(no subject)

[imthepilot]

Galen gets a message late one evening. The evening Bodhi was planning to spent down in the barracks with the other cargo crews.

The message from the head medic. You better get down here.

Comments

[galen_erso]

"He's very busy being important," Galen says. "And we're not the right people to be important at."

[imthepilot]

"He doesn't look as dashing in the rain?" Bodhi asks, somewhat sarcastically.

[galen_erso]

"Oh yes, his beloved white cape," Galen says, smiling. "Lyra and I had to work so hard not to laugh when he first turned up in that. We felt it would be unkind. Later, it was a tyrant's attire nobody dares to laugh at if they treasure their life."

[imthepilot]

"A tyrant in white." Bodhi shakes his head. "How poetic. Goes well with the monster in black."

[galen_erso]

"Yes, that it does," Galen says. "But Krennic has many higher-ups and lateral equals to contend with. He's not nearly as unassailable as Vader."

[imthepilot]

"But it's all about the look. The cape. Inspiring something... more than your average Imperial."

[galen_erso]

"And he is using me to be more than average," Galen says. "I can build the thing that will make him special."

[imthepilot]

"Because he isn't special himself." He reaches out to cup Galen's cheek. This was what Lyra died for - Krennic's ego. He could only imagine how much that hurt.

[galen_erso]

"Not really," Galen says. "Hence the cape."

[imthepilot]

"And instead he hides the brilliant ones here. The ones he uses to climb higher."

[galen_erso]

"Yes, that is the point of this installation," Galen says. "We do the actual thinking, Krennic gets the credit."

Pause.

"Not that I want any credit. Or think about this at all."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi gets up and reaches for Galen. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

[galen_erso]

"About the subject of my work," Galen says, reaching out to Bodhi in turn. "I want to think about how to use my work for good, to supply planets with energy to rebuild after the wars, not..."

Pause.

Silence.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi hears the unspoken words. "Let's go climbing again. As soon as there's a gap in the weather." Where they can talk. Where they can plan.

[galen_erso]

"Oh yes, the is a route I'd like to show you," Galen says, picking up on that promise.

[imthepilot]

"I'd like that. We don't have long left before I'm back out on sky. I wouldn't mind doing as many more climbs as I can before I have to leave."

[galen_erso]

"And being outdoors more will be good for your recovery, whatever is still needed for it," Galen agrees.

[imthepilot]

"And the exercise will help me regain some of the strength I've lost in my convalescence." He manages to say it with a teasing smile.

[galen_erso]

"So it's a situation where we win on all counts," Galen says, adopting a mock-meeting room tone of grave importance.

His jokes haven't improved yet.

[imthepilot]

But Bodhi still laughs, amused by Galen's tone. "I can think of a few of those."

[galen_erso]

Galen smiles at Bodhi, both amused and full of love.

[imthepilot]

"Incorrigible." He gets up and clears his plate, leaving Galen to finish. "I'm making dessert."

[galen_erso]

"You are?" Galen says, hurrying up with his regular food. "What did I do to deserve this?"

[imthepilot]

"I'm not sure what you did." Bodhi grins. "But I punched out an idiot. I deserve dessert but I'm willing to share."

[galen_erso]

"You should punch idiots more, then," Galen grins. "Or perform other feats of surprise bravery."

He pretends to hesitate.

"Oh, as you already saved my life, you actually deserve all the dessert. I'm sorry I can't make anything more interesting than mixing up fruit with dairy."