible. And that was that.
For weeks after, it was the same song and dance — you sit down and ignore your increasing heart rate and you each stay in your own separate worlds. Until one fateful day that started with a tap on your shoulder.
Your eyes quickly shot up from your worksheet, eyes buzzing around until it fell on the boy sitting next to you. His eyes crinkled into a smile as he pointed to his own paper. “Do you know the answer to number three?” He asked politely.
Ignoring the somersaults in your stomach, you took a glance at the question he was pointing at and quickly rattled off your answer. He nodded before continuing to stare at his paper like it committed an offensible crime. Thinking it was the end of your conversation, you turned back to your own work before he tapped on your shoulder again. “Sorry, do you think you can explain that? I want to make sure I know how to do it,” he chuckled and rubbed his neck.
So that’s why teachers loved him.
Before you knew it, you had spent the entirety of class helping him with the rest of his work as well as yours. You two made a surprisingly great team — his humor kept the conversation alive and your sarcastic replies only fueled his jokes — and as the bell rang and you two packed up together, the conversation never ceased. “You’re really funny, I wonder why I never talked to you before,” he laughed.
“You as well, but your reputation precedes you,” you nodded and went to open the door.
Suddenly, the door flung open and a girl dashed past you to jump into a hug with Caleb. You masked your surprise and awkwardly stood at the time as he laughed and spun her around and above the school desks. “Hey there, pipsqueak!” He grinned from ear to ear. “What are you doing here?”
“My class isn’t that far,” she pouted. “I just left a little early.”
He hummed in agreement and set her down. She bounced on her heels as she began rambling on about her previous class, something about biology. Your heart sank slightly seeing them interact together but nothing was a surprise.
Everyone knew about Emcee; Caleb’s childhood best friend and his number one priority. With all his flourish and good looks, no one was surprised when he kept rejecting confessions and gifts — he was simply saved for someone else.
You didn’t bother to say goodbye, he was too focused on her to even notice when you left.
Surprisingly, your relationship with Caleb didn’t sour as most would expect. You could ignore and get over your lingering feelings, besides, being friends with Caleb was worth it.
By your junior year, you would have said you were pretty close to Caleb — a good friend even. Lunch was always shared together, and you always went to his basketball games and he always went to your activities. What once felt like an impossible barrier to cross meshed so nicely into your new life.
Life with Caleb wasn’t what you expected. It wasn’t an all-encompassing new force, but more like a new color being added to the masterpiece of your own painting. It worked with what was already there, not overtaking everything.
He was like a breath of fresh air after being stuck in a box. It was another sunny day with just the right amount of breeze to prevent overheating. You two were sitting on the rooftop enjoying your lunches together. Somehow the conversation shifted to talking about colleges, schools you were planning on going to, wondering what life was holding for you both. He picked at the cilantro in his beef dish while rambling about his future plans. “I really want to apply to the Aerospace Academy and be a pilot, that has always been my dream,” he smiled and stared into the sky wistfully, as if imagining he was already flying up there.
“That’s cool,” you stared ahead blankly. “I’m not exactly sure what I want to do.”
“Really? Not a single idea?” He turned to you.
You shrugged before taking another bite of your meal. “I mean, I’m kinda interested in biology and stuff like that, maybe engineering, but maybe that’s just my mom talking for me,” you chuckled and leaned back on the wire fence.
You looked back at Caleb — he had this harsh expression on his face, staring deeply at you. “What? Do I have something on my face?” You mindlessly wiped around your mouth, suddenly self conscious.
“You should apply to the Aerospace Academy too.”
You laughed. He didn’t. “What? You’re being serious?”
“What? It’s perfectly logical. They have a good STEM program, you’re smart, why wouldn’t they want you?”
“As good as you think I am,” you cleared your throat. “I’m not all that. I don’t even think my college resume is even that impressive.”
“You should at least try!” The way the need bled into his voice stirred something that you did not want to address. “Imagine!” He suddenly grabbed your shoulder, pulling you in close. “We could go to the same college! Wouldn’t that be fun! See each other on campus and stuff!”
