By the time Hyungwon returns, Tori is fast asleep once more. Changkyun rests quietly beside her, propped up on one elbow as he runs a soothing hand over her back. The action is more meant to comfort him, he thinks, rather than her. He's not afraid that she won't wake up again, but he'd be lying if he said he isn't worried.

"She woke up while you were gone, " Changkyun whispers to the medic.

"I see."

Hyungwon takes a seat in his chair, eyes fixed to Changkyun with poorly disguised interest. The telepath is treating the woman with far more intimacy than he had before.

"We bonded, " Changkyun reveals, a response to the medic drilling holes in his skull with more than just eyes. "It's official."

"In my medbay?" Hyungwon groans. "Thanks. Now I'll never be able to treat anyone without thinking about that."

Changkyun smiles, not apologetically, but mischievously.

"You're welcome, " he replies, grinning.

"Does she know?"

Hyungwon's question is a valid one, and one that Changkyun was expecting. Up until now, no one has explained the Dhee'li mating process to her, and Changkyun himself preferred to keep her in the dark. Given the habits of her people, he hadn't wanted to frighten her away. He'd intended to tell her eventually, and meant to claim her only after he'd revealed the truth. But, things clearly hadn't worked out in that way, and now he isn't sure how to proceed.

Hesitantly shaking his head, Changkyun sighs.

"No, " he answers, "I didn't explain anything to her. I didn't even mean for it to happen. I was just so relieved that she woke up, and the both of us got carried away."

"You know you're going to have to tell her, " Hyungwon speaks quietly. "She deserves to know. By human equivalent, she's essentially your wife now."

"I know, " Changkyun sighs. "But I'm not sure if it's the right time to spring such a thing on her."

"You're afraid she'll reject you."

The telepath nods.

For him, it's a very real concern. He will never be able to take another bond-mate now, but this is likely not the case for her. If she takes the news poorly, he might be left alone for the rest of his life, and the idea of living without his bond-mate is one that causes him no end of pain and stress.

"You should probably talk to the others, " Hyungwon suggests. "If you're not going to tell her right away, it might be prudent to warn the others. Otherwise, someone might say something by accident."

It isn't that Hyungwon supports Changkyun's decision to remain silent on this, but he also knows just how serious this issue is. For a Dhee'li, one's bond-mate is everything. 

Once consummated, the bond between a Dhee'li and their bond-mate is strong. It is the connection of two souls, the merging of two beings into one. Changkyun's soul is no longer entirely his own, and if Tori rejects him, the effects could be disastrous. It would literally be like losing a part of himself, and that is not something that the xenobiologist would wish on anyone.

Still, if Changkyun's contented expression is anything to go by, the telepath doesn't seem to regret this turn of events in the slightest.

"So, let me get this straight. You bonded with Tori, who doesn't even realize what that is?"

Minhyuk's question is met with several murmurs of confusion. Changkyun has gathered the whole crew, minus Hyungwon, and they now sit around the galley's table fixing him with questioning eyes.

"That's right, " Changkyun agrees.

"And you want us not to say anything, lest she find out that you bonded her without her knowing approval?"

The telepath fixes Wonho with an irritated look, but acknowledges his irksome question nonetheless.

"That is correct."

"Why?"

This time, it is Shownu who has spoken.

The group looks to their captain, and then back at Changkyun. Everyone is curious as to his reasoning, so this doesn't surprise Changkyun in the slightest. For a moment, he struggles to come up with the right words, worried about how his crew-mates will take his response. Especially Wonho.

To be fair, he doesn't expect Wonho to actually be that calloused as to actively sabotage his bonding. But, Changkyun is wary all the same.

"Humans don't… well they don't bond like we do, " Changkyun begins. "And for them, fidelity is an option."

He watches as several of his crew mates wince, in Dhee'li society, the concept of infidelity is something that most can't even begin to comprehend.

"Some of them sleep around indiscriminately, though some do marry. From what I understand, it's a diluted form of bonding, one that is far less permanent than we can truly comprehend. A human who marries is still capable of a thing called divorce, and might eventually go on to marry someone else."

