(no subject)

[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]

"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.

[galen_erso]

Galen kisses him again, holding him close and letting the feelings wash over them both, a large, warm wave that can carry them safely.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi holds him for what seems like hours, sharing kisses and basking in this.

"We could stay here, you know? Tonight. I have a sleeping mat. Unless you have to get back."

[galen_erso]

"I'll have to send a message to the droid I gave my codes to," Galen says. "So they won't come out to look for me. But then, it should be fine."

[imthepilot]

"Then stay? Just us." Bodhi asks hopefully. "There's a far bit of daylight left and if we're lucky and the clouds clear a little, we'll be able to see planetset."

[galen_erso]

"Yes," Galen says. "Let's do that. Just us, with nobody else for miles and miles. You don't have a droid?"

Many pilots do.

[imthepilot]

"No, but I've got a data transmitter. It'll reach the research facility easily enough."

[galen_erso]

"Good, we can do that," Galen says. "Can you patch me into the data net straight away? I'd rather not talk to a person."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi nods, only letting go of Galen long enough to radio in the signal to patch through to the data net. Something most ships can't do. The advantage of small haulers, they have better communication systems to even the next model up.

"All yours."