“That’s crazy talk Caleb, I’ll never be accepted into such a program,” you shook your head and went back to your meal.
Even as he pouted and whined, you just laughed. It was never addressed again, but the seed was already planted. Aerospace Academy, huh…?
By senior year, you would consider yourself one of Caleb’s best friends. The amount of times you spent studying at his house, hanging out with his friends (which turned into yours), the inside jokes, he even felt comfortable enough to show off his evol in front of you.
You remember your jaw dropped as the pencil fell off the desk but was then neatly placed right back next to you. Particles of purple and blue swirled around it before disappearing. You turned to Caleb, sputtering as he shrugged nonchalantly. “What? It’s just gravity manipulation,” he smirked.
Even as both of your schedules filled up to a preposterous amount (applications, graduation, college essays), you both tried to make as much time as possible for each other. Which leads you there.
“Hey there! I thought you were too busy with applications to come,” he smirked as he reached for the water bottle you offered from the stands.
“My essay just isn’t working out,” you smiled as you watched as he drank the water like a parched wanderer from the desert. “I needed some inspiration.”
A typical essay wouldn’t have given you as much trouble, but you applied to the Aerospace Academy in secret — you needed something to really impress them. You wanted to surprise Caleb when you got in (hopefully). “At a sweaty, high school basketball game?” He raised an eyebrow playfully.
It was criminal how good he still looked even if he was covered in sweat and hair tousled from running across the court. He wiped his forehead with a towel, those piercing violet eyes making anyone feel small.
“Some say inspiration strikes from the weirdest places,” you crossed your arms in false defense.
Caleb only laughed only to be cut off by the sound of a whistle, calling all players back onto the field. “Welp, cheer me on! Emcee isn’t here to do that today,” he sighed before jogging back.
Ah. Yes.
Her name tasted sour on your tongue. Even when she wasn’t even here, it seemed like she robbed his attention away.
You shoved your envy away — you were a graduating senior for god’s sake, not some petty freshman. And it felt wrong to blame her when she basically did nothing; she couldn’t force Caleb’s emotions, and neither could you.
Your attention was snapped back as the student body broke out into yells and cheers as Caleb made a half court shot — the winning shot. The chaos erupted from the crowd, and some stranger grabbed onto your shoulders just to cheer with you. You couldn’t hold back your smile as you started screaming and yelling with them too. You were going to miss this.
“That was so cool!” You quickly ran up to him as he exited the locker room. “Caleb Xia, carrying the basketball team, as per usual,” you nudged his arm playfully.
“Pssh, it isn’t that big of a deal, in fact, I think that junior played pretty well too.”
Caleb Xia, humble to a fault. “Give yourself the credit you deserve!” You shoved him, he laughed. “It’s your last year! Be arrogant!”
He only chuckled as you two exited the building, the early summer breeze blowing through your hair. The sunset painting him in a golden hue, like his warmth was finally visualized. You two fell into a silence as you two walked back to your respective homes, the only sounds being small birds chirping and cars passing by. “I’ll miss you,” he suddenly said.
You looked up to see him looking at you with an unreadable emotion in his eyes, the sunset playing with the shadows and planes of his face. He was so beautiful. “I’ll miss you too,” you whispered breathlessly.
“I hope graduation doesn’t make us strangers,” Caleb offered his hand.
You glance down to see his palm outstretched toward yours — a handshake. “Me too.”
His large hand enveloped yours as you shook his hand, his warmth seeping into your skin. Your deceitful heart began fluttering again, the feelings you were so desperately trying to shove away lurching back up again.
You looked up to him and felt your breath taken away. His hair swaying lightly in the wind, violet eyes mixing with the oranges and reds of the sunset, his tan and freckles standing out more with summer turning the corner. Words and confessions bubbling up to your throat — you swallowed.
The moment was ruined as his expression suddenly fell and he hunched over slightly. “Caleb?”