The looks on everyone's faces are something akin to surprise, not that Changkyun blames them. If he hadn't pestered Hyungwon for details after the conversation that he'd overheard between the medic and his mate, he isn't sure he'd be able to believe the words coming out of his mouth himself.

"So, " Kihyun queries quietly, "you're worried that she'll be put off? That she won't want you forever?"

To Kihyun, the idea is utterly ludicrous. Having once been mated himself, he does not envy Changkyun his position. After his bond-mate's death, it had been incredibly difficult. For a time, Kihyun wasn't even certain he'd live through the loss. Every day had felt like death, and the possibility of the young telepath going through such a thing saddens him immensely.

Why would Changkyun pick a woman that he didn't think would commit to him wholeheartedly?

"I think that, eventually, she'll accept it. Want it, even. But given the customs of her people, I'm worried that it might overwhelm her at first."

"Understandable, " Shownu says, "though I wish you'd thought about all this before claiming her."

Changkyun, to his credit, does send his captain a thoroughly apologetic look.

"I know it's not ideal, especially right now. But I'm drawn to her, and she to me. I want this, and I need it to work out now more than ever. So, can I count on you guys to keep things quiet? I swear, I'll tell her eventually. When she's ready."

To his relief, everyone nods. Even Wonho, whom he'd anticipated offering at least some resistance.

"You know, " Jooheon points out, "if your parents ever find out about this, they're going to be massively upset. They'll never accept her."

"They don't really have a choice in the matter now, " Changkyun replies with a small smile. "And you know me. Since when have I cared about what my parents want?"

When Tori awakens once more, Changkyun is gone. If not for the pleasant ache between her legs, she might have assumed that she had merely dreamed up their romantic interlude. As it is, she is grateful for the evidence to the contrary, even if it does make sitting up slightly more difficult than it might have been otherwise.

She regards Hyungwon with a bright and cheerful smile, "You look tired. Was I a difficult patient?"

Rubbing his eyes, Hyungwon ruminates over just how to reply. He can't tell her that his fatigue is due to his worry for Changkyun, at least, not without revealing things to her that he has promised not to. So, instead, he settles for something else.

"Incredibly difficult, " he replies. "You bled all over me, and it took fifty stitches just to get the wound on your back closed."

Tori laughs, unbothered by his complaints.

"I'm pretty sure it's not uncommon for a patient to bleed on their doctor, but thanks anyway. For saving me."

"It's my job, " Hyungwon deadpans, eyes flat. 

"Still, it's only proper to thank you."

The door to the medbay opens just as Hyungwon readies a retort, and Changkyun steps through.

"You're awake again, " he smiles. "How are you feeling?"

Tori blushes, and smiles bashfully. 

"Hungry, actually." She replies.

"I'm not surprised, " Hyungwon cuts in. "You've been out for a couple days now. You should go and get something to eat from the galley. Just be careful not to open your wound again and undo all my hard work."

With a nod, Tori scoots towards the edge of the medical cot, wincing in discomfort. Between the ache, and the way that movement pulls at the flesh on her back, moving is still somewhat painful. Changkyun offers her a hand, and she takes it, allowing him to steady her and help her up.

She leans on him for support as they walk to the elevator, smiling despite the pain. To think she'd been worried that Changkyun didn't actually want her. She's never been happier to be wrong, and honestly, she can't wait for a repeat performance.

Changkyun chuckles beside her, and she blushes as she realizes that he must have heard her thoughts.

"It's probably wisest to wait until you heal up, " he says. "Wouldn't want to open up your wound."

"That didn't stop you earlier, " she grouses pitifully.

"I got a little carried away, " he replies. "Next time, I won't be so hasty."

"But there will be a next time?"

"Absolutely, " he answers earnestly.

It is hard for Tori to contain her excitement. Once the elevator doors open, Tori hobbles alongside Changkyun, the latter's arm slung protectively around her waist. He leads her to the galley, and helps her sit before grabbing a seat right next to her. Kihyun comes bounding out of the kitchen, smiling hesitantly at the sight of the two together.

