*mentions of self-harm*

Siblings are the worst in every single race, it seems.

———

Xylion sighed as he cataloged the supplies they had just received. It was a tedious task, but it had to be done.

Tilerion really should be doing this. He is the intern, after all.

Xylion sighed but continued to do his task. As much as he may grumble about it, Xylion would never actually fight Zellnor about it. He respected him too much to do that.

Time seemed to drag on forever. Xylion kept grumbling in his mind, but never stopped. As he got to the halfway point, he heard footsteps. Xylion turned around to see Human Fredrick walk over.

"Human Fredrick, what are you doing over here?" Xylion asked, continuing to catalog the supplies.

Human Fredrick scratched the back of his neck. "Well- I, I need your advice, Xylion."

Xylion blinked at the human. He needed Xylion's advice?

"What do you need, Human Fredrick?"

Human Fredrick sighed. "The Captain has invited a scientist aboard to discuss some of the different samples that we discovered on Planet 5589."

"Ah yes. That was the time Human Isaac accidentally set of a volcanic reaction, correct?"

"Yes. I don't understand how, but-" Human Fredrick stopped himself- "that's not what we're talking about. What I mean to ask is that, well, the scientist is K'Lonian."

Xylion blinked. "You came to ask me how to approach him, yes?"

"Right! I mean, you're a K'Lonian as well, so-"

"Do you know what the scientist's name is?"
Xylion asked, writing some more supplies down.

Human Fredrick shook his head. "Captain Zellnor even said he has no idea. He just knows he's K'Lonian, and a trusted ally of the USL, so we're not questioning him."

Xylion nodded, setting the tablet down. "Alright. I would say to treat him with respect. Scientist back on my planet are highly respected, often more so than our leaders."

"Really? Science is that important to you guys?" Human Fredrick asked, adjusting his glasses.

"Of course. Is it not at our home world?"

"I mean, I guess it is. Not many people really care, though. They think it's nerdy."

Xylion didn't know what 'nerdy' meant, but he assumed it wasn't overly positive. "Well, I respect you highly. And this K'Lonian will too."

"Thanks." Human Fredrick said, letting out a sigh. "Do you want to meet with him, as well? You must want to see a fellow K'Lonian, especially after this long."

"Yes, but wouldn't you also want to see a fellow human?"

"I live with four humans on this ship, Xylion. You're the only K'Lonian." Human Fredrick said, laughing slightly.

"Oh, yes. I sometimes forget that. Everyone is so similar, it just sort of- well, I forget that you're different than me, Human Fredrick."

Human Fredrick smiled. "Almost like family, huh?"

Xylion felt mucus begin to secrete out of his hands. "Yes, like family."

———

Xylion stood in Human Fredrick's laboratory. It was extremely organized, as labs should be. Xylion saw jars of liquids and assorted substances, each labeled up on a shelf system. A microscope was set up on a desk, and he saw different equipment laid around to help identify substances. There was a shelf with a ton of rocks set on them, each with a card next to them.

"This place is extremely organized, Human Fredrick. I applaud you."

Human Fredrick chuckled as he leaned back on his rolling chair. "Thanks, bud. I try. Cleaning keeps my mind off unsavory topics."
Xylion was confused on what he meant by that but didn't push. The look of sadness in Human Fredrick's eyes was enough to make him stop from asking anything.

As the silence began to set in, the sound of the com system broke it. "Hey, Freddie? There's a guy here sayin' he has a meeting with you." Human Isaac's voice crackled through.

Human Fredrick rolled over to the com system and pressed a button. "Send him in, Isaac. We got to discuss that rock sample we acquired after your mishap."

"Ah. Will do."

Human Fredrick rolled on back to his desk and pulled out a container. Inside it was a coal black stone, smooth and polished. Xylion walked towards Human Fredrick. "Did you clean it up?"

"No, this is how it was found. That's why we are getting outside help. I'm not really a geologist, and this guy apparently did a year study on rocks at his college, so we thought he'd be perfect."

A year study on rocks? That sounded like...

The door behind them opened. Xylion turned around. Standing at the door was a deep, crimson red K'Lonian. His eyes were a vibrant purple. His tentacles were covered in black gloves, and he wore a white overcoat. This particular K'Lonian had flaps of skin on his head, which were purple. They were folded neatly on his head. He was attractive for a K'Lonian, at least, according to all his suitors. He was built, especially for a guy who spent all his time in doors looking at rocks and bacteria. Xylion blinked.

"Jenzon?"

The K'Lonian, or Jenzon, blinked. "Xylion? You are stationed at this ship?"

Xylion looked down. Human Fredrick glanced between them. "You know each other?"

Jenzon laughed. "Of course, we do, human. I am this young K'Lonian's older brother!"

Human Fredrick's jaw dropped. He looked at Xylion. "You never told me your older brother was a scientist. You barely mentioned him, actually..."