He panted as he knelt on the hard pavement, hand clutching at his abdomen. “Caleb?” You asked again, concern laced your voice. “Are you okay?”
He collapsed on the ground, sweat dripping down his skin and face contorted into pain. You never acted faster, grabbing him by his bicep trying to drag him up. You knew an emergency clinic nearby, and with his condition, he needed to get there fast. “Get up, it’s just a little more than a mile, we can get you help,” you breathed into his ear.
Caleb weakly nodded before he stood up on shakingly legs. You wrapped his arm around your shoulder and began to quickly walk down the street, mumbling comforts in hope it would help stave away the pain.
Your day ended sitting in a clinic, waiting for Caleb to come out only for a nurse to come to you and tell you to go home. “His guardian has been contacted, you may leave, it’s late, do you need a ride?” She asked gently.
“No…” you shook your head. “I can walk.”
With the moonlight on your heels, you made your way home, worry biting away at your stomach.
Your hands were clammy with sweat as your gaze was fixated on the Aerospace Academy letter. You took in a deep breath as your friends surrounded you. “Come on, you got this,” one of them whispered, as if breathing too hard would change the results.
With shaking hands, you carefully peeled open the envelope — the crisp navy blue cardstock with orange streaks staring back at you. You set the letter back down, your nerves on fire again. “I think I might pass out,” you joked as you fanned yourself. “The pressure is so much.”
“How about we turn around and you can read it yourself, if it’s good you can tell us, if not, we’ll pretend nothing happened?” Another friend suggested.
The air rang with agreements and mumbling before all of them turned around to give you the privacy you needed.
With a slight barrier established between you and them, you picked up the letter again gently and pulled out the cardstock.
Dear [First and Last name],
On behalf of the Aerospace Academy, we will like to offer you admission in the Academy. Your resume was extremely impressive, and we would like to offer special scholarship opportunities-
You couldn’t finish reading and leapt up in joy, screaming. “I got in!” You yelled.
All your friends spun around to tackle you in hugs, everyone laughing, yelling, someone was shaking your shoulders back and forth. Yet, through all the joy, something felt missing.
As the last of your friends left, you gently closed the door and breathed out a sigh. Looking at the mess left behind, you could only sigh. Plates were thrown everywhere, someone brought a confetti popper from who knows where, and your celebration cake only had a few slices that read “Aero” and “demy”.
Yet the silence that permeated through the air was gentle as you went in to clean up everything, a soft buzzing filling your ears as you fell into a relaxed state. As you finished cleaning the last of the plates, your eyes fell to the acceptance letter still on the table, albeit with some crumbs and confetti on top.
Your pride couldn’t help but puff its chest as you stared at the golden embossed letters. Before you could realize it, your hands already fell to your phone as you took a photo of it — your name clear as day and cake crumbs still stuck on the paper, it added a charm if you said so yourself. You also didn’t realize it when you sent it to Caleb over text with a simple message of;
“Look! I did it! Looks like we’ll be seeing each other at the academy! :p”
It went unread, like all your other messages. Your disappointment rose but there was nothing else you could do. You shoved your phone back into your pocket and went upstairs to finally get rest after such a hectic day.
“Oh my god, he’s back,” a voice whispered from your side.
You didn’t have to guess too hard to know who they were talking about.
You glanced sideways to see Caleb walking awkwardly through the hallways, hair messier than usually, eyes gaunt as he looked straight ahead. It had been two weeks since his “disapperance”, and he looked worse than before.
“Caleb!” You quickly ran up to him. “Are you okay? It’s been forever!”
“Ah, I guess,” his eyes quickly glanced elsewhere, slightly anxious, clearly uninterested.
“Do you need any notes from calculus? We have a test next week, but I’m sure you’ll be given an extension,” you shuffled your bag from your shoulder slightly, ready to pull out your, albeit messy, math notes.
“I got it taken care of.”
Cold. Harsh. Unlike the Caleb you once knew. “Ah…” you paused, not sure what to do next.
His eyes bore into you like a stranger, like you were nothing but a nuisance. “Do you need… anything then?” You asked, choosing your words carefully.