"Look who's finally up and about!" He exclaims. "You must be hungry. Is there anything in particular you want to eat?"

Tori thinks for a moment, deliberating her options. 

"Do we still have any cup noodles left? Or has Wonho eaten all of them?" She asks innocently.

"We still have a few, " Kihyun replies, "but are you sure that's what you want? I can whip you up something special…"

But Tori merely shakes her head. 

"Cup noodles are fine, " she states happily.

Kihyun nods, and immediately heads back to the kitchen.

"You should probably eat something a little more nutritious, " Changkyun frets. "You haven't eaten in a couple days, I don't think cup noodles are really gonna cut it."

"Don't worry, " Tori chuckles brightly, "I really just need something to hold me over until dinner. I'll eat a proper meal when everyone else does."

Within minutes, Kihyun is returning with one steaming cup noodle, and a large glass of water. He sets them gingerly before Tori, and reminds her to hydrate herself before scurrying off. He remembers what it was like to be newly bonded, and figures that the least he can do is give the couple a little privacy. It is highly likely that Changkyun doesn't really want to share Tori's presence with anyone right now, after all.

As Tori begins to eat, Changkyun simply watches. She catches him staring out of the corner of her eyes, and smiles around a mouthful of noodles.

After chewing thoroughly, and swallowing, she turns to face him quizzically.

"Are you hungry too?" She asks.

But Changkyun merely shakes his head. He's certainly not hungry in the traditional sense of the word anyway.

"No, " he replies with a small smile of his own. "I'm just happy that you're okay."

"So, this place that we're heading to next," Tori questions curiously, "is it dangerous?"

"Nasqui?" Kihyun counters.

"Is that what it's called?"

"Yeah."

Leaning back against his chair, Kihyun gazes thoughtfully at nothing in particular.

"It's not dangerous in the same way that Jupiter was, " he admits, "but I would still call it dangerous, yes."

Folding her hands over her lap, Tori bites fruitlessly at her lips. She's heard a little bit about the place from Changkyun, who's been slotted to join Jooheon and Kihyun on a trip to one of the planet's many markets.

Honestly, Tori would give anything to be able to exit the ship and look around, even despite the place's colorful reputation as an ex prison planet. But she knows better than to argue about Shownu's decision to keep her aboard the ship. She hasn't healed enough for Hyungwon to remove the stitches, after all, and still won't have within the span of a couple of days. 

"What's so dangerous about it then?" She inquires, pulling herself away from her thoughts. 

The last thing she wants to do right now is complain, after all.

"Well, " Kihyun replies patiently, "for one, there aren't any laws on Nasqui. At least, not in the traditional sense. Money reigns supreme there, and the rich care very little for the little guys, or the fate of travellers for that matter. Really, there are only two rules on Nasqui as a whole. Don't get caught, and don't provoke the wealthy."

Tori listens intently, soaking in every bit of knowledge that Kihyun is imparting upon her.

"It's not uncommon to find yourself at the wrong end of a gun on that planet, especially if you're not careful. When everyone is trying to get rich, and money makes you invincible, people will naturally resort to violence more often than not."

"If that's the case, " Tori asks earnestly, "then why does anyone do business there at all?"

Kihyun leans forward in his seat, clasping his hands together as he speaks.

"There's a lot of things there that you can't get anywhere else, " he replies, "and if you're looking to sell something without going through miles of red tape and questions you can't or don't want to answer, there's no place better to do business."

"Are the things we need so hard to come by?"

Kihyun shakes his head, and leans back into his seat once more.

"No, " he discloses truthfully, "in our case, it's more due to the fact that Nasqui is the closest available port. The patch job that Wonho performed on Jupiter won't hold out long enough for us to make it back to legal space, so our options are limited."

Eyes wide, Tori allows that bit of knowledge to sink in. She hadn't known the Denali was in such poor shape.

