Rational Existence. Extra Elements Series, #8

Trapped deep in an underground testing facility, freedom was a dream for Royce. Life has been daily rounds of fighting to survive and hopeless agony for years. But all of that is sufferable, worthwhile, because those Royce loves are safe and free. That's all that matters. That's not all that matters, not to the residents of the Rocky Mountain Base. Especially Catro, a giftless Andromedan Ancient suffering from a life long existential crisis.
But then something happens to him and everything becomes clear to him. No longer lost and confused, he knows exactly what he has to do. The first step is to bring Royce back to him. That's right!Back! After Eon's he is still trying to protect her, now with the chance of finally keeping her. Warning: Some scenes may be triggering.