“No, I don’t,” he then quickly brushed past you, like you were nothing more than a stranger.
You watched as he made his way to the front office, with papers in his hands and much on his mind.
Caleb didn’t come back to school for the rest of the year. Rumors floating around of his secondary gender finally being awakened. If it was really just his secondary gender, why couldn’t he come back? Why wouldn’t he answer your texts or calls? Hell, you’ve gotten so desperate you have been emailing him. Nothing.
Like the beginning, your high school started and ended without Caleb Xia involved. You dropped off his diploma at his house, still in your cap and gown, and an elderly woman opened the door and smiled at you. “Hello, Grandma,” you greeted before handing his neatly packaged diploma. “I think he would want this.”
“Thank you dear,” she gently took it from your hands. “He would greatly appreciate it.”
You gazed past her head to look around the house — no sign of Caleb. “Is he okay? Can I see him?” You asked.
“No, unfortunately,” she shook her head and began to close the door. “Sorry, and goodbye.”
“Is he at least alright? What happened? Everyone misses him!” You grabbed the edge of the door, her surprise flashing across her face.
She carefully threaded your fingers off the door. “You can ask Caleb that yourself.”
“He’s not answering anything, I don’t know any other way to contact him!”
“Then I can’t do anything for you.”
As the door shut in your face, you stood out in confusion. Couldn’t do anything for you? What happened to him? Was he okay? Was it something with you? What was going on with Caleb Xia?
“Caleb look! It’s your diploma!” You heard a familiar voice through the walls.
So he was home, and couldn’t even be bothered to open the door? Hell, even text you saying he was okay? Anger bubbled inside as you stormed away from his house, a sour taste lingering on your tongue, and frustration seeping into your skin.
The Aerospace Academy fits you better than you thought. You applied undecided, but after some talking with the counselor, you decided to go major in bioengineering. Apparently, the academy had tight connections with the Deepspace Aviation Administration, so after graduation, you were basically guaranteed a job there.
Life felt like it was finally fitting in place for you. Until it was ruined by a charming young man with dark brown hair, purple eyes, and an Aerospace Academy uniform.
You could only stare at Caleb from a distance — he was laughing just like he did in highschool, except, it wasn’t the same. The great barrier that you had once crossed now felt like a gaping ravine. How could you reconnect with someone that had left you behind?
Your answer? You don’t.
You turned on your heel and away from him and all his golden retriever behavior. If he pretended like you didn’t exist for the last weeks of senior year and into your first two years of college, you would do the same. Safe to say, you were done with Caleb Xia — enough with his golden boy attitude, his emotional availability and then distance, the mixed signals, the lingering feelings from high school — and you never looked back.
The universe just loved playing pranks with you though — just like when you were a sophomore, you just had to be placed with Caleb Xia.
You just graduated, your college diploma in hand and real graduation robes — the deep navy and oranges of the DAA stole matched nicely with the rest of your outfit. You gazed around excitedly, trying to find your friends and parents through the crowd of happy graduates. “[Name]?” A familiar voice called for you.
You didn’t even have to turn around to see who it was. “Caleb,” you tried to keep your voice even as he quickly jogged over.
Your eyes fell upon the stole he wore that was too similar to the one you adorned as well, looks like you wouldn’t escape from him there either. “It has been forever! How have you been?” He looked surprised seeing you here. “I didn’t know-”
“I texted you, actually,” your voice bit back more harshly than intended. “I texted you that I got in. You know, how you thought I would.”
His gaze fell slightly, looking guilty as his eyes fell to your diploma. “Bioengineering? I knew you could do it,” he smiled.
“Thanks.”
You two fell into an uncomfortable silence, he shuffled awkwardly. The loud yelling and sobs around you fell into a buzz as you could only stare at him. All the avoidance over the years of your time at the academy made seeing him a surprise.