"There's not much to tell." Xylion said, awkwardly pulling his gloved tentacles up.
"He's famous, I guess. Discovered planets, found a miracle cure for a disease, got into college at sixteen and spent ten years of his life devoted to his studies. Nothing, really."

Jenzon grinned. "Thank you, little brother." Jenzon walked over to Xylion and put a tentacle on his shoulder. "He's quite the little storyteller. I'm not really that impressive."

"Really?"

"Yes, I only have about twenty awards from the National K'Lonian Convention for my scientific achievements."

Human Fredrick nodded, though Xylion swore he could see a flicker of dislike in his eyes. Was he jealous, perhaps? Xylion knew he was.
His brother was a goddamn national hero. His eldest brother was a warrior who fought hard and fell like a warrior. And Xylion? He was the family goofball. He had done nothing of worth. He was sullying his family name. But, what else was he supposed to do? Xylion couldn't captain a fight ship. He wasn't smart enough to know the difference between a eukaryote and a prokaryote. Xylion was the failure. Everyone saw his older brothers first and then they saw him. They'd sigh and shake their heads, and then whisper about how he should really do something better with his life.

Xylion didn't want to be a failure. He wanted to be known for great things as well.

That's why he signed up to be the second command. He didn't want to take his brother's reputation as a great warrior captain, but he wanted to show how he could easily climb the ranks in the USL by simply showing peace towards others. Why should he bother hurting others when there could be an easier way to quell a situation?

Besides, would you rather be known for fighting a war or stopping one?

Xylion eyed his older brother. Jenzon was already busy looking at the sample with Human Fredrick. That same green-eyed monster built up inside of him. If only he was smart enough, perhaps he could've helped Human Fredrick.

After a few moments, Xylion excused himself and went to go finish up the work he had been told to do by the Captain.

Just like Human Fredrick had said, it would distract him from thinking of unsavory topics.

———

Xylion sat in the cafeteria, sipping on an exotic beverage they had recently procured from Colony Sector 8956. It tasted fruity, yet also savory. It was a miraculous drink. All the rage back on the USL's main soil. Xylion set the drink down, trying to focus on that instead of his brother.

He didn't know if he was still even on the ship. He hoped he wasn't.

Out of both his brothers, Jenzon was always his least favorite. He never acknowledged Xylion and often contradicted him over the smallest of things. Tylerion was never like that. He would tell him that no matter what Jenzon said, Xylion was still amazing and would do greater things than even Jenzon could imagine.

Xylion felt his eyes beginning to burn. He missed his eldest brother.

He was snapped out of worse topics than Jenzon when someone sat down next to him. Xylion looked over and saw Human Fredrick. "Hey."

Xylion nodded. "How'd it go with Jenzon?"
The human rolled his eyes. "He is the most stuck-up scientist I have ever met."

"Really? You don't like him?" Xylion could barely contain his joy. Finally! Someone else who hated his 'perfect' brother!

"Don't get me wrong, I respect him as a scientist, but personality wise he's absolute shit." Human Fredrick hummed, drumming his fingers on the table.

Xylion chuckled, shaking his head. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words. I can't stand him."

Human Fredrick snorted. "I get what you mean. Siblings can be horrible."

"You never really talk about your family. What are they like?" Xylion wondered, looking towards the human.

He sighed. "I don't really like to talk about them, but I'll tell you about my family woes if you agree to tell me yours."

"Deal."

Human Fredrick nodded, adjusting his glasses. "Where to begin...well, I have three siblings. I'm the third, with my twin brother being the youngest. I have an older brother and older sister, whom you've met."

"Yes, I recall. Her offspring was very clingy."

He laughed, a bright smile filling his face. "That's Justin for you." The happiness was replaced with a more serious expression. "Anyways, my family never really hated me. I was loved, and it was great. I grew up in a well-off family, which is how I got into such a great college. I was privileged. I was a stuck-up rich kid who thought I could get anything I wanted."

"So, like Jenzon."

"Yes, I used to be very similar to your brother. Then I met Aubree."

Human Fredrick's eyes began to shine, and he got this goofy expression on his face. "We met in college. It was hate at first sight. Honestly, it felt like a romance novel. She hated me because I was stuck up, I hated her 'cause I thought she was 'one of the common people'. But, we kept running into each other and that hate turned into love. Eventually, we were together." A sudden sadness filled his features. Xylion recognized it. It was the sadness of losing a loved one. "I- I was going to ask her to marry me that day. I had it all planned out: we'd go to our favorite restaurant, nothing fancy. Then, we'd walk to the park and we'd talk about our future and our dreams, and then I'd tell her that I was hoping to make one of my dreams come true. She'd turn around and I'd be on one knee, ready to propose."
Xylion watched his friend's face. The sadness increased tenfold as he looked down at the table. "We had just finished eating dinner when there was a robbery at the bank next door. We weren't supposed to be involved. I tried to get her out, but we got separated in the mob that formed. The robbers came out and started shooting at the cops. By the time the dust settled, it was too late. Aubree-" his breath caught, tears filling his blue eyes, "she was dead. Shot through the stomach and chest. I didn't even get to tell her goodbye."

