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[imthepilot]

Bodhi waits by the outer door of the facility, looking up at the sky that is for once not black. Grey and hazy but not black.

The medic has given him a series of injections that allow him to walk and carry a light pack without too much pain. Granted there are patches he can't feel, his hip mostly. But he can live with that to enjoy a day outside.

Comments

[imthepilot]

Bodhi returns the kiss, running a hand through Galen's hair.

He heads for his downed ship, walking a circle around it, assessing the damage with a frown.

[galen_erso]

Galen hangs back a little and watches him. A pilot and his ship have a special bond, even if it's just one of these flailing space turtles: - a ship is both home and the perfect freedom to leave anywhere.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi would like to think he's not that sentimental. A ship is freedom. This ship is- "Not flying any time soon. With the resources here, the Empire is more likely to junk her. Getting it off world whole might be more than it's worth. Maybe if I can get it down to the pad, I can scavenge some parts. Patch the wing up enough to get it out of orbit."

[galen_erso]

"And then what?" Galen asks. Getting it out of orbit is flying isn't it?

[imthepilot]

Bodhi shakes his head. "Then nothing, unless I can arrange a pick up. The sublight engines are too close to the broken landing strut. Cheap design to make more cargo space. The risk that the engine integrity is compromised is too high. One micro-fracture and the ship tears itself apart. I can get into orbit on maneuvering thrusters but once I'm up, I won't be able to do anything but float."

He runs his hands through his hair. "I'll run an assessment scan and submit it for orders. Chances are they'll declare it derelict and send a salvage crew later."

He pops the hatch and climbs is the leaning ship, offering Galen a hand up. "Once my medical leave is up, I'll most likely be ordered to hitch back with another crew. If I'm lucky they'll assign me a new ship within a week or two."

[galen_erso]

Galen takes the hand and nimbly follows him up into the ship.

"So you need to get your own stuff and the cargo out first, then take it up on thrusters?" he guesses, looking around an remembering the first meal they had shared. "Your spices. Your non-regulation food and drink. Anything not issued by the Empire."

[imthepilot]

"I don't have much in the ways of personal effects but I could do with having them. Especially if I'm staying on the facility for a while."

It doesn't take long to pull everything together into his pack. And yes, his spices and stash of food stuffs, all carefully packed.

[galen_erso]

Galen watches him, then offers his help.

"Do you have another backpack for me?"

[imthepilot]

"Uh, yeah. There's a spare." He runs his hands over the hatches and cupboards, finding what he needs with the minimum of fuss. He'd know his way around this ship in his sleep. "Thank you. I was planning to strap an anti-grav to the cargo and float it down after us."

[galen_erso]

"Climbing is safer and easier if the backpack isn't that heavy," Galen says. Unless you want to put everything in with the cargo?"

[imthepilot]

"Just my personal things." Which yes, includes his spices. "I can pack the rest and send it on."

[galen_erso]

"I'll be glad to help you carry your personal things," Galen says with a little smile, "as you're my pilot, and I love you."

[imthepilot]

That distracts Bodhi from his ruthlessly efficient checks of the stowage.

He puts down the pack and crossed to Galen, kissing him soundly. Little reminders he's not alone always catch him off guard.

[galen_erso]

Galen puts his arms around Bodhi to kiss him back.

They do have enough time for this. They have time. This alone feels like a miracle.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi draws back, just enough to look Galen in the eye. Full of wonder, and a little worry. "Galen?"

[galen_erso]

"Bodhi."

He smiles into Bodhi's eyes, realising that in this odd little moment, he is happy.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi's eyes brighten, just... holding Galen. Because he can feel it too. He strokes Galen's cheek, mesmerising the way Galen's face feels.

[galen_erso]

Galen bends his head to kiss Bodhi again, almost ceremonially, to underscore the meaning of the moment.

[imthepilot]

And Bodhi opens himself to it, just... kissing Galen. Like there's nothing else in the galaxy to do. Nothing else that matters.

[galen_erso]

Nothing else matters right now, not the past or the future, not the Empire or the rebels, not the kyber or the Death Star.

Only Bodhi.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi breaks off the kiss with a breathless laugh, pressing his forehead to Galen's. "So this is what if feels like." He smiles, arms loose around Galen's shoulders.

[galen_erso]

"Yes," Galen says, holding him close, their breath mingling in the cold air of the shuttle. "This is it."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi smile, bright and unashamed. "Thank you." He kisses Galen again. Because he can.

[galen_erso]

Galen's smile is as bright, his reddish eyes shine with joy and love.

"Thank you for existing," he says softly, "and thank the Force for bringing you to me, and me to you."

[imthepilot]

"Thank the force." Bodhi echoes softly. And without bitterness for perhaps the first time ever.