He still had that dark brown hair, gentle eyes, the freckles that would poke more during the summer — yet he also looked different. Harsher jaw line, angular planes instead of soft curves around his cheeks, taller (somehow he still hasn’t stopped hitting a growth spurt), broader shoulders, even through the drape-y graduation gown, you could just see the muscles he packed on.
“I’m sorry I ignored you, and I was rude,” he suddenly said. “I know it was wrong.”
Confusion flashed across your face. “Oh.”
“I also know that apologizing now won’t change anything, but I am sorry. I don’t know exactly why I did all of that, ignored everyone and everything. I guess I was scared of what you would think of me.”
The annoying emotion of pity slowly crawled to your heart, prodding at the tender emotions. You held firm. “Why all of this now?” You could only ask. “Why would you even think that? Did I ever do something to make you feel that way?”
He opened his mouth before closing it again. “I can’t say.”
You pressed your lips into a thin line. “I don’t know what to tell you, Caleb. What do you want?”
“Can we start over? Like sophomore year?” He asked.
An unintentional chuckle slipped from your lips thinking of your highschool days. You gazed up at him. “I don’t know.”
You turned around, starting to walk away. “Maybe in the future,” you looked over your shoulder. “Maybe later, Caleb.”
“Caleb!” A high pitched voice rang.
“Pipsqueak!” Surprise and amusement laced in his voice. “What are you doing here?”
Their voices were quickly covered as the cheering of the crowd picked up again, students running over to friends and family and screaming. You covered your eyes slightly as you also searched for your own. You turned slightly to see Caleb spinning Emcee in a circle, laughing giddily like a kid again.
The soft parts of your heart betrayed yourself again, as you wished for the same familiarity once more.
“And this will be your desk, when we’re not doing labs or experiments, we usually have to take care of medical records of DAA personnel,” the secretary guided you over. “Strange, but a part of our jobs, you’ll soon see why.”
Over your box of belongings, you saw it; a shabby little desk with a computer, mouse, keyboard, and a complementary mug. Setting your stuff down on the chair, you couldn’t help but marvel at the small, cramped space. Your first, official place in the area, and pretty much your first official job (if working at a boba shop for three months during junior summer break didn’t count). “Thank you,” you turned to the secretary.
She smiled before glancing at the clock located over your head. “We’ll stop here today, your ‘real’ work will begin tomorrow,” she winked. “Make yourself comfortable! And work begins at 9 am, sharp. Don’t get here late on your first day,” she playfully glared at you as she handed your keycard. “Welcome to the team, [First and last name].”
You looked at the keycard with an almost awestruck look. “Thank you,” you breathed again breathlessly. “Thank you.”
She patted your back and left. By this point in the day, most people were already beginning to pack up and leave, leaving you to your own devices. You looked up at the clock — 5:31.
Arriving early tomorrow morning to unpack your stuff felt too dragging, so you decided to do it right then — and you could sift through all the embarrassing things you didn’t want on your desk in the luxury of privacy.
You pulled out your pen holder, a stack of sticky notes, a succulent (gotta brighten up the space somehow). Taking out a few thumb tacks, you stuck photos onto the cork wall given. Photos of graduation, hanging out with friends, your first drink at 21 — you smiled fondly at the memories. Your hands then grazed on something smooth at the bottom of the box.
Thought this was a cute photo to sneak in - Mom
You read the sticky note before peeling it off the photo frame.
It was an old photo from your first week of junior year in high school. Taken with Caleb as you were leaving the car and both of you were waving at the camera. You had that youthful smile, and Caleb was giving a salute.
You could only stare before placing it back into the box, face down. You took in a deep breath only to be interrupted by your phone buzzing from the last person you expected.
Caleb Xia: Wanna go out for drinks?
You opened the door to an old style bar — there was a live jazz band playing and a comforting buzz of chatter. Your eyes naturally landed on him, but it was hard not to, not when he was so large and commanding just by sitting there. He wore a DAA jacket, a plain shirt, and some black jeans. He was sitting at the bar, nursing a cup of what looked like whiskey, staring blankly ahead.