Human Fredrick sobbed softly as tears rolled down his cheeks. Xylion did something that Human Jenny would do whenever he was upset. He gently wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer. It seemed to work, and Human Fredrick relaxed a bit. "My family never approved of her. Max was always supportive, though. I could always count on him. Vlad was also supportive, but not as much. Josephine always hated her. By this time, Josephine had already divorced her husband and had Justin almost all the time. I took up watching over him because Josephine couldn't be bothered with her offspring. Max couldn't really be there for me because of his own family that he had just started, and Vlad was always busy at the company he owns. I was alone. Justin didn't understand why I was always crying. One day he came in and found me-"

Xylion watched as he let out another shuddered breath. Instead of answering, Human Fredrick simply flipped his arm over and showed Xylion the underside of it. Thin scars ran across it, extending up, about three inches away from his elbow. "Human Fredrick, what-?"

"Max was the first to find out. With him being my twin and all, he felt the pain on a deeper level than anyone else. He made me move in with his family for a while. They didn't let me leave their sights as they got me into therapy. I'm better now. If Justin hadn't told him- God, who knows, I might be dead." A misty look fell across his face. He sighed, turning back to Xylion. "Max and I are the closest, and Vlad is great. Josephine is airy and doesn't really get attached to anything, even her own child. Justin is more my son, really. The only reason she hasn't lost custody is because she's able to check all the boxes of proper care. Otherwise, I totally would adopt him."

"Human Justin would make a great addition aboard."

Human Fredrick chuckled, nodding. "He'd love that. Anyways, enough about me. What about you?"

Xylion sighed, taking a sip of his drink. "Well, I am the youngest of three. Jenzon is the middle child, and then Tylerion is the oldest. Jenzon was always stuck-up. He has always been smart, and the thought of him being better because of it is a constant one in his mind. Tylerion wasn't one for smarts, but he could lead a group of renegades with no allegiance and defeat whatever evil they were up against without a single hiccup. He was actually a captain of a ship. The Rebel Rider, I believe it was called."

Human Fredrick shuffled nervously, his eyes still red. "'Was'?"

Xylion nodded, ignoring the stinging tears. "He was killed. He's been dead for ten years. They said it was from a Tantibus attack. Apparently, he had been harboring one aboard as prisoner for a while, and they wanted revenge. It's unsure if it was the Tantibus onboard that killed him, or if it was outside ones. You know, he was one of the first captains to have humans aboard? He too took in four humans. Two male and two female. Reminds me of how you came aboard, really."

"What were their names?"

"I can't recall. I never really talked to him at that point. I was in college at the time, with Dattalion. We were freshmen at the time. Anyways, Tylerion was always diplomatic and a leader. The USL held a huge public funeral for him upon his passing. My mother and father spoke at it, but I couldn't do it. I- I couldn't bear to see everyone talking about my brother. I didn't believe he was gone, and it took a while for it to settle in. Jenzon and I lost contact at that point. I threw myself into getting a position in the USL. Not a captain, mind you. I'm not a leader. I wanted something that wouldn't be too difficult. When the second-in-command position came up here, I applied. I figured that being on a transport ship would be better than a war ship like my brother commanded."

Human Fredrick smiled. "I'm glad you did. It's been amazing having you as a friend. I couldn't imagine working and living aboard any other ship."

"My brother would've loved you. He enjoyed humans and especially loved scientists. I think that's part of the reason why Jenzon became one. He looked up to our brother just as much as I did. We still do, really. If I had to name any hero, it would be him."

"I think Aubree would've loved you too. She always loved aliens, you know. We were fifteen when you first made contact. I remember when we really started talking, she said her dream job was to work aboard an alien ship and meet different species. Part of the reason I accepted this job was for her memory. I'll love her forever. Right now, I couldn't move on. It's been three years, and I still can't bring myself to love another woman. Is that silly?"

"No, no it's not. You have yet to move on fully, that much is obvious. You probably never will, but your scars aren't fully healed. Eventually, one day, you'll meet someone who can help heal them. Once you meet that person, you won't feel as if you're betraying her memory. She was a huge part of your life and will always remain as such. No matter who you love in the future, a part of you will always belong to her, and that's okay. Anyone who truly cares about you will accept that."

Human Fredrick smiled. "Thanks for that, Xy. I needed it."

Xylion smiled at the nickname. "No problem, Freddie."

Human Fredrick's eyes widened. "You called me Freddie!"

"Is that a problem? I can go back-!"

"No! You can call me Freddie! I'm just so glad you feel comfortable enough to call me that!" Fredrick said, smiling brightly.

Xylion smiled. "Of course. We are friends, aren't we?"