Gems and Star Flowers

A lonely ex-lab subject on the run…

Half-human, half-Perlian Zerrick has been on the run for years, from his past, and from the scientist who held him prisoner for experimentation all his life. Even worse, he's been wrongly branded an outlaw by the organization that held him captive. Staying in one place very long is dangerous with bounty hunters never far behind. His days are spent as a cargo transporter, but it's a lonely existence.

A sweet failed mercenary trying to move on…

Fleur is running from his past, too. Abandoning his planet and his duty of mandatory mercenary service because he didn't wish to fight, he now spends his time selling astrae flowers to passersby. It may be lonely, though at least he gets to see new and interesting people who come and go.

When Zerrick happens upon Fleur's flower stand, there's an immediate and undeniable connection between the two of them. They become fast friends, and the first bloom of romance begins between them. Despite the desperately needed solace they might find in each other, Zerrick can't stay anywhere too long. Then, Fleur surprises him by deciding to come along with him on his travels.

An exploration of each other through space…

Together, they might finally find peace of mind and happiness they seek. But not before grappling with the skeletons they both have in their closets, which are more intertwined than they realize.