Mike watched as At'chii's bioluminescence dimmed to almost nothing. Their tentacles moved through the data with increasing slowness, like someone double-checking multiplication and getting the same impossible answer. When they reached what seemed to be his basic biological makeup, their beak clicked so softly it was barely audible.

  He had never seen them so still. Even their usual background patterns of light had faded to a bare flicker. One tentacle reflexively offered him water while they stared at the readings, and Mike had a sudden suspicion about what they'd discovered about human biology.

  Their eye fixed on him with new understanding, as if seeing him for the first time. Mike took a deliberate sip of water and watched their tentacles twitch in response. Yep. They definitely knew.

  ---

  At'chii's tentacles began moving again, but differently now - more protective, almost hovering. They adjusted the room's humidity level, their eye constantly darting between Mike and the readings as if he might start leaking at any moment.

  The holographic display shifted to what looked like a comparison chart. Mike caught glimpses of different alien species' biological compositions before At'chii's tentacles quickly whisked that information away as if embarrassed on humanity's behalf. Their bioluminescence had taken on a pattern he hadn't seen before - something between concern and bafflement.

  Every small movement Mike made now drew their immediate attention. When he shifted his weight, three tentacles moved to offer support. When he cleared his throat, another tentacle was already extending water. It was like being watched by an extremely anxious octopus who'd just discovered their pet was made of tissue paper and soup.

  The real entertainment came when Mike stretched and his joints cracked. At'chii's eye widened in alarm, their bioluminescence flaring briefly before they seemed to remember their scientific dignity. Still, their tentacles twitched every time he moved after that as if expecting him to spring a leak.

  He couldn't help but grin, which only seemed to concern them more. Their beak clicked in what sounded suspiciously like muttering as they added more notes to their growing documentation of human biological improbabilities. One tentacle was still absently offering him water every few minutes, even while others worked on what appeared to be emergency protocols for containing catastrophic human spillage.

  ---

  Mike couldn't resist. He made an exaggerated show of wobbling slightly in his seat, watching as At'chii's eye widened in alarm. Three tentacles immediately moved to stabilize him while another frantically checked his water levels in the holographic display.

  Encouraged by their reaction, he let out a tiny cough. The response was immediate and spectacular - At'chii's bioluminescence flared in panic, their tentacles practically tripping over each other to offer water, adjust the room's humidity, and document this potential crisis all at once.

  He held back a grin and decided to really test their newfound protective instincts. He slumped slightly, letting his head droop as if fainting from dehydration. The reaction exceeded his expectations.

  At'chii's bioluminescence erupted in emergency patterns. Their tentacles moved with almost frenzied coordination - two cradling him upright, three manipulating the environmental controls, one checking his temperature, and another practically shoving water at his face. Their beak clicked in what sounded like rapid-fire alien first aid protocols.

  Only when Mike couldn't hold back his laughter anymore did At'chii realize they were being played? Their eye narrowed, fixing him with a look that somehow perfectly conveyed "Really?" Their bioluminescence shifted to what he was pretty sure was the alien equivalent of an exasperated sigh.

  But he noticed they didn't actually stop hovering, and the water offerings continued at an increased frequency. One tentacle gave him a gentle bop on the head - clearly understanding they were being teased but not quite willing to risk it in case he really did start leaking.

  ---

  It happened during one of his fake faintings. As At'chii's tentacles moved to support him, one brushed against his side. The unexpected touch made Mike yelp and jump, a laugh escaping before he could stop it.

  That was his first mistake.

  He saw the exact moment At'chii's scientific curiosity shifted targets. Their eye fixed on him with an intensity that made him instantly regret every life choice that had led to this moment. The creature's bioluminescence pulsed with what he was learning to recognize as their version of keen interest - the kind that usually meant he was about to become a test subject.

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  Mike tried to back away, but he was already surrounded by tentacles. The way At'chii's eye crinkled at his attempted escape told him everything he needed to know about his chances. One tentacle moved toward his side with deliberate slowness, like a scientist setting up an experiment.

  His second mistake was trying to protect his sides because that only confirmed to At'chii exactly where to target. The tentacle found its mark with devastating precision, and Mike dissolved into helpless laughter. Through tear-blurred eyes, he could see At'chii's bioluminescence brightening with triumph.

  Even as they reduced him to a giggling mess, he noticed their other tentacles never stopped their protective hovering. One still held water at the ready, while others maintained their supportive positions - multitasking between tormenting him and keeping their fragile water-based life form from spilling.

  Great. He'd managed to find probably the only alien in the galaxy who combined medical supervision with tickle torture. Judging by the look in their eye, this was definitely going into their research notes under "Methods of Extracting Human Vocalizations."

  When Mike finally managed to catch his breath, he decided it was time for revenge. He reached out and tried poking one of At'chii's tentacles. Nothing. Another spot - still nothing. The creature's eye crinkled with what was definitely amusement at his failed attempts.

  He tried different areas - their sides, their tentacle bases, even a gentle poke near their beak. At'chii just watched him with patient tolerance, their bioluminescence pulsing in what seemed to be a gentle mockery of his efforts.

  Then his finger brushed a spot just behind where their fin-like appendages met their head.

  At'chii's entire body went rigid. Their bioluminescence flared in a pattern he'd never seen before, bright enough to illuminate the whole room. The eye fixed on him grew enormous, and their beak clicked once in what sounded suspiciously like a squeak.

  Before Mike could even process what had happened, several tentacles whipped up to protect the spot, coiling around it like a defensive barrier. Their eye narrowed at him in what might have been a warning, though their bioluminescence was still flickering in embarrassed patterns.

  More tentacles shifted to create distance between them, while still others remained prepared with water - somehow managing to be protective, defensive, and nurturing all at once. Their beak clicked rapidly in what sounded like flustered protests.

  Mike slowly lowered his hand, trying not to grin. He'd finally found a weakness in the seemingly unflappable alien - even if they were now watching his every movement with suspicious intensity, tentacles firmly guarding their newly discovered sensitive spot.

  Neither of them quite knew where to look. Mike absently accepted the water, pretending to be very interested in the way it caught the light. At'chii seemed fascinated by some distant point on the wall, their tentacles still curled protectively around themselves while their bioluminescence continued its flustered flickering.

  They needed a distraction. Any distraction.

  As if answering this mutual wish, a small chime sounded from somewhere in the room. At'chii practically lunged for the holographic controls, their movements a bit more hurried than their usual grace. The display filled with what looked like atmospheric readings, and they threw themselves into studying them with almost desperate enthusiasm.

  Mike recognized his chance to help restore normalcy. He made their established "question" gesture, pointing at the new data. At'chii's eye finally met his, and though their tentacles remained notably higher and more protective around their head area, their bioluminescence began to settle into more typical patterns.

  They launched into an explanation of weather patterns or atmospheric pressure or something - Mike wasn't really following the details, but he nodded along gratefully. One tentacle slowly uncurled to point at different parts of the display, though several others remained firmly on guard duty.

  Gradually, the awkwardness began to fade. At'chii's movements became more natural, even if they did maintain a slightly larger personal space bubble than before. Their protective tentacle barrier loosened slightly, though Mike noticed they kept careful track of where his hands were at all times.

  At least they'd learned something important about each other, even if neither of them ever wanted to acknowledge it again.

  ---

  This story? I might rewrite it (If I find what was wrong), or add some chapters later. We'll see.

  Vials, Viscosity, and Vexing Valor