At the sound of the lounge's door sliding open, Tori sits up a bit, eager to see who might be joining them. Since she woke up, she hasn't really seen the majority of the crew. Changkyun has been by her side at nearly every waking moment, only leaving her with Kihyun for company once Shownu had commanded him to do so. As it turns out, he never managed to crack the cipher he'd downloaded on Jupiter.

She'd assured him that she would be fine without him, and Kihyun had quickly volunteered to keep her company to ease the telepath's worries. But she has yet to see any of the others aside from Hyungwon, and that's only because he had been present when she'd awakened.

To her surprise, the person that comes strolling into the lounge is none other than Minhyuk, and he wears an exasperated expression that she finds extremely curious. He makes a beeline for the bar, uttering not a word as he pours himself a glass full of a rather exotic looking spirit in a rich shade of purple. The bottle, a slim and alien-looking thing decorated with foreign characters that she could never hope to read, is nearly empty. This causes the annoyed technopath to sigh in frustration, though he drains the glass in his hand anyway.

"What's wrong?" Tori asks, turning around in her seat to face him, though at this angle all she can see is his back. "Is your project not going well?"

Actually, his project is going fairly spectacularly and has nothing to do with his current mood at all, but Minhyuk doesn't voice that at all. Instead, he turns around with a forced smile on his face, and waves.

"How are you feeling?" He asks, completely avoiding her question and substituting his own. "I heard you were up and about. Sorry I haven't come to visit you yet."

Shaking her head, Tori responds.

"It's fine. I'm sure you were probably really busy."

The smile on his face wanes a bit as he recalls just what it is that brought him up here and away from his beloved project in the first place.

Ever since Changkyun broke his nose, Wonho's been a sulking mess. He'd been mopey before that, when Tori lay comatose in the medbay, but the telepath's fury had fundamentally changed the mechanic's mood. And not for the better.

Especially after Changkyun revealed to them that little bit about him having finally claimed their resident cosmologist, who is currently gazing at him with a worried expression.

"Actually, " Tori says, "there is something that I wanted to talk to you about, but I didn't want to disturb your work."

Intrigued, Minhyuk deposits his empty glass upon the bar and joins Kihyun on the sofa opposite the human female.

"What did you want to talk about?" He asks, leaning into the conversation and giving her his full attention.

"I know that it's probably gonna be a while before I'm allowed to leave the ship again after the events on Jupiter, " Tori begins, "but I was thinking about what happened, and I felt that maybe it would be prudent for me to have some way to defend myself."

Kihyun, who has been quietly observing the interaction between the two, nods in agreement.

"That would be wise, " he concedes. "But why talk to Minhyuk? Jooheon runs the armory."

"This is true, " Minhyuk adds. "What could I do for you that Jooheon can't?"

"Well, " Tori explains, squirming a bit as she speaks, "the truth is that I already talked to Changkyun and Shownu, and the both of them denied my request for a weapon. So, instead of a weapon, I was thinking of something maybe a little more defensive."

To say that Kihyun is floored is an understatement. He doesn't understand why either of them would feel the need to deny her a weapon. Though it does make sense that Changkyun would want to keep her away from any fighting as much as possible, surely he has to realize that in instances of self defense, a weapon would be invaluable.

And Shownu…

He really would have expected better judgment from the captain, though he wonders if it was a decision made to appease Changkyun's already frayed nerves.

"I think Changkyun is afraid that if I'm given a weapon, I'll try to explore on my own. Like on Jupiter." Tori explains. "I can't deny that the thought crossed my mind, so I really can't blame him. But, I'd really like to be assured that if something were to happen, I'd have options."

"Makes sense, " Minhyuk murmurs thoughtfully.

Already, his brain is working at about a mile a minute. With the components that he has aboard the ship, he could easily craft a cloaking belt for her, but the technopath struggles to think of anything else. None of the hardsuits that they currently possess would fit her, given that they were all designed for the male physique. And he's fairly certain that he's missing at least two of the parts necessary to create a shielding device instead.

"So can you help me?" Tori looks at Minhyuk hopefully, hands clasped together in a silent plea.

"I'll see what I can do, " the technopath replies.