You walked over and put your bag over on the bar top, taking a seat next to him. His eyes flitted up to yours. “Hello,” you greeted politely before waving down the bartender.
Caleb said nothing as you ordered the drink and watched the bartender make it in front of you two. “You look nice,” he suddenly said.
You faced him and raised an eyebrow. You didn’t even try that hard to doll yourself up — some light makeup, a nicer shirt, jeans, some jewelry. “Thanks.”
Your drink was passed over, the ice cubes clinking against the edge of the glass. You took a sip, silence permeating through the noise surrounding you two. “I heard today was your first day at work,” he mentioned.
“How did you know that?” You certainly didn’t text him that.
“You posted it on your social media story.”
“You still follow it?” You asked, disbelief in your voice. “Hell, you didn’t delete your social media?”
“I redownloaded it a couple months ago,” he rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. “My friends wanted to check up on me again.”
“Hm.” So he would listen to some new friends he made at the academy instead of responding to your texts from years ago?
As if sensing the tension, he turned to you and looked at you straight on. “What can I do for you to trust me again?” He asked.
You scoffed before remaining silent, because the truth is, you didn’t know either. How could you repair something so broken? “I don’t know, Caleb. I feel like this bridge has been burned ever since that one fateful day after your basketball game,” you stirred your straw in your drink.
The silence came again as he searched for a response and while you took gentle sips. “They told me I was an Alpha that day,” he blurted out.
You stared. “That’s… not that surprising actually.”
It was within his attitude, if he had any other secondary gender, you would have been surprised. Even throughout high school, some girls snickered and joked about when he would finally awaken. Boys would look up to him as the prime example of what an Alpha should be, what type of person they should strive to be. Caleb nodded and continued. “I was okay, they recommended that I ride out my first symptoms before they would start to prescribe suppressants, if I wanted to. That was partly why I wasn’t answering, I was… ill, you could say.”
“Makes sense,” you hummed. “And then?”
He was quiet for a bit before starting again. “And then I was embarrassed, and anxious. You just saw me in an embarrassing moment and… I couldn’t bear going back to school, not when everyone would suddenly know by my new smell, my new ‘diagnosis’.”
“Caleb, I don’t think anyone would have judged. You could have at least texted, or even gone to graduation yourself instead of me having to deliver your diploma only to have a door slammed on me when I simply asked if you were okay,” you sighed before finishing your drink. “It’s not adding up.”
He stared at his melting ice, emotions and thoughts swirling in those purple eyes. “I…” he began before stopping and shaking his head. “I can’t tell you everything, but just know that I really did care, and I was really stupid.”
“That would be an understatement,” you scoffed.
He chuckled to himself. “You still have that humor.”
You didn’t know how to feel. Why now try again? What changed? And what was worse, you hated how your deceptive hard fell weakness to his puppy-eyes again. Yet, your stomach didn’t erupt into butterflies, you didn’t even feel frustration or jealousy. It was like talking to a stranger. “If it helps, I wouldn’t have noticed your ‘new’ scent anyway,” you shrugged.
Caleb looked at you as if you just tilted the platform of Sky Haven itself. “You’re…”
“A Beta? Yeah, guess who never had an awakening.”
“What is that like?” He suddenly asked, as if this was a shocking revelation. “Not being bound by pheromones, by… bouts of instinct?”
You looked at him curiously. “It’s… fine, I guess? The only difference is that, unlike you, I operate on a system where I can reproduce on an annual cycle instead of a seasonal one. And my sense of smell is lessened or not in tune with chemical reactors because there is no need for it.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “Huh.”
“I learned that in a physiology class, don’t ask.”
He laughed, the sound coming out like a rumble from deep within his chest. “How else did the Aerospace Academy treat you?”
And despite the walls you so desperately wanted to keep up, they all fell with how the conversation flowed and ebbed — and you felt like you were back on the rooftops of your highschool, talking about applications with him again.
