When he opened the door to the apartment, there were fast footsteps in the hall and the next thing, Menya closed him in his arms.
Zhyara hugged his social zhyama back, and for a long time, neither of them said anything; they just breathed each other’s familiar scent. Then Zhyara went to change out of his uniform–the desert stains would need to be washed out–and returned to the living room in just a pair of shorts, where Menya had poured drinks. They sat on the couch facing the window, staring at the view.
"There was trouble," Menya said. It was not a question.
"Xiya," Zhyara said, and that was enough of a reply. Menya knew everything about Zhyara’s family. After a silence he added, "It’s worse than usual. I’m afraid he’s about to join the zeyshi, and there is going to be another raid."