The smile that Tori gives him is one of the biggest he's ever seen.

With a frustrated sigh, Changkyun digs his own fingernails into his scalp. No matter how many times he looks at it, there are at least three characters within the cipher that make absolutely no sense.

He's managed to piece together the majority of it, enough to determine that there is no message hidden beneath the cipher itself. His biggest breakthrough was discovering that it is little more than a phonetic guide, though he still hasn't figured out why such a thing was left behind in a genetic research facility of all places.

The more he studies it, the more it seems that it was actually intended to teach whatever dead language these characters represent. But with the limited context that he has, there is only so much he can do.

Granted, all of his translations thus far hinge completely on the similarities he's noticed between this language, and the language of his people. Truthfully, there are far too many for it to be a coincidence.

The telepath stares at the holo-display before him with tired eyes, eyes that scan over the same line of text on repeat, though he tries to ignore it and move on. He's stuck on a character that resembles the Dhee'li word for person, but the fundamental differences in the character before him, and the one that his brain keeps unhelpfully supplying, are far too jarring for the two to be a match.

Sighing once more, he waves his hand over the display, pushing it to the side in favor of viewing the data that Minhyuk sent him earlier.

It seems that when the technopath downloaded every bit of data the facility had to offer, there were quite a few missives as well. Already, Changkyun has poured over a few of them. Some of them he's managed to translate entirely, though the ones he's finished held nothing particularly exciting. Nor, he groans to himself, anything related to the treasure map.

Mostly, they seem to be correspondences between facilities. There is the standard inventory lists, and the occasional request for a transfer, as well as a couple personal letters seemingly sent between acquaintances. The inventory lists are a bit odd, he'll admit, but considering that the place was a genetic research facility this doesn't really raise either of Changkyun's eyebrows.

It's frustrating to think that there could be more information in the missives that he hasn't translated, but that frustration is honestly only making it harder for him to think straight.

Resigning himself to a temporary defeat, the telepath gathers his materials and rises from his seat. He's managed quite a bit in the last few hours, and he's fairly certain that Shownu will be pleased. Despite the captain's often gruff demeanor, he really isn't a slave driver. Nevertheless, he moves towards the cockpit to check in, and secure a break.

After a nice, hot shower, Tori feels a lot less stiff and stressed. It still stings a bit if she moves too suddenly, but at the very least she no longer has to lean on someone else to walk.

Which is good, because another night on the medbay's cot and she might actually revolt. She hadn't noticed it while comatose, but the thing was definitely not nearly as comfortable as her own bed. She'll be glad for the ability to sleep in it once more.

Upon entering her room, Tori smiles.

Changkyun is currently fast asleep, back resting against the headboard of her bed. He must have been waiting for her, she thinks. How tired has he been for him to fall asleep like that?

She quietly tip-toes across the room to stash her hygiene basket in the closet, careful not to wake him. He doesn't budge in the slightest, however, not even when she crawls into the bed next to him. As gentle as she can, she pulls at his legs, intending to rearrange him into a more comfortable position. Thankfully, he remains asleep, even when she accidentally bumps his head against the headboard. 

Once he is settled, she pulls the blanket over the both of them before snuggling into her beloved mattress herself. 

Tori winces as the sheet rubs against her stitches the wrong way, and hisses quietly in discomfort. It hurts a bit, but she manages to roll onto her side with some effort, only to be met with Changkyun's concerned gaze. His eyes are wide open, and he is regarding her with such a worried expression that her heart absolutely melts.

Of course her discomfort would wake him. Of all the things, it would be that. Now she feels kind of bad. She's probably the reason he was so tired in the first place, or at least, her condition probably is.

"It's not your fault, " Changkyun murmurs softly, "don't fret."

He opens his arms, gesturing for her to scoot in. And since it is an offer that she has no desire to ignore, she readily complies.

"You were sleeping so peacefully, " she tells him as she snuggles into his chest. "I didn't mean to wake you."

With a smile, the telepath replies.

"I'm sure I'll fall back to sleep shortly."