The night soon ended, the bar closing down and you two were ushered out into the cold night. Caleb paid for both your tabs (“An apology,” he grinned) and guided you outside, a hand that hovered nearly your shoulder — not too far, not too close. You wrapped your arms around yourself and stared at the stars — they always looked closer so high up in Sky Haven. “Are you willing to start over yet?” Caleb suddenly asked.
You stood still before sighing, the edges of your lips trying to hold back a smile. “Maybe.”
His familiar, boyish laughter filled the night.
You sat in a cafe within the DAA building, interns and employees running around carrying papers and such. Caleb — who was still wearing his Farspace Colonel uniform, sticking out like a sore thumb — pushed forward a piece of paper. Your eyes naturally fell on the letters in big, bold black ink; “Marriage Certificate”. “You’re not joking,” you mumbled.
“Of course not, why would I joke about such a thing?” He looked almost insulted.
“I don’t know, maybe because you don’t go up to your friends, slam a marriage certificate in front of their face and demand marriage without any further context?” Was what you wanted to say, but you held your tongue. You picked up the paper and scanned it quickly, it looked legitimate. You placed it back down and searched for the right words to say. “Okay, why?”
He looked down. “I can’t tell you just yet.”
“Hm, helpful,” you crossed your arms. “Caleb, this is ridiculous.”
Caleb took in a deep breath before interlacing his fingers together on the coffee table. “I know, but I really need you to do this for me,” he bit his inner cheek. “I’ll tell you later, but for now, all I need is for you to sign this piece of paper.”
“Are you kidding? No!” You shouted. “I’m not marrying you!”
You realized the volume of your voice as the cafe fell into silence, a stack of documents clattered on the floor somewhere in the main space. Someone coughed awkwardly while you ignored the embarrassment fluttering in your stomach and cleared your throat. It must’ve looked like something straight out of a drama; yelling at the Colonel himself in a coffee shop, let alone screaming in protest against marriage. “Caleb Xia, you do realize this is a legal, binding document that will have lasting consequences?”
“I am fully aware, why do you think I went through all this trouble of getting this certificate?”
“I don’t know why! Your average person wouldn’t even think of doing this!” You rubbed your temple in exasperation.
Caleb sighed before taking the paper back, folding it neatly and shoving it into a pocket in his jacket. “Okay, how about this, why wouldn’t you marry me?” He asked like it was an innocent question.
“Because you don’t just propose marriage to someone you don’t even love, let alone without an engagement ring.”
“If the ring is the problem, we both know my paycheck is large enough to support it.”
You almost wanted to face plant into the table — did he just happen to forget the first part. “Okay, how about this? Why would you even want to marry me?”
“Plenty of reasons; we are compatible with years of history behind us, you are financially independent, you are romantically independent. With marriage, you would have higher tax returns and tax cuts, more paid time off, need I go on?”
“Those are very unromantic reasons to marry someone.”
“Must those reasons be romantic?”
How about slamming his face into the table instead? “Yes…?” You could hardly contain the disbelief in your voice. “It’s marriage!”
Caleb then leaned back in his chair. “It seems like we have very different conceptions about this, we can discuss this at my apartment later today after you get off shift,” he stood up sharply and then started to leave, he handed you a card. “Here’s my address and door number if you need it. If you get stopped by the outside guard, just mention my name. Goodbye, [Name].”
“Hey! What? Caleb? Caleb Xia, get back here!” You yelled as he walked away, his figure getting more distant, not paying a single thought to your calls.
You were left alone, huffing and puffing and seemingly yelling at air. This day was just going splendidly, wasn’t it?
You weren’t exactly sure why, but you somehow made it to the impressive, sky-high apartment building. All the surrounding environment reflected on the darkly tinted windows of the apartment, you squinted as the sun rays bounced back into your eyes harshly. With nowhere to go, you were almost forced to walk the comically large distance to the front of the apartment lobby.
Some people eyed you slightly as you walked past, an unfamiliar face in a new environment. The lobby was modern and minimalistic, a clear reflection of the trending architecture. As you made your way to the elevators, they were blocked by a lone security guard, his eyes shifting over the lobby.
As you approached slowly, he gave you a look down. “Um… I here-” You began.
“No need, Xia already updated me already,” he gave you a wink, whatever that means. “No need for the formalities.”
You awkwardly thanked the guard as you entered the elevator and clicked the respective floor. The ride up was silent as your mind floated with thoughts.
You could totally leave. No one was forcing you to do this. This was crazy. Totally crazy. The elevator arrived to his floor much too quickly.
The hallway looked endless as door after door stretched down. You must’ve looked like an awkward fool, looking down at the card in your hand to compare the numbers on the doors versus the ones in your hand. You eventually found the right door, and felt the true weight of the situation pressing down on you. You still had the chance to leave and pretend none of this is happening.
You knocked on the door, made of sleek, dark colors. Only one knock and the door was flung open by the Colonel himself. Caleb smiled. “Welcome! Come inside, please.”
The inside was just as impressive as the outside, if not too impressive — too sterile, too bleak, as if someone didn’t really live here. He guided you over to the kitchen where he eased you onto a kitchen island stool.
In front of you, there were two papers this time. One was the marriage certificate, the other was a contract. You eyed both suspiciously before looking back up at Caleb. He smiled before giving a small motion for you to read the contract.
Marriage Contract between Caleb Xia and [First and last name]
Parties are both consenting and will have a contractual marriage for at least five years where divorce can then be requested. Party A, Caleb Xia, will not restrict the freedoms of party B, [First and last name]; in return, party B will stay within the marriage until the five year time period is over. Below are a list of rules that parties will follow;
Both parties will maintain their financial independence
Both parties will maintain their current employment and jobs
Parties do not have to have marital intercourse in order to officiate the marriage
Both parties will play the duty of husband and wife in public eye
Romantic or sexual interactions are not required by the parties
Outside romantic or sexual relationships are allowed
More rules and specifics can be added with the consent of both parties in formal agreement. Sign ____________
You rubbed your eyes before setting down the paper and releasing a deep breath. “So you’re telling me… all of this earlier was just to get into a contract marriage?” You glared at him.
“Yes, I thought it was obvious from the start,” Caleb shrugged.
Taking in another deep breath, you looked over both papers again before your eyes settled on the 6th rule of the contract. “Outside relationships allowed?” You asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I felt it was unfair to keep you held back in a contract marriage, I wouldn’t be against you having another lover outside of this marriage as long as you tell me and vice versa. After all, this isn’t based on love.”
The last words stung more than you would’ve liked. You leaned back into your chair, mind swirling with questions. “Why me?” You held a steady gaze at him, even though your hands trembled as you tucked them into your elbows.
Caleb was quiet for a moment before talking; “For one, you’re a beta. There won’t be any complications with ruts or heats and no risks of permanent, emotional connection. Second, you’re financially independent enough that I won’t be concerned about your situation after divorce. Third, because of our familiarity, it won’t be that much of a drastic shift between our current relationship.”
You couldn’t help but sigh. The silence fell over the apartment again, amplified by the lack of humanity in the home, and made everything feel colder, calculated. “Do I have to sign today?” You asked.
“No, I have another copy of the contract if you would like to take that one home to look over, edit.”
You nodded before slipping the paper into your back and standing up again. “Alright then, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” you mumbled, still dazed and a faraway look in your eye.
Caleb followed you until you were back outside. He was chivalrous enough to call you a taxi, waving down a passing car. As you stepped in, Caleb grabbed your wrist. Desperation and another emotion flickered through his purple eyes as he gazed at you, expression hard. “Just… think it over, okay?” He looked strangely vulnerable.
“Okay…”
He gave you a smile before letting go, the car door slamming closed. It looked like he mouthed something in front of the window, but as the car eventually drove away and with the physical barrier between the two of you, you couldn’t quite understand what he was trying to say.
As the taxi began to speed away, Caleb’s figure eventually grew smaller and smaller. He stood still like a statue, the gentle winds messing up his brown hair. You slumped down into the car seat, fiddling with your thumbs. Something in your gut told you there was something more to this.